During pre-implantation mouse development, embryos form blastocysts with establishment of the first two cell lineages: the trophectoderm (TE) which gives rise to the placenta, and the inner cell mass (ICM) which will form the embryo proper. Differentiation of TE is regulated by the transcription factor Caudal-related homeobox 2 (Cdx2), but the mechanisms which act upstream of Cdx2 expression re...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between developmental delays and speech perception in pre-lingually deafened cochlear implant recipients. METHODS This study was a retrospective review of patient charts conducted at a tertiary referral center. Thirty-five pre-lingually deafened children underwent multichannel cochlear implantation and habilitation at the ...

Implantation, a critical step for mammals in establishing pregnancy, requires successful completion of sequential events such as maternal uterine development, conceptus development and attachment, and placental formation. To reach the stage of placental formation, synchronized development of the conceptus and uterus throughout the implantation period is absolutely required. A number of factors ...

BACKGROUND To assess clinical application of computed tomography (CT)-guided (125)I seed implantation for patients who cannot endure or unwillingly receive repeated surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy for unmanageable cervical lymph node metastases in head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS Thirty-one consecutive patients received CT-guided (125)I seed implantation between February 2010 and De...

Cytokinesis and cell division during pre-implantation embryonic development occur as an orchestrated spatiotemporal program. Cleavage, compaction, and blastulation in pre-implantation embryos are essential for successful implantation and pregnancy. Their alteration is associated with chromosomal imbalance and loss of developmental competence. In this study, we evaluated the time of cleavage and...

BACKGROUND Advanced systolic heart failure is associated with myocardial and systemic metabolic abnormalities, including low levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein. Low cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein have been associated with greater mortality in heart failure. Implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) reverses some of the metabolic derangements of advanc...