bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated levels of serum lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein(a) phenotype are not related to pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Leerink Casper B. , de Vries Cynthia V. S. , Van der Klis Fiona R. M. 
Published: March 2008

background. Pre‐eclampsia might result from a less effective invasion of trophoblast cells in the myometrium, caused by attenuated immunosuppression in the spiral arteries, resulting from inhibition of plasmin‐mediated activation of transforming growth factor‐β‐like substances. In vitro evidence indicates that lipoprotein(a) is capable of inhibiting plasmin‐mediated activation of transforming growth factor‐β. Thus, high plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) might result in increased incidence of preeclampsia.Methods. The patient group consisted of 39 patients with a history of pre‐eclampsia in a previous pregnancy: Forty‐seven women without pre‐eclampsia in their history and matched for age were the control group. All participants gave their informed consent. In both the patient and control group blood pressure, CRP, urinalysis, cholesterol, HDL‐cholesteroI, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a) level and apolipoprotein(a) phenotype were determined.Results. None of the participants had elevated CRP levels, excluding acute phase related elevations of lipoprotein(a). Proteinuria was present in 33% of patients and in 11% of controls (p=0.01). However, no relation was observed between proteinuria and Lp(a) level. Median Lipoprotein(a) levels in both groups were equal (300 mg/1 vs. 275 mg/1; p=0.48), as well as the apo(a) phenotype distribution in both groups.Conclusions. Lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein(a) phenotype do not contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia.
Maternal mortality in rural Zambia
Authors: Vork Fred C. , Kyanamina Simasiku , van Roosmalen Jos 
Published: March 2008

Objective. To assess maternal mortality.Design. Sisterhood method survey and hospital data.Setting. Communities in Kalabo District, a very remote rural area in western Zambia; Kalabo District Hospital.Results. The number of respondents in the sisterhood method survey was 1,978. The estimated maternal mortality ratio derived from this survey was 1,238 per 100,000 live births. The hospital study involved 2,474 deliveries of 2,374 live babies. The official number of maternal deaths was 13. Further investigation of files revealed an additional 15 maternal deaths, bringing the institutional maternal mortality rate from 548 to 1,179 per 100,000 live births. The major causes of direct maternal deaths were obstructed labor and sepsis. In 71% of all cases substandard care factors contributed.Conclusions. Maternal mortality in rural Zambia is among the highest as reported in the world. Official hospital data tend to underestimate maternal mortality in the community due to underreporting. The sisterhood method survey is an efficient indirect method to assess maternal mortality in rural areas of developing countries.
Evidence that women with a history of cesarean section can deliver twins safely
Authors: Odeh Marwan , Tarazova Lidiya , Wolfson Margareth , Oettinger Moshe 
Published: March 2008

Objective. To determine whether a trial of labor is safe in twin pregnancies after one previous cesarean section.Study design. Retrospective analysis of all cases of multiple pregnancies after cesarean section during the years 1970‐1993, including twin gestations after one cesarean section.Results. Forty‐six cases of multiple gestations were found, 36 of which were eligible for the study presented herein. Fifteen women (41.7%) were denied trial of labor. Twenty‐one women (58.3%) were allowed trial of labor, 17 (80.9%) of whom were delivered vaginally and four (19.1%) by a repeated cesarean section. The group of trial of labor was compared to the group of elective cesarean section. Hospitalization period was 4.4±1.9 days and 8.0±2.6 days in the trial of labor group and elective cesarean section group, respectively (p<0.01). Blood transfusions required were 9.5% and 26.6% in both groups, respectively (NS). Puerperial infections were 9.5% in the trial of labor group, compared to 46.6% in the elective cesarean section group (NS). No scar dehiscence occurred in either groups. There were no statistically significant differences in age, parity, gestational age at delivery, mean newborn weight, Apgar score at one and five minutes, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission and mean Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay.Conclusions. Vaginal delivery in twin gestation after one previous cesarean section may be considered in appropriate cases. A large multicentral randomized prospective study may further confirm this conclusion.
How effectively do copper intrauterine devices prevent ectopic pregnancy?
Authors: Skjeldestad Finn Egil 
Published: March 2008

Objective. To assess the risk of ectopic pregnancy when using copper intrauterine devices relative to non‐use of coniraception and female sterilization.Design. Case‐control study.Material and methods. All cases diagnosed with a histologically verified extrauterine pregnancy and who became spontaneously pregnant in one Norwegian county from January 1, 1987 through to December 31, 1990 were eligible. Non‐pregnant control women were chosen at random from the Norwegian Population Registry. Eligible for study were sexually active women, from 20 to 39 years of age, and who defined themselves as fecund. Included in the final analyses were 168 cases and 1,169 controls, who had all been previously pregnant. Statistical methods. Chi square test and unconditional logistic regression.Results. Compared with non‐users of contraception, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) among current users of copper intrauterine devices was 0.09 (95% confidence intervals (CI); 0.06 0.13). Compared with women who were sterilized, the aOR of having an ectopic pregnancy among current copper IUD users was 1.6 (95% CI; 0.7‐3.5).Conclusion. Relative to non‐users of contraception, current copper IUD users had a 91% (95% CI; 87‐94%) protection against ectopic pregnancy, while compared with women who had had a tubal sterilization, current copper IUD users had a 60% non‐significant increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Age‐period‐cohort analysis of cervical cancer mortality in Taiwan, 1974‐1992
Authors: Wang Pair Dong , Lin Ruey S. 
Published: March 2008

Objectives. To develop a hypothesis about the carcinogenesis of cervical cancer from a descriptive analysis.Methods. The mortality data of cervical cancer were analyzed over the period from 1974 to 1992 among Taiwanese women using a log‐linear Poisson model modified from the method of Osmond and Gardner to examine the effects of age, calendar period of death, and birth cohort on cervical cancer mortality.Results. This age‐period‐cohort model provides a summary guide for interpretation of cancer mortality trends. According to this model, age was found to be the strongest factor predicting cervical cancer mortality. Women in 50‐54 age group have 89.3‐fold risk of cervical cancer compared to those in the 30‐34 age group. The cohort effect is also of particular interest because the generation at greatest risk for cervical cancer is the one born between 1893 and 1938, and a dramatically declining trend is observed thereafter for 1938‐1963 birth cohort. Interest has emerged about the increasing trend in recent cohorts (after 1963 birth cohort). However calendar time only has a slight effect in the APC analysis. The model also identified a possible role of female sex hormones as the age effect, promiscuous sexual activity as the period effect (promoter) and the change in reproductive behavior as the cohort effect (initiator).Conclusions. These results may help to develop a hypothesis of carcinogenesis of cervical cancer in Taiwan.
A Dynamical Systems View of Psychiatric Disorders—Practical Implications
Authors: Scheffer Marten , Bockting Claudi L. , Borsboom Denny , Cools Roshan , Delecroix Clara , Hartmann Jessica A. , Kendler Kenneth S. , van de Leemput Ingrid , van der Maas Han L. J. , van Nes Egbert , Mattson Mark , McGorry Pat D. , Nelson Barnaby 
Published: April 2024

ImportanceDynamical systems theory is widely used to explain tipping points, cycles, and chaos in complex systems ranging from the climate to ecosystems. It has been suggested that the same theory may be used to explain the nature and dynamics of psychiatric disorders, which may come and go with symptoms changing over a lifetime. Here we review evidence for the practical applicability of this theory and its quantitative tools in psychiatry.ObservationsEmerging results suggest that time series of mood and behavior may be used to monitor the resilience of patients using the same generic dynamical indicators that are now employed globally to monitor the risks of collapse of complex systems, such as tropical rainforest and tipping elements of the climate system. Other dynamical systems tools used in ecology and climate science open ways to infer personalized webs of causality for patients that may be used to identify targets for intervention. Meanwhile, experiences in ecological restoration help make sense of the occasional long-term success of short interventions.Conclusions and RelevanceThose observations, while promising, evoke follow-up questions on how best to collect dynamic data, infer informative timescales, construct mechanistic models, and measure the effect of interventions on resilience. Done well, monitoring resilience to inform well-timed interventions may be integrated into approaches that give patients an active role in the lifelong challenge of managing their resilience and knowing when to seek professional help.
Disparities in Mentorship and Implications for US Surgical Resident Education and Wellness
Authors: Silver Casey M. , Yuce Tarik K. , Clarke Callisia N. , Schlick Cary Jo R. , Khorfan Rhami , Amortegui Daniela , Nussbaum Michael , Turner Patricia L. , Bilimoria Karl Y. , Hu Yue-Yung 
Published: April 2024

ImportanceMany surgeons cite mentorship as a critical component of training. However, little evidence exists regarding factors associated with mentorship and the influence of mentorship on trainee education or wellness.ObjectivesTo evaluate factors associated with surgical trainees’ perceptions of meaningful mentorship, assess associations of mentorship with resident education and wellness, and evaluate programmatic variation in mentorship.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA voluntary, anonymous survey was administered to clinically active residents in all accredited US general surgery residency programs following the 2019 American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination. Data were analyzed from July 2019 to July 2022.ExposureResidents were asked, “Do you have a mentor who genuinely cares about you and your career?”Main Outcomes and MeasuresResident characteristics associated with report of meaningful mentorship were evaluated with multivariable logistic regression. Associations of mentorship with education (clinical and operative autonomy) and wellness (career satisfaction, burnout, thoughts of attrition, suicidality) were examined using cluster-adjusted multivariable logistic regression controlling for resident and program factors. Residents’ race and ethnicity were self-identified using US census categories (American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White), which were combined and dichotomized as non-Hispanic White vs non-White or Hispanic.ResultsA total of 6956 residents from 301 programs completed the survey (85.6% response rate); 6373 responded to all relevant questions (2572 [40.3%] female; 2539 [39.8%] non-White or Hispanic). Of these, 4256 (66.8%) reported meaningful mentorship. Non-White or Hispanic residents were less likely than non-Hispanic White residents to report meaningful mentorship (odds ratio [OR], 0.81, 95% CI, 0.71-0.91). Senior residents (postgraduate year 4/5) were more likely to report meaningful mentorship than interns (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 2.59-3.62). Residents with meaningful mentorship were more likely to endorse operative autonomy (OR, 3.87; 95% CI, 3.35-4.46) and less likely to report burnout (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.46-0.58), thoughts of attrition (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.36-0.50), and suicidality (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.37-0.60) compared with residents without meaningful mentorship.Conclusions and RelevanceOne-third of trainees reported lack of meaningful mentorship, particularly non-White or Hispanic trainees. Although education and wellness are multifactorial issues, mentorship was associated with improvement; thus, efforts to facilitate mentorship are needed, especially for minoritized residents.
Reasoning versus prior beliefs: The case of COVID‐19 fake news
Authors: Čavojová Vladimíra , Lorko Matej , Šrol Jakub 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe conduct a survey on a large representative sample of Slovak population to examine the role of analytic thinking, scientific reasoning, conspiracy mentality, and conspiracy beliefs in trust in COVID‐19 fake news and willingness to share it. We find that the ability to distinguish between fake and real news about COVID‐19 is significantly negatively correlated with conspiracy mentality and with beliefs in pandemic‐related conspiracy theories. Analytic thinking is not a significant predictor. Although fake news is generally less likely to be trusted and shared than real news, when fake news is consistent with preexisting opinions, people are more willing to share it compared with belief‐consistent real news. We also find that people are mostly overconfident in their ability to distinguish between fake and real news, and we identify a subpopulation of people that refuse to get vaccinated who trust fake COVID‐19 news significantly more than real news. Thus, consistency with one's beliefs is the best indicator of trust in fake news and willingness to share such news.
The Explicit Multi‐Electron Catalytic Mechanism of Heteropolyvanadotungstate Dominating Ultra‐Durable Room‐Temperature Na‐S Batteries
Authors: Zhang Jia‐Yuan , Zhang Xi‐Yue , Wang Jie , Feng Yi , Fan Lin‐Lin , Cao Yun‐Dong , Liu Hong , Lv Cai‐Li , Gao Guang‐Gang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe room‐temperature sodium‐sulfur (RT Na‐S) batteries have been seriously hindered in their practical application due to the sluggish redox kinetics and incomplete conversion of polysulfides. In this study, a structure‐determined Keggin‐type heteropolyvanadotungstate of H5PW10V2O40·30H2O (PW10V2) is engineered and reveal its catalytic mechanism in RT Na‐S system. With the assistance of precise V sites and highly reversible multi‐electron redox properties, PW10V2 as a bidirectional molecular catalyst expedites the complete conversions between polysulfides and the insoluble sodium sulfide, while undergoing the reversible transformation between its reduced and oxidized states. Furthermore, PW10V2 with multicenter active sites can capture polysulfides efficiently. Consequently, the cell with the constructed PW10V2‐based modified separator achieves the perdurable cyclability up to 4000 loops even at 10 C toward an exceptionally low capacity decay rate of 0.012% per cycle, far surpassing those of current state‐of‐the‐art RT Na‐S batteries that employ the functional materials based on separator. This work first demonstrates the underlying electrochemical reaction processes of polyoxometalate‐based functional materials, which guides solving the challenging issues related to sodium polysulfides in RT Na‐S batteries.
Dendrite‐Free Zinc Anode via Oriented Plating with Alkaline Earth Metal Ion Additives
Authors: Cao Jin , Wu Junxiu , Wu Haiyang , Jin Yan , Luo Ding , Yang Xuelin , Zhang Lulu , Zhang Dongdong , Qin Jiaqian , Lu Jun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe cost‐effectiveness and environmentally friendly nature of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have garnered significant attention. Nevertheless, obstacles such as dendrite growth and side reactions have hindered their practical application. Here, an alkaline earth metal ion, strontium ions (Sr2+), is chosen as a dual‐functional electrolyte additive to improve the reversibility of ZIBs. Importantly, Sr2+ ions adsorb on the anode surface, creating a dynamic electrostatic shield layer, thus regulating the Zn2+ deposition behavior and suppressing side reactions. Meanwhile, Sr2+ ions prefer to adsorb on (002) and (110) planes of Zn, thus inducing the preferential deposition of (100) crystal plane and achieving dendrite‐free zinc anode. Consequently, the assembled Zn||Zn symmetric battery delivers an ultralong lifespan of 3500 h, and the Zn||Ti asymmetric battery shows a superior Coulombic efficiency of 99.8% for Zn stripping/plating at 2 mA cm−2. Further, the Zn||NH4V4O10 battery presents an excellent retention of 97.7% over 800 cycles under 2 A g−1. This research introduces a novel alkaline earth metal ion electrolyte additive and establishes its persistent dynamic electrostatic shielding effect and preferentially oriented (100) plane plating, ensuring dendrite‐free zinc deposition. These findings chart a course for further exploration of unexplored alkaline earth elements in enhancing metal battery technologies.
Precisely Self‐Cooperative Nanoassembly Enables Photothermal/Ferroptosis Synergistic Tumor Eradication
Authors: Yang Xiaohong , Feng Chengcheng , Wang Pengfei , Xie Shishi , Wang Yuequan , Zhang Haotian , He Zhonggui , Zhang Shenwu , Luo Cong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFerroptosis is identified as a potential target for anticancer therapy. However, most conventional ferroptosis inducers not only fail to trigger intracellular lipid peroxidation storm, but are also prone to cause ferroptosis‐related toxicity through off‐target destruction of intracellular antioxidant defense systems. Therefore, a potent and highly tumor‐specific ferroptosis induction modality is desired. Herein, a self‐cooperative nanomedicine for imaging‐guided photothermal ferrotherapy, which is fabricated based on molecular nanoassembly (NA) of DiR (a photothermal probe) and ferrocene (Fc, a reactant of the Fenton reaction), is elaborately exploited. DiR‐elicited hyperthermia induces both photothermal therapy (PTT) and a significant acceleration of the kinetics of the Fc‐involved Fenton reaction, collaboratively causing a lipid peroxidation storm in tumor cells. In turn, plenty of lipid peroxides boost PTT through the downregulation of heat shock protein 90. As expected, such a self‐cooperative NA demonstrates synergetic tumor eradication in the 4T1 breast tumor‐bearing mice xenograft model. This study offers a novel nanotherapeutic paradigm for precise multimodal cancer therapy.
A Gelatin/Alginate Double Network Hydrogel Nerve Guidance Conduit Fabricated by a Chemical‐Free Gamma Radiation for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Park Junggeon , Choe Goeun , Jeong Sung‐In , Kim Hyung‐Seok , Lee Jae Young 
Published: April 2024

AbstractNerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are widely developed using various materials for the functional repair of injured or diseased peripheral nerves. Especially, hydrogels are considered highly suitable for the fabrication of NGCs due to their beneficial tissue‐mimicking characteristics (e.g., high water content, softness, and porosity). However, the practical applications of hydrogel‐based NGCs are hindered due to their poor mechanical properties and complicated fabrication processes. To bridge this gap, a novel double‐network (DN) hydrogel using alginate and gelatin by a two‐step crosslinking process involving chemical‐free gamma irradiation and ionic crosslinking, is developed. DN hydrogels (1% alginate and 15% gelatin), crosslinked with 30 kGy gamma irradiation and barium ions, exhibit substantially improved mechanical properties, including tensile strength, elastic modulus, and fracture stain, compared to single network (SN) gelatin hydrogels. Additionally, the DN hydrogel NGC exhibits excellent kink resistance, mechanical stability to successive compression, suture retention, and enzymatic degradability. In vivo studies with a sciatic defect rat model indicate substantially improved nerve function recovery with the DN hydrogel NGC compared to SN gelatin and commercial silicone NGCs, as confirm footprint analysis, electromyography, and muscle weight measurement. Histological examination reveals that, in the DN NGC group, the expression of Schwann cell and neuronal markers, myelin sheath, and exon diameter are superior to the other controls. Furthermore, the DN NGC group demonstrates increased muscle fiber formation and reduced fibrotic scarring. These findings suggest that the mechanically robust, degradable, and biocompatible DN hydrogel NGC can serve as a novel platform for peripheral nerve regeneration and other biomedical applications, such as implantable tissue constructs.
Antibody‐Conjugated Nanogel with Two Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Chae Yun Jin , Lee Kang‐Gon , Oh Doogie , Lee Su‐Kyoung , Park Yongdoo , Kim Jongseong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCancer immunotherapy by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) acts on antitumor responses by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells. However, this powerful therapy is hampered by its high treatment cost and limited efficacy. Here, it is shown that the development of an antibody‐conjugated nanogel (ANGel), consisting of N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid and antibody‐binding protein (protein A), potentiates the efficacy of two ICI monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (cytotoxic‐T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 and programmed death ligand‐1 mAbs). Compared with mAb treatment alone, treatment with a bispecific ANGel surface‐conjugated with the mAbs significantly decreases both the survival of Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF‐7) and M D Anderson‐Metastatic Breast‐231 (MDA‐MB‐231) breast cancer cells in vitro and the burden of 4T1‐luciferase‐2‐derived orthotopic syngeneic tumors in vivo. The bispecific ANGel is also more potent than the conventional treatment at prolonging survival in animals with triple‐negative breast cancer. The advantage of the bispecific ANGel over other engineered bispecific antibodies arises not only from the adaptability to link multiple antibodies quickly and easily, but also from the capability to maintain the anticancer effect steadily at subcutaneously delivered tumor site. This finding has an important implication for cancer immunotherapy, opening a new paradigm to treat solid tumors.
Efficient Delivery of Lomitapide using Hybrid Membrane‐Coated Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructures for Glioblastoma Therapy
Authors: Song Mingming , Tian Jiameng , Wang Li , Dong Shuqi , Fu Kun , Chen Siyu , Liu Chang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and prevalent primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Traditional chemotherapy has poor therapeutic effects and significant side effects due to drug resistance, the natural blood‐brain barrier (BBB), and nonspecific distribution, leading to a lack of clinically effective therapeutic drugs. Here, 1430 small molecule compounds are screened based on a high‐throughput drug screening platform and a novel anti‐GBM drug, lomitapide (LMP) is obtained. Furthermore, a bionic nanodrug delivery system (RFA NPs) actively targeting GBM is constructed, which mainly consists of tetrahedral DNA nanocages (tFNA NPs) loaded with LMP as the core and a folate‐modified erythrocyte–cancer cell–macrophage hybrid membrane (FRUR) as the shell. FRUR camouflage conferred unique features on tFNA NPs, including excellent biocompatibility, improved pharmacokinetic profile, efficient BBB permeability, and tumor targeting ability. The results show that the LMP RFA NPs exhibited superior and specific anti‐GBM activities, reduced off‐target drug delivery, prolonged lifespan, and has negligible side effects in tumor‐bearing mice. This study combines high‐throughput drug screening with biomimetic nanodrug delivery system technology to provide a theoretical and practical basis for drug development and the optimization of clinical treatment strategies for GBM treatment.