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Food intake and activity adapt during pregnancy to meet the increased energy demands. In comparison to non‐pregnant females, pregnant mice consume more food, eating larger meals during the light phase, and reduce physical activity. How pregnancy changes the circadian timing of behaviour was less clear. We therefore randomised female C57BL/6J mice to mating for study until early (n = 10), mid‐ (n = 10) or late pregnancy (n = 11) or as age‐matched, non‐pregnant controls (n = 12). Mice were housed individually in Promethion cages with a 12 h light–12 h dark cycle [lights on at 07.00 h, Zeitgeber (ZT)0] for behavioural analysis. Food intake between ZT10 and ZT11 was greater in pregnant than non‐pregnant mice on days 6.5–12.5 and 12.5–17.5. In mice that exhibited a peak in the last 4 h of the light phase (ZT8–ZT12), peaks were delayed by 1.6 h in the pregnant compared with the non‐pregnant group. Food intake immediately after dark‐phase onset (ZT13–ZT14) was greater in the pregnant than non‐pregnant group during days 12.5–17.5. Water intake patterns corresponded to food intake. From days 0.5–6.5 onwards, the pregnant group moved less during the dark phase, with decreased probability of being awake, in comparison to the non‐pregnant group. The onset of dark‐phase activity, peaks in activity, and wakefulness were all delayed during pregnancy. In conclusion, increased food intake during pregnancy reflects increased amplitude of eating behaviour, without longer duration. Decreases in activity also contribute to positive energy balance in pregnancy, with delays to all measured behaviours evident from mid‐pregnancy onwards. Key points: Circadian rhythms synchronise daily behaviours including eating, drinking and sleep, but how these change in pregnancy is unclear.Food intake increased, with delays in peaks of food intake behaviour late in the light phase from days 6.5 to 12.5 of pregnancy, in comparison to the non‐pregnant group.The onset of activity after lights off (dark phase) was delayed in pregnant compared with non‐pregnant mice.Activity decreased by ∼70% in the pregnant group, particularly in the dark (active) phase, with delays in peaks of wakefulness evident from days 0.5–6.5 of pregnancy onwards.These behavioural changes contribute to positive energy balance during pregnancy.Delays in circadian behaviours during mouse pregnancy were time period and pregnancy stage specific, implying different regulatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut–brain axis plays a pivotal role in the finely tuned orchestration of food intake, where both homeostatic and hedonic processes collaboratively control our dietary decisions. This interplay involves the transmission of mechanical and chemical signals from the gastrointestinal tract to the appetite centers in the brain, conveying information on meal arrival, quantity, and chemical composition. These signals are processed in the brain eventually leading to the sensation of satiety and the termination of a meal. However, the regulation of food intake and appetite extends beyond the realms of pure physiological need. Hedonic mechanisms, including sensory perception (i.e., through sight, smell, and taste), habitual behaviors, and psychological factors, exert profound influences on food intake. Drawing from studies in animal models and human research, this comprehensive review summarizes the physiological mechanisms that underlie the gut–brain axis and its interplay with the reward network in the regulation of appetite and satiety. The recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques, with a focus on human studies that enable investigation of the neural mechanisms underpinning appetite regulation are discussed. Furthermore, this review explores therapeutic/pharmacological strategies that hold the potential for controlling food intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sufficient and balanced maternal diet is critical to meet the nutritional demands of the developing fetus and to facilitate deposition of fat reserves for lactation. Multiple adaptations occur to meet these energy requirements, including reductions in energy expenditure and increases in maternal food intake. The central nervous system plays a vital role in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis and responds to multiple metabolic and nutrient cues, including those arising from the gastrointestinal tract. This review describes the nutrient requirements of pregnancy and the impact of over‐ and undernutrition on the risk of pregnancy complications and adult disease in progeny. The central and peripheral regulation of food intake is then discussed, with particular emphasis on the adaptations that occur during pregnancy and the mechanisms that drive these changes, including the possible role of the pregnancy‐associated hormones progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, and growth hormone. We identify the need for deeper mechanistic understanding of maternal adaptations, in particular, changes in gut–brain axis satiety signaling. Improved understanding of food intake regulation during pregnancy will provide a basis to inform strategies that prevent maternal under‐ or overnutrition, improve fetal health, and reduce the long‐term health and economic burden for mothers and offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A handheld 2 MHz ultrasound Doppler device determines the presence or absence of pulsatile arterial flow immediately beneath the selected site of entry for dermal filler injection. In combination with near infrared technology to map out superficial veins, mishaps from intravascular injections may be reduced. A total of 448 patients aged range between 21 and 74 years, with 168 out of total of 1019 treatment sites having both infrared and ultrasound Doppler assisted preinjection mapping were reviewed. The injection technique is described. Improved patient safety and reduced bruising from asthetic dermal filler injections are potential benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooking quality (CQ) is the main quality criterion in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and is affected by several factors. Phosphorus fertilization is a common agricultural practice in alkaline P-poor soils, but studies examining its impact on CQ of lentils are lacking. Four lentil cultivars (three green and one red-seeded) were tested over two growing seasons, under rainfed Mediterranean conditions, with P as the only nutrient input. The CQ of seeds was estimated using a texture analyzer, and the puncture energy (PE, inversely related to CQ) was calculated. A suite of seed traits (percentage of seed coat weight, 1000-seed weight, seed softness and protein concentration of hulled and dehulled seeds, and seed coat anatomy) were measured. Moreover, P, K, Na, Ca, and Mg (their sums and ratios) in seeds (hulled and dehulled) were measured to assess their role in CQ. Phosphorus had no significant effect on CQ, but its impact was evident on the chemical composition of the seed coat. Seed coat anatomy was affected only by cultivars. Significant correlations between PE and seed traits for the growth season × cultivar interaction were obtained only for the green-seeded lentils. In contrast with previous findings, P concentration in hulled seeds was negatively associated with CQ in green lentils; the opposite was evident for Ca. On the other hand, the protein concentration of dehulled seeds was negatively correlated with PE (positively with CQ), indicating that it was the cotyledonary factor influencing CQ by contributing to water absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Significant health concerns have been raised by the high levels of Cr and Co ions into whole blood as resulted of corrosion process released from biomedical implants, but very little is known about their biological behavior in governing cell metabolism. Thus, we prompted to address this issue by exploring the effects of CoCr enriched medium on both fibroblast and preosteoblast (pre‐Ob) cells. First, we showed there is a significant difference in Co and Cr releasing dependent on engineered surface, it being even more released in dual acid‐etching treating surface (named w/DAE) than the machined surfaces (named wo/DAE). Thereafter, we showed CoCr affects pre‐osteoblast and fibroblast metabolism by dynamically modulating integrin‐based downstream signaling (FAK, Src, Rac1, and Cofilin). Specifically on this matter, we have shown there is dynamic β1‐integrin gene activation up 24 h in both preosteoblast and fibroblast. Our analysis showed also that both pre‐Ob and fibroblast are important resource of proinflammatory cytokines when responding to CoCr enriched medium. In addition, survival‐related signaling pathway was also affected interfering on survival and proliferating signal, mainly affecting CDK2, mapk‐Erk and mapk‐p38 phosphorylations, while AKT/PKB‐related gene remained active. In addition, during cell adhesion PP2A (an important Ser/Thr phosphatase) was inactive in both cell lineages and it seems be a CoCr's molecular fingerprint, regulating specific metabolic pathways involved with cytoskeleton rearrangement. Altogether, our results showed for the first time CoCr affects cellular performance in vitro by modulating integrin activation‐based downstream signaling and requiring a reprograming of inflammatory genes activations in vitro. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 839–849, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A survey was conducted to ascertain the efficacy of carboxytherapy for localized lipolysis. Methods Patients on physical, dietary, or drug concurrent therapy were excluded. Paired measurements (initial versus 8th course) between treated (right) and untreated (left) sides were compared for braline, upper arm, abdomen, and thigh. Results Ten women, age range 23-37 years, were reviewed. Weight and body mass index were unchanged. Significant reductions ( P < 0.01) were obtained for braline and abdominal caliper and ultrasound measurements. Mean ( SD) decreases in caliper braline and abdomen measurements were 6.9 (5.9) and 4.3 (3.0) mm, respectively. Mean ( SD) changes in ultrasound abdominal readings were −6.6 (3.8), −7.4 (3.2), and −6.8 (3.5) mm for upper, lower, and flank, respectively. Limb girth measurements were significant for the thigh (−1.3 [0.8] mm) but not for the upper limb. Conclusion These results are in agreement with those reported originally and demonstrate that carboxytherapy is locally effective in reduction of subcutaneous fat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood obesity rates are rapidly rising in many countries. Because it is highly likely that obesity will persist into adulthood, current rates undermine the health and future of people in developed as well as developing countries. This public health epidemic carries significant economic, social as well as individual-level consequences and has become a research topic of significant interest in various disciplines including economics. We survey the literature in economics and related disciplines associated with the causes of childhood obesity and synthesize the results to provide a better understanding of the explanations for the rising childhood obesity rates. This is an important step in crafting effective policies to combat global childhood obesity trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the genetic effect of the GH receptor ( GHR) on obesity and related metabolic parameters in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Context: Obesity is a growing global epidemic. Increasing evidence suggests that the GH-IGF-I axis plays an important role in regulating adiposity and insulin sensitivity. Design: We examined the associations of genetic variants of GHR with serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels as well as obesity-related metabolic traits in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Patients: Nine hundred and eighty-one randomly selected Hong Kong Chinese adolescents from 14 schools. Measurements: We genotyped 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at GHR and measured serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels as well as obesity-related metabolic traits including fasting plasma glucose, insulin and lipid levels. Results: There were significant associations between rs4410646 and the body composition ( P = 0·0044) and blood pressure factor scores ( P = 0·00017). Carriers of the CC genotype had lower body mass index, percentage body fat, waist and hip circumferences than AC and AA genotype carriers ( P = 0·00030–0·0094). There was also association between rs7703713 and the IGF-I activity factor score ( P = 0·0033). The GA and AA carriers of rs7703713 had higher serum IGF-I, higher serum IGFBP-3 and higher IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio ( P = 0·00069–0·025). Haplotype analysis did not increase the significance of associations. Conclusion: Our results support the role of GHR gene polymorphisms in modulating adiposity and IGF-I activity in adolescents. Examination of interactions of these SNPs with lifestyle, environmental and perinatal factors may provide further insights into their long-term effects on obesity and metabolic risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To assess the efficacy of self-monitoring techniques to reduce urine loss and increase quality of life for women with urinary incontinence. Methods The design was a two arm, randomized, clinical trial with a wait list control group and 3-week intervention. Participants were 224 community-dwelling women 18 and older with UI. Self-monitoring was individualized counseling about fluid and caffeine intake, quick pelvic floor muscle contraction, voiding frequency, and management of constipation. The primary outcome measure was grams of urine loss. Secondary outcomes included episodes of urine loss, quality of life, and caffeine and fluid consumption. Results The main effect of self-monitoring on grams of urine loss was significant. After adjusting for baseline urine loss, time in the intervention or in wait list group, age, hormone status, and race the self- monitoring group lost an average of 13.3 g less urine and had improved 26.1 points in quality of life compared to the wait list group. The effect of self-monitoring on episodes of urine loss was not significant in the total sample but was more effective for women who had 9 or more episodes of urine loss, were 65 years or older, and were premenopausal or taking hormone replacement therapy. Participants in the self-monitoring group reduced their caffeine intake, but did not increase their fluid intake compared to the wait list control group. Conclusions Since self-monitoring techniques are simple, safe, inexpensive, and within the scope of practice for most health professionals, they should be considered as first steps to treat women with UI. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:507-511, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigated the role of lifestyle as a significant factor related to the aggression and violence between cohabitating partners. Based on previous research, lifestyle was defined as a special reflection of socialization into society and working life, where different lifestyles should also be able to produce different patterns of socialization into people's roles as partners. It was found that gender and years of cohabitating were significantly related to Emotional aggression and Sexual violence; lifestyle patterns were associated with specific forms of violence. More specifically, the lifestyles of Pleasure & Elegance and the one of Culture–Intellectualism were found to promote Emotional aggression. Also, the lifestyle of Yuppies/Workaholic and that of Physical activities stimulated the appearance of Sexual violence between partners. Moreover, individuals with Tradition–Religiousness lifestyle were more likely to show lower levels of Physical & Sexual violence while the adherents of the Substance abuse lifestyle pattern appeared to have an inclination towards Physical & Sexual Violence. Finally, the occurrence of one form of violent behaviour was likely to be related to the other forms of violent behaviour. Aggr. Behav. 33:73–85, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To assess serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) and to assess any correlation with clinical symptoms and echocardiographic indices. Patients and methods: We enrolled 77 male patients (mean age: 73±10 years) admitted to the Cardiology Emergency Department (ED) with cardiac symptoms requiring hospitalization. Diagnosis of CHF was based upon medical history or initial echocardiographic evaluation on current admission. Serum CA125 was measured by an enzyme immunoradiometric assay, on admission and before discharge. Results: The median overall CA125 value was 22.4 (11.5–48.9) U/ml. Serum CA125 levels were related to the severity of CHF [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I: 19.2 (7.2–31) U/ml, NYHA class II: 17.6 (10–23) U/ml, NYHA class III: 32 (25–77) U/ml and NYHA class IV: 34.3 (18.6–77) U/ml (p<0.04)]. Patients in NYHA classes III and IV had significantly higher mean values of CA125, than patients in class II (p<0.005 and p<0.05, respectively). Moreover, patients with fluid congestion (pulmonary congestion, ankle edema) had higher levels of serum CA125 than patients without congestion (p=0.002 and p<0.03, respectively). Finally, levels of serum CA125 correlated weakly with right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and renal function, while no significant correlation was found between CA125 and E wave deceleration time on Doppler echocardiography, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), liver function and the medical treatment prescribed. Conclusion: Serum CA125 is associated with the clinical severity of CHF and the symptoms and signs of fluid congestion and therefore may be a useful additional tool for the evaluation and clinical staging of these patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: In the last two decades, methods from nonlinear analysis and chaos theory have been used for the characterization of cardiac dynamics. Previous studies, mainly in the analysis of RR time series, indicated the diagnostic and prognostic value of such techniques in several pathological conditions, but also generated disputes regarding the presence of true nonlinearities in the data. The application of such methods to ECG time series analysis, in normal subjects as well as in patients with heart disease, is less investigated. The present study was undertaken to test whether nonlinear analysis of ECG can define possible changes in the complexity of cardiac dynamics in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: We examined 10 normal subjects and 20 AMI patients in sinus rhythm for 3 consecutive days. Correlation dimension (D2) measurements were obtained with a combination of the SingularValue Decomposition and the Grassberger-Procaccia methods and compared with the results from corresponding surrogate data series, in order to detect the presence of nonlinearities. The reproducibility of ECG D2 measurements was tested with the coefficient of variation. Results: No difference was found in ECG D2 between normals and patients. The surrogate data score was above two in all measurements, which indicates the presence of nonlinearities in the ECG signal. The intraindividual reproducibility of D2 measurements was moderate to good in normals and AMI patients. Conclusion: The results of this study support the hypothesis that the ECG signal is produced by a low-dimensional dynamic system. D2 analysis of ECG is a nonlinear quantitative method with moderate to good reproducibility, but with no evident discriminating capabilities between normals and AMI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review: recent developments in the field of Pd-catalyzed sp2 C-N bond formation reportd in the primary literature between 2004 and 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To synthesise the evidence from clinical trials and observational studies using omics techniques to investigate the impact of diet and lifestyle factors on metabolite profile in pregnancy, and in the prevention and management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)., Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Ovid, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases in October 2023 and updated in September 2024. Inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials (RCT) or non-RCTs in pregnant women with or without GDM, that measured diet and lifestyle factors, and which applied post-transcriptional omics approaches. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I for non-RCTs and ROB-2 tool for RCTs. The results of all studies are narratively synthesised., Results: Of 6293 studies identified, eight observational studies and three RCTs comprising 2639 pregnant women were included. Three studies reported on changes in diet-related metabolic phenotypes during pregnancy; however, the impact of certain foods on the metabolome and risk for GDM was less clear. Compared with women without GDM, women with GDM had a worse deterioration in metabolites, including saturated fatty acids, branched chain amino acids and purine degradation metabolites. There is limited evidence that conventional dietary treatment for GDM may modify the metabolome in women with GDM., Conclusions: Metabolome profiles in pregnancy may be altered by certain dietary choices; however, it is inconclusive whether improved diet related metabolite profiles have a beneficial impact in the prevention or management of GDM. High quality studies with larger sample sizes are needed to better understand the role that maternal nutrition plays in modulating the maternal metabolome, not only for a healthy pregnancy but also for the prevention and management of GDM., (© 2025 The Author(s). Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)