(C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry”
“BACKGROUND: A new electrochemical immunosensor for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) assay was developed based on Pt hollow nanospheres and silver/titanium

dioxide nanocomposites. Silver nanoparticles were initially doped into TiO(2) and chitosan (Cs) colloids to form silver/titanium dioxide nanocomposites (Ag-TiO(2)-Cs), which had good redox electrochemical activity and excellent film-forming ability. Then, the free amino groups of chitosan were used to attach Pt hollow nanospheres for immobilization of human chorionic gonadotropin antibody (anti-HCG) to construct an immunosensor.

RESULTS: Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) Selleck Napabucasin confirmed consecutive growth of the multilayer films, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to describe the microstructure of nanoparticles. Optimal response of the immunosensor was obtained at pH 6.5 and 25 degrees C with an incubation see more time of 40 min. The immunosensor exhibited a linear range from 0.5 to 250 mIU mL(-1) HCG with a detection limit of 0.26 mIU mL(-1) at three times background noise. The selectivity, stability and repeatability of the immunosensor were satisfactory.

CONCLUSION: The strategy showed low-cost, high sensitivity, broad linear range and fast analytical time. It is expected that

the immobilized technique and the detection methodology could be further developed for other proteins. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry”
“The aim of this study was to investigate the strategic role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary Ulixertinib clinical trial syndrome (PCOS) and to critically review the published trials that have evaluated VEGF in women with PCOS. An electronic database search of Med line, Embase, Cinahl and Cochrane library was conducted. Studies were included if they evaluated VEGF either in the circulation or in granulosa lutein cell culture media in in-vitro laboratory studies of women with a polycystic ovary (PCO) or PCOS. Studies analysing immunohistochemical expression of VEGF in PCO were

also included. This review concluded that VEGF may have a strategic role in the pathophysiology of PCOS and is the key mediator in the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in women undergoing assisted reproductive procedures. Its role is perhaps not singular and several other factors such as the bioavailability of its soluble receptor sFlt-1 and a multidisciplinary orchestration of other cytokines and growth factors may be involved in the pathophysiology of PCOS and OHSS. (C) 2010, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Culture of preimplantation-stage embryos has always been a key element of laboratory embryology and has contributed substantially to the success of many assisted reproduction procedures.