ABSTRACT
Objective@#We evaluated the efficacy of the newly developed optimized in vitro culture (OIVC) dish for cultivating preimplantation mouse embryos. This dish minimizes the need for mineral oil and incorporates microwells, providing a stable culture environment and enabling independent monitoring of individual embryos. @*Methods@#Mouse pronuclear (PN) zygotes and two-cell-stage embryos were collected at 18 and 46 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin injection, respectively. These were cultured for 120 hours using potassium simplex optimized medium (KSOM) to reach the blastocyst stage. The embryos were randomly allocated into three groups, each cultured in one of three dishes: a 60-mm culture dish, a microdrop dish, and an OIVC dish that we developed. @*Results@#The OIVC dish effectively maintained the osmolarity of the KSOM culture medium over a 5-day period using only 2 mL of mineral oil. This contrasts with the significant osmolarity increase observed in the 60-mm culture dish. Additionally, the OIVC dish exhibited higher blastulation rates from two-cell embryos (100%) relative to the other dish types. Moreover, blastocysts derived from both PN zygotes and two-cell embryos in the OIVC dish group demonstrated significantly elevated mean cell numbers. @*Conclusion@#Use of the OIVC dish markedly increased the number of cells in blastocysts derived from the in vitro culture of preimplantation mouse embryos. The capacity of this dish to maintain medium osmolarity with minimal mineral oil usage represents a breakthrough that may advance embryo culture techniques for various mammals, including human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programs.
ABSTRACT
Background@#and Purpose Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are gaining attention as a self-perceived symptom for cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), but there are few suitable tools for assessing SCCs in PD. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire for assessing SCCs in PD, called the Subjective Cognitive Complaints Questionnaire for Parkinson’s Disease (SCCQ-PD). @*Methods@#The SCCQ-PD consists of 12 yeso questions on subjective cognitive function, and the questionnaire was completed by patients with PD (score-P) and their caregivers (score-C). The cognitive function of patients was examined using comprehensive neuropsychological tests. @*Results@#This study included 73 patients (38 cognitively normal, 25 with mild cognitive impairment [MCI], and 10 demented) and their caregivers. Score-P and score-C had excellent reliability (Kuder-Richardson formula 20 coefficients of 0.893 and 0.931, respectively), and the scores exhibited a strong intercorrelation. Both score-P and score-C were negatively correlated with cognitive performance, and both were excellent in discriminating demented patients from those with normal cognition or MCI (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83 and 0.88, respectively). @*Conclusions@#The SCCQ-PD is a reliable tool for assessing SCCs in patients with PD. SCCs measured using the SCCQ-PD are correlated with objective cognitive decline and useful for discriminating demented patients from nondemented patients.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Sickness presenteeism (SP) indicates “going to work while being ill.” The importance of SP has only recently been investigated, and the association between SP and employment status has been inconsistent across studies. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the association between SP and employment status by using presenteeism propensity (PP), which can reflect the individual decision-making process. @*Methods@#The study population included employees participating in the 5th Korean Working Condition Survey. We analyzed data of only employees with at least one health event, which was calculated as the sum of SP and sickness absenteeism days. Employment status was grouped into 3 categories: stable employment, unstable employment (contract period ≥ 1 year), and unstable employment (contract period 0.5”). @*Results@#Unstable employees (contract period ≥ 1 year) had higher odds of PP than stable employees (odds ratio [OR]: 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.47), whereas unstable employees (contract period < 1 year) had lower odds of PP than stable employees (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71–0.96). @*Conclusions@#Employment status was associated with SP. Given the negative health impact of SP, social efforts, such as paid sick leave, are required to reduce SP and enhance the health status of unstable workers.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Sickness presenteeism (SP) indicates “going to work while being ill.” The importance of SP has only recently been investigated, and the association between SP and employment status has been inconsistent across studies. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the association between SP and employment status by using presenteeism propensity (PP), which can reflect the individual decision-making process. @*Methods@#The study population included employees participating in the 5th Korean Working Condition Survey. We analyzed data of only employees with at least one health event, which was calculated as the sum of SP and sickness absenteeism days. Employment status was grouped into 3 categories: stable employment, unstable employment (contract period ≥ 1 year), and unstable employment (contract period 0.5”). @*Results@#Unstable employees (contract period ≥ 1 year) had higher odds of PP than stable employees (odds ratio [OR]: 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.47), whereas unstable employees (contract period < 1 year) had lower odds of PP than stable employees (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71–0.96). @*Conclusions@#Employment status was associated with SP. Given the negative health impact of SP, social efforts, such as paid sick leave, are required to reduce SP and enhance the health status of unstable workers.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early identification and appropriate management of mild chronic renal failure has been increasingly recognized as an important opportunity to delay the progression of renal disease. Many physicians rely on serum creatinine (Scr) as a screening test for renal impairment; however, Scr levels can remain within the normal range even when renal function is significantly impaired in certain group of patients. METHODS: The subjects were 20, 245 persons who were enrolled a regular health check up program, Jan. 1997 to Jun. 2001, at Ajou University Hospital, Korea. We identified GFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 as abnormal and found the percentage of patients with Scr value from 1.1 mg/dL to 1.4 mg/dL and their sex and age distribution, using GFRs calculated by Cockroft-Gault Equation, MDRD Equation, and Kang's Equation. RESULTS: Average Scr was 1.07+-0.13 mg/dL in male and 0.82+-0.11 mg/dL in female. Among 34 University hospital in metro Seoul area, 11 hospital used 1.4 mg/dL as normal upper limit of Scr and 7 hospital used 1.3 mg/dL. Taking normal Scr upper limit as 1.3 or 1.4 mg/dL, the frequency of GFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 3.9-50% in males and 75-100% in females, although some differences existed according to the equation used. CONCLUSION: Currently used normal Scr upper limit 1.3, 1.4 mL/dL was found to be much too high and we concluded a downward adjustment is needed and one-time test is not adequate to conclude renal impairment but several regular tests are required.