Cryostorage tank failures: temperature and volume loss over time after induced failure by removal of insulative vacuum.

Purpose: To determine liquid nitrogen evaporation rates of intact liquid nitrogen storage tanks and tanks with their vacuum removed.

Methods: Donated storage tank performance (LN2 evaporation) was evaluated before and after induced vacuum failure. Vacuum of each tank was removed by drilling through the vacuum port.

Community pharmacy owners' views of star ratings and performance measurement: In-depth interviews.

Objectives: The star rating system implemented by Medicare has the potential to positively affect patient health and may have financial implications for community pharmacies. Learning from owners of community pharmacies with high performance on these quality measures may help us to identify and further understand factors contributing to their success. This study described high-performing community pharmacy owners' current awareness and knowledge of star ratings, attitudes toward star ratings and performance measurement, and initiatives being offered in pharmacies that aim to improve the quality of care.

Storage of cryopreserved reproductive tissues: evidence that cross-contamination of infectious agents is a negligible risk.

A misconception in the field of reproductive medicine is that there is a significant risk of cross-contamination during gamete or embryo cryostorage. This article is a review of the available literature on animal models and human IVF and it suggests otherwise. There is a negligible risk of cross-contamination in IVF working conditions.