Perception of gender disparity in academic reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

The aim of this study was to identify gender differences in leadership/academic rank and attitudes regarding gender representation among academic Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility subspecialists. Members of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI) were surveyed regarding gender, academic rank, and attitudes concerning gender disparity in academic medicine in March 2021. Univariate comparisons were performed using Chi-squared and Fischer-exact tests with significance at p ≤ 0.

Survey assessing policies regarding patient age and provision of fertility treatment in the United States.

Purpose: To determine what policies exist regarding age and provision of fertility treatment in United States fertility clinics.

Methods: Medical directors of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) member clinics were surveyed regarding clinic demographics and current policies pertaining to age and provision of fertility treatment. Univariate comparisons were performed using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests as appropriate, with significance set at P ≤ 0.

Direct-to-consumer fertility testing: utilization and perceived utility among fertility patients and reproductive endocrinologists.

Research Question: What is the utilization of direct-to-consumer fertility tests (DTCFT) among fertility patients? How does the perceived utility of DTCFT differ between patients and reproductive endocrinologists (REI)?

Design: Infertility patients visiting the Duke Fertility Center between December 2020 and December 2021 were sent an electronic invitation to participate in a patient survey. Members of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility were also sent e-mail invitations to participate in the REI survey. DTCFT were defined as tests not ordered by a physician or performed at a physician's office, including calendar methods of ovulation prediction, urinary ovulation prediction kits, basal body temperature (BBT) monitoring, hormone analysis, ovarian reserve testing and semen analysis.

Reproductive Functions of the Mitochondrial Progesterone Receptor (PR-M).

Classic transcriptional regulation by progesterone via the nuclear progesterone receptors A and B (PR-A, PR-B) has been recognized for decades. Less attention has been given to a mitochondrial progesterone receptor (PR-M) responsible for non-nuclear activities. PR-M is derived from the progesterone receptor (PR) gene from an alternate promoter with the cDNA encoding a unique 5' membrane binding domain followed by the same hinge and hormone-binding domain of the nPR.

Use of fertility preservation services in male reproductive-aged cancer patients.

While fertility preservation is a major concern among reproductive age cancer patients, little is known about access and use of fertility preserving services. We examined use of fertility preserving services among men with common solid tumors. A total of 3648 men age 18-40 including 2610 (71.

Gender inequality in leadership and academic rank in academic reproductive endocrinology programs.

Purpose: To identify gender differences in leadership and academic rank within academic reproductive endocrinology (REI) programs with fellowships in the USA.

Methods: Official institutional websites of the 2017-2018 American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG)-accredited reproductive endocrinology fellowship programs were reviewed, and gender representation at each leadership position and academic rank (Division and Fellowship Director and Full, Associate, and Assistant Professor) was recorded. Univariate comparisons were performed using Chi-square tests, with significance at p < 0.

Use of fertility preservation services in female reproductive-aged cancer patients.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the rates and predictors of fertility preservation services among reproductive-aged women with common cancers in the United States.

Study Design: We used the MarketScan database to identify women 18-45 years of age with lung, breast, colorectal, or cervical cancer who underwent surgery and chemotherapy from 2009 through 2016. Services from 3 months before to 3 months after chemotherapy for evaluation for fertility preservation, laboratory testing for fertility evaluation, and fertility-preserving procedures were captured.

Life-threatening complications among women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a potentially life-threatening clinical condition.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate risk factors for life-threatening complications for patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a United States nationwide sample.

Materials And Methods: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome admissions from 2002 to 2011 from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were included in this study.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender content on reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinic websites.

Objective: To assess geographical distribution and practice characteristics of fertility clinics inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis.

Setting: Not applicable.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Support Program for Nursing Staff.

Objectives: A peer-support program called Resilience In Stressful Events (RISE) was designed to help hospital staff cope with stressful patient-related events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the RISE program by conducting an economic evaluation of its cost benefit.

Methods: A Markov model with a 1-year time horizon was developed to compare the cost benefit with and without the RISE program from a provider (hospital) perspective.

In Vitro Activation: A Possible New Frontier for Treatment of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency.

In vitro activation (IVA) represents a new frontier in the treatment of women with primary ovarian insufficiency as well as patients with cancer desiring fertility preservation. Here, we review the biological basis of IVA and the recent translation of IVA to humans by targeting Hippo and Akt-signaling pathways. We then provide a new integrated viewpoint on IVA, highlighting basic science research on the aspects of follicular development and ovarian tissue transplantation which may potentially optimize future translational research on IVA.

Hydronephrosis: A Rare Presentation of Uterine Didelphys with Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly.

Background: Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly syndrome is a Müllerian duct anomaly characterized by uterine didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal anomalies.

Case: A 12-year-old girl with a history of right renal agenesis presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, dysuria, and urinary retention. Imaging identified a uterine didelphys with a large obstructed right hemivagina compressing the left ureter, causing hydronephrosis.

The relationship between Graves' ophthalmopathy and dry eye syndrome.

Background: A complex relationship between Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) and dry eye syndrome exists. New research brings more insight into the association between these two diseases.

Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using the query terms "Graves' Ophthalmopathy", "Thyroid Eye Disease", and "Dry Eye" in MedLine (PubMed) and Scopus.

Dietary and medication adjustments to improve seizure control in patients treated with the ketogenic diet.

Unlike anticonvulsant drugs and vagus nerve stimulation, there are no guidelines regarding adjustments to ketogenic diet regimens to improve seizure efficacy once the diet has been started. A retrospective chart review was performed of 200 consecutive patients treated with the ketogenic diet at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2007 to 2013. Ten dietary and supplement changes were identified, along with anticonvulsant adjustments.

Baseline delta sleep ratio predicts acute ketamine mood response in major depressive disorder.

Background: Electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep slow wave activity (SWA; EEG power between 0.6 and 4Hz) has been proposed as a marker of central synaptic plasticity. Decreased generation of sleep slow waves--a core feature of sleep in depression--indicates underlying plasticity changes in the disease.

Concomitant BDNF and sleep slow wave changes indicate ketamine-induced plasticity in major depressive disorder.

The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine has rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD). In rats, ketamine selectively increased electroencephalogram (EEG) slow wave activity (SWA) during non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and altered central brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that higher SWA and BDNF levels may respectively represent electrophysiological and molecular correlates of mood improvement following ketamine treatment.