scholarly journals A picture of medically assisted reproduction activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Vermeulen ◽  
◽  
Eduard Hambartsoumian ◽  
Kazem Nouri ◽  
Thomas Ebner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Medically Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Large Scale Data ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Competing Interest

Abstract STUDY QUESTION How did coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact on medically assisted reproduction (MAR) services in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic (March to May 2020)? SUMMARY ANSWER MAR services, and hence treatments for infertile couples, were stopped in most European countries for a mean of 7 weeks. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Europe, non-urgent medical care was reduced by local authorities to preserve health resources and maintain social distancing. Furthermore, ESHRE and other societies recommended to postpone ART pregnancies as of 14 March 2020. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A structured questionnaire was distributed in April among the ESHRE Committee of National Representatives, followed by further information collection through email. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The information was collected through the questionnaire and afterwards summarised and aligned with data from the European Centre for Disease Control on the number of COVID-19 cases per country. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE By aligning the data for each country with respective epidemiological data, we show a large variation in the time and the phase in the epidemic in the curve when MAR/ART treatments were suspended and restarted. Similarly, the duration of interruption varied. Fertility preservation treatments and patient supportive care for patients remained available during the pandemic. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Data collection was prone to misinterpretation of the questions and replies, and required further follow-up to check the accuracy. Some representatives reported that they, themselves, were not always aware of the situation throughout the country or reported difficulties with providing single generalised replies, for instance when there were regional differences within their country. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The current article provides a basis for further research of the different strategies developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Such conclusions will be invaluable for health authorities and healthcare professionals with respect to future similar situations. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) There was no funding for the study, apart from technical support from ESHRE. The authors had no COI to disclose.

The cultural dividend: a hidden source of economic growth in emerging countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaomin Li ◽  
Seung Ho Park ◽  
David Duden Selover
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Productivity Growth ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Productivity ◽  
Large Scale Data ◽  
Productivity Gains

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop the theoretical linkage between culture and economic growth and empirically test the relationship by measuring culture and how it affects labor productivity. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a cross-section study of developing countries and regresses economic productivity growth on a set of control variables and cultural factors. Findings It is found that three cultural factors, economic attitudes, political attitudes, and attitudes towards the family, affect economic productivity growth. Originality/value Many economists ignore culture as a factor in economic growth, either because they discount the value of culture or because they have no simple way to quantify culture, resulting in the role of culture being under-researched. The study is the first to extensively examine the role of culture in productivity growth using large-scale data sources. The authors show that culture plays an important role in productivity gains across countries, contributing to the study of the effects of culture on economic development, and that culture can be empirically measured and linked to an activity that directly affects the economic growth – labor productivity.

scholarly journals Depression and Anxiety in Pathways of Medically Assisted Reproduction: The Role of Infertility Stress Dimensions

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Pozza ◽  
Davide Dèttore ◽  
Maria Elisabetta Coccia
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Lower State ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Psychological Reactions ◽  
Medically Assisted Reproduction ◽  
The Family ◽  
Sexual Concerns ◽  
State And Trait Anxiety

Background: Depressive and anxious symptoms are common psychological reactions to infertility and Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR). No study compared depressive and anxious symptoms and infertility stress dimensions across homologous and heterologous MAR, nor explored the specific role of the infertility stress dimensions in the two pathways. Homologous MAR may be associated with higher distress as the couple feel that the responsibility to reproduce and carry on the family line falls on them, and they feel inadequate if they are unable to bear children. Objective: We compared depressive/anxious symptoms and infertility stress dimensions between individuals undergoing homologous and heterologous MAR. We also explored the association between the infertility stress dimensions and depressive/anxious symptoms separately in two MAR pathways. Methods: Two-hundred twenty-six individuals participated [mean age = 39.71 years; 54.45% women]: 118 (52.2%) in homologous and 108 (47.8%) in heterologous MAR. The Fertility Problem Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y form were administered. Results: Individuals in homologous MAR had higher depressive/state-trait anxious symptoms, general infertility stress, and infertility-related sexual concerns than those in heterologous MAR. In homologous MAR, social and sexual concerns were associated with depressive/trait anxious symptoms while gender had no effect. In heterologous MAR, male gender was associated with lower state anxious symptoms while infertility stress dimensions had no effect. Conclusion: Individuals in homologous MAR are a more distressed subgroup which requires a tailored supportive psychological intervention specifically on sexual and social concerns.

scholarly journals Genetic variation in Japanese Holstein cattle for EBL development

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuko Inagaki ◽  
Tomoko Kobayashi ◽  
Yoshihito Suda ◽  
Kazuya Kusama ◽  
Kazuhiko Imakawa
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Pedigree Information ◽  
Holstein Cattle ◽  
Large Scale Data ◽  
Bovine Leukosis ◽  
Inspection Data ◽  
Scale Data

Abstract Background Infection with bovine leukemia virus (BLV), the causative agent for enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), is increasing in dairy farms of Japan. The tendency of tumor development following BLV infection in certain cow families and bull lines has previously been described. We therefore hypothesized the existence of a genetic component which differentiates cattle susceptibility to the disease. Results We analyzed routinely collected large-scale data including postmortem inspection data, which were combined with pedigree information and epidemiological data of BLV infection. A total of 6,022 postmortem inspection records of Holstein cattle, raised on 226 farms served by a regional abattoir over 10 years from 2004 to 2015, were analyzed for associations between sire information and EBL development. We then identified statistically the relative susceptibility to EBL development for the progeny of specific sires and paternal grandsires (PGSs). The heritability of EBL development was calculated as 0.19. Similarly, proviral loads (PVLs) of progeny from identified sires and PGSs were analyzed, but no significant differences were found. Conclusions These observations suggest that because EBL development in our Holstein population is, at least in part, influenced by genetic factors independent of PVL levels, genetic improvement for lower incidence of EBL development in cattle notwithstanding BLV infection is possible.

New Divisions of Digital Labour in Architecture

2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Technology Knowledge ◽  
Large Scale Data ◽  
Computationally Intensive ◽  
Material Conditions ◽  
Scale Data ◽  
Sydney Australia

As architecture intersects with computer science to engage with large-scale data sets and informational systems, this demands new skills, competencies and commitments. Informed by the findings of an online survey, this article explores how, who and to what extent those in the profession of architecture are investing in technology knowledge and skills, and under what material conditions this occurs. Survey data collected from five large-scale architecture practices in Sydney, Australia finds that while technology-related skills are highly valued in the profession, more men than women are engaging with computationally intensive software and technology skills building remains a largely unstructured and often self-directed enterprise. Drawing on feminist technology studies and digital labour perspectives, it is argued that the drive to computationalise the profession of architecture rests heavily on discretionary, aspirational and invisible labour practices that disadvantage employees with lesser reserves of economic and social capital, and particularly women. This further contributes to revealing neo-liberalism’s influence on the concrete practices of the architecture workplace and highlights how the diminished structural role of employers breeds uneven opportunities and inequitable working conditions.

The role of DEFB126 variation in male infertility and medically assisted reproduction technique outcome

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-657
Author(s):  
Parnaz Borjian Boroujeni ◽  
Somayeh Ebrahimian ◽  
Maryam Abedini ◽  
Maral Rostami Chayjan ◽  
Mahdye Hassani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Assisted Reproduction Technique ◽  
Medically Assisted Reproduction

The Role of Providers in Assisted Reproduction

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Daar
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproduction ◽  
Patient Choice ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Reproductive Decisions ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Medically Assisted Reproduction ◽  
American Society ◽  
Multiple Patients

The need for infertility treatment brings professionals into reproductive decisions that are important private matters for patients. In medically assisted reproduction, providers are brought into roles traditionally regarded as occupied only by nature and into a position to determine which embryos are suitable for transfer in the effort to achieve pregnancy. These powers of judgment present ethical challenges for professionals providing assisted reproduction services. Among these challenges is the potential conflictual involvement of multiple patients in the process: intended parents, gamete donors, and gestational surrogates. Other challenges include the obligation to avoid discrimination in selecting embryos for transfer or in making decisions about which patients to serve. Providers must be informed by ethical discussions such as the ethics opinions of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Important ethical considerations include respect for patient choice, the best interests of offspring, nondiscrimination, and social justice.

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