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Photochem Photobiol 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

School of Materials Science and Innovation, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.

Combating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the greatest challenges in cancer therapy. This is primarily due to the difficulties in developing drug delivery systems that can effectively target cancer sites. In this study, we demonstrated a proof-of-principle concept using modified surfaces of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles linked with a riboflavin analogue (PLGA-CSRf) to obtain a dual functional material. Read More

Reprod Health 2021 Jun 9;18(1):115. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Project for Improving Continuum of Care with focus on Intrapartum and Neonatal Care in Cambodia, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Building 61-64, Preah Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Background: Delivery is a critical moment for pregnant women and babies, and careful monitoring is essential throughout the delivery process. The partograph is a useful tool for monitoring and assessing labour progress as well as maternal and foetal conditions; however, it is often used inaccurately or inappropriately. A gap between practices and evidence-based guidelines has been reported in Cambodia, perhaps due to a lack of evidence-based knowledge in maternity care. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2021 Jun 4. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Ministry-of-Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China. Electronic address:

To enhance drug utilization and reduce their side effects, the strategy of "tumor-triggered targeting" was introduced to fabricate dual-pH-sensitive chitosan (CHI)/mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based anticancer drug delivery system (DDS) in this work. Model drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) was loaded in MSN, which was modified with benzimidazole (Bz) group. Then chitosan-graft-β-cyclodextrin (CHI-g-CD) was applied as the "gatekeeper" to cover MSN through host-guest interaction between β-CD and Bz. Read More

Pediatr Infect Dis J 2021 Jul;40(7):669-673

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, and.

Objectives: One of the most common indications for intrapartum cesarean delivery (CD) is nonreassuring fetal heart rate (NRFHR) patterns. We aimed to study the long-term effect of CD due to NRFHR on the risk for subsequent childhood infectious morbidity-related hospitalizations of the offspring.

Study Design: A population-based cohort study was performed, comparing total and different subtypes of infectious morbidity-related pediatric hospitalizations among offspring born by CD due to NRFHR versus labor dystocia (failure of labor to progress during the 1st or 2nd stage). Read More

Cureus 2021 Jun 1;13(6):e15364. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Biophysics Laboratory, Stefan S Nicolau Institute of Virology, Bucharest, ROU.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most encountered viral etiologies of genital infections that are transmitted through the sexual route in sexually active females. In the genital area, condylomata acuminate warts and the Buschke-Loewenstein tumor (giant condyloma acuminatum) are described. These lesions are associated with benign HPV6 and HPV 11 types. Read More

Anesth Essays Res 2020 Jul-Sep;14(3):390-394. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Department of Anesthesiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

Introduction: Parturient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) is an established method of providing safe and effective labor analgesia.

Objective: The aim of this single-blind, randomized controlled trial was to compare the efficacy of PCEA with or without basal infusion (BI) of ropivacaine and fentanyl for the effective management of labor pain associated with normal vaginal delivery.

Materials And Methods: A total of 78 nulliparous parturients with vertex presentation at term and with cervical dilatation of 3-5 cm demanding for epidural analgesia (EA) were enrolled in the study. Read More

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2021 Jun 5. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Background: Induction of labour (IOL) in low-risk nulliparas at 39 weeks reduces caesarean delivery. Multiparas with ripe cervixes typically have vaginal delivery within eight hours. Delivery at night and weekend are associated with higher maternal and neonatal mortality. Read More

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl 2021 Jul 28;126:112132. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

The Key Laboratory of Life-Organic Analysis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, PR China.

The emerging starvation therapy holds great promise in cancer treatment, however, its therapeutic effect is heavily reduced by intracellular hypoxia and high glutathione (GSH) conditions. To overcome these limitations, a new concept of starvation therapy pattern that employs biodegradable carriers with special selectivity and exhibits excellent anti-migration and therapy effect without using any invasive chemotherapy drugs was developed. A facile biomineralization method is first chosen to synthesize human serum albumin and folic acid modified MnO to guarantee active targeting, long-term stability and responsive degradation in tumor microenvironment. Read More

Afr J Reprod Health 2020 Dec;24(4):138-146

Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Fort Hare, South Africa.

Teenage pregnancy has become a common global public health issue, associated with increased risk of obstetric complications and adverse neonatal outcomes. Teenagers are more prone to obstetric complications compared to older women. This study examined the maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes among teenagers, and compared them with older pregnant women. Read More

Afr J Reprod Health 2020 Dec;24(4):69-81

Jhpiego Nigeria, Plot 971 Reuben Okoya Crescent, Wuye, Abuja.

Maternal Child Survival Program (MCSP) worked in Ebonyi and Kogi States between 2014 to 2018 to improve quality of maternal, child and newborn health care. A formative assessment was conducted in selected health facilities to examine the quality of care received by mothers and their newborns at all stages of normal birth on the day of birth. Health providers attending deliveries at 13 facilities in the two states were observed by trained health professionals. Read More

Molecules 2021 May 26;26(11). Epub 2021 May 26.

Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.

CBD is a promising candidate for treatment of many diseases and plays a major role in the growing trend to produce high-end drugs from natural, renewable resources. In the present work, we demonstrate a way to incorporate the anti-inflammatory drug CBD into smart microgel particles. The copolymer microgels that we chose as carrier systems exhibit a volume phase transition temperature of 39 ∘C, which is just above normal body temperature and makes them ideal candidates for hyperthermia treatment. Read More

J Clin Med 2021 May 10;10(9). Epub 2021 May 10.

Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05030, Korea.

The objective of this study was to determine the value of uterocervical angle (UCA) in predicting successful induction of labor (IOL) in singleton pregnant women compared to the Bishop score and cervical length (CL). A total of 205 normal term, singleton labor-induction cases were analyzed. Successful IOL was defined as the onset of active labor of induction. Read More

Pharmaceutics 2021 May 21;13(6). Epub 2021 May 21.

Laboratories of Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK.

In the context of glucocorticoid (GC) therapeutics, recent studies have utilised a subcutaneous hydrocortisone (HC) infusion pump programmed to deliver multiple HC pulses throughout the day, with the purpose of restoring normal circadian and ultradian GC rhythmicity. A key challenge for the advancement of novel HC replacement therapies is the calibration of infusion pumps against cortisol levels measured in blood. However, repeated blood sampling sessions are enormously labour-intensive for both examiners and examinees. Read More

JBJS Essent Surg Tech 2020 Oct-Dec;10(4). Epub 2020 Dec 24.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and perioperative antibiotics are commonly administered to try to mitigate the chance of infection. Intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of prophylactic antibiotics during TKA is a method of antibiotic delivery that has been shown to achieve markedly higher tissue concentrations at much lower doses. Other advantages include ease of administration, ability to time the antibiotic delivery with the surgical start time for maximal effectiveness, and less systemic side effects. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2021 Jul 17;22(1):771. Epub 2021 May 17.

Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, 'George Emil Palade' University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, 540142 Targu-Mures, Romania.

Pregnancy, labor and childbirth are accompanied by excessive oxidative aggression. The excessive formation of free radicals [reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), chlorine reactive species (CRS)] causes cellular oxidative damage, which can be scavenged by enzymatic or non-enzymatic antioxidants in normal healthy pregnancy, physiological labor and delivery without any complications. An imbalance between the pro-oxidant and antioxidant factors may lead to oxidative stress, which contributes to the development of many diseases. Read More

Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2021 May 28. Epub 2021 May 28.

Cedars-Sinai Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic prompted the need for rapid, flexible change in the delivery of care, education, and commitment to the well-being of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residents.

Recent Findings: Published literature shows multiple models for surge scheduling for residency programs in other specialties. We describe our experience creating a surge schedule for OB/GYN residents that allowed for sufficient coverage of inpatient care while minimizing resident exposure and limited hospital resources, respecting work hour requirements, and plans for coverage due to illness or need for home quarantine. Read More

Ultrasound Med Biol 2021 May 26. Epub 2021 May 26.

Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Ultrasound elastography is a modern imaging technique that has developed rapidly in recent years. It enables objective measurement of tissue stiffness, a physical property intuitive to the human sense of touch. This novel technology has become a hotspot and plays a major role in scientific research and academic practice. Read More

Anal Chim Acta 2021 Jul 30;1167:338593. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Institute of Molecular Plus, Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery & High-Efficiency, School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300072, PR China. Electronic address:

Increased expression of glucose transporters, especially GLUT1 has been proven to be involved in the Warburg effect. Therefore, GLUT1-targeted oncological approaches are being successfully employed for clinical tumor diagnostic imaging (e.g. Read More

JMIR Med Inform 2021 May 27;9(5):e17056. Epub 2021 May 27.

Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Background: After determining the key childbirth monitoring items from experts, we designed an algorithm (LaD) to represent the experts' suggestions and validated it. In this paper we describe an abridged algorithm for labor and delivery management and use theoretical case to compare its performance with human childbirth experts.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the LaD algorithm, its development, and its validation. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2021 6;2021:6652231. Epub 2021 May 6.

Department of Obstetrics, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Homocysteine (Hct) is a substance produced in the metabolism of methionine. It is an essential type of amino acid gained from the daily diet. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation is related to elevated total homocysteine (tHct) expressions, in particular, among women with low folate intake. Read More

Bioorg Chem 2021 May 11;113:104983. Epub 2021 May 11.

China National Institute for Food and Drug Control, Institute of Chemical Drug Control, TianTanXiLi 2, Beijing 100050, China. Electronic address:

Two-photon fluorescent Acenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxaline (ANQ) and the hydrophilic di-(triazole-[12]aneN) moieties were combined through an alkyl chain (ANQ-A-M) or a β-hairpin motif with two aromatic γ-amino acid residues (ANQ-H-M) to explore their capabilities for in vitro and in vivo gene delivery and tracing. ANQ-A-M and ANQ-H-M showed the same maximum absorption at 420 nm, and their fluorescent intensities around 650 nm were varied in different solvents and became poor in the protic solvents. Gel electrophoresis assays indicated that both compounds completely retarded the migration of pDNA at 20 μM in the presence of DOPE. Read More

Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2021 May 6;5(4):e12488. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

Department of Clinical Epidemiology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands.

Background: Patient-relevant health outcomes for persons with hemophilia should be identified and prioritized to optimize and individualize care for persons with hemophilia. Therefore, an international group of persons with hemophilia and multidisciplinary health care providers set out to identify a globally applicable standard set of health outcomes relevant to all individuals with hemophilia.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify possible health outcomes and risk adjustment variables. Read More

Case Rep Womens Health 2021 Jul 1;31:e00320. Epub 2021 May 1.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.

Background: Intrapartum annular cervical tears are a rare pregnancy complication. The mechanisms underpinning these tears remain to be elucidated and currently the optimal management and future pregnancy implications remain unknown.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 35-year-old nulliparous woman who was diagnosed with a partial annular cervical tear following induction of labour. Read More

Int J Obstet Anesth 2021 May 1:103174. Epub 2021 May 1.

Department of Obstetrics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Clinical Science, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Background: Platelets, fibrinogen and factor XIII (FXIII) are required to form a stable clot in case of haemorrhage. The aims of this study were to evaluate a possible association between FXIII activity at the onset of labour and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), and to ascertain whether FXIII activity at labour onset differs from after delivery.

Methods: FXIII activity in 239 women with PPH (blood loss >1 L) and in 76 women without PPH was compared, as was activity before and after delivery in a third group of 80 women. Read More

Anal Chem 2021 Jun 19;93(21):7625-7634. Epub 2021 May 19.

Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.

Nitric oxide (NO)-based cancer therapy has attracted much attention in recent years owing to its broad effects on cancer. Low concentrations of NO stimulate cancer cell progression, while its higher levels induce cell apoptosis, and thus, it has motivated the development of probes for in situ NO release monitoring. In this work, a galactose-modified benzothiadiazole-based fluorescent probe (GalNONP/C) was synthesized as both a NO-responsive nanoprobe and NO prodrug carrier. Read More

J Mater Chem B 2021 May;9(20):4241-4248

Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.

A multifunctional nanoplatform (1), [email protected]@C-TiO2, which consists of a carrier of carbon-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with surface covalent functionalization of manganese carbonyls and a directing group of triphenylphosphine, was prepared for mitochondria-targeted carbon monoxide (CO) delivery combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT). [email protected]@C-TiO2 selectively localized in the mitochondria of HeLa cells where the overexpressed-H2O2 triggered CO release resulting in mitochondrial damage. And singlet oxygen species generated upon 808 nm near infrared light irradiation further destroyed the mitochondria and induced cancer cells apoptosis. Read More

Case Rep Pediatr 2021 3;2021:5550199. Epub 2021 May 3.

Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant, Comer Children's Hospital, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

A Caucasian male infant born full term via normal spontaneous vaginal delivery was given vitamin K after birth, circumcised on day of life (DOL) 1, and discharged from the nursery on DOL 2. At the time of circumcision, oozing from the surgical site was noted and initially resolved with silver nitrate. Over the next two days, he presented to local emergency rooms multiple times for recurrent bleeding, eventually developing hemorrhagic shock resulting in admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Read More

Int J Nanomedicine 2021 10;16:3217-3240. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Neonatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.

Background: GD2 is a mainstream biomarker for neuroblastoma (NB)-targeted therapy. Current anti-GD2 therapeutics exhibit several side effects since GD2 is also expressed at low levels on normal cells. Thus, current anti-GD2 therapeutics can be compromised by the coexistence of the target receptor on both cancer cells and normal cells. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2021 May 17;21(1):378. Epub 2021 May 17.

Students' Research Committee, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Background: Physiological changes during pregnancy put pregnant women at higher risk for COVID-19 complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of 24 COVID-19 pregnant patients and their newborns referred to the Al-Zahra tertiary maternity hospital in Tabriz, Iran.

Methods: Clinical records of 24 COVID-19 confirmed pregnant patients were retrospectively reviewed from10 March 2020 to 15 April 2020. Read More