β-Glucuronidase (GUS) is an acidic hydrolase enzyme overexpressed in various inflammatory diseases, making it a promising biomarker for inflammation. However, current tools for real-time, in situ imaging of GUS activity are hindered by background interference, which reduces their effectiveness in dynamic biological environments. To address this challenge, we developed Ox-GUS, a GUS-specific fluorescent probe with a unique molecular design featuring a disrupted conjugated structure. This design provided Ox-GUS with near-zero background optical properties, a significantly enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, and a highly sensitive detection ability. The probe demonstrated a fluorescence enhancement of up to 400 folds in response to GUS activity, with a detection limit as low as 0.0035 U/mL. We successfully employed Ox-GUS to visualize GUS activity in real-time in mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease, and effectively monitored therapeutic responses. This study highlights the potential of Ox-GUS as a robust tool for advancing research on GUS-related inflammatory mechanisms and for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of inflammatory diseases.

Monitoring body composition can help to optimize performance in female athletes. This study aimed to create a conversion equation between dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-measured body fat percentage and ultrasound-measured subcutaneous thigh fat thickness in Division I female athletes as a more accessible, cost-effective alternative.

Cross-sectional study.

We enrolled 82 Division I female athletes. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess body fat percentage. Bilateral panoramic thigh ultrasound scans at 50 % of the femur length were used to calculate subcutaneous fat thickness overlying the rectus femoris muscle. The dataset was divided into a training (70 %, n = 57) and holdout (30 %, n = 25) sample to develop and validate the conversion equation, respectively. Using the training sample, a stepwise, linear regression was used to predict dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry body fat percentage from ultrasound fat thickness, mass, and height. Beta coefficients from this model were used to create a conversion equation. After applying the conversion equation to the holdout sample, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2,k) and Bland-Altman plots were used to establish the agreement between the ultrasound-estimated and DXA-derived percent body fat.

Within the training sample, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was significantly associated with ultrasound fat thickness, height, and mass (F = 31.9; p < 0.001; R2 = 0.64). Within the holdout sample, when using the conversion equation to estimate body fat percentage, we found a strong agreement between estimated and DXA-derived percent body fat (ICC2,k = 0.93; 95 % CI: 0.83-0.97).

Ultrasound-assessed subcutaneous thigh fat thickness predicts dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-assessed body fat percentage in Division I female athletes.

In the contemporary context of health challenges, the focus on physical health has become a social and individual priority. Within this framework, body composition emerges as one of the key determinants of physical health, with deviations from normal body composition being associated with numerous pathological conditions that can lead to serious health issues. Consequently, there is an urgent need to synthesize the available knowledge and increase awareness regarding healthy body composition and the factors that shape its components. This narrative review aims to summarize the knowledge regarding the main components of body composition and the key factors that influence their development. The fundamental morphological characteristics and functions of the primary components of body composition-including adipose tissue, muscle mass, and bone tissue-are addressed. Furthermore, the available methods for assessing body composition are outlined. The role of three key factors that influence body composition is outlined, including, but not limited to, physical activity, sleep quality, and stress levels. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations that determine body composition in relation to the variability of these factors are discussed. The review provides evidence-based information that will be valuable both for disease prevention related to non-communicable diseases and for the promotion of health strategies aimed at long-term physical well-being.

Bone geometry parameters are essential for evaluating bone health and fracture risk in soccer players, whose physical demands affect their bone characteristics. However, studies on adolescent soccer players linking raw bioelectrical data to bone data are lacking, in addition to potential discrepancies in phase angle (PhA) values obtained using single-frequency (SF-BIA) and multifrequency (MF-BIA) bioelectrical impedance devices.

In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to compare raw bioelectrical impedance data (resistance (R), reactance (Xc), and PhA values) obtained using SF-BIA and MF-BIA devices and test the relationships among PhA and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) with bone mineral density (BMD), and leg hip-femur geometry (HF-G) parameters in adolescent male soccer players.

Raw bioelectrical impedance data were assessed using the SF-BIA and MF-BIA devices at a frequency of 50 kHz. The HF-G parameters were obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. BIVA was used to compare bone data considering BMD and HF-G median values.

Overall, 59 adolescent male soccer players participated in this study. Raw SF-BIA data had lower R values (-19.3 %, p < 0.001), but higher Xc (+5.3 %, p < 0.001) and PhA values (+20.3 %, p < 0.001) than when using MF-BIA data. PhA values obtained using SF-BIA (r = 0.27, p = 0.04) or MF-BIA (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with total hip-femur BMD. Considering BIVA, the ellipses differed for the total BMD (p = 0.0018), neck BMD (p = 0.026), and cross-sectional area (p = 0.024).

The PhA and R values obtained using SF-BIA were higher than those obtained using MF-BIA, possibly because of the technological differences between the devices. However, the MF-BIA data suggests that PhA and BIVA can be used as tools for continuous use to warn of possible imbalances in bone tissue.

The incorporation of 4D printing alongside chemical stimuli-responsive hydrogels represents a significant advancement in the field of biomedical engineering, effectively overcoming the constraints associated with conventional static 3D-printed structures. Through the integration of time as the fourth dimension, 4D printing facilitates the development of dynamic and adaptable structures that can react to chemical alterations in their surroundings. This innovation presents considerable promise for sophisticated tissue engineering and targeted drug delivery applications.

This review examines the function of chemical stimuli-responsive hydrogels within the context of 4D printing, highlighting their distinctive ability to undergo regulated transformations when exposed to particular chemical stimuli. An in-depth examination of contemporary research underscores the collaborative dynamics between these hydrogels and their surroundings, focusing specifically on their utilization in biomimetic scaffolds for tissue regeneration and the advancement of intelligent drug delivery systems.

The integration of 4D printing technology with chemically responsive hydrogels presents exceptional prospects for advancements in tissue engineering and targeted drug delivery, facilitating the development of personalized and adaptive medical solutions. Although the potential is promising, it is essential to address challenges such as material optimization, biocompatibility, and precise control over stimuli-responsive behavior to facilitate clinical translation and scalability.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is widely used as a convenient method of measuring body composition. The validity of the phase angle (PhA), impedance rate (IR), and resistance rate (RR) as indices of muscle quality using BIA has been suggested. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between these muscle quality indices and age, and to clarify their characteristics.

The appendicular muscle mass (AMM), AMM corrected for body mass index (AMM/BMI), PhA, IR, and RR were determined using BIA in 1376 Japanese individuals (532 males and 844 females) aged 15-95 years. The PhA was determined from a 50-kHz current, and the IR and RR were determined from the impedance and resistance ratios between the 250- and 5-kHz currents.

AMM/BMI showed greater age-related changes than the other indices of muscle mass. Significant differences in PhA, IR, and RR were found for the whole body at age ≥ 50 years and for the lower limbs at age ≥ 30 years, compared to those in their 20 s. For the arms, age-related changes were small, and significant differences in PhA of females were only observed at aged ≥ 85 years, whereas significant differences in IR and RR were observed at aged ≥ 75 years, compared to those in their 20s.

These results suggest that although PhA, IR, and RR in the whole body and lower limbs showed age-related changes, the change in PhA in the upper body was small, especially in females. However, IR and RR in the upper limbs of females reflected age-related changes more than PhA.

4D bioprinting is a critical advancement in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM), enabling the creation of structures that dynamically respond to environmental stimuli over time. This review investigates various fabrication techniques and responsive materials that are central to these fields. It underscores the integration of multi-material and biocomposite approaches in 4D bioprinting, which is crucial for fabricating complex and functional constructs with heterogeneous properties. Using 4D bioprinting techniques enhances the mimicry of natural tissue characteristics, offering tailored responses and improved integration with biological systems. Furthermore, this study highlights the synergy between 4D bioprinting and tissue engineering and demonstrates the technology's potential for developing tissues and organs. In regenerative medicine, 4D bioprinting's applications extend to creating smart implants and advanced drug delivery systems that adapt to the body's changes, promoting healing and tissue regeneration. Finally, the challenges and future directions of 4D bioprinting are also explored and emphasize its transformative impact on biomedical engineering and the future of healthcare.

The definition of obesity has evolved significantly over the last century, from a simplistic view of excessive eating and laziness to a complex, multifactorial disease with profound health and societal implications. As science progresses, it is essential that we keep improving our knowledge about obesity, taking into consideration, factors like genetics, metabolism, body composition, and the social determinants of health. This article explores how our understanding of this condition has been shaped over the last 100 years considering historical and scientific factors. The history and usefulness of the body mass index (BMI), the development of other anthropometric markers and the evolution in the incorporation of body composition into clinical practice, among other aspects related to the definition of obesity, are discussed. The challenges posed by obesity can be better addressed and more effective strategies for prevention and treatment can be developed adopting a more personalized and holistic approach. Obesity is not only a matter of individual responsibility but a multifaceted public health problem that requires a multidisciplinary and inclusive strategy to address its complexities.

One of the parameters that is measurable using bioelectrical impedance is the phase angle (PhA), which is an indicator of skeletal muscle quality. The PhA reflects cellular health and nutritional status and is an important parameter for monitoring recovery after stroke. However, the factors affecting skeletal muscle quality remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors associated with skeletal muscle quality in patients with acute stroke.

A total of 505 consecutively hospitalized patients with acute stroke were included in this study. The primary outcome was the PhA measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, which evaluates muscle quality. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting PhA.

The mean age of the participants was 75.1 years, and 44% were female. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score upon admission was 4, and the mean length of stay was 18 days. The mean PhA for skeletal muscle quality was 4.9° in males and 3.9° in females. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, sex, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (pre-mRS), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease had independent effects on PhA (R2 = 0.575; P = 0.001). Age, pre-mRS, NIHSS, dementia, and PhA independently associated with functional independence measure at discharge (R2 = 0.657; P = 0.001).

This study identified determinants contributing to the deterioration of muscle quality upon admission in acute stroke patients. Further investigation is needed to ascertain whether modulation of these factors improves muscle quality. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 213-219.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency. Treatment is primarily a low-Phe diet combined with l-amino acid-based products (l-AA). Protein requirements in adults with PKU have not been directly determined. A formula with glycomacropeptide (GMP) and low phenylalanine is available, yet untested for optimal protein synthesis.

To determine the protein requirements in adults with PKU and the bioavailability of GMP-AA in the same patients using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique.

Each participant was allocated to 7 separate l-AA intakes (range: 0.1-1.8 g/kg/day) in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, the same patients participated in 4 GMP-AA intakes (range: 0.1-0.9 g/kg/day). The IAAO method with l-[1-13C]-lysine as the indicator amino acid and its oxidation to 13CO2 was used as the primary indicator of protein synthesis. Protein requirements were identified with a breakpoint, and bioavailability was determined by comparing 13CO2 slope from GMP-AA versus l-AA.

Six adults with PKU (4 M: 2F) completed a total of 54 study days over the 2 experiments. The estimated average requirement (EAR) for protein was determined to be 1.11 g/kg/day (R2 = 0.20). The bioavailability of protein from GMP-AA was determined to be 99.98%, which was high and near to 100% comparable to l-AA; although, the results apply only to the tested GMP-AA blend.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to directly define a quantitative protein requirement and indicates that current PKU protein recommendations for adults with PKU may be underestimated. The bioavailability of protein in the GMP-AA blend was high and optimal for protein synthesis in adults with PKU.

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a crucial indicator of osteoporosis. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) introduces a new method for assessing body composition, specifically BMD measurement. Compared with existing ultrasound and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for BMD screening and diagnosis, BIA has the advantages of safety, convenience and speed. However, the accuracy of BIA for BMD measurement needs to be explored. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the novel BIA technique in conducting whole-body BMD assessments in the general population of Taiwan. Overall, 318 healthy adults in Taiwan (37.67 ± 19.44 years of age; 145 male and 173 female patients) were included. Whole-body BMD was measured via foot-to-foot BIA-StarBIA-201 (StarBIA Meditek Co. LTD, Taichung, Taiwan) and the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Lunar Prodigy technology (GE Medical Systems, Madison, WI, USA). Linear regression analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient, the Bland-Altman plot, and paired t tests were used. The whole-body BMDs measured by BIA and DXA were 1.139 ± 0.124 g/cm2 and 1.202 ± 0.168 g/cm2, respectively. The regression equation was y = 1.057x + 0.063. The Pearson correlation coefficient, mean difference, and limits of agreement were r = 0.737, - 0.053 g/cm2, and - 0.290-0.165 g/cm2, respectively. The regression equation was y = 1.057x + 0.063. The Pearson correlation coefficient, mean difference, and limits of agreement were r = 0.737 (p < 0.001), - 0.053 g/cm2, and - 0.290-0.165 g/cm2, respectively. Standing BIA was correlated with the DXA gold standard for estimating whole-body BMD in adults; however, its interchangeability remains limited. The potential bias in the measurement results of this study represents a current challenge with BIA compared with that of DXA, and there is still room for improvement. The convenient BIA method for measuring whole-body BMD may be useful in the application of primary screening and future development of BMD assessment methods. BIA is widely used to measure body composition, but its application to the measurement of BMD represents a novel technological breakthrough.

In general abdominal surgery, the ratio of fat to muscle mass, or body composition measures, shows a stronger association with complications than body mass index. These studies include male and female patients. Women have a different body composition than men. Therefore, findings from general abdominal surgery cannot be extrapolated to women with cancer. The aim of this systematic review is to summarise the evidence on the association between body composition and peri- and postoperative complications in patients with gynaecological cancer.

Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Central databases were searched in June 2023. Studies were eligible if they included patients undergoing surgery for gynaecological cancer and reported on the association between body composition (muscle or fat mass) and surgical complications. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. A best-evidence synthesis was used to summarise the level of evidence.

Fifteen studies were included that assessed muscle mass (n = 9) or fat mass (n = 6). We found strong evidence that there was no association between visceral fat and length of hospital stay. We found moderate evidence that a higher amount of good quality muscle was associated with a lower risk of postoperative complications. We found moderate evidence that there was no association between muscle or fat mass (i.e., muscle- or subcutaneous fat) and postoperative complications or fat mass and intraoperative complications. There was insufficient evidence for an association between visceral fat and intraoperative or postoperative complications, and for an association between muscle mass or -quality and length of hospital stay. There was high heterogeneity in the methods used to measure body composition, hampering meta-analyses.

The association between body composition, particularly adipose tissue and muscle quality, and complications suggests that these measures may be of interest in determining postoperative risk in women undergoing surgery for gynaecological cancer.

Current recommendation for lysine in older adults, 30 mg/kg/d, is based on young adult data. Evidence suggests that amino acid requirements may differ between young and old adults with both sex and age having an effect in the elderly.

This study aimed to define the lysine requirements in healthy older adults using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) method with L-[1-13C] phenylalanine as the indicator and to compare the derived estimates based on age: 60-69 y and >70 y.

Fourteen healthy males and 16 healthy females [>60 y, body mass index (BMI) = 26.3 kg/m2] were randomly assigned to receive 3-7 lysine intakes from 10 to 80 mg/kg/d. Subjects were adapted to a standard liquid diet providing 1.0 g/kg/d protein and adequate energy, for 2 d, with indicator oxidation measurements performed on day 3. The rate of release of 13CO2 from the oxidation of L-[1-13C] phenylalanine was measured in breath. A 2-phase linear mixed-effect model, and parametric bootstrap were used to determine mean lysine requirements and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The overlap of the 95% CI between the 2 age groups were used to compare the requirement estimates. The null hypothesis was accepted if the interval contained zero.

The mean and upper 95% CI of the lysine requirement for females were 32.9 and 40.9 and 46.2 and 53.7 mg/kg/d for those aged 60-69 y and >70 y, respectively. The mean and upper 95% CI of the lysine requirement for the 2 groups of males were not different so was combined to yield a mean and 95% CI of 32.2 and 38.2 mg/kg/d.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the lysine requirement in adults aged >60 y. These results provide a basis from which the adequacy of diets to meet lysine needs of older adults can be assessed. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02008955 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02008955).

We previously showed through clinical trials that one plant-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can improve constipation. We preliminarily found that the plant-derived LAB Lactococcus lactis BM32-1 can grow in a mixture of sericin and fibroin, which are extracted from silk and have been reported to help promote health. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the favorable effect of a sericin/fibroin mixture (S/F-M), which was extracted from silk prepared from cocoons reared in an aseptic rearing system using an artificial diet, fermented with the BM32-1 strain through a clinical trial. The trial was conducted at Hiroshima University from June to October 2022 as a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized parallel-group comparative study with 50 eligible subjects (aged 23-71) who had an average defecation frequency of less than 5 times per week. The subjects were instructed to drink 100 mL of fermented S/F-M or placebo every day. After the 12 weeks of the clinical trial period, the average defecation frequency increased significantly-1.4 times higher than that at baseline in the test group-as compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, the fecal microbiota was also compared before and after treatment, revealing that intake of the fermented S/F-M significantly multiplied the relative abundance of the genera Enterococcus and Clostridium, which have been reported to contribute to the amelioration of constipation by improving the gut microbiota and producing butyric acid, respectively. In conclusion, the S/F-M fermented using the BM32-1 strain improves defecation frequency through alteration of the gut microbiota.

Obesity can increase the risk of postoperative complications. Despite increased demand for patients living with obesity to lose weight prior to common surgical procedures, the impact of intentional weight loss on surgical outcomes is largely unknown. We aimed to conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility of a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effect of preoperative dietitian-led Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) Clinic on surgical outcomes in gynaecology and general surgeries. Between August 2021 and January 2023, a convenience sample of adults living with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) awaiting gynaecology, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and ventral hernia repair procedures were randomised to dietitian-led VLCD (800-1000 kcal using meal replacements and allowed foods), or control (no dietary intervention), 2-12 weeks preoperatively. Primary outcome was feasibility (recruitment, adherence, safety, attendance, acceptability and quality of life (QoL)). Secondary outcomes were anthropometry and 30-d postoperative outcomes. Outcomes were analysed as intention-to-treat. Fifty-one participants were recruited (n 23 VLCD, n 28 control), mean 48 (sd 13) years, 86 % female, and mean BMI 35·8 (sd 4·6) kg/m2. Recruitment was disrupted by COVID-19, but other thresholds for feasibility were met for VLCD group: high adherence without unfavourable body composition change, high acceptability, improved pre/post QoL (22·1 ± 15 points, < 0·001), with greater reductions in weight (-5·5 kg VLCD v. -0·9 kg control, P < 0·05) waist circumference (-6·6 cm VLCD v. +0·6 control, P < 0·05) and fewer 30-d complications (n 4/21) than controls (n 8/22) (P > 0·05). The RCT study design was deemed feasible in a public hospital setting. The dietitian-led VLCD resulted in significant weight loss and waist circumference reduction compared with a control group, without unfavourable body composition change and improved QoL.

Low relative fat free mass (FFM) is associated with a greater risk of chronic diseases and mortality. Unfortunately, FFM is currently not being measured regularly to allow for individuals therapy.

One reason why FFM is not being used may be related to additional equipment and resources, thus we aimed to identify easily accessible anthropometric markers related with FFM.

We analyzed data of 1,593 individuals (784 women; 49.2%, age range 28-88 years) enrolled in the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-TREND 1). Forty-seven anthropometric markers were derived from a 3D optical body-scanner. FFM was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (FFMBIA) or air displacement plethysmography (FFMADP). In sex-stratified linear regression models, FFM was regressed on anthropometric measurements adjusted for body height and age. Anthropometric markers were ranked according to the coefficient of determination (R2) derived from these regression models.

Circumferences of high hip, belly, middle hip, waist and high waist showed the strongest inverse associations with FFM. These relations were stronger in females than in males. Associations of anthropometric markers with FFMAPD were greater compared to FFMBIA.

Anthropometric measures were more strongly associated with FFMADP compared to FFMBIA. Anthropometric markers like circumferences of the high or middle hip, belly or waist may be appropriate surrogates for FFM to aid in individualized therapy. Given that the identified markers are representative of visceral adipose tissue, the connection between whole body strength as surrogate for FFM and fat mass should be explored in more detail.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease, in which permanent joint deformation is largely preventable with the timely introduction of appropriate treatment strategies. However, there is no consensus for patients with RA to monitor their progress and communicate it to the rheumatologist till the condition progresses to remission. In response to this unmet need, we proposed the design of a self-measuring device based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for regular monitoring of inflammation levels. Twenty joints of both hands were measured to monitor trends in inflammation levels. Three electrodes were used to measure two joints of each finger. A central electrode was used for two consecutive measurements. A suitable form factor for the device was proposed for the vertical placement of the hand. To ensure the stability of measurements, an air cushion was incorporated into the back of the hand, hand containers were designed on both sides, and a mobile application was designed. We conducted a convergence-assessment experiment with five air pressures to validate the consistency and convergence of bioimpedance measurements. A heuristic evaluation of the usability around the product and mobile application was conducted in parallel by six subject matter experts and validated the design. This study underscores the significance of considering patients' disease activity during intervals between hospital visits and introduces a novel approach to self-RA care.

This review analyzes the published evidence regarding maternal factors that influence the developmental programming of long-term adiposity in humans and animals via the central nervous system (CNS). We describe the physiological outcomes of perinatal underfeeding and overfeeding and explore potential mechanisms that may mediate the impact of such exposures on the development of feeding circuits within the CNS-including the influences of metabolic hormones and epigenetic changes. The perinatal environment, reflective of maternal nutritional status, contributes to the programming of offspring adiposity. The in utero and early postnatal periods represent critically sensitive developmental windows during which the hormonal and metabolic milieu affects the maturation of the hypothalamus. Maternal hyperglycemia is associated with increased transfer of glucose to the fetus driving fetal hyperinsulinemia. Elevated fetal insulin causes increased adiposity and consequently higher fetal circulating leptin concentration. Mechanistic studies in animal models indicate important roles of leptin and insulin in central and peripheral programming of adiposity, and suggest that optimal concentrations of these hormones are critical during early life. Additionally, the environmental milieu during development may be conveyed to progeny through epigenetic marks and these can potentially be vertically transmitted to subsequent generations. Thus, nutritional and metabolic/endocrine signals during perinatal development can have lifelong (and possibly multigenerational) impacts on offspring body weight regulation.

The current study investigates whether, during a Cochlear Implant (CI) surgery, conditioning (i.e. applying short bursts of electrical stimulation) within a saline solution can have positive effects on subsequent intra-operative measurements. We hypothesize that, based on previous research, the impedance values will be reduced, and that the reproducibility of Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) is improved as a result of conditioning.

We conditioned half of the electrode contacts, within a saline solution, before CI insertion, using 23 MED-EL implants. Impedance was measured for both the conditioned and non-conditioned groups at five time points. Repeated ECAP recordings were measured and compared between the conditioned and non-conditioned groups.

Impedance of the electrode contacts were reduced by 31% after conditioning in saline solution; however, there were no clinically relevant differences after the implantation of the electrode array. The hypothesis that measurement reproducibility would be increased after conditioning could not be confirmed with our data. Within the saline solution, we observed that 44% of the electrode contacts were covered with air bubbles, which most disappeared after implantation. However, these air bubbles limited the effectiveness of the conditioning within the saline solution. Lastly, the effect of conditioning on the reference electrode stimulation was approximately 16% of the total reduction in impedance.

Our data does not suggest that intraoperative conditioning is clinically required for cochlear implantation with MED-EL implants. Additionally, an in-vivo ECAP recording can be considered as a method of conditioning the electrode contacts.

We confirm that the common clinical practice does not need to be changed.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by slow, progressive, and irreversible kidney function loss and the disease itself and hemodialysis treatment can predispose an inflammatory state that increased cardiovascular complications, being one of major mortality causes in kidney patients. The study purpose was to evaluate nutritional profile and impacts of w-3 fatty acid supplementation on inflammatory parameters and cardiovascular events risk in patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis treatment.

Non-randomized clinical trial, patients with CKD were randomly grouped into a control (n = 29) and supplemented (n = 30) group. Supplemented group patients were instructed to consume two w-3 capsules a day (2g/day) for 8 weeks for further analysis of pre- and post-supplementation C-reactive protein (CRP) and other blood parameters. To nutritional status assessment, anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance data were measured, carried out close to supplementation start.

59 patients were evaluated, 49.1% (n = 29) were overweight and 70.7% (n = 41) had high percentage of body fat. Comparing control versus supplemented groups after supplementation serum CRP levels have reduced, no differences were observed (p = 0.716) nevertheless there was reduction in cardiovascular events risk according to C-reactive protein classification (p = 0.004). Ferritin levels have improved in all groups. Changes in the levels of other biochemical markers hemoglobin, hematocrit, urea, creatinine, and Kt/v have happened. However, group that received w-3 showed an improvement in serum albumin levels (p = 0.014), in addition to demonstrating greater adequacy classification of albumin after supplementation (p = 0.022).

Omega-3 supplementation have caused an improvement in albumin plasma levels suitableness in Chronic Kidney Disease patients, however, it did not demonstrate statistical effects to reducing CRP levels, although this helped to reduce cardiovascular risk.

The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of fat tissue in non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and those without the syndrome using dual-energy radiological densitometry.

This was a case-control study in which we enrolled women aged 14-39 years with polycystic ovary syndrome according to the Rotterdam criteria with a body mass index between 18.5 and 30 kg/m2. The control group comprised women with the same profile, but without polycystic ovary syndrome. Patients were treated at the Endocrinological Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo between 2019 and 2022. Anthropometric measurements were taken and the assessment of body composition was performed using dual-energy radiological densitometry.

The sample comprised 57 women: 37 in the polycystic ovary syndrome group and 20 in the control group. The mean age of the polycystic ovary syndrome group was 24.9 years (±6.9) with a mean body mass index of 60.8 kg/m2 (±8.5), and for the control group, it was 24.2 years (±6.9) with a mean body mass index of 58 kg/m2 (±8.4). Body composition was evaluated using dual-energy radiological densitometry and showed a higher value of trunk fat in the polycystic ovary syndrome group (44.1%, ±9.0) compared to the control group (35.2%, ±11.4), which was statistically significant (p=0.002).

Our study showed that non-obese polycystic ovary syndrome patients have a higher concentration of abdominal fat, which is a risk factor for increased cardiovascular risk and insulin resistance.ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02467751.

A variety of easy-to-use commercial bioelectrical impedance appliances are available. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of a commercially available body composition meter using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) by comparing its measurement results with those obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The participants were 443 children aged from 10 to 14 years (226 boys and 217 girls). Fat mass, fat-free mass, lean body mass, percentage of body fat, and bone mineral contents were evaluated for all participants using BIA and DXA. The agreement in the anthropometric data obtained from both devices was analyzed using correlation analysis, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), Bland-Altman plots, and ordinary least products regression analysis. Equivalence between both devices was tested by two one-sided t-test. All measured indicators showed strong linear correlations between the two measurement systems (r, 0.853-1.000). Fat mass, fat-free mass, and lean body mass showed absolute concordance (ICC, 0.902-0.972; Lin's CCC, 0.902-0.972). BIA overestimated bone mineral content (62.7-66.5%) and underestimated percentage of body fat (- 8.9 to - 0.8%), lean body mass (- 3.5 to - 1.8%), and body mass (- 0.8 to - 0.5%). For fat mass and fat-free mass, the overestimate or underestimate varied according to the sex and statistical analysis test. Bland-Altman analysis and ordinary least products analysis showed fixed bias and proportional bias in all indicators. Results according to quartiles of body mass index showed poor agreement for fat mass and percentage of body fat in both boys and girls in the lowest body mass index quartile. The present results revealed strong linear correlations between BIA and DXA, which confirmed the validity of the present single-frequency BIA-derived parameters. Our results suggest that BIA cannot provide the exact same values as DXA for some body composition parameters, but that performance is sufficient for longitudinal use within an individual for daily health management and monitoring.

3D laser-based photonic scanners are increasingly used in health studies to estimate body composition. However, too little is known about whether various 3D body scan measures estimate body composition better than single standard anthropometric measures, and which body scans best estimate it. Furthermore, little is known about differences by sex and age.

105 men and 96 women aged between 18 and 90 years were analysed. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis was used to estimate whole relative fat mass (RFM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). An Anthroscan VITUSbodyscan was used to obtain 3D body scans (e.g. volumes, circumferences, lengths). To reduce the number of possible predictors that could predict RFM, VAT and SMI backward elimination was performed. With these selected predictors linear regression on the respective body compositions was performed and the explained variations were compared with models using standard anthropometric measurements (Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR)).

Among the models based on standard anthropometric measures, WC performed better than BMI and WHtR in estimating body composition in men and women. The explained variations in models including body scan variables are consistently higher than those from standard anthropometrics models, with an increase in explained variations between 5% (RFM for men) and 10% (SMI for men). Furthermore, the explained variation of body composition was additionally increased when age and lifestyle variables were added. For each of the body composition variables, the number of predictors differed between men and women, but included mostly volumes and circumferences in the central waist/chest/hip area and the thighs.

3D scan models performed better than standard anthropometric measures models to predict body composition. Therefore, it is an advantage for larger health studies to look at body composition more holistically using 3D full body surface scans.

Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) are positively associated with blood pressure (BP) in youth. Yet, how puberty, independent of age, affects these relationships remains unclear. Given puberty may be a crucial period for cardiometabolic health, we examined how pubertal development moderates the associations of FM/FFM with BP.

Pubertal development, resting BP, and body composition were assessed in a convenience sample of youth (5.5-17 years). General linear models were conducted to assess if pubertal development moderated the relationships between FM/FFM and systolic/diastolic BP standardized for age, sex, and height (SBPz/DBPz).

Among participants (N = 1405; age: M = 13.3 ± 2.9 years; 65.4% female; 53.2% racial/ethnic minority), FM/FFM were positively associated with SBPz and DBPz (ps ≤ 0.02). Pubertal development moderated the associations between FFM and BPz (ps ≤ 0.01), but not FM (ps > 0.43). For early/mid and late pubertal participants, there were positive associations between FFM and BP (DBPz: βs = 0.10-0.18, ps ≤ 0.01; SBPz: βs = 0.33-0.43, ps < 0.001); however, these relationships were attenuated, especially for prepubertal DBPz (DBPz: β = 0.01, p = 0.91; SBPz: β = 0.24, p = 0.001).

Puberty moderated the relationships between FFM and SBPz/DBPz in analyses that separately modeled the contributions of age and sex. These data suggest that the FFM-DBPz association may potentially be impacted by increasing sex hormone concentrations during puberty.

Fat mass (FM) and blood pressure (BP) were positively associated throughout puberty. Fat-free mass (FFM) and BP were positively associated throughout puberty; however, puberty moderated the FFM-BP relationship, such that there was a positive relationship in early/mid and late puberty, but the relationship was attenuated for prepubertal children. These findings contribute further insight into physiological and cardiometabolic changes occurring during puberty. Changes in hormone concentrations may explain the impact puberty has on the FFM-BP relationship. Understanding predictors of BP are important as childhood BP is associated with future cardiometabolic outcomes.

Human bioenergetics has been incorporated into the palaeobiology of human ancestors during the last years to broaden our understanding of Human Evolution. The hypotheses based solely on the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the fossil record, cannot easily explain many of the questions about the physiology of past humans. Data on the energetics and physiology of recent humans, together with comprehensive analyses of body proportions and body composition in relation to human metabolism, are needed to understand the evolutionary constraints of hominin ecophysiology. Furthermore, specific datasets including energetic data from modern humans are required to model hominin palaeophysiology. EVOBREATH Datasets were gradually developed since 2013 to store and manage all the data obtained in the Research Programs on Experimental Energetics developed by the Palaeophisiology and Human Ecology Group and the Palaeoecology of Mammals Group of the National Research centre on Human Evolution (CENIEH, Burgos, Spain). All experimental tests were developed either in the CENIEH BioEnergy and Motion Lab (LabBioEM) or in the field, using mobile devices. Datasets include quantitative experimental data related to human anthropometry (Height, Weight, all postcranial dimensions and segments, including hands and feet, and computation of anatomical indices), body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass, muscular mass, body water), and energetics (resting metabolic rate and energetic expenditure in different physical activities, oxygen consumption (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) production measured breath-by-breath) obtained in multiple studies with in vivo subjects of different ages (adults, adolescents and children) and both sexes (n = 501). These datasets are useful to optimize the time-consuming process of generating experimental data and to facilitate their reuse by the scientific community. Researchers can readily employ the datasets in their own research endeavours.

The breakthrough of 3D printing in biomedical research has paved the way for the next evolutionary step referred to as four dimensional (4D) printing. This new concept utilizes the time as the fourth dimension in addition to the x, y, and z axes with the idea to change the configuration of a printed construct with time usually in response to an external stimulus. This can be attained through the incorporation of smart materials or through a preset smart design. The 4D printed constructs may be designed to exhibit expandability, flexibility, self-folding, self-repair or deformability. This review focuses on 4D printed devices for gastroretentive, esophageal, and intravesical delivery. The currently unmet needs and challenges for these application sites are tried to be defined and reported on published solution concepts involving 4D printing. In addition, other promising application sites that may similarly benefit from 4D printing approaches such as tracheal and intrauterine drug delivery are proposed.

Although obesity is associated with chronic disease, a large section of the population with high BMI does not have an increased risk of metabolic disease. Increased visceral adiposity and sarcopenia are also risk factors for metabolic disease in people with normal BMI. Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques can help assess and analyze body composition parameters for predicting cardiometabolic health. The purpose of the study was to systematically explore literature involving AI techniques for body composition assessment and observe general trends.

We searched the following databases: Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed. There was a total of 354 search results. After removing duplicates, irrelevant studies, and reviews(a total of 303), 51 studies were included in the systematic review.

AI techniques have been studied for body composition analysis in the context of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer and many specialized diseases. Imaging techniques employed for AI methods include CT (Computerized Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), ultrasonography, plethysmography, and EKG(Electrocardiogram). Automatic segmentation of body composition by deep learning with convolutional networks has helped determine and quantify muscle mass. Limitations include heterogeneity of study populations, inherent bias in sampling, and lack of generalizability. Different bias mitigation strategies should be evaluated to address these problems and improve the applicability of AI to body composition analysis.

AI assisted measurement of body composition might assist in improved cardiovascular risk stratification when applied in the appropriate clinical context.

Omalizumab is widely used in clinical practice; however, knowledge gaps in the dosage of omalizumab for children aged 2-6 years with moderate-to-severe persistent allergic asthma have been identified. The aim of this study was to explore dosing regimens for moderately-to-severely allergic pediatric patients aged 2-6 years. The physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of omalizumab was developed and verified in adult patients, extrapolated to pediatric patients, and simulated for omalizumab by adding two observation chambers (free IgE and total IgE). The simulation results showed that the fold errors of the predicted and observed values of the area under the curve (AUC) and peak plasma concentration (C_max ) were between 0.5 and 2.0, and the average folding error and the absolute average folding error values for all concentration-time data points were 1.09 and 1.48, respectively. The PBPK model combined with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis of omalizumab demonstrated that both the model-derived dose and the original dose could control the average free IgE of 2-6-year-old children with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma below 25 ng/mL, and some of the model-derived doses were lower. This conclusion provides a basis for the selection of dosage in clinical practice reference.

The tripeptide glutathione is found in all eukaryotic cells, and due to the compartmentalization of biochemical processes, its synthesis takes place exclusively in the cytosol. At the same time, its functions depend on its transport to/from organelles and interorgan transport, in which the liver plays a central role. Glutathione is determined as a marker of the redox state in many diseases, aging processes, and cell death resulting from its properties and reactivity. It also uses other enzymes and proteins, which enables it to engage and regulate various cell functions. This paper approximates the role of these systems in redox and detoxification reactions such as conjugation reactions of glutathione-S-transferases, glyoxylases, reduction of peroxides through thiol peroxidases (glutathione peroxidases, peroxiredoxins) and thiol-disulfide exchange reactions catalyzed by glutaredoxins.

Osteosarcopenia is a new definitional approach that can increase the risk of falls and fractures in elderly compared with that of osteoporosis and sarcopenia alone. However, biomarkers for osteosarcopenia have not been well identified. Thus, we aimed to explore the biomarkers of osteosarcopenia, including bone, muscle, and geriatric markers. Outpatients attending a frailty clinic were enrolled in the study. Osteosarcopenia was defined as the coexistence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Osteoporosis was defined according to the criteria of the Japan Osteoporosis Society. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia consensus (2019). We selected 35 blood/serum pathological parameters, including bone, inflammation, nutritional, and aging markers for the study. Logistic regression analysis for osteosarcopenia was performed to explore the biomarkers of osteosarcopenia. Of the total 600 patients with a mean age of 76.6 years, 595 were enrolled in the registry during the study period. Logistic regression analysis for osteosarcopenia showed that elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (odds ratio [OR]:1.375; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.092-1.731), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) (OR: 1.059; 95 % CI: 1.002-1.120), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (OR: 1.029; 95 % CI: 1.007-1.053) increased the likelihood of osteosarcopenia. On the other hand, elevated 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) (OR: 0.905; 95 % CI: 0.841-0.974), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (OR: 0.895; 95 % CI: 0.829-0.966) and K (OR: 0.241; 95 % CI: 0.081-0.717) decreased the likelihood of osteosarcopenia. It is worthwhile to examine these biomarkers for older adult outpatients attending a frailty clinic for screening osteosarcopenia. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of other markers of bone metabolism.

Glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib) is an autosomal recessively inherited deficiency of the glucose-6-phosphate translocase (G6PT). Clinical features include a combination of a metabolic phenotype (fasting hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, hepatomegaly) and a hematologic phenotype with neutropenia and neutrophil dysfunction. Dietary treatment involves provision of starches such as uncooked cornstarch (UCCS) and Glycosade® to provide prolonged enteral supply of glucose. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the treatment of choice for neutropenia. Because long-term stimulation of hematopoiesis with G-CSF causes serious complications such as splenomegaly, hypersplenism, and osteopenia; hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been considered in some patients with GSD Ib to correct neutropenia and avoid G-CSF related adverse effects. Whether HSCT also has an effect on the metabolic phenotype and utilization of carbohydrate sources has not been determined.

Our objective was to measure the utilization of starch in a patient with GSD Ib before and after HSCT using the minimally invasive ¹³C-glucose breath test (¹³C-GBT).

A case of GSD Ib (18y; female) underwent ¹³C-GBT four times: UCCS (pre-HSCT), UCCS (3, 5 months post-HSCT) and Glycosade® (6 months post-HSCT) with a dose of 80 g administered via nasogastric tube after a 4 h fast according to our patient's fasting tolerance. Breath samples were collected at baseline and every 30 min for 240 min. Rate of CO₂ production was measured at 120 min using indirect calorimetry. Finger-prick blood glucose was measured using a glucometer hourly to test hypoglycemia (glucose <4 mmol/L). Biochemical and clinical data were obtained from the medical records as a post-hoc chart review.

UCCS utilization was significantly higher in GSD Ib pre-HSCT, which reduced and stabilized 5 months post-HSCT. UCCS and Glycosade® utilizations were low and not different at 5 and 6 months post-HSCT. Blood glucose concentrations were not significantly different at any time point.

Findings show that HSCT stabilized UCCS utilization, as reflected by lower and stable glucose oxidation. The results also illustrate the application of ¹³C-GBT to examine glucose metabolism in response to various carbohydrate sources after other treatment modalities like HSCT in GSD Ib.

The body composition monitor (BCM) is a bioimpedance spectroscopy device, specifically developed for patients on hemodialysis (HD) to improve ultrafiltration (UF) programming, based on an objective assessment of the degree of overhydration (OH) at the start of HD. However, its acceptance in clinical practice remains limited because of concerns about the accuracy at the individual level. The aim of this study is to examine the performance of the BCM and to identify means of improvement.

Precision of the OH estimate was assessed by 6 consecutive measurements in 24 patients on HD. Accuracy was examined in 45 patients, by comparing the change in OH (ΔOH) during HD with UF volume. Accuracy was considered acceptable if the volume error in individual patients was ≤0.5 L.

The OH estimate had an analytical precision of 1.0 ± 0.4%. The correlation between UF volume and ΔOH was moderate (Slope = 0.66, R² = 0.44, P < .001) and indicated underestimation of UF volume, in particular for high UF volumes. Accuracy at individual level was highly variable. A volume error >0.5 L occurred in 44% of patients. Accuracy improved over the course of HD, with a decrease in total error range from 2.3 L in the first hour to 1.1 L in the final hour of HD.

The accuracy of BCM volume change estimates is highly variable and below requirements of daily practice. Improvement may be achieved by a switch to an end-of-HD measurement.

Homeostasis is the most fundamental mechanism of physiological processes, occurring simultaneously as the production and outcomes of pathological procedures. Accompanied by manufacture and maturation of intricate and highly hierarchical architecture obtained from 3D bioprinting (three-dimension bioprinting), homeostasis has substantially determined the quality of printed tissues and organs. Instead of only shape imitation that has been the remarkable advances, fabrication for functionality to make artificial tissues and organs that act as real ones in vivo has been accepted as the optimized strategy in 3D bioprinting for the next several years. Herein, this review aims to provide not only an overview of 3D bioprinting, but also the main strategies used for homeostasis bioprinting. This paper briefly introduces the principles of 3D bioprinting system applied in homeostasis regulations firstly, and then summarizes the specific strategies and potential trend of homeostasis regulations using multiple types of stimuli-response biomaterials to maintain auto regulation, specifically displaying a brilliant prospect in hormone regulation of homeostasis with the most recently outbreak of vasculature fabrication. Finally, we discuss challenges and future prospects of homeostasis fabrication based on 3D bioprinting in regenerative medicine, hoping to further inspire the development of functional fabrication in 3D bioprinting.

To analyze the prediction models of fat-free mass and fat mass of neonates who had air displacement plethysmography as a reference test.

A systematic review of studies identified in the PubMed, Virtual Health Library (BVS), SciELO, and ScienceDirect databases was carried out. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist was used for inclusion of studies, the Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) report was used to select only predictive models studies, and the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) was used to assess the risk of bias in the models.

This study is registered in PROSPERO with identification CRD42020175048. Five hundred and three studies were found during the searches, and only four papers (six models) were eligible. Most studies (three) used the sum of different skinfolds to predict neonatal body fat and all presented weight as the variable with the highest contribution to predicting neonatal body composition. Two models that used skinfolds showed high coefficients of determination and explained, significantly, 81% of the body fat measured by air displacement plethysmography, while the models using bioimpedance did not find a significant correlation between the impedance index and the fat-free mass.

The few studies found on this topic had numerous methodological differences. However, the subscapular skinfold was a strong predictor of neonatal body fat in three studies. It is noteworthy that such model validation studies should be carried out in the future, allowing them to be subsequently applied to the population. The development of these models with low-cost tools will contribute to better nutritional monitoring of children and could prevent complications in adulthood.

Introduction: obesity increases inflammatory molecules and cardiovascular risk even in young populations. New indicators are being investigated, including the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) to predict obesity and the relationship with inflammatory markers in childhood and adolescence. Objective: to identify the cut-off points of the WHtR to determine obesity and its association with inflammatory markers in adolescents in São Luís, state of Maranhão, Brazil. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study, with 2,209 adolescents aged 18 and 19, belonging to the third phase of the birth cohort entitled "RPS", carried out in 2016. The total area under the ROC curve (AUC) was identified to assess the predictive capacity of WHtR in relation to body fat percentage (%BF), obtained by air displacement plethysmography (ADP). The association of WHtR with inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and c-reactive protein (CRP) was evaluated. Results: prevalence of obesity by the %BF was 10.3 % in males and 40.4 % in females. The cut-off points for the WHtR were 0.50 for females and 0.51 for males, with an AUC of 0.90 (95 % CI: 0.88-0.92) and 0.93 (95 % CI: 0.90-0.97). There was an association of elevated WHtR with higher levels of IL-6 and CRP (p < 0.05). Conclusion: the predictive capacity of WHtR for obesity was excellent. Elevated values of the WHtR were associated with early inflammatory markers. This study contributed to the identification of cut-off points for simple and low-cost anthropometric indicators.

: The primary purpose of this review is to investigate the relationships between cancer and nutrition in children and adolescents living in resource-poor, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in order to explore potential opportunities for interventions which could improve clinical outcomes in this population.

: The implications of overlapping age groups of children and adolescents with cancer are examined, as are the adverse influences of under-nutrition and socio-economic deprivation on the efficacy of treatment and cancer survival. Evidence suggestive of novel avenues to enhance prospects for cure, based on increased understanding of the dynamic of nutrition and cancer, is evaluated.

: Cancer adds to the burden of under-nutrition in disadvantaged populations which is reflective, in large measure, on inadequate governmental expenditure on health which demands public-private partnerships and the use of hospital-based foundations. Structured approaches to the measurement of nutritional status and the design of effective programmes of nutritional supplementation are of proven benefit. Initial results from studies of the perturbed gut microbiome hold considerable promise for further gains.

A large minority of children with cancer in LMICs are never diagnosed and the same may be true of adolescents. Investing in the training of nutritionists will have substantial returns as will increasing access to essential medicines. Recognition of these challenges has stimulated WHO and other entities to devise major strategies for comprehensive changes in the care of children and adolescents with cancer in LMICs, offering realistic prospects for improved clinical outcomes.

We investigated differences in body composition measurements for the whole body and limb segments in elite male wrestlers between results of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyses (MF_BIA) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Sixty-six elite male wrestlers from Taiwan were recruited. Wrestlers' body fat percentage (PBF_WB), whole body fat-free mass (FFM_WB), whole body lean soft tissue mass (LSTM_WB), and fat-free mass of arms, legs and trunk (FM_Arms, FFM_Legs, FFM_Trunk) were measured by MF_BIA and DXA, and analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plot. Correlations of FFM_WB, LSTM_WB, and PBF_WB between devices were 0.958, 0.954, and 0.962, respectively. Limits of agreement (LOA) of Bland-Altman plot were -4.523 to 4.683 kg, -4.332 to 4.635 kg and -3.960 to 3.802%, respectively. Correlations of body composition parameters FFM_Arms, FFM_Legs and FFM_Turnk between devices in each limb segment were 0.237, 0.809, and 0.929, respectively; LOAs were -2.877 to 2.504 kg, -7.173 to -0.015 kg and -5.710 to 0.777 kg, respectively. Correlation and consistency between the devices are high for FFM, LSTM and PBF but relatively low for limb segment FFM. MF_BIA may be an alternative device to DXA for measuring male wrestlers' total body composition but limb segment results should be used cautiously.

Obesity is one of the chronic diseases that seriously threaten people's health outcomes globally. Since the prevalence of obesity is increasing among people of all ages, measuring the body fat percentages is vital before treatment. However, the body fat percentage cannot be accurately measured by weighing. While many devices are commonly used to measure the body fat percentage, these devices are expensive and depend on complex instruments. Therefore, more practical and cost-effective solutions are desired to measure body fat accurately. This study presents a hybrid feature selection method based on a VIKOR-based multi-filter ensemble technique (VMFET) and an improved simplified swarm optimization (iSSO) to predict the body fat percentage with low prediction error.

The study followed a two-phase process. First, VMFET was used to aggregate the statistical outcomesof individual filters to filter the most informative features from the original dataset. Then, the selected features are applied to the next phase. Second, iSSO was tailored with a biased random initialization scheme, effect-based feature pruning scheme, and multiple linear regression as a wrapper method to improve the prediction performance and select the optimal feature subset.

Extensive experiments were performed using nine datasets to verify the performance of the proposed method empirically, and the corresponding results were compared with up-to-date studies.

The statistical results demonstrated that the proposed method offers a promising and effective tool for predicting body fat.

The hybrid feature selection model can enhance prediction accuracy and lower prediction error.

Our previous clinical study has shown that the exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by a plant-derived lactic acid bacterium, Lactobacillus paracasei IJH-SONE68, improves chronic allergy status in humans. In addition, an inhibition of visceral fat accumulation was observed following the intake of EPS during animal experimentation. In the present study, we have further evaluated the health-promoting effects of a spray-dried powder of pineapple juice that is fermented with the IJH-SONE68 strain. This was conducted in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial at Hiroshima University from May 2019 to July 2021. Eighty healthy volunteers at range of ages 23-70, with a body mass index between 25 and 29.99, were enrolled. After the 12 weeks of the experimental period were complete, although the average visceral fat area in both groups similarly decreased, there was no significant difference in the content of visceral fat area or in the obesity-related physical parameters in both groups. Further, we found that the serum liver function indices (AST and ALT) in the test group decreased within a statistically determined trend (p = 0.054). The fecal microflora analysis revealed, in the test group, a statistically significant increase in the relative abundance changes within Anaerostipes, which has been reported to help suppress hepatic inflammation.

Assessing the body composition of children and adolescents is important to monitor their health status. Anthropometric measurements are feasible and less-expensive than other techniques for body composition assessment. This study aimed to systematically map anthropometric equations to predict adipose tissue, body fat, or density in children and adolescents, and to analyze methodological aspects of the development of anthropometric equations using skinfolds.

A scoping review was carried out following the PRISMA-ScR criteria. The search was carried out in eight databases. The methodological structure protocol of this scoping review was retrospectively registered in the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/35uhc/ ).

We included 78 reports and 593 anthropometric equations. The samples consisted of healthy individuals, people with different diseases or disabilities, and athletes from different sports. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was the reference method most commonly used in developing equations. Triceps and subscapular skinfolds were the anthropometric measurements most frequently used as predictors in the equations. Age, stage of sexual maturation, and peak height velocity were used as complementary variables in the equations.

Our scoping review identified equations proposed for children and adolescents with a great diversity of characteristics. In many of the reports, important methodological aspects were not addressed, a factor that may be associated with equation bias.

Evidence obtained from multiple time series analysis such as case studies. (NB: dramatic results in uncontrolled trials might also be regarded as this type of evidence).

Increased abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) implies an adverse cardio-metabolic profile. We examined the association of abdominal VAT parameters and all-cause mortality risk.

We systematically searched four databases. We performed citations/articles screening, data abstraction, and quality assessment in duplicate and independently (CRD42020205021).

We included 12 cohorts, the majority used computed tomography to assess abdominal VAT area. Six cohorts with a mean age ≤ 65 years, examining all-cause mortality risk per increment in VAT area (cm2) or volume (cm3), showed a 11-98% relative risk increase with higher VAT parameters. However, the association lost significance after adjusting for glycemic indices, body mass index, or other fat parameters. In 4 cohorts with a mean age >65 years, the findings on mortality were inconsistent. Conversely, in two cohorts (mean age 73-77 years), a higher VAT density, was inversely proportional to VAT area, and implied a higher mortality risk.

A high abdominal VAT area seems to be associated with increased all-cause mortality in individuals ≤ 65 years, possibly mediated by metabolic complications, and not through an independent effect. This relationship is weaker and may reverse in older individuals, most likely secondary to confounding bias and reverse causality. An individual participant data meta-analysis is needed to confirm our findings, and to define an abdominal VAT area cutoff implying increased mortality risk.

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=205021, identifier CRD42020205021.

Lentil is considered a high protein source. However, it is low in sulphur amino acids (SAA) and their metabolic availability (MA) is further affected by antinutritional factors in lentils. The combination of lentils with grains such as rice can enhance the protein quality of a lentil-based meal but the MA of SAA in lentils must first be known.

The objectives of the current study were to assess the MA of methionine in lentils and to test the effects of consumption of complementing lentils with rice in young adults.

Five healthy young men [age <30 y, BMI <25 (in kg/m2)] were each studied at 8 or 10 intake amounts of methionine in random order; 4 daily intake amounts of l-methionine: 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 mg.kg-1.d-1 (reference diet), 3 daily intake amounts of methionine from lentils, and 3 daily intake amounts of the mixed meal of lentils + rice (test diets). The MA of methionine and the effects of complementation were assessed by comparing the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) response to varying intakes of methionine in cooked Canadian lentils, and in rice + lentils combined, compared with the IAAO response to l-methionine intakes in the reference protein (crystalline AA mixture patterned after egg protein) using the slope ratio method. l-[1-13C] phenylalanine was used as the indicator. Data were analyzed using the procedure "MIXED" with subject as a random variable, and oxidation day as repeated measure.

The MA of methionine from lentils was 69%. Complementation of cooked lentils with rice decreased the oxidation of l-[1-13C] phenylalanine by up to 16% (P < 0.05).

The content and MA of methionine are low in lentils. However, combination of lentils with rice in a 1:1 ratio can improve the protein quality of lentil-based diets, resulting in increased protein synthesis in young healthy adults. This trial was registered at www.clinical trials.gov as NCT03110913.