Effect of Endogenous Hormone Levels on Basal Metabolic Rate in Men With Obesity.

Objective: Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is an important factor in weight management and is influenced by fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM) and age. Current knowledge of the influence of hormonal levels on BMR is based on studies with small populations, studies that investigate exogenous administration and studies frequently lacking correction for body composition.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

How might bacteriophages shape biological invasions?

Invasions by eukaryotes dependent on environmentally acquired bacterial mutualists are often limited by the ability of bacterial partners to survive and establish free-living populations. Focusing on the model legume-rhizobium mutualism, we apply invasion biology hypotheses to explain how bacteriophages can impact the competitiveness of introduced bacterial mutualists. Predicting how phage-bacteria interactions affect invading eukaryotic hosts requires knowing the eco-evolutionary constraints of introduced and native microbial communities, as well as their differences in abundance and diversity.

A cross-sectional analysis of the association between testosterone and biopsy-proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in men with obesity.

Purpose: To study the association between testosterone and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) since prior studies have reported inconsistent results.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed including obese men who underwent a liver biopsy and a metabolic and hepatological work-up. Free testosterone (CFT) was calculated by the Vermeulen equation.

Effects of treatment for diabetes mellitus on testosterone concentrations: A systematic review.

Background: Low testosterone levels are frequently present in men with obesity and insulin resistance. Currently available treatment options (testosterone replacement therapy or lifestyle changes) hold possible risks or are insufficient. Since low testosterone levels are closely related to obesity and type 2 diabetes, treatment modalities for these conditions could result into improvement of testosterone levels.

Novel lineages of single-stranded DNA phages that coevolved with the symbiotic bacteria .

This study describes novel single-stranded DNA phages isolated from common bean agriculture soils by infection of the nitrogen-fixing symbiotic bacteria and . A total of 29 phages analyzed have 4.3-6 kb genomes in size and GC 59-60%.