Maternal High-Fat Diet-Induced Loss of Fetal Oocytes Is Associated with Compromised Follicle Growth in Adult Rat Offspring.

Maternal obesity predisposes offspring to metabolic and reproductive dysfunction. We have shown previously that female rat offspring born to mothers fed a high-fat (HF) diet throughout pregnancy and lactation enter puberty early and display aberrant reproductive cyclicity. The mechanisms driving this reproductive phenotype are currently unknown thus we investigated whether changes in ovarian function were involved. Wistar rats were mated and randomized to: dams fed a control diet (CON) or dams fed a HF diet from conception until the end of lactation (HF). Ovaries were collected from fetuses at Embryonic Day (E) 20, and neonatal ovaries at Day 4 (P4), prepubertal ovaries at P27 and adult ovaries at P120. In a subset of offspring, the effects of a HF diet fed postweaning were evaluated. The present study shows that fetuses of mothers fed a HF diet had significantly fewer oocytes at E20, and in neonates, have reduced AMH signaling that may facilitate an increased number of assembled primordial follicles. Both prepubertally and in adulthood, ovaries show increased follicular atresia. As adults, offspring have reduced FSH responsiveness, low expression levels of estrogen receptor alpha (Eralpha), the oocyte-secreted factor, Gdf9, oocyte-specific RNA binding protein, Dazl, and high expression levels of the granulosa-cell derived factor, AMH, in antral follicles. Together, these data suggest that ovarian compromise in offspring born to HF-fed mothers may arise from changes already observable in the fetus and neonate and in the long term, associated with increased follicular atresia through adulthood.

Evolution of conformational order during self-assembly of n-alkanethiols on Hg droplets: an infrared spectromicroscopy study.

This Letter describes Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy evidence for the evolution of conformational order and coverage during the formation of n-alkanethiol monolayers on microdroplets of mercury from the solution phase. At the highest coverages obtained by self-assembly, the monolayer is characterized by predominantly all-trans conformational order. For partial monolayers obtained at arbitrarily quenched incubation periods, we find a continuous evolution of the chain conformational order with monolayer coverage. Analyzing these results in light of previously reported models from X-ray scattering reveals a complex self-assembly process in which the density-dependent evolution of the chain conformational order is coupled with that of molecular orientation and density.

Ovarian Torsion Occurring Nine Days after Ipsilateral Dermoid Cystectomy.

Ovarian torsion (OT) is a gynecological emergency that requires prompt treatment and management. It is associated with risk factors such as ovarian cysts and prior pelvic surgery. Diagnosis and treatment require surgery to examine the adnexa, correct the torsion, and determine if cystectomy or oophorectomy are required. We reported the case of a 34-year-old woman who presented 9 days after a dermoid cystectomy with sudden onset abdominal pain. An ultrasound showed abnormal blood flow to the ovary. She then underwent a repeat laparoscopy revealing a necrotic and twisted ovary on the same side that had a cystectomy. The surgeons proceeded with a right oophorectomy. Following surgery, the patient reported no concerns with no ongoing bleeding or pain. OT can present in the short-term postoperatively to an ovarian cystectomy, likely as a result of mechanical forces secondary to structural changes of the ovary. The role for prophylaxis against OT is unclear in those with significant risk factors for torsion.

Alternative method of suprapubic assistance in operative cystoscopy.

Complications of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedures have become more prevalent as the procedure has become more popular for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. A common complication of TVT slings is bladder perforation, which is estimated to occur in 0.7-24% of treated patients. While easily treated if identified intraoperatively, unrecognized bladder perforation generally requires further surgery to correct. We propose a novel minimally invasive technique using the suture passer of the Carter-Thomason CloseSure system for suprapubic assistance during cystoscopic removal of TVT mesh from the bladder. This novel approach allows for the avoidance of an open incision or a larger accessory port placed through the bladder to assist with mesh excision.

Imaging and diagnosis of postpartum complications: sonography and other imaging modalities.

Postpartum complications can be broadly divided into 4 categories: postpartum hemorrhage, obstetrical trauma, thromboembolic complications, and puerperal infections. Postpartum hemorrhage is most commonly caused by uterine atony, abnormal placentation, or genital tract trauma. Secondary causes of hemorrhage include retained products of conception and, rarely, subinvolution of the placental implantation site. Uterine dehiscence or rupture may be occult on ultrasound examination and may be better visualized on sagittal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Obstetric trauma during prolonged vaginal or cesarean delivery may lead to fistula formation, ureteral injury, or bowel injury. Later potential complications of cesarean delivery include cesarean delivery scar ectopic, endometrial implants in the cesarean scar, and placenta accreta. Thromboembolic complications can include pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis as well as ovarian vein thrombosis, the latter of which can be difficult to clinically differentiate from appendicitis in the postpartum female.