The most ideal interval between blastocyst biopsy and vitrification applied in preimplantation genetic screening (PGS)

( Hui-ying Low ),( Hsiu-hui Chen ),( Chun-chia Huang ),( Tsung-hsien Lee ),( Chung-i Chen ),( Lii-sheng Huang ),( Maw-sheng Lee ) 대한산부인과학회 2016 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.102 No.-

Study Question: To evaluate the most ideal interval between blastocyst biopsy and vitrification in preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). Study Design, Size, Duration: This is a retrospective study and total 224 patients underwent the PGS from 2012 Dec. to 2015 Mar. All of patients underwent blastocyst vitrification after biopsy and 1~2 euploid blastocyst for transfer after warming. The primary outcome measures were the implantation and pregnancy rates per PGS-frozen embryo transfer cycle. Materials, Setting, Methods: The blastocyst grading including grade 4, 5 and 6 (according to Gardner grading system) on day 5 or day 6 were selected for trophectoderm biopsy. All blastocyst underwent vitrification immediately (interval: 0.5 hour) or 1 to 7 hours after biopsy. At the time of vitrification the grade of blastocyst expansion was also recorded. All patients were divided into two groups according to the grade of expanded (Group1: ≤1/2 expansion (n=41), Group2: ≥3/4 expansion (n=183)). Furthermore, combined two factors including the interval and morphology of blastocyst after biopsy, all patients were further divided into interval 1 (<3 hours and ≤1/2 expansion) and interval 2 (≥3 hours and ≥3/4 expansion). The morphologically best euploid blastocyst(s) (1~2 embryos) was/were selected first for transfer on the next cycle. Main Results: Assessment morphology of blastocyst after biopsy in different interval, at 0.5 hour after biopsy, 100% blastocyst was non-expansion; at 1 hour after biopsy, only 17% blastocyst was 3/4 expansion or all-expansion; at 3 hours after biopsy, 86% blastocyst was 3/4 expansion or all-expansion and after 5.5 hours, 100% blastocyst was all-expansion or hatching. All blastocysts were survival (100%, 359/359) after warming. The mean of embryo transfer number between all groups were no significantly difference. The implantation rate in Group2 (63.4%) was significantly higher than that in Group1 (46.9%, p=0.014). The pregnancy rates in Group4 (73.8%) was sig-nificantly higher than that in Group1 (51.2%, p=0.004). The implantation and pregnancy rates in the group of embryo ≥3/4 expansion combined with ≥3 hours after biopsy (63.6%, 178/280; 73.8%, 127/172) were significantly higher than that in the group of ≤1/2 expansion with <3 hour (45.6, 26/57; 50.0%, 18/36; p=0.0113 and p=0.0056, respectively). Conclusion: The most ideal interval between biopsy and vitrification was least 3 hours and ≥3/4 expansion of blastocyst after biopsy could improve the implantation and pregnancy rates for PGS.

Self-care Experiences of Adolescents with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Bao-Huan Yang,Chia-Ying Chung,Wen-Chin Weng,Kao-Wen Lo,Yuh-Shiow Li 한국간호과학회 2021 Asian Nursing Research Vol.15 No.4

Purpose: We examined the self-care experiences of adolescents with spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) and their perceptions of the interactions between their body and the environment. Methods: We interviewed ten adolescents with SMA aged 13-18 years regarding personal care practices. Purposive sampling was conducted in two medical centers in northern Taiwan. Data were analyzed using the Giorgi analysis method. Results: Four constitutions were identified: (1) limited space for independent development, (2) multiple reconstructions of self-image to improve physical ability, (3) self-care of disease, and (4) developing activity styles to accommodate social culture. Conclusion: The self-care lived experiences of patients reflect dynamic changes in the body and environment. Self-existence was exhibited by adjustment, practice, and creativity of physical activity to integrate into society. Nursing staff should understand the self-care experiences and needs of adolescents with SMA to develop a database of self-care skills. This study recommended that nursing staff improve their ability to guide patients in taking care of themselves by developing body awareness self-care courses and individual care plans in response to various stages of disability to help patients delay deterioration, realize their physical potential, and promote independence and social development.

Partnership Between Families of Children with Muscular Dystrophy and Health-care Professionals: From Parents' Perspective

Bao-Huan Yang,Chia-Ying Chung,Yuh-Shiow Li 한국간호과학회 2018 Asian Nursing Research Vol.12 No.2

Purpose: At present, there is still controversy between parents of children with muscular dystrophy (MD) and health-care professionals on care issues. Partnerships can connect the affected children and their families to appropriate health-care services, to jointly face the care environment together and thereby improve the quality of life of children with MD. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore partnerships between families and health-care professionals from the perspectives of parents of children with MD. Methods: Husserl's phenomenological research was applied to explore the basic structures of parents' descriptions of MD. Through purposive sampling, we conducted in-depth interviews with parents, and analyzed the data according to the theory of Giorgi. Nineteen parents (10 mothers, 9 fathers) participated in this study. The precision of the research results was tested by applying the four standards of Lincoln and Guba. Results: This study identified five constituents: feasible resources and detailed care information; the provision of an integrated medical care across systems; family and home as key elements in critical care; respect and care for family care demands; and finally, feedback and support from families. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that partnerships were established by health-care professionals, enhancing the care capacity of the families, developing the preventive medicine of MD, and enhancing children's potential for self-care within the families. Hospital policies should include the promotion of family partnership care. The findings can help health-care professionals recognize the life experiences of children with MD when providing medical care.

Sleep Quality and Self-Stigma Mediate the Association Between Problematic Use of Social Media and Quality of Life Among People With Schizophrenia in Taiwan: A Longitudinal Study

Mohsen Saffari,Kun-Chia Chang,Jung-Sheng Chen,Marc N. Potenza,Cheng-Fang Yen,Ching-Wen Chang,Po-Ching Huang,Hsin-Chi Tsai,Chung-Ying Lin 대한신경정신의학회 2023 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.20 No.11

Objective Problematic use of social media (PUSM) may affect sleep quality and self-stigma in people with schizophrenia and consequently reduce their quality of life (QoL). This longitudinal study investigated if sleep quality and self-stigma mediated relationships between PUSM and QoL.Methods One-hundred-and-ninety-three outpatients with schizophrenia were recruited from a psychiatric center in Taiwan from April 2019 to August 2021 and participated in a longitudinal study at intervals of three months between measurements. QoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire Brief Version; sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; self-stigma using the Self-Stigma Scale-Short; and PUSM using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale. Via SPSS 20.0, general estimating equation models assessed temporal associations between variables. Via R software, mediating effects of self-stigma and sleep quality were examined through Monte Carlo simulations with 20,000 repetitions.Results Mean scores of physical, psychological, social and environmental QoL ranged from 11.86 to 13.02. Mean scores of sleep quality and self-stigma were 9.1±4.5 and 2.2±0.8, respectively. Sleep quality and self-stigma were directly related to QoL (p<0.001) and mediated indirect relationships between PUSM and all components of QoL with a range of 95% confidence intervals spanning from -0.0591 to -0.0107 for physical QoL; -0.0564 to -0.0095 for psychological QoL; -0.0292 to -0.0035 for social QoL; and -0.0357 to -0.0052 for environmental QoL.Conclusion Sleep quality and self-stigma mediated relationships between PUSM and QoL in people with schizophrenia. Developing interventions targeting PUSM, sleep, and self-stigma may help improve QoL in people with schizophrenia.

A Short Test of English Silent Word Reading for English Language Learners

Kalindi, Sylvia C.,McBride, Catherine,Chan, Shingfong,Chung, Kien Hoa Kevin,Lee, Chia-Ying,Maurer, Urs,Tong, Xiuhong Korean Association of Child Studies 2015 Child studies in Asia-Pacific context Vol.2 No.2

We developed a test of English silent word reading, following work by Mather, Hammill, Allen and Roberts (2004) and Bell, McCallum, Krik, Fuller, and McCane-Bowling (2007), in order to tap Hong Kong Chinese children's reading of English as a foreign language. We created one subtest of individual word reading and another of word reading contextualized within sentences; together, these tests require no more than 10 minutes for administration. In Study 1, we administered the entire test to 552 second grade Hong Kong Chinese children between the ages of 70 and 121 months old, from five different primary schools. The association between the subtests of English silent word reading and contextual reading was positively correlated (.78). In Study 2, 77 Hong Kong Chinese second graders were tested on our newly developed English silent word reading test, together with non-verbal IQ, an English word reading and a Chinese character recognition test (both read aloud). With age and non-verbal IQ statistically controlled, there was a significant correlation between English silent word reading and the more standard English word reading, read aloud, (.78); the association between English silent word reading and Chinese character recognition was also positively correlated (.49). This newly created test is a quick and reliable measure, suitable for both educators and researchers to use to identify poor readers who learn English as a foreign or second language.

Negative effects on medical students’ scores for clinical performance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan: a comparative study

Eunice Jia-Shiow Yuan,Shiau-Shian Huang,Chia-An Hsu,Jiing-Feng Lirng,Tzu-Hao Li,Chia-Chang Huang,Ying-Ying Yang,Chung-Pin Li,Chen-Huan Chen 한국보건의료인국가시험원 2023 보건의료교육평가 Vol.20 No.-

Purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has heavily impacted medical clinical education in Taiwan. Medical curricula have been altered to minimize exposure and limit transmission. This study investigated the effect of COVID-19 on Taiwanese medical students’ clinical performance using online standardized evaluation systems and explored the factors influencing medical education during the pandemic. Methods Medical students were scored from 0 to 100 based on their clinical performance from 1/1/2018 to 6/31/2021. The students were placed into pre-COVID-19 (before 2/1/2020) and midst-COVID-19 (on and after 2/1/2020) groups. Each group was further categorized into COVID-19-affected specialties (pulmonary, infectious, and emergency medicine) and other specialties. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to compare and examine the effects of relevant variables on student performance. Results In total, 16,944 clinical scores were obtained for COVID-19-affected specialties and other specialties. For the COVID-19-affected specialties, the midst-COVID-19 score (88.51–3.52) was significantly lower than the pre-COVID-19 score (90.14–3.55) (P<0.0001). For the other specialties, the midst-COVID-19 score (88.32–3.68) was also significantly lower than the pre-COVID-19 score (90.06–3.58) (P<0.0001). There were 1,322 students (837 males and 485 females). Male students had significantly lower scores than female students (89.33–3.68 vs. 89.99–3.66, P=0.0017). GEE analysis revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic (unstandardized beta coefficient=-1.99, standard error [SE]=0.13, P<0.0001), COVID-19-affected specialties (B=0.26, SE=0.11, P=0.0184), female students (B=1.10, SE=0.20, P<0.0001), and female attending physicians (B=-0.19, SE=0.08, P=0.0145) were independently associated with students’ scores. Conclusion COVID-19 negatively impacted medical students' clinical performance, regardless of their specialty. Female students outperformed male students, irrespective of the pandemic.

A Short Test of English Silent Word Reading for English Language Learners

Sylvia C. Kalindi,Catherine Mcbride Chang,Shingfong Chan,Kien Hoa Kevin Chung,Chia Ying Lee,Urs Maurer,Xiuhong Tong 한국아동학회 2015 Child studies in Asia-Pacific context Vol.5 No.2

We developed a test of English silent word reading, following work by Mather, Hammill, Allen, and Roberts (2004) and Bell, McCallum, Krik, Fuller, and McCane-Bowling (2007), in order to tap Hong Kong Chinese children``s reading of English as a foreign language. We created one subtest of individual word reading and another of word reading contextualized within sentences; together, these tests require no more than 10 minutes for administration. In Study 1, we administered the entire test to 552 second grade Hong Kong Chinese children between the ages of 70 and 121 months old, from five different primary schools. The association between the subtests of English silent word reading and contextual reading was positively correlated (.78). In Study 2, 77 Hong Kong Chinese second graders were tested on our newly developed English silent word reading test, together with non-verbal IQ, an English word reading and a Chinese character recognition test (both read aloud). With age and non-verbal IQ statistically controlled, there was a significant correlation between English silent word reading and the more standard English word reading, read aloud, (.78); the association between English silent word reading and Chinese character recognition was also positively correlated (.49). This newly created test is a quick and reliable measure, suitable for both educators and researchers to use to identify poor readers who learn English as a foreign or second language.