Directional takeoff, aerial righting, and adhesion landing of semiaquatic springtails.

Springtails (Collembola) have been traditionally portrayed as explosive jumpers with incipient directional takeoff and uncontrolled landing. However, for these collembolans that live near the water, such skills are crucial for evading a host of voracious aquatic and terrestrial predators. We discover that semiaquatic springtails, Isotomurus retardatus, can perform directional jumps, rapid aerial righting, and near-perfect landing on the water surface. They achieve these locomotive controls by adjusting their body attitude and impulse during takeoff, deforming their body in midair, and exploiting the hydrophilicity of their ventral tube, known as the collophore. Experiments and mathematical modeling indicate that directional-impulse control during takeoff is driven by the collophore's adhesion force, the body angle, and the stroke duration produced by their jumping organ, the furcula. In midair, springtails curve their bodies to form a U-shape pose, which leverages aerodynamic forces to right themselves in less than ~20 ms, the fastest ever measured in animals. A stable equilibrium is facilitated by the water adhered to the collophore. Aerial righting was confirmed by placing springtails in a vertical wind tunnel and through physical models. Due to these aerial responses, springtails land on their ventral side ~85% of the time while anchoring via the collophore on the water surface to avoid bouncing. We validated the springtail biophysical principles in a bioinspired jumping robot that reduces in-flight rotation and lands upright ~75% of the time. Thus, contrary to common belief, these wingless hexapods can jump, skydive, and land with outstanding control that can be fundamental for survival.

Value contribution of etranacogene dezaparvovec gene therapy in moderately severe and severe haemophilia B through multi-criteria decision analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The value of gene therapies for haemophilia needs to be assessed holistically. AIM: To determine the value of etranacogene dezaparvovec (ED) compared to current extended half-life (EHL) recombinant factors (rFIX), using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). METHOD: MCDA EVIDEM methodology adapted to orphan drugs was used, with nine quantitative criteria and four contextual criteria. The MCDA framework was rated by 28 multidisciplinary experts. Descriptive statistics were performed for quantitative and qualitative criteria. RESULTS: Haemophilia B (HB) was considered a severe disease (mean ± SD: 4.3 ± 0.7) with some unmet needs (mean ± SD 3.3 ± 0.9). Experts found ED more effective (mean ± SD 2.0 ± 2.3) and provide better quality of life (QoL) (mean ± SD: 1.8 ± 1.5) than the comparative HB treatments but with safety uncertainties (mean ± SD -1.2 ± 1.8). ED could lead to medical cost and non-medical cost savings over time (mean ± SD: 1.6 ± 2.0 and 2.0 ± 1.5, respectively). The quality of the evidence was high (mean ± SD: 3.9 ± 0.9). ED was considered aligned with the priorities of the National Health System (NHS) and the specific interests of patients. ED's value contribution was 0.45 (+1 = highest value). CONCLUSIONS: ED brings added value in the treatment of moderately severe and severe HB (sHB) compared to current EHL rFIX, addressing the severity of the disease and increasing efficacy and patients' QoL especially related to the single dose and low bleeding rate. Concerns about long-term safety need to be addressed.

Improving Indoor WiFi Localization by Using Machine Learning Techniques.

Accurate and robust positioning has become increasingly essential for emerging applications and services. While GPS (global positioning system) is widely used for outdoor environments, indoor positioning remains a challenging task. This paper presents a novel architecture for indoor positioning, leveraging machine learning techniques and a divide-and-conquer strategy to achieve low error estimates. The proposed method achieves an MAE (mean absolute error) of approximately 1 m for latitude and longitude. Our approach provides a precise and practical solution for indoor positioning. Additionally, some insights on the best machine learning techniques for these tasks are also envisaged.

Hemophilia and hepatology, back to the future.

Years ago, patients with hemophilia were often cared for because of liver issues. The use of hemoderivatives in the 1970s and 1980s, and the natural history of chronic hepatitis B and C, led to a surge of patients with cirrhosis and related complications after two or three decades. It was not until the approval of entecavir and tenofovir (2005-2008) against the B virus, and of direct-acting antiviral agents (2015) against the C virus, that a truly effective treatment became available for liver disease. Since then, patients with hemophilia disappeared from hepatology clinics and wards, apart from specific isolated problems.

Serpentirhabdias mexicanus n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae), a parasitic lungworm of the nauyaca viper Bothrops asper (Serpentes: Viperidae) in the Mexican Neotropics.

Serpentirhabdias mexicanus n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) is described from the lung of the nauyaca viper Bothrops asper in Puebla State, central Mexico. This new species is the fifth of the genus described having onchia. Among the species included in this group, the new species is morphologically closest to S. viperidicus and S. atroxi. However, it differs from both species mainly by having only one excretory gland (compared to two present in S. viperidicus and S. atroxi). In addition, S. mexicanus n. sp. can be separated of S. viperidicus by tail length, shape of vulval lips, geographic distribution and host species and from S. atroxi by body length, number of papillae in the cephalic region, as well as the host species and geographic distribution. In the present study, we propose the new species based on morphological, host spectrum and genetic evidence. Phylogenetic analysis indicated Serpentirhabdias as a monophyletic group, with two subgroups that are congruent with the presence/absence of onchia in the esophagostome, host association and other relevant morphological characters.

Longitudinal reallocations of time between 24-h movement behaviours and their associations with inflammation in children and adolescents: the UP&DOWN study.

BACKGROUND: While there is evidence that physical activity, sedentary behaviour (SB) and sleep may all be associated with modified levels of inflammatory markers in adolescents and children, associations with one movement behaviour have not always been adjusted for other movement behaviours, and few studies have considered all movement behaviours in the 24-hour day as an exposure. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to explore how longitudinal reallocations of time between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), SB and sleep are associated with changes in inflammatory markers in children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 296 children/adolescents participated in a prospective cohort study with a 3-year follow-up. MVPA, LPA and SB were assessed by accelerometers. Sleep duration was assessed using the Health Behavior in School-aged Children questionnaire. Longitudinal compositional regression models were used to explore how reallocations of time between movement behaviours are associated with changes in inflammatory markers. RESULTS: Reallocations of time from SB to sleep were associated with increases in C3 levels (difference for 60 min/d reallocation [d60] = 5.29 mg/dl; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.28, 10.29) and TNF-α (d60 = 1.81 mg/dl; 95% CI = 0.79, 15.41) levels. Reallocations from LPA to sleep were also associated with increases in C3 levels (d60 = 8.10 mg/dl; 95% CI = 0.79, 15.41). Reallocations from LPA to any of the remaining time-use components were associated with increases in C4 levels (d60 ranging from 2.54 to 3.63 mg/dl; p < 0.05), while any reallocation of time away from MVPA was associated with unfavourable changes in leptin (d60 ranging from 3088.44 to 3448.07 pg/ml; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Reallocations of time between 24-h movement behaviours are prospectively associated with some inflammatory markers. Reallocating time away from LPA appears to be most consistently unfavourably associated with inflammatory markers. Given that higher levels of inflammation during childhood and adolescence are associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases in adulthood, children and adolescents should be encouraged to maintain or increase the level of LPA to preserve a healthy immune system.

Longitudinal association of sedentary time and physical activity with pain and quality of life in fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze changes over time and the predictive value of baseline and changes of sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) on pain, disease impact, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 2- and 5-year follow-up in women with fibromyalgia. METHODS: This is a longitudinal and exploratory study with three time points. A total of 427 women with fibromyalgia (51.4 ± 7.6 years) were followed after 2 (n = 172) and 5 years (n = 185). ST and PA (light and moderate-to-vigorous [MVPA]) were assessed using triaxial accelerometers. Pain, disease impact, and HRQoL were measured using: pressure pain threshold, the pain subscale of the revised fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQR), the bodily pain subscale of the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), a visual analog scale (VAS), the FIQR, and the SF-36 physical and mental components. RESULTS: Over 5 years, pressure pain threshold, ST, light PA, and MVPA variables were worsened, while FIQR and SF-36 variables were improved (Cohen's d < 0.1-0.3). Baseline ST or light PA were not associated with future outcomes, whereas greater MVPA at baseline was associated with better SF-36 bodily pain at 5-year follow-up (ß = 0.13). Reducing ST and increasing light PA were associated with better bodily pain (ß = -0.16 and 0.17, respectively) and SF-36 physical component (ß = -0.20 and 0.17, respectively) at 5-year follow-up. Increasing MVPA was associated with less pain (pressure pain threshold, VAS, and FIQR-pain) and better SF-36 physical component at 2- and 5-year follow-up (ß's from -0.20 to 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Objectively measured variables slightly worsened over years, while for self-reported outcomes there was a trend for improvement. Reductions in ST and increases in light PA and MVPA were associated with better HRQoL at 5-year follow-up, and increases in MVPA were additionally associated with better pain and HRQoL at 2-year follow-up.

Quantitative analysis of MGMT promoter methylation status changes by pyrosequencing in recurrent glioblastoma.

MGMT promoter methylation status can change in response to several factors, treatment with alkylating therapy being the mechanism more commonly cited in the literature. Some authors have attempted to quantify these alterations, with inconsistent results. This study aims to determine changes in MGMT promoter methylation status by pyrosequencing, which quantitatively yields results, in a cohort of patients reoperated for recurrent glioblastoma and having previously completed the Stupp protocol. Methylation status of the MGMT promoter gene of a total of 24 pairs of glioblastoma preselected tumor samples was retrospectively analyzed using pyrosequencing and depicted as percentages or categories (hypermethylated, intermediate methylation, unmethylated). Matched samples were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and log-rank test was used to establish a correlation with survival data. The median value of MGMT promoter methylation status declined after adjuvant treatment from 20.35% to 14.25% (p = 0.346). A significant correlation between methylation in primary samples and overall survival (p = 0.05) and progression-free survival (p = 0.024) was found. Intermediate methylation status at recurrence was linked to greater survival after progression, without reaching statistical significance (post-progression survival [PPS]) (p = 0.217). Although treatment with alkylating chemotherapy was a common feature in all patients of our cohort, switching in both directions was observed when MGMT promoter methylation status was analyzed as a continuous variable. These data suggest that the dynamics of epigenetics may be very complex and not entirely explained by clonal selection influenced by temozolomide.

Recent Developments on Drivable Area Estimation: A Survey and a Functional Analysis.

Most advanced autonomous driving systems (ADS) today rely on the prior creation of high-definition maps (HD maps). This process is expensive and needs to be performed frequently to keep up with the changing conditions of the road environment. Creating accurate navigation maps online is an alternative to reduce the cost and broaden the current operational design domains (ODD) of modern ADS. This paper offers a snapshot of the state of the art in drivable area estimation, which is an essential technology to deploy ADS in ODDs where HD maps are limited or unavailable. The proposed review introduces a novel architecture breakdown that fits learning-based and non-learning-based techniques and allows the analysis of a set of impactful and recent drivable area algorithms. In addition to that, complimentary information for practitioners is provided: (i) an assessment of the influence of modern sensing technologies on the task under study and (ii) a selection of relevant datasets for evaluation and benchmarking purposes.

Evaluation of 5G and Fixed-Satellite Service Earth Station (FSS-ES) Downlink Interference Based on Artificial Neural Network Learning Models (ANN-LMS).

Fifth-generation (5G) networks have been deployed alongside fourth-generation networks in high-traffic areas. The most recent 5G mobile communication access technology includes mmWave and sub-6 GHz C-bands. However, 5G signals possibly interfere with existing radio systems because they are using adjacent and co-channel frequencies. Therefore, the minimisation of the interference of 5G with other signals already deployed for other services, such as fixed-satellite service Earth stations (FSS-Ess), is urgently needed. The novelty of this paper is that it addresses issues using measurements from 5G base stations (5G-BS) and FSS-ES, simulation analysis, and prediction modelling based on artificial neural network learning models (ANN-LMs). The ANN-LMs models are used to classify interference events into two classes, namely, adjacent and co-channel interference. In particular, ANN-LMs incorporating the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and general regression neural network (GRNN) are implemented. Numerical results considering real measurements carried out in Malaysia show that RBFNN evidences better accuracy with respect to its GRNN counterpart. The outcomes of this work can be exploited in the future as a baseline for coexistence and/or mitigation techniques.

Structural Analysis of Janus Tyrosine Kinase Variants in Hematological Malignancies: Implications for Drug Development and Opportunities for Novel Therapeutic Strategies.

Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK) variants are known drivers for hematological disorders. With the full-length structure of mouse JAK1 being recently resolved, new observations on the localization of variants within closed, open, and dimerized JAK structures are possible. Full-length homology models of human wild-type JAK family members were developed using the Glassman et al. reported mouse JAK1 containing the V658F structure as a template. Many mutational sites related to proliferative hematological disorders reside in the JH2 pseudokinase domains facing the region important in dimerization of JAKs in both closed and open states. More than half of all JAK gain of function (GoF) variants are changes in polarity, while only 1.2% are associated with a change in charge. Within a JAK1-JAK3 homodimer model, IFNLR1 (PDB ID7T6F) and the IL-2 common gamma chain subunit (IL2Rγc) were aligned with the respective dimer implementing SWISS-MODEL coupled with ChimeraX. JAK3 variants were observed to encircle the catalytic site of the kinase domain, while mutations in the pseudokinase domain align along the JAK-JAK dimerization axis. FERM domains of JAK1 and JAK3 are identified as a hot spot for hematologic malignancies. Herein, we propose new allosteric surfaces for targeting hyperactive JAK dimers.

Synthesis of Ammonium-Based ILs with Different Lengths of Aliphatic Chains and Organic Halogen-Free Anions as Corrosion Inhibitors of API X52 Steel.

In the present work, synthesis and characterization of 15 ionic liquids (ILs) derived from quaternary ammonium and carboxylates were carried out in order to proceed to their evaluation as corrosion inhibitors (CIs) of API X52 steel in 0.5 M HCl. Potentiodynamic tests confirmed the inhibition efficiency (IE) as a function of the chemical configuration of the anion and cation. It was observed that the presence of two carboxylic groups in long linear aliphatic chains reduced the IE, whereas in shorter chains it was increased. Tafel-polarization results revealed the ILs as mixed-type CIs and that the IE was directly proportional to the CI concentration. The compounds with the best IE were 2-amine-benzoate of N,N,N-trimethyl-hexadecan-1-ammonium ([THDA+][-AA]), 3-carboxybut-3-enoate of N,N,N-trimethyl-hexadecan-1-ammonium ([THDA+][-AI]), and dodecanoate of N,N,N-trimethyl-hexadecan-1-ammonium ([THDA+][-AD]) within the 56-84% interval. Furthermore, it was found that the ILs obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and inhibited the corrosion of steel through a physicochemical process. Finally, the surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed less steel damage in the presence of CI due to the inhibitor-metal interaction.

Temperature Effect on the Corrosion Inhibition of Carbon Steel by Polymeric Ionic Liquids in Acid Medium.

In the present research work, the temperature effect on the corrosion inhibition process of API 5L X60 steel in 1 M H2SO4 by employing three vinylimidazolium poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) was studied by means of electrochemical techniques, surface analysis and computational simulation. The results revealed that the maximal inhibition efficiency (75%) was achieved by Poly[VIMC4][Im] at 308 K and 175 ppm. The PILs showed Ecorr displacements with respect to the blank from -14 mV to -31 mV, which revealed the behavior of mixed-type corrosion inhibitors (CIs). The steel micrographs, in the presence and absence of PILs, showed less surface damage in the presence of PILs, thus confirming their inhibiting effect. The computational studies of the molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potential of the monomers suggested that the formation of a protecting film could be mainly due to the nitrogen and oxygen heteroatoms present in each structure.

End of Life in Patients With Advanced Non-curable Cancer: Patient Considerations Around the Moment of Death.

There is limited knowledge regarding Colombian patients with advanced cancer preferences regarding their final moments, place of death, and post-death wishes. To better understand these preferences, we conducted 23 in-depth interviews with patients between the ages of 28 and 78 receiving treatment at two academic hospitals and the National Cancer Institute. While many participants desired a peaceful death, few were comfortable discussing the topic of death directly. Some younger participants expressed an interest in euthanasia but had not received any guidance or support. While several participants preferred a home death, some expressed a desire to die in a hospital due to better symptom control. Additionally, when discussing post-death wishes, some participants expressed frustration about being unable to have these conversations with their loved ones and their preferences for funeral arrangements. Socioeconomic and geographical factors significantly impacted the wishes and preferences expressed, with many individuals hesitant to initiate difficult conversations.

Interplay between genetics and lifestyle on pain susceptibility in women with fibromyalgia: the al-Ándalus project.

OBJECTIVES: It is widely acknowledged that the experience of pain is promoted by both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors such as engaging in physical activity (PA), and that pain-related cognitions are also important. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to test the association of 64 polymorphisms (34 candidate genes) and the gene-gene, gene-PA and gene-sedentary behaviour interactions with pain and pain-related cognitions in women with FM. METHODS: Saliva samples from 274 women with FM [mean (s.d.) age 51.7 (7.7) years] were collected for extracting DNA. We measured PA and sedentary behaviour by accelerometers for a week, pain with algometry and questionnaires, and pain-related cognitions with questionnaires. To assess the robustness of the results, a meta-analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The rs6311 and rs6313 polymorphisms (5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A, HTR2A) were individually related to algometer scores. The interaction of rs4818 (catechol-O-methyltransferase, COMT) and rs1799971 (opioid receptor µ gene, OPRM1) was related to pain catastrophizing. Five gene-behaviour interactions were significant: the interactions of sedentary behaviour with rs1383914 (adrenoceptor alpha 1A, ADRA1A), rs6860 (charged multivesicular body protein 1A, CHMP1A), rs4680 (COMT), rs165599 (COMT) and rs12994338 (SCN9A) on bodily pain subscale of the Short Form 36. Furthermore, the meta-analysis showed an association between rs4680 (COMT) and severity of FM symptoms (codominant model, P-value 0.032). CONCLUSION: The HTR2A gene (individually), COMT and OPRM1 gene-gene interaction, and the interactions of sedentary behaviour with ADRA1A, CHMP1A, COMT and SCN9A genes were associated with pain-related outcomes. Collectively, findings from the present study indicate a modest contribution of genetics and gene-sedentary behaviour interaction to pain and pain catastrophizing in women with FM. Future research should examine whether reducing sedentary behaviour is particularly beneficial for reducing pain in women with genetic susceptibility to pain.

Knifefish turning control and hydrodynamics during forward swimming.

Rapid turning and swimming contribute to ecologically important behaviors in fishes such as predator avoidance, prey capture, mating and the navigation of complex environments. For riverine species, such as knifefishes, turning behaviors may also be important for navigating locomotive perturbations caused by turbulent flows. Most research on fish maneuvering focuses on fish with traditional fin and body morphologies, which primarily use body bending and the pectoral fins during turning. However, it is uncertain how fishes with uncommon morphologies are able to achieve sudden and controllable turns. Here, we studied the turning performance and the turning hydrodynamics of the black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons, N=6) which has an atypical elongated ribbon fin. Fish were filmed while swimming forward at ∼2 body lengths s-1 and feeding from a fixed feeder (control) and an oscillating feeder (75 Hz) at two different amplitudes. 3D kinematic analysis of the body revealed the highest pitch angles and lowest body bending coefficients during steady swimming. Low pitch angle, high maximum yaw angles and large body bending coefficients were characteristic of small and large turns. Asynchrony in pectoral fin use was low during turning; however, ribbon fin wavelength, frequency and wave speed were greatest during large turns. Digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) showed larger counter-rotating vortex pairs produced during turning by the ribbon fin in comparison to vortices rotating in the same direction during steady swimming. Our results highlight the ribbon fin's role in controlled rapid turning through modulation of wavelength, frequency and wave speed.

High Rates of Extensively Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Children with Cystic Fibrosis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a high adaptive capacity, favoring the selection of antibiotic-resistant strains, which are currently considered a global health problem. The purpose of this work was to investigate the rate and distribution of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with recurrent infections and to distinguish the current efficacy of antibiotics commonly used in eradication therapy at a Mexican institute focused on children. A total of 118 P. aeruginosa isolates from 25 children with CF (2015-2019) underwent molecular identification, antimicrobial sensitivity tests, and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA genotyping (RAPD-PCR). The bacterial isolates were grouped in 84 RAPD profiles, revealing a cross-infection between two sisters, whose resistance profile remained unchanged for more than 2 years. Furthermore, 77.1% (91/118) and 51.7% (61/118) of isolates showed in vitro susceptibility to ceftazidime and amikacin, respectively, antibiotics often used in eradication therapy at our institution. As well, 42.4% (50/118) were categorized as multi-drug resistant (MDR) and 12.7% (15/118) were XDR. Of these resistant isolates, 84.6% (55/65) were identified from patients with recurrent infections. The high frequency of XDR strains in children with CF should be considered a caution mark, as such resistance patterns are more commonly found in adult patients. Additionally, amikacin may soon prove ineffective. Careful use of available antibiotics is crucial before therapeutic possibilities are reduced and "antibiotic resistance crisis" worsens.

The Influence of Exercise, Lifestyle Behavior Components, and Physical Fitness on Maternal Weight Gain, Postpartum Weight Retention, and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain.

This study examines (a) the influence of exercise, lifestyle behavior components (sedentary time, physical activity, and sleep and dietary patterns), and physical fitness on maternal weight gain, postpartum weight retention, and excessive gestational weight gain and (b) whether exercise protects against the adverse effects of impaired metabolism and nonoptimal body composition related to excessive gestational weight gain. Subjects were assigned to either a supervised concurrent (aerobic + resistance) exercise program followed 3 days/week (n = 47) or a control group (n = 54). Sedentary time, physical activity, sleep and dietary patterns (assessed by accelerometry and questionnaires), muscle strength (handgrip test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (Bruce test) were determined at gestational Weeks 16 and 33 (early-middle and late pregnancy, respectively), and at 6 weeks postpartum. Weight gain and weight retention were calculated using recorded weights at prepregnancy, early-middle, and late pregnancy, and at 6 weeks postpartum. Birth complications, maternal postpartum body composition, cardiometabolic, and inflammatory markers in maternal and umbilical cord arterial and venous blood, and in colostrum, and mature milk were also recorded. The exercise intervention reduced late weight gain (B = -2.7, SE = 0.83, p = .003) and weight retention (B = -2.85, SE = 1.3, p = .03), independent of any lifestyle behavior component or physical fitness, but did not prevent excessive weight gain. Increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and sleep duration were associated with a smaller mean weight gain and lower excessive weight gain values (p < .05). Among the participants who experienced excessive weight gain, those who were exercisers had a lower body mass index and systemic tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration, lower umbilical cord venous tumor necrosis factor-alpha and arterial interferon gamma levels, higher cord arterial interleukin-10 levels, and improved placental function compared with controls (p < .05). In summary, exercise may help optimize gestational weight gain and weight retention, and may attenuate the impaired phenotype related to excessive weight gain. Increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and sleep duration might help to prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

The Protective Role of Physical Fitness on Cardiometabolic Risk During Pregnancy: The GESTAtion and FITness Project.

Physical fitness (PF) is a cornerstone of metabolic health. However, its role in maternal-fetal metabolism during pregnancy is poorly understood. The present work investigates: (i) the association of PF with maternal and fetal cardiometabolic markers, and with clustered cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy, and (ii) whether being fit counteracts cardiometabolic abnormalities associated with overweight/obesity. Several PF components (flexibility, lower and upper body strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF]) were objectively assessed in 151 pregnant women at gestational weeks 16 and 33, and an overall PF cluster score calculated. At the same times, maternal glycemic and lipid markers, cortisol, and C-reactive protein were assessed with standard biochemical methods, along with blood pressure and a proxy for insulin resistance, and a cardiometabolic risk cluster score determined. These analytes were also measured in maternal and umbilical cord arterial and venous blood collected at delivery. PF was found to be associated with several maternal and a small number of fetal cardiometabolic markers (p < .05). Lower and upper body muscle strength, CRF, overall PF (week 16), and CRF changes (weeks 16-33) were inversely associated with clustered cardiometabolic risk (p < .05). Normal weight fit women had lower values for insulin level, insulin resistance, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and diastolic blood pressure than did overweight/obese unfit women at week 16 (p < .05). In conclusion, greater PF, especially muscle strength and CRF in early-middle pregnancy, appears to be associated with a better metabolic phenotype, and may protect against maternal cardiometabolic risk. "Keep yourself fit and normal weight before and during early pregnancy" should be a key public health message.

Vitamin E and carotenoid profiles in leaves, stems, petioles and flowers of stinging nettle (Urtica leptophylla Kunth) from Costa Rica.

BACKGROUND: Local leafy vegetables are gaining attention as affordable sources of micronutrients, including vitamins, pro-vitamin carotenoids and other bioactive compounds. Stinging nettles (Urtica spp.) are used as source of fibers, herbal medicine and food. However, despite the relatively wide geographical spread of Urtica leptophylla on the American continent, little is known about its content of vitamin E congeners and carotenoids. We therefore investigated the particular nutritional potential of different plant structures of wild Costa Rican U. leptophylla by focusing on their vitamin E and carotenoid profiles. RESULTS: Young, mature and herbivore-damaged leaves, flowers, stems and petioles were collected and freeze-dried. Vitamin E and carotenoids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography after liquid/liquid extraction with hexane. α-Tocopherol was the major vitamin E congener in all structures. Flowers had a high content of γ-tocopherol. Herbivore-damaged leaves had higher contents of vitamin E than undamaged leaves. Lutein was the major and ß-carotene the second most abundant carotenoid in U. leptophylla. No differences in carotenoid profiles were observed between damaged and undamaged leaves. CONCLUSION: The leaves of U. leptophylla had the highest nutritional value of all analyzed structures; therefore, they might represent a potential source of α-tocopherol, lutein and ß-carotene. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.