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Preterm labor, defined as contractions occurring every 5–10 minutes with cervical changes before the 37th week of estimated gestation, is a significant cause of perinatal mortality. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of magnesium sulfate compared to nifedipine in managing preterm labor. The systematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023422419). Manuscripts published up to September 2024 were systematically searched in databases. Dichotomous data were pooled as odds ratios using a random-effects model with the Mantel-Haenszel method, while continuous data were analyzed as mean ± standard deviation values, mean differences, and standardized mean differences using inverse-variance fixed-effects analysis. Fifteen randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included, enrolling a total of 2,186 pregnant women. Nifedipine showed a greater effect compared to a 4-gram IV dose of magnesium sulfate. However, the efficacy of these tocolytics in prolonging pregnancy by 48 hours did not significantly differ between nifedipine and a 6-gram IV dose of magnesium sulfate. Additionally, magnesium sulfate was associated with more adverse drug reactions. The moderate certainty of evidence found here requires confirmation in large, adequately powered RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages play critical roles in inflammation and defense against pathogens, as well as in the return to tissue homeostasis. Macrophage subpopulations displaying antagonistic phenotypes are generally classified as proinflammatory M1, implicated in antipathogen and antitumoral activities, or as anti-inflammatory M2, associated with tissue repair. Granulocytic and monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells recruited from the bone marrow to tissues and phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils can attenuate macrophage microbicidal activity. Here, we showed that bone marrow neutrophils, but not thioglycollate-recruited neutrophils, directly suppress the responses of macrophages that were previously committed to an inflammatory phenotype. Cocultures of inflammatory macrophages with bone marrow CD11[b.sup.+]Ly6[G.sup.hi] granulocytes led to reduced release of IL-1[beta],TNF-[alpha], and IL-6 by macrophages after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The suppressive activity was unrelated to granulocyte apoptosis or to secreted factors and required cell-to-cell contact. The suppressive effect was paralleled by reduction in the nuclear levels of the NF-[kappa]B p65 subunit, but not of the p50 subunit. Furthermore, bone marrow granulocytes decreased the phagocytic activity of macrophages and their capacity to kill intracellular Escherichia coli. Taken together, these results show that bone marrow granulocytes can function as suppressors of the proinflammatory activity and microbial-killing responses of macrophages. Keywords: neutrophil, macrophage, IL-1[beta], TNF, inflammation, suppression Les macrophages jouent des rôles essentiels dans l'inflammation et la défense contre les agents pathogènes, ainsi que dans le retour à l'homéostasie tissulaire. Les sous-populations de macrophages présentant des phénotypes antagonistes sont généralement classées comme pro-inflammatoires M1, impliquées dans les activités anti-pathogènes et antitumorales, ou comme antiinflammatoires M2, associées à la réparation des tissus. Les cellules myéloïdes suppressives granulocytaires et monocytaires, recrutées dans les tissus à partir de la moelle osseuse, et la phagocytose des neutrophiles apoptotiques peuvent atténuer l'activité microbicide des macrophages. Les auteurs montrent ici que les neutrophiles de la moelle osseuse, contrairement aux neutrophiles mobilisés par le thioglycolate, suppriment directement les réponses des macrophages qui étaient auparavant engagés dans un phénotype inflammatoire. La coculture de macrophages inflammatoires avec des granulocytes CD11[b.sup.+]Ly6[G.sup.hi] de la moelle osseuse a permis de réduire la libération d'IL-1[beta], de TNF-[alpha] et d'IL-6 par les macrophages après stimulation par le lipopolysaccharide. L'activité suppressive n'était pas liée à l'apoptose des granulocytes ni aux facteurs sécrétés, et elle nécessitait un contact cellule à cellule. L'effet suppressif était accompagné d'une réduction des niveaux nucléaires de la sous-unité p65 du NF-[kappa]B, mais pas de la sous-unité p50. En outre, les granulocytes de la moelle osseuse réduisaient l'activité phagocytaire des macrophages et leur capacité à tuer Escherichia coli intracellulaire. L'ensemble de ces résultats montre que les granulocytes de la moelle osseuse peuvent agir comme des suppresseurs de l'activité pro-inflammatoire et microbicide des macrophages. [Traduit par la Rédaction] Mots-clés: neutrophile, macrophage, IL-1[beta], TNF, inflammation, suppression, Introduction Macrophages and neutrophils are recognized as important players in the innate responses against pathogens and (or) injuries as well as key regulators of tissue homeostasis. Neutrophil functions include participation [...]

This paper results from on-going reflection within the practitioners group "Plataforma de Interface à Ciência" (Platform of Professionals at the Interface of Science), an informal nationwide network in Portugal that brings together professionals involved in a large scope of activities related to research management, knowledge transfer and science communication. Due to the wide scope of functions and profiles of these professionals, they are not publicly nor institutionally recognised as part of the same professional group, which raises barriers for their recognition as relevant players in the research & innovation ecosystem and full achievement of their potential. We take stock of the several definitions of their roles found in the literature and conclude on the need for an inclusive approach to consider these roles as a profession. We propose the designation of Professionals at the Interface of Science (PIoS) to name this wide group of professionals that sits at the interface at all scientific disciplines.

Objective Pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma (pACC) is rare, and prognostic stratification remains challenging. We aimed to confirm the prognostic value of the previously published pediatric scoring system (pS-GRAS) in an international multicenter cohort. Design Analysis of pS-GRAS items of pACC from 6 countries in collaboration of ENSAT-PACT, GPOH-MET, and IC-PACT. Methods We received patient data of the pS-GRAS items including survival information from 9 centers. PS-GRAS score was calculated as a sum of tumor stage (1 = 0; 2-3 = 1; 4 = 2 points), grade (Ki67 index: 0%-9% = 0; 10%-19% = 1; ≥20% = 2 points), resection status (R0 = 0; RX/R1/R2 = 1 point), age (<4 years = 0; ≥4 years = 1 point), and hormone production (androgen production = 0; glucocorticoid-/mixed-/no-hormone production = 1 point) generating 8 scores and 4 groups (1: 0-2, 2: 3-4, 3: 5, 4: 6-7). Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results We included 268 patients with median age of 4 years. The analysis of the pS-GRAS score showed a significantly favorable prognosis in patients with a lower scoring compared to higher scoring groups (5-year OS: Group 1 98%; group 2 87% [hazard ratio {HR} of death 3.6, 95% CI of HR 1.6-8.2]; group 3 43% [HR of death 2.8, 95% CI 1.9-4.4]; group 4: OS 18% [HR of death 2.1, 95% CI 1.7-2.7]). In the multivariable analysis, age (HR of death 3.5, 95% CI 1.8-7.0), resection status (HR of death 5.5, 95% CI 2.7-11.1), tumor stage (HR of death 1.9, 95% CI of HR 1.2-3.0), and Ki67 index (HR of death 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4) remained strong independent outcome predictors. Especially infants < 4 years showed more often low-risk constellations with a better OS for all tumor stages. Conclusion In an international multicenter study, we confirmed that the pS-GRAS score is strongly associated with overall survival among patients with pACC. Age, resection status, stage, and Ki67 index are important parameters for risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]