Three-dimensional high-resolution anorectal manometry: A comparative pilot study with X-ray defaecography.

Three-dimensional high-resolution anorectal manometry (3DHRAM) is a new technique that can explore anorectal disorders and provide interesting topographic data for the diagnosis of pelvic floor disorders such as paradoxical puborectalis syndrome (PPS). Our object was to evaluate whether 3DHRAM can reliably diagnose PPS already diagnosed with X-ray defaecography, which is considered to be the gold standard. All patients being tested in our department for dyschezia by 3D-HRAM and X-ray defecography were eligible for the study.

Autophagy inhibition of immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and in vitro mature activates apoptosis via caspase-9 and -12 pathway.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the role of autophagy in the immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and in vitro maturation (IVM); the correlations among autophagy, apoptosis, and the activities of caspase in the immature oocytes during vitrification-warming and IVM were also explored.

Study Design: Immature oocytes from mice were vitrified-warmed and IVM. An autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine) was supplemented in cryopreservation solutions and warming solutions.

Cryopreservation of whole bovine ovaries: comparisons of different thawing protocols.

Objective: The aim of this study was to perform a comparative investigation of several different thawing protocols and to determine an appropriate protocol for thawing whole bovine frozen ovaries.

Study Design: Bovine ovaries were slowly frozen and then thawed by applying different protocols. Ultrastructural change, follicle viability, and the hormone levels of culture supernatant were measured.

Nanosized gamma-Al2O3 + Nd2O3-based cataluminescence sensor for ethylene dichloride.

A gas-sensor utilizing cataluminescence (CTL) on nanosized gamma-Al2O3 + Nd2O3 for measuring low concentrations of gaseous ethylene dichloride (EDC) was developed. The results showed that gamma-Al2O3 nanoparticles as a catalyst offered high sensitivity and selectivity in the detection of EDC. The addition of a small quantity of Nd2O3 increased the intensity of CTL more than two-fold.