BMC

X-linked transcriptome dysregulation across immune cells in systemic lupus erythematosus - Biology of Sex Differences Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex immune-mediated disease with a strong female predominance. This sex bias may be linked to the presence of two X chromosomes, which are not always adequately dosage compensated by X chromosome inactivation (XCI). Disruption in X-linked transcriptome expression may contribute to altered immune function and increased susceptibility to autoimmunity. Methods To investigate the role of X-linked gene expression in SLE, we performed a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of 27 immune cell types from 125 female SLE patients and 66 healthy controls. We further applied a multivariate approach to integrate X-linked gene expression across all immune cell types and classify SLE patients. Additionally, we extended these models to other chromosomes and explored the correlation between autosome disease markers, including members of the XIST-interactome, and X-linked expression. Results We observed a significant increase in X-linked gene expression in T cells, B cells and plasmablasts, while monocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells exhibited the opposite trend. Multivariate models based solely on X-linked expression were highly accurate and highlighted key disease-associated markers. Interestingly, autosome-based models relied on markers highly correlated with X-linked gene expression and components of the XIST-interactome, which regulates XCI. Notably, we found that XIST lncRNA was consistently downregulated across multiple cell types, particularly in monocytes and Th1 cells. Such downregulation correlated with increased expression of SLE-associated genes, interferon signalling, and epigenetic regulators like KMT2D. Further analysis revealed extensive dysregulation of the XIST-interactome in SLE, predicting X-linked transcriptome alterations in a cell-type-specific manner. Conclusions Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of X-linked gene expression across immune cells in SLE. Our study highlights the complexity of X-linked transcriptional changes, with distinct patterns observed across both innate and adaptive immune cell types. These findings offer novel insights into the role of the X-transcriptome in sex-biased autoimmune susceptibility and may support future efforts to identify molecular targets relevant to SLE pathogenesis.

A study published in the Biology of Sex Differences highlights the differences in the regulation of the X chromosome in different cell types and gives insights into the regulation of the X chromosome in SLE female patients.

#MedSky #Epigenetics

BMC Cancer

A Study Protocol in BMC Cancer discusses the IMPLEMENT project that aims to address key barriers and facilitators for the implementation of quality-assured oncological exercise therapy in Germany, and increase the number of cancer patients receiving it.
bit.ly/3EzZwOk

#MedSky #OncoSky #CanSky

The protective effect of breastfeeding on infant inflammation: a mediation analysis of the plasma lipidome and metabolome - BMC Medicine Background Inflammation has long-term health impacts across the life course. Breastfeeding substantially reduces inflammation risk, but key pathways, including the extent that this is due to protection against early life infection, are poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the relationships between breastfeeding, inflammation, and infection burden, and to determine the extent to which metabolomic and lipidomic profiles associated with breastfeeding mediate these health outcomes. Methods We utilised data from the Barwon Infant Study (BIS), a longitudinal birth cohort in Victoria, Australia. Infants (n = 889) with available breastfeeding (categorised as yes/no) clinical, metabolomic, and Lipidomic data at 6 and/or 12 months were included (n = 793 at 6 months, n = 734 at 12 months). Inflammation, measured via glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), at 6 and 12 months and infection burden, including parent-reported and medically attended infections assessed through standardised 3-monthly questionnaires were used as outcomes. Results Any breastfeeding, regardless of supplementary feeding, was associated with lower inflammation, fewer infections, and significant, potentially beneficial changes in metabolomic and lipidomic markers, particularly plasmalogens. There was evidence of bidirectional mediation: metabolomic biomarkers and lipids mediated breastfeeding’s effects on inflammation, while inflammation partly mediated breastfeeding’s impact on certain metabolites and lipids. Conclusions These findings highlight pathways through which breastfeeding reduces inflammation and infection burden, identifying potential targets for optimising infant feeding.

A study in BMC Medicine finds that breastfeeding up to 12 months of age is associated with reduced infection burden and inflammation, as well as differences in metabolomic biomarkers and lipids, mediating much of these beneficial effects.

#MedSky

Renewed Vision for the Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health: Advancing Rigorous Evidence for Policy and Practice - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health Renewed Vision for the Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health: Advancing Rigorous Evidence for Policy and Practice The Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health (JEGH) enters a new phase with a revised Aims and Scope and the appointment of new Editors-in-Chief, Dr. Shannon Farley and Professor Yousef Khader.

Editors-in-Chief Prof Yousef Khader and Shannon Farley outline Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health's renewed scope and commitment to policy shaping research that addresses today's global health challenges. Read the Editorial here: bit.ly/4b5IJz8

#MedSky

Predicting species diversity and community traits from remote sensing in species-rich grasslands - BMC Ecology and Evolution Species-rich grasslands (SRGs) provide unique ecosystem services, yet they are some of the most understudied environments in Scotland. This is because thei

A new study in BMC Ecology and Evolution tests how well remote sensing using an unmanned aerial vehicle can capture species diversity and plant traits across Scotland’s species-rich grasslands, an important habitat for vulnerable species. 🌍

Effects of carbohydrate-modified diets on insulin sensitivity in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - BMC Endocrine Disorders It remains unclear whether modifying dietary carbohydrate intake affects insulin concentration and sensitivity in children and adolescents with overweight/

A meta-analysis published in BMC Endocrine Disorders suggests that in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity, improving carbohydrate quality through a low-GI diet may improve insulin sensitivity.

#MedSky

Sex-specific associations between obstructive sleep apnea and thyroid hormone sensitivity in euthyroid adults - Biology of Sex Differences Background The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and thyroid hormone sensitivity remains unclear. Thyroid hormone sensitivity indices may reveal subclinical hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis dysregulation beyond conventional hormone levels. Methods We analyzed 718 euthyroid adults who underwent overnight sleep monitoring, using thyroid‑stimulating hormone index (TSHI), thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), parametric thyroid feedback quantile-based index (PTFQI), thyrotroph T4 resistance index (TT4RI), thyrotroph T3 resistance index (TT3RI) and the ratio of free triiodothyronine to free thyroxine (FT3/FT4 ratio) to assess central and peripheral thyroid hormone sensitivity. Analysis of covariance assessed differences across OSA severity after adjusting for age and BMI. Multivariable linear regression examined associations between OSA severity and thyroid hormone sensitivity indices in sex-stratified models. Correlations between OSA-related parameters and thyroid hormones sensitivity indices were further explored using quadratic prediction plots. Results Among females, OSA patients showed higher FT4 and significantly increased TFQI, PTFQI, TSHI, and TT4RI, but lower FT3/FT4 ratio compared with non-OSA. TFQI (P for trend = 0.0395) and TT4RI (P for trend = 0.0293) were positively correlated with increasing OSA severity. OSA was independently associated with elevated TFQI (β = 0.26, 95% CI 0.010–0.42, P = 0.001), PTFQI (β = 0.20, 95% CI 0.05–0.35, P = 0.011), TSHI (β = 0.24, 95% CI 0.03–0.44, P = 0.025), and TT4RI (β = 6.82, 95% CI 0.59–13.05, P = 0.033). apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) were significantly correlated with TT4RI (P = 0.034, 0.021, respectively). No significant associations were observed in males. Conclusions OSA is associated with impaired central and peripheral thyroid hormone sensitivity in euthyroid females, but not in males.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with impaired central and peripheral thyroid hormone sensitivity in euthyroid females, but not in males, reports a study published in the Biology of Sex Differences.

#MedSky

Widefield acoustics heuristic: advancing microphone array design for accurate spatial tracking of echolocating bats - BMC Ecology and Evolution Accurate three-dimensional localisation of ultrasonic bat calls is essential for advancing behavioural and ecological research. I present a comprehensive, open-source simulation framework—Array WAH—for designing, evaluating, and optimising microphone arrays tailored to bioacoustic tracking. The tool incorporates biologically realistic signal generation, frequency-dependent propagation, and advanced Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA) localisation algorithms, enabling precise quantification of both positional and angular accuracy. The framework supports both frequency-modulated (FM) and constant-frequency (CF) call types, the latter characteristic of Hipposiderid and Rhinolophid bats, which are particularly prone to localisation errors due to their long-duration emissions. A key innovation is the integration of source motion modelling during call emission, which introduces Doppler-based time warping and phase shifts across microphones—an important and often overlooked source of error in source localisation. I systematically compare four array geometries—a planar square, a pyramid, a tetrahedron, and an octahedron—across a volumetric spatial grid. The tetrahedral and octahedral configurations demonstrate superior localisation robustness, while planar arrays exhibit limited angular resolution. My simulations reveal that spatial resolution is fundamentally constrained by array geometry and the signal structure, with typical localisation error ranging between 5–10 cm at 0.5 m arm lengths. By providing a flexible, extensible, and user-friendly simulation environment, Array WAH supports task-specific design and deployment of compact, field-deployable localisation systems. It is especially valuable for investigating the acoustic behaviour of free-flying bats under naturalistic conditions, and complements emerging low-power multichannel ultrasonic recorders for field deployment and method validation.

An article published in BMC Ecology and Evolution presents Array WAH: an open-source tool to simulate ultrasonic microphone arrays for tracking bats in three dimensions, modeling calls and motion for precise localization.

#MedSky #STS

stock image

A study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine provides insights into the mechanisms of myocardial infarction-induced muscle atrophy and highlights the therapeutic potential of exercise in cardiac rehabilitation.
bit.ly/4kcWosk

#MedSky

Military Medical Research

A Review published in Military Medical Research provides a comprehensive overview of the role and anticancer mechanisms of metformin-based combination approaches for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
bit.ly/4nMg9r8

#MedSky

Autophagy in ovary: protective roles, pathological consequences, and unresolved issues - Journal of Ovarian Research The ovaries play essential roles in providing oocytes for fertilization and secreting sex hormones that regulate various organ functions. Autophagy has been implicated in the modulation of ovarian functions, yet its mechanisms of action are complex and context-dependent. Within the ovary, autophagy fulfills a dual function, serving as a critical mechanism in facilitating oocyte development, maintaining granulosa cell viability, regulating hormone synthesis, ovulation and luteal function. Conversely, dysregulation of autophagy can interact with other death signals, leading to cell death of ovarian cells, and has been linked to the development of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Emerging evidence suggests that pharmacological modulation of autophagy exerts significant therapeutic effects on POI and PCOS. Despite this association, numerous unresolved issues persist in this field of research. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the context-dependent roles of autophagy in ovarian physiology and disorders, and proposes potential applications of autophagy-based interventions as therapeutic strategies for addressing ovarian dysfunctions.

A Review in the Journal of Ovarian Research discusses context-dependent roles of autophagy in ovarian physiology and disorders, and proposes autophagy-based interventions as therapeutic strategies for addressing ovarian dysfunctions.

#MedSky

stock image

BMC Genomics is calling for submissions to our Collection on Genomics of apes. We invite contributions focusing on comparative genomics and evolutionary studies across various ape species.
bit.ly/4aPflwM

#MedSky #Epigenetics

Gut Pathogens

Don’t miss out! The Gut Pathogens collection on 'Gut virome and viral infections' has been extended! Submit your high‑impact research and reach a global audience in gastrointestinal pathogen science.
bit.ly/4aZb1vb

Stock Image

Adherence to a healthy plant-based diet, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, may be beneficial for breast cancer prevention, mainly in postmenopausal women, finds a study published in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition.
bit.ly/3YBXrsj

#MedSky #OncoSky

Nutrition Journal

A study published in the Nutrition Journal highlights that spicy foods may slow comprehensive and organ-specific biological aging, especially metabolic and kidney biological aging.
bit.ly/3FqrZXs

#MedSky

Stock Image

A study in BMC Endocrine Disorders shows that using insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors can reduce the adverse effects of social vulnerability and race on long-term glycemic control in youth with type 1 diabetes.
bit.ly/4rEEz8p

#MedSky

BMC Agriculture

BMC Agriculture is calling for submissions to our latest collection ‘Forestry and agroforestry for biodiversity and climate action’. To know more about collection, please visit: bit.ly/4s3RpNg 🌍

Containment and response strategies for mpox outbreaks: a systematic review - BMC Infectious Diseases Mpox, primarily endemic to Central and West Africa, has seen a concerning global rise in recent years. There is a critical need to synthesize evidence on s

A Systematic Review published in BMC Infectious Diseases synthesizes strategies on containment and response for Mpox outbreaks and reviews the strategies from 2017 to 2024 to understand what worked and what didn’t.

#MedSky

Ocean Sciences

BMC will be attending Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026 in Glasgow this week! Visit us at booth 104 in the exhibit hall to learn about our related book and journal titles and meet our publishers #OSM2026

Quantification and impact of circulating cardiotonic steroids in the RATE-AF randomised trial of patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure - BMC Medicine Background The presence and role of endogenous digoxin-like cardiotonic steroids (CTS) in humans is controversial. This study utilises a novel pipeline to quantify CTS and examines their interaction with digoxin within a randomised trial. Methods The RAte control Therapy Evaluation in permanent Atrial Fibrillation (RATE-AF) trial randomised patients with permanent AF and symptoms of heart failure to low-dose digoxin or beta-blocker therapy; https://bit.ly/4ay3lkn NCT02391337. Circulating CTS were detected and quantified using a new ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) pipeline. Results All 160 participants of the RATE-AF trial were included, with mean age 76 years (SD 8) and 46% women. Endogenous CTS detected and quantified in baseline samples included digoxigenin and digitoxigenin, plus low or unquantifiable levels of ouabain, telocinobufagin, cinobufagin, marinobufagenin, bufalin, cinobufotalin, dihydroouabain, and ouabagenin. Compared to beta-blockers, patients randomised to digoxin had better functional outcomes at 12 months for heart failure (− 0.57 New York Heart Association class, 95% CI − 0.82 to − 0.32; p < 0.001) and atrial fibrillation (odds ratio 2.24 for a two-class improvement in modified European Heart Rhythm Association class, 95% CI 1.43–3.84; p < 0.001), with lower NT-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (geometric mean ratio 0.78, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.99; p = 0.006). No interactions were observed for any baseline CTS with each outcome. Digoxin was associated with fewer adverse events (odds ratio 0.16, 95% CI 0.07–0.34; p < 0.001), again without any interaction from circulating CTS. Digoxin levels by LC–MS/MS were strongly correlated with measurement by a clinical immunoassay (r = 0.87; p < 0.001), and treatment with digoxin did not affect CTS concentrations at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions A range of CTS are detected in the circulation of patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Within this randomised trial but limited by low circulating levels, CTS do not appear to interact with the ability of digoxin to improve wellbeing compared to conventional first-line treatment with beta-blockers. Graphical Abstract

A study published in BMC Medicine shows that endogenous cardiotonic steroids do not affect clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

#MedSky

Serum neopterin and kynurenine as predictive and prognostic biomarkers in prostate cancer: the role of dietary inflammatory index and biomarker interactions - BMC Cancer Background It has been shown that neopterin levels in various body fluids can help predict the diagnosis of different malignancies. Although many studies have investigated the roles of serum neopterin concentrations, tryptophan metabolism, and the dietary inflammation index (DII) in various cancers, the connection between these factors and prostate cancer (PC) remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive and prognostic roles of serum neopterin, and kynurenine levels, along with the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio (KTR) and DII in prostate cancer. Methods This study was conducted with 57 newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients, 55 benign prostate hyperplasia patients, and 56 healthy male individuals in the control group, all aged 40 years and older. Participants had specific anthropometric measurements taken, and three-day food records were kept. DII was calculated based on data for thirty-four available nutrients by using food records. Serum levels of neopterin, kynurenine, tryptophan, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results Serum neopterin (11.79 ± 6.09), kynurenine (1655.48 ± 1122.04), TNF-α (221.59 ± 232.06) and IFN-γ (137.68 ± 107.11) levels were higher in the malignant group than in both the control (2.72 ± 0.76, 352.40 ± 69.33, 223.94 ± 226.67, and 23.03 ± 7.28, respectively) and benign groups (3.17 ± 0.74, 377.94 ± 109.05, 179.61 ± 224.36, and 25.63 ± 7.50, respectively) (p < 0.05). Another result of our study is that in the malignant group, serum neopterin levels exhibited significant positive correlations with serum kynurenine (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001), IFN-γ (r = 0.86, p < 0.0001) and TNF-α levels (r = -0.27, p = 0.0453) and DII (r = 0.30, p = 0.0229), while they exhibited weak correlations with serum PSA, and other diet parameters. Additionally, kynurenine was the only parameter showing significant differences in mean values concerning surgical margins (p < 0.05). Conclusions The findings of this study support the hypothesis that serum neopterin and specific tryptophan catabolites (e.g., kynurenine), could serve as predictive and prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis. However, our results do not support the hypothesis that DII and certain dietary factors play a direct role in the development or diagnosis of prostate cancer.

A study published in BMC Cancer supports the hypothesis that serum neopterin and specific tryptophan catabolites (e.g., kynurenine), could serve as predictive and prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis.

#MedSky #OncoSky

Community content

Don't miss the new Springer Nature SDG 3 Newsletter on Non-communicable diseases! Dive into researcher Q&As, podcasts, events, clinical trials, and other highlights.
bit.ly/4kR0Ihg

#MedSky

Cancer metabolism BMC Biology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Cancer metabolism. Cancer metabolism is a developing field that explores the biochemical and ...

BMC Biology is calling for submissions to a Collection on Cancer metabolism, which is guest edited by Eyal Gottlieb, Zeping Hu and Emma Vincent.

#MedSky

A harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) shows extensive respiratory control in sound production - BMC Ecology and Evolution The duration of animal vocalizations varies between and within species. Which mammals can learn to control this duration? Such respiratory production learning is a scarcely studied subcomponent of vocal learning. Here, we test the hypothesis that harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are capable of respiratory production learning by testing whether a harbor seal can be trained to i) actively control its vocalization’s duration in two directions (short and long), and ii) exceed the pre-experimental vocalization’s duration (min = 0.202 s, max = 2.621 s). The seal learned to produce uninterrupted vocalizations spanning more than two orders of magnitude in duration, from 79 ms to 9.23 s. Our findings demonstrate a remarkable level of respiratory control in a harbor seal: this respiratory production learning encompasses an extensive range of sound durations and arises at a young age. Producing durations that span such a magnitude is hardly reported in the non-human animal literature; this capacity may be orthogonal to other vocal learning modules and should be tested in more species, both vocal production learners and non-learners.

A study published in BMC Ecology and Evolution shows how a harbor seal can remarkably control its breath to produce calls from 79 milliseconds to 9.2 seconds, demonstrating rare respiratory production learning in mammals.

#Ecology #MedSky #PaleoSky

Widefield acoustics heuristic: advancing microphone array design for accurate spatial tracking of echolocating bats - BMC Ecology and Evolution Accurate three-dimensional localisation of ultrasonic bat calls is essential for advancing behavioural and ecological research. I present a comprehensive, open-source simulation framework—Array WAH—for designing, evaluating, and optimising microphone arrays tailored to bioacoustic tracking. The tool incorporates biologically realistic signal generation, frequency-dependent propagation, and advanced Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA) localisation algorithms, enabling precise quantification of both positional and angular accuracy. The framework supports both frequency-modulated (FM) and constant-frequency (CF) call types, the latter characteristic of Hipposiderid and Rhinolophid bats, which are particularly prone to localisation errors due to their long-duration emissions. A key innovation is the integration of source motion modelling during call emission, which introduces Doppler-based time warping and phase shifts across microphones—an important and often overlooked source of error in source localisation. I systematically compare four array geometries—a planar square, a pyramid, a tetrahedron, and an octahedron—across a volumetric spatial grid. The tetrahedral and octahedral configurations demonstrate superior localisation robustness, while planar arrays exhibit limited angular resolution. My simulations reveal that spatial resolution is fundamentally constrained by array geometry and the signal structure, with typical localisation error ranging between 5–10 cm at 0.5 m arm lengths. By providing a flexible, extensible, and user-friendly simulation environment, Array WAH supports task-specific design and deployment of compact, field-deployable localisation systems. It is especially valuable for investigating the acoustic behaviour of free-flying bats under naturalistic conditions, and complements emerging low-power multichannel ultrasonic recorders for field deployment and method validation.

An article published in BMC Ecology and Evolution presents Array WAH: an open-source tool to simulate ultrasonic microphone arrays for tracking bats in three dimensions, modeling calls and motion for precise localization.

#MedSky #STS

Exploring Alice in Wonderland syndrome in adults with persistent headache after COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in Latin America - BMC Neurology Background Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by sensory perception distortions, including altered body image perception and distortions of shape, size, motion, color, and speed. Migraine and infectious diseases are among the most common etiologies of AIWS. However, it has not been studied in individuals with persistent headache after COVID-19. Methods This cross-sectional study included a subset of individuals with AIWS symptoms derived from a survey conducted in Latin America to identify adults with persistent headache after COVID-19. For data analysis, AIWS individuals were characterized by sex and analyzed using univariable tests. Subsequently, the entire study cohort was stratified into two groups: the AIWS group and the non-AIWS group. Binomial logistic regression using the backward stepwise selection method was performed to identify the factors associated with AIWS after COVID-19. Results Out of 421 participants with persistent headache after COVID-19, 106 (25.2%) reported at least one AIWS symptom. The AIWS group was significantly younger (median age 36 vs. 39 years, p = 0.011) and had a higher proportion of pre-existing migraine (40.6% vs. 29.5%, p = 0.035) compared to the non-AIWS group. The most common post-COVID-19 AIWS symptoms were time distortion (32.1%), derealization/depersonalization (24.5%), and hyperchromatopsia (20.8%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that experiencing any AIWS symptom during acute COVID-19 was the strongest predictor for post-acute AIWS (OR = 9.937, 95% CI = 5.603–17.62, p <0.001). Other significant predictors included phonophobia (OR = 2.322, 95% CI = 1.288–4.185, p = 0.005) and depressive symptoms (OR = 1.937, 95% CI = 1.099–3.413, p = 0.022) during acute COVID-19. Conclusion In this cohort, AIWS was a notable feature in adults with persistent headache after COVID-19, particularly in younger individuals with a history of migraine. Experiencing AIWS symptoms during acute infection increased the odds of post-acute AIWS symptoms nearly tenfold, suggesting SARS-CoV-2 may be a potent trigger. Clinicians should be aware of this association and screen for perceptual disturbances in patients with post-COVID-19 neurological sequelae.

A study in BMC Neurology reveals that Alice in Wonderland syndrome, a neuropsychiatric disorder marked by sensory perception distortions and altered body image, is prevalent in younger adults with persistent headaches post-COVID-19, particularly those with a migraine history.
#MedSky

The protective effect of breastfeeding on infant inflammation: a mediation analysis of the plasma lipidome and metabolome - BMC Medicine Background Inflammation has long-term health impacts across the life course. Breastfeeding substantially reduces inflammation risk, but key pathways, including the extent that this is due to protection against early life infection, are poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the relationships between breastfeeding, inflammation, and infection burden, and to determine the extent to which metabolomic and lipidomic profiles associated with breastfeeding mediate these health outcomes. Methods We utilised data from the Barwon Infant Study (BIS), a longitudinal birth cohort in Victoria, Australia. Infants (n = 889) with available breastfeeding (categorised as yes/no) clinical, metabolomic, and Lipidomic data at 6 and/or 12 months were included (n = 793 at 6 months, n = 734 at 12 months). Inflammation, measured via glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), at 6 and 12 months and infection burden, including parent-reported and medically attended infections assessed through standardised 3-monthly questionnaires were used as outcomes. Results Any breastfeeding, regardless of supplementary feeding, was associated with lower inflammation, fewer infections, and significant, potentially beneficial changes in metabolomic and lipidomic markers, particularly plasmalogens. There was evidence of bidirectional mediation: metabolomic biomarkers and lipids mediated breastfeeding’s effects on inflammation, while inflammation partly mediated breastfeeding’s impact on certain metabolites and lipids. Conclusions These findings highlight pathways through which breastfeeding reduces inflammation and infection burden, identifying potential targets for optimising infant feeding.

A study in BMC Medicine finds that breastfeeding up to 12 months of age is associated with reduced infection burden and inflammation, as well as differences in metabolomic biomarkers and lipids, mediating much of these beneficial effects.

#MedSky

The protective effect of breastfeeding on infant inflammation: a mediation analysis of the plasma lipidome and metabolome - BMC Medicine Background Inflammation has long-term health impacts across the life course. Breastfeeding substantially reduces inflammation risk, but key pathways, including the extent that this is due to protection against early life infection, are poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the relationships between breastfeeding, inflammation, and infection burden, and to determine the extent to which metabolomic and lipidomic profiles associated with breastfeeding mediate these health outcomes. Methods We utilised data from the Barwon Infant Study (BIS), a longitudinal birth cohort in Victoria, Australia. Infants (n = 889) with available breastfeeding (categorised as yes/no) clinical, metabolomic, and Lipidomic data at 6 and/or 12 months were included (n = 793 at 6 months, n = 734 at 12 months). Inflammation, measured via glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), at 6 and 12 months and infection burden, including parent-reported and medically attended infections assessed through standardised 3-monthly questionnaires were used as outcomes. Results Any breastfeeding, regardless of supplementary feeding, was associated with lower inflammation, fewer infections, and significant, potentially beneficial changes in metabolomic and lipidomic markers, particularly plasmalogens. There was evidence of bidirectional mediation: metabolomic biomarkers and lipids mediated breastfeeding’s effects on inflammation, while inflammation partly mediated breastfeeding’s impact on certain metabolites and lipids. Conclusions These findings highlight pathways through which breastfeeding reduces inflammation and infection burden, identifying potential targets for optimising infant feeding.

A study in BMC Medicine finds that breastfeeding up to 12 months of age is associated with reduced infection burden and inflammation, as well as differences in metabolomic biomarkers and lipids, mediating much of these beneficial effects.

#MedSky

From dysbiosis to longevity: a narrative review into the gut microbiome’s impact on aging - Journal of Biomedical Science Aging has become an important public health concern with the accelerated aging of the global population. The rising impetus to extend lifespan as well as healthspan has drawn attention to the gut microbiome, an indispensable yet modifiable determinant of the aging process. This narrative review addresses the complex interaction between the gut microbiome and aging, synthesizing findings in logical order. Evidence from model organisms supports the causal influence of gut microbes on host aging and longevity. Developmental evolution of the human gut microbiome throughout life stages reflects its adaptive nature affected by diet, lifestyle, hormone levels, and immune function, regulating aging through the gut-muscle and the gut-brain axes in late life. Signature characteristics of the long-lived gut microbiome, including increased diversity, elevated beneficial taxa, and enhanced gut homeostasis, lead to strategies to extend longevity. Intake of fiber, regular exercise, and pro-/pre-/postbiotic supplements are potential interventions on the gut microbiome to foster vitality in later years. Centering on these connected topics, this review identifies questions warranting investigation, with potential to improve therapeutic strategies for healthy aging.

A Review in the Journal of Biomedical Science examines key themes related to the gut microbiome and aging, its progression across the lifespan from infancy to adulthood and old age, and potential interventions targeting the microbiome to address aging-related changes.

#MedSky #MicrobiomeSky

ICE: robust detection of cellular senescence from weak single-cell signatures using imputation-based marker refinement - Genome Biology Detecting senescent cells from single-cell RNA-seq data remains challenging due to the weak and non-specific expression of canonical markers. Here, we demonstrate that simple expansion of these low-signal marker sets does not improve detection accuracy. To address this limitation, we develop ICE (Imputation-based Cell Enrichment), a computational framework that integrates expression imputation with marker refinement. ICE improves the detection of senescent cells in pancreatic β cells and microglia from Alzheimer’s disease samples. This tool enables reliable identification of senescence-associated cell populations, facilitating more detailed analyses of their heterogeneity and temporal dynamics across human tissues and disease contexts.

An article in Genome Biology presents ICE: a computational framework that integrates expression imputation with marker refinement and enables reliable identification and analyses of senescence-associated cell populations across human tissues and disease contexts.

#MedSky