Prescribing Bioidentical Menopausal Hormone Therapy: A Survey of Physician Views and Practices.

Background: It is estimated that 1-2.5 million U.S.

Emotional Impact of Reduced Access to Assisted Reproductive Care.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of cessation of fertility services on patients with infertility.

Study Design: A cross-sectional, anonymous mail survey was conducted in a university hospital setting. A total of 281 female infertility patients treated from 2003-2006 were mailed surveys.

Effect of insulin sensitizer therapy on amino acids and their metabolites.

Aims: Prior studies have reported that elevated concentrations of several plasma amino acids (AA), particularly branched chain (BCAA) and aromatic AA predict the onset of type 2 diabetes. We sought to test the hypothesis that circulating BCAA, aromatic AA and related AA metabolites decline in response to the use of insulin sensitizing agents in overweight/obese adults with impaired fasting glucose or untreated diabetes.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo, controlled study conducted in twenty five overweight/obese (BMI ~30kg/m(2)) adults with impaired fasting glucose or untreated diabetes.

Effect of insulin sensitizer therapy on atherothrombotic and inflammatory profiles associated with insulin resistance.

Objective: To determine whether targeted pharmacological improvement of insulin sensitivity will normalize the associated elevations of thrombotic and inflammatory cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers in individuals with insulin resistance.

Patients And Methods: Study 1 was a cross-sectional study of Asian Indians with and without diabetes mellitus and Northern European Americans without diabetes (n=14 each) conducted between December 11, 2003, and July 14, 2006. Study 2 was a secondary analysis of a double-blind randomized controlled study conducted between August 19, 2005, and August 24, 2010, that included 25 individuals with untreated diabetes or impaired fasting glucose who were randomized to receive placebo (n=13) or a combination of metformin, 1000 mg twice daily, and pioglitazone, 45 mg daily (n=12), for 3 months.

High cumulative live births in oocyte donation cycles with cryopreservation of all embryos.

Background: Cryopreservation of all embryos in stimulated IVF cycles is occasionally necessary. Although it is known that frozen embryo transfer results in lower live birth rates per transfer, there is limited information regarding expected cumulative live birth rates for patients who are in this particular scenario.

Methods: The objective was to evaluate long-term outcomes in cycles undergoing pronuclear cryopreservation of all embryos utilizing a retrospective analysis of 154 consecutive recipients from 1995 to 2006.

The effect of branched chain amino acids on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in young and elderly adults.

Context: A reduction in maximal mitochondrial ATP production rate (MAPR) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) abundance occurs with age in association with muscle weakness and reduced endurance in elderly people. Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) have been extensively used to improve physical performance.

Objective: The objective was to determine whether an 8-h infusion of BCAA enhances MAPR equally in healthy young and elderly adults.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: steps to maximize success and minimize effect for assisted reproductive outcome.

Objective: To investigate the strategies used to decrease the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and their impact on pregnancy and live birth rates.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: University hospital.

Effect of testosterone on insulin stimulated IRS1 Ser phosphorylation in primary rat myotubes--a potential model for PCOS-related insulin resistance.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by a hyperandrogenic state and frequently develops skeletal muscle insulin resistance. We determined whether testosterone adversely affects insulin action by increasing serine phosphorylation of IRS-1(636/639) in differentiated rat skeletal muscle myotubes. The phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR, and S6K, downstream targets of the PI3-kinase-IRS-1 complex were also studied.

Role of saline infusion sonography in uterine evaluation before frozen embryo transfer cycle.

Objective: To determine the role of saline infusion sonography (SIS) in uterine evaluation before a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: University hospital.

Primary ovarian pregnancy after donor embryo transfer: early diagnosis and laparoscopic treatment.

Primary ovarian pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy, particularly following in vitro fertilization. Although there have been a few reported cases of primary ovarian pregnancy following in vitro fertilization embryo transfer, we believe this is the first report involving donor embryo transfer. A high index of clinical suspicion, abnormal human chorionic gonadotropin levels, and early ultrasound evaluation may aid timely diagnosis and appropriate management.