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Groundbreaking Study in Noninvasive Chromosomal Testing for Embryos Recognized as Seminal Contribution in the Field

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Olive Fertility Centre co-director, Dr. Gary Nakhuda, co-authored a groundbreaking study highlighting the advances and limitations in noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A).

VANCOUVER, BC, July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Dr. Gary Nakhuda, MD, co-director Olive Fertility Centre, and his team have made a significant leap in the field of reproductive medicine with their groundbreaking study highlighting the advances and limitations in noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A) recently published in the prestigious journal Fertility & Sterility. “We are honoured that our paper about the NICEST (Noninvasive Chromosomal Embryo Screening Trial) study was published in Fertility & Sterility and recognized as a Seminal Contribution to the field,” says Dr. Nakhuda.

We are honoured that our paper about the NICEST (Noninvasive Chromosomal Embryo Screening Trial) study was published in Fertility & Sterility and recognized as a Seminal Contribution to the field.

The study involved 120 patients under the age of 35 undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and focused on analyzing the positive predictive value and false positive risk of detecting chromosomal abnormalities using niPGT-A. Currently, PGT-A is the standard method for detecting chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. However, it requires an invasive biopsy of the embryo, which is labor-intensive and demands the expertise of highly skilled embryologists.

In contrast, niPGT-A utilizes DNA secreted by the embryo into the culture media during its growth. Typically discarded after the embryos have matured, this “spent” culture media contains minuscule amounts of DNA that can be isolated and amplified. The noninvasive approach offers several advantages over conventional PGT-A. Besides eliminating the risk to the embryo, niPGT-A could potentially make PGT-A more accessible by reducing the reliance on highly skilled embryologists, thereby lowering costs. However, the technique’s current limitations, primarily related to obtaining reliable samples due to the small amount of DNA available, were acknowledged in the study.

Study Highlights: Promising Results and Key Challenges

Positive Predictive Value: The study reported a 94.4%-100% positive predictive value for detecting aneuploidy using niPGT-A, indicating a high level of accuracy in identifying nonviable embryos with whole chromosome abnormalities.Clinical Outcomes: Embryos categorized as having “uncertain reproductive potential” showed a sustained implantation rate of 77.8%, similar to those without detected abnormalities. This suggests that some embryos deemed abnormal by standard criteria may still have the potential for successful implantation.Technological Limitations: Despite its promise, niPGT-A faces significant challenges. A total of 22.5% of samples had undetermined or uncertain results, highlighting the need for further refinement of the technology.

The editorial accompanying the study praised Dr. Nakhuda and his team for their meticulous work. “Nakhuda et al.’s non-selection study is a major step forward in validating niPGT-A and providing clinical information regarding its technological limitations,” the editorial stated, emphasizing the importance of cautious optimism. “We commend the investigators for their hard work in working to validate niPGT-A and taking great care to look before we leap,” the editorial continued, highlighting the careful balance required in adopting new technologies in reproductive medicine to ensure both effectiveness and safety for patients.

Dr. Nakhuda’s study provides a foundation for future research and development in niPGT-A. By identifying current limitations and areas for improvement, the study paves the way for further validation and optimization of this noninvasive technique. Future studies with larger sample sizes and diverse patient populations will be essential in determining the broader applicability of niPGT-A. Dr. Nakhuda and his team are already planning a follow-up study to further validate niPGT-A, aiming to finalize its validation and pave the way for its future clinical application.

“Our research was significant since it was the first to document the predictive values of noninvasive PGT-A (niPGT-A) in a transparent and blinded fashion,” says Dr. Nakhuda. “We still have work to do but are confident that niPGT-A will change the paradigm of embryo screening in the near future.”

About Olive Fertility Centre:

Olive Fertility Centre olivefertility.com is one Canada’s leading fertility centres with clinics in Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, and Kelowna. We offer an award-winning IVF lab, personal care teams, and innovative programs including specialized genetic testing, egg freezing, and prenatal NIPT testing.

Media Contact
Mairi Campbell, Olive Fertility Centre, 1 778-885-5300, mairi.campbell@telus.net, https://www.olivefertility.com/

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SOURCE Olive Fertility Centre

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Inner City Visions releases a 24-hour virtual support center to combat Human Trafficking

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Inner City Visions offers 24-hour virtual support services through ‘Angelito’, an app to ensure at-risk children and families safety from human trafficking. Inner City Visions (ICV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2007 in the epicenter of South Los Angeles. They engage what is statistically the most vulnerable population of at-risk and exploited youth and provide solutions to their ever-evolving hardships. Combatting human trafficking

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Inner City Visions offers 24-hour virtual support services through ‘Angelito’, an app to ensure at-risk children and families safety from human trafficking

Robert Rodriguez Co-Creator of Angilito App. “Sex Trafficking happens 24 hours a day. We need a tool that works 24 hours a day.”

Alfred Lomas, founder and Executive Director of Inner City Visions (ICV), and his team take the next step in expanding their initiatives through the creation of ‘Angelito’, an app that aims to prevent the exploitation of families and sex trafficking of at-risk children.

The community-based organization has created promising results of harm reduction at the epicenter of South Los Angeles and continues to operate and make societal improvements within that community. ICV’s anti-trafficking efforts have resulted in an 85% success rate based on a one-year programming retention process outcome (2017).

The organization’s work continues to expand as they propose a new, virtual outlet in support of victims facing risks of exploitation and sex trafficking.

‘Angelito’ aims to establish a safe space away from violence by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for strategic assistance and to prevent harm ideation. The app serves as an easily accessible, virtual lifeline that provides 24-hour support for victims and trafficking survivors in order to reduce the high recidivism rates as a result of the existing gaps in other services. It consists of emergency response and critical care support, connectivity for high-risk trafficking survivors to essential services, algorithms supported to prevent harm ideation, data recovery for strategic interventions and prevention efforts and more.

‘Angelito’ is engineered to appear as a gaming app at first glance as a way to protect users from pimps and controllers. This hidden feature functions as a safety measure that will less likely draw a perpetrator’s attention, allowing a client to use it without the fear of getting caught.

The app highlights ICV’s unique ability to engage and connect with Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth (CSECY). ICV aims to have ‘Angelito’ be available for installation through Apple IOS and Android applications and is set to be released in the fall of 2025.

Written by: Odessa Hairapetian

odessacelestt@gmail.com

(626) 223-0840

Media Contact

Inner City Visions

Email: info@innercityvisions.com

Phone: 323.484.0004

Media Contact

Cynthia Dinh, Inner City Vision, 1 323-484-0004, icvinfo@icvcommunity.org, https://innercityvisions.org/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/inner-city-visions-releases-a-24-hour-virtual-support-center-to-combat-human-trafficking-302345497.html

SOURCE Inner City Vision

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Schools Can Engage Families More Effectively and Improve Enrollment Through Strategic Technology Use, Says Info-Tech Research Group

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With increasing competition in K-12 Education to attract and retain students, a recently published blueprint from Info-Tech Research Group will provide schools with a clear path to optimising enrollment management. By focusing on key areas such as improving operational efficiency, reducing administrative workload, and enhancing family engagement, the global research and advisory firm’s new resource is set to equip schools with the tools needed to streamline processes and make informed decisions when it comes to leveraging the power of emerging technologies. With data-driven insights and practical strategies, IT leaders in schools can select the right enrollment system, ensuring long-term success and a better overall experience for students and families.

SYDNEY, Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The K-12 educational sector is facing increasing competition as schools seek to attract and retain students while managing complex administrative tasks. Enrollment management systems play a critical role in addressing these challenges, yet schools often struggle to evaluate and implement the solution that best fits their unique needs.

Info-Tech Research Group released its latest blueprint, Optimise Enrollment Management for K-12 Education, to equip school IT leaders with the guidance they need to seamlessly integrate modern technology, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen family engagement, ultimately optimising enrollment strategies for sustained success.

‘The educational sector is rapidly transforming as schools and districts invest in technology to enhance their enrollment processes,’ says Mark Maby, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. ‘Enrollment management systems offer comprehensive tools to simplify various aspects of the enrollment process, including application management, automated workflows, centralised data management, personalised communication, and document review.’

Info-Tech’s data-backed resource highlights common challenges schools and their districts encounter when evaluating and selecting an enrollment management system. Many institutions fail to fully recognise the long-term value these systems can provide, resulting in missed opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and improve the student and family experience. The process of selecting the right vendor adds another layer of complexity, as schools must carefully weigh features, costs, and scalability in their decision-making process.

‘Automated workflows manage tasks such as lotteries and wait lists, while centralised data management ensures secure and accessible student information,’ explains Maby. ‘Cloud-based solutions provide scalability and accessibility, allowing administrators to manage processes from any location.’

To ensure schools are equipped to overcome these challenges, the firm recommends a proactive approach that includes evaluating system scalability, automating processes, and aligning enrollment goals with broader institutional objectives. By assessing specific capabilities and future needs, schools can select enrollment management systems that offer both immediate and long-term benefits, ensuring smooth operations and a positive experience for students and their families.

Key Benefits of Effective Enrollment Management:

In the Optimise Enrollment Management for K-12 Education blueprint, Info-Tech highlights the following three key advantages of effective enrollment management that can significantly transform operations for educational institutions:

Improved Efficiency: Automating enrollment processes reduces administrative burdens while centralised data management ensures that all relevant information is secure and accessible from a single location. This approach results in streamlined communications and the elimination of redundant tasks, helping schools operate more smoothly while saving time and resources.

Enhanced Family Engagement: A user-friendly interface, automated notifications, and personalised communication options all culminate in an advantage that fosters stronger connections with families, ensuring they are informed and involved throughout the enrollment journey. This approach also promotes equitable access to essential resources, ensuring that families have all the information they need at their fingertips.

Data-Driven Decision-Making: Schools can leverage advanced reporting and analytics tools to monitor and gain actionable insights into enrollment trends, performance metrics, and areas for improvement. This data-driven approach enables better decision-making, allowing institutions to track and monitor progress effectively and adjust strategies as needed.

By leveraging Info-Tech’s comprehensive blueprint, schools and their districts can make well-informed decisions about selecting and implementing an enrollment management system tailored to their unique needs. With a focus on increasing operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and long-term growth, this guide will equip school IT leaders with the necessary tools to enhance their enrollment strategies and create a more streamlined and engaging experience for students and families.

For exclusive and timely commentary from Mark Maby, an expert in the educational sector, and access to the complete Optimise Enrollment Management for K-12 Education blueprint, please contact pr@infotech.com.

About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organisations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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Media Contact: Sufyan Al-Hassan, Senior PR Manager, Info-Tech Research Group, salhassan@infotech.com | +1 (888) 670-8889 x2418

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/schools-can-engage-families-more-effectively-and-improve-enrollment-through-strategic-technology-use-says-info-tech-research-group-302346484.html

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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AllenComm Recognized as a Top Content Provider for Leadership Development 2025 by eLearning Industry

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AllenComm — a leading provider of innovative, effective learning experiences — is named by eLearning Industry as one of the Top Content Providers for Leadership Development for 2025, earning a five-star rating.

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The award-winning team at AllenComm, an innovator in learning advisory, design, tech and talent for the corporate learning and development market, has earned recognition and a five-star rating as a leading provider of leadership development services.

The list of top leadership development content providers named by eLearning Industry serves as an industry resource, directory and source of credible learning and development (L&D) information for organizations seeking expert-level support for their L&D programs.

In their announcement of the award, eLearning Industry noted: “It’s vital that you best equip new leaders with a secure footing as they begin their careers in management. … All the content providers on this top list can develop your top talents and core leadership skills with their courses and strategies. Besides, with their help, you can also improve employee retention and engagement, foster positive work relationships and encourage continuous professional growth within your teams.”

Ron Zamir, AllenComm President and CEO, commented, “Targeted leadership development — focused on the organization’s most critical needs — has always been a focus and passion for our team. Today, our toolkit is more flexible and effective than ever before, allowing us to inspire leadership at every level of the organization.”

You can learn more about AllenComm’s leadership development services by visiting their website.

If you would like to know more about any of the above information, please contact an AllenComm representative at info@allencomm.com.

About AllenComm  
For over 40 years, AllenComm has partnered with leading companies and nonprofit organizations to create and scale transformative learning solutions. Extensive instructional design experience, innovative learning technologies and agency-level creative teams enable AllenComm to stand out in the learning landscape. Considered one of the top firms of its kind in the country, AllenComm wins dozens of awards year after year for their solutions. Partnering with AllenComm to supplement and support human capital management needs has helped customers reduce expenses, shorten onboarding periods and raise the impact of their efforts.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allencomm-recognized-as-a-top-content-provider-for-leadership-development-2025-by-elearning-industry-302346485.html

SOURCE AllenComm

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