Search Results (2,684)

Background: Sedentary behavior is a major modifiable risk factor for chronic metabolic disorders, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Despite recommendations promoting regular physical activity (PA), adherence remains low. DIA/01 is a multidisciplinary study designed to promote healthy lifestyles for the prevention and management of T2DM, supporting healthcare systems. Methods: A total of 123 adults with T2DM diagnosed will be enrolled at the Diabetes Center of the University Hospital of Perugia throughout 2025. Inclusion criteria are age 25–80 years, ability to walk independently, being inactive, and BMI 18.5–40 kg/m². Exclusion criteria include severe cardiovascular, central nervous system, or musculoskeletal diseases contraindicating PA. Participants will be randomized into three groups: (1) standard care (SC); (2) SC plus theoretical PA counseling (TCPA); and (3) SC plus TCPA plus a 3-month supervised mixed exercise program. The assessment, conducted at baseline and at 6 and 12 months, includes total weekly PA (WPA) time, using IPAQ-SF and actigraphy. Moreover, glycated hemoglobin, sedentary time (ST), functional capacity, body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, dietary adherence, perceived barriers and willingness to initiate PA, readiness to change, health-related quality of life, and sleep quality will be studied. This study is registered in the Clinical Trials Registry on 13 May 2026, with the identifier NCT07583355. Conclusions: Participants in groups (2) and (3) are expected to show greater improvements in WPA, reductions in ST, and favorable changes in metabolic and functional outcomes compared with SC. This approach may support long-term engagement in regular PA and contribute to improving the clinical management of T2DM. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) is increasingly used for practical body composition assessment when dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is unavailable or impractical. However, MF-BIA estimates are device-, population-, and outcome-specific, and therefore require validation against reference methods under standardized conditions. This study examined the agreement, concordance, and systematic bias between a standing 8-point MF-BIA device and DXA-derived body composition estimates in apparently healthy Greek adults. Methods: A total of 1250 adults aged 18 to 80 years completed same-day DXA and MF-BIA (Charder MA801) assessments. Fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), body fat percentage (BF%), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass estimate (ASM) were compared between methods. Analyses were performed by sex and BMI category. Pearson correlations described association, whereas Bland–Altman analysis, Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and proportional bias testing evaluated agreement and error magnitude. Results: MF-BIA showed strong associations with DXA-derived outcomes, but systematic bias was observed. When BMI categories were considered collectively, MF-BIA underestimated BF% by 3.59 percentage points in men and 4.25 percentage points in women, underestimated FM by 2.89 kg and 2.58 kg, and overestimated FFM by 3.09 kg and 3.29 kg, respectively. CCC was highest for FM (men: 0.913; women: 0.949) and lower for FFM and ASM in women (0.642 and 0.714, respectively). Proportional bias was observed for BF%, FM, and ASM in both sexes, and for FFM in women. Conclusions: The MA801 showed strong associations and outcome-specific concordance with DXA, but systematic bias and individual-level error limit interchangeability. Under standardized conditions, MF-BIA may support group-level or repeated same-device assessments but not precise individual-level assessment, clinical classification, or monitoring of small longitudinal changes. Full article

The digestive system is one of the most complex systems in the body, integrating multiple functions, closely linked to and influenced by chemosensory mechanisms, as well as by the presence, composition, and dynamics of the microbiome. Increasing attention has been directed toward plant-derived foods and medicines, which interact with gut microbiota and modulate host physiological responses through microbial metabolism, leading to the formation of bioactive metabolites that influence host signaling pathways and therapeutic response. The review, based on relevant articles from major international databases using specific terms with a focus on microbiome-mediated interactions and molecular mechanisms, highlights the role of microbiome and diagnostic methods through the analysis of specific composition and changes in microbiota, as well as the importance of microbiomes in relation to the treatment of chronic diseases, given their complex influence on drug metabolism. The microbiome influences the response to medications and resistance to therapy, being also involved in the metabolism of plant-derived foods and medicines through complex microbial interactions, while the importance of modern diagnostic approaches supports the use of microbiome analysis to improve diagnosis, monitoring, and personalized medical strategies. Full article

Flexible polyurethane (PUR) foams and latex rubber foams are widely used in furniture and mattress cushioning, yet conventional standardized mechanical tests only partially capture comfort-relevant behavior, particularly in layered constructions where material interactions and sequencing can alter elastic response. This study aimed to compare the mechanical (elastic) properties of selected three-layer composites of approximately 60 mm thickness (composed of conventional PUR, high-resilience PUR, low-resilience PUR, and latex foam) and to preliminarily assess whether combining foam types improves support of such setup and whether changing layer order modifies elasticity and support. Indentation hardness testing of multilayer cushions was conducted by ISO 2439:2008 Method E. Six three-layer systems (Alpha–Zeta) were assembled in two groups. Group X showed nearly identical support factors (2.6–2.7), high recovery (64.3–66.2%), low hysteresis loss (24.3–24.5%), and overlapping force–indentation (IFD) curves, indicating minimal effect of layer order and dominance of the PUR layers. Group Y exhibited higher but more sequence-dependent support (3.1–3.7), markedly reduced, wider range recovery (30.0–45.9%), increased hysteresis (33.0–34.7%), and more dispersed IFD curves. Placing high-resilience foam at the top partially improve recovery, whereas locating low-resilience foam at the surface increase energy loss. The research contributes in part to the body of knowledge about the behavior of the tested materials according to standardized rules. These preliminary results can be compared with other research findings and used in the preparation of testing models for multilayer foam composites, thereby generating new knowledge to improve the design of future experiments, which will result in increased sitting and lying comfort. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of monolaurin intake per finishing feedlot cattle on growth performance, metabolic status, ruminal environment, and meat fatty acid profile. Twenty-four castrated Holstein males (379 ± 8.5 kg; 12 months old) were randomly assigned to two treatments: basal diet (control) or basal diet with α-monolaurin (treated: 0.762 g/kg dry matter intake; ≈6.63 g/animal/day) for 79 days. Feed intake, body weight, and feed efficiency were recorded, and blood and ruminal samples were collected during the trial. Ruminal fermentation parameters, protozoa counts, hematological and biochemical variables, oxidative status biomarkers, ruminal microbiota composition (16S rRNA sequencing), and Longissimus dorsi fatty acid profile were analyzed. Monolaurin feed did not affect dry matter intake or final body weight, but increased total weight gain, average daily gain, and feed efficiency (p ≤ 0.05), indicating improved nutrient utilization. Hematological and serum biochemical variables were largely unchanged, although total leukocyte counts were lower in treated cattle. Animals receiving monolaurin showed reduced reactive oxygen species and lower superoxide dismutase activity, suggesting improved oxidative balance without changes in lipid peroxidation. During the adaptation phase (day 14), treated cattle exhibited lower acetate, propionate, valerate, and total volatile fatty acid concentrations and higher protozoa counts, but these differences disappeared by day 79, indicating ruminal adaptation. Microbiota diversity was not altered overall, although specific genera differed in relative abundance between treatments. In meat, monolaurin increased lauric, linoleic, and arachidonic acids, reduced palmitic and heptadecanoic acids, decreased total saturated fatty acids, and increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, dietary monolaurin improved feed efficiency, modulated oxidative status, induced transient ruminal microbial adjustments, and enhanced the nutritional quality of beef lipids without compromising metabolic health. Full article

Background: Morphological characteristics influence physical performance in youth basketball, but their effects may differ by developmental stage. This study compared the predictive role of morphological variables on motor performance between U13 and U15 male players. Methods: Male youth basketball players (N = 89) were assigned to U13 and U15 groups. Morphological variables included height, body mass, body fat percentage, and fat-free mass (FFM). Motor tests evaluated squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 10 m and 20 m sprints, T-test, Y-test and Stop-and-Go change-of-direction speed and reactive agility (RA). Pearson correlations and multiple linear regressions assessed relationships and predictive effects. Results: In U13 players, several morphological variables correlated with performance: height and FFM were positively related to jumping and sprinting, while body fat was negatively associated with most measures (p < 0.05). Regression models explained substantial variance in sprint (ranging up to _AdjR² = 0.44) and jump performance (ranging up to _AdjR² = 0.32), though individual predictors were not always significant (p > 0.05). In U15 players, fewer associations emerged as body fat remained a significant negative predictor of jumping and agility, and greater body mass was associated with improved sprint performance (p < 0.05). No significant morphological predictors were found for RA in either group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Morphological traits exert a stronger, multifactorial influence on performance in younger athletes, whereas body composition and particularly body fat are more influential in older adolescents. These results underscore the need to consider the developmental stage when assessing and training male youth basketball players. Full article

Background/Objectives: Red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic properties. This study evaluated the effects of two beetroot cultivars (Boldor and Wodan) on blood serum parameters, body composition, and organ weights in male WKY rats fed a low-protein diet (LPD, 8.8% protein). Methods: Five-week-old male rats were maintained on an LPD for 8 weeks and subsequently continued on the LPD diet supplemented with 4% dried beetroot for 45 days. The experimental diets included beetroot from the Boldor and Wodan cultivars, either treated or untreated with a plant growth stimulator during cultivation. Results: Foliar application of the selenium-based plant growth stimulator did not significantly increase selenium or other element concentrations in beet roots. Elemental analysis showed higher levels of Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, As, Cd, and Sb in the Wodan group, while Boldor increased Cr, Pb, and As; Ni and Se remained unchanged. Beetroot supplementation significantly affected 14 of the 30 measured biochemical parameters, including biomarkers of liver function (ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, albumin, and total protein), renal function (uric acid), pancreatic activity (amylase and lipase), electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, and chloride), mineral metabolism (calcium), inflammatory status (CRP), and nutritional metabolism (iron). Conversely, no significant effects were observed on lipid profile parameters or biomarkers of cardiac and skeletal muscle injury. Among the beetroot cultivars evaluated, Wodan exerted distinct effects relative to Boldor, resulting in higher circulating total bilirubin and potassium concentrations, alongside reduced uric acid and lipase levels in treated rats. Boldor supplementation significantly increased body weight gain and fat mass, with a trend toward higher lean mass, and increased kidney weight. Wodan did not significantly affect body weight but increased kidney and spleen mass. Feed intake was similar across groups. No changes in cardiovascular function were observed ex vivo. Conclusions: Beetroot supplementation modulated multiple metabolic and physiological biomarkers in rats fed a low-protein diet, with distinct cultivar-specific effects, underscoring the importance of cultivar selection for optimizing functional dietary interventions. Full article

Background: Nutritional biomarkers are linked to body composition changes, but limited evidence has studied how nutritional biomarkers relate to low muscle mass, excess adiposity, and both coexisting conditions across different physical activity levels. This study aims to investigate associations between low muscle mass, obesity, and low muscle mass with obesity and nutritional biomarkers across physical activity levels among U.S. adults across physical activity levels. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from adults aged 20–59 years from the 2015–2018 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2018. Low muscle mass was defined by low appendicular lean mass relative to body weight (LALM/W). Obesity was classified using body mass index (BMI¹), waist circumference (WC²), and body fat percentage (FM%³), and low muscle mass with obesity was defined using three coexisting phenotypes (LALM/W-O1, LALM/W-O2, LALM/W-O3). Nutritional biomarkers included serum albumin, vitamin D, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, iron, insulin resistance (HOMA IR), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Physical activity was categorized as inactive, insufficiently active, or sufficiently active based on MET minutes per week. Multivariable regression models accounted for the complex survey design and relevant covariates. Results: After adjustment, LALM/W was significantly associated with low serum albumin, low vitamin D, high triglyceride, high HOMA-IR, and high CRP. Obesity was significantly associated with low serum albumin, low vitamin D, high triglyceride, high LDL cholesterol, high HOMA-IR, and high CRP. LALM/W-O in all phenotypes were significantly associated with low serum albumin, low vitamin D, high triglyceride, high LDL cholesterol, high HOMA-IR, and high CRP. LALM/W-O phenotypes demonstrated the strongest associations, particularly with high HOMA-IR and hs-CRP. Although the associations varied by physical activity level, sufficiently active group was associated with lower odds of adverse nutritional biomarkers compared with insufficient activity. Conclusions: Nutritional biomarkers are associated with LALM/W and obesity. Sufficient physical activity was associated with fewer adverse outcomes. This suggests that adequate physical activity may be associated with better nutritional status and body composition. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity-related insulin resistance is accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation, but the extent to which weight loss modifies circulating cytokines in a sex-specific manner remains insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to assess sex-specific cytokine responses and metabolic adaptation in adults with obesity and insulin resistance following a six-month weight-reduction program (WRP). Methods: Thirty-six participants (24 women and 12 men) with a value of Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) ≥ 2 underwent an individualized low-calorie diet combined with moderate physical activity and health education. Anthropometric, body composition, biochemical, oxidative stress, and cytokine parameters were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: Both women and men showed significant reductions in body mass, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, visceral fat area (VFA), body fat mass (BFM), fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, modified Atherogenic Index of Plasma (new-AIP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI). Women additionally showed significant decreases in fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal-muscle mass (SMM), total body water (TBW), glycated hemoglobin A_1c (HbA1c), and triacylglycerols, whereas cholesterol in high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C) increased significantly in men. Cytokine changes were selective rather than uniform. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) decreased in both women and men. In sex-stratified analyses, IL-1β decreased significantly only in women, whereas IL-7 decreased significantly only in men. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration: [NCT07645105] (retrospectively registered on [11 June 2026]). Conclusions: A 6-month lifestyle-based weight-reduction program in adults with overweight or obesity and insulin resistance was associated with metabolic improvement, reduced oxidative stress, and partial attenuation of obesity-related low-grade inflammation. The observed cytokine and metabolic changes suggest sex-related patterns of immunometabolic adaptation to weight reduction. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the relatively small sex-stratified subgroups and the number of cytokine endpoints analyzed, and they require confirmation in larger, sex-balanced studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is associated with clinically relevant changes in body composition, energy metabolism, and functional capacity in transgender and gender-diverse individuals. The nutritional implications of these adaptations remain insufficiently characterized, and current assessment models, largely derived from cisgender populations, may not fully capture hormone-related body composition and metabolic changes. This narrative review aims to synthesize the metabolic and body composition effects of GAHT, evaluate methodological limitations in assessing nutritional status, and propose an integrated framework for clinical nutritional management. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted through searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, complemented by screening of relevant guidelines and reference lists. Priority was given to longitudinal studies, mechanistic studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidance addressing GAHT-related changes in body composition, metabolism, nutritional status, and functional outcomes. Results: Available evidence suggests that GAHT is associated with sex steroid-related, tissue-specific changes in body composition and metabolism. In transgender men, testosterone is generally associated with increases in lean body mass (LBM), reductions in fat mass, and potential increases in visceral adiposity, alongside possible increases in energy expenditure and altered cardiometabolic profiles. In transgender women, estrogen therapy, combined with androgen suppression, is generally associated with reductions in LBM and redistribution of subcutaneous fat, with heterogeneous metabolic and functional responses. Across both groups, changes in body composition are not consistently reflected by the Body Mass Index or functional outcomes, suggesting a possible dissociation between structural and functional adaptation. Common assessment tools show limitations, including reliance on cisgender-derived reference standards and inability to capture dynamic hormonal transitions. Conclusions: Current evidence supports the need for a longitudinal and individualized interpretation of nutritional and body composition changes during GAHT. A shift toward longitudinal, multimodal nutritional assessment, integrating body composition, functional measures, biochemical markers, dietary intake, and clinical context, may improve clinical monitoring and reduce misclassification. Full article

Background: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity highlights the need for practical and sustainable dietary strategies for weight management. Although dietary fibre intake is associated with improved satiety and metabolic health, achieving recommended intake levels through whole foods alone remains challenging. Evidence supporting convenient, ready-to-consume fibre beverages in free-living overweight adults is also limited. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of a soya-based dietary fibre beverage (SBB) on body composition and metabolic parameters in overweight adults. Methods: A 12-week parallel, cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted on overweight university students and staff. An intervention group (IG) (n = 21) consumed the soya-based dietary fibre twice daily for 12 weeks, while the control group (CG) (n = 21) continued their habitual diet. Results: Significant group × time interactions were observed for body weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p = 0.021), waist circumference (p = 0.046), waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.042), and body fat percentage (p = 0.004). The IG showed reductions in body weight (−1.12 kg), waist circumference (−4.29 cm), and body fat percentage (−0.73%), whereas the CG demonstrated minimal changes. No significant changes were observed in fasting glucose, lipid profile, CRP, or IL-6, suggesting no clinically significant adverse biochemical changes during the intervention period and supporting its short-term tolerability. Dietary analysis confirmed a marked increase in fibre intake in the IG (~50 g/day), indicating good adherence to the intervention. Conclusions: SBB supplementation improved body composition and central adiposity without affecting systemic inflammatory biomarkers and may represent a practical dietary approach for weight management in free-living overweight adults. Further studies are needed to confirm its long-term efficacy and safety. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of partially replacing wheat bran with poplar wood composite fiber (PWCF) on growth performance, immune status, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), and gut microbial composition in growing pigs. A total of 140 healthy crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) growing pigs with an initial body weight of 47.25 ± 0.49 kg were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments, with five replicates per treatment and fourteen pigs per replicate. The control (CT) group was fed a corn–soybean meal-based diet containing wheat bran and rice bran meal, whereas the experimental group received the same diet in which 2% wheat bran was replaced by PWCF. The experiment lasted for 60 days. Compared with the CT group, replacing wheat bran with PWCF did not affect body weight, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or average daily gain on days 30 or 60 (p > 0.05). In addition, no negative effects were observed on ATTD of nutrients and serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, and IgM levels at either time point, indicating that PWCF can serve as a suitable partial substitute for wheat bran in growing pig diets. However, it could regulate nitrogen metabolism by reducing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration and the BUN/creatinine ratio, as well as decreasing total free amino acids in serum (p < 0.05). In addition, the antioxidant capacity can be transiently improved by increasing catalase activity. Gut microbiota analysis showed that the replacement significantly increased the relative abundances of Treponema, the Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 (p < 0.05). These changes suggest that PWCF modulates gut microbiota and enriches fiber-degrading bacterial populations. Overall, substituting wheat bran with PWCF did not impair growth performance, immunity, or digestibility, while altering microbial community composition. These findings support the potential application of PWCF as an alternative fiber source, contributing to greater diversity in feed formulation. Full article

Background: Exercise training is known to improve metabolic health in individuals with obesity; however, its role in facilitating transitions between metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) and metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), as well as the associated metabolic adaptations, remains incompletely understood. Methods: A total of 84 young adults with obesity were enrolled and classified MUO (n = 55) or MHO (n = 29) based on baseline metabolic profiles. All participants completed an 8-week supervised exercise intervention. Anthropometric parameters, body composition, cardiometabolic markers, and VO₂max were assessed before and after the intervention. Targeted metabolomics of 30 amino acid-related metabolites was performed in the MHO-R (remained MHO) and MUO-C (conversion from MUO to MHO) groups to explore exercise-associated metabolic adaptations following intervention. Results: Exercise training improved cardiometabolic risk profiles, including reductions in adiposity and improvements in insulin resistance-related markers. A proportion of participants transitioned from metabolically unhealthy to metabolically healthy obesity following the intervention. No significant between-group differences in amino acid metabolite changes were observed between MHO-R and MUO-C groups. Exploratory metabolomic analyses identified exercise-responsive alterations in amino acid-related metabolites, particularly involving arginine biosynthesis and histidine metabolism. Conclusions: Combined aerobic and resistance training is associated with improvements in metabolic health and phenotype transition in young adults with obesity. Observed alterations in arginine and histidine metabolism may reflect metabolic adaptations to exercise rather than transition-specific or causal mechanisms underlying phenotype conversion. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dyslipidemia is increasingly linked to retinal microvascular changes, yet its impact in pediatric populations remains unclear. Given the retina’s role as a microvascular model, this review evaluates the association between dyslipidemia and retinal vascular alterations in children and adolescents. Methods: We conducted a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to evaluate the association between lipid profiles, body composition, and retinal vascular parameters in individuals younger than 19 years. Four eligible studies were found. Results: Triglyceride (TG) levels, total cholesterol (TC) levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (apoB) levels were associated with smaller retinal arteriole diameters (CRAE), whereas there was no consistent association between venular diameter (CRVE) and lipid levels. In addition, families with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) had lower capillary densities and larger foveal avascular zone areas detected by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) compared to control subjects. The presence of both obesity and dyslipidemia resulted in greater degrees of arteriolar narrowing. Conclusions: These findings suggest that adverse metabolic profiles in childhood may be linked to early microvascular alterations. However, the limited number of heterogeneous studies highlights the need for larger longitudinal investigations. Full article

Introduction: Professional inland fisheries in Portugal remain poorly characterized despite their ecological, social, and territorial relevance. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the evolution of the biomass catched by inland professional fisheries and determine its economic value. Methodology: This study examines the evolution of declared biomass between 2012 and 2024 and estimates the market relevance of this activity using official catch declarations submitted to the national licensing authority (ICNF). Records were harmonized by species and water body and subsequently aggregated at hydrographic basin level to identify long-term temporal and spatial patterns. Economic estimation was based on a gross production approach combining declared biomass with species-specific price information collected from retail channels and reports from professional fishermen. Changes in species composition were also analyzed to assess whether the observed trends reflect a broader restructuring of freshwater exploitation. Results: The results show a marked interannual variability and a strong spatial concentration of catches, with a limited number of basins (international rivers) accounting for most reported biomass. They also reveal the increasing prominence of non-native taxa in total catches; particularly, the red swamp crayfish, while native migratory species, although represented by lower volumes, maintain high unit prices and make a relevant contribution to total revenue. This contrast suggests that recent changes in freshwater catches are not merely quantitative, but also structural, with implications for ecological status, the growing dependence of the fishery on invasive species, and the territorial distribution of economic returns. Conclusions: By combining official catch declarations with market-based valuation, this study provides an updated overview of the recent evolution of professional freshwater exploitation in Portugal and offers a useful basis for fishery governance, monitoring programmes, and future discussions on conservation, licensing, and basin-scale management. Full article