Prospective prediction of childhood body mass index trajectories using multi-task Gaussian processes.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) trajectories have been used to assess the growth of children with respect to their peers, and to anticipate future obesity and disease risk. While retrospective BMI trajectories have been actively studied, models to prospectively predict continuous BMI trajectories have not been investigated.

Materials And Methods: Using longitudinal BMI measurements between birth and age 10 y from a mother-offspring cohort, we leveraged a multi-task Gaussian process approach to develop and evaluate a unified framework for modeling, clustering, and prospective prediction of BMI trajectories.

Plasma fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids and surrogate fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids hydrolysis activity in children with or without obesity and in adults with or without coronary artery disease.

Aim: Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFA) are a class of bioactive lipids with anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and cardioprotective properties. FAHFA hydrolysis into its fatty acid (FA) and hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) constituents can affect the bioavailability of FAHFA and its subsequent biological effects. We aimed to investigate FAHFA levels and FAHFA hydrolysis activity in children with or without obesity, and in adults with or without coronary artery disease (CAD).

A machine-learning exploration of the exposome from preconception in early childhood atopic eczema, rhinitis and wheeze development.

Background: Most previous research on the environmental epidemiology of childhood atopic eczema, rhinitis and wheeze is limited in the scope of risk factors studied. Our study adopted a machine learning approach to explore the role of the exposome starting already in the preconception phase.

Methods: We performed a combined analysis of two multi-ethnic Asian birth cohorts, the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) and the Singapore PREconception Study of long Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) cohorts.

Novel Melanocortin-3 and -4 Receptor Functional Variants in Asian Children With Severe Obesity.

Context: Genetic variants in melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) genes are strongly associated with childhood obesity.

Objective: This study aims to identify and functionally characterize MC3R and MC4R variants in an Asian cohort of children with severe early-onset obesity.

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed to screen for MC3R and MC4R coding variants in 488 Asian children with severe early-onset obesity (body mass index for age ≥97th percentile).

Personalization and localization as key expectations of digital health intervention in women pre- to post-pregnancy.

Health behaviors before, during and after pregnancy can have lasting effects on maternal and infant health outcomes. Although digital health interventions (DHIs) have potential as a pertinent avenue to deliver mechanisms for a healthy behavior change, its success is reliant on addressing the user needs. Accordingly, the current study aimed to understand DHI needs and expectations of women before, during and after pregnancy to inform and optimize future DHI developments.

Sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the temporal profiling of bile acids, fatty acids and branched-chain alpha-keto acids in maternal plasma during pregnancy and cord blood plasma at delivery.

Background And Aims: There are significant changes to the maternal inflammatory profile across pregnancy. Recent studies suggest that perturbations in maternal gut microbial and dietary-derived plasma metabolites over the course of pregnancy mediate inflammation through a complex interplay of immunomodulatory effects. Despite this body of evidence, there is currently no analytical method that is suitable for the simultaneous profiling of these metabolites within human plasma.

Quality of life and psychosocial outcomes among children with metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity.

Background: Obesity and obesity-related morbidities are associated with poor psychosocial adjustment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aims to examine HRQoL and psychosocial outcomes in children with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO), and the effects of familial health on these outcomes.

Methods: Four hundred and six children with BMI for age ≥ 97th percentile were classified as having MHO and MUO based on the absence or presence of metabolic abnormalities.

Dietary Intakes and Eating Behavior between Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Obesity Phenotypes in Asian Children and Adolescents.

Diet plays a critical role in the development of obesity and obesity-related morbidities. Our study aimed to evaluate the dietary food groups, nutrient intakes and eating behaviors of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotypes in an Asian cohort of children and adolescents. Participants ( = 52) were asked to record their diet using a 3-day food diary and intakes were analyzed using a nutrient software.

Associations Between Eczema and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children.

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest a link between eczema and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but underlying mechanisms have not been examined.

Objective: We aim to investigate the association between eczema and subsequent ADHD symptoms in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes cohort and explore the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiome.

Methods: The modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV were administered to assess reported eczema within the first 18 months and presence of ADHD symptoms at 54 months, respectively.

Prevalence and predictors of metabolically healthy obesity in severely obese Asian children.

Background: Obese individuals who have little or no metabolic syndrome components are proposed to be "metabolically healthy obese (MHO)". This study aim to evaluate the prevalence of MHO and examine the predictors associated with MHO in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort of severely obese children.

Methods: This study included a cross-sectional cohort of 406 Chinese, Malay and Indian children aged 5-20 years old with BMI for age ≥ 97th percentile.

Branched Chain Amino Acid Supplementation to a Hypocaloric Diet Does Not Affect Resting Metabolic Rate but Increases Postprandial Fat Oxidation Response in Overweight and Obese Adults after Weight Loss Intervention.

Background: Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation is reported to aid in lean mass preservation, which may in turn minimize the reduction in resting metabolic rate (RMR) during weight loss. Our study aimed to examine the effect of BCAA supplementation to a hypocaloric diet on RMR and substrate utilization during a weight loss intervention.

Methods: A total of 111 Chinese subjects comprising 55 males and 56 females aged 21 to 45 years old with BMI between 25 and 36 kg/m were randomized into three hypocaloric diet groups: (1) standard-protein (14%) with placebo (CT), (2) standard-protein with BCAA, and (3) high-protein (27%) with placebo.

Androgen-dependent tissue factor pathway inhibitor regulating protein: a review of its peripheral actions and association with cardiometabolic diseases.

The first genome-wide association study on coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Han Chinese population identified C6orf105 as a susceptibility gene. The C6orf105 gene was later found to encode for a protein that regulates tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) expression in endothelial cells in an androgen-dependent manner, and the novel protein was thus termed androgen-dependent TFPI-regulating protein (ADTRP). Since the identification of ADTRP, there have been several studies associating genetic variants on the ADTRP gene with CAD risk, as well as research providing mechanistic insights on this novel protein and its functional role.

Positive impact of oral hydroxychloroquine and povidone-iodine throat spray for COVID-19 prophylaxis: An open-label randomized trial.

Background: We examined whether existing licensed pharmacotherapies could reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: An open-label parallel randomized controlled trial was performed among healthy migrant workers quarantined in a large multi-storey dormitory in Singapore. Forty clusters (each defined as individual floors of the dormitory) were randomly assigned to receive a 42-day prophylaxis regimen of either oral hydroxychloroquine (400 mg once, followed by 200 mg/day), oral ivermectin (12 mg once), povidone-iodine throat spray (3 times/day, 270 μg/day), oral zinc (80 mg/day)/vitamin C (500 mg/day) combination, or oral vitamin C, 500 mg/day.

Understanding the Link Between Allergy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Current Review of Factors and Mechanisms.

Both allergic diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders are non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that not only impact on the quality of life and but also result in substantial economic burden. Immune dysregulation and inflammation are typical hallmarks in both allergic and neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting converging pathophysiology. Epidemiological studies provided convincing evidence for the link between allergy and neurodevelopmental diseases such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Association of leukocyte telomere length with obesity-related traits in Asian children with early-onset obesity.

Background: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with obesity and obesity-related traits, and there are ethnic-specific determinants of LTL.

Objective: To evaluate LTL associations with obesity and metabolic parameters in Asian children with early-onset obesity.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of a cohort of children with (N = 371) and without obesity (N = 23), and LTL was measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR).

Detection of ADTRP in circulation and its role as a novel biomarker for coronary artery disease.

Androgen dependent tissue factor pathway inhibitor regulating protein (ADTRP) is a novel protein associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) susceptibility, and reduced mRNA expression of ADTRP was shown to be associated with increased CAD risk. This study aimed to determine and compare circulating ADTRP levels between CAD patients and controls, and to test the performance of plasma ADTRP as a biomarker for CAD. We measured plasma ADTRP, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in 362 CAD patients, 150 angiographically negative CAD controls, and 83 healthy adults with no known clinical or medical conditions using commercial ELISA.

Engineering the Gut Microbiome for Treatment of Obesity: A Review of Current Understanding and Progress.

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease that is increasing in prevalence despite extensive research and efforts to curb it. Over the last decade, gut microbiome has emerged as an important contributor to the pathogenesis of obesity. Microbiome profile is altered in obese phenotype and the causative role of microbiome in obesity is demonstrated in fecal microbiota transplantation studies.

Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: Impact of environmental dust exposure in modulating microbiome and its association with non-communicable diseases.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including obesity, diabetes, and allergy are chronic, multi-factorial conditions that are affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Over the last decade, the microbiome has emerged as a possible contributor to the pathogenesis of NCDs. Microbiome profiles were altered in patients with NCDs, and shift in microbial communities was associated with improvement in these health conditions.

Self and parent-proxy rated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in youth with obesity: are parents good surrogates?

Purpose: Consideration of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and wellbeing outcomes is important to guide healthcare services for youth with obesity, yet youth perspectives may differ from their parents. This study compared youth and parental HRQoL reports and evaluated levels of concordance across HRQoL domains and as a function of youth age, youth gender and parent informant (mother and father).

Methods: 376 youths with obesity, recruited from community (N = 223) and hospital settings (N = 153), and their parents (N = 190 mothers; N = 91 fathers), completed the PedsQL.

Heredity of type 2 diabetes confers increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and inflammation.

Introduction And Objective: Heredity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with greater risk for developing T2DM. Thus, individuals who have a first-degree relative with T2DM (FDRT) provide a natural model to study factors of susceptibility towards development of T2DM, which are poorly understood. Emerging key players in T2DM pathophysiology such as adverse oxidative stress and inflammatory responses could be among possible mechanisms that predispose FDRTs to develop T2DM.

Differences in AMY1 Gene Copy Numbers Derived from Blood, Buccal Cells and Saliva Using Quantitative and Droplet Digital PCR Methods: Flagging the Pitfall.

Introduction: The human salivary (AMY1) gene, encoding salivary α-amylase, has variable copy number variants (CNVs) in the human genome. We aimed to determine if real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the more recently available Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) can provide a precise quantification of the AMY1 gene copy number in blood, buccal cells and saliva samples derived from the same individual.

Methods: Seven participants were recruited and DNA was extracted from the blood, buccal cells and saliva samples provided by each participant.

In-vitro function of upstream visfatin polymorphisms that are associated with adverse cardiometabolic parameters in obese children.

Background: Visfatin is an adipokine associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. We previously reported two visfatin upstream single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), c.-3187G > A (rs11977021) and c.

The role of digestive factors in determining glycemic response in a multiethnic Asian population.

Purpose: There are wide inter-individual differences in glycemic response (GR). We aimed to examine key digestive parameters that influence inter-individual and ethnic differences in GR in healthy Asian individuals.

Methods: Seventy-five healthy male subjects (25 Chinese, 25 Malays, and 25 Asian-Indians) were served equivalent available carbohydrate amounts (50 g) of jasmine rice (JR) and basmati rice (BR) on separate occasions.