Genetic and Epigenetic Profiles of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and In Vitro Bisphenol Exposure in a Human Granulosa Cell Model.

Higher levels of bisphenols are found in granulosa cells of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), posing the question: Is bisphenol exposure linked to PCOS pathophysiology? Human granulosa cells were obtained from women with and without PCOS, and genes and microRNAs associated with PCOS were investigated. The first phase compared healthy women and those with PCOS, revealing distinct patterns: PCOS subjects had lower 11ß-HSD1 (p = 0.0217) and CYP11A1 (p = 0.0114) levels and elevated miR-21 expression (p = 0.02535), elucidating the molecular landscape of PCOS, and emphasizing key players in its pathogenesis. The second phase focused on healthy women, examining the impact of bisphenols (BPA, BPS, BPF) on the same genes. Results revealed alterations in gene expression profiles, with BPS exposure increasing 11ß-HSD1 (p = 0.02821) and miR-21 (p = 0.01515) expression, with the latest mirroring patterns in women with PCOS. BPA exposure led to elevated androgen receptor (AR) expression (p = 0.0298), while BPF exposure was associated with higher levels of miR-155. Of particular interest was the parallel epigenetic expression profile between BPS and PCOS, suggesting a potential link. These results contribute valuable insights into the nuanced impact of bisphenol exposure on granulosa cell genes, allowing the study to speculate potential shared mechanisms with the pathophysiology of PCOS.

Potential Costs and Benefits of Incorporating PGT-A Across Age Groups: A Canadian Clinic Perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential costs and benefits of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) across age groups, considering financial costs, total euploidy rates and the potential for morphology grading to predict a euploid embryo. METHODS: This study is a blinded retrospective chart review of patients who incorporated PGT-A as part of their in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment cycle at a university-affiliated fertility clinic. Patients between 25-44 years of age undergoing IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection and PGT-A with autologous oocytes (n = 220) were included in this study. Number of blastocysts achieved, euploidy rates and PGT-A costs were compared between 3 age groups: <35 years, 35-37, and ≥38. Additionally, agreement on the top-quality embryo based on morphology assessment alone versus PGT-A selection was analyzed and further compared based on the number of blastocysts achieved. RESULTS: A significant negative correlation between patient age and number of embryos produced, PGT-A costs, and euploidy rates (P < 0.001) was observed. Additionally, morphology alone ratings were able to predict the top-quality euploid embryo 78% of the time in the <35 age group, but only 32% of the time in the ≥38 age group (P < 0.05), with a trend toward even lower agreement when 3 or fewer blastocysts were produced. CONCLUSION: Based on our cost analysis, it may be advantageous to incorporate PGT-A when maternal age is ≥38, given the lower financial costs associated with each cycle and the low likelihood of transferring a euploid embryo on the first attempt for this age group. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that PGT-A remains a complex decision influenced by a multitude of factors.

Public Priorities in Women's Health: Analysis of Request for Information Published to Inform "Advancing NIH Research on the Health of Women: A 2021 Conference".

Objectives: To assist with planning a congressionally requested conference on women's health research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) invited comments to characterize public concerns related to any or all of the specified public health issues: maternal morbidity and mortality (MMM); stagnant rates of cervical cancer survival; and the growing incidence of chronic debilitating conditions in women (CDCW). This analysis summarizes public priorities in women's health research. Materials and Methods: All comments received in response to a request for information were open coded and a master list of keywords was created, and comments were categorized. Comments addressing CDCW were categorized using a conceptual framework developed by the NIH. Results: Two hundred forty-seven comments were coded and analyzed. One hundred four comments (42%) addressed MMM; 182 comments (73%) discussed CDCW; and 27 comments (10%) addressed cervical cancer. Comments focused on CDCW most frequently addressed female-specific conditions (83%). The 10 most frequently identified keywords in order of frequency from the manual coding were as follows: (1) MMM, (2) racial disparities, (3) access to care, (4) provider training, (5) mental health, (6) Black or African American women, (7) screening, (8) quality of care, (9) time to diagnosis, and (10) social determinants of health. Conclusions: Comments demonstrate a broad range of concerns related to the health of women, including MMM, CDCW, and cervical cancer. A wide array of commenters included patients, advocacy groups, and academic and professional organizations originating from geographically diverse locations. These comments reflect a strong desire from the public to prioritize research on the health of women.

Impact of Protocol Adjustments Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Infertility Treatment Outcomes.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, our centre made adjustments that reduced the number of patient visits, ultrasound scans, laboratory investigations, and face-to face instructions. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether these changes had any effect on the pregnancy rate for patients undergoing infertility treatment. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rates from intrauterine insemination and frozen embryo transfer. Clinical pregnancy rates were not statistically different between patients who underwent either procedure before and after the protocols were put in place. It is reassuring to know our pandemic protocol adjustments did not have a negative impact on infertility treatment outcomes.

An Assessment of Mental Health Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In late 2019, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China. Soon after, cases began to spread globally. This study aimed to examine the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the adult population in the United States. We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study using an anonymous online survey methodology distributed to participants across 13 states. The data collected included demographical information and outcomes from validated mental health screeners (GAD-7, PHQ-9, and IES-R) to assess levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. A total of 1356 participants completed the survey. GAD-7, PHQ-9, and IES-R levels differed significantly (p < 0.05) according to age, gender, and educational level. There was also significant difference between GAD-7 level as well as IES-R level between healthcare and non-healthcare workers (p = 0.02 and p = 0.028). Overall, this study has helped to garner a better understanding of COVID-19's impact on mental health outcomes.

Transfers of lower quality embryos based on morphological appearance result in appreciable live birth rates: a Canadian center's experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reproductive outcomes resulting from transfer of lower-grade blastocysts to support the practice of cryopreserving and transferring lower-grade embryos. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Single infertility center. PATIENTS: Women who have undergone a fresh (n = 570) or frozen (n = 885) transfer of a single blastocyst embryo between December 2013 and December 2018. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was live birth rate. The secondary outcomes included implantation rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, associations with inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm epithelium (TE) grades determined by morphological assessment, and antenatal/perinatal complications. RESULTS: Reproductive outcomes directly correlated with embryo quality. Transfers of AA embryos resulted in a 41.4% live birth rate compared to 31.1% for BB embryos and 13.3% for CC embryos. The TE grade was significantly associated with the live birth rate. Embryos with a TE grade of "B" had an odds ratio of 0.677 and embryos with a TE grade of "C" had an odds ratio of 0.394 compared to embryos with a TE grade of "A" for live birth. CONCLUSION: Embryos with a TE "C" grade should be considered for transfer and cryopreservation, as they are shown to result in appreciable live birth rates. Such treatment should involve a thorough discussion with patients, however, as these live birth rates are significantly lower than those associated with higher-grade embryos.

Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation with Intrauterine Insemination Is More Successful After r-hCG Administration Than Spontaneous LH Surge.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether clinical pregnancy rate is affected by timing intrauterine insemination (IUI) according to serum LH surge, r-hCG trigger, or a combination of LH surge and r-hCG trigger in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycles for patients with a variety of infertility etiologies. METHODS: The last 365 consecutive COH-IUI cycles performed at ONE Fertility Burlington in 2014 were reviewed and categorized according to method of IUI timing. Associations between categorical variables were analyzed using a combination of Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests, and between continuous variables using independent sample t-tests and logistic regression to a level of significance of p<0.05. RESULTS: The overall clinical pregnancy rate in this sample was 18.1% (66/365). Administration of r-hCG prior to IUI resulted in a higher clinical pregnancy rate compared with spontaneous serum LH surge: 18.2% vs. 5.8%, p=0.012. Patients in whom r-hCG was administered concomitantly with a serum LH surge had a higher clinical pregnancy than the r-hCG trigger group (30.8% vs. 18.2%, p=0.004) and LH surge group (30.8% vs. 5.8%, p<0.001). A sub-group analysis revealed that patients receiving r-FSH, rather than clomiphene or letrozole, had a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate after r-hCG trigger as compared to the LH surge group (21.7% vs. 2.1%, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In subfertile couples undergoing COH-IUI, r-hCG administration was associated with an increased clinical pregnancy rate compared with spontaneous serum LH surge. When r-hCG was administered concomitantly with a serum LH surge, this benefit was amplified. The effect appears to be of particular importance in r-FSH-medicated cycles.

Are health care providers adequately educating couples for embryo disposition decisions?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of education provided by health care professionals during and after IVF treatment in preparing couples for surplus embryo disposition decisions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: University-affiliated fertility center. PATIENT(S): Couples with embryos cryopreserved for more than 2 years. INTERVENTION(S): Self-administered questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): A Likert scale was used to rate the response to questions about patients' preparedness to make decisions regarding their surplus embryos. RESULT(S): The survey response rate was 70% (131 of 187). Education provided by health care professionals before initiating treatment met the needs of the majority of participants (n = 86). After treatment, the education received was not adequate to assist couples in making embryo disposition decisions. Of the 127 respondents who provided feedback on their intention for their cryopreserved embryos, 37% (n = 47) had no intention of using cryopreserved embryos for their own reproduction, 24% (n = 30) intended to use embryos for procreation, and the remaining 39% (n = 50) remained undecided regarding their future use of their embryos. Participants with more than 3 years of infertility (n = 49) were most likely to feel conflicted about the decision after treatment. CONCLUSION(S): The education received after treatment was considered inadequate. Couples with a long duration of infertility and those conflicted about final embryo disposition may be appropriate targets for further intervention. More written information and/or counseling services after treatment may help patients make informed and timely decisions regarding their surplus embryos.

Live conjoined twins: a rare first trimester diagnosis during emergency department sonography.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain in the first trimester of pregnancy is an important component of emergency physician training. The increased use of bedside sonography by emergency physicians in the evaluation of these patients requires knowledge about the normal anatomy, variants, abnormal findings and their appearance on sonography. OBJECTIVES: To highlight the importance of a thorough pelvic and abdominal sonographic examination during a routine evaluation in the emergency department (ED). CASE REPORT: We present the case of a patient found to have conjoined twins diagnosed by ED sonography. CONCLUSION: A discussion of the diagnosis, the findings on bedside sonogram and management options are presented.

Comprehensive evaluation of the older woman.

Nearly 50% of American women will be older than 45 years by the year 2015. Because the life expectancy of women is anticipated to extend to an average age of 81 years by 2050, the aging woman will become the predominant patient seeking health care. These statistics reveal the importance for health care providers to become familiar with the health care needs of this segment of the population. Over their life span, women are more likely to experience disease and disability and subsequently require intervention and treatment. This review is an evaluation of the older woman in the primary care setting. In the first section, which is an overall assessment of the older woman, we introduce common geriatric syndromes that should be recognized by health care professionals. We include an approach to the older woman and specific clinical tools that may be useful for comprehensive evaluation in the outpatient setting. In the second section, we discuss sex-specific illnesses as they relate to the older woman. In the third section, we provide insights on end-of-life issues, cultural competence, and socioeconomic concerns. In the last section, we summarize the key components in the evaluation and management of the older woman. The goal of this article is to provide the health care provider with a clear understanding of factors that must be considered to provide optimal care to these patients.