Efficacy and safety of misoprostol compared with dinoprostone for labor induction at term: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Labor induction is a common obstetric intervention, increasingly performed worldwide, often using prostaglandins like misoprostol and dinoprostone.

Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of intravaginal misoprostol versus dinoprostone for inducing labor, examining their impact on various maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using four databases-PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library-from January 2000 to April 2023.

Structural, Magnetic, and Dielectric Properties of Laser-Ablated CoFeO/BaTiO Bilayers Deposited over Highly Doped Si(100).

Laser ablation was used to successfully fabricate multiferroic bilayer thin films, composed of BaTiO (BTO) and CoFeO (CFO), on highly doped (100) Si substrates. This study investigates the influence of BaTiO layer thickness (50-220 nm) on the films' structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties. The dense, polycrystalline films exhibited a tetragonal BaTiO phase and a cubic spinel CoFeO layer.

Early coronary angiography in patients with myocardial infarction without ST elevation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Early coronary angiography (CAG) in post-cardiac arrest patients without ST-segment elevation is a topic of debate. This meta-analysis aimed to assess its impact on outcomes.

Methods: A search of Medline and Cochrane up to February 2023 was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing patients undergoing early CAG vs.

Baricitinib as monotherapy and with topical corticosteroids in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of dose-response.

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects millions worldwide, presenting challenges in managing symptoms and quality of life. Current treatments include topical corticosteroids (TCS), but novel approaches, such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, show promise. Baricitinib, a selective JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, targets cytokines involved in AD and offers potential benefits beyond traditional therapies.

Exploring cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in the middle east and North Africa region: A narrative review of challenges and opportunities.

Background And Objectives: Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (CR) is crucial for managing conditions like congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and post-COVID-19 complications. This review examines CR practices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, exploring challenges, disparities, and emerging trends.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies published between date of inception and April 24th, 2024, focusing on CR programs, outcomes, challenges, and strategies specific to the MENA region.

Temporal trends in Parkinson's disease among older adults in the United States from 1999 to 2020: Retrospective analysis from CDC WONDER database.

This retrospective study assessed the mortality trends related to Parkinson's Disease (PD) between 1999 and 2020. We assessed individuals aged 65 years and older and a total of 831,793 deaths were identified. Of these total number of deaths, place of death was accessible for 830,176 cases.

Direct observation of twisted stacking domains in the van der Waals magnet CrI.

Van der Waals (vdW) stacking is a powerful technique to achieve desired properties in condensed matter systems through layer-by-layer crystal engineering. A remarkable example is the control over the twist angle between artificially-stacked vdW crystals, enabling the realization of unconventional phenomena in moiré structures ranging from superconductivity to strongly correlated magnetism. Here, we report the appearance of unusual 120° twisted faults in vdW magnet CrI crystals.

Safety and efficacy of resmetirom in the treatment of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), spanning from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to liver fibrosis, poses a global health challenge amid rising obesity and metabolic syndrome rates. Effective pharmacological treatments for NASH and liver fibrosis are limited.

Objective: This study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the safety and efficacy of resmetirom, a selective thyroid hormone receptor-β agonist, in NASH and liver fibrosis treatment.

Unraveling disparities: Probing gender, race, and geographic inequities in pulmonary heart disease mortality in the United States: An extensive longitudinal examination (1999-2020) leveraging CDC WONDER data.

This comprehensive study delves into the epidemiological landscape of Pulmonary Heart Disease (PHD) mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2020, leveraging the extensive CDC WONDER database. PHD encompasses conditions affecting the right side of the heart due to lung disorders or elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries, including pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Analyzing data from death certificates, demographic characteristics, and geographical segmentation, significant trends emerge.

Insights into Covid-19 mortality: A comprehensive study of cardiovascular sensitivity, gender, race, and geography trends in the United States (2020-2023).

This investigation meticulously explores the evolving landscape of Covid-19-related mortality in the United States from 2020 to 2023. Leveraging the comprehensive CDC WONDER database, the study conducts a detailed analysis of age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs), considering various demographic and regional parameters. The identified pattern illustrates an initial surge in AAMRs from 2020 to 2021, followed by a subsequent decline until 2023.

Comparative effectiveness of intra-articular therapies in knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis comparing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with other treatment modalities.

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a progressive joint disease commonly treated with intra-articular injections, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid (HA), or corticosteroids (CS). This updated meta-analysis aims to enhance the statistical power of the results and provide comprehensive clinical evidence that reflects the most current research. By doing so, the authors aim to suggest a reliable estimate for the development of guidelines, addressing the pressing need for effective and minimally invasive treatment options.

In Situ Observations Reveal the Five-fold Twin-Involved Growth of Gold Nanorods by Particle Attachment.

Crystallization plays a critical role in determining crystal size, purity and morphology. Therefore, uncovering the growth dynamics of nanoparticles (NPs) atomically is important for the controllable fabrication of nanocrystals with desired geometry and properties. Herein, we conducted in situ atomic-scale observations on the growth of Au nanorods (NRs) by particle attachment within an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope (AC-TEM).

Atomic structure and large magnetic anisotropy in air-sensitive layered ferromagnetic VI.

We report the air-sensitivity, atomic structure, and magnetic anisotropy of VI single crystals. We find that VI nanocrystals exhibit a large / ratio of around 0.75 and a uniaxial anisotropic constant of an order of 10 erg cc below the Curie temperature.

Kinetic Observations on Crystal Nucleation and Growth.

Nucleation and growth are critical steps in crystallization, which plays an important role in determining crystal structure, size, morphology, and purity. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of nucleation and growth is crucial to realize the controllable fabrication of crystalline products with desired and reproducible properties. Based on classical models, the initial crystal nucleus is formed by the spontaneous aggregation of ions, atoms, or molecules, and crystal growth is dependent on the monomer's diffusion and the surface reaction.

Optoelectronics of Atomic Metal-Semiconductor Interfaces in Tin-Intercalated MoS.

Metal-semiconductor interfaces are ubiquitous in modern electronics. These quantum-confined interfaces allow for the formation of atomically thin polarizable metals and feature rich optical and optoelectronic phenomena, including plasmon-induced hot-electron transfer from metal to semiconductors. Here, we report on the metal-semiconductor interface formed during the intercalation of zero-valent atomic layers of tin (Sn) between layers of MoS, a van der Waals layered material.

Doxorubicin delivery performance of superparamagnetic carbon multi-core shell nanoparticles: pH dependence, stability and kinetic insight.

In the past decade, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been among the most attractive nanomaterials used in different fields, such as environmental and biomedical applications. The possibility of designing nanoparticles with different functionalities allows for advancing the biomedical applications of these materials. Additionally, the magnetic characteristics of the nanoparticles enable the use of magnetic fields to drive the nanoparticles to the desired sites of delivery.

Atomic-Scale Interface Modification Improves the Performance of Cu(InGa)Se/Zn(O,S) Heterojunction Solar Cells.

Cadmium-free buffer layers deposited by a dry vacuum process are mandatory for low-cost and environmentally friendly Cu(InGa)Se (CIGS) photovoltaic in-line production. Zn(O,S) has been identified as an alternative to the chemical bath deposited CdS buffer layer, providing comparable power conversion efficiencies. Recently, a significant efficiency enhancement has been reported for sputtered Zn(O,S) buffers after an annealing treatment of the complete solar cell stack; the enhancement was attributed to interdiffusion at the CIGS/Zn(O,S) interface, resulting in wide-gap ZnSO islands formation and reduced interface defects.

Sustainable existence of solid mercury (Hg) nanoparticles at room temperature and their applications.

Although liquid mercury (Hg) has been known since antiquity, the formation of stable solid nano forms of Hg at room temperature has not been reported so far. Here, for the first time, we report a simple sonochemical route to obtain solid mercury nanoparticles, stabilized by reduced graphene oxide at ambient conditions. The as-formed solid Hg nanoparticles were found to exhibit remarkable rhombohedral morphology and crystallinity at room temperature.

Morphology-Tunable Synthesis of Intrinsic Room-Temperature Ferromagnetic γ-FeO Nanoflakes.

Intrinsic two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials with room-temperature ferromagnetism and air stability are highly desirable for spintronic applications. However, the experimental observations of such 2D or ultrathin ferromagnetic materials are rarely reported owing to the scarcity of these materials in nature and for the intricacy in their synthesis. Here, we report a successful controllable growth of ultrathin γ-FeO nanoflakes with a variety of morphologies tunable by the growth temperature alone using a facile chemical vapor deposition method and demonstrate that all ultrathin nanoflakes still show intrinsic room-temperature ferromagnetism and a semiconducting nature.

Enhancing Light-Matter Interactions in MoS by Copper Intercalation.

The intercalation of layered compounds opens up a vast space of new host-guest hybrids, providing new routes for tuning the properties of materials. Here, it is shown that uniform and continuous layers of copper can be intercalated within the van der Waals gap of bulk MoS resulting in a unique Cu-MoS hybrid. The new Cu-MoS hybrid, which remains semiconducting, possesses a unique plasmon resonance at an energy of ≈1eV, giving rise to enhanced optoelectronic activity.

Functionalized magnetic composite nano/microfibres with highly oriented van der Waals CrI inclusions by electrospinning.

This study reports on the synthesis of highly oriented chromium triiodide (CrI) magnetic inclusions inside nano/microfibres with a polyethylene oxide matrix, prepared by the electrospinning technique. The structural, microstructural and spectroscopic analysis shows uniformly dispersed CrI nanosized inclusions inside the fibres, presenting a C2/m monoclinic structure at room temperature, where their c-axis is perpendicular to the fibre mat plane and the ab layers are in-plane. Analysis of the magnetic properties show that the samples have a ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition at ∼55-56 K, lower than that of bulk CrI.

Micro-sized thin-film solar cells via area-selective electrochemical deposition for concentrator photovoltaics application.

Micro-concentrator solar cells enable higher power conversion efficiencies and material savings when compared to large-area non-concentrated solar cells. In this study, we use materials-efficient area-selective electrodeposition of the metallic elements, coupled with selenium reactive annealing, to form Cu(In,Ga)Se semiconductor absorber layers in patterned microelectrode arrays. This process achieves significant material savings of the low-abundance elements.

A one-pot route to stable Pickering emulsions featuring nanocrystalline Ag and Au.

A simple, one-pot reaction scheme leading to water-in-toluene and toluene-in-water type Pickering emulsions solely stabilized by nanocrystals of Ag and Au is described. Sol properties-ageing and ability to disperse substances are studied. The nature of the solid surfactants and their surface structure is ascertained by transmission electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.