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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Semen Quality In Fertile Men In Relation To Psychosocial Stress, A. Gollenberg, F. Liu, C. Brazil, E. Drobnis, D. Guzick, J. Overstreet, J. Redmon, Amy Sparks, C. Wang, S. Swan
Semen Quality In Fertile Men In Relation To Psychosocial Stress, A. Gollenberg, F. Liu, C. Brazil, E. Drobnis, D. Guzick, J. Overstreet, J. Redmon, Amy Sparks, C. Wang, S. Swan
Amy E.T. Sparks
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between stressful life events and semen parameters. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis in a pregnancy cohort study. SETTING: Prenatal clinics in five U.S. cities. PATIENT(S): Fertile men (n = 744) in the Study for Future Families, a cohort study of pregnant women and their partners. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm concentration, percent motile, and percent normal morphology and classification above/below World Health Organization (WHO) cutoffs for semen quality. RESULT(S): After adjusting for confounders, men reporting 2+ recent stressful life events had an increased risk of being classified below WHO thresholds for "normal" defined by concentration, motility, …
Serum Inhibin-B In Fertile Men Is Strongly Correlated With Low But Not High Sperm Counts: A Coordinated Study Of 1,797 European And Us Men, N. Jorgensen, F. Liu, A. Andersson, M. Vierula, D. Irvine, J. Auger, C. Brazil, E. Drobnis, T. Jensen, P. Jouannet, J. Overstreet, J. Redmon, Amy Sparks, J. Toppari, C. Wang, N. Skakkebaek, S. Swan
Serum Inhibin-B In Fertile Men Is Strongly Correlated With Low But Not High Sperm Counts: A Coordinated Study Of 1,797 European And Us Men, N. Jorgensen, F. Liu, A. Andersson, M. Vierula, D. Irvine, J. Auger, C. Brazil, E. Drobnis, T. Jensen, P. Jouannet, J. Overstreet, J. Redmon, Amy Sparks, J. Toppari, C. Wang, N. Skakkebaek, S. Swan
Amy E.T. Sparks
OBJECTIVE: To describe associations between serum inhibin-b and sperm counts, adjusted for effect of time of blood sampling, in larger cohorts than have been previously reported. DESIGN: Cross-sectional studies of spermatogenesis markers. SETTING: Four European and four US centers. PATIENT(S): Fertile men (1,797) were included and examined from October 1996-February 2005. INTERVENTION(S): The study was observational and therefore without any intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Associations between inhibin-b and semen variables controlled for time of blood sampling and other covariates. RESULT(S): Inhibin-b decreased about 2.00% per hour from 8 am-12 pm and then about 3.25% per hour from 12 pm-4 pm. …
Social Cognition, Empathy And Functional Outcome In Schizophrenia, Amy Sparks, S. Mcdonald, B. Lino, M. O'Donnell, M. Green
Social Cognition, Empathy And Functional Outcome In Schizophrenia, Amy Sparks, S. Mcdonald, B. Lino, M. O'Donnell, M. Green
Amy E.T. Sparks
Social and occupational functioning difficulties are a characteristic feature of schizophrenia, and a growing body of evidence suggests that deficits in social cognition contribute significantly to these functional impairments. The present study sought to investigate whether the association between social cognition and social functioning in schizophrenia would be mediated by self-reported levels of empathy. Thirty outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and twenty-five healthy controls completed a well-validated facial affect processing task (Ekman 60-faces facial task from the Facial Expressions of Emotion - Stimuli and Tests; FEEST), The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT; to assess emotion …
Are Environmental Levels Of Bisphenol A Associated With Reproductive Function In Fertile Men?, J. Mendiola, N. Jorgensen, A. Andersson, A. Calafat, X. Ye, J. Redmon, E. Drobnis, C. Wang, Amy Sparks, S. Thurston, F. Liu, S. Swan
Are Environmental Levels Of Bisphenol A Associated With Reproductive Function In Fertile Men?, J. Mendiola, N. Jorgensen, A. Andersson, A. Calafat, X. Ye, J. Redmon, E. Drobnis, C. Wang, Amy Sparks, S. Thurston, F. Liu, S. Swan
Amy E.T. Sparks
BACKGROUND: Rodent and in vitro studies have demonstrated the estrogenicity of bisphenol A (BPA). However, few studies have examined the relationship between human exposure to BPA and male reproductive function. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationships between environmental BPA exposure and reproductive parameters, including semen quality and male reproductive hormones, in prospectively recruited fertile men. METHODS: Participants (n = 375) were partners of pregnant women who participated in the Study for Future Families in four U.S. cities, and all of the men provided blood, semen, and urine samples. BPA was measured in urine. Serum samples were analyzed for reproductive hormones, including …
'Old' Bones In Young Bodies: The Tale Of Cystic Fibrosis, Amy Sparks, S. Mcgee, C. Boone, I. Neuringer, S. Jones, R. Aris
'Old' Bones In Young Bodies: The Tale Of Cystic Fibrosis, Amy Sparks, S. Mcgee, C. Boone, I. Neuringer, S. Jones, R. Aris
Amy E.T. Sparks
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common genetic disease within the white population and leads to premature respiratory failure. Approximately, 60 000 individuals are currently living with CF in North America and Europe, almost half of whom are adults. RECENT FINDINGS: Dozens of studies across the globe indicate that CF adults have low bone density and increased rates of fractures. This genesis of the problem appears to be in late childhood to adolescence. SUMMARY: Prevention and treatment of CF-related bone disease must address the myriad risk factors (decreased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins due to pancreatic insufficiency, altered …
Clinical Predictors Of Human Blastocyst Formation And Pregnancy After Extended Embryo Culture And Transfer, M. Thomas, Amy Sparks, Ginny Ryan, Bradley Van Voorhis
Clinical Predictors Of Human Blastocyst Formation And Pregnancy After Extended Embryo Culture And Transfer, M. Thomas, Amy Sparks, Ginny Ryan, Bradley Van Voorhis
Amy E.T. Sparks
OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical factors associated with blastocyst development and pregnancy. DESIGN: Evaluation of a prospectively collected IVF database. SETTING: An academic IVF practice. PATIENT(S): Couples (n = 529) undergoing their first IVF cycle who qualified for extended embryo culture (more than six zygotes) over the past 5 years. INTERVENTION(S): Seven or eight zygotes were cultured for 5 days, assessed for quality, and then transferred with excess zygotes cryopreserved at the pronuclear stage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical predictors of blastocyst development and pregnancy. RESULT(S): The mean blastocyst development rate was 49.8%, with a median number of total and good-quality …
The Effect Of Age On The Expression Of Apoptosis Biomarkers In Human Spermatozoa, A. Colin, G. Barroso, N. Gomez-Lopez, Eyup Duran, S. Oehninger
The Effect Of Age On The Expression Of Apoptosis Biomarkers In Human Spermatozoa, A. Colin, G. Barroso, N. Gomez-Lopez, Eyup Duran, S. Oehninger
Eyup Hakan Duran
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of age on the expression of apoptotic biomarkers in human spermatozoa. DESIGN: Cross sectional, prospective study. SETTING: Academic centers. PATIENT(S): Healthy volunteers with proven fertility, stratified by age (n = 25, range: 20-68 years). INTERVENTION(S): Examination of serum hormone levels and basic semen parameters, and assessment of early (plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine) and late (DNA fragmentation) sperm apoptotic markers by flow cytometry (using Annexin-V binding and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Apoptosis markers. RESULT(S): Advancing male age was significantly and positively correlated with Annexin-V binding results. Although not significant, …
The Association Of Reproductive Senescence With Mitochondrial Quantity, Function, And Dna Integrity In Human Oocytes At Different Stages Of Maturation., Eyup Duran, Fatma Simsek-Duran, Sergio Oehninger, Howard Jones, Frank Castora
The Association Of Reproductive Senescence With Mitochondrial Quantity, Function, And Dna Integrity In Human Oocytes At Different Stages Of Maturation., Eyup Duran, Fatma Simsek-Duran, Sergio Oehninger, Howard Jones, Frank Castora
Eyup Hakan Duran
OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of reproductive aging on oocyte mitochondrial quantity, function, and DNA (mtDNA) integrity. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: IVF clinic in a tertiary academic care center. PATIENT(S): One hundred two oocytes from 32 women undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, mtDNA number, and mtDNA deletion occurrence in individual oocytes. RESULT(S): Oocyte ATP content increases with maturation (786 ± 87 fmol, 1,037 ± 57 fmol, and 1,201 ± 59 fmol for prophase 1 [P1], metaphase 1 [M1], and metaphase 2 [M2] oocytes, respectively), whereas mtDNA copy numbers do not change (64,500 ± …
Detection Of Enlarged Yolk Sac On Early Ultrasound Is Associated With Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, D. Berdahl, J. Blaine, Bradley Van Voorhis, A. Dokras
Detection Of Enlarged Yolk Sac On Early Ultrasound Is Associated With Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, D. Berdahl, J. Blaine, Bradley Van Voorhis, A. Dokras
Bradley J Van Voorhis
Pregnancies with mean yolk sac diameter>or=5 mm on early ultrasound require monitoring and counseling about a threefold increased risk for first-trimester loss independent of maternal risk factors such as age, body mass index, polycystic ovary syndrome, smoking, and diabetes. In addition, our study shows for the first time that enlarged yolk sac diameter may be associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery.
Clinical Predictors Of Human Blastocyst Formation And Pregnancy After Extended Embryo Culture And Transfer, M. Thomas, Amy Sparks, Ginny Ryan, Bradley Van Voorhis
Clinical Predictors Of Human Blastocyst Formation And Pregnancy After Extended Embryo Culture And Transfer, M. Thomas, Amy Sparks, Ginny Ryan, Bradley Van Voorhis
Bradley J Van Voorhis
OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical factors associated with blastocyst development and pregnancy. DESIGN: Evaluation of a prospectively collected IVF database. SETTING: An academic IVF practice. PATIENT(S): Couples (n = 529) undergoing their first IVF cycle who qualified for extended embryo culture (more than six zygotes) over the past 5 years. INTERVENTION(S): Seven or eight zygotes were cultured for 5 days, assessed for quality, and then transferred with excess zygotes cryopreserved at the pronuclear stage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical predictors of blastocyst development and pregnancy. RESULT(S): The mean blastocyst development rate was 49.8%, with a median number of total and good-quality …
Prevalence Of Vulvar And Vaginal Symptoms During Pregnancy And The Puerperium, Colleen Kennedy, A. Turcea, Catherine Bradley
Prevalence Of Vulvar And Vaginal Symptoms During Pregnancy And The Puerperium, Colleen Kennedy, A. Turcea, Catherine Bradley
Colleen Kennedy Stockdale
OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of vulvar and vaginal symptoms during pregnancy and at 3 months post partum. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive study of 103 pregnant women was undertaken in which a self-administered questionnaire was completed at each trimester and 3 months post partum. Retrospective data was collected from 122 women, queried using similar tools, who comprised a nonpregnant control group. Descriptive and comparative statistics were employed. RESULTS: The prevalence of vulvar burning, itching, pain, and vaginal discharge generally increased during pregnancy, and improved postpartum. Dyspareunia increased during pregnancy, but remained elevated post partum. Compared with the historical nonpregnant …
Eating Disorders In The Obstetric And Gynecologic Patient Population, A. Andersen, Ginny Ryan
Eating Disorders In The Obstetric And Gynecologic Patient Population, A. Andersen, Ginny Ryan
Ginny L. Ryan
The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and eating disorders not otherwise specified disproportionately affect women, have profound effects on the overall well-being of women and their children, and can have mortality rates as high as those found with major depression. These disorders may present to obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) clinically as menstrual dysfunction, low bone density, sexual dysfunction, miscarriage, preterm delivery, or low birth weight in offspring. Ninety percent of eating disorders develop before the age of 25 in otherwise healthy young women, a group that characteristically seeks the majority of their health care from ob-gyns. For all of these …
Clinical Predictors Of Human Blastocyst Formation And Pregnancy After Extended Embryo Culture And Transfer, M. Thomas, Amy Sparks, Ginny Ryan, Bradley Van Voorhis
Clinical Predictors Of Human Blastocyst Formation And Pregnancy After Extended Embryo Culture And Transfer, M. Thomas, Amy Sparks, Ginny Ryan, Bradley Van Voorhis
Ginny L. Ryan
OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical factors associated with blastocyst development and pregnancy. DESIGN: Evaluation of a prospectively collected IVF database. SETTING: An academic IVF practice. PATIENT(S): Couples (n = 529) undergoing their first IVF cycle who qualified for extended embryo culture (more than six zygotes) over the past 5 years. INTERVENTION(S): Seven or eight zygotes were cultured for 5 days, assessed for quality, and then transferred with excess zygotes cryopreserved at the pronuclear stage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical predictors of blastocyst development and pregnancy. RESULT(S): The mean blastocyst development rate was 49.8%, with a median number of total and good-quality …
Preservation Of Immune Function In Cervical Cancer Patients During Chemoradiation Using A Novel Integrative Approach., Susan Lutgendorf, Elizabeth Mullen-Houser, Daniel Russell, Koen De Geest, Geraldine Jacobson, Laura Hart, David Bender, Barrie Anderson, Thomas Buekers, Michael Goodheart, Michael Antoni, Anil Sood, David Lubaroff
Preservation Of Immune Function In Cervical Cancer Patients During Chemoradiation Using A Novel Integrative Approach., Susan Lutgendorf, Elizabeth Mullen-Houser, Daniel Russell, Koen De Geest, Geraldine Jacobson, Laura Hart, David Bender, Barrie Anderson, Thomas Buekers, Michael Goodheart, Michael Antoni, Anil Sood, David Lubaroff
Koen De Geest
Patients receiving chemoradiation for cervical cancer are at risk for distress, chemoradiation-related side-effects, and immunosuppression. This prospective randomized clinical trial examined effects of a complementary therapy, Healing Touch (HT), versus relaxation training (RT) and usual care (UC) for (1) supporting cellular immunity, (2) improving mood and quality of life (QOL), and (3) reducing treatment-associated toxicities and treatment delay in cervical cancer patients receiving chemoradiation. Sixty women with stages IB1 to IVA cervical cancer were randomly assigned to receive UC or 4 ×/weekly individual sessions of either HT or RT immediately following radiation during their 6-week chemoradiation treatment. Patients completed psychosocial …
Social Isolation Is Associated With Elevated Tumor Norepinephrine In Ovarian Carcinoma Patients., Susan Lutgendorf, Koen De Geest, Laila Dahmoush, Donna Farley, Frank Penedo, David Bender, Michael Goodheart, Thomas Buekers, Luis Mendez, Gina Krueger, Lauren Clevenger, David Lubaroff, Anil Sood, Steve Cole
Social Isolation Is Associated With Elevated Tumor Norepinephrine In Ovarian Carcinoma Patients., Susan Lutgendorf, Koen De Geest, Laila Dahmoush, Donna Farley, Frank Penedo, David Bender, Michael Goodheart, Thomas Buekers, Luis Mendez, Gina Krueger, Lauren Clevenger, David Lubaroff, Anil Sood, Steve Cole
Koen De Geest
Noradrenergic pathways have been implicated in growth and progression of ovarian cancer. Intratumoral norepinephrine (NE) has been shown to increase with stress in an animal cancer model, but little is known regarding how tumor NE varies with disease stage and with biobehavioral factors in ovarian cancer patients. This study examined relationships between pre-surgical measures of social support, depressed mood, perceived stress, anxiety, tumor histology and tumor catecholamine (NE and epinephrine [E]) levels among 68 ovarian cancer patients. We also examined whether associations observed between biobehavioral measures and tumor catecholamines extended to other compartments. Higher NE levels were found in advanced …
Prevalence Of Vulvar And Vaginal Symptoms During Pregnancy And The Puerperium, Colleen Kennedy, A. Turcea, Catherine Bradley
Prevalence Of Vulvar And Vaginal Symptoms During Pregnancy And The Puerperium, Colleen Kennedy, A. Turcea, Catherine Bradley
Catherine S. Bradley
OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of vulvar and vaginal symptoms during pregnancy and at 3 months post partum. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive study of 103 pregnant women was undertaken in which a self-administered questionnaire was completed at each trimester and 3 months post partum. Retrospective data was collected from 122 women, queried using similar tools, who comprised a nonpregnant control group. Descriptive and comparative statistics were employed. RESULTS: The prevalence of vulvar burning, itching, pain, and vaginal discharge generally increased during pregnancy, and improved postpartum. Dyspareunia increased during pregnancy, but remained elevated post partum. Compared with the historical nonpregnant …
Predictors Of Success And Satisfaction Of Nonsurgical Therapy For Stress Urinary Incontinence, J. Schaffer, C. Nager, F. Xiang, D. Borello-France, Catherine Bradley, J. Wu, E. Mueller, P. Norton, M. Paraiso, H. Zyczynski, H. Richter
Predictors Of Success And Satisfaction Of Nonsurgical Therapy For Stress Urinary Incontinence, J. Schaffer, C. Nager, F. Xiang, D. Borello-France, Catherine Bradley, J. Wu, E. Mueller, P. Norton, M. Paraiso, H. Zyczynski, H. Richter
Catherine S. Bradley
OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that may predict success and satisfaction in women undergoing nonsurgical therapy for stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of women participating in a multicenter randomized trial of pessary, behavioral, or combined therapy for stress urinary incontinence were evaluated for potential predictors of success and satisfaction. Success and satisfaction outcomes were assessed at 3 months and included the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, stress incontinence subscale of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors, adjusting for treatment and other important clinical covariates. Adjusted odds ratios …
Preservation Of Immune Function In Cervical Cancer Patients During Chemoradiation Using A Novel Integrative Approach., Susan Lutgendorf, Elizabeth Mullen-Houser, Daniel Russell, Koen De Geest, Geraldine Jacobson, Laura Hart, David Bender, Barrie Anderson, Thomas Buekers, Michael Goodheart, Michael Antoni, Anil Sood, David Lubaroff
Preservation Of Immune Function In Cervical Cancer Patients During Chemoradiation Using A Novel Integrative Approach., Susan Lutgendorf, Elizabeth Mullen-Houser, Daniel Russell, Koen De Geest, Geraldine Jacobson, Laura Hart, David Bender, Barrie Anderson, Thomas Buekers, Michael Goodheart, Michael Antoni, Anil Sood, David Lubaroff
David P Bender
Patients receiving chemoradiation for cervical cancer are at risk for distress, chemoradiation-related side-effects, and immunosuppression. This prospective randomized clinical trial examined effects of a complementary therapy, Healing Touch (HT), versus relaxation training (RT) and usual care (UC) for (1) supporting cellular immunity, (2) improving mood and quality of life (QOL), and (3) reducing treatment-associated toxicities and treatment delay in cervical cancer patients receiving chemoradiation. Sixty women with stages IB1 to IVA cervical cancer were randomly assigned to receive UC or 4 ×/weekly individual sessions of either HT or RT immediately following radiation during their 6-week chemoradiation treatment. Patients completed psychosocial …
Social Isolation Is Associated With Elevated Tumor Norepinephrine In Ovarian Carcinoma Patients., Susan Lutgendorf, Koen De Geest, Laila Dahmoush, Donna Farley, Frank Penedo, David Bender, Michael Goodheart, Thomas Buekers, Luis Mendez, Gina Krueger, Lauren Clevenger, David Lubaroff, Anil Sood, Steve Cole
Social Isolation Is Associated With Elevated Tumor Norepinephrine In Ovarian Carcinoma Patients., Susan Lutgendorf, Koen De Geest, Laila Dahmoush, Donna Farley, Frank Penedo, David Bender, Michael Goodheart, Thomas Buekers, Luis Mendez, Gina Krueger, Lauren Clevenger, David Lubaroff, Anil Sood, Steve Cole
David P Bender
Noradrenergic pathways have been implicated in growth and progression of ovarian cancer. Intratumoral norepinephrine (NE) has been shown to increase with stress in an animal cancer model, but little is known regarding how tumor NE varies with disease stage and with biobehavioral factors in ovarian cancer patients. This study examined relationships between pre-surgical measures of social support, depressed mood, perceived stress, anxiety, tumor histology and tumor catecholamine (NE and epinephrine [E]) levels among 68 ovarian cancer patients. We also examined whether associations observed between biobehavioral measures and tumor catecholamines extended to other compartments. Higher NE levels were found in advanced …
An Exploratory Study Of The Variables Impacting Preterm Birth Rates In New Mexico, K. Gwin, R. Schrader, K. Peters, A. Moreno, K. Thiel, Kimberly Leslie
An Exploratory Study Of The Variables Impacting Preterm Birth Rates In New Mexico, K. Gwin, R. Schrader, K. Peters, A. Moreno, K. Thiel, Kimberly Leslie
Kimberly K. Leslie
BACKGROUND: Preterm birth (PTB) is a substantial health problem that accounts for significant infant morbidity and mortality and poses an economic burden to both individuals and the state of residence. The goal of this study was to identify maternal risk factors for PTB in New Mexico, a poor state with a unique ethnic background, in order to identify populations at increased risk that would benefit from intervention. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional retrospective exploratory analysis of 377,770 singleton live births in the state of New Mexico from 1991-2005. Gestational age of less than 37 weeks was defined as PTB. The …