Disposition of embryos from women who only produced morphologically poor embryos on day three.

Background: The presence of only morphologically poor embryos (MPEs) on day3 is common in autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF), particularly among p Tel: 886-7-7317123 Ext. 8916. Fax: 886-7-7322915.

Does a Mobile app improve patients' knowledge of stroke risk factors and health-related quality of life in patients with stroke? A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Developing a stroke health-education mobile app (SHEMA) and examining its effectiveness on improvement of knowledge of stroke risk factors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with stroke.

Methods: We recruited 76 stroke patients and randomly assigned them to either the SHEMA intervention (n = 38) or usual care where a stroke health-education booklet was provided (n = 38). Knowledge of stroke risk factors and HRQOL were assessed using the stroke-knowledge questionnaire and European Quality of Life-Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire, respectively.

Effectiveness of Tailored Rehabilitation Education in Improving the Health Literacy and Health Status of Postoperative Patients With Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The improvement of breast cancer treatment and the extension of survivorship have led to the development of postoperative complications among cancer survivors. Health literacy (HL), defined as patients' capability of using health information to maintain their health status, can enable breast cancer patients to manage postoperative complications.

Objective: The aims of this study were to develop a tailored rehabilitation education (TRE) program and examine the effectiveness of this program in improving the HL and health status with breast cancer.

The effects of human parvovirus VP1 unique region in a mouse model of allergic asthma.

Evidence has indicated that viral infection increases the risk of developing asthma. Although the association of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) or human bocavirus (HBoV) with respiratory diseases has been reported, little is known about the influence of the B19V-VP1u and HBoV-VP1u proteins on the symptoms of asthma. Herein, we investigated the systemic influence of subcutaneously injected B19V-VP1u and HBoV-VP1u recombinant proteins in an OVA-sensitized asthmatic mouse model.

Effectiveness of electrical stimulation therapy in improving arm function after stroke: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation in arm function recovery after stroke.

Methods: Data were obtained from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases from their inception until 12 January 2019. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the effects of electrical stimulation on the recovery of arm function after stroke were selected.

Concomitant external and internal hemorrhage: Challenges to managing patients with open pelvic fracture.

Introduction: Managing patients with open pelvic fractures continues to be challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach. In this study, we examined the characteristics of patients with open pelvic fractures and strategies for managing such patients.

Materials And Methods: The records of patients with open pelvic fractures from January 2010 to August 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.

Antigenicity analysis of human parvovirus B19-VP1u protein in the induction of anti-phospholipid syndrome.

Mounting evidence suggests a connection between human parvovirus B19 (B19) and autoimmune diseases, and especially an association between the B19-VP1 unique region (VP1u) and anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS). However, little is known about the antigenicity of B19-VP1u in the induction of APS-like syndrome. To elucidate the antigenicity of B19-VP1u in the induction of APS, N-terminal truncated B19-VP1u (tVP1u) proteins were prepared to immunize Balb/c mice to generate antibodies against B19-tVP1u proteins.

Enhanced anti-cancer activity by curcumin-loaded hydrogel nanoparticle derived aggregates on A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells.

To investigate the anti-cancer activity of curcumin-loaded hydrogel nanoparticle derived aggregates on A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Curcumin was incorporated with biopolymeric chitosan, gelatin, and hyaluronan nanoparticles using an electrostatic field system. Characteristics of curcumin-loaded aggregates were examined including size and morphology, incorporation efficiency, stability and in vitro release.

Nano-sized collagen I molecules enhanced the differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of nano-sized collagen I molecules (nanoparticles or nanofibrils) and a 5-azacytidine (5-aza) treatment to enhance the differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) toward a cardiomyogenic phenotype in vitro. Second passaged MSCs were cocultured with nano-sized collagen I molecules for 24 h and then treated with 10 μM 5-aza for 24 h. The results demonstrated that the size of the cells increased significantly and acquired a flattened, triangular-shaped morphology after treatment with nano-sized collagen I molecules and 5-aza.

Repair of chondral defects with allogenous chondrocyte-seeded hyaluronan/collagen II microspheres in a rabbit model.

Using a recently established method to prepare hyaluronan/collagen II (HA/Col II) microspheres for a novel biomaterial to couple with living cells/tissues, this animal model study evaluated the effects on a 4-week healing process of chondral defects by the implantation of allogenous chondrocyte-seeded HA/Col II microspheres that had been cultured in vitro for 7 days prior to implantation compared with unseeded HA/Col II microspheres or an untreated wound. Four weeks postsurgery, the untreated group's defect was filled with translucent soft tissue. At the same time, the edges and demarcation lines of the healing defects that were implanted with either HA/Col II microspheres or chondrocyte-seeded HA/Col II microspheres were infused yet recognizable.

Laparoscopic appendectomy provides better outcomes than open appendectomy in elderly patients.

The incidence of acute appendicitis in elderly patients is increasing due to prolonged life span. The associated morbidity and mortality related to perforation of acute appendicitis continue to present challenges to physicians. The role of laparoscopic appendectomy is still controversial.

Comparison of the mismatch-specific endonuclease method and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography for the identification of HBB gene mutations.

Background: Beta-thalassemia is a common autosomal recessive hereditary disease in the Meditertanean, Asia and African areas. Over 600 mutations have been described in the beta-globin (HBB), of which more than 200 are associated with a beta-thalassemia phenotype.

Results: We used two highly-specific mutation screening methods, mismatch-specific endonuclease and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography, to identify mutations in the HBB gene.

Identification of deletion and duplication genotypes of the PMP22 gene using PCR-RFLP, competitive multiplex PCR, and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification: a comparison.

We evaluated the efficacy of PCR-RFLP, competitive multiplex PCR, and a commercially available system of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for the determination of deletion and duplication genotypes of the PMP22 gene. We compared the methods for efficiency, sensitivity, and specificity. We determined the gene dosage of the PMP22 gene via PCR-RFLP, competitive multiplex PCR, and MLPA.

Use of multiplex PCR and CE for gene dosage quantification and its biomedical applications for SMN, PMP22, and alpha-globin genes.

Many genetic diseases are caused by the presence of point mutations, small insertions, and deletions in respective genes, and the number of diseases known to be caused by deletions and duplications involving large DNA genomes is increasing. These changes lead to underexpression or overexpression of the gene, according to changes in gene dosage. The methods for the detection of point mutations, small insertions, and deletions are well established, but the detection of larger genomic deletions or duplications is more difficult.

Nanoshell magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.

Nanocontrast agents have great potential in magnetic resonance (MR) molecular imaging applications for clinical diagnosis. We synthesized Au(3)Cu(1) (gold and copper) nanoshells that showed a promising MR contrast effect. For in vitro MR images, the large proton r1 relaxivities brightened T(1)-weighted images.

A rapid and reliable detection system for the analysis of PMP22 gene dosage by MP/DHPLC assay.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) are caused by a 1.5-Mb duplication and a deletion at chromosome 17p11.2-12 encompassing the peripheral myelin protein 22 gene (PMP22), respectively.