The present invention provides markers and methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, has or is at risk of developing, a disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) or NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) (e.g., within the ensuing year, two years, and/or three years). The present application also relates to the use of such markers and methods for monitoring the status of such diseases in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with such diseases.

The present invention provides a method for measuring the trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) production capacity in a subject, which comprises the following steps: (a) making the subject intake a specific dosage of carnitine; and (b) obtaining a body fluid sample of the subject at a specific time point after the subject ingests the carnitine and detecting the TMAO content in the body fluid sample. Different from the general technical detection on the market that only detects the gut microbiome composition, the invention can directly detect the ability of gut microbiota to produce TMAO in the human body. In addition, compared with directly detecting the concentration of TMAO in the blood, the invention gives a better predictive effect of gut microbiota functional phenotypes.

Provided are a determination method and a kit both for determining the possibility of the occurrence of deterioration of a renal function in the future. A method according to one aspect of the present invention involves a step of determining the level of Galβ1-3GalNAc and/or Siaα2-6Gal/GalNAc in a sample collected from a subject. A kit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a lectin capable of binding to Galβ1-3GalNAc and/or Siaα2-6Gal/GalNAc.

Microbes expressing cholesterol oxidoreductase (COR) proteins, methods of engineering the microbes expressing COR proteins, compositions and methods of using the microbes are provided.

A method for preventing obesity related to infection by an adipogenic adenovirus includes obtaining a sample from a person, assaying the sample to determine whether the person has been previously infected with an adipogenic adenovirus, and if the person has not been previously infected, providing the person with at least one sensor positioned to detect when a person's hand approaches a predetermined distance from the person's face. By warning the person of undesired hand-to-face contacts, the person is able to reduce the incidence of obesity related infections. Other embodiments are directed to a kit for preventing obesity caused by infection with an adipogenic adenovirus, such kit including a container for assaying an agent indicating the presence of antibodies to Ad-36, and a sensor positioned on an item selected from the group consisting of one of a hat, a writing instrument, eye glasses, a belt, sunglasses, a bra, a shirt, and a tie.

The present invention relates to a method for determining a level of fat-free body mass (FFM) in a paediatric subject comprising determining a level of phenylacetylglutamine (PAG) in a sample obtained from the subject.

The invention relates to a Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist that exhibits greater induction of NFAT signaling compared to -MSH for use in the treatment and/or prevention of a medical condition associated with MC4R deficiency in a subject having an MC4R deficiency associated with impaired Nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling. The present invention further relates to an in vitro method for the diagnosis, prognosis and/or assessment of likelihood of whether a subject with, or at risk of having and/or developing, a medical condition associated with MC4R deficiency, will respond to treatment with an MC4R agonist that exhibits greater induction of NFAT signaling compared to -MSH, the method comprising (i) providing a sample from said subject, and (ii) determining whether the subject has an MC4R deficiency associated with impaired NFAT signaling by assessing said sample, (iii) wherein the presence of an MC4R deficiency associated with impaired NFAT signaling is indicative that treatment with an MC4R agonist that exhibits greater induction of NFAT signaling compared to -MSH will be effective in said subject.

This document relates to methods and materials for assessing and/or treating obese mammals (e.g., obese humans). For example, methods and materials for using one or more interventions (e.g., one or more pharmacological interventions) to treat obesity and/or obesity-related comorbidities in a mammal (e.g., a human) identified as being likely to respond to a particular intervention (e.g., a pharmacological intervention) are provided.

Provided is an application of an ICAM-1 marker and a regulating agent thereof in promoting or inhibiting differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into adipose cells, and an application of ICAM-1 or detection reagent thereof in (a) detecting adipose-derived stem cells, and/or (b) determining the risk of a subject suffering from obesity and a corresponding diagnostic kit and method. Further provided is an in vitro non-therapeutic preparation method for fat cells.

Various methods for isolating cell populations from adipocyte tissue and/or blood and quantifying levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) on the isolated cell populations are provided. Also provided are methods of evaluating or modifying angiogenic therapy in a subject.