Oocyte activation for women following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Background: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART), is offered as a treatment option for male factor infertility. Over the years, the indications for ICSI have been expanded, despite uncertainty about its benefits and harms compared to the conventional method of achieving fertilisation. Artificial oocyte activation (AOA), which can be performed by chemical, electrical or mechanical intervention, has been employed during ART ICSI treatment where there has been a history of low fertilization rate or total fertilization failure, and it has been reported to improve reproductive outcomes.

Brief Report: Methylation-Based ctDNA Serial Monitoring Correlates With Immunotherapy Response in NSCLC.

Purpose: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can reflect the genetic and epigenetic composition of malignancies and can serve as a noninvasive biomarker for cancer diagnostics and monitoring. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a methylation-based ctDNA assay as a predictive tool in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) anti-PD1 based immunotherapy monitoring.

Methods: We evaluated a cohort of 20 patients with NSCLC treated with anti-PD1 based immunotherapy that had both baseline and follow-up blood draws as well as outcome data available.

Mortality association with extremity trauma and transferring patients for higher level of care.

Introduction: Rising healthcare costs and reduced Medicaid reimbursements pose lasting challenges for trauma centers. Various studies have highlighted the adverse effect of these cost-related circumstances on trauma center survival and the need for local hospitals to transfer patients to tertiary and quaternary care centers. Our study seeks to assess the relationship between patient transfer status to a higher-level health center and its association with mortality.

Management of Large Full-Thickness Burns Using Kerecis™ Acellular Fish Skin Graft and ReCell™ Autologous Skin Cell Suspension: A Case Report of Two Patients with Large Surface Area Burns.

Novel treatments for extensive full-thickness burns revolve around fluid control, addressing systemic inflammatory derangements, and achieving early skin coverage with acceptable cosmetic and functional results. Recent advances in the management of extensive burns include fish skin xenografts, such as Kerecis Omega-3 acellular dermal substitute. Reported to be non-allergenic and antimicrobial, this Atlantic Cod skin derivative has the potential to supplement the management of patients with large surface area burns.

Conservative Treatment of Empyema Formation Following Intrathoracic Rib Fixation With Antibiotics and Tissue Plasminogen Activator/Dornase.

Rib plating is a recommended intervention for patients with multiple rib fractures or flail chest to improve shortness of breath, significantly reduce pain, and shorten the length of hospital stay. Here, we report a unique and extremely rare finding in a patient with empyema following intrathoracic rib fixation. A 32-year-old male with a history of alcohol use disorder presented to the emergency department trauma bay after a motor vehicle accident.

Emerging liver infection of associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a case report.

Introduction: is a bacteria that can be found in normal oral and gastrointestinal flora. infection is rare in immunocompetent patients but is known to cause periorbital cellulitis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis and bacteremia; however, its association with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has not been previously documented.

Case Presentation: A 36-year-old female with no known history who presented with right-sided chest, flank and upper abdominal pain after a motor vehicle accident.

A community-based participatory research approach to evaluating and improving hepatitis C risk, knowledge, and stigma associations among people who inject substances in Indiana.

Objectives: To explore hepatitis C risk, knowledge, and stigma among individuals who inject substances in South Central Indiana.

Design: A cross-sectional study design was employed using a community-based participatory research approach. The community partner was a grassroots harm reduction organization.

The novel use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta for uncontrolled bleeding in a surgically inaccessible abdomen: The ruptured proper hepatic artery in a frozen abdomen.

Hemorrhage is among the leading causes of death for trauma patients. Adjunct techniques used to control bleeding include use of aortic cross clamping, application of a pelvic binder, rapidly expanding hemostatic sponges, and extra-peritoneal packing. Additionally, Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) can provide life-saving proximal control for patients with massive internal hemorrhage.

Increased Mortality in Patients Transferred to a Level 1 Trauma Center with Blunt and Penetrating Extremity Vascular Injuries.

Background: Trauma care depends on a complex transfer system to ensure timely and adequate management at major trauma centers. Patient outcomes depend on the reliability of triage in local or community hospitals and access to tertiary or quaternary trauma institutions. Patients with polytrauma, extremity trauma, or vascular injuries require multidisciplinary management at trauma hospitals.

ESHRE guideline: number of embryos to transfer during IVF/ICSI†.

Study Question: Which clinical and embryological factors should be considered to apply double embryo transfer (DET) instead of elective single embryo transfer (eSET)?

Summary Answer: No clinical or embryological factor per se justifies a recommendation of DET instead of eSET in IVF/ICSI.

What Is Known Already: DET is correlated with a higher rate of multiple pregnancy, leading to a subsequent increase in complications for both mother and babies. These complications include preterm birth, low birthweight, and other perinatal adverse outcomes.

Sperm Selection Using Zona Pellucida-Binding Enhanced Embryo Morphokinetic and Clinical Outcomes in ICSI: A Sibling Oocytes Study.

The objective was to investigate the embryo morphokinitics using a time-lapse monitoring (TLM) system and assessment of clinical outcomes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with zona pellucida (ZP)-bound sperm selection and conventional methods. A total of 371 metaphase II (MII) oocytes from 50 ICSI cycles were studied. Sibling oocytes were randomly divided into control ( = 199) and ZP-bound group ( = 172).

The Tolerance Model of Non-Inflammatory Immune Competence in Acute Pediatric Malnutrition: Origins, Evidence, Test of Fitness and Growth Potential.

The tolerance model rests on the thesis of a physiologically regulated, albeit unsustainable, systemic attempt to adapt to the catabolic challenge posed by acute prepubescent malnutrition even in its severe forms. The model centers on the immunological component of the attempt, positing reorientation toward a non-inflammatory form of competence in place of the classic paradigm of immunological attrition and exhaustion. The foundation of the model was laid in 1990, and sixteen years later it was articulated formally on the basis of a body of evidence centered on T cell cytokines and interventions with cytokine and hormonal mediators.

Dimensions of beliefs without strong supporting evidence and reasons for holding them.

Beliefs without strong supporting evidence (BWSSE) are commonplace, such as religious beliefs and conspiracy theories. The goals of the current study were to identify dimensions of BWSSE in the general public and study how reasons for holding each dimension depend on the strength of the belief. Participants completed a BWSSE questionnaire online, and principal component analysis suggested that the questionnaire captured 6 dimensions of beliefs that range in strength: New Age Spiritual, Traditional Spiritual, Nonconformist, Science, Mythical, and Conspiracy Theory.

The effect of an educational animation on knowledge of testicular health and fertility of adolescents.

Study Question: Does the provision of an educational animation, developed with young people, about testicular health and fertility impact the knowledge of these topics among adolescents?

Summary Answer: The development and provision of education on testicular health and fertility were welcomed by adolescents and associated with a significant increase in knowledge.

What Is Known Already: Young people may know less than they should about testicular health and male fertility topics. Lack of knowledge can have implications for health including late medical help-seeking for signs and symptoms of scrotal disorders, such as torsion, for which late presentation frequently results in testicular damage.

Duration of Ischemia Affects Outcomes Independent of Infarct Size in Stroke.

Background: Delays in endovascular reperfusion for patients with large vessel occlusion stroke are known to worsen outcomes, and the mechanism is believed to be time-dependent expansion of the ischemic infarction. In this study, we hypothesize that delays in onset to reperfusion (OTR) assert an effect on outcomes independent of effects of final infarct (FI).

Methods: We performed a subgroup analysis from the prospective multicenter COMPLETE (International Acute Ischemic Stroke Registry With the Penumbra System Aspiration Including the 3D Revascularization Device; Penumbra, Inc) registry for 257 patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who underwent endovascular therapy with successful reperfusion (modified treatment in cerebral infarction score 2b/3).

Actin nucleators safeguard replication forks by limiting nascent strand degradation.

Accurate genome replication is essential for all life and a key mechanism of disease prevention, underpinned by the ability of cells to respond to replicative stress (RS) and protect replication forks. These responses rely on the formation of Replication Protein A (RPA)-single stranded (ss) DNA complexes, yet this process remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we establish that actin nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs) associate with replication forks, promote efficient DNA replication and facilitate association of RPA with ssDNA at sites of RS.

The Influence of Health Care Provider-Initiated HIV Screening on the Rate of HIV Testing among Black and Latinx People in the Midwest.

HIV continues to impact people of color disproportionately. In 2015, Black Americans accounted for 42% of those living with HIV, and Latinx individuals accounted for 30% of new diagnoses. Using a sample of 364 people of color, demographic data, HIV testing history, and interactions with health care providers were collected.

Training and competency assessment of Clinical Embryologists and licensing of the profession in European countries.

Study Question: How is the acquisition and testing of theoretical and practical knowledge in Clinical Embryology and the licensing of ART laboratory personnel carried out in European countries?

Summary Answer: Twelve out of 31 European countries have established some kind of verification of laboratory competency and skills in ART: in 7 countries, this was related to licensing, but where organized education for Clinical Embryologists existed, there were vast differences in the way these processes were undertaken.

What Is Known Already: In 2015, a report by the ESHRE Embryology Certification Committee concluded that regardless of the large number of people working in IVF laboratories, Clinical Embryology was only recognized as an official profession in 3 out of 27 European national health systems. In most countries, Clinical Embryologists needed to be officially registered under an alternative profession and there were limited opportunities for organized education in this specialist field.

Age-dependent early complications of hypospadias repair: a single institutional experience.

Purpose: To correlate age at hypospadias repair with early post-operative complications and highlight need for adaptation to post-operative care in older children.

Methods: Anecdotal evidence suggests boys with delayed surgery for hypospadias suffer increased rates of early post-operative complication. Hence, a retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients undergoing hypospadias repair between March 2019 and 2022.