Observation of morphological changes in silicon-based negative-electrode active materials during charging/discharging using operando scanning electron microscopy.

The direct observation of the morphological changes in silicon-based negative electrode (Si-based negative electrode) materials during battery charging and discharging is useful for handling such materials and in electrode plate design. We developed an operando scanning electron microscopy (operando SEM) technique to quantitatively evaluate the expansion and contraction of Si-based negative electrode materials. A small all-solid-state lithium-ion battery was charged and discharged, and the expansion/contraction of particles while harnessing capacity was observed using SEM.

Intrauterine administration of platelet-rich plasma improves embryo implantation by increasing the endometrial thickness in women with repeated implantation failure: A single-arm self-controlled trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of intrauterine administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle in Japanese patients with a thin endometrium.

Method: A prospective single-arm self-controlled trial was conducted in Japan. PRP administration was performed in 36 of the 39 eligible patients with a thin endometrium (≤7 mm).

Photolysis of Indigo Carmine solution by planar vacuum-ultraviolet (147 nm) light source.

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are an attractive method to decompose dye-containing wastewaters, because they avoid issues of secondary pollution. In particular, a vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) process is the simplest method, because an oxidation accelerator or a catalyst is not required. Conventional VUV sources with wavelengths of 185 nm or 172 nm have been used.

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome and anti-Müllerian hormone levels before and after laparoscopic gonadectomy.

We report cases of two sisters with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). A complete female appearance, blind-ending vagina, and testes in the pelvis are characteristics of CAIS. Prophylactic laparoscopic gonadectomy was performed in both cases.

ToF-SIMS and Laser-SNMS Imaging of Heterogeneous Topographically Complex Polymer Systems.

Heterogeneous polymer coatings, such as those used in organic electronics and medical devices, are of increasing industrial importance. In order to advance the development of these types of systems, analytical techniques are required which are able to determine the elemental and molecular spatial distributions, on a nanometer scale, with very high detection efficiency and sensitivity. The goal of this study was to investigate the suitability of laser postionization secondary neutral mass spectrometry (Laser-SNMS) with a 157 nm postionization laser beam to image structured polymer mixtures and compare the results with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) measurements using Bi primary ions.

Comparison of FSH and hMG on ovarian stimulation outcome with a GnRH antagonist protocol in younger and advanced reproductive age women.

Purpose: To compare the embryo outcomes of in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in 465 patients. Stimulation was started by daily FSH injection, and either FSH was continued (FSH alone group) or hMG was administrated (FSH-hMG group) after administration of a GnRH antagonist.

Clomiphene citrate elicits estrogen agonistic/antagonistic effects differentially via estrogen receptors alpha and beta.

Clomiphene citrate (CC) is known to possess dual actions as an estrogen agonist and an estrogen antagonist. To see how the dual actions of CC are exerted through estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) and/or ER beta we developed a cell-based transcription assay system in which 293T cells were transfected with the luciferase reporter plasmid with estrogen responsive element and either human ER alpha or ER beta expression plasmid. CC at lower doses (10(-10) M and 10(-12) M), but not higher doses (10(-6) M and 10(-8) M) elicited estrogenic activity via ER alpha.

The activity of bisphenol A depends on both the estrogen receptor subtype and the cell type.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer of plastic used in consumer products, is abundant in the environment and enters the body by ingestion or adsorption. In order to characterize the estrogenic effect of BPA, we performed luciferase assay on three independent cell lines derived from different tissues transfected with either human ERalpha cDNA or ERbeta cDNA. The estrogenic activities of BPA were detectable in all cell lines via both ERalpha and ERbeta.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome complicated by peritonitis due to perforated appendicitis.

We describe a case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) complicated by peritonitis due to perforated appendicitis. A 29-year-old woman presented with abdominal distension after ovarian stimulation with HMG followed by ovulation induction with HCG. Massive ascites with swollen ovaries was observed on ultrasound, and she was admitted on the diagnosis of OHSS.