Explore the vast range of titles available.

The aim of the present study was to validate the custo screen 400 ambulatory blood pressure-monitoring (ABPM) device according to the 2010 International Protocol revision of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH-IP). The device can be used for ABPM for up to 72 hours. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) were sequentially measured in 33 adult subjects (13 males and 20 females) and compared with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer (two observers). A total of 99 comparison pairs were obtained. The custo screen 400 met the requirements of parts 1 and 2 of the ESH-IP revision 2010. The mean difference between the device and reference sphygmomanometer readings was -0.5±4.5 mmHg for SBP and -0.1±3.3 mmHg for DBP. All but one measurement were within the absolute difference of 10 mmHg between the device and the observers for SBP and DBP. The number of absolute differences between the device and the observers within a range of 5 mmHg was 84 of 99 readings for SBP, and 93 of 99 readings for DBP. The custo screen 400 ABPM device met the requirements of the 2010 ESH-IP revision, and hence can be recommended for ABPM in adults. To our knowledge, the custo screen 400 is the first device to pass the revised ESH-IP 2010.

Physiological and functional parameters, such as body composition, or physical fitness are known to differ between men and women and to change with age. The goal of this study was to investigate how sex and age-related physiological conditions are reflected in the metabolome of healthy humans and whether sex and age can be predicted based on the plasma and urine metabolite profiles. In the cross-sectional KarMeN (Karlsruhe Metabolomics and Nutrition) study 301 healthy men and women aged 18-80 years were recruited. Participants were characterized in detail applying standard operating procedures for all measurements including anthropometric, clinical, and functional parameters. Fasting blood and 24 h urine samples were analyzed by targeted and untargeted metabolomics approaches, namely by mass spectrometry coupled to one- or comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography or liquid chromatography, and by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This yielded in total more than 400 analytes in plasma and over 500 analytes in urine. Predictive modelling was applied on the metabolomics data set using different machine learning algorithms. Based on metabolite profiles from urine and plasma, it was possible to identify metabolite patterns which classify participants according to sex with > 90% accuracy. Plasma metabolites important for the correct classification included creatinine, branched-chain amino acids, and sarcosine. Prediction of age was also possible based on metabolite profiles for men and women, separately. Several metabolites important for this prediction could be identified including choline in plasma and sedoheptulose in urine. For women, classification according to their menopausal status was possible from metabolome data with > 80% accuracy. The metabolite profile of human urine and plasma allows the prediction of sex and age with high accuracy, which means that sex and age are associated with a discriminatory metabolite signature in healthy humans and therefore should always be considered in metabolomics studies.

In addition to their role in lipid absorption, bile acids (BAs) are also known for several relevant (endocrine) activities including contributing to the regulation of energy homeostasis and some non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Furthermore, moderately elevated unconjugated bilirubin levels, as observed in Gilbert’s syndrome (GS), may protect against NCDs. We therefore hypothesized that the BA profile in GS subjects differs from that of normo-bilirubinemic individuals. To test this, we performed a human case-control study, in which GS (n = 60) and controls (n = 60) were matched for age and gender, and serum BA concentrations were measured by liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Despite analyzing a comprehensive panel of BAs, no significant differences between the two groups were observed. These data suggest that bile acid concentrations are similar between groups, indicating that altered bilirubin metabolism unlikely influences their transport into the blood.

Purified diets (PD) increase standardization and repeatability in rodent studies but lead to differences in the phenotype of animals compared to grain-based “chow” diets. PD contain less fiber and are often devoid of soluble fiber, which can impact gut health. Thus, the aim of the present study was to modify the PD AIN93G by addition of soluble fiber, to promote more natural gut development as seen with chow diets. One hundred twenty male C57BL/6J mice were fed over 12 weeks either a chow diet, AIN93G or one of three modified AIN93G with increased fiber content and different ratios of soluble fiber to cellulose. Gut health was assessed through histological and immunohistochemical parameters and gut barrier gene expression. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed and its activity characterized through short chain fatty acid (SCFA) quantification. Feeding AIN93G led to tissue atrophy, a less diverse microbiota and a lower production of SCFA compared to chow diet. The addition of soluble fiber mitigated these effects, leading to intermediate colon and caecum crypt lengths and microbiota composition compared to both control diets. In conclusion, the addition of soluble fibers in PDs seems essential for gut morphology as well as a diverse and functional gut microbiome.

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) can be produced by the gut microbiota from dietary substrates and is associated with cardiovascular disease. While dairy products contain TMAO precursors, the effect of fermented dairy on TMAO metabolism remains unclear. We used plasma and urine samples collected for two randomised cross-over studies to evaluate the effects of fermented dairy consumption on TMAO metabolism. In Study 1, thirteen healthy young men tested a yogurt and an acidified milk during postprandial tests and a two-week daily intervention. In Study 2, ten healthy adults tested milk and cheese during postprandial tests. TMAO and five related metabolites were measured in plasma and urine by LC-MS/MS and NMR. Faecal microbiota composition was assessed in Study 1 (16S rRNA metagenomics sequencing). Fermented milk products were associated with lower postprandial TMAO responses than non-fermented milks in urine (Study 1, p = 0.01; Study 2, p = 0.02) and in plasma, comparing yogurt and acidified milk (Study 1, p = 0.04). Daily consumption of dairy products did not differentially affect fasting TMAO metabolites. Significant correlations were observed between microbiota taxa and circulating or urinary TMAO concentrations. Fermentation of dairy products appear, at least transiently, to affect associations between dairy products and circulating TMAO levels.

IntroductionIn metabolomics, the investigation of associations between the metabolome and one trait of interest is a key research question. However, statistical analyses of such associations are often challenging. Statistical tools enabling resilient verification and clear presentation are therefore highly desired.ObjectivesOur aim is to provide a contribution for statistical analysis of metabolomics data, offering a widely applicable open-source statistical workflow, which considers the intrinsic complexity of metabolomics data.MethodsWe combined selected R packages tailored for all properties of heterogeneous metabolomics datasets, where metabolite parameters typically (i) are analyzed in different matrices, (ii) are measured on different analytical platforms with different precision, (iii) are analyzed by targeted as well as non-targeted methods, (iv) are scaled variously, (v) reveal heterogeneous variances, (vi) may be correlated, (vii) may have only few values or values below a detection limit, or (viii) may be incomplete.ResultsThe code is shared entirely and freely available. The workflow output is a table of metabolites associated with a trait of interest and a compact plot for high-quality results visualization. The workflow output and its utility are presented by applying it to two previously published datasets: one dataset from our own lab and another dataset taken from the repository MetaboLights.ConclusionRobustness and benefits of the statistical workflow were clearly demonstrated, and everyone can directly re-use it for analysis of own data.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery has been proven successful in weight loss and improvement of co-morbidities associated with obesity. Chronic complications such as malabsorption of micronutrients in up to 50% of patients underline the need for additional therapeutic approaches. We investigated systemic RYGB surgery effects in a liquid sucrose diet-induced rat obesity model. After consuming a diet supplemented with high liquid sucrose for eight weeks, rats underwent RYGB or control sham surgery. RYGB, sham pair-fed, and sham ad libitum-fed groups further continued on the diet after recovery. Notable alterations were revealed in microbiota composition, inflammatory markers, feces, liver, and plasma metabolites, as well as in brain neuronal activity post-surgery. Higher fecal 4-aminobutyrate (GABA) correlated with higher Bacteroidota and Enterococcus abundances in RYGB animals, pointing towards the altered enteric nervous system (ENS) and gut signaling. Favorable C-reactive protein (CRP), serine, glycine, and 3-hydroxybutyrate plasma profiles in RYGB rats were suggestive of reverted obesity risk. The impact of liquid sucrose diet and caloric restriction mainly manifested in fatty acid changes in the liver. Our multi-modal approach reveals complex systemic changes after RYGB surgery and points towards potential therapeutic targets in the gut-brain system to mimic the surgery mode of action.

The purpose of the study was to validate the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) device custo screen pediatric in children aged 3 to 12 years according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH-IP revision 2010). Thirty-three children were included and systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements were performed according to the ESH-IP. The protocol was modified for children considering data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KIGGS). The custo screen pediatric met all the requirements of the ESH-IP. The mean difference between the test device and the reference was −1.4 ± 3.0 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and −0.7 ± 3.2 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP). For SBP and DBP, all 99 measurements were within the absolute difference of 10 mmHg between the test device and the reference. As to part 2 of the protocol, for DBP in all subjects, two out of three measurements were within 5 mmHg between the device and the standard, whereas for SBP in 32 of 33 subjects, two out of three measurements were within this range. Conclusion : The custo screen pediatric met all criteria of the ESH-IP review 2010, modified for children from 3 to about 12 years, and can be recommended for ABPM in children. What is Known: • Validation of blood pressure measuring devices is essential to provide patients with an accurate blood pressure measuring device. • The majority of devices has not been validated in children. What is New: • Prior to the present validation , study protocol adjustments of ESH-IP review 2010 for children were defined according to German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents 2013 (KIGGS). • The custo screen pediatric test device met all criteria of ESH-IP revision 2010 , modified for children , and can be recommended for ABPM in children aged 3 to about 12 years.

Low whole grain consumption is a risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Dietary fiber and phytochemicals are bioactive grain compounds, which could be involved in mediating these beneficial effects. These compounds are not equally distributed in the wheat grain, but are enriched in the bran and aleurone fractions. As little is known on physiological effects of different wheat fractions, the aim of this study was to investigate this aspect in an obesity model. For twelve weeks, C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat diets (HFD), supplemented with one of four wheat fractions: whole grain flour, refined white flour, bran, or aleurone. The different diets did not affect body weight, however bran and aleurone decreased liver triglyceride content, and increased hepatic n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations. Furthermore, lipidomics analysis revealed increased PUFA concentration in the lipid classes of phosphatidylcholine (PC), PC-ether, and phosphatidylinositol in the plasma of mice fed whole grain, bran, and aleurone supplemented diets, compared to refined white flour. Furthermore, bran, aleurone, and whole grain supplemented diets increased microbial α-diversity, but only bran and aleurone increased the cecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids. The effects on hepatic lipid metabolism might thus at least partially be mediated by microbiota-dependent mechanisms.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) represents a strong predictor of all-cause mortality and is strongly influenced by regular physical activity (PA). However, the biological mechanisms involved in the body’s adaptation to PA remain to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to systematically examine the relationship between CRF and plasma metabolite patterns in 252 healthy adults from the cross-sectional Karlsruhe Metabolomics and Nutrition (KarMeN) study. CRF was determined by measuring the peak oxygen uptake during incremental exercise. Fasting plasma samples were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry coupled to one- or two-dimensional gas chromatography or liquid chromatography. Based on this multi-platform metabolomics approach, 427 plasma analytes were detected. Bi- and multivariate association analyses, adjusted for age and menopausal status, showed that CRF was linked to specific sets of metabolites primarily indicative of lipid metabolism. However, CRF-related metabolite patterns largely differed between sexes. While several phosphatidylcholines were linked to CRF in females, single lyso-phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins were associated with CRF in males. When controlling for further assessed clinical and phenotypical parameters, sex-specific CRF tended to be correlated with a smaller number of metabolites linked to lipid, amino acid, or xenobiotics-related metabolism. Interestingly, sex-specific CRF explanation models could be improved when including selected plasma analytes in addition to clinical and phenotypical variables. In summary, this study revealed sex-related differences in CRF-associated plasma metabolite patterns and proved known associations between CRF and risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases such as fat mass, visceral adipose tissue mass, or blood triglycerides in metabolically healthy individuals. Our findings indicate that covariates like sex and, especially, body composition have to be considered when studying blood metabolic markers related to CRF.