Optimization of Automated Dimethylmethylene Blue Assay for Quantification of Pediatric Urine Samples.

The metachromatic dye dimethylmethylene blue is used to quantify total glycosaminoglycans in urine. Understanding the interaction of dimethylmethylene blue with glycosaminoglycans is pertinent to optimize the assay procedure depending on the type of sample and interpret the findings meaningfully. The present spectrophotometric study determined the optimum sample-to-dye ratio, primary wavelength for measuring absorbance, after studying the interaction of two different chondroitin sulfate species (unfractionated chondroitin sulfate from bovine trachea vs.

A randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating immune responses of Typhim Vi and PPSV23 vaccines in healthy adults: The PREP study.

Rapid and early identification of emergent infections is essential for delivering prompt clinical care. To advance the development of algorithms for the clinical management of infection identification, we performed a vaccination clinical trial to investigate the potential of using vaccination as a model for studying mild inflammation responses associated with different infections (NCT05346302). We collected data at various time points over 4 weeks from blood samples, wearable devices, and questionnaires.

Muscle protein catabolism and splanchnic arginine consumption drive arginine dysregulation during induced early acute sepsis in swine.

Human sepsis is characterized by increased protein breakdown and changes in arginine and citrulline metabolism. However, it is unclear whether this is caused by changes in transorgan metabolism. We therefore studied in a induced pig sepsis model the changes in protein and arginine related metabolism on whole body (Wb) and transorgan level.

Novel odd-chain cyclopropane fatty acids: detection in a mammalian lipidome and uptake by hepatosplanchnic tissues.

Microbe-produced molecules (xenometabolites) found in foods or produced by gut microbiota are increasingly implicated in microbe-microbe and microbe-host communication. Xenolipids, in particular, are a class of metabolites for which the full catalog remains to be elaborated in mammalian systems. We and others have observed that cis-3,4-methylene-heptanoylcarnitine is a lipid derivative that is one of the most abundant medium-chain acylcarnitines in human blood, hypothesized to be a product of incomplete β-oxidation of one or more "odd-chain" long-chain cyclopropane fatty acids (CpFAs).

Functional and metabolic effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation and the role of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate addition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Short-term (4 weeks) supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has recently been shown to improve protein metabolism in a dose dependent way in normal weight patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Furthermore, EPA/DHA supplementation was able to increase extremity lean soft tissue but not muscle function. No studies are available combining n-3 PUFAs and the leucine metabolite β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation in chronic clinical conditions.

Presentation and publication skills: How to prepare a scientific poster.

A good scientific poster should capture the interest and imagination of the viewer and the overall aim should be to make the target audience want to know more about the topic. A well prepared poster will speak for itself and significantly aid the presenter in sharing the findings of their work. It can often lead to new and exciting collaborative opportunities.

Advancing body composition assessment in patients with cancer: First comparisons of traditional versus multicompartment models.

Background And Aims: Measurement of body composition using computed tomography (CT) scans may be a viable clinical tool for low muscle mass assessment in oncology. However, longitudinal assessments are often infeasible with CT. Clinically accessible body composition technologies can be used to track changes in fat-free mass (FFM) or muscle, though their accuracy may be impacted by cancer-related physiological changes.

Compartmental analysis: a new approach to estimate protein breakdown and meal response in health and critical illness.

Purpose Of Review: This study aimed to discuss the use of the pulse stable isotope tracer approach to study changes in metabolism in healthy individuals and critically ill patients.

Recent Findings And Conclusion: We found that in the postabsorptive state and healthy condition, intracellular protein breakdown and net intracellular protein breakdown, when calculated using the pulse tracer approach, are about double what has previously been reported using the more traditional primed-constant and continuous stable isotope approaches (600 versus 300 grams of protein/day). In critically ill patients, protein breakdown is even higher and calculated to be approximately 900 grams of protein/day, using the pulse tracer approach.

Statin treatment reduces leucine turnover, but does not affect endogenous production of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB).

Background: Statins, or hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol. Myopathic side-effects ranging from pain and soreness to critical rhabdomyolysis are commonly reported and often lead to discontinuation. The pathophysiological mechanism is, in general, ascribed to a downstream reduction of Coenzyme Q10 synthesis.

Reduced plasma glycine concentration in healthy and chronically diseased older adults: a marker of visceral adiposity?

Background: Previous studies have shown that a reduced plasma concentration of the amino acid glycine (Gly) is associated with intra-abdominal obesity, but the mechanism remains unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether lower plasma Gly concentrations in older adults are independently associated with (visceral) adiposity, age, sex, presence of chronic disease, and glucose intolerance, and whether they are caused by a reduced Gly whole-body production (WBP) and/or increased Gly disposal capacity.

Methods: We studied 102 older adults (47 males/55 females, 68.

Presentation and publication skills: How to review a paper.

We provide comprehensive insights into the peer review process and guide potential reviewers through the steps of reviewing scientific manuscripts. We discuss essential aspects such as the reviewer's responsibility in responding to invitations and maintaining confidentiality throughout the process, the criteria for accepting or rejecting papers, and efficient review of resubmissions. We emphasize the importance of prioritizing the review responsibility within other commitments, communication using professional and courteous language, and adherence to deadlines.

Amino acid kinetics in the critically ill.

Purpose Of Review: Stable isotope methods have been used for many years to assess whole body protein and amino acid kinetics in critically ill patients. In recent years, new isotope approaches and tracer insights have been developed. The tracer pulse approach has some advantages above the established primed-continuous tracer infusion approach because of the high amount of metabolic information obtained, easy applicability, and low tracer costs.

Impact of a specialized oral nutritional supplement on quality of life in older adults following hospitalization: Post-hoc analysis of the NOURISH trial.

Background & Aims: Both during and after hospitalization, nutritional care with daily intake of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) improves health outcomes and decreases risk of mortality in malnourished older adults. In a post-hoc analysis of data from hospitalized older adults with malnutrition risk, we sought to determine whether consuming a specialized ONS (S-ONS) containing high protein and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) can also improve Quality of Life (QoL).

Methods: We analyzed data from the NOURISH trial-a randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center, double-blind study conducted in patients with congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Presentation and publication skills: How to develop a protocol and write a grant.

In this education paper, we want to give some advice to aid in successful scientific grant writing. Besides defining an important research hypothesis and how to support this hypothesis, there are also technical aspects in grant writing that need to be fulfilled. Therefore, read carefully the requirements before starting to write the proposal.

Presentation and publication skills: Publication governance and pitfalls to avoid.

There are several pitfalls in the publication process that researchers can fall victim to, and these can occur knowingly or unknowingly. Although some of these errors may have occurred in good faith, disregard of publication governance is a dangerous practice and could bring authors and their co-authors into disrepute. We highlight some of these potential pitfalls, acquaint the reader with some rules that need to be adhered to in research and publishing, and help the reader learn how to avoid tripping-up on the road to publication.

Presentation and publication skills: How to present a paper.

Presenting a paper to a small or large audience should match both the knowledge level of your audience and the title and abstract you submitted to the conference. Your slides should give context to your work. Simpler slides and talks are easier to follow than a highly complex presentation.

Presentation and publication skills: How to get your paper published.

Getting your scientific paper published can be a difficult process. The quality of the paper relates to the quality of the design of the study, the questions asked, and defining an excellent primary endpoint that is easy to understand, and data obtained from a sufficiently large population. Before submitting your paper, go over all requirements like ethical approval, registration in public databases, and conflict of interest declarations.

Sex related differences in muscle health and metabolism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background & Aims: Sex differences in muscle function and mass, dyspnea, and clinical outcomes have been observed in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) despite a similar level of airflow obstruction. Protein and amino acid metabolism is altered in COPD, however, it remains unclear whether a difference in metabolic signature exists between males and females with COPD that may explain the observed differences in muscle health and clinical outcomes.

Methods: In 234 moderate to severe COPD patients (males/females: 113/121) and 182 healthy controls (males/females: 77/105), we assessed, besides presence of comorbidities and clinical features, muscle function by handgrip and leg dynamometry, and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Nutritional Interventions: Dietary Protein Needs and Influences on Skeletal Muscle of Older Adults.

Background: This narrative review describes foundational and emerging evidence of how dietary protein intakes may influence muscle-related attributes of older adults.

Methods: PubMed was used to identify pertinent research.

Results: Among medically stable older adults, protein intakes below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) (0.

Total energy expenditure assessed by 24-h whole-room indirect calorimeter in patients with colorectal cancer: baseline findings from the PRIMe study.

Background: Total energy expenditure (TEE) determines energy requirements, but objective data in patients with cancer are limited.

Objectives: We aimed to characterize TEE, investigate its predictors, and compare TEE with cancer-specific predicted energy requirements.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included patients with stages II-IV colorectal cancer from the Protein Recommendation to Increase Muscle (PRIMe) trial.

The Rationale for Vitamin, Mineral, and Cofactor Treatment in the Precision Medical Care of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children with autism spectrum disorder may exhibit nutritional deficiencies due to reduced intake, genetic variants, autoantibodies interfering with vitamin transport, and the accumulation of toxic compounds that consume vitamins. Importantly, vitamins and metal ions are essential for several metabolic pathways and for neurotransmitter functioning. The therapeutic benefits of supplementing vitamins, minerals (Zinc, Magnesium, Molybdenum, and Selenium), and other cofactors (coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid, and tetrahydrobiopterin) are mediated through their cofactor as well as non-cofactor functions.