Pregnancy outcome predictors in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: To enhance patient-tailored preconception risk assessment for women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), knowledge on risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes is required. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and provide unambiguous effect sizes of preconception predictors of pregnancy outcomes in women with SLE.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed and Embase for studies reporting preconception predictors of pregnancy outcomes in women with SLE, from database inception to Aug 22, 2023.

The addition of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio to the protein/creatinine ratio in multiple pregnancy: Post-hoc analysis of the PREPARE cohort study.

Objective: To assess the predictive accuracy of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio cut-off 38 in addition to the standard-of-care spot urine protein/creatinine ratio (PCr) for multiple pregnancies in women with suspected pre-eclampsia.

Study Design: Post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome was the occurrence of pre-eclampsia in one and four weeks after presentation with suspected pre-eclampsia.

Molecular basis for human aquaporin inhibition.

Cancer invasion and metastasis are known to be potentiated by the expression of aquaporins (AQPs). Likewise, the expression levels of AQPs have been shown to be prognostic for survival in patients and have a role in tumor growth, edema, angiogenesis, and tumor cell migration. Thus, AQPs are key players in cancer biology and potential targets for drug development.

Clinical value and cost analysis of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in addition to the spot urine protein/creatinine ratio in women with suspected pre-eclampsia: PREPARE cohort study.

Background: This study investigated the clinical value of adding the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio to the spot urine protein/creatinine ratio (PCr) in women with suspected pre-eclampsia.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study performed in a tertiary referral centre. Based on the combination of PCr (< 30) and sFlt-1/PlGF (≤38) results, four groups were described: a double negative result, group A-/-; a negative PCr and positive sFlt-1/PlGF, group B-/+; a positive PCr and negative sFlt-1/PlGF, group C+/-; and a double positive result, group D+/+.

Early anteroposterior regionalisation of human neural crest is shaped by a pro-mesodermal factor.

The neural crest (NC) is an important multipotent embryonic cell population and its impaired specification leads to various developmental defects, often in an anteroposterior (A-P) axial level-specific manner. The mechanisms underlying the correct A-P regionalisation of human NC cells remain elusive. Recent studies have indicated that trunk NC cells, the presumed precursors of childhood tumour neuroblastoma, are derived from neuromesodermal-potent progenitors of the postcranial body.

Risk assessment of banknotes as a fomite of SARS-CoV-2 in cash payment transactions.

The COVID 19 pandemic has triggered concerns and assumptions globally about transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus via cash transactions. This paper assesses the risk of contracting COVID-19 through exposure to SARS-CoV-2 via cash acting as a fomite in payment transactions. A quantitative microbial risk assessment was conducted for a scenario assuming an infectious person at the onset of symptoms, when virion concentrations in coughed droplets are at their highest.

Improved accuracy and fewer outliers with a novel CT-free robotic THA system in matched-pair analysis with manual THA.

Accurate component orientation and restoration of hip biomechanics remains a continuing challenge in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The goal of this study was to analyze the accuracy/reproducibility of a novel CT-free and pin-less robotic-assisted THA (RA-THA) platform compared to manual THA (mTHA). This matched-pair cadaveric study compared this RA-THA system to mTHA (n = 33/arm), both using the assistance of fluoroscopic imaging, in a group of 14 high-volume arthroplasty surgeons.

In Vitro Generation of Posterior Motor Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

The ability to generate spinal cord motor neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is of great use for modelling motor neuron-based diseases and cell-replacement therapies. A key step in the design of hPSC differentiation strategies aiming to produce motor neurons involves induction of the appropriate anteroposterior (A-P) axial identity, an important factor influencing motor neuron subtype specification, functionality, and disease vulnerability. Most current protocols for induction of motor neurons from hPSCs produce predominantly cells of a mixed hindbrain/cervical axial identity marked by expression of Hox paralogous group (PG) members 1-5, but are inefficient in generating high numbers of more posterior thoracic/lumbosacral Hox PG(8-13) spinal cord motor neurons.

A realistic transfer method reveals low risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via contaminated euro coins and banknotes.

The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created a significant threat to global health. While respiratory aerosols or droplets are considered as the main route of human-to-human transmission, secretions expelled by infected individuals can also contaminate surfaces and objects, potentially creating the risk of fomite-based transmission. Consequently, frequently touched objects such as paper currency and coins have been suspected as potential transmission vehicle.

Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary clinical pathway for women with systemic lupus erythematosus and/or antiphospholipid syndrome.

Objectives: SLE and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (SLE/APS) are complex and rare systemic autoimmune diseases that predominantly affect women of childbearing age. Women with SLE/APS are at high risk of developing complications during pregnancy. Therefore, clinical practice guidelines recommend that patients with SLE/APS should receive multidisciplinary counselling before getting pregnant.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in pregnancy: A literature review.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is indicated as a treatment for a wide array of diseases, extensively addressed in the Guidelines of the American Society for Apheresis. In pregnancy, TPE is an uncommon event and application is largely based on extrapolation of efficacy and safety in a non-pregnant population. This review intends to describe the currently available experience of TPE in pregnancy to help clinicians recognise indications during pregnancy and to support current guideline recommendations with literature-based experiences.

Defining the signalling determinants of a posterior ventral spinal cord identity in human neuromesodermal progenitor derivatives.

The anteroposterior axial identity of motor neurons (MNs) determines their functionality and vulnerability to neurodegeneration. Thus, it is a crucial parameter in the design of strategies aiming to produce MNs from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for regenerative medicine/disease modelling applications. However, the generation of posterior MNs corresponding to the thoracic/lumbosacral spinal cord has been challenging.

Neurosurgical patients admitted via the emergency department initiating comfort care measures: a prospective cohort analysis.

Background: Given the serious nature of many neurosurgical pathologies, it is common for hospitalized patients to elect comfort care (CC) over aggressive treatment. Few studies have evaluated the incidence and risk factors of CC trends in patients admitted for neurosurgical emergencies.

Objectives: To analyze all neurosurgical patients admitted to a tertiary care academic referral center via the emergency department (ED) to determine incidence and characteristics of those who initiated CC measures during their initial hospital admission.

Routes to Heterotrinuclear Metal Siloxide Complexes for Cooperative Activation of O.

The assembly of heterometallic complexes capable of activating dioxygen is synthetically challenging. Here, we report two different approaches for the preparation of heterometallic superoxide complexes [LCr-η-O][MX] (L = OPhSiOSiPhO, MX = [CoCl], [ZnBr], [ZnCl]) starting from the Cr precursor complex [LCr]Li(THF). The first strategy proceeds via the exchange of Li by [MX] through the addition of MX to [LCr]Li(THF) before the reaction with dioxygen, whereas in the second approach a salt metathesis reaction is undertaken after O activation by adding MX to [LCr-η-O]Li(THF).

Synthesis and Characterization of High-Performing Sulfur-Free Tannin Foams.

Tannin foams are green lightweight materials that have attracted industrial interest for the manufacturing of sandwich panels for insulation purposes. However, the dimensions of the cells and the presence of sulfur in the formulation developed until now have discouraged their upscaling. In this work, we present the synthesis and the characterization of the more promising small cell and sulfur-free materials.

Investigation of Cubic Fe M Frameworks for Application in Nonaqueous Energy Storage.

Multimetallic complexes have recently seen increased attention as next-generation charge carriers for nonaqueous redox flow batteries. Herein, we report the electrochemical performance of a molecular iron-molybdenum oxido complex, {[(Me TACN)Fe][μ-(MoO κ O,O',O")]} (Fe Mo O ). In symmetric battery charging schematics, Fe Mo O facilitates reversible two-electron storage with coulombic efficiencies >99 % over 100 cycles (5 days) with no molecular decomposition and minimal capacity fade.

Switching from a Chromium(IV) Peroxide to a Chromium(III) Superoxide upon Coordination of a Donor in the trans Position.

O activation at a chromium(II) siloxide complex in propionitrile leads to a chromium(III) complex with an end-on bound superoxide ligand, while the reaction in tetrahydrofuran leads to a side-on peroxo chromium(IV) compound. The superoxide reacts faster with (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl hydroxylamine while the peroxide, unlike the superoxide, proved capable of deformylating aldehydes. The system was found to represent a unique case, where even a switching between the two structures can be achieved via the solvent; its ability to coordinate at the position  to the O ligand is decisive, as supported by density functional theory studies.

The Influence of Alkali Metal Ions on the Stability and Reactivity of Chromium(III) Superoxide Moieties Spanned by Siloxide Ligands.

In recent years, it has become clear that the presence of redox-inactive Lewis acidic metal ions can decisively influence the reactivity of metal-dioxygen moieties that are formed in the course of O activation, in molecular complexes, and metalloenzymes. Superoxide species are often formed as the primary intermediates but they are mostly too unstable for a thorough investigation. We report here a series of chromium(III) superoxide complexes [L Cr]M O (THF) (L= OSiPh OSiPh O , M =Li , Na , K and y=4, 5), which could be accessed, studied spectroscopically and partly crystallized at low temperatures.

Human axial progenitors generate trunk neural crest cells in vitro.

The neural crest (NC) is a multipotent embryonic cell population that generates distinct cell types in an axial position-dependent manner. The production of NC cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a valuable approach to study human NC biology. However, the origin of human trunk NC remains undefined and current in vitro differentiation strategies induce only a modest yield of trunk NC cells.

Prediction of Safety Margin and Optimization of Dosing Protocol for a Novel Antibiotic using Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Modeling.

Elevations of liver enzymes have been observed in clinical trials with BAL30072, a novel antibiotic. In vitro assays have identified potential mechanisms for the observed hepatotoxicity, including electron transport chain (ETC) inhibition and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. DILIsym, a quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) model of drug-induced liver injury, has been used to predict the likelihood that each mechanism explains the observed toxicity.

The effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss and maternal outcome in the treatment of persistent postpartum hemorrhage: A nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Background: Recent results show a protective effect of tranexamic acid on death due to bleeding in patients with postpartum hemorrhage in low- and middle-resource countries. We quantify the association between early administration of tranexamic acid compared to late or no administration and severe acute maternal morbidity and blood loss among women suffering from persistent severe postpartum hemorrhage in a high-income country.

Methods And Findings: We performed a nationwide retrospective cohort study in 61 hospitals in the Netherlands.

The effect of body posture during medication inhalation on exercise induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children.

Rationale: Inhaling medication in a standard body posture leads to impaction of particles in the sharp angle of the upper airway. Stretching the upper airway by extending the neck in a forward leaning body posture may improve pulmonary deposition. A single dose of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) offers acute, but moderate protection against exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).