Evaluation of a Scripture Integration Course for Christian Health Professions Faculty.

ABSTRACT: The integration of Scripture in learning is an important focal element for education at Christian universities. A team of health professions faculty members from four universities belonging to the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities designed, developed, and facilitated a 9-week Scriptural Integration course for health professions faculty teaching at Christian universities. Participants completed the fully online asynchronous course, then completed a post-course survey. Survey responses help reveal what Christian university health professions faculty find useful and applicable in the integration of Scripture in learning.

Assisted reproduction using donated embryos: outcomes from surveillance systems in six countries.

BACKGROUND: Embryo donation, though less often performed than other assisted reproductive technology (ART), can represent an attractive option for couples who do not wish to discard their embryos remaining after IVF, and for those who cannot or should not conceive naturally. Clinicians and potential participants could benefit from information comparing outcomes of embryo donation with those of other ARTs, in various countries. METHODS: We analyzed outcome information from ART treatment cycles using 2001-2008 data from national surveillance systems in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Finland. We calculated the live birth rate (LBR) with relative risks, the average number of embryos transferred per cycle and the ratio between them (LBR per embryo transferred). We compared outcomes of embryo donation cycles with those for autologous IVF, frozen embryo transfer (FET) and oocyte donation (OD). RESULTS: LBRs for embryo donation cycles were 14-33%, compared with 16-28% for autologous FET, 22-35% for autologous IVF and 15-52% for OD. In every country except Australia/New Zealand, and in all countries combined, the LBR for embryo donation approximated that for IVF, with no statistically significant differences in Finland and Canada. The average number of embryos transferred per cycle was 1.5-2.8. The LBR per embryo transferred was 11-12% for donor embryo cycles, compared with 8-11% for autologous FET, 12-15% for autologous IVF and 9-21% for OD. CONCLUSIONS: We found that transfer of donated embryos in these countries yields pregnancy outcomes comparable to those of autologous ART procedures. The variation in outcome rates among countries is not entirely explained by the number of embryos transferred. The relatively high success rates and low costs make embryo donation an attractive family building alternative.

Birth of twins unrelated to each other or to their gestational mother.

This report records the first documented instance of a birth in which twins, genetically unrelated to each other, were born to a mother genetically unrelated to either of them. After an extensive history of infertility with multiple unsuccessful treatments, a 42-year-old woman gave birth to healthy twins following transfer of three embryos from two different donor sources. DNA testing confirmed that the twins represented both sources. This report adds to the growing body of literature documenting the successes of embryo donation to other couples, and supports the option of embryo mixing for those couples who wish to consider it.

Human trafficking and the healthcare professional.

Despite the legislation passed in the 19th century outlawing human slavery, it is more widespread today than at the conclusion of the civil war. Modern human slavery, termed human trafficking, comes in several forms. The most common type of human trafficking is sex trafficking, the sale of women and children into prostitution. Labor trafficking is the sale of men, women, and children into hard labor for which they receive little or no compensation. Other forms of trafficking include child soldiering, war brides, and organ removal. Healthcare professionals play a critical role in both finding victims of human trafficking while they are still in captivity, as well as caring for their mental and physical needs upon release. Those working in the healthcare profession need to be educated regarding how a trafficking victim may present, as well as their unique healthcare needs.

A cost-effectiveness comparison of embryo donation with oocyte donation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cost-effectiveness of embryo donation (ED) to that of oocyte donation (OD). DESIGN: Calculation of cost-effectiveness ratios (costs per outcome achieved) using data derived from clinical practices. SETTING: In vitro fertilization centers and embryo donation programs. PATIENT(S): Infertile couples undergoing oocyte donation or embryo donation. INTERVENTION(S): Oocyte donation or embryo donation cycles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cost-effectiveness ratios. RESULT(S): For a single cycle, ED is approximately twice as cost-effective as OD, with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $21,990 per live delivery compared to 40,600 dollars. When strategies of up to three cycles (to achieve one live delivery) are used, ED costs 13,505 dollars per live delivery compared to 31,349 dollars for OD. CONCLUSION(S): Cost-effectiveness is a compelling reason for infertile couples to consider embryo donation.

Favorable pregnancy, delivery, and implantation rates experienced in embryo donation programs in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To document the numbers of donated frozen ETs performed and the pregnancy, birth, and embryo implantation rates seen in four infertility clinics and three embryo donation agencies in the United States. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case series. Four infertility clinics and three embryo donation agencies in the United States contributed data from their first year of available information through calendar year 2006. The programs reported numbers of donated frozen ETs, numbers of pregnancies delivered from these transfers, and numbers of these pregnancies lost to miscarriage or stillbirth. For each pregnancy, the programs reported the number of gestational sacs identified and the number of resulting live births. PATIENT(S): N/A. INTERVENTION(S): N/A. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy rate, delivery rate per ET, implantation rate, live birth rate per embryo transferred, and "implantation potential" (gestational sacs identified per embryo thawed). RESULT(S): These programs performed 702 ETs, resulting in 314 clinical pregnancies (44.7%) and 249 deliveries (35.5%). With 3,103 embryos thawed and 2,078 embryos transferred, the programs experienced an implantation rate of 19.9%, an implantation potential of 11.8%, and a live birth rate per embryo transferred of 15.0%. CONCLUSION(S): In this largest case series yet published, the pregnancy, delivery, and implantation rates for embryo donation compare favorably with rates reported from autologous IVF procedures.