Could cleaved embryo morphology and morphokinetics be associated with prenatal and neonatal outcomes?

Purpose: To evaluate if morphology and morphokinetics of cleaved embryos affect prenatal and perinatal outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 734 single fresh embryo transfer (SET) from ICSI from January 2014 to December 2020 at the Dijon University Hospital. Using time-lapse technology, embryos were defined as TOP or non-TOP according to morphological/morphokinetic criteria.

Pancreatic organogenesis mapped through space and time.

The spatial organization of cells within a tissue is dictated throughout dynamic developmental processes. We sought to understand whether cells geometrically coordinate with one another throughout development to achieve their organization. The pancreas is a complex cellular organ with a particular spatial organization.

Live birth prevalence of major congenital anomalies in the United Arab Emirates.

Major congenital anomalies (MCAs) significantly contribute to perinatal mortality and morbidity. Globally, the United Arab Emirates has the sixth-highest prevalence rate of congenital anomalies. The lack of clear baseline prevalence data for MCAs impedes the development of interventions to alleviate this burden.

High resolution Brillouin spectroscopy of the surface acoustic waves in SbTe van der Waals single crystals.

High-resolution Brillouin spectroscopy was employed to investigate the anisotropy in surface wave velocities within a bulk single crystal of SbTe, a well-known layered van der Waals material. By leveraging the bulk elastic constants derived from various simulation methods, we were able to theoretically calculate the distribution of surface acoustic phonon velocities on the cleavage plane of the material. Upon analyzing multiple simulation results, it became evident that the most significant discrepancies arose in the calculations of the elastic constant c, with values ranging from 48 to 98 GPa.

Enhancing COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Within Scotland Black, African, and Caribbean Communities and Lessons for Future Vaccination Programmes.

This study highlights how the intersection of multiple factors shapes the experiences of Scotland's Black, African, and Caribbean communities in their access and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in the vaccination programme's first, second, and booster stages. There was particular interest in understanding the vaccination journey, from scheduling an appointment to attending the appointment. Data in this study was collected between the 1 and 30 April 2022 using a triangulated approach, including a survey (with 408 responses), interviews (26), and focus group discussions (5 groups involving 30 participants).

Subjective cognitive decline predicts longitudinal neuropsychological test performance in an unsupervised online setting in the Brain Health Registry.

Backgrounds: Digital, online assessments are efficient means to detect early cognitive decline, but few studies have investigated the relationship between remotely collected subjective cognitive change and cognitive decline. We hypothesized that the Everyday Cognition Scale (ECog), a subjective change measure, predicts longitudinal change in cognition in the Brain Health Registry (BHR), an online registry for neuroscience research.

Methods: This study included BHR participants aged 55 + who completed both the baseline ECog and repeated administrations of the CANTAB Paired Associates Learning (PAL) visual learning and memory test.

Connecting Dynamics and Thermodynamics in Polymer-Resin Cured Systems.

This work connects the calorimetric responses of different rubber-resin blends with varying resin contents with their alpha relaxation dynamics. We used differential scanning calorimetry and broadband dielectric spectroscopy to characterize the calorimetric and dielectric responses of styrene-butadiene, polybutadiene, and polyisoprene with different resin contents. To model the results, we used the Gordon-Taylor equation combined with an extension of the Adam-Gibbs approach.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents Combined with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide for the Extraction of Curcuminoids from Turmeric.

Background: Curcuminoids, the bioactive compounds found in turmeric, exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This study aims to enhance the extraction of curcuminoids from turmeric using environmentally friendly solvents supercritical CO (scCO) combined with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) in one process, and to evaluate the resulting biological activity.

Methods: A Box-Behnken statistical design was applied to optimize scCO extraction conditions-pressure, CO volume, and temperature-to maximize curcuminoid yield.

Nucleus Accumbens Associated Protein 1 in Cancers-The Real Value.

Malignant tumors are a leading cause of death worldwide, second only to cardiovascular disease. They occur in every population and have a high risk of mortality. The etiopathogenesis of malignant tumors is diverse and there are still many unknowns, leading to huge diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Nanocellulose-Based Films for Surface Protection of Wooden Artefacts.

This research investigated the selected properties of nanocellulose films intended to serve as protective patches on fissured surfaces of wooden artefacts. The effects of their plasticisation with glycerol and functionalisation with selected silanes ((3-Glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, and Methyltrimethoxysilane) were also determined. The obtained pure cellulose nanopapers (CNPs) had a homogeneous and compact structure but were very brittle, stiff, and wavy.

Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams-Evidence of Benefits? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Venous thromboembolisms constitute a major cause of morbidity and mortality with 60,000 to 100,000 deaths attributed to pulmonary embolism in the US annually. Both clinical presentations and treatment strategies can vary greatly, and the selection of an appropriate therapeutic strategy is often provider specific. A pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) offers a multidisciplinary approach to clinical decision making and the management of high-risk pulmonary emboli.

Quercetin Enhances 5-Fluorouracil-Driven Cytotoxicity Dose-Dependently in A375 Human Melanoma Cells.

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) represents a severe skin cancer with a rising incidence at present and limited treatment options. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used, including for CM; however, the innate resistance of this cancer to conventional therapy remains problematic. Quercetin (QUE) is a flavonoid that can sensitize cancer cells to antitumor agents such as 5-FU.

Artificial Intelligence in the Non-Invasive Detection of Melanoma.

Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, with increasing incidence. Skin cancer is typically classified as melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer. Although melanoma is less common than basal or squamous cell carcinomas, it is the deadliest form of cancer, with nearly 8300 Americans expected to die from it each year.

Decoding the Genes Orchestrating Egg and Sperm Fusion Reactions and Their Roles in Fertility.

Mammalian fertilization is a complex and highly regulated process that has garnered significant attention, particularly with advancements in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). The fusion of egg and sperm involves a sequence of molecular and cellular events, including capacitation, the acrosome reaction, adhesion, and membrane fusion. Critical genetic factors, such as IZUMO1, JUNO (also known as FOLR4), CD9, and several others, have been identified as essential mediators in sperm-egg recognition and membrane fusion.

Health and Liver Diagnostic Markers Influencing Glycemia in Subjects with Prediabetes: Preview Study.

Introduction: Glucose homeostasis may be dependent on liver conditions and influence health-related markers and quality of life (QoL) objective measurements. This study aimed to analyze the interactions of glycemia with liver and health status in a prediabetic population.

Subjects And Methods: This study included 2220 overweight/obese prediabetics from the multinational PREVIEW project.

Metoprolol vs diltiazem for atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate: Systematic review and meta-analysis of adverse events.

Background: Intravenous (IV) diltiazem and metoprolol are commonly used to achieve rate control for atrial fibrillation with RVR (Afib with RVR), and are both recommended as first-line by current guidelines. While prior studies investigated the efficacy of these medications, there is little evidence available regarding the risk of adverse events (AEs) with their use.

Methods: We identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies reporting rates of AEs following administration of IV diltiazem and metoprolol for Afib with RVR by searching PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library.

Fer-1 like family member 4 pseudogene: novel potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for cutaneous melanoma.

Cutaneous melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Despite advancements in treatment, many patients still face poor outcomes. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in melanoma pathogenesis is crucial for improving diagnosis and therapy.

Thio-modified trianglimines, a novel group of chiral macrocyclic compounds of high structural dynamics.

The embellishing of the macrocycle core with sulfur substituents of varied sterical requirements changes the structural dynamics of chiral, triangular polyimines. Despite their formal high symmetry, these compounds adopt diverse conformations, in which the macrocycle core represents a non-changeable unit. DFT calculations reveal that the mutual arrangement of sulfur-containing substituents is controlled mainly by sterical interactions.

A 15-Item modification of the PSP rating scale to improve clinical meaningfulness and statistical performance.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by physical, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. The PSP Rating Scale (PSPRS) is a widely used and validated, clinical scale to monitor disease progression. Here we show the modification of PSPRS to improve clinical meaningfulness and sensitivity.

Proton Accumulation Modulated Surface Potential in Proton Conducting Ceramics Revealed by Near-Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

Proton conducting electrochemical cells (PCECs) are efficient and clean intermediate-temperature energy conversion devices. The proton concentration across the PCECs is often nonuniform, and characterizing the distribution of proton concentration can help to locate the position of rate-limiting reactions. However, the determination of the local proton concentration under operating conditions remains challenging.

Dosimetric verification of point doses for I-125 implants designed by different manufacturers in prostate brachytherapy.

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the type of I-125 radioactive source on dose distribution in the planning process of ultra-low dose rate (uLDR) prostate brachytherapy.

Material And Methods: 7 patients who had undergone brachytherapy in our center were included in the study. Dose in five geometrical points were analyzed for 12 types of implants that are available on the market.

NiMo-C Coatings Synthesized by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering for Application as a Catalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in an Acidic Environment.

This study examines the structure and properties of NiMo-C coatings synthesized via reactive magnetron sputtering of a NiMo alloy target in an argon/acetylene atmosphere. The coating structure evolves with carbon content from nanocrystalline, through amorphous to quasi-amorphous with a nanocolumnar structure. The nanostructure consists of metallic columns perpendicular to the substrate surrounded by an amorphous carbon shell.