Objective: In this retrospective study, we analyzed factors influencing the ongoing pregnancy rate (PR) in women with repeated implantation failure (RIF) undergoing embryo transfer with endometrial receptivity array (ERA). Methods: Eighty-three consecutive personalized embryo transfers (pETs) with ERA, from 54 women with RIF, were selected from June 2020 to April 2022. Vitrified blastocyst transfer was timed based on ERA results. Results: The ongoing PR per pET was 33.7%. Using ERA, the endometrium was identified as pre-receptive in 26 cycles, early receptive in 25 cycles, receptive in 31 cycles, and late receptive in one cycle. With cycles categorized into three receptivity phases (pre-receptive, early receptive, or receptive), no significant differences were found in the clinical PR (27.3%, 55.6%, and 40%, respectively) or ongoing PR (9.1%, 55.6%, and 40%, respectively) after a single blastocyst transfer. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in the clinical PR or ongoing PR after the transfer of two or more blastocysts. Among women with ongoing pregnancy relative to those without, age at first pET was significantly lower (35 years vs. 39 years, p=0.001), while blastocyst score (23 vs. 18, p=0.012) and the proportion of blastocyst scores >18 (71.4% vs. 38.9%, p=0.005) were significantly higher. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the woman’s age (odds ratio [OR], 0.814; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.706 to 0.940; p=0.005) and blastocyst score >18 (OR, 3.052; 95% CI, 1.075 to 8.665; p=0.036) were identified as significant factors influencing ongoing pregnancy. Conclusion In pET with ERA, ongoing pregnancy was closely associated with woman’s age and blastocyst quality.

No abstract available.
Female ; Obstetric Labor, Premature* ; Pregnancy ; Ritodrine*

Acupuncture with gold needle insertion is utilized in Oriental medicine, and the effect of therapy is represented by anti-inflammatory and analgesic function, But sometimes the needle is erroneously inserted into abdominal organs, and then it may cause dangerous complications. We report a case of multiple gold needles in the abdominal organs without having definete clinical symptoms.
Acupuncture* ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Needles* ; Radiography*

No abstract available in English.
Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Stomach* ; Ureter*

No abstract available.
Insulinoma*

Patients with cancer experience psychological and social problems; in particular, older patients with cancer face many difficulties during the cancer treatment process owing to aging and underlying diseases. Furthermore, the lives of individuals may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of older patients with cancer during the cancer diagnosis and treatment process amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study employed a qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach to explore and analyze the experiences of the participants. The participants in this study consisted of patients aged over 65 who were diagnosed with cancer, and data were collected from May 4 to June 30, 2022 through in-depth individual interviews. The collected data were analyzed using Giorgi’s phenomenological analysis. Results: Participants were six older patients with cancer with an average age of 69.66 years. Five theme clusters and 15 themes were generated. The theme clusters were “psychological adaptation to cancer diagnosis,” “receiving social and medical support,” “difficulty in the treatment process,” “fear of the COVID-19 pandemic,” and “living through difficulties.” Conclusion: This study revealed that older patients with cancer demonstrated a unique psychology about how to accept the shock of the diagnosis and the resulting coping patterns and feelings of depression. Additionally, it was verified that older patients with cancer, susceptible to infections due to their advanced age and weakened immunity, also face an increased vulnerability to COVID-19. Therefore, a support system tailored to the characteristics of older patients with cancer should be established.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore cancer center nurses experience of infection control. Methods: From March 26 to 2019 to May 1, 2019 data were collected through focus group interviews and in-depth interviews. Data collected though interviews and field notes were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Participants were 12 registered nurses and 2 head nurses. Results: Fifteen themes emerged from four themes clusters. 1) Encountering barriers to infection control. 2) Infection control is still difficult. 3) Complaints about Infection Control Department exist. 4) Need to consider strategies for improving infection control. Conclusion The results of the study indicate that in order to facilitate infection control and increase the compliance rate of the guidelines, it is necessary to develop a program to increase the individual's competency associated with infection control and the elimination of negative factors. Further, mediation of external factors related to the hospital environment is necessary.

Purpose: To compare the contrast sensitivities of type 2 diabetic patients without retinopathy and healthy subjects, and to assess the risk factors associated with a change in contrast sensitivity in diabetes. Methods: A total of 75 (diabetic patients without retinopathy) and 41 (healthy subjects) eyes were reviewed from the medical records. The threshold of contrast sensitivity was measured at 6.3°, 4.0°, 2.5°, 1.6°, 1.0°, and 0.64° under scotopic and photopic states. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was used to measure the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness in diabetic patients. Results: Diabetic patients showed a lower threshold of contrast sensitivity at all degree measures than did the controls under both scotopic and photopic states. In subgroup analyses, diabetic patients with abnormal contrast sensitivity showed a longer duration of diabetes, decreased total retinal thickness, and decreased average GC-IPL, superior RNFL, superior GC-IPL, and temporal GC-IPL thicknesses. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the duration of diabetes and total retinal thickness were significant predictive factors of decreased contrast sensitivity (odds ratio = 1.117 and 0.942, respectively). Conclusions As the duration of diabetes increased, the contrast sensitivity decreased in type 2 diabetic patients. Neuroretinal degeneration changes both the inner retinal thickness and total retinal thickness and affects contrast sensitivity. Therefore, for longer-term diabetic patients, it is necessary to consider the changes in contrast sensitivity and retinal thickness on OCT evaluation, even if the patient presents with normal fundus findings.

Purpose: To compare the contrast sensitivities of type 2 diabetic patients without retinopathy and healthy subjects, and to assess the risk factors associated with a change in contrast sensitivity in diabetes. Methods: A total of 75 (diabetic patients without retinopathy) and 41 (healthy subjects) eyes were reviewed from the medical records. The threshold of contrast sensitivity was measured at 6.3°, 4.0°, 2.5°, 1.6°, 1.0°, and 0.64° under scotopic and photopic states. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was used to measure the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness in diabetic patients. Results: Diabetic patients showed a lower threshold of contrast sensitivity at all degree measures than did the controls under both scotopic and photopic states. In subgroup analyses, diabetic patients with abnormal contrast sensitivity showed a longer duration of diabetes, decreased total retinal thickness, and decreased average GC-IPL, superior RNFL, superior GC-IPL, and temporal GC-IPL thicknesses. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the duration of diabetes and total retinal thickness were significant predictive factors of decreased contrast sensitivity (odds ratio = 1.117 and 0.942, respectively). Conclusions As the duration of diabetes increased, the contrast sensitivity decreased in type 2 diabetic patients. Neuroretinal degeneration changes both the inner retinal thickness and total retinal thickness and affects contrast sensitivity. Therefore, for longer-term diabetic patients, it is necessary to consider the changes in contrast sensitivity and retinal thickness on OCT evaluation, even if the patient presents with normal fundus findings.

Patients with cancer experience psychological and social problems; in particular, older patients with cancer face many difficulties during the cancer treatment process owing to aging and underlying diseases. Furthermore, the lives of individuals may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of older patients with cancer during the cancer diagnosis and treatment process amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study employed a qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach to explore and analyze the experiences of the participants. The participants in this study consisted of patients aged over 65 who were diagnosed with cancer, and data were collected from May 4 to June 30, 2022 through in-depth individual interviews. The collected data were analyzed using Giorgi’s phenomenological analysis. Results: Participants were six older patients with cancer with an average age of 69.66 years. Five theme clusters and 15 themes were generated. The theme clusters were “psychological adaptation to cancer diagnosis,” “receiving social and medical support,” “difficulty in the treatment process,” “fear of the COVID-19 pandemic,” and “living through difficulties.” Conclusion: This study revealed that older patients with cancer demonstrated a unique psychology about how to accept the shock of the diagnosis and the resulting coping patterns and feelings of depression. Additionally, it was verified that older patients with cancer, susceptible to infections due to their advanced age and weakened immunity, also face an increased vulnerability to COVID-19. Therefore, a support system tailored to the characteristics of older patients with cancer should be established.