A time for sex: circadian regulation of mammalian sexual and reproductive function.

The circadian clock regulates physiological and biochemical processes in nearly every species. Sexual and reproductive behaviors are two processes controlled by the circadian timing system. Evidence supporting the importance of proper clock function on fertility comes from several lines of work demonstrating that misalignment of biological rhythms or disrupted function of the body's master clock, such as occurs from repeated shift work or chronic jet lag, negatively impacts reproduction by interfering with both male and female fertility.

The sow vaginal and gut microbiota associated with longevity and reproductive performance.

Background: Sow longevity and reproductivity are essential in the modern swine industry. Although many studies have focused on the genetic and genomic factors for selection, little is known about the associations between the microbiome and sows with longevity in reproduction.

Results: In this study, we collected and sequenced rectal and vaginal swabs from 48 sows, nine of which completed up to four parities (U4P group), exhibiting reproductive longevity.

What's (Not) in Your Supplement? An Energy and Macronutrient Analysis of Commercially Available Carbohydrate Gels.

Carbohydrate (CHO) gels are a staple among endurance athletes. When ingested during competition, CHO gels can improve endurance performance by acting as an external energy substrate, sparing endogenous glycogen, mitigating the risk of hypoglycemia, and engaging the central nervous system via receptors in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. However, published studies and a growing number of anecdotal reports have raised concerns about possible energy and macronutrient deficiencies in several products.

Embedding artificial intelligence in healthcare: An ethnographic exploration of an AI-based mHealth app through the lens of legitimacy.

Purpose: Skin cancer, a significant global health problem, imposes financial and workload burdens on the Dutch healthcare system. Artificial intelligence (AI) for diagnostic augmentation has gained momentum in dermatology, but despite significant research on adoption, acceptance, and implementation, we lack a holistic understanding of why technologies (do not) become embedded in the healthcare system. This study utilizes the concept of legitimacy, omnipresent but underexplored in health technology studies, to examine assumptions guiding the integration of an AI mHealth app for skin lesion cancer risk assessment in the Dutch healthcare system.

A Ducted, Biomimetic Nipple Improves Aspects of Infant Feeding Physiology and Performance in an Animal Model.

Breastfeeding is widely regarded as the optimal form of feeding infants, as it provides both nutritional and physiological benefits. For example, breastfed infants generate greater intraoral suction and have higher amplitude muscle activities compared to bottle-fed infants, with downstream implications for motor function, development, and health. One mechanism that might explain these physiological differences is the structure of the nipple an infant is feeding on.