Efficacy of providing energy expenditure information to guide weight loss interventions in people with obesity: A randomized controlled trial.

Resting energy expenditure (REE) and metabolic fuel utilization (carbohydrate or fat) proxied by respiratory quotient (RQ) from indirect calorimetry enables more precise measurement of energy needs and fat oxidation capacity. The study compared the effectiveness of providing energy expenditure information during diet and exercise weight intervention versus standard of care (SOC) on weight loss outcomes. Fifty-two participants with obesity were recruited from a specialist weight loss service, randomized 1:1 to intervention (INT) or SOC only.

SARS-CoV-2-specific nasal IgA wanes 9 months after hospitalisation with COVID-19 and is not induced by subsequent vaccination.

Background: Most studies of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 focus on circulating antibody, giving limited insights into mucosal defences that prevent viral replication and onward transmission. We studied nasal and plasma antibody responses one year after hospitalisation for COVID-19, including a period when SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was introduced.

Methods: In this follow up study, plasma and nasosorption samples were prospectively collected from 446 adults hospitalised for COVID-19 between February 2020 and March 2021 via the ISARIC4C and PHOSP-COVID consortia.

A technique to assess perineuronal mediators.

Perineural activity of a variety of inflammatory and immune system mediators can activate peripheral nerves leading to the perception of pain. One example of such effects includes the activity of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β); this inflammatory mediator, upon binding to IL-1R1 neuronal membrane receptors will rapidly induce protein kinases in damage-sensing neurons, consequently altering heat-activated ionic inward currents leading to increased neuronal sensitivity to harmful heat. The ability to detect such mediators in proximity to sensory nerves is therefore crucial to investigating the contributing roles of inflammation in human chronic pain.

Relative α₁-anti-trypsin deficiency in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: Neutrophil elastase is secreted by neutrophils during activation and circulates in the plasma where it can play a role in inflammation and fibrosis. This study examines the role of neutrophil elastase in SSc, a systemic CTD that is typified by vascular dysfunction, tissue fibrosis and inflammation.

Methods: Serum neutrophil elastase and α₁-anti-trypsin concentrations were assessed in SSc patients and healthy controls by ELISA.

Microbial mannan inhibits bacterial killing by macrophages: a possible pathogenic mechanism for Crohn's disease.

Background & Aims: Crohn's disease (CD) is mimicked by inherited phagocyte disorders and is associated with circulating antibodies against yeast mannan (anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody; ASCA). We speculated that mannans might impair phagocyte function.

Methods: S cerevisiae mannan was assessed for its effects on human peripheral blood neutrophils, adherent monocytes, and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM).