Single institution experience with death by neurological criteria/brain death guideline adherence.

Objective: To determine the effect on adherence to an institutional death by neurological criteria/brain death (DNC/BD) policy of implementation of a standardized DNC/BD checklist in the electronic medical record (EMR).

Methods: The retrospective study cohort included all patients admitted to our institution who were declared dead by neurologic criteria determined by ICD code (G93.82) between June 2015 and October 2019.

Improved modeling of human AD with an automated culturing platform for iPSC neurons, astrocytes and microglia.

Advancement in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) neuron and microglial differentiation protocols allow for disease modeling using physiologically relevant cells. However, iPSC differentiation and culturing protocols have posed challenges to maintaining consistency. Here, we generated an automated, consistent, and long-term culturing platform of human iPSC neurons, astrocytes, and microglia.

Metabolic values precluding clinical death by neurologic Criteria/Brain death: Survey of neurocritical care society physicians.

Background: There are no established ranges for metabolic values prior to death by neurologic criteria/brain death determination (DNC/BD) and the thresholds required by institutional protocols and accepted by neurointensivists is unknown.

Methods: We designed a survey that addressed 1) the metabolic tests required in institutional guidelines prior to brain death determination, 2) the metabolic tests the respondent reviewed prior to brain death determination, and 3) the metabolic test thresholds for laboratory tests that were perceived to preclude or permit clinical DNC/BD determination. The survey was distributed online to physicians in the Neurocritical Care Society from September to December 2019.

Can Oocyte Diameter Predict Embryo Quality?

With the recent increased utilization of oocyte vitrification for the purpose of fertility preservation, information regarding the future fertility potential of the frozen oocytes is mandatory. Nowadays, there is a relative lack of data about prediction of assisted reproductive technique (ART) success relying on the retrieved oocytes. In the present study, we therefore aimed to investigate whether oocyte diameter might predict the quality of the developing embryo.

GnRH agonist and hCG (dual trigger) versus hCG trigger for final follicular maturation: a double-blinded, randomized controlled study.

Study Question: Does co-administration of GnRH agonist and Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; dual trigger) in IVF cycles improve the number of mature oocytes and pregnancy outcome compared to hCG alone?

Summary Answer: Using the dual trigger for final follicular maturation increases the number of oocytes, mature oocytes and number of blastocysts (total and top-quality) compared to triggering with hCG alone.

What Is Known Already: hCG is used at the end of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation as a surrogate LH surge to induce final oocyte maturation. Recently, based on retrospective studies, the co-administration of GnRH agonist and hCG for final oocyte maturation (dual trigger) has been suggested to improve IVF outcome and pregnancy rates.