Improving IVF Utilization with Patient-Centric Artificial Intelligence-Machine Learning (AI/ML): A Retrospective Multicenter Experience.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has the potential to give babies to millions more people globally, yet it continues to be underutilized. We established a globally applicable and locally adaptable IVF prognostics report and framework to support patient-provider counseling and enable validated, data-driven treatment decisions. This study investigates the IVF utilization rates associated with the usage of machine learning, center-specific (MLCS) prognostic reports (the Univfy report) in provider-patient pre-treatment and IVF counseling.

Case Report: Life-Threatening Fluoxetine-Linked Postoperative Bleeding Informed by Pharmacogenetic Evaluation.

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are commonly used for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake in platelets increases bleeding risk in patients taking SSRIs.

Case: Here, we present the case of a 52-year-old patient who developed severe postsurgical bleeding requiring blood transfusion following panniculectomy.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination as defense against SARS-CoV-2 (BADAS): a randomized controlled trial to protect healthcare workers in the USA by enhanced trained immune responses.

Background: A large epidemic, such as that observed with SARS-CoV-2, seriously challenges available hospital capacity, and this would be augmented by infection of healthcare workers (HCW). Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine against tuberculosis, with protective non-specific effects against other respiratory tract infections in vitro and in vivo. Preliminary analyses suggest that regions of the world with existing BCG vaccination programs have lower incidence and mortality from COVID-19.

Sex related differences in muscle health and metabolism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background & Aims: Sex differences in muscle function and mass, dyspnea, and clinical outcomes have been observed in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) despite a similar level of airflow obstruction. Protein and amino acid metabolism is altered in COPD, however, it remains unclear whether a difference in metabolic signature exists between males and females with COPD that may explain the observed differences in muscle health and clinical outcomes.

Methods: In 234 moderate to severe COPD patients (males/females: 113/121) and 182 healthy controls (males/females: 77/105), we assessed, besides presence of comorbidities and clinical features, muscle function by handgrip and leg dynamometry, and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Comparative Analyses of Complete Peronosporaceae (Oomycota) Mitogenome Sequences-Insights into Structural Evolution and Phylogeny.

Members of the Peronosporaceae (Oomycota, Chromista), which currently consists of 25 genera and approximately 1,000 recognized species, are responsible for disease on a wide range of plant hosts. Molecular phylogenetic analyses over the last two decades have improved our understanding of evolutionary relationships within Peronosporaceae. To date, 16 numbered and three named clades have been recognized; it is clear from these studies that the current taxonomy does not reflect evolutionary relationships.

The effect of a medical student on community preceptor productivity.

Background: Medical students are increasingly being taught in community-based hospitals and clinics in addition to university-based health systems, and there is sustained interest in the question of whether medical schools should pay healthcare organizations to allow students to precept to compensate for loss of productivity by preceptors. This study aimed to inform this subject by investigating the effect of medical students on preceptor productivity.

Methods: The authors analysed retrospective data on preceptor productivity and time efficiency from 17 outpatient primary care physicians over 7 months and 38,205 patient visits.

Implementation of Pharmacogenomics and Artificial Intelligence Tools for Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care Setting.

Chronic disease management often requires use of multiple drug regimens that lead to polypharmacy challenges and suboptimal utilization of healthcare services. While the rising costs and healthcare utilization associated with polypharmacy and drug interactions have been well documented, effective tools to address these challenges remain elusive. Emerging evidence that proactive medication management, combined with pharmacogenomic testing, can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced cost burdens may help to address such gaps.

Thymosin β4 protects against aortic aneurysm via endocytic regulation of growth factor signaling.

Vascular stability and tone are maintained by contractile smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, injury-induced growth factors stimulate a contractile-synthetic phenotypic modulation which increases susceptibility to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). As a regulator of embryonic VSMC differentiation, we hypothesized that Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) may function to maintain healthy vasculature throughout postnatal life.

A Biopredictive In Vitro Approach for Assessing Compatibility of a Novel Pediatric Hydrocortisone Drug Product within Common Pediatric Dosing Vehicles.

Purpose: The objective of the present work was to screen whether a novel pediatric hydrocortisone granule formulation can be co-administered with common food matrices and liquids.

Methods: Pediatric hydrocortisone granules were studied using a biopredictive in vitro approach. Experiments included an in situ chemical compatibility study of active ingredient and drug product with liquid dosing vehicles and soft foods commonly ingested by infants, pre-school- and school children.

Biorelevant in vitro assessment of dissolution and compatibility properties of a novel paediatric hydrocortisone drug product following exposure of the drug product to child-appropriate administration fluids.

Alkindi® is a novel oral multi-particulate taste-masked formulation of hydrocortisone for use in children with the rare disease adrenal insufficiency. The objective of the present work was to study the biorelevant dissolution and compatibility properties of Alkindi® granules following exposure to administration fluids including breast milk, artificial milk, whole milk and water. To provide in vitro data for a representative patient collective, dosing conditions in neonates, infants and pre-school children were assessed.

Impact of food, alcohol and pH on modified-release hydrocortisone developed to treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Background: We developed a modified-release hydrocortisone, Chronocort, to replace the cortisol rhythm in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Food, alcohol and pH affect drug absorption, and it is important to assess their impact when replicating a physiological rhythm.

Subjects And Methods: dissolution to study impact of alcohol and pH on Chronocort.

A randomized controlled trial of increasing recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone after initiating a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Objective: Pituitary suppression with a GnRH antagonist before IVF may result in a plateau or decrease in estradiol levels. We sought to investigate the effect of increasing recombinant FSH (rFSH) after starting a GnRH antagonist on estradiol levels, implantation rates, and pregnancy rates.

Design: Prospective, randomized multicenter study.

Separation of immunoglobulin G precipitate from contaminating proteins using microfiltration.

A small-scale stirred-cell device was used to separate an antivenom antibody precipitate from a suspension containing contaminating soluble proteins. The device has a total volume of 200 ml and is equipped with a filter membrane with a cut-off size of 3 microm. About 90% of the antibody-precipitate particles in the feed were 29 microm or smaller, and the concentration of solids was 12% (w/w).

Differences in ethoxyquin nephrotoxicity between male and female F344 rats.

Dose-response studies have shown a sharp threshold for the renal papillary toxic effect in male rats between 0.25% and 0.5% ethoxyquin (Eto) in the diet over 6 months.

Ultra scale-down approach for the prediction of full-scale recovery of ovine polycolonal immunoglobulins used in the manufacture of snake venom-specific Fab fragment.

In this article, we describe a new approach that allows the prediction of the performance of a large-scale integrated process for the primary recovery of a therapeutic antibody from an analysis of the individual unit operations and their interactions in an ultra scale-down mimic of the process. The recovery process consisted of four distinct unit operations. Using the new approach we defined the important engineering parameters in each operation that impacted the overall recovery process and in each case verified its effect by a combination of modelling and experimentation.

Efficacy of brief couples support groups developed to manage the stress of in vitro fertilization treatment.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of brief couples support groups offered concurrently with in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Patients And Methods: Couples in IVF treatment were given the option of participating in a biweekly support group at the IVF clinic at Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Tex. At least 1 member of 26 couples participated in the brief couples support groups, and at least 1 member of 19 other couples completed the questionnaires but did not attend the support group sessions and so comprised the control group.

Brandon RHA recognized for energy efficiency.

In a recent national competition recognizing leadership in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas education, Brandon Regional Health Authority was recognized for conscientious use of resources.

Genotoxicity testing of extracts from aflatoxin-contaminated peanut meal, following chemical decontamination.

One of the most important concerns in the decontamination of aflatoxin-containing feed commodities is the safety of the products for food-producing animals and for human consumption of products derived from these animals. A new method, based on the use of florisil and C18 solid phase extraction columns, was developed for the preparation of extracts from decontaminated peanut meal, which allowed testing with in vitro genotoxicity assays without interference of the residual aflatoxin B1. Recovery of degradation products in the extracts was evaluated by the use of radiolabelled [14C]-aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) added to naturally-contaminated peanut meal (3.

Differences detected in vivo between samples of aflatoxin-contaminated peanut meal, following decontamination by two ammonia-based processes.

A sample of peanut meal, highly contaminated with aflatoxins, has been subjected to decontamination by two commercial ammonia-based processes. The original contaminated and the two decontaminated meals were fed to rats for 90 days. No lesions associated with aflatoxin-induced hepatocarcinogenesis were detected histologically following feeding with the two detoxified meals.

Insecticidal and vertebrate toxicity associated with ethnobotanicals used as post-harvest protectants in Ghana.

Six plant species (Cassia sophera, Chamaecrista nigricans, Mitragyna inermis, Ocimum americanum, Securidaca longepedunculata and Synedrella nodiflora) traditionally used in Ghana to control insect pests of stored grain and legumes were screened in the laboratory at three concentrations (0.5, 1 and 5%, w/w) against four common storage pests (Rhyzopertha dominica, Callosobruchus maculatus, Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus). All the plants showed some ability to control all or some of the test insect species.

A military health care facility has high in vitro fertilization success rates.

The purpose of this study is to describe in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates at our military health care facility. A retrospective analysis was performed for all IVF cycles initiated at Wilford Hall Medical Center from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1998. During this period, there were 214 IVF cycles initiated with gonadotropin therapy.