In-service and pre-service teachers' opinion on the use of models in teaching chemistry

The presented study examined the opinion of in-service and prospective chemistry teachers about the importance of usage of molecular and crystal models in secondary-level school practice, and investigated some of the reasons for their (non-) usage. The majority of participants stated that the use of models plays an important role in chemistry education and that they would use them more often if the circumstances were more favourable. Many teachers claimed that three-dimensional (3d) models are still not available in sufficient number at their schools; they also pointed to the lack of available computer facilities during chemistry lessons. The research revealed that, besides the inadequate material circumstances, less than one third of participants are able to use simple (freeware) computer programs for drawing molecular structures and their presentation in virtual space; however both groups of teachers expressed the willingness to improve their knowledge in the subject area. The investigation points to several actions which could be undertaken to improve the current situation

Interstitial oxygen concentration role in the DW-Locos CMOS technology

The dependence on the silicon substrate interstitial oxygen concentration of CMOS device performance using the recently developed DW-LOCOS isolation scheme is evaluated. Electrical characterisation in terms of both effective carrier generation lifetime in MOS structures and leakage current density in diodes is studied. It is shown that for the DW-LOCOS CMOS process, a noticeable reduction of the measured differences with respect to a classical wet LOCOS CMOS process flow are obtained. An improvement of the gate oxide reliability in terms of charge to breakdown is also confirmed

PGR and PTX3 gene expression in cumulus cells from obese and normal weighting women after administration of long-acting recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone for controlled ovarian stimulation

Purpose: The present study aimed to determine clinical IVF parameters and gene expression in cumulus cells (CCs) in obese and normal weighting women after administration of 150\ua0mcg of corifollitropin alfa for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Methods: 150\ua0mcg of corifollitropin alfa and gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist were used for COH. Analysis of CC gene expression was performed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: We did not find significant differences in biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates between obese and normal weighting women. Obese women required twice as much of additional gonadotropins for ovarian stimulation and had a significantly lower proportion of good quality embryos on day 5 of IVF cycle. Expression of PGR and PTX3 was significantly higher in CCs of obese women. Conclusion: Obese women require significantly larger amounts of gonadotropins to achieve similar IVF success rates as normal weighting women. Differences in CC gene expression and smaller proportion of good quality embryos may imply that oocytes derived from obese women are of lower quality. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether obesity itself or the higher amount of gonadotropins used in obese women causes this effect

Reproductive outcomes after laparoscopic surgery in infertile women affected by ovarian endometriomas, with or without in vitro fertilisation: results from the SAFE (surgery and ART for endometriomas) trial

We performed a retrospective cohort study, namely “Surgery and ART for Endometriomas” (SAFE) trial (Clinical Trial ID: NCT03717870), including women who underwent laparoscopic cystectomy for endometrioma before first IVF and compared their reproductive outcomes with the ones of women without endometriosis and with unexplained infertility, tubal factor or male factor infertility. We found that women who underwent previous laparoscopic cystectomy for endometrioma had higher FSH and LH levels between the 2nd and 5th day of the cycle before IVF, required higher doses of gonadotrophins for ovarian stimulation and had a lower number of retrieved oocytes compared with other types of infertility. Nevertheless, pregnancy and delivery rates remain comparable to other causes of infertility. In addition, differences in ovarian stimulation parameters between endometriosis and other types of infertility lost significance with the increase of women’s age. These pieces of information can be considered useful to make adequate counselling about reproductive outcomes for infertile women with ovarian endometriomas and allow a proper decision-making approach shared with the patient.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Although endometriomas are common findings in infertile women, whether they should be surgically removed before an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a long-lasting debate, and current evidence does not offer a robust background to draw firm recommendations. What do the results of this study add? Women who underwent previous laparoscopic cystectomy for endometrioma need higher doses of gonadotrophins for ovarian stimulation and have a lower number of retrieved oocytes, compared with other types of infertility. Pregnancy and delivery rates remain comparable to other causes of infertility. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? These pieces of information can help to make adequate counselling about reproductive outcomes for infertile women with ovarian endometriomas and allow a proper decision-making approach shared with the patient

Anxiety and depression in patients with endometriosis: Impact and management challenges

Antonio Simone Laganà,1 Valentina Lucia La Rosa,2 Agnese Maria Chiara Rapisarda,3 Gaetano Valenti,3 Fabrizio Sapia,3 Benito Chiofalo,1 Diego Rossetti,4 Helena Ban Frangež,5 Eda Vrtačnik Bokal,5 Salvatore Giovanni Vitale1 1Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “G Barresi”, University of Messina, Messina, 2Unit of Psychodiagnostics and Clinical Psychology, 3Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, 4Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gavardo Hospital, Brescia, Italy; 5Department of Reproduction, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Abstract: Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases and affects ~10% of women in reproductive age. The most common clinical signs of endometriosis are menstrual irregularities, chronic pelvic pain (CPP), dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and infertility. Symptoms of endometriosis often affect psychological and social functioning of patients. For this reason, endometriosis is considered as a disabling condition that may significantly compromise social relationships, sexuality and mental health. Considering this point, the aim of this narrative review is to elucidate the impact of anxiety and depression in the management of women with endometriosis. Psychological factors have an important role in determining the severity of symptoms, and women who suffer from endometriosis report high levels of anxiety, depression and other psychiatric disorders. In addition, endometriosis is one of the most important causes of CPP; women with endometriosis suffer from a wide range of pelvic pain such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, nonmenstrual (chronic) pelvic pain, pain at ovulation, dyschezia and dysuria. Several studies have underlined the influence of CPP on quality of life and psychological well-being of women with endometriosis. Data suggest that the experience of pelvic pain is an important component of endometriosis and may significantly affect emotive functioning of affected women. It has been demonstrated that high levels of anxiety and depression can amplify the severity of pain. Further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between psychological factors and perception of pain. Treatment of endometriosis may be hormonal or surgical. Surgery is the primary treatment for more severe forms of endometriosis. There are few data in the literature about the influence of psychological factors and psychiatric comorbidities on the effectiveness of treatments. It is important to evaluate the presence of previous psychiatric diseases in order to select the most appropriate treatment for the patient. Keywords: endometriosis, pelvic pain, anxiety, depressio