Development of analytical method of melamine in placenta from pregnant women by isotope-dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Rationale: Melamine is ubiquitously present in our daily life. It has a known effect on the kidneys, but it may also adversely affect the reproduction system. We have developed an analytical method for measuring melamine levels in maternal placenta and correlated these levels with melamine concentrations in urine, a necessary step in finding out if melamine might cross the placenta and enter the circulation of the fetus.

Factors Associated with Types and Intensity of Postoperative Pain following Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To evaluate influences of various factors on the types and intensity of postoperative pain following gynecologic laparoscopic surgery.

Study Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire and chart review.

Results: A total of 84 questionnaires were distributed and returned.

Suppression of cancer-initiating cells and selection of adipose-derived stem cells cultured on biomaterials having specific nanosegments.

Cancer-initiating cells [cancer stem cells (CSCs)] in colon cancer cells can be selectively suppressed when they are cultured on Pluronic (nanosegment)-grafted dishes, whereas CSCs are maintained on conventional tissue culture dishes and extracellular matrix-coated dishes. CSCs persist in tumors as a distinct population and cause relapse and metastasis by giving rise to new tumorigenic clones. The purification or depletion (suppression) of CSCs should be useful for analyzing CSC characteristics and for clinical application.

The combined influence of substrate elasticity and surface-grafted molecules on the ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an attractive source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) for transplantation. However, the low number of HSPCs from a single UCB donor limits the direct transplantation of UCB to patients. Because little is known about the effects of the physical microenvironment on HSPC expansion, we investigated the ex vivo expansion of HSPCs cultured on biomaterials with different elasticities and grafted with different nanosegments.

Effect of the surface density of nanosegments immobilized on culture dishes on ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from umbilical cord blood.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an attractive source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. However, the low number of HSCs obtainable from a single donor of UCB limits direct transplantation of UCB to the treatment of pediatric patients. In this study, we investigated the ex vivo expansion of HSCs cultured on biomaterials grafted with several nanosegments, i.

Resectoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancy in previous cesarean delivery scar defect with vasopressin injection.

Objective: To describe resectoscopic treatment with vasopressin injection as an effective surgical intervention for ectopic pregnancy in previous cesarean delivery scar (PCDS) defect.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University hospital.

The impact of simulated birth trauma and ovariectomy on the gene expression of detrusor muscarinic receptors in female rats.

Introduction And Hypothesis: This study aims to investigate the effects of simulated birth trauma and ovariectomy on detrusor muscarinic receptors (M2 and M3), urethral neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and estrogen receptor beta (ER beta).

Methods: Forty primiparous rats were equally divided into five groups: group A--delivery, group B--delivery plus ovariectomy, group C--delivery plus balloon dilatation for 2 h, group D--delivery plus balloon dilatation for 4 h, and group E--delivery plus balloon dilatation for 2 h plus ovariectomy. The gene expression of M2, M3, nNOS, and ER beta were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Abdominal wall endometriomas.

Objective: Abdominal wall endometriosis is rare, with an incidence of 0.03-0.47% following cesarean delivery.

Risk factors for major depressive disorder and the psychological impact of hysterectomy: a prospective investigation.

The authors prospectively evaluated the risk of major depressive disorder and the psychological impact of recent hysterectomy in 68 women who underwent hysterectomy for non-malignant conditions. Depression, anxiety, body image, sexual functioning, family support, life stress, and subjective gynecological symptoms were assessed 2 weeks before surgery and at 1 month and 4 months after surgery. Depression, anxiety, body image, and subjective gynecological symptoms improved after surgery; however, sexual functioning worsened after surgery.

Ultrasonographic assessment of tape location following tension-free vaginal tape and transobturator tape procedure.

Background: The purpose of this study was to perform an ultrasonographic comparison of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and the TVT-obturator (TVT-O) procedure in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 159 women with SUI undergoing either TVT (n=91) or TVT-O (n=68). All subjects underwent perineal ultrasonographies, pelvic examination, urinalyses, 1-h pad tests, multichannel urodynamic studies and a personal interview using the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire before and 1 year after surgery.

Mifepristone attenuates human chorionic gonadotropin-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin E2 production in human granulosa luteal cells.

Objective: To elucidate the role of RU486 in regulating the function of granulosa luteal cells and its possible involvement in ovarian dysfunction.

Design: An in vitro study.

Setting: University hospital.

A randomized comparative study of the effects of oral and topical estrogen therapy on the lower urinary tract of hysterectomized postmenopausal women.

Objective: To compare the effects of oral and vaginal estrogen therapy (ET) on the lower urinary tract in postmenopausal women with prior hysterectomy.

Design: Randomized, prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary teaching hospital.