Medicine
-
The implantation rate (IR) in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection is affected by many different factors such as age, quality of embryo, and stage of embryo development. This study aimed to investigate to what extent the number of previous failed embryo transfer cycles is an independent factor affecting IR. This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of a consecutive series of 6376 day-3 embryo transfer (ET) cycles following IVF between January 2012 and August 2018. ⋯ Having controlled for 2 of the more important confounding variables including maternal age and the type of embryo, the IR in women who had 0, 1, 2, and 3 or more previous failed ET cycles were 45.8%, 35.9%, 31.2%, 21.0%, respectively (P < .001). Repeated implantation failure is a significant independent factor affecting the IR. The number of previous failed ET cycles should be considered in counselling women regarding the prognosis of a further IVF-ET treatment cycle.
-
An increasing number of studies focus on the effectiveness of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)-based blended learning, whereas none have yet studied using it for teaching fundamental nursing skills at an undergraduate level. To evaluate the effectiveness of MOOC-based blended learning versus face-to-face classroom teaching techniques within the fundamental nursing course at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Xiang Nan, China. This cluster randomized controlled trial enrolled 181 students and assigned them into either an MOOC-based blended or a face-to-face classroom teaching group, both involving the Fundamental Nursing course for undergraduate nursing students. ⋯ Moreover, the mean change in the participants' critical thinking ability items between groups were, mostly, statistically significant. The items focusing on the feedback from the students demonstrated significant differences between the groups in terms of their satisfaction with the teaching they received (P < .001) and the overall learning effects (P = .030). This study confirmed that receiving MOOC-based blended learning was superior when compared against face-to-face classroom teaching techniques for learning within the Fundamental Nursing course.
-
Case Reports
Treatment of exostosin 1-associated membranous lupus nephritis with multiple low doses of rituximab: A case report.
Membranous glomerulonephritis (MN) is the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults and is classified as primary or secondary. Secondary MN accounts for 20% to 30% of all MN cases and can arise from a number of conditions, including autoimmune diseases. Recently exostosin 1/exostosin 2 (EXT1/EXT2) have been identified as the common antigens in secondary autoimmune MN and are present in cases of pure membranous lupus nephritis (LN). The treatment of EXT1/EXT2-associated MN remains elusive. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first case of EXT1-associated MN that has been successfully treated by multiple low-dose rituximab. Further studies can investigate the optimal dosage and treatment protocol.
-
Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects daily functioning and decreases the quality of life. There are many ways of treatment depending on the stage of the disease. Advanced cases are qualified for arthroplasty, which is an extensive and demanding surgical procedure. Less advanced stages are treated in various ways: from rehabilitation, through oral and intra-articular pharmacotherapy, to surgical treatment (arthroscopy, osteotomy). Because surgical treatment is risky, scientists focus on less invasive therapeutic methods. The most valuable management is based on regeneration. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) derived from the adipose tissue have a great regenerative and anti-inflammatory potential, therefore an attempt is being made to take advantage of them in knee osteoarthritis treatment.The study aims to compare the clinical effects of treatment of knee osteoarthritis using adipose tissue MSC obtained by an enzymatic method with the outcomes of the therapy with the mechanically fragmented adipose tissue. ⋯ Identification and functional analysis of the regenerative capacity of adipose-derived MSC depending on three variables (body weight, sex, and age) will help to develop a targeted therapy for different groups of patients and will determine the effectiveness of both methods of treatment. An attempt will be made to identify groups of patients with the greatest regenerative potential of the adipose tissue, and thus indicate those with the most probable improvement of the joint condition.