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This study aimed to assess the frequency of receiving requested data for a systematic review and associated factors. We contacted the authors of studies in need of additional data via e-mail. The primary outcome was the success in receiving the requested data according to the time until receipt. We estimated the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for success in each variable compared to the reference category, with weighted Cox proportional hazards models using Stata (version 14.2). Out of 164 studies contacted, 110 replied (67.1%), and 51 sent requested data (31.1%). Median time to receive a response or withdraw contact was 36.0 days (interquartile range: 17.5, 142.5). Higher success ratio was observed in studies published as scientific papers (HR = 3.01, 95% CI = [1.18, 7.70]), in more than one publication (HR = 2.00, 95% CI = [1.14, 3.51]), and contacted by personal e-mail (HR = 2.85, 95% CI = [1.34, 6.07]). Three or more contact attempts led to lower success ratio (HR = 0.19, 95% CI = [0.11, 0.35]) than one or two. Requesting data for a systematic review was time-consuming and effective in three out of ten studies. Fewer contacts were more successful than insisting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the subarachnoid space diameters in chromosomally abnormal fetuses at 11-13 weeks' gestation. Methods: Stored three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound volumes of the fetal head at 11-13 weeks' gestation from 407 euploid and 88 chromosomally abnormal fetuses (trisomy 21, n = 40; trisomy 18, n = 19; trisomy 13, n = 7; triploidy, n = 14; Turner syndrome, n = 8) were analyzed. The subarachnoid space diameters, measured in the sagittal and transverse planes of the fetal head, in relation to biparietal diameter (BPD) in each group of aneuploidies was compared to that in euploid fetuses. A total of 20 head volumes were randomly selected and all the measurements were recorded by two different observers to examine the interobserver variability in measurements. Results: In euploid fetuses, the anteroposterior, transverse and sagittal diameters of the subarachnoid space increased with BPD. The median of the observed to expected diameters for BPD were significantly increased in triploidy and trisomy 13 but were not significantly altered in trisomies 21 and 18 or Turner syndrome. In triploidy, the subarachnoid space diameters for BPD were above the 95th centile of euploid fetuses in 92.9% (13 of 14) cases. The intraclass reliability or agreement was excellent for all three subarachnoid space diameters. Conclusion: Most fetuses with triploidy at 11-13 weeks' gestation demonstrate increased subarachnoid space diameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiogenesis, the complex process of formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing blood vessels, which involves the participation of several pro- and anti-angiogenic factors, is implicated in many physiological and pathological conditions. Nanoparticle-based anti-angiogenic activity at the tumour tissue, harnessed by the Enhanced Permeability and Retention Effect (EPR effect), could potentially become a breakthrough therapy to halt tumour progression. Herein, we evaluate the anti-angiogenic effect of ZnWO4 nanoparticles (NPs). The nanoparticles were obtained by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis (MAHS) at 120 °C for 60 min and were structurally characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro-Raman (MR) spectroscopy. The mean size and polydispersity index were estimated by Zeta potential analysis. The XRD analysis revealed structural organisation at a long-range order, with an average crystallite size of around 3.67 nm, while MR revealed short-range order for ZnWO4. The anti-angiogenic potential of zinc tungstate nanoparticles was investigated through the chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) using fertilised chicken eggs. We demonstrate, in an unprecedented way, that nanocrystalline ZnWO4 NPs obtained by MAHS, at low reaction temperatures, showed excellent anti-angiogenic properties even at low concentrations. The ZnWO4 NPs were further evaluated for its cytotoxicity in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite advances in the development of new therapeutic agents and diagnostic imaging techniques, the 5-year survival of osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer, remains practically unaltered for the last three decades at around 60%. Nanoparticle-based carriers have emerged as new class of drug delivery systems that could potentially overcome conventional chemotherapy limitations, by promoting a better drug biodistribution profile by allowing a preferential accumulation of the drug in the desired tissue, while minimising non-targeted tissue toxicity, thus resulting in an improved overall therapeutic effectiveness. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HANP) are known to be biocompatible and non-immunogenic and have shown to be preferentially accumulated in bone tissues being considered a promising carrier to bone tissues. Herein, we successfully synthesised mesoporous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with mean size of 285.32 ± 10.29 nm and superficial area of 103.5 m2/g, containing significant quantities of chemotherapeutic drug vincristine. A spectrophotometric method was developed and validated aiming to quantify the vincristine (VCR)-loaded in nanoparticles. Chorioallantoic membrane assay revealed relevant anti-angiogenic activity of system, leading to accentuated reduction in the number of blood vessels in fertilised eggs. Findings presented in this paper suggested that VCR-loaded HANP has a promising future as a nanocarrier for bone cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]