Expanded carrier screening for recessively inherited disorders: economic burden and factors in decision-making when one individual in a couple is identified as a carrier.

Purpose: When undergoing expanded carrier screening (ECS), couples are often screened sequentially to reduce need for a second individual's test. It is unknown how often partners of individuals found to be carriers complete the recommended testing with a sequential approach and what factors contribute to decision-making regarding partner testing. Additionally, the economic burden placed on individuals by ECS testing and its effect on partner testing has not been evaluated.

Monitoring Rates of Malnutrition Risk in Outpatient Cancer Centers Utilizing the Malnutrition Screening Tool Embedded into the Electronic Health Record.

Background: The risk of malnutrition in patients with cancer is well documented. However, screening to identify patients at risk in ambulatory cancer centers is not standardized nor uniform. The 2-question Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) is validated in the ambulatory oncology setting and endorsed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Collection of electronic patient-reported symptoms in patients with advanced cancer using Epic MyChart surveys.

Background: Use of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) in routine cancer care can help identify troublesome symptoms and facilitate discussions between patients and clinicians and has been shown to improve patient satisfaction, quality of life, and survival.

Methods: Eighty patients with stage IV non-hematologic malignancies on chemotherapy participated. Patient-Reported Symptom Monitoring (PRSM) surveys were sent every 14 days via the Epic MyChart system over a 12-week period.

Comparison of 2-Hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test and Hemoglobin A1C in the Identification of Pre-Diabetes in Women with Infertility and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

Research Question: Does hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) predict pre-diabetes (pre-DM) in a population of women with infertility and/or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), when considering the 75 g, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (2h GTT) as the gold standard?

Design: Retrospective study of 242 patients with infertility or RPL presenting to a university-affiliated reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinic between January 2012 and December 2016 who underwent screening for disorders of glucose metabolism with a 2h GTT. The prevalence of pre-DM as defined by HbA1C 5.7% to 6.

Vitamin D levels are not associated with ovarian reserve in a group of infertile women with a high prevalance of diminished ovarian reserve.

Objective: To determine whether a relationship exists between vitamin D (25OH-D) levels and ovarian reserve parameters (antimüllerian hormone [AMH] and FSH levels) in a large cohort of infertile women with a high prevalence of diminished ovarian reserve.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Academically affiliated private fertility center.

Impact of opioid use on health care utilization and survival in patients with newly diagnosed stage IV malignancies.

Purpose: Patients with advanced cancers frequently experience pain. Opioids are commonly prescribed to treat cancer-related pain, but their use might be associated with undesirable consequences including adverse effects and tumor progression, resulting in increased heath care utilization and shorter survival. We examined these possibilities in a large cohort of patients diagnosed with ten common advanced malignancies.

Effect of race and ethnicity on utilization and outcomes of assisted reproductive technology in the USA.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the utilization and live birth rates of assisted reproductive technology (ART) modalities among various racial and ethnic groups in recent years.

Methods: We reviewed ART data reported to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies Clinic Outcome Reporting System (SART CORS) for autologous ART and third-party ART (3ART) cycles which involved donor oocytes, sperm, embryos and gestational carrier, performed in the U.S.

Implementation of Routine Postpartum Depression Screening and Care Initiation Across a Multispecialty Health Care Organization: An 18-Month Retrospective Analysis.

Objectives Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 10-20% of all mothers after giving birth. Adequate screening and follow-up care for the postpartum mother with depression is an essential component of quality care in this population. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the quality and quantity of a postnatal PPD screening program and the subsequent initiation of needed PPD treatment in an integrated health system.

Utilization of third-party in vitro fertilization in the United States.

Background: The use of in vitro fertilization that includes third-party in vitro fertilization is increasing. However, the relative contribution of third-party in vitro fertilization that includes the use of donor oocytes, sperm, or embryo and a gestational carrier to the birth cohort after in vitro fertilization is unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of third-party in vitro fertilization to the in vitro fertilization birth cohort over the past decade.

Randomized, blinded trial of vitamin D3 for treating aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS).

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vitamin D3 at 4000 IU/day as a treatment option for aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) when compared with the usual care dose of 600 IU D3. We conducted a single site randomized, double-blind, phase 3 clinical trial in women with AIMSS comparing change in symptoms, reproductive hormones and AI pharmacokinetics. Postmenopausal women ≥18 years with stages I-IIIA breast cancer, taking AI and experiencing AIMSS [breast cancer prevention trial symptom scale-musculoskeletal (BCPT-MS) subscale ≥1.

Wound Care: Multicenter Feasibility Study.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine a sound recruitment strategy for multisite wound studies to address the rising prevalence and incidence of chronic wounds and to identify appropriate adult patient populations with wounds of interest and establish partnerships with their clinicians and clinical services as a model for a multisite wound care feasibility study.

Design: A pilot multisite recruitment feasibility study.

Setting: Three wound clinics located in a large, Midwestern metropolitan area.

Impact of cerebrospinal fluid matrix on the detection of Alzheimer's disease with Aβ42 and influence of disease on the total-Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio.

The 42-amino acid fragment of amyloid β (Aβ1-42) in cerebrospinal fluid has continued to be important for detecting cerebral β-amyloidosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there are impediments to our ability to fully understand this measurement, including matrix interference and changes linked to apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 genotype. This study investigated matrix interference as a contributing factor for detecting AD in APOE ε4-negative patients by comparing total extractable Aβ1-42 to free Aβ1-42.

Large-scale candidate gene study to identify genetic risk factors predictive of paliperidone treatment response in patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: Clinical response to antipsychotic medications can vary markedly in patients with schizophrenia. Identifying genetic variants associated with treatment response could help optimize patient care and outcome. To this end, we carried out a large-scale candidate gene study to identify genetic risk factors predictive of paliperidone efficacy.

Identification of tools to measure changes in musculoskeletal symptoms and physical functioning in women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors.

Purpose/objectives: To estimate and compare responsiveness of standardized self-reported measures of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) and physical functioning (PF) during treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs).

Design: Prospective, longitudinal study.

Setting: Park Nicollet Institute and North Memorial Cancer Center, both in Minneapolis, MN.

Prespecified candidate biomarkers identify follicular lymphoma patients who achieved longer progression-free survival with bortezomib-rituximab versus rituximab.

Purpose: Identify subgroups of patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma deriving substantial progression-free survival (PFS) benefit with bortezomib-rituximab versus rituximab in the phase III LYM-3001 study.

Experimental Design: A total of 676 patients were randomized to five 5-week cycles of bortezomib-rituximab or rituximab. The primary end point was PFS; this prespecified analysis of candidate protein biomarkers and genes was an exploratory objective.

Changes in weight and body composition in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify predictors of changes in weight and body composition among women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: Data were from 49 women age 40-54 receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. Weight, height, and body composition measurements from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning were completed at baseline (within 1 month of beginning chemotherapy) and 12 months.

Effects of exercise vs bisphosphonates on bone mineral density in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy for breast cancer causes early-onset menopause for most women older than age 40 and is associated with accelerated bone loss. The primary objective of this study was to compare the effects of intravenous (IV) zoledronic acid versus prescribed physical activity (PA) on changes in bone mineral density (BMD) for women between the ages of 40 and 55 years receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. A randomized controlled trial of 62 patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy compared IV zoledronic acid and oral calcium/vitamin D (ZO group) versus a PA program and oral calcium/vitamin D (PA group).

Implementing a low-fat eating plan in the Women's Intervention Nutrition Study.

The Women's Intervention Nutrition Study is a randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate if a lifestyle intervention targeting fat intake reduction influences breast cancer recurrence in women with early stage, resected disease receiving conventional cancer management. This report details the concept, content, and implementation of the low-fat eating plan used in the dietary intervention group of this trial. Intervention group participants were given a daily fat gram goal.

The effects of pregnancy on memory: recall is worse but recognition is not.

Women who are pregnant frequently complain of memory problems. Past research suggests that pregnancy is associated with a measurable decline when memory is tested using free recall but not when memory is tested using recognition. However, no prior studies on recognition memory tested performance across two time periods (e.

MicroRNA-21 targets a network of key tumor-suppressive pathways in glioblastoma cells.

MicroRNA dysregulation is observed in different types of cancer. MiR-21 up-regulation has been reported for the majority of cancers profiled to date; however, knowledge is limited on the mechanism of action of miR-21, including identification of functionally important targets that contribute to its proproliferative and antiapoptotic actions. In this study, we show for the first time that miR-21 targets multiple important components of the p53, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and mitochondrial apoptosis tumor-suppressive pathways.

Dietary fat reduction and breast cancer outcome: interim efficacy results from the Women's Intervention Nutrition Study.

Background: Preclinical and observational studies suggest a relationship between dietary fat intake and breast cancer, but the association remains controversial. We carried out a randomized, prospective, multicenter clinical trial to test the effect of a dietary intervention designed to reduce fat intake in women with resected, early-stage breast cancer receiving conventional cancer management.

Methods: A total of 2437 women were randomly assigned between February 1994 and January 2001 in a ratio of 40:60 to dietary intervention (n = 975) or control (n = 1462) groups.

Interventions to prevent loss of bone mineral density in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Loss of bone mineral density (BMD) is a significant problem for women receiving breast cancer treatment. The purpose of this article is to present the state of the knowledge on BMD loss and analyze interventions to prevent BMD loss in women receiving breast cancer treatment. The data sources include primary research reports, review articles, and book chapters.