Browse Articles

Evaluation of MRI-based synthetic CT for lumbar degenerative disease: a comparison with CT

Use of antiviral medications during pregnancy and the likelihood of preeclampsia in a population-based register study

Abstract Viral infections and reactivations have been linked to several pregnancy complications. Antiviral medications are often prescribed as a prophylactic measure to prevent infant infection. This study examines associations between antiviral medication use during pregnancy and preeclampsia, thereby exploring links between viruses and such pregnancy complication. We analyzed data from 618,814 first-time mothers in Sweden (2007–2019) using four national registers. Of these 27,135 (4.4%) developed preeclampsia and 18,004 (2.9%) filled an antiviral medication prescription. Adjusted logistic regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to evaluate associations between use of antiviral medication and preeclampsia. Antiviral medication use was associated with a reduced likelihood of preeclampsia (aOR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81–0.96). Particularly, antiviral medication use was associated with a reduced likelihood of developing preeclampsia with delivery before 34 weeks gestation (aOR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.48–0.92) and preeclampsia with a small for gestational age infant (aOR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.57–0.96). Timing of antiviral prescription filling was also investigated. Antiviral medication use in the third trimester was associated with a reduced likelihood of preeclampsia (aOR 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67–0.90), but not when used during the first two trimesters. Our study suggests that viral infections or reactivation might play a role in the etiology of preeclampsia, highlighting the need to further explore viral infections’ role in preeclampsia development.

Open pilot study of a guided digital self-help intervention targeting sleep and the biological clock in university students using a pre-test post-test design

Abstract Insomnia is common among university students and is associated with mental health problems. Students often have irregular day/night rhythms, which contribute to circadian rhythm disruptions. This open pilot study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a 5-week digital guided self-help intervention in university students with self-reported insomnia. The intervention is based on cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia with specific emphasis on the biological clock (‘i-Sleep & BioClock’). We assessed feasibility and acceptability. Pre- to post-intervention (7-week) changes in insomnia, depression, anxiety, chronotype, and quality of life were evaluated. Of 101 included students, 81 accessed the platform, 41 initiated the intervention, and 13 completed the intervention. Post-test response was 39%. Students rated the intervention with good acceptability and the platform with excellent usability. Study completers (n = 39) showed large improvements in insomnia severity (p < 0.001, d = 1.04), and moderate improvements in depression (p < 0.001, d = 0.63), anxiety (p < 0.001, d = 0.35), and functioning (p < 0.001, d = 0.56). No significant changes were found in quality of life (p = 0.07, d = 0.19). To summarize, the intervention had low uptake but moderate adherence and fairly good acceptability along with important improvements in sleep, mental health, and functioning. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05363995.

Optimization and performance of expanded polystyrene concrete for sustainable infill wall construction using response surface methodology

Burden and risk factors of premature drowning mortality in 204 countries and territories, 1980–2021

Optimization of MXene-based aqueous ionic liquids for solar systems using conventional and AI-based techniques

Developing a new protocol for monitoring vegetation in limestone pavement

Abstract Limestone pavements are a rocky habitat formed of slabs of rock with crevices (grikes) between them where a rich community of plants can grow. The habitat is important for conservation but there is currently a lack of evidence to support their management and conservation. Putting monitoring in place when management changes are made will help to build an evidence base to support decision making in conservation but it can be challenging to monitor vegetation in limestone pavements. Here I present a monitoring protocol suitable for use by conservation practitioners and others working in limestone pavements. Following discussion with practitioners, 24 pavements were selected to represent the variety of pavements in Great Britain. Transect surveys were conducted to identify the optimal length of grike for survey. Based on existing practice in other habitats, a suitable approach to when management changes are being made would be to use a before-after-control-impact design. Within each 2500 m2 plot twenty 10 m transects, randomly placed in grikes, should provide sufficient coverage for repeat monitoring. Species should be identified to a species level wherever possible and cover estimated. The results of the analysis support the view that the new method is a reliable approach.

Evolutionarily divergent Mycobacterium tuberculosis CTP synthase filaments are under selective pressure

Budesonide-incorporated inhalable lipid nanoparticles for antiTSLP nanobody mRNA delivery to treat steroid-resistant asthma

Barriers of continuous positive airway pressure machine purchasing in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea

Comparative study of the effects of different iron sources on bioavailability and gastrointestinal tolerability in iron-deficient rats

Research on a noise-suppression super-resolution enhancement module for positron flow field images based on convolution and SwinTransformer structures

Advancements in noise reduction for wheel speed sensing using enhanced LSTM models

Analysis of thermal wave scattering and temperature distribution in sub-surface, defects of gradient construction materials

A molecular specimen bank for contemporary and future study captures landscape-scale biodiversity baselines before Klamath River dam removal

Nitrogen-doped carbon-based phenolic resin loaded with Pd NPs for hydrodechlorination of 4-Chlorophenol

Evaluating energy efficiency in Turkish electric distribution using network DEA and GA models

In vitro morphological profiling of T cells predicts clinical response to natalizumab therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis

Distinct genes and microbial communities involved in nitrogen cycling between monsoon- and westerlies-dominated Tibetan glaciers

Enhancing Waste Plastic Hydrogenolysis on Ru/CeO ₂ Through Concurrent Incorporation of Fe Single Atoms and FeO _x Nanoclusters

Abstract Ru‐based catalysts have exhibited significant promise in converting waste plastics into valuable long‐carbon chain products. However, their efficiency is hindered by the uncontrollable cascade hydrogenation, which stems from their exceptional reactivity for C─C cleavage. Herein, we reported a multi‐scale regulation strategy by selectively anchoring Fe single atoms (SAs) and FeO x nanoclusters (NCs) by Ru NCs‐decorated CeO 2 substrates. This catalyst demonstrates an extraordinary performance, achieving nearly 100% low density polyethylene (LDPE) conversion under the conditions of 250 °C and 2 MPa hydrogen after 1 h, along with remarkably‐improved liquid product selectivity of 86.4% compared to that of bare Ru/CeO 2 (59.8%). Through a variety of spectroscopic studies, we revealed the unique interactions between FeO x NCs and Ru NCs, which leads to an increased Ru° content. More significantly, we also confirmed the crucial role of Fe SAs in adsorbing active hydrogen species, thereby increasing the hydrogen coverage. Such precise regulations towards both the intrinsic surface state of Ru and its adjacent chemical environment successfully inhibited the cascade hydrogenation, ultimately resulting in a significant enhancement in the selectivity of liquid products.