Exploring non-invasive diagnostics for metabolic dysfunctionassociated fatty liver disease

The population with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)is increasingly common worldwide.Identification of people at risk of progression to advanced stages is necessary to timely offer interventions and appropriate care.Liver biopsy is currently considered the gold standard for the diagnosis and staging of MAFLD,but it has associated risks and limitations.This has spurred the exploration of non-invasive diagnostics for MAFLD,especially for steatohepatitis and fibrosis.These non-invasive approaches mostly include biomarkers and algorithms derived from anthropometric measurements,serum tests,imaging or stool metagenome profiling.However,they still need rigorous and widespread clinical validation for the diagnostic performance.

孕期微生物组的时空模式及其与妊娠期综合征的联系

The microbiome of females undergoes extensive remodeling during pregnancy, which is likely to have an impact on the health of both mothers and offspring. Nevertheless, large-scale integrated investigations characterizing microbiome dynamics across key body habitats are lacking. Here, we performed an extensive meta-analysis that compiles and analyzes microbiome profiles from >10,000 samples across the gut,vagina, and oral cavity of pregnant women from diverse geographical regions. We have unveiled unexpected variations in the taxonomic, functional, and ecological characteristics of microbial communities throughout the course of pregnancy. The gut microbiota showed distinct trajectories between Western and non-Western populations. The vagina microbiota exhibited fluctuating transitions at the genus level across gestation, while the oral microbiota remained relatively stable. We also identified distinctive microbial signatures associated with prevalent pregnancy-related disorders, including opposite variations in the oral and gut microbiota of patients with gestational diabetes and disrupted microbial networks in preterm birth. This study establishes a comprehensive atlas of the pregnancy microbiome by integrating multidimensional datasets and offers foundational insights into the intricate interplay between microbes and host factors that underlie reproductive health.

Microbiome in Female Reproductive Health:Implications for Fertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies

The microbiome plays a critical role in the process of conception and the outcomes of pregnancy.Disruptions in microbiome homeostasis in women of reproductive age can lead to various pregnancy complications,which significantly impact maternal and fetal health.Recent studies have associated the microbiome in the female reproductive tract(FRT)with assisted reproductive technology(ART)outcomes,and restoring microbiome balance has been shown to improve fertility in infertile couples.This review provides an overview of the role of the microbiome in female reproductive health,including its implications for pregnancy outcomes and ARTs.Additionally,recent advances in the use of microbial biomarkers as indicators of pregnancy disorders are summarized.A comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of the microbiome before and during pregnancy and its impact on reproductive health will greatly promote maternal and fetal health.Such knowledge can also contribute to the development of ARTs and microbiome-based interventions.