Search Results (4,303)

Blood-based biomarkers allow monitoring of an individual’s health status and provide insights into metabolic and inflammatory processes in conditions like obesity, cardiovascular, and liver diseases. However, selecting suitable biomarkers and optimizing analytical assays presents challenges, is time-consuming and laborious. Moreover, knowledge of potential sex differences remains incomplete as research is often carried out in men. This study aims at enabling researchers to make informed choices on the type of biomarkers, analytical assays, and dilutions being used. More specifically, we analyzed plasma concentrations of >90 biomarkers using commonly available ELISA or electrochemiluminescence-based multiplex methods, comparing normal weight (BMI < 25; n = 40) with obese (BMI > 30; n = 40) adult blood donors of comparable age. To help choose optimal biomarker sets, we grouped frequently employed biomarkers into biological categories (e.g., adipokines, acute-phase proteins, complement factors, cytokines, myokines, iron metabolism, vascular inflammation), first comparing normal-weight with obese persons, and thereafter exploratively comparing women and men within each BMI group. Many biomarkers linked to chronic inflammation and dysmetabolism were elevated in persons with obesity, including several adipokines, interleukins, chemokines, acute-phase proteins, complement factors, and oxidized LDL. Further exploration suggests sex disparities in biomarker levels within both normal-weight and obese groups. This comprehensive dataset of biomarkers across diverse biological domains constitutes a reference resource that may provide valuable guidance for researchers in selecting appropriate biomarkers and analytical assays for own studies. Moreover, the dataset highlights the importance of taking possible sex differences into account. Full article

Temperature is a key physiological indicator of plant health, influenced by factors including water status, disease and developmental stage. Monitoring changes in multiple factors is helpful for early diagnosis of plant growth. However, there are a variety of complex light interference phenomena in the greenhouse, so traditional detection methods cannot meet effective online monitoring of strawberry health status without manual intervention. Therefore, this paper proposes a leaf soft-sensing method based on a thermal infrared imaging sensor and adaptive image screening Internet of Things system, with additional sensors to realize indirect and rapid monitoring of the health status of a large range of strawberries. Firstly, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model is established by analyzing the environmental interference terms from the other sensors. Secondly, through the relationship between plant physiological metabolism and canopy temperature, a growth model is established to predict the growth period of strawberries based on canopy temperature. Finally, by deploying environmental sensors and solar height sensors, the image acquisition node is activated when the environmental interference is less than the specified value and the acquisition is completed. The results showed that the accuracy of this multiple sensors system was 86.9%, which is 30% higher than the traditional model and 4.28% higher than the latest advanced model. It makes it possible to quickly and accurately assess the health status of plants by a single factor without in-person manual intervention, and provides an important indication of the early, undetectable state of strawberry disease, based on remote operation. Full article

Background: Clinical outcomes among older adults hospitalized with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in the setting of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to evaluate whether MHO status is associated with different rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) during HFpEF-related hospitalizations compared to patients without MHO. Methods: Data from the 2019 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was analyzed using relevant ICD-10 codes to identify HFpEF admissions in older adults. Propensity score matching (1:1) was applied to generate balanced cohorts of patients with and without MHO. Multivariable adjustments were performed to assess primary outcomes, including MACCEs, all-cause mortality (ACM), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), dysrhythmia, cardiac arrest (CA), and stroke. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Each MHO cohort included 22,405 patients with a median age of 75 years. The MHO+ group demonstrated a significantly higher risk of dysrhythmia (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21–1.43, p < 0.001). Interestingly, an “obesity paradox” was observed, as the MHO+ cohort had lower odds of MACCEs (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.61–0.81, p < 0.001), ACM (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.54–0.82, p < 0.001), and AMI (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59–0.86, p = 0.001) compared to MHO−. No significant differences were found for CA or stroke between the groups. Conclusions: Although the MHO+ group had an elevated risk of dysrhythmia, they exhibited more favorable outcomes in terms of MACCEs, ACM, and AMI—supporting the concept of an “obesity paradox.” Further research is needed to better understand the role of MHO as a comorbid condition in patients with HFpEF. Full article

Breast cancer (BC) progression appears to be significantly influenced by the diabetic microenvironment, characterised by hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia, though the exact cellular mechanisms remain partly unclear. This study investigated the effects of exposure to supra-physiological levels of glucose and insulin on two distinct BC cell models: hormone-responsive MCF-7 cells and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. To evaluate the effects triggered by high insulin level in different BC cell subtypes, we analysed the activation status of PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways, cell proliferation, cell distribution in cell cycle phases and cell migration. High insulin level significantly activates the insulin metabolic pathway via AKT phosphorylation in both cell lines while inducing pro-proliferative stimulus and modulation of cell distribution in cell cycle phases only in the hormone-responsive MCF-7 cell line. On the contrary, high-glucose containing medium alone did not modulate proliferation nor further increased it when combined with high insulin level in both the investigated cell lines. However, following insulin treatment, the MAPK pathway remained unaffected, suggesting that the proliferation effects in the MCF-7 cell line are mediated by AKT activation. This linkage was also demonstrated by AKT phosphorylation blockade, driven by the AKT inhibitor MK-2206, which negated the proliferative stimulus. Interestingly, while MDA-MB-231 cells, following chronic hyperinsulinemia exposure, did not exhibit enhanced proliferation, they displayed a marked increase in migratory behaviour. These findings suggest that chronic hyperinsulinemia, but not hyperglycaemia, exerts subtype-specific effects in BC, highlighting the potential of targeting insulin pathways for therapeutic intervention. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rest–activity rhythm (RAR) disturbances can contribute to aging and dementia via metabolic dysregulation. Hydroxycholesterol (OH) is thought to mediate the link between hypercholesterolemia and neurodegeneration. This study compared sleep and RAR parameters between amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients and normal controls (NCs), and examined their associations with plasma 27-OH levels, reflecting peripheral cholesterol metabolism. Methods In total, 18 aMCI patients (76.6 ± 6.1 years) and 21 NCs (70.4 ± 6.7 years) underwent five-day actigraphy and dim light melatonin onset assessment. Plasma 27-OH levels were measured via high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to analyze the relationships between sleep, RAR, and 27-OH levels. Results: The aMCI group had significantly lower 27-OH levels and 27-OH/total cholesterol ratios (p < 0.05). GLM revealed that longer sleep onset latency (SOL) was associated with higher 27-OH levels in aMCI, distinguishing them from NCs. Additionally, in aMCI, longer SOL, lower sleep efficiency (SE), and higher fragmentation index (FI) were associated with an increased 27-OH/total cholesterol ratio (p < 0.05). Higher relative amplitude of RAR was linked to lower 27-OH levels across groups (p < 0.01), but RAR parameters showed no significant association with the 27-OH/total cholesterol ratio. Sleep disturbances, including prolonged SOL, reduced SE, and increased FI, were associated with altered peripheral cholesterol oxygenation in aMCI. Conclusions: Greater RAR amplitude correlated with lower 27-OH levels, regardless of cognitive status. These findings suggest that peripheral cholesterol oxygenation in aMCI is related to both sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm dysregulation, highlighting their role in cholesterol metabolism and neurodegeneration. Full article

Background/Objectives: The association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and body size phenotypes in metabolically diverse but apparently healthy adult populations remains inadequately understood. This study investigated the association between CKD and body size phenotypes in a nationally representative sample of healthy Korean adults. Methods: Data from 8227 participants in the 2019–2021 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Participants were categorized into four body size phenotypes by combining BMI status (normal weight or obese) with metabolic health status (healthy or abnormal)—MHNW (Metabolically Healthy Normal Weight), MANW (Metabolically Abnormal Normal Weight), MHO (Metabolically Healthy Obese), or MAO (Metabolically Abnormal Obese). CKD was defined based on the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). To assess the association between CKD and body size phenotypes, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: CKD prevalence was 4.4%. MANW and MAO made up 12.6% and 26.4% of the CKD group, compared to 5.0% and 13.2% of the non-CKD group. CKD prevalence by phenotype was observed as follows: MHNW, 3.2%; MANW, 10.5%; MHO, 4.0%; and MAO, 8.5%. CKD odds were highest in the MAO group (OR: 3.770, 95% CI: 2.648–5.367), followed by the MANW (OR: 2.492, 95% CI: 1.547–4.016) and MHO (OR: 1.974, 95% CI: 1.358–2.870) groups. MAO individuals carried a higher CKD risk than MHO individuals (OR: 1.897, 95% CI: 1.221–2.945). Conclusions: Among apparently healthy adults, body size phenotypes—particularly those with metabolic abnormalities—were significantly associated with the presence of CKD. These findings highlight the need to assess both metabolic health and body composition for effective CKD prevention and management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Platelets play a role in bone metabolism and fracture healing. This study aimed to investigate the association between platelet indices and the derived systemic immune inflammation index (SII) with fracture risk in postmenopausal women. Methods: Platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width (PDW), platelet crit, percentage of large platelets (P-LCR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio, and the SII, calculated as (NxP)/L, where N, P, and L represented neutrophils, platelets and lymphocytes counts, respectively, were evaluated. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: A total of 124 women (mean age 68.4 ± 9 years) were stratified into two groups based on the median platelet count; the “lower platelet count group” (n = 58) had a count of 200,000 (174,000 to 226,000), while the “higher platelet count group” (n = 66) had a count of 281,500 (256,500 to 308,500). The higher platelet count group showed a higher hip fracture risk (7.4 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.08) and lower lumbar spine BMD (0.773 vs. 0.83 gr/cm², p = 0.03). By dividing the participants into two groups with higher SSI (950,848.6 ± 746,097.99) (n = 61) and lower SII (355,751.2 ± 88,662.6) (n = 63), the group with the higher SII showed the higher hip fracture risk (7.4 vs. 3.6%, p = 0.01). Univariate regression analysis revealed correlations between chronological age and PDW (r = 0.188, p = 0.047), and P-LCR (r = 0.208, p = 0.03), as well as associations between vitamin D status and P-LCR (r = −0.301, p = 0.034), and between SII and hip fracture risk (r = 0.12, p = 0.007). Conclusions: Platelet count and SII were associated with fracture risk in postmenopausal women undergoing osteoporosis assessment. Given their reproducibility and cost-effectiveness, these markers warrant further investigation in future prospective studies focused on bone fragility. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health epidemic with rising prevalence within Asian populations, particularly amongst individuals with high visceral adiposity and ectopic organ fat, the so-called Thin-Outside, Fat-Inside phenotype. Metabolomic and microbiome shifts may herald T2D onset, presenting potential biomarkers and mechanistic insight into metabolic dysregulation. However, multi-omics datasets across ethnicities remain limited. Methods: We performed cross-sectional multi-omics analyses on 171 adults (99 Asian Chinese, 72 European Caucasian) from the New Zealand-based TOFI_Asia cohort at 4-years follow-up. Paired plasma and faecal samples were analysed using untargeted metabolomic profiling (polar/lipid fractions) and shotgun metagenomic sequencing, respectively. Sparse multi-block partial least squares regression and discriminant analysis (DIABLO) unveiled signatures associated with ethnicity, glycaemic status, and sex. Results: Ethnicity-based DIABLO modelling achieved a balanced error rate of 0.22, correctly classifying 76.54% of test samples. Polar metabolites had the highest discriminatory power (AUC = 0.96), with trigonelline enriched in European Caucasians and carnitine in Asian Chinese. Lipid profiles highlighted ethnicity-specific signatures: Asian Chinese showed enrichment of polyunsaturated triglycerides (TG.16:0_18:2_22:6, TG.18:1_18:2_22:6) and ether-linked phospholipids, while European Caucasians exhibited higher levels of saturated species (TG.16:0_16:0_14:1, TG.15:0_15:0_17:1). The bacteria Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum, and Enterocloster bolteae characterised Asian Chinese participants, while Oscillibacter sp. and Clostridium innocuum characterised European Caucasians. Cross-omic correlations highlighted negative correlations of Phocaeicola vulgatus with amino acids (r = −0.84 to −0.76), while E. ramosum and C. innocuum positively correlated with long-chain triglycerides (r = 0.55–0.62). Conclusions: Ethnicity drove robust multi-omic differentiation, revealing distinctive metabolic and microbial profiles potentially underlying the differential T2D risk between Asian Chinese and European Caucasians. Full article

Background/Objectives: To investigate acute caffeine (CAF: 375 mg, ≈4.8 mg/kg body mass) effects on energy expenditure (EE) and substrate kinetics during high-intensity interval exercise in individuals with high (HBAT) versus low (LBAT) brown adipose tissue activity using time-trend polynomial modeling. Methods: This is a randomized, double-blind crossover study in which 35 highly-trained males [HBAT-CAF, HBAT-PLA (Placebo), LBAT-CAF, LBAT-PLA] performed 30-min treadmill HIIE. Infrared thermography (IRT) assessed BAT activity by measuring supraclavicular skin temperature (SST). Breath-by-breath ergospirometry measured EE (kcal/min) and carbohydrate (CHO), lipid (LIP), and protein (PTN) oxidation. We applied second- and third-order polynomial regression models to depict the temporal trajectories of metabolic responses. Results: HBAT groups showed 25% higher sustained EE versus LBAT (p < 0.001), amplified by CAF. CHO oxidation exhibited biphasic kinetics: HBAT had 40% higher initial rates (0.75 ± 0.05 vs. 0.45 ± 0.04 g/min; p < 0.001) with accelerated decline (k = −0.21 vs. −0.15/min; p = 0.01). LIP oxidation peaked later in LBAT (40 vs. 20 min in HBAT), with CAF increasing oxidation by 18% in LBAT (p = 0.01). HBAT-CAF uniquely showed transient PTN catabolism (peak: 0.045 g/min at 10 min; k = −0.0033/min; p < 0.001). Conclusions: BAT status determines EE magnitude and substrate-specific kinetic patterns, while CAF exerts divergent modulation, potentiating early glycogenolysis in HBAT and lipolysis in LBAT. The HBAT-CAF synergy triggers acute proteolysis, revealing BAT-mediated metabolic switching. Full article

Background: Risk assessment in hyperthyroidism remains challenging. The aim of the present study is to determine the influence of hyperthyroid metabolic status on blood clotting and an increased risk of thrombosis. Methods: This prospective study included 50 patients after radical thyroidectomy and ablative radioiodine therapy because of thyroid carcinoma who were compared with 50 control subjects in a euthyroid metabolic state. Latent hyperthyroid patients with basal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) ≤ 0.15 mU/L on levothyroxine hormone therapy were included. The control group was selected to match the patient group based on age and sex. The evaluation data were collected using laboratory coagulation tests and patient questionnaires. A bleeding and a thrombosis score were determined. Results: The coagulation parameters between the patient and control groups showed statistically significant differences. In particular, the patients’ group showed a significantly shortened activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT/p = 0.009) and a significantly higher plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1/p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Age, sex, and medication use were not found to influence the patients’ laboratory results. Only body mass index was higher in the patient group than in the control group. Conclusions: Our results support a shift in the coagulation system in latent hyperthyroid metabolism towards increased coagulability and reduced fibrinolysis. A latent hyperthyroid metabolic state appears to be associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Further prospective cohort studies with large patient populations are needed to verify the association between (latent) hyperthyroidism and thromboembolic events as well as to determine therapeutic anticoagulation or to adjust the indication for exogenous administration of thyroid hormone. Full article

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous brain tumor. Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) play a central role in tumor progression, therapeutic resistance, and recurrence. Although immune cells are known to shape the GBM microenvironment, the impact of antigen-presenting-cell (APC) signature genes on tumor-intrinsic phenotypes remains underexplored. We analyzed both bulk- and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of GBM to investigate the association between APC gene expression and tumor-cell states, including stemness and metabolic reprogramming. Signature scores were computed using curated gene sets related to APC activity, KEGG metabolic pathways, and cancer hallmark pathways. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to examine the links between immune regulators and metabolic programs. The high expression of APC-related genes, such as HLA-DRA, CD74, CD80, CD86, and CIITA, was associated with lower stemness signatures and enhanced inflammatory signaling. These APC-high states (mean difference = –0.43, adjusted p < 0.001) also showed a shift in metabolic activity, with decreased oxidative phosphorylation and increased lipid and steroid metabolism. This pattern suggests coordinated changes in immune activity and metabolic status. Furthermore, TNF-α and other inflammatory markers were more highly expressed in the less stem-like tumor cells, indicating a possible role of inflammation in promoting differentiation. Our findings revealed that elevated APC gene signatures are associated with more differentiated and metabolically specialized GBM cell states. These transcriptional features may also reflect greater immunogenicity and inflammation sensitivity. The APC metabolic signature may serve as a useful biomarker to identify GBM subpopulations with reduced stemness and increased immune engagement, offering potential therapeutic implications. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic, non-communicable spectrum of diseases characterized by lipid accumulation. It is often asymptomatic, and its prevalence varies by region, age, gender, and economic status. It is estimated that 25% of the world’s population currently suffer from MAFLD, and 20 million patients will die from MAFLD-related diseases. In the last 20 years, tea and anti-obesity research have indicated that regularly consuming tea decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MeS). In this review, we aimed to present studies concerning the influence of matcha extracts and epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) supplements on metabolic functions in the context of MAFLD in human and animal studies. The published data show promise. In both human and animal studies, the beneficial effects on body weight, cholesterol levels, and liver metabolism and function were noted, even in short-period experiments. The safety levels for EGCG and green tea extract consumption are marked. More experiments are needed to confirm the results observed in animal studies and to show the mechanisms by which green tea exerts its effects. The preliminary data from research concerning microbiota or epigenetic changes observed after polyphenols and green tea consumption need to be expanded. To improve the efficiency and availability of green tea or supplement consumption as a treatment for MAFLD patients, more research with larger groups and longer study durations is needed. Full article

There is a well-established association between cystic fibrosis (CF) and malnutrition. Several comorbid conditions have also been associated with undernutrition in people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). Highly effective modulator therapy has allowed for a paradigm shift altering disease progression and management. Modulator use has even been associated with acceleration of weight trajectory causing overnutrition, which can lead to cardiovascular and metabolic comorbid conditions. This review explores how nutritional status is evolving in the era of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators in people with CF, specifically in children. By synthesizing current research, we aim to support pediatric healthcare providers and nutritionists in delivering tailored, proactive nutritional care in this new therapeutic landscape. Full article

Temperature fluctuations caused by climate change and global warming pose a threat to fish. The burbot (lota lota) population is particularly sensitive to increased water temperature, but the systematic impacts of high-temperature exposure on their liver and intestinal health remain unclear. In January of 2025, we collected wild adult burbot individuals from the Ussuri River (water temperature: about 2 °C), China. The burbot were exposed to 2 °C, 7 °C, 12 °C, 17 °C, and 22 °C environments for 96 h; then, the liver and intestinal contents were subsequently collected for histopathology observation, immunohistochemistry, biochemical index assessment, and transcriptome/16S rDNA sequencing analysis. There was obvious liver damage including hepatocyte necrosis, fat vacuoles, and cellular peripheral nuclei. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were elevated and subsequently decreased. Additionally, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level significantly increased with increasing temperature. These results indicate that 7 °C (heat stress temperature), 12 °C (tipping point for normal physiological metabolism status), 17 °C (tipping point for individual deaths), and 22 °C (thermal limit) are critical temperatures in terms of the physiological response of burbot during their breeding period. In the hepatic transcriptome profiling, 6538 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, while KEGG enrichment analysis showed that high-temperature stress could affect normal liver function by regulating energy metabolism, immune, and apoptosis-related pathways. Microbiomics also revealed that acute heat stress could change the intestinal microbe community structure. Additionally, correlation analysis suggested potential regulatory relationships between intestinal microbe taxa and immune/apoptosis-related DEGs in the liver. This study revealed the potential impact of environmental water temperature changes in cold habitats in winter on the physiological adaptability of burbot during the breeding period and provides new insights for the ecological protection of burbot in the context of global climate change and habitat warming. Full article

Background: Population persistence for organisms to survive in a world with a rapidly changing climate will require either dispersal to suitable areas, evolutionary adaptation to altered conditions and/or sufficient phenotypic plasticity to withstand it. Given the slow growth and geographically isolated populations of many tree species, there is a high likelihood of local adaption or the acclimation of functional traits in these populations across the UK. Objectives: Given the slow growth and often isolated populations of Tilia cordata (lime tree), we hypothesised that there is a high likelihood of local adaptation or the acclimation of metabolic traits in these populations across the UK. Our aim was to test if the functional metabolomic traits of Tilia cordata (lime tree), collected in situ from natural populations, varied within and between populations and to compare this to neutral allele variation in the population. Methods: We used a metabolic fingerprinting approach to obtain a snapshot of the metabolic status of leaves collected from T. cordata from six populations across the UK. Environmental metadata, longer-term functional traits (specific leaf area) and neutral allelic variation in the population were also measured to assess the plastic capacity and local adaptation of the species. Results: The metabolic fingerprints derived from leaf material collected and fixed in situ from individuals in six populations of T. cordata across its UK range were similar, despite contrasting environmental conditions during sampling. Neutral allele frequencies showed almost no significant group structure, indicating low differentiation between populations. The specific leaf area did vary between sites. Conclusions: The low metabolic variation between UK populations of T. cordata despite contrasting environmental conditions during sampling indicates high levels of phenotypic plasticity. Full article