Adult Weight Research Articles

FGF1 supports glycolytic metabolism through the estrogen receptor in endocrine-resistant and obesity-associated breast cancer

BackgroundObesity increases breast cancer risk and breast cancer-specific mortality, particularly for people with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors. Body mass index (BMI) is used to define obesity, but it may not be the best predictor of breast cancer risk or prognosis on an individual level. Adult weight gain is an independent indicator of breast cancer risk. Our previous work described a murine model of obesity, ER-positive breast cancer, and weight gain and identified fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) as a potential driver of tumor progression. During adipose tissue expansion, the FGF1 ligand is produced by hypertrophic adipocytes as a stimulus to stromal preadipocytes that proliferate and differentiate to provide additional lipid storage capacity. In breast adipose tissue, FGF1 production may stimulate cancer cell proliferation and tumor progression.MethodsWe explored the effects of FGF1 on ER-positive endocrine-sensitive and resistant breast cancer and compared that to the effects of the canonical ER ligand, estradiol. We used untargeted proteomics, specific immunoblot assays, gene expression profiling, and functional metabolic assessments of breast cancer cells. The results were validated in tumors from obese mice and breast cancer datasets from women with obesity.ResultsFGF1 stimulated ER phosphorylation independently of estradiol in cells that grow in obese female mice after estrogen deprivation treatment. Phospho- and total proteomic, genomic, and functional analyses of endocrine-sensitive and resistant breast cancer cells show that FGF1 promoted a cellular phenotype characterized by glycolytic metabolism. In endocrine-sensitive but not endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells, mitochondrial metabolism was also regulated by FGF1. Comparison of gene expression profiles indicated that tumors from women with obesity shared hallmarks with endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells.ConclusionsCollectively, our data suggest that one mechanism by which obesity and weight gain promote breast cancer progression is through estrogen-independent ER activation and cancer cell metabolic reprogramming, partly driven by FGF/FGFR. The first-line treatment for many patients with ER-positive breast cancer is inhibition of estrogen synthesis using aromatase inhibitors. In women with obesity who are experiencing weight gain, locally produced FGF1 may activate ER to promote cancer cell metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression independently of estrogen.

DNA methylation networks underlying mammalian traits.

Using DNA methylation profiles (n = 15,456) from 348 mammalian species, we constructed phyloepigenetic trees that bear marked similarities to traditional phylogenetic ones. Using unsupervised clustering across all samples, we identified 55 distinct cytosine modules, of which 30 are related to traits such as maximum life span, adult weight, age, sex, and human mortality risk. Maximum life span is associated with methylation levels in HOXL subclass homeobox genes and developmental processes and is potentially regulated by pluripotency transcription factors. The methylation state of some modules responds to perturbations such as caloric restriction, ablation of growth hormone receptors, consumption of high-fat diets, and expression of Yamanaka factors. This study reveals an intertwined evolution of the genome and epigenome that mediates the biological characteristics and traits of different mammalian species.

Using Continuous Passive Assessment Technology to Describe Health and Behavior Patterns Preceding and Following a Cancer Diagnosis in Older Adults: Proof-of-Concept Case Series Study.

Describing changes in health and behavior that precede and follow a sentinel health event, such as a cancer diagnosis, is challenging because of the lack of longitudinal, objective measurements that are collected frequently enough to capture varying trajectories of change leading up to and following the event. A continuous passive assessment system that continuously monitors older adults' physical activity, weight, medication-taking behavior, pain, health events, and mood could enable the identification of more specific health and behavior patterns leading up to a cancer diagnosis and whether and how patterns change thereafter. In this study, we conducted a proof-of-concept retrospective analysis, in which we identified new cancer diagnoses in older adults and compared trajectories of change in health and behaviors before and after cancer diagnosis. Participants were 10 older adults (mean age 71.8, SD 4.9 years; 3/10, 30% female) with various self-reported cancer types from a larger prospective cohort study of older adults. A technology-agnostic assessment platform using multiple devices provided continuous data on daily physical activity via wearable sensors (actigraphy); weight via a Wi-Fi-enabled digital scale; daily medication-taking behavior using electronic Bluetooth-enabled pillboxes; and weekly pain, health events, and mood with online, self-report surveys. Longitudinal linear mixed-effects models revealed significant differences in the pre- and postcancer trajectories of step counts (P<.001), step count variability (P=.004), weight (P<.001), pain severity (P<.001), hospitalization or emergency room visits (P=.03), days away from home overnight (P=.01), and the number of pillbox door openings (P<.001). Over the year preceding a cancer diagnosis, there were gradual reductions in step counts and weight and gradual increases in pain severity, step count variability, hospitalization or emergency room visits, and days away from home overnight compared with 1 year after the cancer diagnosis. Across the year after the cancer diagnosis, there was a gradual increase in the number of pillbox door openings compared with 1 year before the cancer diagnosis. There was no significant trajectory change from the pre- to post-cancer diagnosis period in terms of low mood (P=.60) and loneliness (P=.22). A home-based, technology-agnostic, and multidomain assessment platform could provide a unique approach to monitoring different types of behavior and health markers in parallel before and after a life-changing health event. Continuous passive monitoring that is ecologically valid, less prone to bias, and limits participant burden could greatly enhance research that aims to improve early detection efforts, clinical care, and outcomes for people with cancer.

Multifaceted Insight into Sensitivity Analysis and Environmental Impact on Human Health of Soil Contamination Risk Assessment.

Sensitivity analysis is a valuable method for evaluating the impact of model parameters on health risk characterization, thereby supporting the prediction of critical uncertainty factors. However, limitations arise in terms of cross-disciplinary discussions and in-depth analyses of previous research. To overcome these limitations, a systematic and multifaceted approach was introduced for analyzing the parameter sensitivities in soil contamination risk assessment. This approach specifically targeted the 12 main parameters associated with 65 soil contaminants for health risk assessment, employing detailed authoritative statistics for risk assessment. Screening analysis revealed that identified heavy metals and organics were influenced by key parameters, such as PM10, body weight of adults (BWa), daily air inhalation rate of adults (DAIRa), air exchange rate (ER), and typical soil parameters. PM10 showed a positive 100% correlation with inorganics and metals, but BWa and DAIRa exhibited different impacts on different chemicals, with an increase in potential risk observed with higher BWa and lower DAIRa. Furthermore, incorporating soil parameters in the analysis showed that compact soil could improve the protection against vapor organic compounds for human health. This refined study presents a comprehensive strategy for sensitivity analysis in health risk assessment of soil contamination, thereby offering substantial support for the protection and preservation of human health. A logical framework also was provided for addressing the limitations of sensitivity analysis and facilitating an understanding of the complex relationships between model parameters and the health risk of soil contamination.

The interaction of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits Ldα3, Ldα8 and Ldβ1 with neonicotinoids in Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is an extremely destructive notifiable quarantine pest. Over the last two decades, neonicotinoid insecticides, particularly thiamethoxam and imidacloprid, have been used to control it in Xinjiang, and local field populations have developed different levels of resistance in consequence. However, the contributions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to neonicotinoid resistance are currently poorly understood in CPB. Previous studies have shown that nAChRα1, α3, α8 and β1 are major target subunits for neonicotinoids in some model and important agricultural insects including nAChRα1 subunit of L. decemlineata (Ldα1). In this study, the expression levels of Ldα3, Ldα8 and Ldβ1 following 72 h of treatments with median lethal doses of thiamethoxam and imidacloprid were compared using real-time quantitative PCR. These genes were then individually and simultaneously knocked down with Ldα1 by RNA interference (RNAi) using a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) feeding method for six days to explore their roles in CPB susceptibility to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. The results showed that the expressions of Ldα3, Ldα8 and Ldβ1 were significantly decreased by 36.99–74.89% after thiamethoxam and imidacloprid treatments, compared with the control. The significant downregulation of the target genes resulting from RNAi significantly reduced the mortality of adults exposed to thiamethoxam and imidacloprid by 34.53% –56.44% and 28.78%–43.93%, respectively. Furthermore, the adult survival rates were not affected by every dsRNA-feeding treatment, while the body weight of the test adults significantly deceased after four and six days of individual gene RNAi. This study showed that Ldα3, Ldα8 and Ldβ1 are down-regulated by thiamethoxam and imidacloprid and play important roles in the tolerance of CPB to neonicotinoids.

Understanding the Impact of Social Networks on the Spread of Obesity.

Previous research has highlighted the significant role social networks play in the spread of non-communicable chronic diseases. In our research, we seek to explore the impact of these networks in more detail and gain insight into the mechanisms that drive this. We use obesity as a case study. To achieve this, we develop a generalisable hybrid simulation and optimisation approach aimed at gaining qualitative and quantitative insights into the effect of social networks on the spread of obesity. Our simulation model has two components. Firstly, an agent-based component mimics the dynamic structure of the social network within which individuals are situated. Secondly, a system dynamics component replicates the relevant behaviours of those individuals. The parameters from the combined model are refined and optimised using longitudinal data from the United Kingdom. The simulation produces projections of Body Mass Index broken down by different age groups and gender over a 10-year period. These projections are used to explore a range of scenarios in a computational study designed to address our research aims. The study reveals that, for the youngest population sub-groups, the network acts to magnify the impact of external and social factors on changes in obesity, whereas, for older sub-groups, the network mitigates the impact of these factors. The magnitude of that impact is inversely correlated with age. Our approach can be used by public health decision makers as well as managers in adult weight management services to enhance initiatives and strategies intended to reduce obesity. Our approach is generalisable to understand the impact of social networks on similar non-communicable diseases.

Influence of biochar-triggered bottom-up effects on soil enzymes, soybean defenses, and the fitness of Spodoptera litura and its parasitoid

Bottom-up effects are major ecological forces in plant–herbivore–parasitoid multitrophic interactions. Biochar amendment in the field alters the bottom-up effects, as it can directly affect the soil environment and plant nutrient uptake, which in turn, indirectly affects herbivores and their natural enemies. However, such effects are poorly documented. We examined the influence of biochar on soil enzyme activity, soybean defense chemicals, and fitness of Spodoptera litura and its parasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis. As the biochar application rate increased, soil urease and sucrase activities, soybean trypsin protease inhibitor content, and polyphenol oxidase activity gradually increased. However, S. litura survival rate and adult body weight showed an initial increase, followed by a decrease, and then remained steady. Soil phosphatase activity initially increased and then stabilized, while M. pulchricornis cocoon emergence rate and fecundity showed an initial increase, followed by a decrease. Spodoptera litura adults preferred to oviposit on soybean at the 10 g/kg biochar level, whereas the parasitoids preferred the hosts at the 20 g/kg biochar level. Our results indicate that the biochar amendment of soils increased soil enzymes activity and soybean defenses, which had a positive effect on S. litura and M. pulchricornis at low levels, but became detrimental at high levels. The bottom-up effects triggered by biochar seemingly affected the second and third trophic levels, resulting in increased defense potential against herbivorous insects. Thus, biochar showed potential to enhance direct plant defenses against pests and indirectly influenced defenses mediated by natural enemies.

Birth weight, adult body size, and risk of colorectal cancer

BackgroundEvidence suggests that birth weight may be associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk later in life. Whether the association is mediated by adult body size remains unexamined. MethodCox proportional hazards models (Hazard Ratio (HR) and 95 % Confidence Intervals (CI)) were used to evaluate the association between self-reported birth weight (<6 lbs, 6-<8 lbs, ≥8 lbs) and CRC risk among 70,397 postmenopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative. Further, we assessed whether this association was mediated by adult body size using multiple mediation analyses. ResultsCompared with birth weights of 6-< 8 lbs, birth weight ≥ 8 lbs was associated with higher CRC risk in postmenopausal women (HR = 1.31, 95 % CI 1.16–1.48). This association was significantly mediated by adult height (proportion mediated =11.4 %), weight (11.2 %), waist circumference (10.9 %), and body mass index at baseline (4.0 %). The joint effect of adult height and weight explained 21.6 % of this positive association. ConclusionOur data support the hypothesis that the intrauterine environment and fetal development may be related to the risk of developing CRC later in life. While adult body size partially explains this association, further investigation is required to identify other factors that mediate the link between birth weight and CRC.

Comparative toxicity of coffee insecticides to the green lacewing Chrysoperla externa in laboratory and persistence trials

The green lacewing Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a generalist predator with a diet including major coffee pests. Aiming at a harmonious integration of biological and chemical control in coffee production systems, ecotoxicology studies are required to provide information on insecticide harmfulness toward natural enemies. We investigated the side effects of five coffee insecticides sprayed on eggs and third-instar larvae (L3) of C. externa. The assessed endpoints included C. externa viability (egg hatchability and L3 survival), developmental time, cycle completion, and body weight, sex ratio (female proportion) and accumulated oviposition of adults derived from the treated stages. Cyantraniliprole reduced viability of treated eggs, whereas abamectin prolonged the developmental time and reduced the oviposition of adults reared from the treated L3. In the F1 generation from treated L3, abamectin diminished egg viability and cycle completion and interfered with sex ratio and adult weight. Apart from these results, metaflumizone caused the most striking effects on C. externa by producing high L3 mortality (96%). The hazardousness of this compound, however, was dismissed in persistence bioassays (L3 exposure to aged residues in coffee leaves), indicating that metaflumizone requires direct spraying to kill C. externa. These findings allow us to conclude that while the other compounds (abamectin, abamectin + chlorantraniliprole, chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole) are intrinsically safer for C. externa, metaflumizone applications should be performed in periods of low C. externa activity in plants to avoid direct predator exposure.

Evaluating a psychology clinic in a community weight management service

Background/Aims Living with obesity and being physically inactive increases the risk of several cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate a psychology clinic, which was established in a tier 2 community adult weight management service in a real-world setting. Methods The psychology clinic was delivered by an assistant psychologist, working jointly with community dieticians, and included approaches informed by acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness. Quantitative data were collected regarding patients' weight, body mass index, and anxiety and depression scores in their first and last session, as well as attendance and drop-out rates. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a one-sample t-test, with P&lt;0.05 indicating significance. Qualitative feedback was collected by the assistant psychologist. Results A total of 31 patients were accepted for an initial assessment, of whom 27 were offered follow up and 17 completed the intervention. Patients' average weights and anxiety scores decreased significantly, but their average body masses indices and depression scores saw no significant difference. Qualitative feedback indicated that the clinic helped patients to increase their physical activity levels, improve their wellbeing, reduce emotional eating behaviours and develop strategies to cope with difficult emotions more effectively. Conclusions Psychological input can add value to weight management services, emphasising the importance of a multidisciplinary team when addressing modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, with a holistic approach to heart health and weight management interventions.

Socio-Demographic, Lifestyle, and Clinical Characteristics of Early and Later Weight Status in Older Adults: Secondary Analysis of the ASPREE Trial and ALSOP Sub-Study.

To identify the socio-demographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics associated with self-reported weight status in early (age 18 years) and late (age ≥ 70 years) adulthood. The number of participants was 11,288, who were relatively healthy community-dwelling Australian adults aged ≥70 years (mean age 75.1 ± 4.2 years) in the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) sub-study. Self-reported weight at the study baseline (age ≥ 70 years) and recalled weight at age 18 years were collected. Height measured at baseline was used to calculate the BMI at both time points. Individuals were categorised into one of five 'lifetime' weight status groups: healthy weight (at both age 18 year and ≥70 years), overweight (at either or both times), non-obese (age 18 year) to obesity (age ≥70 years), obesity (age 18 years) to non-obese (age ≥ 70 years), and early and later life obesity (at age 18 years and ≥70 years). Participants who experienced obesity in early and/or late adulthood were at a higher risk of adverse clinical characteristics. Obesity in late adulthood (regardless of early adulthood weight status) was associated with high proportions of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, whereas obesity in early adulthood (regardless of late adulthood weight status) was associated with lower cognitive scores (on all four measures). Healthy or overweight weight status in early and later adulthood was associated with more favourable socioeconomic, lifestyle, and clinical measures. Obesity in early adulthood was associated with lower cognitive function in later adulthood, whereas obesity in later adulthood was associated with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia.

The social formation of fitness: lifetime consequences of prenatal nutrition and postnatal care in a wild mammal population.

Research in medicine and evolutionary biology suggests that the sequencing of parental investment has a crucial impact on offspring life history and health. Here, we take advantage of the synchronous birth system of wild banded mongooses to test experimentally the lifetime consequences to offspring of receiving extra investment prenatally versus postnatally. We provided extra food to half of the breeding females in each group during pregnancy, leaving the other half as matched controls. This manipulation resulted in two categories of experimental offspring in synchronously born litters: (i) 'prenatal boost' offspring whose mothers had been fed during pregnancy, and (ii) 'postnatal boost' offspring whose mothers were not fed during pregnancy but who received extra alloparental care in the postnatal period. Prenatal boost offspring lived substantially longer as adults, but postnatal boost offspring had higher lifetime reproductive success (LRS) and higher glucocorticoid levels across the lifespan. Both types of experimental offspring had higher LRS than offspring from unmanipulated litters. We found no difference between the two experimental categories of offspring in adult weight, age at first reproduction, oxidative stress or telomere lengths. These findings are rare experimental evidence that prenatal and postnatal investments have distinct effects in moulding individual life history and fitness in wild mammals. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolutionary ecology of inequality'.

Effect of preterm birth on growth and blood pressure in adulthood in the Pelotas 1993 cohort.

Preterm birth has been associated with increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in adulthood, attributed to cardiovascular and metabolic alterations in early life. However, there is paucity of evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We investigated the differences between preterm (<37 weeks gestational age) and term-born individuals in birth length and weight as well as adult (18 and 20 years) height, weight and blood pressure in the Brazilian 1993 Pelotas birth cohort using linear regressions. Analyses were adjusted for the maternal weight at the beginning of pregnancy and maternal education and family income at childbirth. Additional models were adjusted for body mass index (BMI) and birthweight. Separate analyses were run for males and females. The complete sample was analysed with an interaction term for sex. Of the 3585 babies included at birth, 3010 were followed up in adulthood at 22 years. Preterm participants had lower length and weight at birth. This difference remained for male participants in adulthood, but female participants were no shorter than their term counterparts by 18 years of age. At 22 years, females born preterm had lower blood pressures (systolic blood pressure -1.00 mmHg, 95%CI -2.7, 0.7 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure -1.1 mmHg, 95%CI -2.4, 0.3 mmHg) than females born at term. These differences were not found in male participants. In this Brazilian cohort we found contrasting results regarding the association of preterm birth with blood pressure in young adulthood, which may be unique to an LMIC.

Associations of height, body mass index, and weight gain with breast cancer risk in carriers of a pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2: the BRCA1 and BRCA2 Cohort Consortium

IntroductionHeight, body mass index (BMI), and weight gain are associated with breast cancer risk in the general population. It is unclear whether these associations also exist for carriers of pathogenic variants in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.Patients and methodsAn international pooled cohort of 8091 BRCA1/2 variant carriers was used for retrospective and prospective analyses separately for premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Cox regression was used to estimate breast cancer risk associations with height, BMI, and weight change.ResultsIn the retrospective analysis, taller height was associated with risk of premenopausal breast cancer for BRCA2 variant carriers (HR 1.20 per 10 cm increase, 95% CI 1.04–1.38). Higher young-adult BMI was associated with lower premenopausal breast cancer risk for both BRCA1 (HR 0.75 per 5 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.66–0.84) and BRCA2 (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65–0.89) variant carriers in the retrospective analysis, with consistent, though not statistically significant, findings from the prospective analysis. In the prospective analysis, higher BMI and adult weight gain were associated with higher postmenopausal breast cancer risk for BRCA1 carriers (HR 1.20 per 5 kg/m2, 95% CI 1.02–1.42; and HR 1.10 per 5 kg weight gain, 95% CI 1.01–1.19, respectively).ConclusionAnthropometric measures are associated with breast cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant carriers, with relative risk estimates that are generally consistent with those for women from the general population.

Safe in the heights: trees as safer sites for female jaguars and their cubs in the Pantanal

While the use of trees has been widely documented for most of the big cats, this information is scant for the jaguar (Panthera onca). In this study, we investigated the use of trees by jaguars, evaluating different underlying reasons as well as the frequency of tree use based on sex, age, and reproductive status. Data were obtained from 2013 to 2020 through a combination of direct observations during fieldwork and camera trapping focused on this behavior in the Brazilian Pantanal. We documented 252 climbing events (176 direct observations, 76 camera captures). Using only camera trapping data to avoid observers’ influence on jaguar behavior, we fitted generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) with jaguar identity as a random factor to test the effects of age, sex, and presence of conspecifics in the odds of animals climbing trees. We also used a generalized linear model (GLM) to test the effect of adult body weight on jaguar tree climbing probability. Age and presence of conspecifics were the most important drivers of jaguar climbing behavior in the study area, with cubs being more likely to climb trees than adults of either sex (odds ratio = 7.91, p < 0.001), and the presence of conspecifics, irrespective of age and sex, accentuated that behavior (odds ratio = 3.26, p < 0.005). Adult females (especially the lighter ones) and cubs were commonly recorded through direct observation on trees, a similar trend to our GLMM that showed a marginally negative effect of body weight on jaguar tree climbing probability. Only a few adult male jaguars ascended trees, and in all cases, these males were following females in heat. We suggest that trees are vertical extensions inside jaguar home ranges and may be safe refuges for resting and for protecting offspring against potential threats, including the harassment of large adult males.

The association between the timing, intensity and magnitude of adolescent growth and body composition in early adulthood.

There's paucity of longitudinal studies assessing the role of adolescent growth on adult body composition in developing countries. The aims of this study were to assess the association between adolescent change in height, weight and BMI and early adult height, weight, body fat and lean mass. Magnitude, timing and intensity of height, weight and BMI growth were modelled for participants from the Birth to Thirty (Bt30) cohort (7-23 years). Early adult height, weight, BMI and DXA-derived body composition were obtained 1881 black participants (21-24 years). Linear regression analyses were used to assess associations. Adolescents with an earlier onset of puberty were heavier in childhood and had an earlier timing and faster weight gain velocity in late adolescence. The intensity of adolescent weight gain was positively associated with adult BMI and fat mass index (FMI) in females. Early timing of adolescent BMI gain was associated with increased weight and BMI in adult females and FMI in adult males. Achieving peak weight velocity around age at peak height velocity was associated with lower BMI and fat mass in both sexes. This study confirms the adverse consequences of excessive weight gain prior to puberty, which is associated with an earlier and faster resurgence in weight gain velocity in early adulthood. Factors that contribute to an asynchronous timing of ages of peak weight and peak height velocities may accentuate the risk of adult obesity.

Testicular Histomorphology Following Datura Stramonium Administration in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Background: Datura contains a mixture of anticholinergic agents (alkaloids such as atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine) that are responsible for its pharmacological actions. The objective was to evaluate the effect of Datura stramonium in the testes of wistar rats. Methods: Twenty (20) adult male rats weight ranging from 106g-180g were distributed into five groups (A-E) of four (4) animals each. Animals were administered with Datura extract once daily for 21 days as Group A- 50mg/kg, Group B -100 mg/kg, Group C -200 mg/kg ,Group D -400 mg/kg. While, Group E were given distilled water daily. Testes and blood samples were collected from all the groups, for the histological and biochemical activities. Result: Results showed overall, increase in body weight with siginificant differences in sperm count in all the treatment groups. Administration of high dose of Datura extract was found to have adverse effect on the histological findings in the testes. Extract of Datura stramonium plant is toxic since single extraction shows presence of scopolamine. Abuse of the flower of the plant pose cholinergic poisoning due to scopolamine, significantly reduces male fertility evidenced by increase in the number of abnormal sperm motility and altered testicular morphology.

Comparative Performance of Indigenous Uttara Chicken with Three Well-Established Breeds under Rural Farming

The present study aimed to estimate juvenile body measurements in indigenous Uttara (U) chicken and comparisons of their estimates with Rhode Island Red (RIR), Kadaknath (K) and Australorp (A) breed of chickens using 400 day-old chicks. The parameters were estimated for juvenile body weight was recorded on an electronic balance in the morning before feeding on 0 to 20 week at 2 weeks intervals. The growth rate of Uttara is higher than that of Kadaknath and Australorp but at certain stages similar to that of RIR. Further, an investigation aimed to evaluate body conformation characteristics at 12 and 20 weeks of age. Conformation traits are higher in RIR in comparison to other chicken breeds, but at certain stages, Uttara shows a similar trend as that of RIR. Furthermore, data on adult body weight and egg production measurements were estimated. Egg production of Uttara is better than other breeds. Thus, early body measurements of the Uttara chickens can be used for prediction of the size of the adult Uttara. These research-outcomes may serve as base information to the breeders and academicians for chalking outbreeding strategy in the concerned aspect.

BLOOD PRESSURE AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN RELATION TO BIRTH WEIGHT AND URINARY SODIUM: AN INDIVIDUAL-PARTICIPANT META-ANALYSIS OF EUROPEAN FAMILY-BASED POPULATION STUDIES

Objective: While the relation of salt intake with blood pressure (BP) is linear, it is U shaped for mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This individual-participant meta-analysis explored whether the relation of hypertension, death or CVD with 24 h urinary sodium excretion (UVNA) or sodium-to-potassium (UNAK) ratio was modified by birth weight (BW). Design and method: Families were randomly enrolled in the Flemish Study on Genes, Environment and Health Outcomes (1985-2004) and the European Project on Genes in Hypertension (1999-2001). Categories of BW, UVNA and UNAK (&lt; = 2500, &gt;2500-4000, &gt;4000 g; &lt;2.3, 2.3-4.6 and &gt;4.6 g; and &lt;1, 1-2, &gt;2, respectively) were coded using deviation-from-mean coding and analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival functions and linear and Cox regression. Results: The study population was subdivided into the Outcome (n = 1945), Hypertension (n = 1460) and BP cohorts (n = 1039) to analyze the incidence of mortality and cardiovascular endpoints, hypertension and BP changes as function of UVNA changes. The prevalence of low/medium/high BW in the Outcome Cohort was 5.8/84.5/9.7%. Over 16.7 years (median), rates were 4.9%, 8.0% and 27.1% for mortality, CVD and hypertension, respectively, but were not associated with BW. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios were not significant for any endpoint in any of the BW, UVNA and UNAK strata. Adult body weight tracked with BW (P&lt;0.0001). The partial r in the low BW group associating changes from baseline to follow-up in UVNA and systolic BP was 0.68 (P = 0.023), but not significant in other BW groups. Conclusions: This study did not substantiate its prior hypothesis, but showed tracking of adult with birth weight and suggest that low BW increases salt sensitivity.

Comparative effect of various powder diets on growth of big‐eyed bug Geocoris ochropterus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Geocoridae)

AbstractApplication of powder diets may promote development of the predator Geocoris ochropterus (Fieber) when densities are low in greenhouses or fields. Development and nymphal survival ratio of G. ochropterus fed on different powder diets including silkworm pupae (A), crickets (B), silkworm pupae and sunflower seed (C) and crickets and sunflower seed (D) were examined. Total average development period was 30.14 days for instars fed on silkworm pupae, 34.43 days for instars fed on crickets, 26.28 days for instars fed on silkworm pupae and sunflower seed and 29.67 days for instars fed on crickets and sunflower seed, and they were significantly different. Head width, body length, forewing length, dry body weight of adults and sex ratio were not affected by the different diets. There were significantly different found in survival rates among the diets when the nymph reached 5th instar. Results indicate that the combination powder of silkworm pupae and sunflower seed will promise as an alternative diet in the greenhouses to maintain the population of G. ochropterus.