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We determined a reliable Au(i) chloride X-ray absorption spectrum from dichlorobenzene solutions containing varying amounts of [AuCl2]−and [AuCl3OH]−.

This is the first evidence that retinoic acid induces cell death (apoptosis) and inhibits cell proliferation in mouse blastocysts. This results in the retardation of early postimplantation blastocyst development and subsequent blastocyst death.

The mechanism of the Brust-Schiffrin gold nanoparticle synthesis has been investigated through the use of ion transfer voltammetry at the water/1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) solution interface, combined with X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) of the reaction between [AuCl4](-) and thiol (RSH) in homogeneous toluene (TL) solution. Ion transfer calculations indicate the formation of [AuCl2](-) at RSH/Au ratios from 0.2-2 with a time-dependent variation observed over several days. At RSH/Au ratios above 2 and after time periods greater than 24 h, the formation of Au(I)SR is also observed. The relative concentrations of reaction products observed at the liquid/liquid interface are in excellent agreement with those observed by XAFS for the corresponding reaction in a single homogeneous phase. BH4(-) ion transfer reactions between water and DCE indicate that the reduction of [AuCl4](-) or [AuCl2](-) to Au nanoparticles by BH4(-) proceeds in the bulk organic phase. On the other hand, BH4(-) was unable to reduce the insoluble [Au(I)SR]n species to Au nanoparticles. The number and size of the nanoparticles formed was dependent on the concentration ratio of RSH/Au, as well as the experimental duration because of the competing formation of the [Au(I)SR]n precipitate. Higher concentrations of nanoparticles, with diameters of 1.0-1.5 nm, were formed at RSH/Au ratios from 1 to 2.

The objective of this study is to identify maternal, perinatal, and fetal risk factors for clavicular fracture in a single institution. We performed a prospective study of all deliveries during a 14-month period to identify confirmed cases of neonatal clavicular fracture. The control group consisted of the deliveries immediately preceding and following the index cases. Fifty-three cases of clavicular fracture were identified among the 4789 deliveries from October 1995 through November 1996 for an incidence of 1.11%. Three neonates in the clavicular fracture group were delivered through cesarean section. Neonates with fracture were significantly heavier at birth than those without (3564 vs. 3283 g, p <0.001), and had a lower mean head-to-abdominal circumference ratio (0.93 vs. 1.08, p <0.001), history of giving birth to a macrosomia (21 vs. 4%, p <0.05). The anterior shoulder was the predominant site of fracture (30/53). Fracture was detected mostly during the first 3 days of neonatal life (46/53). The outcome was benign, with complete recovery in all cases and no associated neurological sequelae. Neonatal clavicular fracture tended to be associated with neonatal somatometric characteristics and difficult deliveries. Considering the benign nature of this birth trauma, more invasive intrapartum management to lower its incidence is not advised.

Optical near-infrared (NIR) nanomaterials provide a unique opportunity for applications in bioimaging and medical diagnosis. A kind of hydrophilic NIR fluorescent core-shell structured silica nanoparticle containing NIR cyanine chromophore, named as CyN-12@NHs, for in vivo bioimaging is developed through a facile one-pot strategy. The hydrophobic CyN-12 molecules can be successfully encapsulated into the core via the self-assembly of the amphiphilic block copolymer PS-b-PAA and subsequent shell cross-linking of silane. The as-prepared CyN-12@NHs exhibits typically spherical core-shell structure, which has a uniform size of 35 nm with a narrow size distribution, and excellent dispersity in aqueous solution.Moreover, NIR absorption (690 nm) and bright fluorescence (800 nm) of CyN-12@NHs with a large Stokes shift (110 nm) in aqueous system make it an amenable high quality bioimaging contrast agent.The core-shell nanostructure significantly enhances the chemical and photo-stability of CyN-12 via the encapsulation, which possesses a 50-times longer half-life period than free CyN-12, along with a better resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, in living cell imaging, CyN-12@NHs shows nearly no cytotoxicity and is able to outline the HepG2 cells. The in vivo imaging on a tumor-bearing mouse model indicates that CyN-12@NHs selectively accumulates in the liver after intravenous injection, and has a long retention in tumor after intra-tumor injection without decrease in fluorescence activity.Overall, the excellent photo-properties of CyN-12@NHs could meet the intricate requirements for tumor imaging, such as high sensitivity, sufficient tissue penetration, and high spatial resolution. The strategy of the silica-cyanine hybrid nanoparticles paves a desirable and efficient route to fabricate highly hydrophilic NIR fluorescent contrast agents for tumor imaging and therapy, especially with a breakthrough in photo-stability, bright fluorescence as well as large Stokes shift.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of concomitant pelvic reconstructive surgery with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure to treat pelvic organ prolapse women with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) or occult USI. Seventy-five women with pelvic organ prolapse and diagnosed as USI or occult USI were enrolled in this study. All patients with USI or occult USI underwent TVT treatment under general anesthesia, combined with transvaginal total hysterectomy (VTH), anterior-posterior colporrhaphy (APC), and/or right sacrospinous ligament suspension (SSS) reconstructive surgeries. The subjective assessment was evaluated by using a visual analog scale (VAS) score and a urinary symptomatic questionnaire. The objective assessment was carried out with a 1-h pad test, cough stress test, and urodynamic examination. Of the 75 patients, 35 patients with grade III uterine prolapse underwent VTH and APC, 30 patients with grade IV uterine prolapse underwent VTH, SSS, and APC, and the other 10 patients who had previous hysterectomy with total vaginal vault prolapse underwent SSS and APC. The mean follow-up interval was 25 months (12-42 months). The mean hospitalization was 5.9 days and the mean catheterization time was 3.8 days. The subjective success rate for the treatment of urine incontinence was 88%, and the objective complete cure rate was 84%. The rate of postoperative complications with persistent urinary urgency, de novo detrusor overactivity, dysfunctional voiding, and tape erosion were 50, 8, 12, and 1.3%, respectively. There were no bladder perforations during the TVT procedure and no perioperative complications requiring conversion to laparotomy. Pelvic organ prolapse women with USI or occult USI can be treated by reconstructive surgeries combined with a TVT procedure to treat and prevent postoperative USI.