Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Cost analysis of Down syndrome screening in advanced maternal age.

Abstract: Objective: To analyze the potential cost and efficacy of Down syndrome screening in the population with advanced maternal age. Methods: Three screening methods defining Down syndrome risk for women with advanced maternal age were analyzed: advanced maternal age; advanced maternal age and maternal serum triple screen; and advanced maternal age, maternal serum triple screen and genetic sonogram. Costs for all tests and procedures were estimated. Procedure-related loss for amniocentesis was assumed to be 1 : 200. Efficacy was defined as: number of amniocenteses performed, number of Down syndrome cases detected, procedure-related losses, Down syndrome cases detected per fetal loss, cost per Down syndrome case detected and total cost of screening. Results: In 1999 in the USA, there were 530 610 women with advanced maternal age at 16 weeks' gestation carrying an estimated 4043 fetuses with Down syndrome. Screening by maternal age alone would result in the 100% detection of Down syndrome cases, but would require...

New blocks for the same old joints.

Abstract: PURPOSE OF REVIEW New block techniques are being constantly developed or old techniques modified to improve outcomes after surgery. This review discusses the reasons why new block techniques need to be developed to match the needs of contemporary anesthetic practice. RECENT FINDINGS New block techniques have been developed for joint surgeries of both upper and lower extremities. New upper extremity blocks focus on decreasing the risk of complications like diaphragmatic paresis and improving the quality of blocks. Techniques for lower extremity surgeries are being performed distally, closer to the joints, to minimize weakness of the extremity. A review of the available evidence for these techniques is undertaken to get an understanding of the indications and limitations of these techniques. SUMMARY Future studies need to be undertaken to further refine these techniques and produce evidence of support for analgesic efficacy, safety, and reliability.

Perceptions, expectations and challenges among men during in vitro fertilization treatment in a low resource setting: a qualitative study

Abstract: Partner support is very important in alleviating the burden of infertility related stress and although understudied, partner coping patterns also play a key role in the other partner’s ability to cope with the infertility experience which eventually affects treatment outcomes. Very few studies more so in a low to middle income setting, explore the psychological and social aspects of infertility in men. There is a need for a deeper understanding into men’s perceptions, expectations and challenges of fertility treatment in our low resource setting. To explore men’s perceptions, expectations, challenges and experiences during IVF treatment among men in a low resource setting. A qualitative research design was utilised. The study was conducted at life sure fertility and gynaecology centre. The study participants were men participating in the IVF cycles. They were selected purposefully by maximum variation sampling. All the interviews took place on the day of enrolment for treatment and inductive content analysis was used to draw meaning from the transcripts. Ethical approval for the study will be sought from Nsambya Hospital IRB/REC. Seven major themes arose, and these included: (1) Societal influence on IVF treatment experience; (2) Social support during IVF treatment; (3) Feeling insignificant; (4) Financial burden; (5) IVF as an emotional bridge; (6) Inadequate sensitization; (7) Fear of treatment failure. Men’s experiences during IVF treatment were negatively affected by the society’s perceptions of IVF treatment and infertility, cost of treatment, perceived men’s involvement and insufficient knowledge about the IVF process. However, spouse and friends’ support helped with coping and the IVF treatment experience strengthened emotional bonds.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: focus on platelets and prothrombotic risk.

Abstract: Objectives: Subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were shown to carry an increased long-term cardiovascular risk. Systemic inflammation and reactive leukocytosis have also been described in PCOS. Recent research suggests the presence of an increased thrombotic risk in these patients. Methods: We describe a cohort of PCOS patients presenting with persistent thrombocytosis. Our cohort included women aged 20―37 who also had moderate leukocytosis and neutrophilia. They showed normal mean platelet volume and platelet aggregation. We excluded any myeloproliferative conditions in all patients. Results: The mean platelet count and standard deviation (SD) at presentation were 587 ± 61 x 10 9 /L (normal 140―440 × 10 9 /L). Median C-reactive protein (CRP) was 1.66 (range 1.2―2.2, normal <1 mg/dL). The platelet counts did not correlate with the CRP levels in our patients (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.171 and 0.170, respectively, P = 0.08). Conclusion: While the inflammatory state of PCOS could play a role in triggering an increased platelet count, the persistent thrombocytosis in our patients did not correlate with the CRP levels. Therefore, from an etiological perspective, thrombocytosis appears to be at least partially independent from the classical pathways of systemic inflammation. The preexisting procoagulant state in PCOS due to coagulation cascade stimulation, platelet activation, and endothelial dysfunction may be further fueled by the presence of persistent thrombocytosis. We propose a unique model for cardiovascular risk assessment in women with PCOS to include not only the classic cardiovascular risk factors, but also the parameters related to the proinflammatory and procoagulant tendencies manifested in PCOS.