Metagenome-informed metaproteomics of the human gut microbiome, host, and dietary exposome uncovers signatures of health and inflammatory bowel disease.

Host-microbiome-dietary interactions play crucial roles in regulating human health, yet their direct functional assessment remains challenging. We adopted metagenome-informed metaproteomics (MIM), in mice and humans, to non-invasively explore species-level microbiome-host interactions during commensal and pathogen colonization, nutritional modification, and antibiotic-induced perturbation. Simultaneously, fecal MIM accurately characterized the nutritional exposure landscape in multiple clinical and dietary contexts.

Low income, being without employment, and living alone: how they are associated with cognitive functioning-Results from the German national cohort (NAKO).

Aim was to investigate to what extent cognitive functioning differs by three socioeconomic conditions: low income, being without employment, and living alone. A total of N = 158,144 participants of the population-based German National Cohort (NAKO) provided data on socioeconomic conditions and completed cognitive tests. Multivariable confounder-adjusted regression analyses indicated that cognitive functioning was lower in those with low income (b = -0.

Piloting of a Screen‑Triage‑Treat Surgical Approach Model for Management of Anal Cancer in Liberia.

While cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, significant disparities exist in care access in low‑ and middle‑income countries (LMICs). In Liberia, screening and treatment for anal cancers remain limited, and are exacerbated among vulnerable groups, including men who have sex with men (MSM). Screen‑triage‑treat models for cancerous lesions have been successful in reducing cervical cancer mortality, but the feasibility of this approach has not been studied for anal cancers in a low‑resource context.

Metabolic and lifestyle factors accelerate disease onset and alter gut microbiome in inflammatory non-communicable diseases.

Background: Biomedical and lifestyle factors in Western populations have significantly shifted in recent decades, influencing public health and contributing to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that share inflammation as common pathology.

Methods: We investigated the relationship between these factors and 11 NCDs in the cross-sectional FoCus cohort (n = 1220), using logistic regression models. Associations with age-at-disease-onset were specifically analyzed for type 2 diabetes (T2D, low-grade chronic inflammation) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, high-grade chronic inflammation) in disease-specific cohorts (FoCus-T2D, n = 514; IBD-KC, n = 1110).

Association of aortic diameters and mortality in the general population-an MRI-based study.

Background: Increased diameters of the aorta are associated with increased mortality risk. In the present analyses, we assessed whether aortic diameters are associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in community-dwelling individuals free of known cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: MRI-derived vascular parameters of the thoracic and abdominal aorta from 2668 participants (median age = 53 years; 51.

Disparities in perinatal COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated persistent health inequities in perinatal populations, resulting in disparities of maternal and fetal complications. In this narrative review, we present an adapted conceptual framework of perinatal social determinants of health in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic and use this framework to contextualize the literature regarding disparities in COVID-19 vaccination and infection. We synthesize how elements of the structural context, individual socioeconomic position, and concrete intermediary determinants influence each other and perinatal COVID-19 vaccination and infection, arguing that systemic inequities at each level contribute to observed disparities in perinatal health outcomes.

Inflammatory markers in pregnancy - surprisingly stable. Mapping trajectories and drivers in four large cohorts.

Adaptations of the immune system throughout gestation have been proposed as important mechanisms regulating successful pregnancy. Dysregulation of the maternal immune system has been associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. To translate findings from mechanistic preclinical studies to human pregnancies, studies of serum immune markers are the mainstay.

Holo-transcobalamin is not associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in the general population.

Background & Aims: Holo-Transcobalamin (holo-TC) is the biologically active form of vitamin B12, a vitamin essential in human metabolism. The association between vitamin B12 (total cobalamin) and mortality risk has been controversially reported, whereas the relation between holo-TC and survival is unknown. In a population-based sample (n = 862, female share 42.

Likelihood of Post-COVID Condition in people with hybrid immunity; data from the German National Cohort (NAKO).

Objectives: The risk of Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) under hybrid immunity remains unclear.

Methods: Using data from the German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie), we investigated risk factors for self-reported post-infection symptoms (any PCC is defined as having at least one symptom, and high symptom burden PCC as having nine or more symptoms).

Results: Sixty percent of 109,707 participants reported at least one previous SARS-CoV-2 infection; 35% reported having had any symptoms 4-12 months after infection; among them 23% reported nine or more symptoms.

Implementation of an Enhanced Prenatal Checklist to Increase Rates of Counseling of Prenatal Fetal Aneuploidy Testing.

Aim This study aims to assess the effect of implementing an enhanced prenatal genetic checklist to guide the provider's discussion on both screening and diagnostic options for fetal aneuploidy testing at the initial prenatal visit. Methods A retrospective quality improvement (QI) project was performed at a single, large, urban academic medical center. The implementation of this project was prospective; however, data was examined retrospectively after the QI initiative was implemented for three months.

Childhood and adolescence factors and multiple sclerosis: results from the German National Cohort (NAKO).

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) represents the most common inflammatory neurological disease causing disability in early adulthood. Childhood and adolescence factors might be of relevance in the development of MS. We aimed to investigate the association between various factors (e.

Large-scale assessment of physical activity in a population using high-resolution hip-worn accelerometry: the German National Cohort (NAKO).

Large population-based cohort studies utilizing device-based measures of physical activity are crucial to close important research gaps regarding the potential protective effects of physical activity on chronic diseases. The present study details the quality control processes and the derivation of physical activity metrics from 100 Hz accelerometer data collected in the German National Cohort (NAKO). During the 2014 to 2019 baseline assessment, a subsample of NAKO participants wore a triaxial ActiGraph accelerometer on their right hip for seven consecutive days.

Imaging Markers Derived From MRI-Based Automated Kidney Segmentation—an Analysis of Data From the German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie).

Background: Population-wide research on potential new imaging biomarkers of the kidney depends on accurate automated segmentation of the kidney and its compartments (cortex, medulla, and sinus).

Methods: We developed a robust deep-learning framework for kidney (sub-)segmentation based on a hierarchical, three-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) that was optimized for multiscale problems of combined localization and segmentation. We applied the CNN to abdominal magnetic resonance images from the population-based German National Cohort (NAKO) study.

SARS-CoV-2 infection, inflammation and birth outcomes in a prospective NYC pregnancy cohort.

Associations between antenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and pregnancy outcomes have been conflicting and the role of the immune system is currently unclear. This prospective cohort study investigated the interaction of antenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection, changes in cytokine and HS-CRP levels, birthweight and gestational age at birth. 2352 pregnant participants from New York City (2020-2022) were included.

Health Service Use Among Migrants in the German National Cohort-The Role of Birth Region and Language Skills.

To compare health service use (HSU) between migrants and non-migrants in Germany. Using data from the population-based German National Cohort (NAKO), we compared the HSU of general practitioners, medical specialists, and psychologists/psychiatrists between six migrant groups of different origins with the utilization of non-migrants. A latent profile analysis (LPA) with a subsequent multinomial regression analysis was conducted to characterize the HSU of different groups.

The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination on Th17 and regulatory T cells in a pregnancy cohort in NYC.

Disturbances in T-cells, specifically the Th17/Treg balance, have been implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes. We investigated these two T-cell populations following pre-pregnancy and pregnancy SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination in 351 participants from a pregnancy cohort in New York City (Generation C; 2020-2022). SARS-CoV-2 infection status was determined via laboratory or medical diagnosis and COVID-19 vaccination status via survey and electronic medical records data.

Association of dietary patterns with diabetes-related comorbidities varies among diabetes endotypes.

Background And Aims: Differences of dietary pattern adherence across the novel diabetes endotypes are unknown. This study assessed adherence to pre-specified dietary patterns and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors, kidney function, and neuropathy among diabetes endotypes.

Methods And Results: The cross-sectional analysis included 765 individuals with recent-onset (67 %) and prevalent diabetes (33 %) from the German Diabetes Study (GDS) allocated into severe autoimmune diabetes (SAID, 35 %), severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD, 3 %), severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD, 5 %), mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD, 28 %), and mild age-related diabetes (MARD, 29 %).

Differences in Anthropometric Measures Based on Sex, Age, and Health Status: Findings From the German National Cohort (NAKO).

Background: Obesity is a worldwide health problem. We conducted detailed analyses of anthropometric measures in a comprehensive, population-based, current cohort in Germany.

Methods: In the German National Cohort (NAKO), we analyzed cross-sectional data on body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as measured by ultrasound, and body fat percentage.

Changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior during the first COVID-19 pandemic- restrictions in Germany: a nationwide survey : Running head: physical activity during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions posed challenges to maintaining healthy lifestyles and physical well-being. During the first mobility restrictions from March to mid-July 2020, the German population was advised to stay home, except for work, exercise, and essential shopping. Our objective was to comprehensively assess the impact of these restrictions on changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior to identify the most affected groups.

Predictors of non-recovery from fatigue and cognitive deficits after COVID-19: a prospective, longitudinal, population-based study.

Background: Despite the high prevalence and major disability associated with fatigue and cognitive deficits after SARS-CoV-2 infection, little is known about long-term trajectories of these sequelae. We aimed to assess long-term trajectories of these conditions and to identify risk factors for non-recovery.

Methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from the population-based COVIDOM/NAPKON-POP cohort in Germany.