Annual Weight Research Articles

Sustainable Development Solutions for the Medical Waste Problem Using Thermal Plasmas

Waste-to-energy (WTE) conversion is a vital process in the Middle East, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which is considered sustainable development for the environmental strategic project. Previous publications dealt with the environmentally friendly plasma treatment of wastes such as municipal waste, scrap tire waste, plastic waste, and grey water, using thermal plasmas produced by the cornerstone part of plasma reactors, namely the air plasma torch. In the present paper, with a view to energy recovery from medical waste, the thermodynamic properties of air plasma torches with a flow rate of air ranging from 10 mg/s to 30 mg/s and plasma jet temperatures ranging from 1500 °C to 5000 °C were investigated; these include power loss, enthalpy, plasma flux, and torch efficiency variation with plasma input power and air flow rate. The measured electrothermal efficiency of the plasma torch is in the range of 42% to 80% and increases with the increasing input power and gas flow rate. In Makkah, the number of beds in the hospitals is 10,500; the average annual weight of the medical waste in the hospitals is 2835 × 103 t, with an extracted amount of pyrolysis oil equivalent to 2268 × 103 t and an equivalent energy of 90 × 109 M J. In the proposed plasma treatment project, the amount of diesel oil after the distillation process will reach up to 1928 × 103 t, with an estimated sale profit of the electricity reaching up to 21 × 106 MW·h. The sale profit of pyrolysis oil in 2022 reaches up to USD 34.44 million, and the sale profit of electricity extracted by using the diesel oil in 2022 reaches up to USD 1020 million for households and USD 1445 million for factories.

Comparison of Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Intensive Lifestyle Modification in Patients With a BMI of 30 to Less Than 35

There is a lack of studies evaluating sleeve gastrectomy compared with intensive lifestyle treatment in patients with class 1 obesity (body mass index [BMI] 30 to <35 [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared]). To compare outcomes and safety of sleeve gastrectomy compared with intensive nonoperative obesity treatment in patients with class 1 obesity. This matched, nationwide cohort study included patients with class 1 obesity who underwent a sleeve gastrectomy or intensive lifestyle treatment between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017, and who were registered in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry or the Itrim health database. Participants with class 1 obesity were matched 1:2 using a propensity score including age, sex, BMI, treatment year, education level, income, cardiovascular disease, and use of antibiotic drugs, antidepressants, and anxiolytics. Sleeve gastrectomy or intensive lifestyle treatment. Outcomes included weight loss after intervention, changes in metabolic comorbidities, substance use disorders, self-harm, and major cardiovascular events retrieved from the National Patient Register, Prescribed Drug Register, and Cause of Death Register as well as the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry and the Itrim health database. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2021 until May 31, 2022. The study included 1216 surgery patients and 2432 lifestyle participants with similar mean (SD) BMI (32.8 [1.4] vs 32.9 [1.4]), mean (SD) age (42.4 [9.7] vs 42.6 [12.7] years), and sex (1091 [89.7%] vs 2191 [90.1%] women). Surgery patients had greater 1-year weight loss compared with controls (22.9 kg vs 11.9 kg; mean difference, 10.7 kg; 95% CI, 10.0-11.5 kg; P < .001). Over a median follow-up of 5.1 years (IQR, 3.9-6.2 years), surgery patients had a lower risk of incident use of diabetes drugs (59.7 vs 100.4 events per 10 000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39-0.92; P = .02) and greater 2-year diabetes drug remission (48.4% vs 22.0%; risk difference 26.4%; 95% CI, 11.7%-41.0%; P < .001), but higher risk for substance use disorder (94 vs 50 events per 10 000 person-years; HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.30-2.67; P < .001) and self-harm (45 vs 25 events per 10 000 person-years; HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.09-3.01; P = .02). No between-group difference in occurrence of major cardiovascular events was observed (23.4 vs 24.8 events per 10 000 person-years; HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.49-1.91; P = .92). In this cohort study, compared with intensive nonoperative obesity treatment, sleeve gastrectomy in patients with class 1 obesity was associated with greater weight loss, diabetes prevention, and diabetes remission but a higher incidence of substance use disorder and self-harm.

The Different Effects of Skeletal Muscle and Fat Mass on Height Increment in Children and Adolescents Aged 6-11 Years: A Cohort Study From China.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the contribution of body composition including skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and body fat mass (BFM) to longitudinal growth among children and adolescents aged 6–11 years old.MethodsThis cohort study was conducted from the annual health examination between 2019 and 2020. Annual height gain and weight gain and changes in SMM and BFM were calculated and compared between sexes, different nutritional status, and growth curve shifting mode. Spearman analyses and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to identify the impact of SMM, BFM, or body mass index (BMI) on height gain.ResultsOf the 584 subjects, the annual height gains of boys (4.76 cm in the 6–9-year group and 4.63 cm in the 10–11-year group) were significantly lower than those of girls (5.48 and 5.74 cm, respectively). Spearman analysis showed that SMM gain and height gain were positively and significantly correlated in each examination of all children (r = 0.535 for boys and 0.734 for girls, p < 0.001). Conversely, BFM and height gains were negatively (r = -0.5240 for boys and -0.232 for girls, p < 0.001) correlated. Multiple linear regression analysis identified SMM gain as an independent predictor (95% CI: 1.20,1.44) of height gain after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, BFM gain, and percentage of body fat (PBF).ConclusionSMM gains, rather than BFM gains, were associated with height gains in children and adolescents aged 6–11 years. Monitoring SMM changes in routine healthcare might motivate children and adolescents to achieve dietary and exercise recommendations, thereby growing taller without gaining excessive weight.

The Relative Body Weight Gain From Early to Middle Life Adulthood Associated With Later Life Risk of Diabetes: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

AimTo determine the effect of decade-based body weight gain from 20 to 50 years of age on later life diabetes risk.Methods35,611 non-diabetic participants aged ≥ 50 years from a well-defined nationwide cohort were followed up for average of 3.6 years, with cardiovascular diseases and cancers at baseline were excluded. Body weight at 20, 30, 40, and 50 years was reported. The overall 30 years and each 10-year weight gain were calculated from the early and middle life. Cox regression models were used to estimate risks of incident diabetes.ResultsAfter 127,745.26 person-years of follow-up, 2,789 incident diabetes were identified (incidence rate, 2.18%) in 25,289 women (mean weight gain 20-50 years, 7.60 kg) and 10,322 men (7.93 kg). Each 10-kg weight gain over the 30 years was significantly associated with a 39.7% increased risk of incident diabetes (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-1.47); weight gain from 20-30 years showed a more prominent effect on the risk of developing diabetes before 60 years than that of after 60 years (Hazard ratio, HR = 1.084, 95% CI [1.049-1.121], P <0.0001 vs. 1.015 [0.975-1.056], P = 0.4643; P Interaction=0.0293). It showed a stable effect of the three 10-year intervals weight gain on risk of diabetes after 60 years (HR=1.055, 1.038, 1.043, respectively, all P < 0.0036).ConclusionsThe early life weight gain showed a more prominent effect on developing diabetes before 60 years than after 60 years; however, each-decade weight gain from 20 to 50 years showed a similar effect on risk developing diabetes after 60 years.

Longitudinal relationship between experience of sexual harassment and 2-year body image and weight outcomes in adolescence: mediation through self-objectification and psychological distress

BackgroundThe current study investigated the experience of sexual harassment as a risk factor for weight gain and weight/shape concerns in a community sample of adolescents, with potential mediating factors self-objectification and psychological distress.Method1034 Australian adolescents (aged 11 to 19 years) from the EveryBODY longitudinal study of disordered eating pathology participated. Data were collected through online surveys annually for 3 years. Participants completed self-report measures of demographics, sexual harassment, psychological distress, self-objectification, weight/shape concerns and BMI percentile.ResultsA parallel mediation model adjusting for baseline scores found no direct effect between baseline experiences of sexual harassment and change in BMI percentile or weight/shape concern after 2 years. Experiences of sexual harassment significantly increased self-objectification scores after 1 year in female adolescents. Subsequently, higher self-objectification significantly increased the risk of greater weight/shape concern after 1 year in female adolescents. However, no significant mediating relationship was found in the relationship between sexual harassment and weight/shape concern or BMI percentile for either gender. Psychological distress was found to be a clear risk factor for weight/shape concern in both genders after 1 year.ConclusionsIntervention programmes in schools should focus on developing policies to reduce sexual harassment, self-objectification and distress in adolescents.Level of evidenceLevel IV, longitudinal multiple time series without intervention.

Follow-up after bariatric surgery: is it time to tailor it? Analysis of early predictive factors of 3-year weight loss predictors of unsuccess in bariatric patients

Bariatric surgery (BS) is the most effective treatment strategy for obesity. Nevertheless, a subset of patients does not reach a successful weight loss or experience long-term weight regain. Conflicting evidence exists regarding predictors of BS outcomes. We aimed to define the early factors linked to 3 year unsuccessful weight loss in order to promote a tailored close follow-up. We enrolled 443 patients who underwent BS from January 2014 to December 2018 with a 3 year follow-up. An unsuccessful BS outcome was defined as a percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) < 20. We compared the characteristics between successful and unsuccessful patients in order to identify predictor factors of unsuccess after surgery. We found that the proportion of patients with unsuccessful weight loss progressively increased from one to three years after BS. In a multiple regression model, only 1 month %TWL and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) were significantly associated with 3 year unsuccessful weight loss. We stratified our cohort in four groups according to the risk of BS unsuccess, in terms of 1 month %TWL and type of surgery (SG vs gastric bypass). Interestingly, groups showed a significant difference in terms of %TWL at each follow-up point. Patients submitted to SG with lower 1 month %TWL must be considered at higher risk of future weight regain; consequently, they require a tailored and closer follow-up.Graphical abstract

Exploring the clinical and genetic associations of adult weight trajectories using electronic health records in a racially diverse biobank: a phenome-wide and polygenic risk study

SummaryBackgroundWeight trajectories might reflect individual health status. In this study, we aimed to examine the clinical and genetic associations of adult weight trajectories using electronic health records (EHRs) in the BioMe Biobank.MethodsWe constructed four weight trajectories based on a-priori definitions of weight changes (5% or 10%) using annual weight in EHRs (stable weight, weight gain, weight loss, and weight cycle); the final weight dataset included 21 487 participants with 162 783 annual weight measures. To confirm accurate assignment of weight trajectories, we manually reviewed weight trajectory plots for 100 random individuals. We then did a hypothesis-free phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) to identify diseases associated with each weight trajectory. Next, we estimated the single-nucleotide polymorphism-based heritability (hSNP2) of weight trajectories using GCTA-GREML, and we did a hypothesis-driven analysis of anorexia nervosa and depression polygenic risk scores (PRS) on these weight trajectories, given both diseases are associated with weight changes. We extended our analyses to the UK Biobank to replicate findings from a patient population to a generally healthy population.FindingsWe found high concordance between manually assigned weight trajectories and those assigned by the algorithm (accuracy ≥98%). Stable weight was consistently associated with lower disease risks among those passing Bonferroni-corrected p value in our PheWAS (p≤4·4 × 10−5). Additionally, we identified an association between depression and weight cycle (odds ratio [OR] 1·42, 95% CI 1·31–1·55, p≤7·7 × 10−16). The adult weight trajectories were heritable (using 5% weight change as the cutoff: hSNP2 of 2·1%, 95% CI 0·9–3·3, for stable weight; 4·1%, 1·4–6·8, for weight gain; 5·5%, 2·8–8·2, for weight loss; and 4·7%, 2·3–7·1%, for weight cycle). Anorexia nervosa PRS was positively associated with weight loss trajectory among individuals without eating disorder diagnoses (OR1SD 1·16, 95% CI 1·07–1·26, per 1 SD higher PRS, p=0·011), and the association was not attenuated by obesity PRS. No association was found between depression PRS and weight trajectories after permutation tests. All main findings were replicated in the UK Biobank (p<0·05).InterpretationOur findings suggest the importance of considering weight from a longitudinal aspect for its association with health and highlight a crucial role of weight management during disease development and progression.FundingKlarman Family Foundation, US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Weight Loss, Comorbidities, and Reflux at 10 Years in Adult Patients With Obesity

Long-term results from randomized clinical trials comparing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (LRYGB) are limited. To compare long-term outcomes of weight loss and remission of obesity-related comorbidities and the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERD), endoscopic esophagitis, and Barrett esophagus (BE) after LSG and LRYGB at 10 years. This 10-year observational follow-up evaluated patients in the Sleeve vs Bypass (SLEEVEPASS) multicenter equivalence randomized clinical trial comparing LSG and LRYGB in the treatment of severe obesity in which 240 patients aged 18 to 60 years with median body mass index of 44.6 were randomized to LSG (n = 121) or LRYGB (n = 119). The initial trial was conducted from April 2008 to June 2010 in Finland, with last follow-up on January 27, 2021. LSG or LRYGB. The primary end point was 5-year percentage excess weight loss (%EWL). This current analysis focused on 10-year outcomes with special reference to reflux and BE. At 10 years, of 240 randomized patients (121 randomized to LSG and 119 to LRYGB; 167 women [69.6%]; mean [SD] age, 48.4 [9.4] years; mean [SD] baseline BMI, 45.9 [6.0]), 2 never underwent surgery and there were 10 unrelated deaths; 193 of the remaining 228 patients (85%) completed follow-up on weight loss and comorbidities, and 176 of 228 (77%) underwent gastroscopy. Median (range) %EWL was 43.5% (2.1%-109.2%) after LSG and 50.7% (1.7%-111.7%) after LRYGB. Mean estimate %EWL was not equivalent between the procedures; %EWL was 8.4 (95% CI, 3.1-13.6) higher in LRYGB. After LSG and LRYGB, there was no statistically significant difference in type 2 diabetes remission (26% and 33%, respectively; P = .63), dyslipidemia (19% and 35%, respectively; P = .23), or obstructive sleep apnea (16% and 31%, respectively; P = .30). Hypertension remission was superior after LRYGB (8% vs 24%; P = .04). Esophagitis was more prevalent after LSG (31% vs 7%; P < .001) with no statistically significant difference in BE (4% vs 4%; P = .29). The overall reoperation rate was 15.7% for LSG and 18.5% for LRYGB (P = .57). At 10 years, %EWL was greater after LRYGB and the procedures were not equivalent for weight loss, but both LSG and LRYGB resulted in good and sustainable weight loss. Esophagitis was more prevalent after LSG, but the cumulative incidence of BE was markedly lower than in previous trials and similar after both procedures. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00793143.

Despite regression of healthy lifestyle habits, weight loss after bariatric surgery is not affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BackgroundThe coronavirus pandemic has caused a worldwide health crisis. Bariatric patients require extensive pre- and post-operative follow-up, which may be less feasible during public health social distancing mandates. We assessed the impact of the pandemic on the behaviors and weight loss outcomes of our pre- and post-operative bariatric patients.MethodsA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified patients who underwent either sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) at a single institution between March 2018 and May 2020. A cohort undergoing surgery within 12 months before the pandemic as well as a cohort undergoing a medically supervised diet prior to surgery was surveyed regarding pre- and post-COVID-19 lifestyle habits. Excess weight loss (EWL) outcomes from a group of pre-COVID surgical patients were compared to that of a group of post-COVID surgical patients. Primary outcome was whether the lockdown changed 1-year weight loss outcomes. Secondary outcome was whether patient lifestyle behaviors were changed during the pandemic.ResultsThere was no difference in 1-year EWL between pre- and post-COVID SG patients (51.7% versus 55.9%, p = 0.35), or between pre- and post-COVID RYGB patients (88.9% versus 80.4%, p = 0.42). Pre-stay-at-home order, 91.8% endorsed physical activity compared to 80.3% post-stay-at-home order (p = 0.0025). Mean physical activity decreased from 4.2 h/week to 2.7 h/week after the stay-at-home order (p < 0.0001). Additionally, 41.3% reported worsened dietary habits post-stay-at-home order.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the behaviors of bariatric surgery patients. Despite deterioration of lifestyle habits, 1-year weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery remained the same before and after the instatement of social distancing measures. In the short term, the biological effect of metabolic procedures may mask the effects of suboptimal diet and physical activity, but more studies are necessary to better assess the impact of COVID-19 on outcomes after bariatric surgery.

Influence of Abiotic Environmental Factors on the Growth Rate of Red Mullet

Abstract A study of the interannual variability of the size-age composition of M. barbatus ponticus, inhabiting the south-western shelf of the Crimea, was carried out over a five-year period (between 2016 and 2020). The influence of habitat temperature on growth rate is considered. Equations obtained characterize the size-weight growth of M. barbatus ponticus. The influence of the sea temperature on the development of individuals is considered. It is shown that with an increase in the average annual water temperature, the average annual length (correlation coefficient r = 0.97), weight (r = 0.96) and condition factor (r = 0.93) of individuals increase. It was found that red mullet has a positive allometric growth in the study area. The analysis showed that there was a close correlation between changes in the average annual temperature and the allometric growth rate b (r = 0.97). The equations of length growth of M. barbatus ponticus showed retarded linear growth of the fish living on the south-western shelf of the Crimea in comparison with other areas, Sinop region (Black Sea) and the Aegean Sea. The comparison of the effect of temperature on the size and weight parameters of M. barbatus ponticus living in the south-eastern part of the Black Sea (Sinop region) and the Aegean Sea is carried out; general patterns and differences are noted.

Effect of an interactive mobile health support system and daily weight measurements for pediatric obesity treatment, a 1-year pragmatical clinical trial

BackgroundPediatric obesity lifestyle treatment is not always successful. Frequent clinical visits are of major importance to certify sufficient effect but are difficult due to the associated costs and the great demands on families. We hypothesized that an interactive digital support may reduce the need for frequent physical visits. The aim of the study was to assess 1-year weight outcome for patients using a digital support system compared with standard care.MethodsAn obesity lifestyle treatment with a digital support system was implemented in one clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. Measurements from a custom-made body scale without digits for daily home measurement of weights were transferred via Bluetooth to a mobile application, where BMI Z-score was calculated and presented graphically with an individualized weight loss target curve. An automatic transfer of data to the web-based clinic interface enables a close monitoring of treatment progress, and frequent written communication between the clinical staff and families via the application. One-year outcome was compared with a randomly retrieved, age and sex matched control group from the Swedish childhood obesity treatment register (BORIS), which received standard treatment at other clinics. Main outcome was change in BMI Z-score and missing data was imputed.Results107 children were consecutively included to digi-physical treatment and 321 children to standard care. Age range 4.1–17.4 years (67% males). The attrition rate was 36% and 46% respectively, p = 0.08. After 1 year, the mean ± SD change in BMI Z-score in the treatment group was −0.30 ± 0.39 BMI Z-score units and in the standard care group −0.15 ± 0.28, p = 0.0002. The outcome was better for both sexes and all age groups in the digi-physical treated group.ConclusionA digital support system with a personalized weight-loss target curve and daily weight measurements shared by the family and the clinic is more effective than a standard care childhood obesity treatment.Clinicaltrial.gov IDNCT04323215

Viscoelastic or Viscoplastic Glucose Theory (VGT #88): An Investigation on the Influences of Body Weight on 3 Diseases, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Type 2 Diabetes Using Data Collected from Y2012 to Y2022 from a Type 2 Diabetes Patient Based on GH-Method: Math-Physical Medicine, Especially the VGT Tool (No. 678)

The author is a mathematician and engineer who has conducted medical research work over the past 13 years in the fields of endocrinology, metabolic disorder-induced chronic diseases (especially diabetes), and their resulting various medical complications. Thus far, he has written and published 676 research papers in various journals using different math-physical medicine methodologies (MPM). Beginning with paper No. 578 dated 1/8/2022, he has written a total of 83 medical research and 4 economic research papers using viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity theories (VGT) tools from physics and engineering disciplines. These 85 papers aim to explore some hidden physical behaviors and provide a deeper quantitative understanding of the inter-relationships of a selected output (or symptom) versus singular input or multiple inputs (or root causes, risk factors, influential factors). The hidden biophysical behaviors and possible inter-relationships exist among lifestyle details, medical conditions, chronic diseases, and certain severe medical complications, such as heart attacks, stroke, cancers, dementia, and even longevity concerns. The chosen medical subjects with their associated data, multiple symptoms, and influential factors are “time-dependent” which means that all biomedical variables change from time to time because body living cells are dynamically changing. This is what Professor Norman Jones, the author’s adviser at MIT, suggested to him in December 2021 and why he utilizes the VGT tools from physics and engineering to conduct his medical research work since then. Papers No. 671 through No. 674 focused on the COVID infectious disease using three key US economic measurements. From this economic exercise, he realized that the established theory of viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity (from the physics branch of science) should not only be limited to a small scope of engineering applications. Its ability to link certain time-dependent variables and their physical characteristics and associated energy estimation via the hysteresis loop areas are equally powerful for applications in many other fields, including economics and medicine. The author would like to describe the essence of the VGT in 6 simple steps in plain English instead of mathematical equations for readers who do not have an extensive academic background in engineering, physics &amp; mathematics - an excerpt from Wikipedia is included in the Method section of the full-text article. In this article, the first step is to collect the output data (strain or ε) on a time scale, e.g. cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk, or type 2 diabetes (T2D). The second step is to calculate the output change rate with time (dε/dt), e.g. the change rate of CVD, CKD, and T2D over each year. The third step is to collect the input data (viscosity or η) on a time scale, e.g. annual average body weight (BW). The fourth step is to calculate the time-dependent input (time-dependent stress or σ) by multiplying dε/dt and η together. The “time-dependent input equation” is stress σ = strain change rate of dε/dt * viscosity η. The fifth step is to plot the input-output (i.e. stress-strain or cause-symptom) curve in a space domain (x-axis versus y-axis) with strain (output or symptom) on the x-axis and stresses (time-dependent inputs, causes, or stresses) on the y-axis. The sixth step is to calculate the total enclosed area within these input-output curves (or hysteresis loop areas), which is also the indicator of associated energies (either created energy or dissipated energy) of this input and output dataset. These energy values can also be considered as the degrees of influence on output by inputs.

Typical wheel–rail profile change rules and matching characteristics of high speed railway in China

PurposeIn order to systematically grasp the changes and matching characteristics of wheel and rail profiles of high speed railway (HSR) in China, 172 rail profile measurement points and 384 wheels of 6 high-speed electric motive unites (EMUs) were selected on 6 typical HSR lines, including Beijing–Shanghai, Wuhan–Guangzhou, Harbin–Dalian, Lanzhou–Xinjiang, Guiyang–Guangzhou and Dandong–Dalian for a two-year field test.Design/methodology/approachBased on the measured data, the characteristics of rail and wheel wear were analyzed by mathematical statistics method. The equivalent conicity of wheel and rail matching in a wheel reprofiling cycle was analyzed by using the measured rail profile.FindingsResults showed that when the curve radius of HSR was larger than 2,495 m, the wear rate of straight line and curve rail was almost the same. For the line with annual traffic gross weight less than 11 Mt, the vertical wear of rail was less than 0.01 mm. The wear rate of the rail with the curve radius less than 800 m increased obviously. The wheel tread wear of EMUs on Harbin–Dalian line, Lanzhou–Xinjiang line and Dandong–Dalian line was relatively large, and the average wear rate of tread was about 0.05–0.06 mm·(10,000 km)−1, while that of Beijing–Shanghai line, Wuhan–Guangzhou line and Guiyang–Guangzhou line was about 0.03–0.035 mm·(10,000 km)−1. When the wear range was small, the equivalent conicity increased with the increase of wheel tread wear. When the wear range of wheel was wide, the wheel–rail contact points were evenly distributed, and the equivalent conicity did not increase obviously.Originality/valueThis research proposes the distribution range of the equivalent conicity in one reprofiling cycle of various EMU trains, which provides guidance for the condition-based wheel reprofiling.

Matter Production Characteristics and Nitrogen Use Efficiency under Different Nitrogen Application Patterns in Chinese Double-Cropping Rice Systems

Panicle-stage nitrogen fertilizer is popular in parts of China due to its higher nitrogen recovery efficiency compared to basal and tiller nitrogen. However, the effect of conversion from basal to panicle-stage nitrogen on matter production, grain yield, and nitrogen use efficiencies (NUE) in Chinese double-cropping rice systems remains largely unknown. Here, we elucidate the effect by using two types of one-time basal nitrogen patterns (A and B), three panicle-N allocation patterns (C, D, and E), and the local conventional patterns (CK). The two-year experiment demonstrates that E (basal/tiller/spikelet-promoting /spikelet-developing nitrogen = 0:4:3:3) produced the greatest annual grain yield, nitrogen agronomic efficiency, and nitrogen partial productivity. The annual dry matter weight and nitrogen increment of panicle, nitrogen transportation of stems contributes the most to annual yield and NUE. Furthermore, the yield increase could be attributed to the higher effective panicles, plant dry matter weight at tillering, and net photosynthesis rate at heading. Moreover, years and varieties affect the yield in different N treatments. The improvement in the net photosynthesis rate at the milk stage also significantly increases nitrogen recovery efficiency. These findings suggest that it is worth paying attention to the rational ratio of tillering to panicle fertilizer without applying a base fertilizer, to synchronously increase the grain yield, NUE in Chinese double-cropping rice systems.

Live weight accounting for beef cow management

Calculation and use of annual live weight production of a group of beef cattle, ie, net harvest of live weight from their grazing area over a year, which is a primary beef cattle business measure directly indicating income, is limited in practice because it is not well understood and there is generally insufficient record keeping to achieve it. This concept paper introduces live weight production from extensively-managed breeding cows grazing pastures in a novel way termed ‘live weight accounting’. Live weight production and its calculation and expression as a function of both animal and land units is introduced. Division by the average live weight of the grazing cattle over a year to produce a live weight production ratio, indicative of efficiency of conversion of available pasture to live weight, is then presented. Live weight accounting is based on the principles that cows can extract nutrition from a pasture for the combined annual live weight production of themselves and their calf, and that annual weaner production equates to yearling growth in the same situation. Applied use of these measures is proposed. Large variation in production and efficiency occurs within and between cattle management groups, indicating opportunity to improve in many situations by focusing on multiple putative risk factors, especially pasture utilisation and weaning management. Performance of breeding cattle, primarily pregnancy and survival and growth of cows and calves, can each be altered to regulate production.Live weight accounting is a novel practical concept that can be used to conceptualise and manage beef business analyses and decision making. The principles of live weight accounting are applicable to all beef systems globally. Its application is discussed for weaning, supplementation, heifer mating, first-lactation cow management, selection and culling in breeding herds. In addition, it can be used for application of steer research outcomes to breeding cattle management and for managing climate variation.

10-Year Weight Gain in 13,802 US Adults: The Role of Age, Sex, and Race.

Purpose The primary objective of the present investigation was to identify 10-year weight gain patterns in 13,802 US adults and also to determine the extent that differences in 10-year weight gains were associated with the key demographic variables: age, sex, and race. Methods The study design was cross-sectional and included the years 2011–2018. Data for 2019–2020 were not available because of COVID. A multistage random sampling strategy was employed. Specifically, individual sample weights and randomly selected clusters and strata were used with each statistical model, allowing the results to be generalized to the US adult population. Results Mean (±SE) 10-year weight gain was 4.2 ± 0.2 kg or 6.6 ± 0.2% of initial body weight. A total of 51% of the participants gained 5% or more body weight, 36% gained 10% or more, and 16% gained 20% or more across the 10-years. Age was linearly and inversely associated with 10-year weight gain, expressed in kg (F = 166.4, P < 0.0001) or percent weight gain (F = 246.9, P < 0.0001), after adjusting for sex and race. For each 1-year increase in age, 10-year weight gain decreased by 0.20 ± 0.02 kg and 0.28 ± 0.02 percent. After adjusting for age and race, 10-year weight gain (kg) was significantly greater (F = 73.6, P < 0.0001) in women (5.4 ± 0.3) than in men (2.6 ± 0.2). Weight gain also differed across races, kg (F = 27.7, P < 0.0001) and % (F = 28.5, P < 0.0001). Non-Hispanic Blacks gained more weight and NH Asians gained less weight than the other races. Conclusion Without question, 10-year weight gain is a serious problem within the US adult population. Younger adults, women, and Non-Hispanic Blacks, particularly Black women, seem to experience the highest levels of 10-year weight gain. Consequently, obesity and weight gain prevention programs focusing on these at-risk individuals should be a public health priority.

Five-Year Changes in Weight and Diabetes Status After Bariatric Surgery for Craniopharyngioma-Related Hypothalamic Obesity: a Case-Control Study.

Craniopharyngiomas are tumors located in the hypothalamic region which leads to obesity in about 50% of cases. Long-term efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery are lacking in this peculiar population. The aim of this study is to determine the 5-year weight loss and resolution of type 2 diabetes (T2D) after bariatric surgery in patients operated on craniopharyngioma who had developed hypothalamic obesity. This is a multicenter french retrospective case-control study. Subjects with craniopharyngioma (n = 23) who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) (n = 9) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (n = 14) (median age 35years [25;43] and BMI 44.2kg/m2 [40.7; 51.0]; 8/23 with T2D) were individually matched to 2 subjects with common obesity for age, gender, preoperative body mass index, T2D, and type of surgery. TWL% after 1 and 5years was lower in the craniopharyngioma group than in the control group: 23.1 [15.4; 31.1] (23/23) vs 31.4 [23.9; 35.3] at 1year (p = 0.008) (46/46) and 17.8 [7.1; 21.9] (23/23) vs 26.2 [18.9; 33.9] at 5years (p = 0.003) (46/46). After RYGB, TWL% was lower in the craniopharyngioma group compared to the control group (p < 0.001) and comparable after SG both at 1 and 5years. No difference between the two groups was observed in T2D remission rate and in early and late adverse events. No hormonal deficiency-related acute disease was reported. Bariatric surgery induced a significant weight loss in the craniopharyngioma group at 1 and 5years, but less than in common obesity. SG may be more effective than RYGB but this remains to be demonstrated in a larger cohort.

Seasonal Changes of Growth, Immune Parameters and Liver Function in Wild Chinese Sturgeons Under Indoor Conditions: Implication for Artificial Rearing.

Seasonality has a significant effect on the physiology of fish, especially the effect of water temperature changes. In the present study, the growth, innate immune parameters and liver function indices of two rescued wild adult Chinese sturgeons under captive conditions were monitored for 1 year. The results showed that the total annual weight loss rate of the male was −4.58% and the total weight gain rate of the female was 24.12%, in which the weight of both individuals registered highly significant differences in summer, fall and winter (p < 0.01). The male Chinese sturgeon also exhibited negative specific growth rates (−0.1 to −0.8%) during spring to fall, whereas positive specific growth rates, ranging from 0.03 to 0.11%, were recorded in the female. Seasonality also affected the innate immune parameters of the two Chinese sturgeons, in which leukocytes had been increasing since spring and C-reactive protein (CRP) content was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in summer than fall in both individuals. The CRP level of the male Chinese sturgeon showed a significant increase from fall to winter (p < 0.05), suggesting that it may have contracted infection or inflammation during this study period. With the analysis of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), transaminase (AST:ALT) ratio, alkaline phosphatase, albumin to globulin ratio and triglycerides, it was found that the liver function of the captive Chinese sturgeons was adversely affected along seasonal changes, with the highest degree of liver impairment in winter. In combining observations from growth performance and changes in innate immune and liver function parameters, the present findings deduced that the male Chinese sturgeon under study was more susceptible to seasonal changes than the female. For better indoor culture of adult Chinese sturgeons, monitoring of hematological parameters to detect early signs of inflammation and liver function abnormality should be conducted with routine veterinary care during prolonged captivity.

The commonly applied Brey model to estimate benthic secondary production cannot be used for communities dominated by large bivalves

The Brey model to calculate secondary production from data on biomass and mean individual weight is widely used, but so far it has not been tested for communities in which one or a few species dominate. On the base of a long-term (tens of years) data series on estimates of densities, biomass, mean individual weights and annual production of the most important bivalve species (together accounting for about 60% of the zoobenthic biomass) in a vast tidal-flat area, we compared production values obtained by two methods: the weight-increment summation method and the Brey model. In 4 out of the 5 studied bivalve species, the Brey estimates were on average substantially lower than the direct estimates. As a consequence, the Brey method seriously underestimated the production of the entire bivalve community in about half of the years. In 10 out of the 28 years, the Brey estimates were even less than half of the actual bivalve production. The one species (Limecola balthica) with a satisfactory match between the two methods was (as contrasted to the 4 other species: Cerastoderma edule, Mytilus edulis, Mya arenaria, Ensis leei) characterized by low annual weight increments and the simultaneous presence of many year classes, none of them strongly dominating. As secondary production of the studied ecosystem is dominated by the group of large bivalves, Brey estimates for such bivalve-dominated systems are inadequate for a study of their functioning.

10-year weight loss outcomes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and attendance at follow-up visits: a single-center study.

Long-term durability of weight loss is a prerequisite for a greater acceptance of bariatric surgery. To examine long-term weight trajectory in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and determine factors predicting long-term follow-up and weight outcomes. University hospital. A retrospective cohort of adults who underwent RYGB during 1997-2010 were identified and followed until 2017. Predictors for attendance at periodic follow-up visits, reduction in body mass index (BMI), and percent excess BMI lost were determined using multivariable logistic regression and linear mixed-effects models. The latter was used to predict long-term weight outcomes for a typical patient. The study included 1104 patients with a mean age of 45.5 (standard deviation [SD] 9.9) years and a preoperative BMI of 54.7 (SD 10.9) kg/m2. Follow-up data were available for 92.8% of the patients after 1 year, 50.0% after 5 years, and 35.2% after 10 years post-surgery. Black patients, compared with White patients, were less likely to attend follow-up visits. Attendance at follow-up visits at least every other year was not associated with larger weight loss, but higher preoperative BMI, being White (versus Black), and female sex were. Predicted BMI reduction for a typical patient, a 45-year-old White female with a preoperative BMI of 54.7 kg/m2 and private health insurance, undergoing laparoscopic RYGB in 2004, was 18.3 (standard error [SE] .36) kg/m2 at year 5 and 17.6 (SE .49) kg/m2 at year 10. RYGB results in clinically significant and durable weight loss. Attendance at periodic follow-up visits does not appear to be associated with long-term weight loss outcomes. Future work should focus on strategies to remove barriers to post-operative care.