The 6Rs of EFDT Studies.

Given the increased concerns over reproducibility, replicability, and reliability of scientific studies, the embryo-fetal developmental toxicity (EFDT) study was examined from this perspective together with the classic 3Rs. These 6Rs contribute to external validity (i.e.

Decellularized Green and Brown Macroalgae as Cellulose Matrices for Tissue Engineering.

Scaffolds resembling the extracellular matrix (ECM) provide structural support for cells in the engineering of tissue constructs. Various material sources and fabrication techniques have been employed in scaffold production. Cellulose-based matrices are of interest due to their abundant supply, hydrophilicity, mechanical strength, and biological inertness.

Self-reported diagnoses of dietary allergens and fecundability in a North American cohort.

Study Question: To what extent are self-reported diagnoses of food allergies associated with fecundability, the per-cycle probability of conception?

Summary Answer: Fecundability was not appreciably associated with self-reported food allergy diagnoses, number of food allergies, age at first diagnosis, or time since last allergic reaction.

What Is Known Already: Food allergies are atopic diseases that are characterized by an inappropriate immune response to a normally harmless dietary substance. While some studies have observed associations between atopic disorders and infertility, no study has examined the association between food allergies and fecundability, the per-cycle probability of conception.

A prospective study of male physical activity and fecundability.

Study Question: To what extent is male physical activity (PA) associated with fecundability (per-cycle probability of conception)?

Summary Answer: Preconception levels of vigorous, moderate, or total PA were not consistently associated with fecundability across Danish and North American cohorts, but there was suggestive evidence that bicycling with a 'soft, comfort seat' was associated with reduced fecundability in both cohorts, especially among males with greater BMI.

What Is Known Already: Among males, some studies indicate that moderate PA might improve fertility, whereas vigorous PA, especially bicycling, might be detrimental.

Study Design, Size, Duration: We assessed the association between male PA and fecundability among couples participating in two preconception cohort studies: SnartForaeldre.

Estimation of prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the United States using electronic health record data.

Background: Previous epidemiologic studies of autoimmune diseases in the United States (US) have included a limited number of diseases or used meta-analyses that rely on different data collection methods and analyses for each disease.

Methods: To estimate the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the US, we used electronic health record data from six large medical systems in the US. We developed a software program using common methodology to compute the estimated prevalence of autoimmune diseases alone and in aggregate that can be readily used by other investigators to replicate or modify the analysis over time.