Cultivating Self-Transcendence Through Meditation Practice: A Test of the Role of Meta-Awareness, (Dis)identification and Non-Reactivity.

In this paper, we present a study comprising two distinct stages to examine the extent to which metacognitive processes of decentering facilitate the emergence of self-transcendence experiences in everyday life (i.e., the frequency of self-transcendent emotions, flow proneness, and adopting an interconnected identity).

The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension Kinetics.

Background: Isokinetic dynamometers are widely used when assessing neuromuscular function including knee extension kinetics. However, these dynamometers are often prohibitively expensive and are not portable. Thus strain-gauge technology has grown in popularity.

The Influence of Comorbidities, General Health Status, and Self-Care Self-Efficacy on COVID-19 Symptoms During the Omicron Wave.

Background The emergence of the less virulent COVID-19 strains such as Omicron and its subvariants shifted the paradigm of COVID-19 treatment from inpatient treatment to regular outpatient care. The individual health determinants affecting COVID-19 disease severity among vulnerable adults treated in outpatient settings are an under-researched area. Methods This study conducted in an outpatient COVID-19 antibody infusion center employed a cross-sectional survey design to explore the impact of comorbidities, general health status, and self-care self-efficacy on COVID-19 symptom severity.

How can we improve the acceptability of vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in France? An original qualitative study with focus groups comprising parents and school staff, interviewed separately.

Background: It has been proven that vaccination is effective against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections, genital warts, and pre-cancerous and cancerous cervical lesions. Nevertheless, the HPV vaccine coverage of 37.4 % in 2021 in France is one of the lowest in Europe.

Effective contact tracing for COVID-19: A systematic review.

Contact tracing is commonly recommended to control outbreaks of COVID-19, but its effectiveness is unclear. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched four databases using a range of terms related to contact tracing effectiveness for COVID-19. We found 343 papers; 32 were included.

Intersession Variability of Knee Extension Kinetics Using a Strain Gauge Device With Differing Clinically Practical Physical Constraints.

Context: Intrasession reliabilities of isometric knee extension kinetics via portable strain gauge have been reported across several knee joint angles and constraints. However, intersession variabilities, which are more valuable, have yet to be determined. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the intersession variability of knee extension kinetics over 3 testing sessions using an affordable and portable strain gauge.

Lessons from past pandemics: a systematic review of evidence-based, cost-effective interventions to suppress COVID-19.

Background: In an unparalleled global response, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 90 countries asked 3.9 billion people to stay home. Yet other countries avoided lockdowns and focused on other strategies, like contact tracing.

Mindfulness and equanimity moderate approach/avoidance motor responses.

A person's tendency to approach pleasant stimuli and to avoid unpleasant stimuli reflects a basic psychological phenomenon. The present research aimed to investigate the extent to which mindfulness practices and trait equanimity can attenuate this motivational process. In two studies, participants were asked to perform an Approach/Avoidance Task (AAT).

The Influence of Mode-of-Injury on Psychological Readiness for Return-To-Sport Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Matched-Controlled Study.

Background: Self-efficacy and fear of re-injury have been documented as factors related to an athlete's ability to return-to-sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare psychological readiness between athletes injured in their primary mode of sport versus those injured outside of their primary sport following ACL reconstruction.

Hypothesis: Athletes sustaining 'in-sport' injuries will demonstrate poorer psychological readiness when compared their matched counterparts injured outside of their primary sport.

The Appraisal of Body Content (ABC) trial: Increased male or female adiposity does not significantly impact in vitro fertilization laboratory or clinical outcomes.

Objective: To investigate the impact of obesity as determined by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) and body mass index (BMI) on in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory and clinical outcomes.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Academic-affiliated private practice.

The appraisal of body content (ABC) trial: obesity does not significantly impact gamete production in infertile men and women.

Purpose: As obesity becomes increasingly prevalent, its impact on fertility has been a subject of great debate. Nearly all prior research is retrospective and evaluates obesity utilizing body mass index (BMI), which may overestimate adiposity in individuals with a greater amount of lean muscle and underestimate adiposity in those with less muscle mass.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 2013 couples undergoing infertility treatment with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Reliability and validity of an equanimity questionnaire: the two-factor equanimity scale (EQUA-S).

Background: Many studies have revealed the positive impact of mindfulness training on mental health and proposed equanimity as a general outcome in contemplative research. Despite recent interest, relatively few studies have empirically examined equanimity and measurement instruments are still lacking. The main goal of this study was to develop an Equanimity Scale (the EQUA-S) in a Western population with or without meditation experience, based on previous definitions of equanimity, in order to investigate its relations with the relevant psychological constructs and health outcomes.

Varying levels of serum estradiol do not alter the timing of the early endometrial secretory transformation.

Study Question: Do supraphysiologic estradiol (E2) levels in the ranges attained during normal and high response superovulation cycles modify the onset of endometrial secretory transformation?

Summary Answer: Highly supraphysiologic levels of E2 do not alter the ability of physiologic levels of progesterone (P4) to induce secretory transformation.

What Is Known Already: Previous studies have demonstrated that premature P4 elevations during IVF cycles are associated with a decrement in clinical pregnancy rates after fresh embryo transfer due to shifts in the window of implantation (WOI). However, alterations in the onset of secretory transformation may not apply uniformly to all patients.

Embryo's Natural Motion (enMotion): a paired randomized controlled trial evaluating a dynamic embryo culture system.

Objective: To determine if a dynamic embryo culture system affects the reproductive potential of human embryos resulting from in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Design: Paired randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Setting: IVF center.

Embryonic aneuploidy rates are equivalent in natural cycles and gonadotropin-stimulated cycles.

Objective: To determine if natural selection and follicular stimulation produces a lower risk for embryonic aneuploidy than that attained following superovulation with exogenous gonadotropins.

Design: Prospective observational with historical control group.

Setting: Large academically affiliated private practice.

A comparison of the relative efficiency of ICSI and extended culture with epididymal sperm versus testicular sperm in patients with obstructive azoospermia.

This is a retrospective cohort study comparing blastocyst transfer outcomes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection utilizing epididymal versus testicular sperm for men with obstructive azoospermia. All cases at a single center between 2012 and 2016 were included. Operative approach was selected at the surgeon's discretion and included microepididymal sperm aspiration or testicular sperm extraction.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy is cost-effective, shortens treatment time, and reduces the risk of failed embryo transfer and clinical miscarriage.

Objective: To determine if preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is cost-effective for patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Design: Decision analytic model comparing costs and clinical outcomes of two strategies: IVF with and without PGT-A.

Setting: Genetics laboratory.

Celiac disease is not more prevalent in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and does not affect reproductive outcomes with or without treatment: a large prospective cohort study.

Objective: To study the prevalence of celiac disease in the infertile population undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and assess outcomes.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: A single infertility center from January 2016 to March 2017.

Diminished ovarian reserve and poor response to stimulation in patients <38 years old: a quantitative but not qualitative reduction in performance.

Study Question: Do infertile women aged <38 years with quantitative evidence of diminished ovarian reserve and/or poor response to stimulation also exhibit poor oocyte quality as measured by blastulation rates, aneuploidy rates, and live birth rates?

Summary Answer: Young women with evidence of accelerated follicular depletion, either by precycle ovarian reserve testing or postcycle evidence of low oocyte yield, exhibit equivalent blastulation rates, aneuploidy rates and live birth rates per euploid embryo transfer as age-matched controls with normal precycle and postcycle parameters.

What Is Known Already: Previous studies are conflicted as to whether women with evidence of diminished ovarian reserve and/or poor ovarian response are also at increased risk of exhibiting evidence of poor oocyte quality. Most prior studies have failed to adequately control for the confounding effect of female age on typical markers of oocyte quality in poor responders.

Characterization of reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) fellowship applicants: guiding our mentees toward success.

Background: Advanced subspecialty training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) entails a competitive application process with many data points considered. It is not known what components weigh more heavily for applicants. Thus, we sought to study the REI fellow applicant and compare 1) those who apply but do not receive an interview, 2) those who receive an interview but do not match, and 3) those who successfully match.

Patients with endometriosis have aneuploidy rates equivalent to their age-matched peers in the in vitro fertilization population.

Objective: To determine whether endometriosis ultimately results in an increased risk of embryonic aneuploidy.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Infertility clinic.

Combination of uterine natural killer cell immunoglobulin receptor haplotype and trophoblastic HLA-C ligand influences the risk of pregnancy loss: a retrospective cohort analysis of direct embryo genotyping data from euploid transfers.

Objective: To compare maternal uterine natural killer cell immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) genotype and haplotype frequencies between patients whose euploid single-embryo transfer resulted in pregnancy loss and those that resulted in delivery and to determine if the risk of pregnancy loss was affected by the HLA-C genotype content in the embryo.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Academic research center.

Current Concepts in Treatment of Patellofemoral Osteochondritis Dissecans.

Unlabelled: Identification, protection, and management of patellofemoral articular cartilage lesions continue to remain on the forefront of sports medicine rehabilitation. Due to high-level compression forces that are applied through the patellofemoral (PF) joint, managing articular cartilage lesions is challenging for sports medicine specialists. Articular cartilage damage may exist in a wide spectrum of injuries ranging from small, single areas of focal damage to wide spread osteoarthritis involving large chondral regions.

Free vitamin D does not vary through the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

The importance of vitamin D (25OHD) in general health and reproductive success has been a focus in the setting of the 25OHD deficiency epidemic. However, there are challenges to understanding 25OHD's effects. The free and bioavailable levels are affected by 25OHD binding protein (DBP) and it is not known how estradiol fluctuations during the menstrual cycle affect these binding parameters.