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Current guidelines recommend universal screening for substance use disorders in obstetric patients, and neonatal drug testing is also frequently performed. Meconium is often the preferred specimen type to detect neonatal drug exposure due to a longer window of detection compared to urine, but most laboratories send out meconium testing to specialized reference laboratories, which can delay results for several days or more. Here, we evaluate a rapid and definitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for neonatal urine drug testing and compare results obtained using this method to paired meconium drug testing in 1,424 neonates for amphetamines, cocaine, cannabinoids, opiates, oxycodone and phencyclidine. Urine testing showed equivalent sensitivity to current meconium methods for detecting in utero exposure to amphetamines and cocaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Childhood obesity is a public health concern. Electronic and mobile health (e‐&mHealth) approaches can facilitate the delivery of interventions for obesity prevention and treatment. Synthesizing reviews of e‐&mHealth interventions to improve weight and weight‐related behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and diet) is useful to characterize the current scope of the literature and identify opportunities for future reviews and studies. Using a scoping review methodology, we aimed to evaluate the breadth and methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of e‐&mHealth interventions targeting weight and weight‐related behaviors in children and adolescents aged <19 years. A systematic search of seven databases was conducted, including reviews published between 2000 and 2019. Review characteristics were extracted, and methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool. Forty‐five systematic reviews and meta‐analyses were included. All reviews evaluated intervention efficacy (100%), but few assessed other aspects (20% in total) such as cost‐effectiveness. Smartphone applications (47%), text messages (44%), and websites (35%) were the main modalities. Weight (60%), physical activity (51%), and diet (44%) were frequently assessed, unlike sedentary behavior (8%). Most reviews were rated as having critically low or low methodological quality (97%). Reviews that identify the effective active ingredients of interventions and explore metrics beyond efficacy are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Oxygen is vital for oocyte maturation; however, oxygen regulation within ovarian follicles is not fully understood. Hemoglobin is abundant within the in vivo matured oocyte, indicating potential function as an oxygen regulator. However, hemoglobin is significantly reduced following in vitro maturation (IVM). The molecule 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) is essential in red blood cells, facilitating release of oxygen from hemoglobin. Towards understanding the role of 2,3-BPG in the oocyte, we characterized gene expression and protein abundance of bisphosphoglycerate mutase (Bpgm), which synthesizes 2,3-BPG, and whether this is altered under low oxygen or hemoglobin addition during IVM. Methods: Hemoglobin and Bpgm expression within in vivo matured human cumulus cells and mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were evaluated to determine physiological levels of Bpgm. During IVM, Bpgm gene expression and protein abundance were analyzed in the presence or absence of low oxygen (2% and 5% oxygen) or exogenous hemoglobin. Results: The expression of Bpgm was significantly lower than hemoglobin when mouse COCs were matured in vivo. Following IVM at 20% oxygen, Bpgm gene expression and protein abundance were significantly higher compared to in vivo. At 2% oxygen, Bpgm was significantly higher compared to 20% oxygen, while exogenous hemoglobin resulted in significantly lower Bpgm in the COC. Conclusion: Hemoglobin and 2,3-BPG may play a role within the maturing COC. This study shows that IVM increases Bpgm within COCs compared to in vivo. Decreasing oxygen concentration and the addition of hemoglobin altered Bpgm, albeit not to levels observed in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In order to manage blood glucose levels in pregnancy, women need to know what and how much to eat, particularly for foods containing carbohydrate. The aim was to assess pregnant women's carbohydrate and standard serve size knowledge and examine whether health professionals provided nutrition education. Methods: Between July 2017 and April 2018 Australian pregnant women were recruited to complete an online survey, including a modified PedCarbQuiz carbohydrate knowledge questionnaire and an online buffet, where they selected images equivalent to one Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) standard serve size. Results: 186 pregnant women (mean age 30.9 years, SD = 4.7 years) 12–22 weeks gestation completed the survey. Participants achieved a median score of 27/36 for identification of carbohydrate-containing foods and a median score of 1/12 (range 0–11) for identification of grams of carbohydrate in specific portions. Participants achieved a median score of 14/22 (range 4–19) for identification of one AGHE standard serve of 11 carbohydrate-containing foods. Less than half (n = 92, 49.5%) received nutrition education from health professionals. Conclusions for Practice: Pregnant women had sub-optimal carbohydrate knowledge. This could contribute to impaired blood glucose concentrations and risk of adverse health outcomes in pregnancy. Opportunities for pregnant women to access nutrition advice from health professionals should be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The overarching objective was to examine the effectiveness of intervention strategies to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. To do this, systematic review evidence regarding the effects of intervention strategies was synthesized; organized, where appropriate, by the setting in which the strategies were implemented. Additionally, we sought to describe gaps in the review of evidence; that is, where evidence regarding the effectiveness of recommended policy actions had not been systematically synthesised. Methods: We undertook a systematic search of electronic databases and the grey literature to identify systematic reviews describing the effects of any intervention strategy targeting fruit and/or vegetable intake in children or adults of any age. Results: The effects of 32 intervention strategies were synthesised from the 19 included reviews. The strategies were mapped across all three broad domains of the NOURISHING framework (i.e. food environment, food system and behaviour change communication), but covered just 14 of the framework's 65 sub-policy areas. There was evidence supporting the effectiveness of 19 of the 32 intervention strategies. The findings of the umbrella review suggest that intervention strategies implemented within schools, childcare services, homes, workplaces and primary care can be effective, as can eHealth strategies, mass media campaigns, household food production strategies and fiscal interventions. Conclusions: A range of effective strategy options are available for policy makers and practitioners interested in improving fruit and/or vegetable intake. However, the effects of many strategies – particularly those targeting agricultural production practices, the supply chain and the broader food system – have not been reported in systematic reviews. Primary studies assessing the effects of these strategies, and the inclusion of such studies in systematic reviews, are needed to better inform national and international efforts to improve public health nutrition. Trial registration: The review protocol was deposited in a publicly available Open Science framework prior to execution of the search strategy. https://osf.io/unj7x/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although youth irritability is linked with substantial psychiatric morbidity and impairment, little is known about how personal characteristics influence its course. In this study we examined the prospective associations between angry and depressive rumination and irritability. A sample of 165 school pupils aged 12–14 years were assessed at two time points six months apart. They completed measures of irritability at Times 1 and 2 and depressive and angry rumination at Time 1. In line with our hypotheses, we found that angry rumination is significantly associated with irritability six months later, over and above baseline irritability and depressive rumination. The present findings suggest angry rumination is relevant to the genesis of irritability in adolescents, and point to possible routes for prevention and early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: While diet quality has declined globally, the promotion of cooking skills as a potential target to counter the decline has been proposed. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between food and cooking skills and diet quality in Australian adults. Methods: A sample of 910 Australian adults completed an online cross‐sectional survey to evaluate their level of cooking and food skills confidence, food related psychological variables, diet quality using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) and sociodemographic characteristics. Analysis of variance with post hoc analysis, Pearson's correlations and hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted using IBM SPSS V25, with statistical significance set at P <.05. Results: Older respondents and females reported higher levels of both cooking and food skills confidence compared to younger and male participants, all P <.001. Cooking and food skills confidence scores were highly correlated (r =.70, P <.001), but weakly correlated with ARFS (r =.22, P <.001; r =.31, P <.001, respectively). Participants with higher diet quality scores had greater cooking and food skills confidence and they consumed less takeaway food (P <.001 and P =.006, respectively). Sixteen percent of the variance in ARFS was accounted for, with age, sex, food creativity and food skills confidence contributing the most variability. Conclusions: Strategies to improve food skills confidence could potentially enhance diet quality and variety to a greater degree than focusing on cooking skills alone. However, development of both skills sets should be encouraged within education programs and targeted to differing aspects of diet quality. Tailoring interventions to specific population groups with low confidence in their skills, including younger adults and males, may facilitate individuals in making healthy food choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women of childbearing age are vulnerable to weight gain. This scoping review examines the extent and range of research undertaken to evaluate behavioral interventions to support women of childbearing age to prevent and treat overweight and obesity.Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) or systematic reviews of RCTs until 31st January 2018. Eligible studies included women of childbearing age (aged 15-44 years), evaluated interventions promoting behavior change related to diet or physical activity to achieve weight gain prevention, weight loss or maintenance and reported weight-related outcomes.Results: Ninety studies met the inclusion criteria (87 RCTs, 3 systematic reviews). Included studies were published from 1998 to 2018. The studies primarily focused on preventing excessive gestational weight gain (n = 46 RCTs, n = 2 systematic reviews), preventing postpartum weight retention (n = 18 RCTs) or a combination of the two (n = 14 RCTs, n = 1 systematic review). The RCTs predominantly evaluated interventions that aimed to change both diet and physical activity behaviors (n = 84) and were delivered in-person (n = 85).Conclusions: This scoping review identified an increasing volume of research over time undertaken to support women of childbearing age to prevent and treat overweight and obesity. It highlights, however, that little research is being undertaken to support the young adult female population unrelated to pregnancy or preconception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: Smartphone apps have emerged as a mode for provision of information to women during pregnancy. More apps are available for pregnancy than for any other medical topic. This review aimed to assess the quality of Android pregnancy apps, including pregnancy‐specific nutrition information. Methods: A keyword search was conducted in the Google Play Store followed by the screening of app title, app store description and the downloaded app. To be included, apps needed to be free, in English, aimed at pregnant women and contain nutrition information. App quality was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and the presence of nutrition topics was reported. Results: A total of 76 apps were included in the analysis. Mean overall MARS quality score was 3.52 (max 5; SD: 0.58) ("1" = inadequate and "5" = excellent). The functionality subscale scored the highest (mean 4.06) and information scored the lowest (mean 3.23). The median number of pregnancy‐specific nutrition topics per app was four (range: 0‐6), with the most common related to caffeine consumption (n = 55, 72% of apps) and fish intake (n = 53, 69%), although the quality and quantity of nutrition information varied greatly between apps. Conclusions: Although there are a large number of pregnancy apps available, few are of high quality and most contain only a small number of pregnancy‐focused nutrition topics. It is important to be aware of the limitations of current apps in providing dietary advice during this key life stage. So what?: The current review does not support the use of freely available android apps currently on the market as an appropriate nutrition resource for pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-translational modification of proteins namely glycosylation influences cellular behavior, structural properties and interactions including during ovarian follicle development and atresia. However, little is known about protein glycosylation changes occurring in diabetes mellitus in ovarian tissues despite the well-known influence of diabetes on the outcome of successful embryo implantation. In our study, the use of PGC chromatography–ESI mass spectrometry in negative ion mode enabled the identification of 138 N -glycans and 6 O -glycans on the proteins of Streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic mouse ovarian tissues (n = 3). Diabetic mouse ovaries exhibited a relative decrease in sialylation, fucosylation and, to a lesser extent, branched N -linked glycan structures, as well as an increase in oligomannose structures on their proteins, compared with nondiabetic mouse ovaries. Changes in N -glycans occurred in the diabetic liver tissue but were more evident in diabetic ovarian tissue of the same mouse, suggesting an organ-specific effect of diabetes mellitus on protein glycosylation. Although at a very low amount, O -GalNAc glycans of mice ovaries were present as core type 1 and core type 2 glycans; with a relative increase in the NeuGc:NeuAc ratio as the most significant difference between control and diabetic ovarian tissues. STZ-treated mice also showed a trend towards an increase in TNF-α and IL1-B inflammatory cytokines, which have previously been shown to influence protein glycosylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context In recent decades, portion sizes have increased significantly. Although previous research indicates that food labels impact on product choice and healthiness perception, their impact on portion sizes consumed is less clear. Objective This systematic review examined whether food label information influenced portion size consumption. Data sources A search of 7 major electronic databases for studies published from 1980 to April 2016 was conducted. Data extraction Two reviewers independently screened 11 128 abstracts. Data were extracted from 32 articles (comprising 36 studies). Results Based on the test food used, the overall effects were found to be: no effect, a positive effect, or a negative effect. Labels displaying energy content (n = 15 studies, 17 effects) and fat content information (n = 13 studies, 14 effects) were evaluated most commonly, with exercise equivalent labels evaluated least (n = 2 studies, 2 effects). Conclusions Nutrition and health information presented on food labels has varying impacts on portion sizes consumed, from increased to decreased intake. Recommendations for future research include evaluating more recent food label types and achieving more consistent reporting standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro maturation (IVM) offers significant benefits for human infertility treatment and animal breeding, but this potential is yet to be fully realised due to reduced oocyte developmental competence in comparison with in vivo matured oocytes. Cumulus cells occupy an essential position in determining oocyte developmental competence. Here we have examined the areas of deficient gene expression, as determined within microarrays primarily from cumulus cells of mouse COCs, but also other species, between in vivo matured and in vitro matured oocytes. By retrospectively analysing the literature, directed by focussing on downregulated genes, we provide an insight as to why the in vitro cumulus cells fail to support full oocyte potential and dissect molecular pathways that have important roles in oocyte competence. We conclude that the roles of epidermal growth factor signalling, the expanded extracellular matrix, cumulus cell metabolism and the immune system are critical deficiencies in cumulus cells of IVM COCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarizes the evidence concerning effects of night shift work on women's reproductive health, specifically difficulty in conceiving and miscarriage.We distinguish between fixed night shift and rotating night shift, as the population subgroups exposed, the social and biological mechanisms, and themagnitude of effects are likely to differ; of note, women working fixed night shift are known to have high tolerance for this schedule. We identified two relevant systematic reviews with meta-analyses and five additional studies. Night shift work may give rise to menstrual cycle disturbances, but effect sizes are imprecise. Endometriosis may be elevated in night shift workers, but evidence is only preliminary. Adequate data are lacking to assess associations between night shift work and infertility or time to pregnancy. The weight of evidence begins to point to working at night, whether in fixed or rotating shifts, as a risk factor for miscarriage. There are many methodological problems with this literature, with substantial variation in the definitions of night shift and schedule types making comparisons between studies difficult and pooling across studies questionable. Nevertheless, there appears to be grounds for caution and counselling where women have concerns about night shift work and their reproductive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Robinson Research Institute of the University of Adelaide convened a multidisciplinary group of n = 33 clinicians, researchers and representatives of government organisations on the 2 October 2014 for a workshop entitled "Promoting fertility and healthy conception. How do we generate greater reproductive health awareness?" The key aim of the workshop was to assess the body of knowledge that informs clinical practice and government policy, and to identify questions and additional information needed by health practitioners and government representatives working in the field of reproductive health and to frame future research and policy. The workshop identified topics that fell mostly into three categories: lifestyle-related, societal and biological factors. The lifestyle topics included nutrition and diet, exercise, obesity, shift work and other factors deemed to be modifiable at the level of the individual. The societal topics included discussions of matters that are structural, and resistant to change by individuals, including specific ethical issues, social disadvantage, government and educational policies. The biological factors are intrinsic physical states of the individual, and included many factors where there is a dense body of scientific knowledge which may not be readily accessible in less academic language. This workshop thus provided an opportunity to identify further actions that could be undertaken to meet the needs of diverse organisations and groups of professionals with an interest in human fertility. Since so many factors in our social and biological environment can impact fertility and preconception health, it is imperative to involve many disciplines or levels of government or societal organisations that have not traditionally been involved in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhood anxiety and depression frequently co-occur. Exploring specificity in cognitive processes for anxiety and depression in childhood can provide insight into cognitive vulnerabilities contributing to the development of anxiety and depressive disorders and inform targeted psychological interventions. Anxiety sensitivity and rumination are robust cognitive vulnerabilities for anxiety and depression, respectively. However, despite conceptual similarities, they are rarely considered together within a single study. Aims: The current study explored specific and shared associations between anxiety sensitivity subscales and rumination and anxiety and depressive symptoms in unselected children. Method: Multiple regression analyses explored to what extent specific self-reported anxiety sensitivity subscales (physical, social and mental concerns) and rumination predicted anxiety and depressive symptoms in 147 unselected children, aged 7–11 years. Results: Physical and social concern subscales of anxiety sensitivity were specifically associated with anxiety, whilst rumination was specifically associated with depressive symptoms. The mental concerns subscale of anxiety sensitivity was independently associated with both anxiety and depressive symptoms. These associations were only partially mediated by rumination. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression in young people are characterized by specific and shared cognitions. Evidence for shared and specific associations between the cognitive vulnerabilities of anxiety sensitivity and rumination, and anxiety and depression highlight the utility of transdiagnostic research and confirm that cognitive therapies may benefit from targeting cognitive concerns relating specifically to the patient's presenting symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attentional control theory (ACT) proposes that anxiety is associated with executive functioning deficits. The theory has been widely investigated in adults. The current study tested whether symptoms of childhood anxiety and depression were associated with experimentally measured attentional control in the context of non-emotional and emotional stimuli. Sixty-one children (mean age = 9.23 years, range = 8.39–10.41) reported their trait anxiety and depression symptoms and completed three visual search tasks. The tasks used a variant of an irrelevant singleton paradigm and measured attentional capture by task-irrelevant non-emotional (color) and emotional (facial expressions) distractors. Significant attentional capture by both non-emotional and emotional distractors was observed, and was significantly correlated with trait anxiety and symptoms of depression. The strength of relationship between attentional capture and the symptoms did not differ significantly for non-emotional and emotional distractors. The results suggest that symptoms of childhood anxiety and depression are associated with poorer attentional control both in the presence of emotional and non-emotional stimuli, supporting ACT in younger populations. This attentional deficit in the context of non-emotional information might be as central to childhood internalizing symptoms as attentional biases often observed on tasks investigating processing of emotional stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen is an important component of the environment of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC), both in vivo within the ovarian follicle and during in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM). Cumulus cells have a key role in supporting oocyte development, and cumulus cell function and gene expression are known to be altered when the environment of the COC is perturbed. Oxygen-regulated gene expression is mediated through the actions of the transcription factors, the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). In the present study, the effect of oxygen on cumulus cell gene expression was examined following in vitro maturation of the murine COC at 2%, 5% or 20% oxygen. Increased expression of HIF-responsive genes, including glucose transporter-1, lactate dehydrogenase A and BCL2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3, was observed in cumulus cells matured at 2% or 5%, compared with 20% oxygen. Stabilisation of HIF1α protein in cumulus cells exposed to low oxygen was confirmed by western blot and HIF-mediated transcriptional activity was demonstrated using a transgenic mouse expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of a promoter containing hypoxia response elements. These results indicate that oxygen concentration influences cumulus cell gene expression and support a role for HIF1α in mediating the cumulus cell response to varying oxygen. Oxygen is a key component of the environment during oocyte maturation, in vivo and in vitro. Expression of target genes of the hypoxia-inducible factors was increased in cumulus cells from mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes matured in vitro at 2% or 5%, compared with 20% oxygen. Oxygen-regulated gene expression is identified as a potential mechanism through which oxygen could influence cumulus cell function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia with Misalignment of Pulmonary Veins (ACDMPV) is a developmental disorder of the lungs, primarily affecting their vasculature. FOXF1 haploinsufficiency due to heterozygous genomic deletions and point mutations have been reported in most patients with ACDMPV. The majority of mice with heterozygous loss-of-function of Foxf1 exhibit neonatal lethality with evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage in some of them. By comparing transcriptomes of human ACDMPV lungs with control lungs using expression arrays, we found that several genes and pathways involved in lung development, angiogenesis, and in pulmonary hypertension development, were deregulated. Similar transcriptional changes were found in lungs of the postnatal day 0.5 Foxf1+/− mice when compared to their wildtype littermate controls; 14 genes, COL15A1, COL18A1, COL6A2, ESM1, FSCN1, GRINA, IGFBP3, IL1B, MALL, NOS3, RASL11B, MATN2, PRKCDBP, and SIRPA, were found common to both ACDMPV and Foxf1 heterozygous lungs. Our results advance knowledge toward understanding of the molecular mechanism of ACDMPV, lung development, and its vasculature pathology. These data may also be useful for understanding etiologies of other lung disorders, e.g. pulmonary hypertension, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in MECP2, encoding methyl CpG-binding protein 2, cause Rett syndrome, the most severe autism spectrum disorder. Re-expressing Mecp2 in symptomatic Mecp2-null mice markedly improves function and longevity, providing hope that therapeutic intervention is possible in humans. To identify pathways in disease pathology for therapeutic intervention, we carried out a dominant N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis suppressor screen in Mecp2-null mice and isolated five suppressors that ameliorate the symptoms of Mecp2 loss. We show that a stop codon mutation in Sqle, encoding squalene epoxidase, a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, underlies suppression in one line. Subsequently, we also show that lipid metabolism is perturbed in the brains and livers of Mecp2-null male mice. Consistently, statin drugs improve systemic perturbations of lipid metabolism, alleviate motor symptoms and confer increased longevity in Mecp2 mutant mice. Our genetic screen therefore points to cholesterol homeostasis as a potential target for the treatment of patients with Rett syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Twin studies in children reveal that familial aggregation of anxiety disorders is due to both genetic and environmental factors. Cognitive biases for threat information are considered a robust characteristic of childhood anxiety. However, little is known regarding the underlying aetiology of such biases and their role in anxiety disorders. Method: A face version of the dot-probe task measuring attentional biases for negative (anger, fear, sad, disgust) and positive (happy) facial expressions was completed by 600, 8-year-old twins; the largest study of its kind. Twin correlations for attentional bias scores were compared to estimate genetic and environmental effects. Parent-report diagnostic interviews identified children with an anxiety disorder. Indices of inferred genetic and familial risk for anxiety disorders were created for each child. Data were analysed using a series of logistic regressions. Results: Anxious children showed greater attentional avoidance of negative faces than nonanxious children; t (548) = 2.55, p < .05. Attentional avoidance was not under genetic or shared environmental influence. Risk for anxiety disorders was predicted by familial factors. Both attentional avoidance and inferred familial risk were significant but independent predictors of anxiety disorders (ORs = .65 and 3.64, respectively). Conclusions: Anxiety-related attentional biases and familial risk play important but independent roles in childhood anxiety disorders. If replicated, these findings indicate that links between genetic risk and anxiety disorders lie outside the domain of attentional processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphone apps for use in pregnancy are common and could influence lifestyle behaviours, but they have not been evaluated. This review aimed to assess the quality of iPhone pregnancy apps and whether they included behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and/or pregnancy‐specific nutrition information. A keyword search of the Australian iTunes app store was conducted. For inclusion, apps had to be available at no cost, in English, intended for use by pregnant women, and contain nutrition information. App quality was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). Absence or presence of BCTs was assessed using the CALO‐RE taxonomy, with type of nutrition information included also reported. The initial key word search identified 607 apps, with 51 iPhone apps included in final evaluation. Mean overall MARS quality rating score was 3.05 out of 5 (1 = inadequate; 5 = excellent). The functionality subscale scored highest (mean = 3.32), and aesthetics scored lowest (mean = 2.87). Out of a possible 40 BCTs, 11 were present across the apps with a median of three BCTs (range: 0–6) identified per app. The median number of pregnancy‐specific nutrition topics per app was three (range 0 to 7). Despite the availability of a large number of iPhone pregnancy apps, few are of high quality, with only a small number of BCTs used and limited inclusion of pregnancy‐specific nutrition information. It is important to be aware of limitations within current pregnancy apps before recommending usage during this key life stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on significance of social media in proliferation of research engagement regarding medical findings. Topics discussed include provision of an alternative broadcasting services by social media for communication in research management; adoption of altmetrics approaches in research services such as tweets; establishment of collaborations among scientists through social media; and concerns regarding absence of peer review in social media for assessment of scientific writings.

Measuring the metabolism of early embryos has the potential to be used as a prospective marker for post-transfer development, either alone or in conjunction with other embryo quality assessment tools. This is necessary to maximise the opportunity of couples to have a healthy child from assisted reproduction technology (ART) and for livestock breeders to efficiently improve the genetics of their animals. Nevertheless, although many promising candidate substrates (e.g. glucose uptake) and methods (e.g. metabolomics using different spectroscopic techniques) have been promoted as viability markers, none has yet been widely used clinically or in livestock production. Herein we review the major techniques that have been reported; these are divided into indirect techniques, where measurements are made from the embryo's immediate microenvironment, or direct techniques that measure intracellular metabolic activity. Both have strengths and weaknesses, the latter ruling out some from contention for use in human ART, but not necessarily for use in livestock embryo assessment. We also introduce a new method, namely multi- (or hyper-) spectral analysis, which measures naturally occurring autofluorescence. Several metabolically important molecules have fluorescent properties, which we are pursuing in conjunction with improved image analysis as a viable embryo quality assessment methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]