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In fertility surveys often women (and sometimes men) are asked their fertility desires, i.e. whether they want a/nother birth or not. Some respond that they are undecided. This study examines whether these persons are more like those who say they want more births or like those who say they want no more births. Data on married men and women in 29 Demographic and Health Surveys with sample sizes ranging from 300 to 3000 are used. A logistic regression equation is estimated within each country for those with known desires and then used to classify each person who was undecided. In all sub-Saharan African countries (n=20) and for both sexes, 50% or more of the undecided persons are classified as wanting more children (with one exception of wives in Kenya). By contrast in all five Latin American countries for both sexes less than 50% of the undecided were classified in the 'want more' group (with an exception of husbands in the Dominican Republic). Generally, the undecided tend to be classified the same as the majority among those in the survey with stated desires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decades, ionic liquids (IL) have shown great potential in non-invasive delivery starting from synthetic small molecules to biological large molecules. ILs are emerging as a particular class of drug delivery systems due to their unique physiochemical properties, simple surface modification, and functionalization. These features of IL help achieve specific design principles that are essential for a non-invasive drug delivery system. In this review, we have discussed IL and their applications in non-invasive drug delivery systems. We evaluated state-of-the-art development and advances of IL aiming to mitigate the biological and physical barriers to improve transdermal and oral delivery, summarized in this review. We also provided an overview of the various factors determining the systemic transportation of IL-based formulation. Additionally, we have emphasized how the ILs facilitate the transportation of therapeutic molecules by overcoming biological barriers., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of an accurate diagnosis and monitoring of diseases became a more important issue. In order to fabricate high-performance and sensitive biosensors, many researchers and scientists have used many kinds of nanomaterials such as metal nanoparticles (NPs), metal oxide NPs, quantum dots (QDs), and carbon nanomaterials including graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Among them, CNTs have been considered important biosensing channel candidates due to their excellent physical properties such as high electrical conductivity, strong mechanical properties, plasmonic properties, and so on. Thus, in this review, CNT-based biosensing systems are introduced and various sensing approaches such as electrochemical, optical, and electrical methods are reported. Moreover, such biosensing platforms showed excellent sensitivity and high selectivity against not only viruses but also virus DNA structures. So, based on the amazing potential of CNTs-based biosensing systems, healthcare and public health can be significantly improved.

Improved proton conductivity and high durability are now a high concern for proton exchange membranes (PEMs). Therefore, highly proton conductive PEMs have been synthesized from branched sulfonimide-based poly(phenylenebenzophenone) (SI-branched PPBP) with excellent thermal and chemical stability. The branched polyphenylene-based carbon-carbon backbones of the SI-branched PPBP membranes were attained from the 1,4-dichloro-2,5-diphenylenebenzophenone (PBP) monomer using 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene as a branching agent (0.1%) via the Ni-Zn catalyzed C-C coupling reaction. The as-synthesized SI-branched PPBP membranes showed 1.00~1.86 meq./g ion exchange capacity (IEC) with unique dimensional stability. The sulfonimide groups of the SI-branched PPBP membranes had improved proton conductivity (75.9-121.88 mS/cm) compared to Nafion 117 (84.74 mS/cm). Oxidation stability by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fenton's test study confirmed the significant properties of the SI-branched PPBP membranes. Additionally, a very distinct microphase separation between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties was observed using atomic force microscopic (AFM) analysis. The properties of the synthesized SI-branched PPBP membranes demonstrate their viability as an alternative PEM material.

Polymer membranes, having improved conductivity with enhanced thermal and chemical stability, are desirable for proton exchange membranes fuel cell application. Hence, poly(benzophenone)s membranes (SI-PBP) containing super gas-phase acidic sulfonyl imide groups have been prepared from 2,5-dichlorobenzophenone (DCBP) monomer by C-C coupling polymerization using Ni (0) catalyst. The entirely aromatic C-C coupled polymer backbones of the SI-PBP membranes provide exceptional dimensional stability with rational ion exchange capacity (IEC) from 1.85 to 2.30 mS/cm. The as-synthesized SI-PBP membranes provide enhanced proton conductivity (107.07 mS/cm) compared to Nafion 211 ® (104.5 mS/cm). The notable thermal and chemical stability of the SI-PBP membranes have been assessed by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fenton's test, respectively. The well distinct surface morphology of the SI-PBP membranes has been confirmed by the atomic force microscopy (AFM). These results of SI-PBP membranes comply with all the requirements for fuel cell applications.

This research demonstrated the electrochemical modification of low-cost titanium (Ti) metal substrate with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for the aptamer-based detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). AuNPs were deposited onto Ti sheets by the potential-step deposition method with high density and homogeneity as well as good crystallinity. It was then applied as a transducer to immobilize a thiol-functionalized DNA aptamer via the self-assembled monolayer mechanism for the specific binding of cTnI. This was verified through electrochemical and morphological analyses. The aptasensor could detect cTnI in a linear range of 1-1100 pM with a detection limit of ca. 0.18 pM. The aptasensor showed high sensitivity and specificity to cTnI over other interfering compounds with good recoveries in the diluted human serum samples., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) was electropolymerized on the surface of an anodized glassy carbon electrode by cyclic voltammetry. The anodized electrode has a highly electroactive surface due to the creation of chemically functionalized graphitic nanoparticles, and this facilitates the formation of poly-DNPH via radical polymerization. Poly-DNPH displays excellent redox activity due to the presence of nitro groups on its backbone. These catalyze the electro-oxidation of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT). The peak-to-peak separation is around 109 mV, while a bare GCE cannot resolve the peaks (located at 165 and 274 mV vs. Ag/AgCl). Sensitivity is also enhanced to ∼1.20 and 1.19 μA·cm -2 ·μM -1 , respectively. The sensor has a linear response that covers the 20-250 μM concentration range for both HQ and CT, with 0.75 and 0.76 μM detection limits, respectively, at simultaneous detection. Commonly present species do not interfere. Graphical abstract A novel conducting poly(2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine)-modified anodized glassy carbon electrode (pDNPH/AGCE) was developed by electrochemical method. The electro-catalytic activity of pDNPH/AGCE sensor was investigated for the selective and simultaneous electrochemical detection of hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT), which revealed high sensitivities and low detection limits with excellent stability.

Background: The benefits of pharmacotherapy with tiotropium HandiHaler 18 μg for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been previously demonstrated. However, few data exist regarding the treatment of moderate disease (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage II)., Aims: To determine whether tiotropium improves lung function/patient-reported outcomes in patients with GOLD stage II COPD naive to maintenance therapy., Methods: A randomised 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of tiotropium 18 μg once daily (via HandiHaler) was performed in maintenance therapy-naive patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio <0.7 and post-bronchodilator FEV1 ≥50 and <80%., Results: A total of 457 patients were randomised (238 tiotropium, 219 placebo; mean age 62 years; FEV1 1.93 l (66% predicted)). Tiotropium was superior to placebo in mean change from baseline in post-dose FEV1 area under the curve from 0 to 3 h (AUC0-3h) at week 24 (primary endpoint): 0.19 vs. -0.03 l (least-squares mean difference 0.23 l, P<0.001). FVC AUC0-3h, trough and peak FEV1 and FVC were significantly improved with tiotropium versus placebo (P<0.001). Compared with placebo, tiotropium provided numerical improvements in physical activity (P=NS). Physician's Global Assessment (health status) improved (P=0.045) with less impairment on the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (P=0.043) at week 24. The incidence of exacerbations, cough, bronchitis and dyspnoea was lower with tiotropium than placebo., Conclusions: Tiotropium improved lung function and patient-reported outcomes in maintenance therapy-naive patients with GOLD stage II COPD, suggesting benefits in initiating maintenance therapy early.

Background: Antihypertensive agents lower the risk of cardiovascular events, but whether they affect pathways important in inflammation and plaque remodeling in atherosclerosis is uncertain. We assessed whether 2 commonly used antihypertensive agents affected plasma biomarkers reflecting specific inflammatory and remodeling processes over 2 years in the Comparison of Amlodipine versus Enalapril to Limit Occurrences of Thrombosis (CAMELOT) study., Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial of 2 antihypertensives (amlodipine and enalapril) compared with placebo in patients with coronary artery disease and diastolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg. In 196 subjects who had baseline and 2-year intravascular coronary ultrasound examinations, we measured plasma interleukin 18, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, matrix metalloproteinase 9, neopterin, and C-reactive protein. Results for both treatment groups were pooled and compared with placebo., Results: Antihypertensive treatment with either agent significantly lowered diastolic blood pressure (-4.7 vs placebo 1.3 mm Hg, P = .002) and progression of coronary atheroma (Δ percent atheroma volume 0.6 vs placebo 2.1, P = .031). Antihypertensive therapy did not affect plasma biomarkers of inflammation or plaque remodeling in the 135 subjects with baseline and 2-year biomarker samples. Progression in percent atheroma volume was significantly less in subjects taking statins at baseline (-2.5%, P = .0008)., Conclusions: In patients with coronary artery disease and well-controlled risk factors, antihypertensive therapy lowered blood pressure and progression of coronary atherosclerosis but did not affect plasma biomarkers of inflammation and remodeling. Antihypertensives may decrease atheroma progression by mechanisms other than those reflected by these plasma biomarkers., (Copyright © 2012 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Zostavax has been shown to be efficacious in the prevention of herpes zoster and generally well tolerated in clinical trials among subjects 60 years old or older. This prespecified combined analysis from two studies compares the levels of immunogenicity and safety of Zostavax in subjects 50 to 59 years old versus those in subjects >or=60 years old. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibody (Ab) titers were measured by glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and 4 weeks postvaccination. Noninferiority was evaluated by estimated geometric mean severalfold rise (GMFR) ratio (50 to 59 years old/>or=60 years old) and two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI). Success was defined by a lower bound (LB) of the 95% CI of the GMFR ratio of >0.67. Acceptability of postvaccination VZV Ab was defined by an LB of the 95% CI of the GMFR of >1.4. Safety data were recorded for 28 days postvaccination by standardized vaccination report card. The estimated GMFRs from baseline to 4 weeks postvaccination were 2.6 (95% CI, 2.4, 2.9) in subjects 50 to 59 years old and 2.3 (95% CI, 2.1, 2.4) in subjects >or=60 years old. The estimated GMFR ratio (50 to 59 years old/>or=60 years old) was 1.13 (95% CI, 1.02, 1.25). No serious Zostavax-related adverse experiences were reported. After a dose of Zostavax, the GMFR of the VZV Ab response in subjects 50 to 59 years old was noninferior to that in subjects >or=60 years old. The VZV Ab response was acceptable in both age groups. Zostavax was generally well tolerated in both age groups.

The vaccine Zostavax has been shown to prevent herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia and is recommended for individuals > or =60 years of age. This study compared the safety and the immunogenicity of a refrigerator-stable formulation (Zostavax refrigerated) with those of the current formulation (Zostavax frozen) in subjects > or =50 years of age. Subjects with a negative history for HZ were randomized 1:1 to receive one dose of either formulation. Enrollment was stratified 1:2 by age (50 to 59 years and > or =60 years). Safety was evaluated for 28 days postvaccination. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibody responses were measured by a glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (gpELISA). The primary endpoints were the VZV antibody geometric mean titer (GMT; day 28), the VZV antibody geometric mean rise (GMR; days 1 to 28), and the incidence of vaccine-related serious adverse experiences (AEs) over 28 days. The refrigerated (n = 182) and frozen (n = 185) formulations induced similar GMTs (727.4 and 834.4 gpELISA units/ml, respectively); the estimated GMT ratio (refrigerated formulation/frozen formulation) was 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 1.07). The GMRs were 2.6- and 2.9-fold, respectively. No vaccine-related serious AEs were reported in either group, and the safety profiles of the formulations were generally similar. The frequencies of injection-site AEs during follow-up were 35.6% and 46.4% in the refrigerated and the frozen formulation groups, respectively, and were generally mild. The frequencies of systemic AEs were similar in the two groups, and those of vaccine-related AEs were approximately 6% in both groups. The refrigerator-stable formulation of Zostavax has an acceptable safety profile and is as immunogenic as the frozen formulation; thus, the vaccine may be used in clinical settings where freezer availability is limited.

Patients who smoke paradoxically have favorable outcomes after acute myocardial infarctions compared with nonsmokers. However, after adjustment for age only, the decrease in all-cause mortality in the smoker population is explained by the smokers' generally younger age, with better prognoses due to their age., (Copyright 2004 Excerpta Medica, Inc.)

The JNC 7 states that persons with blood pressure (BP) more than 20/10 mm Hg above goal should be started on combination drug therapy. This criterion includes patients with BP >160/100 mm Hg and diabetics with hypertension. The goal BP for persons with diabetes mellitus is <130/80 mm Hg. A randomized, double-blind trial force titrated initial combination therapy utilizing an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) combination (losartan/hydrochlorothiazide [LOS/HCTZ]) compared with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (ramipril), for 8 weeks, and tested the hypothesis that combination therapy is more likely to achieve goal BP vs. monotherapy. At 4 weeks, 30.5% of LOS/HCTZ and 14.4% of ramipril recipients achieved goal diastolic BP (p<0.001). More participants achieved goal systolic BP in the ARB/HCTZ group at 4 weeks (29.8% vs. 14.4%; p<0.001). At 4 weeks, mean diastolic BP had decreased 10.2+/-7.4 mm Hg in the LOS/HCTZ group compared with 6.4+/-6.8 mm Hg in the ramipril group (p<0.001), and systolic BP had fallen 15.4+/-13.1 mm Hg in the ARB/HCTZ compared with 9.2+/-10.2 mm Hg in the ACE-inhibitor group (p<0.001). Significant differences favoring the combination were also noted at 8 weeks. Drug-related adverse experiences were 10.3% for the combination compared with 12.7% for the monotherapy group. Initial combination therapy with an ARB/HCTZ was more effective than ACE-inhibitor monotherapy in achieving BP goals in participants with diabetes with no significant differences in the incidence of adverse experiences. These observations confirm other studies of combination therapies, such as b blocker/diuretic, ACE inhibitor/diuretic, or ACE inhibitor/calcium channel blocker. The use of two medications will achieve goal BP in more patients than monotherapy. This observation is important in treatment of high-risk patients with diabetes.