Laboratory aspects of assisted reproduction.

A number of advances have been made concerning the laboratory aspects of assisted reproduction. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection has revolutionised the treatment of male infertility. With the development of better embryo culture media, blastocyst transfer is now possible and is likely to reduce high-order multiple pregnancy in assisted reproduction treatment. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis has become an alternative to prenatal diagnosis. The recent use of molecular biology techniques to detect small genetic defects in men with severe male-factor infertility has provided information for the better counselling of these patients. Other techniques that are being developed are likely to have a tremendous impact on assisted reproduction treatment. These include in vitro maturation, follicle culture, and oocyte/ovarian tissue cryopreservation. The current status of the developments in the laboratory aspects of assisted reproduction is reviewed in this article.published_or_final_versio

Density estimates on composite polynomials

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Extending the depth of field in a compound-eye imaging system with super-resolution reconstruction

Optical device miniaturization is highly desirable in many applications. Direct down-scaling of traditional imaging system is one approach, but the extent to which it can be minimized is limited by the effect of diffraction. Compound-eye imaging system, which utilizes multiple microlenses in image capture is a promising alternative. In this paper, we explore the possibility of an incorporation of phase masks in such a system to extend the depth of field. Simulation experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility of the system. © 2006 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Scaffolding interaction in asynchronous online discussion through peer facilitation

This study aims to identify the peer facilitation techniques that could scaffold interaction in asynchronous online discussion forums. The findings of this study suggest that scaffolding interaction in asynchronous online discussion through peer facilitation could be achieved through the use of the following five peer facilitation techniques: "showing appreciation", "considering others' viewpoints", "general invitation to contribute", "questioning" and "challenging others' points".published_or_final_versio

Final report of the Construction Industry Institute, Hong Kong research project on reinventing the Hong Kong construction industry for its sustainable development

Author name used in this publication: Andrew N. BaldwinAuthor name used in this publication: Y. H. ChiangAuthor name used in this publication: Joyce W. S. CheungAuthor name used in this publication: Joanne W. S. NgConstruction Industry Institute-Hong Kong Report, no. 132008-2009 > Academic research: not refereed > Research book or monograph (author)Other Versio

A general framework for searching in distributed data repositories

This paper proposes a general framework for searching large distributed repositories. Examples of such repositories include sites with music/video content, distributed digital libraries, distributed caching systems, etc. The framework is based on the concept of neighborhood; each client keeps a list of the most beneficial sites according to past experience, which are visited first when the client searches for some particular content. Exploration methods continuously update the neighborhoods in order to follow changes in access patterns. Depending on the application, several variations of search and exploration processes are proposed. Experimental evaluation demonstrates the benefits of the framework in different scenarios.published_or_final_versio

Association of proinflammatory cytokines and chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients: a multi-centered, prospective, cohort study.

BackgroundExisting evidence suggests that proinflammatory cytokines play an intermediary role in postchemotherapy cognitive impairment. This is one of the largest multicentered, cohort studies conducted in Singapore to evaluate the prevalence and proinflammatory biomarkers associated with cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients.Patients and methodsChemotherapy-receiving breast cancer patients (stages I-III) were recruited. Proinflammatory plasma cytokines concentrations [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α] were evaluated at 3 time points (before chemotherapy, 6 and 12 weeks after chemotherapy initiation). The FACT-Cog (version 3) was utilized to evaluate patients' self-perceived cognitive disturbances and a computerized neuropsychological assessment (Headminder) was administered to evaluate patients' memory, attention, response speed and processing speed. Changes of cognition throughout chemotherapy treatment were compared against the baseline. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to test the relationships of clinical variables and cytokine concentrations on self-perceived cognitive disturbances and each objective cognitive domain.ResultsNinety-nine patients were included (age 50.5 ± 8.4 years; 81.8% Chinese; mean duration of education = 10.8 ± 3.3 years). Higher plasma IL-1β was associated with poorer response speed performance (estimate: -0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.34 to -0.03; P = 0.023), and a higher concentration of IL-4 was associated with better response speed performance (P = 0.022). Higher concentrations of IL-1β and IL-6 were associated with more severe self-perceived cognitive disturbances (P = 0.018 and 0.001, respectively). Patients with higher concentrations of IL-4 also reported less severe cognitive disturbances (P = 0.022).ConclusionsWhile elevated concentrations of IL-6 and IL-1β were observed in patients with poorer response speed performance and perceived cognitive disturbances, IL-4 may be protective against chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment. This study is important because cytokines would potentially be mechanistic mediators of chemotherapy-associated cognitive changes

Qigong exercise could reduce upper limb lymphedema and improve blood flow in breast cancer survivors

Poster Presentation: PO-1261This journal suppl. entitled: Abstracts: 7th World Congress of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine ...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Qigong exercise on upper limb lymphedema, arterial resistance and blood flow velocity in postmastectomy breast cancer survivors. METHOD: Eleven breast cancer survivors with Qigong experience (mean age: 58.3±10.1 years) were assigned to the experimental group and 12 breast cancer survivors without Qigong experience (mean age: 53.8±4.2 years) were assigned to the control group. After baseline measurements were taken, the experimental group performed 18 Forms Tai Chi Qigong exercise for approximately 6 ...published_or_final_versio

Shoulder mobility, muscular strength and quality of life in breast cancer survivors with and without Tai Chi Qigong training

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Effects of qigong exercise on upper limb lymphedema and blood flow in survivors of breast cancer: A pilot study

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