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BACKGROUND: Excessive gestational weight gain has been associated with increased total body fat (TBF), metabolic syndrome, and abdominal obesity. However, little is known about the relationship of gestational weight gain with changes in metabolically active visceral or ectopic (hepatic and skeletal muscle) lipid stores. OBJECTIVES: In a prospective study of 50 healthy, pregnant women, we assessed whether changes in weight were associated with changes in total, visceral, and ectopic lipid stores. METHODS: Participants (ages 19–39) were primarily White (84%). The mean preconception BMI was 25.8 kg/m(2) (SD, 4.5 kg/m(2); min-max, 17.1–35.9 kg/m(2)). Measurements were completed at visits 1 and 2 at means of 16 and 34 weeks gestation, respectively, and included TBF using BOD POD; abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) using MRI; and intrahepatic lipids (IHL), intramyocellular lipids (IMCL), and extramyocellular lipids (EMCL) using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We used paired t-tests to examine changes in adipose tissue and Pearson's correlation to examine associations of adipose tissue changes and weight changes. We also examined whether changes in adipose tissue stores differed by preconception BMI (normal, overweight, and obese), using 1-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The TBF (mean change, +3.5 kg; 95% CI: 2.4–4.6 kg), SAT (mean change, +701 cm(3); 95% CI: 421–981 cm(3)), VAT (mean change, +275 cm(3); 95% CI: 170–379 cm(3)), and IHL (percentage water peak; median, +0.15; IQR = −0.01 to 0.32) values increased significantly; the IMCL and EMCL values did not change. Changes varied by BMI strata, with the least increase (or, for SAT, net loss) among women with obesity. Weight change was positively correlated with changes in TBF (r = 0.83; P

COVID-19 vaccines are recommended during pregnancy to prevent severe maternal morbidity and adverse birth outcomes; however, vaccination coverage among pregnant women has been low (1). Concerns among pregnant women regarding vaccine safety are a persistent barrier to vaccine acceptance during pregnancy. Previous studies of maternal COVID-19 vaccination and birth outcomes have been limited by small sample size (2) or lack of an unvaccinated comparison group (3). In this retrospective cohort study of live births from eight Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) health care organizations, risks for preterm birth (37 weeks' gestation) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) at birth (birthweight10th percentile for gestational age) after COVID-19 vaccination (receipt of ≥1 COVID-19 vaccine doses) during pregnancy were evaluated. Risks for preterm and SGA at birth among vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant women were compared, accounting for time-dependent vaccine exposures and propensity to be vaccinated. Single-gestation pregnancies with estimated start or last menstrual period during May 17-October 24, 2020, were eligible for inclusion. Among 46,079 pregnant women with live births and gestational age available, 10,064 (21.8%) received ≥1 COVID-19 vaccine doses during pregnancy and during December 15, 2020-July 22, 2021; nearly all (9,892; 98.3%) were vaccinated during the second or third trimester. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was not associated with preterm birth (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.82-1.01). Among 40,627 live births with birthweight available, COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy was not associated with SGA at birth (aHR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.87-1.03). Results consistently showed no increased risk when stratified by mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose, or by second or third trimester vaccination, compared with risk among unvaccinated pregnant women. Because of the small number of first-trimester exposures, aHRs for first-trimester vaccination could not be calculated. These data add to the evidence supporting the safety of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. To reduce the risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness, CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for women who are pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future (4).

Objective: To estimate the incidence rate and associated risk factors of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in commercially and Medicaid-insured women. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of women with a live inpatient delivery recorded in 2016 in the MarketScan® databases for commercially insured and Medicaid populations. The incidence of SMM, defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's algorithm of International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition diagnostic and procedural codes, was determined. Measurements also included the association of SMM in bivariate analyses with patient characteristics and the association of SMM with delivery type, gestation type, maternal age, and race in multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for pre-existing conditions and pregnancy-related complications. Results: The incidence of SMM per 10,000 deliveries was 111.4 in the Commercial and 109.6 in the Medicaid population. The most frequent SMM indicators were eclampsia and blood transfusion in the Commercial population (35.0 and 25.7 per 10,000 deliveries, respectively) and eclampsia and adult respiratory distress syndrome in the Medicaid population (45.5 and 14.9 per 10,000 deliveries, respectively). A cesarean delivery was associated with SMM in both Commercial (odds ratio [OR] 3.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.51-1.84) and Medicaid populations (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.80-2.17). A multifetal gestation was also associated with SMM in both Commercial (OR 3.37; 95% CI 2.80-4.10) and Medicaid populations (OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.86-2.75). Conclusion: SMM occurred in 1.1% of live inpatient deliveries. A cesarean delivery, multifetal gestation, race, region, and several pre-existing comorbidities and obstetric complications were associated with SMM.

En este artículo, ponemos en tela de juicio la pertinencia del concepto de intersticio para categorizar el trabajo de las yuyeras en Paraguay. Empezamos con una reflexión sobre la dicotomía formal e informal, cuestión subyacente a la del intersticio. Nos preguntamos para quién tiene sentido la dicotomía cuando de hecho, los dos sectores están intrínsecamente imbricados, funcionan casi como un mismo ente. Seguimos con las formas que toman lo categorizado informal, preguntándonos tanto para la venta como para la recolección si cabe el concepto de intersticio. Por fin, nos enfocamos en la figura ambigua de la yuyera para intentar de determinar en qué medida se trata de una figura del intersticio. In this article, we question the relevance of the concept of interstice to categorise the work of yuyeras in Paraguay. We begin with a reflection on the formal/informal dichotomy, a question that underlies that of the interstice. We ask ourselves for whom the dichotomy makes sense when, in fact, the two sectors are intrinsically intertwined, functioning almost as one and the same entity. We continue with the forms taken by what is categorised as informal, asking whether the concept of interstice is appropriate for both sale and collection. Finally, we focus on the ambiguous figure of the yuyera to try to determine to what extent it is a figure of the interstice. Dans cet article, nous interrogeons la pertinence du concept d'interstice pour catégoriser le travail des yuyeras au Paraguay. Nous commençons par une réflexion sur la dichotomie formel/informel, une question qui sous-tend celle de l'interstice. Nous nous demandons pour qui cette dichotomie a un sens alors que les deux secteurs sont intrinsèquement liés, fonctionnent presque comme une seule et même entité. Nous poursuivons avec les formes prises par ce qui est catégorisé comme informel, en nous demandant si le concept d'interstice est approprié à la fois pour la vente et la collecte. Enfin, nous nous concentrons sur la figure ambiguë de la yuyera pour tenter de déterminer dans quelle mesure il s’agit d’une figure de l’interstice. Neste artigo, questionamos a relevância do conceito de interstício para categorizar o trabalho de yuyeras no Paraguai. Começamos com uma reflexão sobre a dicotomia formal/informal, uma questão que está subjacente à do interstício. Perguntamo-nos para quem faz sentido a dicotomia quando, de facto, os dois sectores estão intrinsecamente interligados, funcionando quase como uma e a mesma entidade. Continuamos com as formas tomadas pelo que é classificado como informal, perguntando se o conceito de interstício é apropriado tanto para a venda como para a recolha. Finalmente, concentramo-nos na figura ambígua da yuyera para tentar determinar até que ponto se trata de uma figura do interstício.

CRISPR is a prominent bioengineering tool and the type V CRISPR-associated protein complex, Cas12a, is widely used in diagnostic platforms due to its innate ability to cleave DNA substrates. Here we demonstrate that Cas12a can also be programmed to directly detect RNA substrates without the need for reverse transcription or strand displacement. We discovered that while the PAM-proximal “seed” region of the crRNA exclusively recognizes DNA for initiating trans-cleavage, the PAM-distal region or 3’-end of the crRNA can tolerate both RNA and DNA substrates. Utilizing this property, we developed a method named Split Activators for Highly Accessible RNA Analysis or ‘SAHARA’ to detect RNA sequences at the PAM-distal region of the crRNA by merely supplying a short ssDNA or a PAM containing dsDNA to the seed region. Notably, SAHARA is Mg2+ concentration- and pH-dependent, and it was observed to work robustly at room temperature with multiple orthologs of Cas12a. SAHARA also displayed a significant improvement in the specificity for target recognition as compared to the wild-type CRISPR-Cas12a, at certain positions along the crRNA. By employing SAHARA we achieved amplification-free detection of picomolar concentrations of miRNA-155 and hepatitis C virus RNA. Finally, SAHARA can use a PAM-proximal DNA as a switch to control the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a for the detection of both DNA and RNA targets. With this, multicomplex arrays can be made to detect distinct DNA and RNA targets with pooled crRNA/Cas12a complexes. In conclusion, SAHARA is a simple, yet powerful nucleic acid detection platform based on Cas12a that can be applied in a multiplexed fashion and potentially be expanded to other CRISPR-Cas enzymes.

CRISPR is a prominent bioengineering tool and the type V CRISPR-associated protein complex, Cas12a, is widely used in diagnostic platforms due to its innate ability to cleave DNA substrates. Here we demonstrate that Cas12a can also be programmed to directly detect RNA substrates without the need for reverse transcription or strand displacement. We discovered that while the PAM-proximal “seed” region of the crRNA exclusively recognizes DNA for initiatingtrans-cleavage, the PAM-distal region or 3’-end of the crRNA can tolerate both RNA and DNA substrates. Utilizing this property, we developed a method named Split Activators for Highly Accessible RNA Analysis or ‘SAHARA’ to detect RNA sequences at the PAM-distal region of the crRNA by merely supplying a short ssDNA or a PAM containing dsDNA to the seed region. Notably, SAHARA is Mg2+concentration- and pH-dependent, and it was observed to work robustly at room temperature with multiple orthologs of Cas12a. SAHARA also displayed a significant improvement in the specificity for target recognition as compared to the wild-type CRISPR-Cas12a, at certain positions along the crRNA. By employing SAHARA we achieved amplification-free detection of picomolar concentrations of miRNA-155 and hepatitis C virus RNA. Finally, SAHARA can use a PAM-proximal DNA as a switch to control the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a for the detection of both DNA and RNA targets. With this, multicomplex arrays can be made to detect distinct DNA and RNA targets with pooled crRNA/Cas12a complexes. In conclusion, SAHARA is a simple, yet powerful nucleic acid detection platform based on Cas12a that can be applied in a multiplexed fashion and potentially be expanded to other CRISPR-Cas enzymes.Abstract Figure

Introduction Obesity is one of the main public health problem worldwide and it has a negative short- and long-term relationship with women's health. Assessment of this disorder is essential, as is a body composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) with the new region of interest as the neck. Objective To verify the association between abdominal and neck fat with sleep quality in obese women. Methods The sample, obtained from a Biomedical Engineering and Health Program database, was characterized by being obese female aged between 20 and 65 years. The tests performed were anthropometric assessment, sleep quality questionnaire, physical activity level, nutritional assessment, and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). For statistical analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk test, t test for independent samples, Kendall's Tau, linear and multiple regression and ROC curve were used. Results The sample consisted of 15 individuals with a mean age of 45 ± 11.10 years, neck circumference of 41.50 ± 2.61 and abdominal circumference of 128.20 ± 11.62. We found no correlation between the regions of interest and the sleep quality questionnaire. Regression analysis shows non-significant statistical values for abdominal fat. The statistical test proved that the new region of interest in abdominal fat is closer to better sensitivity and has a greater relationship with sleep quality. Conclusion there was no statistically significant correlation between the regions of interest and the sleep quality questionnaire. However, the abdominal fat region of interest was the point that presented the best association with sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh questionnaire. Resumo Introdução A obesidade é um dos principais problemas de saúde pública em todo o mundo e tem uma relação negativa de curto e longo prazo com a saúde da mulher. A avaliação desse distúrbio é essencial, assim como a composição corporal avaliada por absorciometria de raios X de dupla energia (DXA), com a nova região de interesse como o pescoço. Objetivo Verificar a associação da gordura abdominal e cervical com a qualidade de sono em mulheres obesas. Métodos A amostra, obtida de um banco de dados do Programa de Engenharia Biomédica e Saúde, caracterizou-se por mulheres obesas com idade entre 20 e 65 anos. Os testes realizados foram avaliação antropométrica, questionário de qualidade do sono, nível de atividade física, avaliação nutricional e composição corporal por dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Para análise estatística, foram utilizados o teste de Shapiro-Wilk, teste t para amostras independentes, Tau de Kendall, regressão linear e múltipla, e curva ROC. Resultados A amostra foi composta por 15 indivíduos com idade média de 45 ± 11,10 anos, circunferência do pescoço de 41,50 ± 2,61 e circunferência abdominal de 128,20 ± 11,62. Não encontrou-se correlação entre as regiões de interesse e o questionário de qualidade do sono. A análise de regressão mostrou valores estatísticos não significativos para a gordura abdominal. O teste estatístico comprovou que a nova região de interesse na gordura abdominal está mais próxima de melhor sensibilidade e tem maior relação com a qualidade do sono. Conclusão Não houve correlação estatisticamente significativa entre as regiões de interesse e o questionário de qualidade do sono. A região de gordura abdominal de interesse, no entanto, foi o ponto que apresentou melhor associação com a qualidade do sono avaliada pelo questionário de Pittsburgh.

This study investigated the hypothesis that methionine supplementation of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) hens can reduce the effects of oxidative stress and improve the performance of the offspring exposed to heat stress during growth. For that, the quail hens were fed with three diets related to the methionine supplementation: methionine-deficient diet (Md); diet supplemented with the recommended methionine level (Met1); and diet supplemented with methionine above the recommended level (Met2). Their chicks were identified, weighed, and housed according to the maternal diet group from 1 to 14 d of age. On 15 d of age, chicks were weighed and divided into two groups: thermoneutral ambient (constant temperature of 23 °C) and intermittent heat stress ambient (daily exposure to 34 °C for 6 h). Methionine-supplemented (Met1 and Met2) hens had higher egg production, better feed conversion ratio, higher hatchability of total and fertile eggs, and offspring with higher body weight. Supplemented (Met1 and Met2) hens showed greater expression of glutathione synthase (GSS) and methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) genes, greater total antioxidant capacity, and lower lipid peroxidation in the liver. The offspring of hens fed the Met2 diet had lower death rate (1 to 14 d), higher weight on 15 d of age, weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio from 1 to 14 d of age. Among chicks reared under heat stress, the progeny of methionine-supplemented hens had higher weight on 35 d, weight gain, expression of GSS, MSRA, and thermal shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes, and total antioxidant capacity in the liver, as well as lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Positive correlations between expression of glutathione peroxidase 7 (GPX7) and MSRA genes in hens and offspring were observed. Our results show that maternal methionine supplementation contributes to offspring development and performance in early stages and that, under conditions of heat stress during growth, chicks from methionine-supplemented hens respond better to hot environmental conditions than chicks from nonsupplemented hens. Supplementation of quail hens diets with methionine promoted activation of different metabolic pathways in offspring subjected to stress conditions.

Mercury is one of the most toxic heavy metals. By virtue of its triple bond, the novel ligand 1,2-bis(1H-pyrazol-4- yl)ethyne (H2BPE) was expressly designed and synthesized to devise metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibiting high chemical affinity for mercury. Two MOFs, Zn(BPE) and Zn(BPE)·nDMF [interpenetrated i-Zn and noninterpenetrated ni-Zn·S, respectively; DMF = dimethylformamide], were isolated as microcrystalline powders. While i-Zn is stable in water for at least 15 days, its suspension in HgCl2 aqueous solutions prompts its conversion into HgCl2@ni-Zn. A multitechnique approach allowed us to shed light onto the observed HgCl2-triggered i-Zn-to- HgCl2@ni-Zn transformation at the molecular level. Density functional theory calculations on model systems suggested that HgCl2 interacts via the mercury atom with the carbon−carbon triple bond exclusively in ni-Zn. Powder X-ray diffraction enabled us to quantify the extent of the i-Zn-to-HgCl2@ni-Zn transition in 100−5000 ppm HgCl2 (aq) solutions, while X-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry allowed us to demonstrate that HgCl2 is quantitatively sequestered from the aqueous phase. Irradiating at 365 nm, an intense fluorescence is observed at 470 nm for ni-Zn·S, which is partially quenched for i-Zn. This spectral benchmark was exploited to monitor in real time the i-Zn-to-HgCl2@ni-Zn conversion kinetics at different HgCl2 (aq) concentrations. A sizeable fluorescence increase was observed, within a 1 h time lapse, even at a concentration of 5 ppb. Overall, this comprehensive investigation unraveled an intriguing molecular mechanism, featuring the disaggregation of a water-stable MOF in the presence of HgCl2 and the self-assembly of a different crystalline phase around the pollutant, which is sequestered and simultaneously quantified by means of a luminescence change. Such a case study might open the way to new-conception strategies to achieve real-time sensing of mercury-containing pollutants in wastewaters and, eventually, pursue their straightforward and costeffective purification., University of Insubria for partial funding, Programa Juan de la Cierva Formación (FJC2020-045043-I), MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR (Grants PID2020- 113608RB-I00 and TED2021-129886B-C41)