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Background Application of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) to investigate the genetic characteristics of fetal growth restriction (FGR) without ultrasonic structural anomalies at 18–32 weeks. Methods This study includes singleton fetuses with the estimated fetal weight (EFW) using the formula of Hadlock C below the 10th percentile for gestational age. FGRs without structural anomalies were selected, and the ones at high risk of noninvasive prenatal testing for trisomy 13, 18 and 21 would be excluded. The cases were divided into two groups: early-onset group (

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) has gained increasing interest in materials research due to its outstanding properties and promising applications in a wide range of fields. From this perspective, we report the synthesis of custom-designed anatase TiO 2 submicrometer particles coated with partial Au shells (ATiO 2 -AuShl). The synthetic strategy used herein yields uniformly shaped monodisperse particles. Amorphous TiO 2 core particles were synthesized using template-free oxidation and hydrolysis of titanium nitride (TiN); subsequent hydrothermal treatment generated anatase TiO 2 (ATiO 2 ) particles. Coating ATiO 2 particles with partial Au shells was accomplished using a simple seeded-growth method. Evaluation of the optical properties of these ATiO 2 -AuShl particles showed that these submicrometer composites exhibited an intense absorption peak for TiO 2 in the UV region (∼326 nm) and a broad extinction band in the visible range (∼650 nm) arising from the incomplete Au shell. These ATiO 2 -AuShl composite particles provide a unique and effective means for broadening the optical response of TiO 2 -based nano- and micron-scale materials. The simplicity of our synthetic method should broaden the application of ATiO 2 -AuShl particles in various visible light-driven technologies.

To investigate the effect of solanine on the growth of human prostate cancer cell xenograft in nude mice.Human prostate cancer Du145 cells were injected into the subcutaneous layers on the back of nude mice. After a week, the mice bearing subcutaneous tumor graft were randomly divided into solanine treatment group and saline control group for treatment for 3 weeks. The tumor grafts were then harvested to evaluate the inhibition rate. The mRNA and protein expressions of cell cycle-related genes in the tumors were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively, and tumor cell apoptosis was detected using TUNEL method.The tumor growth rate in solanine-treated group was significantly slower than that in the control group (P0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of C-myc, cyclin D1, cyclin E1, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6 were significantly inhibited by solanine. Solanine significantly up-regulated p21 mRNA and protein expression in the tumors and induced a higher apoptosis rate of the tumor cells than saline (P0.01).The tumor-inhibition effect of solanine is probably mediated by regulating the expressions of genes related with G1/S cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis.

To assess the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis of common chromosome number aberration in spontaneously aborted fetuses.A total of 100 spontaneously aborted fetuses were analyzed by G-banding and by FISH to test chromosome number aberration mainly for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, and the results of FISH test was assessed according to those by G-banding test.FISH results were well consistent with those by G-banding test. FISH test identified trisomy in 32 samples and polyploidy in 7 samples. Two samples with cell culture failure were found to have trisomy 16 by FISH. Discrepancies in the results between the two tests occurred in 3 samples, but the results of FISH were verified by other methods. Kappa test between FISH technology and G-banding showed a good consistency between FISH and karyotyping (P0.05).FISH is an effective and rapid method for detecting chromosome number aberration in spontaneously aborted fetuses, and the combination of FISH and karyotyping provides more reliable diagnostic evidence.

To investigate the value of fetal chromosomal karyotype analysis in cases of early spontaneous abortion.Chorionic villus specimens obtained from 110 cases of early spontaneous abortion were cultured for karyotype analysis.Of the 110 cases, chorionic villus was successfully cultured in 103 cases (93.7%), and abnormal embryo karyotypes were identified in 52 cases (50.5%). Trisomy was the most frequent embryo karyotype abnormalities in these cases, and chromosomal aberration occurred in 29 cases (52.9%) of the first spontaneous abortion and in 23 cases (42.6%) of repeated abortions. Female fetuses accounted for 75.5% (78 cases) in the spontaneously aborted fetuses and for 67.3% (35 cases) in fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities.Embryo chromosomal abnormality is the most important reason of early spontaneous abortion, and karyotype analysis of the villus helps identify the causes of abortion and ensure the success of the next pregnancy.