Panminerva medica
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Review
An expert commentary on essential equipment, supplies and culture media in the ART laboratory.
The assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratory is a complex system designed to sustain the fertilization, survival, and culture of the preimplantation embryo to the blastocyst stage. ART outcomes depend on numerous factors, among which are the equipment, supplies and culture media used. The number and type of incubators also may affect ART results. ⋯ Embryo culture media have evolved: preimplantation embryos are cultured either by sequential media or single-step media that can be used for interrupted or uninterrupted culture. There is currently no sufficient evidence that any individual commercially-available culture system is better than others in terms of embryo viability. In this review, we aim to analyze the various parameters that should be taken into account when choosing the essential equipment, consumables and culture media systems that will create optimal culture conditions and provide the most effective patient treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effectiveness of two high-frequency chest wall oscillation techniques in patients with bronchiectasis: a randomized controlled preliminary study.
Chest physiotherapy is an important tool in the treatment of bronchiectasis. High-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) is a technique designed to create a global percussion of the lung which moves secretions and probably clears the peripheral bronchial tree. We propose the comparison between an existing device (SmartVest) and a new device (RespIn 11). ⋯ The two machines have improved health and quality of life scores in patients with bronchiectasis. RespIn 11 also demonstrated a significant lowering of exacerbations and a better patient acceptance.
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While a number of individual patient characteristics are associated with survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), their incorporation into combined indexes, such as the GAP index, has been shown to increase the predictive capacity. It is unknown whether the predictive capacity of GAP-derived indexes that also include anthropometric and exercise parameters is superior to the original instrument. ⋯ The IC4, a combined non-dimensional index incorporating FVC%, DLCO%, BMI and 6MWD, provides superior capacity to predict mortality, when compared to its individual components, their other combinations, and the GAP index, in patients with IPF.
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Alpha
1 -antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic-based risk condition, mainly affecting the lungs and liver. Despite its wide distribution, it is largely underdiagnosed, thus being considered a rare disease, and is consequently managed in ad-hoc reference centers. Unfortunately, an easy-to-use algorithm for managing such a complex disease is still lacking. ⋯ The proposed algorithm obtained the endorsement of the Italian Society of Pneumology (SIP). However, further studies and additional clinical data are required to confirm the validity of these recommendations.