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Abstract: Microcapsules with adequate performance are required for self-healing materials. Novel self-repairing microcapsules with better heat resistance and water resistance were prepared by introducing melamine to urea–formaldehyde resin as wall material. The as-synthesized microcapsules were studied by various characterizations techniques, including scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical microscope (OM), particle size analyzer (PSA), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and contact angle meter. Spherical poly(urea–formaldehyde) microcapsules (mean size: 96μm) and melamine modified poly(urea–formaldehyde) microcapsules (mean size: 46μm, wall thickness: ∼3μm) were obtained when the amount of melamine was 6–8wt% and the amount of core materials was 75wt%. After modified by melamine, the water-resistance of microcapsule is improved and contact angle increases from 43° to 50°. The heat resistance, solvent resistance, acid resistance and alkali resistance are improved because of triazine ring in melamine, which resulting in long storage time for microcapsule at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate S100P expression and localization in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle.Design: Experimental study.Setting: University hospital.Patient(s): Eighty-four women.Intervention(s): Complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray analysis was performed on human endometrium from days LH+4, LH+7, and hCG+7. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of S100P and of additional S100 family members, S100A4, S100A13, and S100A6. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the localization of S100P protein in LH+7 and LH+4 endometrium.Main Outcome Measure(s): Differential gene expression, levels of S100P messenger RNA (mRNA), and protein expression and immunofluorescent localization of S100P.Result(s): A statistical method, based on hierarchical clustering, identified genes whose expression varied at LH+7 compared with LH+4. We found that S100P was the fourth most up-regulated gene at LH+7. The S100P mRNA and protein levels were quite low during the proliferative phase and LH+4, but were elevated significantly at LH+7. The S100P expression at hCG+7 was lower than that at LH+7. However, the expression of S100A4, S100A13, and S100A6 did not vary throughout the menstrual cycle.Conclusion(s): S100P was specifically up-regulated during the implantation window. The underlying biological effects of S100P need further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report two successful pregnancies after frozen-thawed ET in discontinued hormone replacement treatment cycles. Design: Case report. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Two infertile patients. Intervention(s): Hormone replacement treatment for endometrial preparation and frozen-thawed ET. Main Outcome Measure(s): Ovarian ultrasonography, serial hormone measurements of serum E2 and P, successful pregnancy, and follow-up visit. Result(s): One patient discontinued both E2 and P support 2 weeks after ET. The other discontinued estrogen support on the day preceding ET. No spontaneous follicle development was observed by ultrasonography, and no increase in serum P concentration was observed. Both patients became pregnant and achieved deliveries. Conclusion(s): These two cases show that maintenance of pregnancy is possible without early hormone support in hormone replacement treatment cycles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]