Search Results (4,897)

The study of body composition (BC) is of increasing clinical and research relevance, as it provides a detailed characterization of metabolic status beyond traditional anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI). BC describes the quantitative ratio of fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM)—including skeletal muscle and internal organs—and bone mineral density (BMD). The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying specific BC phenotypes arise from a complex interplay of endocrine, metabolic, inflammatory, and genetic factors. Given the shared pathways involved in phenotype formation, the study of BC alterations across different diseases holds promise for predicting complications and identifying common therapeutic targets. This review aims to systematize current knowledge on combined BC phenotypes—sarcopenic obesity, osteosarcopenia, osteopenic obesity, and osteosarcopenic obesity—and to explore their pathogenetic unity, with particular emphasis on type 1 diabetes mellitus as a dynamic model of sequential phenotypic shifts. Full article

Background: Obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) are established risk factors for impaired wound healing, but their associations with early postoperative complications following surgical tracheostomy in critically ill patients remain insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated the associations of obesity and DM with clinically documented early peristomal wound infection following bedside surgical tracheostomy using either the Visor or Björk technique. Methods: This retrospective single-centre cohort study included 92 ICU patients who underwent bedside surgical tracheostomy between 2022 and 2023. Postoperative complications were retrospectively assessed from clinical documentation at postoperative days 5–7 and 10–14. Documentation at days 5–7 was available for all 92 patients, whereas documentation at days 10–14 was available for 78 patients. The analyses therefore evaluated complications documented during the available postoperative follow-up period of up to 14 days rather than complete 14-day cumulative incidence. Associations of obesity and DM with clinically documented peristomal wound infection were assessed using exploratory univariable analyses. Results: Clinically documented peristomal wound infection occurred in 18 of 92 patients (19.6%) during the available postoperative follow-up period. Infection was documented in 10 of 28 patients with obesity (35.7%) compared with 8 of 64 patients without obesity (12.5%; crude OR 3.89, 95% CI 1.33–11.35; Fisher’s exact p = 0.020). Infection was also more frequent in patients with DM (12/31, 38.7%) than in those without DM (6/61, 9.8%; crude OR 5.79, 95% CI 1.91–17.57; Fisher’s exact p = 0.002). Postoperative haemorrhage was numerically more frequent in patients with obesity (14.3% vs. 6.3%), but this association was not statistically significant (crude OR 2.50, 95% CI 0.58–10.78; Fisher’s exact p = 0.242). Conclusions: Obesity and DM were associated with higher crude odds of clinically documented early peristomal wound infection following bedside surgical tracheostomy. Given the exploratory, unadjusted analyses and incomplete follow-up through days 10–14, these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in larger prospective cohorts. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is typically associated with a dysregulated adipokine profile. C1q tumour necrosis factor-related protein 1 (CTRP1) is a relatively novel adipokine with protective metabolic effects, including improved insulin sensitivity. Clinical studies have increasingly highlighted a potential association between circulating CTRP1 and T2DM. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise existing data on the association between circulating CTRP1 concentrations and T2DM in adults. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsycInfo databases were searched for studies measuring circulating CTRP1 in adults with T2DM and controls. Eligible data were meta-analysed, reporting the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of circulating CTRP1 concentrations between T2DM cases and controls. The Revised Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions (RoBANS 2) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool were utilised for study risk of bias and quality assessments, respectively. Eight studies (525 T2DM cases; 612 non-T2DM controls) were eligible for meta-analysis, showing significantly higher circulating CTRP1 concentrations in T2DM cases than controls (MD: 185.31 ng/mL; 95% CI: 140.02 to 230.60; p < 0.001). Most included studies were cross-sectional, and considerable heterogeneity was noted, with five studies having a high risk of bias in at least one RoBANS 2 domain. The MD remained relatively unchanged following a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis and exclusion of poor-quality studies. Meta-regression indicated that studies with a greater proportion of males (β = −188.68, p = 0.01) and higher mean body mass index (β = −23.96, p = 0.02) were associated with a lower MD. These findings indicate that circulating CTRP1 concentrations are significantly higher in adults with T2DM compared to non-T2DM controls. Future prospective and large-scale studies are required to delineate the nature of this association and explore the potential of CTRP1 as a biomarker for T2DM. PROSPERO registration ID: CRD420251137104. Full article

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a highly reactive 1,2-dicarbonyl, is generated by all three principal pathways of advanced glycation end product (AGE) synthesis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)—the Hodge, Namiki, and Wolff pathways—and by the non-enzymatic degradation of glycolytic triose phosphates. It is the principal substrate of the glutathione-dependent GLO1/GLO2 glyoxalase system and the main source of the hydroimidazolone-1 (MG-H1) adduct, and it directly modifies intracellular proteins across multiple tissues. This clinically oriented narrative review synthesizes dicarbonyl chemistry, glyoxalase, and AGE adduct research to propose—as a hypothesis-generating schema rather than established biology—that MGO functions as a convergent biochemical node in diabetic complications. We examine MGO generation across the four input routes, its preferential modification of arginine and lysine residues, the correspondence between tissue MGO accumulation and complication distribution, glyoxalase-mediated clearance, and therapeutic strategies. We further propose that routine parameters such as gamma-glutamyl transferase and red cell distribution width may serve as accessible proxies for MGO burden, with the explicit caveat that these mappings require prospective validation and do not constitute a validated clinical instrument. Full article

Hearing-functioning problems contribute substantially to disability and rehabilitation needs globally; however, evidence describing the range and interconnected nature of these problems across African populations remains fragmented. This study aimed to describe hearing-functioning problems associated with high-burden adult health conditions across African populations using data from the Rehab4All database. A secondary exploratory analysis was conducted using data extracted from a large Africa-wide scoping review of functioning problems associated with conditions contributing substantially to years lived with disability (YLD). The parent review systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and SABINET and included English-language studies conducted in African adults. Hearing-functioning problems were classified according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Descriptive analyses, visual mapping techniques, and exploratory random-effects prevalence meta-analyses were performed. Ninety-seven articles published between 2007 and 2022 were included. Most studies originated from Southern Africa, particularly South Africa. Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), diabetes mellitus (DM), hearing-loss cohorts, and headache-related conditions contributed most frequently to reported hearing-functioning problems. Hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibular dysfunction were the most commonly reported problems; however, multidimensional co-occurring auditory and vestibular profiles were frequently identified. Distinct functional patterns emerged across conditions, with TB demonstrating predominantly auditory dysfunction, while HIV/AIDS and DM demonstrated broader auditory–vestibular involvement. Hearing-functioning problems within the African evidence base appear multidimensional, interconnected, and unevenly distributed geographically. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global epidemic driven by chronic hyperglycemia, leading to severe microvascular and macrovascular complications. Hypoxia is a critical pathogenic factor, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) serves as a central transcriptional regulator of cellular adaptation to low oxygen. This review examines the dual roles of HIF-1α in T2DM and its complications, including diabetic kidney disease, retinopathy, obesity-related insulin resistance, and impaired wound healing. HIF-1α exerts protective effects by enhancing glycolysis, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting angiogenesis, but it can also be detrimental by driving pathological neovascularization, fibrosis, and chronic inflammation. Its functional outcomes depend on tissue type, disease stage, and metabolic context, posing therapeutic challenges. Emerging pharmacologic strategies aim to fine-tune HIF-1α activity. A deeper understanding of the spatiotemporal regulation of HIF-1α signaling may inform more targeted therapeutic strategies, though considerable preclinical and clinical challenges remain. Full article

Background/Objectives: This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus following piezosurgery-assisted minor oral surgical procedures in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus (CAD+DM) and to compare the outcomes with those of systemically healthy individuals. Methods: Medical records of 60 patients who underwent piezosurgery-assisted minor oral surgery between 2018 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were allocated into two groups: CAD+DM (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 30). Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 6 h, 12 h, postoperative day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 7. Swelling and trismus were evaluated preoperatively and on postoperative days 2 and 7. Swelling and trismus data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, whereas VAS scores were analyzed using the Friedman test, Dunn’s post hoc test, and Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant time-dependent changes in swelling and trismus (all p < 0.001). Swelling increased on postoperative day 2 and decreased by day 7 in both groups; however, swelling values were significantly higher in the CAD+DM group at all evaluation time points (all p < 0.0001). Trismus was greatest on postoperative day 2 and improved significantly by day 7 in both groups (all p < 0.0001). A significant time × group interaction was observed for trismus (p < 0.0001), whereas no significant between-group difference was detected on postoperative day 7 (p = 0.7729). VAS scores decreased significantly over time in both groups (Friedman test, p < 0.0001). Pain scores were significantly lower in the CAD+DM group at 6 h, day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 7 (all p < 0.001), while no difference was observed at 12 h (p = 0.633). Conclusions: Piezosurgery-assisted minor oral surgery was associated with favorable postoperative recovery in both CAD+DM and healthy patients. Although CAD+DM patients exhibited greater postoperative swelling, trismus recovery was comparable between groups, and postoperative pain remained low throughout follow-up. Piezosurgery appears to be a safe and effective surgical approach for medically compromised patients undergoing minor oral surgical procedures. Full article

Background and Objectives: Despite the presence of atherosclerosis risk factors and symptoms associated with occlusive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), up to 30% of individuals do not present significant atherosclerotic lesions at the point of diagnostic evaluation. Those in whom ASCVD was ruled out once might be believed to be at low risk of future major cerebral and cardiac events (MACCEs). Despite this, they might still have some residual risk for MACCEs. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to evaluate risk factors for atherosclerosis progression to the stage of occlusive arterial disease in patients with cardiovascular risk factors but initially free from significant ASCVD. Materials and Methods: Between March 2012 and February 2014, a total of 686 consecutive patients presenting with clinical suspicion of significant coronary artery disease were evaluated. The actual status of atherosclerosis burden was verified in four major arterial territories (coronary, carotid, renal, lower limb arteries) with the use of angiography, computed tomography and ultrasonography. For the present study purpose, 188 (27.4%) patients were enrolled, in whom significant ASCVD (in any of the examined territories) was ruled out. In all patients, the incidence and severity of atherosclerotic risk factors, carotid intima–media complex thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaque presence were evaluated during first hospital admission. A ten-year follow-up period for a composite endpoint of MACCEs was included. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses with the Simon–Makuch method for new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were performed for MACCEs. Results: MACCEs occurred in 30 (16%) of 188 patients, including 5 cardiovascular deaths, 19 non-fatal myocardial infarctions, and 6 non-fatal ischemic strokes, in a median of 48 (Q1; Q3: 25; 86) months. Univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that individuals who presented with baseline LDL cholesterol > 3.2 mmol/L, CIMT > 1 mm, carotid plaque, or experienced new-onset T2DM were predisposed to MACCE with hazard ratios (HRs) of 3.21 (p = 0.003), 3.82 (p = 0.001), 5.41 (p < 0.001), and 36.89 (p < 0.001), respectively. In multivariate Cox analysis, its associations with MACCEs were retained (HRs between 2.19 and 21.47), respectively. Conclusions: Our findings support the need for continued risk factor optimization despite the initial exclusion of obstructive ASCVD. In this study, we identified new-onset T2DM, initial LDL cholesterol, and the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis as risk factors for MACCEs. Full article

Background: The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score is a simple inflammation–nutrition index that has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated the association between the HALP score and poor glycemic control in older adults with T2DM receiving home health care after excluding patients with malnutrition. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 201 patients aged ≥65 years with T2DM whose routinely collected home health care records between 15 December 2025 and 15 March 2026 were retrospectively reviewed after ethics committee approval. Poor glycemic control was defined as HbA1c ≥ 8.0%. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with elevated HbA1c levels. A sensitivity analysis including clinically relevant variables was additionally conducted. The discriminative performance of HALP was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The median age was 83 years, 52.2% were male, and 51 patients (25.4%) had elevated HbA1c levels (≥8.0%). In univariate analysis, high HALP was significantly associated with lower odds of elevated HbA1c levels (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.14–0.52; p < 0.001), whereas dementia showed a borderline association (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.12–1.06; p = 0.065). In multivariable analysis, high HALP remained independently associated with lower odds of poor glycemic control (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.14–0.54; p < 0.001). In a sensitivity analysis adjusted for age, sex, Barthel group, and dementia, high HALP maintained its independent association with lower odds of elevated HbA1c levels (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.15–0.59; p = 0.001). The HALP score demonstrated weak to modest discriminative ability for predicting HbA1c ≥ 8.0% (AUC: 0.645; 95% CI: 0.552–0.739; p = 0.002), with 75.3% sensitivity and 45.1% specificity at a cut-off value of 29.24. Conclusions: High HALP was independently associated with better glycemic control in older adults with T2DM receiving home health care. However, given its weak to modest discriminative ability, HALP should be interpreted alongside clinical assessment and routine metabolic parameters rather than as a standalone diagnostic or predictive criterion. Full article

Chinese yam possesses anti-type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) potential. However, existing research has focused on its polysaccharides rather than its abundant peptide components. Therefore, this study integrated peptidomics with network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the potential anti-T2DM mechanisms of Chinese yam peptides. Firstly, this study revealed that crude peptides extracted from Chinese yam possessed a potential hypoglycemic activity, with an IC₅₀ of 568.87 μg/mL against α-glucosidase. Secondly, peptidomics identified 558 peptides with the sequences ranging from 3 to 25 residues. Thirdly, network pharmacology was conducted on 15 candidate peptides selected through bioactivity prediction and safety evaluation. These peptides shared 466 common targets with T2DM, with seven core targets identified through topological network analysis: SRC, EGFR, PTPN11, PIK3R1, ESR1, STAT3, and PIK3CA. Enrichment analysis revealed that these targets were significantly associated with PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. Fourthly, molecular docking confirmed the strong binding affinities between the 15 bioactive peptides and seven core targets, particularly the high-affinity binding of peptides SIDLYENRL and RAPDDLDTRL to PIK3CA. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Chinese yam peptides possess potential hypoglycemic activity and may ameliorate T2DM through the regulation of insulin signaling via PI3K-Akt activation and the modulation of inflammation via the MAPK pathway. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by progressive insulin resistance, impaired glucose regulation, and elevated cardiometabolic risk. Despite the availability of pharmacological therapies, long-term glycemic control remains suboptimal in many patients, highlighting the need for effective adjunctive nutritional strategies. Probiotic yogurt containing well-characterized bacterial consortia has been proposed as one such approach, given its potential to modulate gut microbiota composition, increase short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, improve intestinal barrier integrity, and attenuate low-grade systemic inflammation. A narrative review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using terms related to probiotic yogurt, synbiotic yogurt, insulin sensitivity, T2DM, gut microbiota, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium. Priority was given to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and systematic reviews, supplemented by mechanistically relevant preclinical studies. The reviewed evidence indicates that probiotic yogurt generally produces more consistent improvements in long-term metabolic markers, particularly glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile, than in acute fasting glucose responses. Several trials also report reductions in fasting insulin and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), combined with improvement in the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), particularly when yogurt is enriched with prebiotic substrates such as inulin and konjac glucomannan. Probiotic yogurt formulated with well-selected microbial consortia may serve as a safe complementary intervention for improving insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic control in T2DM patients. Full article

Background: Falls in older adults are a major public health and rehabilitation concern and may reflect interacting chronic disease-related mechanisms rather than diagnostic labels alone. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension (HTN), and osteoarthritis (OA) are common in later life and may influence fall vulnerability through sensory, vascular, musculoskeletal, cognitive, medication-related, and functional pathways. This scoping review aimed to map mechanism-oriented evidence linking T2DM, HTN, and OA to falls and fall-related outcomes in older adults. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with established scoping review methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidance. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for English-language studies published from 2016 to 2026; the final search was conducted on 15 April 2026. Evidence was charted in a structured table and synthesised descriptively and thematically across disease-specific and shared mechanism domains. Results: A total of 151 studies were included. The evidence was organised into T2DM-related sensory-neural, gait and balance, vestibular/visual-cognitive, strength-related, and glycaemic or medication-related mechanisms; HTN-related haemodynamic, cerebral perfusion, dizziness/syncope, and medication-related mechanisms; and OA-related pain, proprioceptive, strength-related, gait and balance, psychological, and compensatory-control mechanisms. Shared pathways included frailty, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, pain burden, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, ADL decline, dizziness, and reduced physical function. Conclusions: Falls in older adults with T2DM, HTN, OA, or multimorbidity may be better understood through interacting disease-specific and shared mechanisms than through diagnostic labels alone. Future longitudinal and multimorbidity-specific studies using standardised fall ascertainment are needed to test these pathways more directly. Full article

Background: Beta-blockers (BBs) remain a foundation of cardiovascular therapy. However, cumulative evidence suggests that metabolic adverse effects may differ significantly between individual sub-classes. While conventional BBs have been associated with changes in glucose and lipid metabolism, the comparative real-world reporting patterns of these events have not been comprehensively evaluated. Objective: We investigated the association between selected BBs and metabolic diseases using a large pharmacovigilance database and compared the reporting profiles of metoprolol (MET), carvedilol (CAR), bisoprolol (BIS), and nebivolol (NEB). Methods: A descriptive and disproportionality analysis was performed using Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) submitted to the EudraVigilance database up to 26 April 2026. Metabolic adverse events were grouped into pathophysiological categories, including dysglycemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), lipid disorders, obesity-related disorders, inflammatory biomarkers, and hepatic steatosis. Reporting odds ratios (RORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to identify disproportional reporting signals. To improve clinical reliability, a stratified analysis restricted to healthcare professional (HP)-submitted reports was conducted. Results: A total of 63.744 ICSRs were identified for the four BBs, including 27.169 for MET, 21.860 for BIS, 9487 for CAR, and 5228 for NEB. Dysglycemic events represented the most frequently reported metabolic category, with hyperglycemia and T2DM accounting for 155 reports each. MET was associated with the highest number of reports for T2DM, obesity, hepatic steatosis, and elevated triglycerides. In HP-submitted reports, MET showed significantly higher reporting odds of increased triglycerides, obesity, inflammation, and T2DM than BIS and/or CAR. CAR showed higher reporting odds for hyperglycemia and obesity compared with BIS, whereas BIS and, particularly, NEB presented comparatively lower reporting frequencies for metabolic diseases. No significant differences were observed for hepatic steatosis, decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), or impaired glucose tolerance. Conclusions: This large-scale pharmacovigilance study highlights substantial heterogeneity in the reporting of metabolic adverse events among commonly prescribed BBs. MET and to a lesser extent CAR were associated with higher reporting odds of metabolic diseases, whereas BIS and especially NEB demonstrated more favorable reporting profiles. Although causality cannot be established from spontaneous reporting data, these findings support individualized BB selection and closer metabolic monitoring in patients with cardiometabolic risk factors. Full article

Older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may exhibit early neuromuscular impairment, but the relative contribution of functional performance, mechanical capacity, body composition, and metabolic status remains unclear. This matched cross-sectional study compared 31 older adults with T2DM and 31 non-diabetic controls matched by age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Participants completed assessments of physical function, sit-to-stand (STS)-derived muscle power, lower-limb force–velocity profiling during leg press, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and fasting blood analyses. Between-group differences were examined using independent-samples t-tests, while exploratory discriminant and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to evaluate within-sample group classification. Compared with controls, participants with T2DM showed longer 5-STS time (p = 0.001) and lower absolute and relative STS power (both p ≤ 0.01). In contrast, leg-press maximal force (F₀) and maximal power (Pmax) did not differ between groups, while maximal and optimal velocity were higher in the T2DM group (both p = 0.026). The T2DM group also showed lower peripheral fat mass, a higher android-to-gynoid ratio (AND/GYN), higher fasting glucose, and lower insulin and HOMA-β values. Exploratory analyses suggested that a combined model including relative STS power, V₀, HOMA-β, and AND/GYN ratio showed higher within-sample classification performance than relative STS power or leg-press maximal power alone. These findings suggest that STS-derived functional power may provide additional information on lower limb function beyond leg-press force–velocity profiling when characterizing functional status in older adults with T2DM. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with altered gut microbiota and reduced short-chain fatty acid production, which may contribute to insulin resistance. However, evidence on fecal Short Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) profiles in African populations remains limited. This study quantified fecal SCFAs in individuals with and without T2DM using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) derivatization. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 140 adults (92 non-diabetic and 48 T2DM). Fecal SCFAs were extracted, derivatized using BSTFA, and analysed by GC–MS. Associations between SCFAs, diabetes status, and HbA1c were evaluated using non-parametric statistics. Results: The GC–MS method demonstrated strong linearity (R² = 0.9917–0.9978), acceptable recovery, and reproducibility. Acetic, propionic, butyric, pentanoic, hexanoic, and heptanoic acids were detected, with acetic acid being most abundant in both groups. T2DM participants had higher median SCFA levels, although only butyric acid differed significantly (p = 0.027). HbA1c was significantly higher in the T2DM group (p < 0.001). No significant associations were observed between SCFAs and HbA1c in either group. Age differed significantly between groups, with T2DM participants older than non-diabetic controls. Conclusions: Most fecal SCFA profiles were comparable between individuals with T2DM and healthy controls. However, butyric acid was significantly elevated in the T2DM group, indicating that not all SCFAs exhibited similar patterns between the study groups. These findings suggest that fecal SCFAs alone may not serve as reliable biomarkers of T2DM in this population and highlight the influence of complex host–microbiome–environment interactions suggesting that dietary and microbial factors may outweigh disease status in determining SCFA variability in this cohort setting. Full article