Contraceptive efficacy and safety of the 52-mg levonorgestrel intrauterine system for up to 8 years: findings from the Mirena Extension Trial.

Background: The 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is an established, long-acting contraceptive option with approved use for up to 7 years.

Objective: The Mirena Extension Trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system during extended use beyond 5 and up to 8 years.

Study Design: This was a multicenter, single-arm study in the United States, enrolling existing users of the 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, aged 18 to 35 years, who have had the system for 4.

Real world data on symptomology and diagnostic approaches of 27,840 women living with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that requires a suitable, lifelong treatment. To our knowledge, the Visanne Post-approval Observational Study (VIPOS) is to date the largest real-world, non-interventional study investigating hormonal management of endometriosis. We describe women's experiences of endometriosis in the real world by considering their symptoms and the diagnostic process in their healthcare setting.

Comparative pharmacokinetic analysis of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems and levonorgestrel-containing contraceptives with oral or subdermal administration route.

Objective: To compare systemic exposure to levonorgestrel (LNG) released from commercially available intrauterine systems (IUSs), a subdermal implant, and oral contraceptives.

Methods: An integrated population pharmacokinetic (popPK) analysis of data from over 3400 individuals in ten clinical studies with six different LNG-releasing contraceptives (four long-acting reversible contraceptives [LARCs: LNG-IUS 8, 12, and 20, initially releasing LNG 14, 17.5, and 20 μg/day, a subdermal implant initially releasing LNG 100 μg/day according to label]; progestin-only pill [POP: LNG 30 μg/day]; and combined oral contraceptive [COC] pill [LNG 100 μg/day and ethinylestradiol 20 μg/day]), was conducted to generate a popPK model.

Genetic and functional insights into the fractal structure of the heart.

The inner surfaces of the human heart are covered by a complex network of muscular strands that is thought to be a remnant of embryonic development. The function of these trabeculae in adults and their genetic architecture are unknown. Here we performed a genome-wide association study to investigate image-derived phenotypes of trabeculae using the fractal analysis of trabecular morphology in 18,096 participants of the UK Biobank.

Correction: Design, development, testing at ISO standards and in vivo feasibility study of a novel polymeric heart valve prosthesis.

Correction for 'Design, development, testing at ISO standards and in vivo feasibility study of a novel polymeric heart valve prosthesis' by Joanna R. Stasiak et al., Biomater.