LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competence in Physical Therapy: An Exploratory Qualitative Study From the Clinician's Perspective.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, agender, and other gender and sexually diverse identities (LGBTQIA+) health care experience and associated cultural competence from the physical therapist perspective (physical therapist and physical therapist assistant).

Methods: An exploratory qualitative approach implementing semi-structured focus groups and private interviews was utilized. To further anonymity, researchers allowed subjects to keep their camera off on Zoom.

Creating an Artificial 3-Dimensional Ovarian Follicle Culture System Using a Microfluidic System.

We hypothesized that the creation of a 3-dimensional ovarian follicle, with embedded granulosa and theca cells, would better mimic the environment necessary to support early oocytes, both structurally and hormonally. Using a microfluidic system with controlled flow rates, 3-dimensional two-layer (core and shell) capsules were created. The core consists of murine granulosa cells in 0.

Rapamycin Corrects T Regulatory Cell Depletion and Improves Embryo Implantation and Live Birth Rates in a Murine Model.

There are few treatments for patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) or recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Women with RPL and unexplained infertility have lower T regulatory cell (T) expression when compared to fertile controls. A murine model has been developed with depletion of regulatory T cells (DEREG) after administration of diphtheria toxin (DT), resulting in smaller litter sizes, secondary to embryo implantation failure.

Oocyte cryopreservation for women with GATA2 deficiency.

Purpose: To describe controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in a population of women with GATA2 deficiency, a genetic bone marrow failure syndrome, prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of nine women with GATA2 deficiency who underwent oocyte preservation at a research institution. Main outcomes measured include baseline fertility characteristics ((antimullerian hormone (AMH) and day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2)) and total doses of FSH and human menopausal gonadotropins (HMG), E2 on day of trigger, and total number of metaphase II oocytes retrieved.

Results: The mean age was 24 years [16-32], mean AMH was 5.

Two Unique Cases of Ciprofloxacin-Associated Avulsion of Ligament and Tendon.

Ciprofloxacin is recognized to have a deleterious relationship with tendons, particularly Achilles tendinopathy, which makes up most case reports. Tendinopathy seems to occur because of induction of collagen-degrading enzymes causing damage and ischemia of the poorly vascularized regions preventing repair. The focus on the relationship of ciprofloxacin and the Achilles tendon leaves patients on fluoroquinolones with non-Achilles tendinopathy symptoms at risk of misdiagnosis.

Maternal T Regulatory Cell Depletion Impairs Embryo Implantation Which Can Be Corrected With Adoptive T Regulatory Cell Transfer.

Maternal immune tolerance of fetal engraftment is critical for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, but the exact mechanisms permitting this semi-allograft in the maternal host are not completely understood. Further, failure of the embryo to implant in the uterus accounts for at least 30% of the best prognosis in vitro fertilization cycles when a perfect embryo is transferred to a normal uterus. We hypothesized that T regulatory cells (T), defined by CD4CD25hi surface expression and the FoxP3+ transcription factor, play an important role in the initiation of the earliest stages of pregnancy, specifically implantation of the embryo.

Longitudinal changes in menopausal symptoms comparing women randomized to low-dose oral conjugated estrogens or transdermal estradiol plus micronized progesterone versus placebo: the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy of two forms of menopausal hormone therapy in alleviating vasomotor symptoms, insomnia, and irritability in early postmenopausal women during 4 years.

Methods: A total of 727 women, aged 42 to 58, within 3 years of their final menstrual period, were randomized to receive oral conjugated estrogens (o-CEE) 0.45 mg (n = 230) or transdermal estradiol (t-E2) 50 μg (n = 225; both with micronized progesterone 200 mg for 12 d each mo), or placebos (PBOs; n = 275).

Effects of hormones on skin wrinkles and rigidity vary by race/ethnicity: four-year follow-up from the ancillary skin study of the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study.

Objective: To measure skin wrinkles and rigidity in menopausal women of varying race/ethnicity with or without hormone therapy (HT) for up to four years.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Academic medical centers.

Are intracytoplasmic sperm injection and high serum estradiol compounding risk factors for adverse obstetric outcomes in assisted reproductive technology?

Objective: To evaluate whether intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) use and E2 on the final day of assisted reproductive technology (ART) stimulation are associated with adverse obstetric complications related to placentation.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Large private ART practice.

Oral prenylation inhibition with lonafarnib in chronic hepatitis D infection: a proof-of-concept randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2A trial.

Background: Therapies for chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection are unsatisfactory. Prenylation is essential for HDV and inhibition abrogates HDV production in experimental models. In a proof-of-concept study, we aimed to assess the effect on HDV RNA levels, safety, and tolerability of the prenylation inhibitor lonafarnib in patients with chronic delta hepatitis.

Endometrial stem cell transplantation in MPTP- exposed primates: an alternative cell source for treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Cell-replacement therapies have emerged as a promising strategy to slow down or replace neuronal loss. Compared to other stem cell types, endometrium-derived stem cells (EDSCs) are an attractive source of stem cells for cellular therapies because of their ease of collection and vast differentiation potential.

Assessment of neuromuscular conditions using ultrasound.

Upper extremity pain in persons with spinal cord injury is a common cause of morbidity. Ultrasound of nerve, muscle, and tendon has the potential to become a valuable modality in assessing this population, and has the advantage of reduced health care costs, portability, and use in populations that cannot tolerate MRI. It has the potential to detect issues before the onset of significant morbidity, and preserve patient independence.

Ovarian reserve and subsequent assisted reproduction outcomes after methotrexate therapy for ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy of unknown location.

Objective: To assess ovarian reserve after methotrexate treatment for ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy of unknown location after assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Large ART practice.

Influences on endometrial development during intrauterine insemination: clinical experience of 2,929 patients with unexplained infertility.

Objective: To characterize relationships associated with adverse endometrial development in patients undergoing IUI for unexplained infertility.

Design: A retrospective review of 2,929 patients from 2004-2011.

Setting: Large metropolitan infertility practice.

Self-reported menopausal symptoms, coronary artery calcification, and carotid intima-media thickness in recently menopausal women screened for the Kronos early estrogen prevention study (KEEPS).

Objective: To determine whether self-reported menopausal symptoms are associated with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis.

Setting: Multicenter, randomized controlled trial.

In utero exposures and endometriosis: the Endometriosis, Natural History, Disease, Outcome (ENDO) Study.

Objective: To assess in utero exposures and the odds of an endometriosis diagnosis.

Design: Matched cohort design.

Setting: Fourteen participating clinical centers in geographically defined areas in Utah and California.

Peripheral blood stem cell transplants do not result in endometrial stromal engraftment.

Objective: To determine whether peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) result in engraftment of donor stem cells in the recipient uterus.

Design: Prospective clinical and laboratory research.

Setting: Translational medicine research hospital.

Aromatase inhibitor treatment of menorrhagia and subsequent pregnancy in a patient with familial hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome.

Objective: To describe the clinical management of menorrhagia in a woman with hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome (HPT-JT).

Design: Case report.

Setting: Large translation research hospital.

Activated partial thromboplastin time is a better trending tool in pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Objectives: To determine whether activated partial thromboplastin times are a better heparin management tool than activated clotting times in pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Design: A single-center retrospective analysis of perfusion and patient records.

Setting: Academic pediatric tertiary care center.

Derivation of insulin producing cells from human endometrial stromal stem cells and use in the treatment of murine diabetes.

Pancreatic islet cell transplantation is an effective approach to treat type 1 diabetes, however the shortage of cadaveric donors and limitations due to rejection require alternative solutions. Multipotent cells derived from the uterine endometrium have the ability to differentiate into mesodermal and ectodermal cellular lineages, suggesting the existence of mesenchymal stem cells in this tissue. We differentiated human endometrial stromal stem cells (ESSC) into insulin secreting cells using a simple and nontransfection protocol.

Skin wrinkles and rigidity in early postmenopausal women vary by race/ethnicity: baseline characteristics of the skin ancillary study of the KEEPS trial.

Objective: To characterize skin wrinkles and rigidity in recently menopausal women.

Design: Baseline assessment of participants before randomization to study drug.

Setting: Multicenter trial, university medical centers.