scholarly journals Understanding the Heterogeneity of Obesity and the Relationship to the Brain-Gut Axis

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3701
Author(s):  
Tony K. W. Hung ◽  
Tien S. Dong ◽  
Zixi Chen ◽  
David Elashoff ◽  
Janet S. Sinsheimer ◽  
...  

Obesity is best understood as a multifactorial metabolic imbalances disorder. In a cross-sectional study, we aimed to explore sociodemographic and dietary determinants of obesity in relation to brain-gut homeostasis among overweight and obese individuals. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine obesity and its association with sociodemographic and dietary factors. Biological variables examined included the gut microbiome, fecal amino acid metabolites and brain structural volumes. Among 130 participants, there were higher odds of obesity if individuals were Hispanic (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.56, p = 0.014). Compared to non-Hispanics, Hispanics differed in gut microbial composition (p = 0.046) with lower microbial species richness (Chao1) (p = 0.032) and evenness (Shannon) (p = 0.0029). Fourteen of the twenty fecal amino acids including branch-chain- and aromatic- amino acids were increased among Hispanics (q < 0.05). Brain structural volumes in reward regions were decreased in Hispanics (pallidum, q = 0.036; brainstem, q = 0.011). Correlation patterns suggest complex brain-gut interactions differ by Hispanic ethnicity. In conclusion, Hispanics expressed a unique brain-gut microbial signature, which was associated with obesity despite sociodemographic and dietary differences. Addressing ethnic disparities guided by biologic phenotypes may unlock novel understanding of obesity heterogeneity and treatment strategies.

2020 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 1259-1266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Alonso-Pedrero ◽  
Ana Ojeda-Rodríguez ◽  
Miguel A Martínez-González ◽  
Guillermo Zalba ◽  
Maira Bes-Rastrollo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Telomere length (TL) is a marker of biological age that may be affected by dietary factors through oxidation and inflammation mechanisms. In addition, ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has increased worldwide and it has been associated with the risk of developing several diseases. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the association between UPF consumption and the risk of having short telomeres in an elderly population of the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) Project. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of 886 participants (645 men and 241 women) aged 57–91 y recruited from the SUN Project (Spain, 1999–2018). TL was measured from saliva samples by real-time qPCR at baseline and UPF consumption was collected using a validated 136-item FFQ and classified according to the NOVA system. We evaluated the association between consumption of energy-adjusted UPF categorized into quartiles (low, medium-low, medium-high, and high consumption) and the risk of having short telomeres (&lt;20th percentile) using logistic regression models. Results Those participants with the highest UPF consumption had almost twice the odds of having short telomeres compared with those with the lowest consumption (adjusted OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.22; P-trend = 0.03). Conclusions A higher consumption of UPF (&gt;3 servings/d) was associated with higher risk of having shorter telomeres in an elderly Spanish population of the SUN Project. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02669602.


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dálete Delalibera Corrêa de Faria Mota ◽  
Cibele Andrucioli de Mattos Pimenta ◽  
Ricardo Caponero

This study identified the prevalence and predictors of fatigue in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Cross-sectional study with 157 adult CRC outpatients (age 60±11.7 years; 54% male; cancer stage IV 44.8%). The Piper Fatigue Scale-revised was used to assess fatigue scores. Socio-demographic, clinical, depression, performance status, pain and sleep disturbance data were assessed. Associations between fatigue and these data were analyzed through logistic regression models. Fatigue was reported by 26.8% patients. Logistic regression identified three predictors: depression (OR: 4.2; 95%CI 1.68-10.39), performance status (OR: 3.2; 95%CI 1.37-7.51) and sleep disturbance (OR: 3.2; 95%CI 1.30-8.09). When all predictors were present, the probability of fatigue occurrence was 80%; when none were present, the probability was 8%. The model's specificity and sensitivity were 81.9% and 58.6%, respectively. Through the assessment of depression, performance status and sleep disturbance, the probability of fatigue occurrence can be estimated, and preventive and treatment strategies can be rapidly implemented in clinical practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 12054-12054
Author(s):  
Kin Wai (Tony) Hung ◽  
Tien Dong ◽  
David Elashoff ◽  
Emeran Mayer ◽  
Jonathan Jacobs ◽  
...  

12054 Background: Obesity is a global health epidemic and has been linked to detrimental impact on cancer incidence, recurrence, and mortality. Growing evidence have recognized the complex biopsychosocial relationship including microbial phenotypes that undermines the carcinogenic potential and heterogeneity of obesity. A precision understanding on obesity while at its infancy is necessary to accelerate reduction of its impact on cancer outcomes. Methods: With our aim to better understand the biopsychosocial relationship on obesity, we conducted a cross sectional study in healthy and obese individuals. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine obesity and its association with sociodemographic (age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, and marital status), clinical (waist to hip ratio), dietary-behavioral (daily calorie, fat, carbohydrate, protein consumption, and preference on cultural diet), and biological factors (gut microbiome). Parameters were controlled and corrected for multiple hypothesis testing. Gut microbial data using 16S rRNA sequencing were analyzed for alpha diversity, beta diversity, and association of taxa abundance. Results: Among 171 participants between July 2013 and August 2018, individuals were found to have a higher BMI if they were Hispanic [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.36, 95% CI 1.27-8.90], had an obese waist to hip ratio (AOR 8.51, 95% CI 3.45-21.02), and consumed an American diet (AOR 4.82, 95% CI 1.74-13.34). Multivariate permutation analysis controlling for BMI, sociodemographic, clinical, and dietary parameters found that Hispanic have a significantly different microbiome profile than non-Hispanic (p = 0.042). While microbial species richness (Chao1) were similar (p = 0.22), Hispanic had a lower microbial species evenness (Shannon) compared to non-Hispanic (p = 0.029). Differential expression of microbial species revealed a positive correlation of Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio in individuals with higher BMI and consumed an American diet whereas a negative correlation to Hispanic ethnicity. Conclusions: Obesity association to Hispanic ethnicity uniquely expressed through microbial signature despite sociodemographic, clinical, and dietary differences. Microbial characterization as an emerging predictive marker for oncology therapeutics may also serve as selection biomarker in onco-obesity practices and clinical trials. Addressing ethnic disparities guided by microbial phenotypes may unlock novel understanding of obesity heterogeneity and transform its impact on cancer care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi Hong Yim ◽  
Keun Ho Kim ◽  
Bum Ju Lee

AbstractPeptic ulcer disease (PUD) is caused by many sociodemographic and economic risk factors other than H. pylori infection. However, no studies reported an association between PUD and the number of household members. We showed the number of family members affected by PUD based on sex in a Korean population. This cross-sectional study used 1998–2009 data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multiple binary logistic regression models adjusted for confounders were constructed to analyze the association of PUD with the number of household members. The number of household members was associated with PUD, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, glucose, location (urban/rural), income, education level, stress, current drinking, and smoking in both sexes. Men with other household members had a higher PUD risk compared to men or women living alone (reference), and the opposite was observed for women. Men with 4 household members had a higher PUD risk than men living alone in the model adjusted for age, BMI, income, location, education, and stress (OR = 2.04 [95% CI 1.28–3.27], p value = .003). Women with more than 6 household members had a lower PUD risk than women living alone in the adjusted model (OR = 0.50 [0.33–0.75], p value = .001). Women with more household members had a lower PUD risk. However, more men had PUD than women regardless of the number of household members.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C Gerkin ◽  
Kathrin Ohla ◽  
Maria G Veldhuizen ◽  
Paule V Joseph ◽  
Christine E Kelly ◽  
...  

Abstract In a preregistered, cross-sectional study we investigated whether olfactory loss is a reliable predictor of COVID-19 using a crowdsourced questionnaire in 23 languages to assess symptoms in individuals self-reporting recent respiratory illness. We quantified changes in chemosensory abilities during the course of the respiratory illness using 0-100 visual analog scales (VAS) for participants reporting a positive (C19+; n=4148) or negative (C19-; n=546) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome. Logistic regression models identified univariate and multivariate predictors of COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 olfactory recovery. Both C19+ and C19- groups exhibited smell loss, but it was significantly larger in C19+ participants (mean±SD, C19+: -82.5±27.2 points; C19-: -59.8±37.7). Smell loss during illness was the best predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate models (ROC AUC=0.72). Additional variables provide negligible model improvement. VAS ratings of smell loss were more predictive than binary chemosensory yes/no-questions or other cardinal symptoms (e.g., fever). Olfactory recovery within 40 days of respiratory symptom onset was reported for ~50% of participants and was best predicted by time since respiratory symptom onset. We find that quantified smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 amongst those with symptoms of respiratory illness. To aid clinicians and contact tracers in identifying individuals with a high likelihood of having COVID-19, we propose a novel 0-10 scale to screen for recent olfactory loss, the ODoR-19. We find that numeric ratings ≤2 indicate high odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (4&lt;OR&lt;10). Once independently validated, this tool could be deployed when viral lab tests are impractical or unavailable.


Author(s):  
I. Sudoł-Szopińska ◽  
G. A. Santoro ◽  
M. Kołodziejczak ◽  
A. Wiaczek ◽  
U. Grossi

AbstractAnal fistula (AF) is a common referral to colorectal surgeons. Management remains challenging and sometimes controversial. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly performed in initial workup for AF. However, reports often lack key information for guiding treatment strategies. It has been shown that with structured radiology reports, there is less missing information. We present a structured MRI template report including 8 key descriptors of anal fistulas, whose effectiveness and acceptability are being assessed in a cross-sectional study (NCT04541238).


Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Kevin M Mendez ◽  
Janice Kim ◽  
Inês Laíns ◽  
Archana Nigalye ◽  
Raviv Katz ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between plasma metabolite levels and dark adaptation (DA) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This was a cross-sectional study including patients with AMD (early, intermediate, and late) and control subjects older than 50 years without any vitreoretinal disease. Fasting blood samples were collected and used for metabolomic profiling with ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Patients were also tested with the AdaptDx (MacuLogix, Middletown, PA, USA) DA extended protocol (20 min). Two measures of dark adaptation were calculated and used: rod-intercept time (RIT) and area under the dark adaptation curve (AUDAC). Associations between dark adaption and metabolite levels were tested using multilevel mixed-effects linear modelling, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, race, AMD stage, and Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formulation supplementation. We included a total of 71 subjects: 53 with AMD (13 early AMD, 31 intermediate AMD, and 9 late AMD) and 18 controls. Our results revealed that fatty acid-related lipids and amino acids related to glutamate and leucine, isoleucine and valine metabolism were associated with RIT (p < 0.01). Similar results were found when AUDAC was used as the outcome. Fatty acid-related lipids and amino acids are associated with DA, thus suggesting that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction likely play a role in AMD and visual impairment in this condition.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (06) ◽  
pp. 653-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sindhu Srinivas ◽  
Katy Kozhimannil ◽  
Peiyin Hung ◽  
Laura Attanasio ◽  
Judy Jou ◽  
...  

Background A recent document by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine introduced the concept of uniform levels of maternal care (LMCs). Objective We assessed LMC across hospitals and measured their association with maternal morbidity, focusing on women with high-risk conditions. Study Design We collected data from hospitals from May to November 2015 and linked survey responses to Statewide Inpatient Databases (SID) hospital discharge data in a retrospective cross-sectional study of 247,383 births admitted to 236 hospitals. Generalized logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between hospitals' LMC and the risk of severe maternal morbidity. Stratified analyses were conducted among women with high-risk conditions. Results High-risk pregnancies were more likely to be managed in hospitals with higher LMC (p < 0.001). Women with cardiac conditions had lower odds of maternal morbidity when delivered in level I compared with level IV units (adjusted odds ratio: 0.29; 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.99; p = 0.049). There were no other significant associations between the LMC and severe maternal morbidity. Conclusion A higher proportion of high-risk pregnancies were managed within level IV units, although there was no overall evidence that these births had superior outcomes. Further prospective evaluation of LMC designation with patient outcomes is necessary to determine the impact of regionalization on maternal outcomes.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e041453
Author(s):  
Xin Xu ◽  
Kimberly Ann Chew ◽  
Xiaolin Xu ◽  
Zhihua Wu ◽  
Xiaohua Xiao ◽  
...  

ObjectivesExamine compliance with personal protective measures in communities for the prevention and control of local transmission of the COVID-19, and explore indicators for such behavioural compliance.DesignCross-sectional design with a self-selecting sample. Data collected in February 2020.SettingCommunity dwellers in China.Participants2956 participants aged 16 and above completed the study and were included in the analysis.Outcome measuresNationwide COVID-19 survey. Demographics and self-reported compliance with four personal protective measures—home quarantine, mask-wearing, temperature-taking and hand-sanitising were collected. Outbreak severity and timeliness of personal protection order were obtained from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between demographic and social indicators and behavioural compliance.ResultsCompliance with home quarantine was only associated with gender (men, OR=0.61 (0.51–0.73), inverse association) but no other indicators. In contrast, men had higher compliance with mask-wearing (OR=1.79 (1.49–2.16)) and temperature-taking (OR=1.27 (1.05–1.53)). Compared with younger adults (≤20 years), the middle-age groups (31–40 and 41–50 years of age) were more compliant with all protective behaviours, except for home quarantine (OR=0.71 (0.54–0.93) and 0.67 (0.46–0.97), respectively).ConclusionMale gender was associated with lower compliance with home quarantine yet higher compliance with mask-wearing and temperature-taking. The middle-age participants (31–50 years) had lower compliance with home quarantine but higher with other measures. These findings may be supported by the economic considerations and the long-inherited Confucian values among Chinese. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities should tailor policy implementation to disparities in psychosocial indicators.


Author(s):  
Shuangfang Hu ◽  
Ziquan Lv ◽  
Qiumei Xiang ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Jianzhong Shen ◽  
...  

Aim: There is an ongoing debate as to what extent antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can be transmitted from dietary to humans via the consumption of food products. We investigated this association between dietary and global spreading carbapenem-resistant gene blaNDM Methods: We did a cross-sectional study to assess the risk factors for carrier of blaNDM in health community. Healthy adults were recruited from the residents attending Community Healthcare Service in Shenzhen City (Guangdong Province, China), through 1February 2018 to 31December 2019, and 718 pre-participants were included in this study. Questionnaire were obtained and the qualitative food frequency questionnaire (Q-FFQ) were used to assess dietary intake. qPCR was applied to confirm the carrier of blaNDM in participants’fecal samples. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of each outcome according to each dietary factor before and after prosperity score matching (PSM). Results: we showed that a high intake of coarse grain (OR 1.003; 95% CI 1.001–1.005, p < 0.01) and root and tuber crops (OR 1.003; 95% CI 1.001–1.004, p < 0.05) were independent risk factor for blaNDM carrier in health communities, suggesting a possible transfer of AMRbetweendietary andhumans. Surprisingly, we also showed an association between a higher intake of poultry as a protective, which may be explained by the beneficial effects on the gut microbiota. Conclusion: Dietary factors such as intake of coarse grain, root and tuber crops and poultry were associated with blaNDM carrier in health communities. The influence of dietary factorson blaNDM carrier in the present study provides insights for the tangible dietary advice with guidelines to the routine of people with the risk of blaNDM carrier. This demonstrates the role of dietary intake in the prevention of blaNDM carrier, since prevention is the best way to control modifiable risk factors. A lower carrier rate of blaNDM is helpful to reduce the possibility of transmission and pathogenicity. Further studies on food, microbiota and antimicrobial resistance are necessary to confirm this possible association and unravel underlying mechanisms.


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