Body Density Research Articles

Biased assessment of thermal properties of birds from estimated body density

Parameter approximation is often necessary when calculating species thermal properties, and researchers historically have assumed animals are spherical when estimating volume and density. We hypothesized that a spherical model would result in significantly biased measures of density for birds, which are generally longer than they are tall or wide, and that these inaccuracies would significantly alter the outputs of thermal models. We calculated the densities of 154 bird species using sphere and ellipsoid volume equations and compared these estimates to one another and to published bird densities measured using more exact volume displacement methods. We also calculated evaporative water loss as a percentage of body mass per hour, a variable known to be critical for bird survival, twice for each species, once with the sphere-based density and once with the ellipsoid-based density. We found that volume and density estimates were statistically similar between published densities and those estimated using the ellipsoid volume equation, suggesting that this method is suitable for approximating bird volume and calculating density. In contrast, the spherical model overestimated body volume and therefore underestimated body densities. This resulted in the spherical approach consistently overestimating evaporative water loss as a percent of mass lost per hour than the ellipsoid approach. This outcome would result in mischaracterizing thermal conditions as lethal for a given species, including overestimating vulnerability to increased temperatures due to climate change.

Do Determinants of Quality of Life Differ in Older People Living in the Community and Nursing Homes?

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine and compare the relationship between nutritional status, physical activity (PA) level, concomitant chronic diseases, and quality of life (QoL) in community-dwelling (CD) older people and nursing home (NH) residents. Material and Methods: One hundred NH residents aged 60 years and above and one hundred sex- and age-matched CD older adults were examined. The QoL was examined with the EuroQol-5D questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire (MNA), anthropometric measures, and bioimpedance analysis (BIA). The 7-Day Recall Questionnaire and the Stanford Usual Activity Questionnaire were performed to evaluate the PA energy expenditure level (PA-EE) and the health-related behaviours (PA-HRB), respectively. Results: CD subjects presented a significantly higher self-assessment in the VAS scale in comparison with NH residents (CD: 65.3 ± 19.4 vs. NH 58.2 ± 21.4; p < 0.05), but there were no differences within the five dimensions of QoL. In NH patients, the VAS scale was not correlated with any of the variables evaluating the nutritional status and body composition, while in the CD group correlated positively with MNA (rS = 0.36; p < 0.001), % of FFM (rS = 0.22; p< 0.05), body density (rS = 0.22; p < 0.05) and negatively with % of FM (rS = −0.22; p < 0.05). In an institutional environment, only concomitant diseases (mainly urinary incontinence) were found as independent determinants for QoL. In the community, independent determinants of QoL besides concomitant diseases (mainly ischaemic heart disease) were nutritional status or PA-HRB. Conclusions: Determinants of QoL are different depending on the living environment the older adults. Proper nutritional status and beneficial PA behaviours, are crucial for higher QoL of CD elderly, while for NH residents, the main determinants of QoL are chronic conditions.

Ultra-strong diffusion-weighted MRI reveals cerebellar grey matter abnormalities in movement disorders

Structural brain MRI has proven invaluable in understanding movement disorder pathophysiology. However, most work has focused on grey/white matter volumetric (macrostructural) and white matter microstructural effects, limiting understanding of frequently implicated grey matter microstructural differences. Using ultra-strong spherical tensor encoding diffusion-weighted MRI, a persistent MRI signal was seen in healthy cerebellar grey matter even at high diffusion-weightings (b ​≥ 10,000 s/mm2). Quantifying the proportion of this signal (denoted fs), previously ascertained to originate from inside small spherical spaces, provides a potential proxy for cell body density. In this work, this approach was applied for the first time to a clinical cohort, including patients with diagnosed movement disorders in which the cerebellum has been implicated in symptom pathophysiology. Five control participants (control group 1, median age 24.5 years (20–39 years), imaged at two timepoints, demonstrated consistency in measurement of all three measures - MD (Mean Diffusivity) fs, and Ds (dot diffusivity)- with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of 0.98, 0.86 and 0.76, respectively. Comparison with an older control group (control group 2 (n = 5), median age 51 years (43–58 years)) found no significant differences, neither with morphometric nor microstructural (MD (p = 0.36), fs (p = 0.17) and Ds (p = 0.22)) measures. The movement disorder cohort (Parkinson’s Disease, n = 5, dystonia, n = 5. Spinocerebellar Ataxia 6, n = 5) when compared to the age-matched control cohort (Control Group 2) identified significantly lower MD (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001) and higher fs values (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001) in SCA6 and dystonia cohorts respectively. Lobar division of the cerebellum found these same differences in the superior and inferior posterior lobes, while no differences were seen in either the anterior lobes or with Ds measurements. In contrast to more conventional measures from diffusion tensor imaging, this framework provides enhanced specificity to differences in restricted spherical spaces in grey matter (including small cells) by eliminating signals from cerebrospinal fluid and axons. In the context of human and animal histopathology studies, these findings potentially implicate the cerebellar Purkinje and granule cells as contributors to the observed signal differences, with both cell types having been implicated in several neurological disorders through both postmortem and animal model studies. This novel microstructural imaging approach shows promise for improving movement disorder diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

Comparison of Body Composition Among the Selected Groups of Female Kabaddi Players

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to find out the Body Composition of female Kabaddi players, It was also to compare the body composition characteristics among the groups of female kabaddi players. Method: A total of 101 national and University-level female Kabaddi players were selected as subjects for the study. Most of them were national-level players and very few were university-level players, the age range of the subjects was 18 years to 25 years. The subjects were taken from the East Zone of India. The subjects had experience in competitive Kabaddi for 10-12 years and also they were active in playing Kabaddi. After observing each subject’s playing position, subject’s view, and coach’s concern, they were divided into three groups Raider, Defender, and All-rounder. The Body Composition was considered as BMI, Body Density, % of Body Fat, Total Body Fat, and Lean Body Mass. Mean, Standard Deviation, Percentage, and One-Way ANOVA were calculated to differentiate among the groups. Result: The result concluded that the BMI of all female Kabaddi players was in the normal range. The Body Fat Percentage of female raider, defender and all-rounder Kabaddi players were 23.34 %, 24.7 %, and 23.8 % respectively. Lean Body Mass of female raider, defender, and all-rounder kabaddi players were 42.94 kg, 42.05 kg, and 42.82 kg respectively. Conclusion: Lastly, there were no significant differences among the different groups in the body composition characteristics of female kabaddi players.

A Comparative Study of Selected Anthropometric and Physiological Variables Among Indian National Paddlers

Introduction: Canoeing and Kayaking are water sports featured by skill and endurance. Physiological and anthropometric variables play a substantial role in almost all games and sports and Canoeing and Kayaking could not be segregated from them. Several researches had been carried out in the field of Canoeing and Kayaking including anthropometric and physiological characteristics but very scanty account of these studies was concentrated on Indian paddlers. Hence, our study aimed at assessing the anthropometric and physiological profiles of Indian male and female Canoers and Kayakers and determining and explaining the differences between these groups. Method: Anthropometric parameters were measured according to standard protocols followed by ISAK manual. Body density was predicted using Durnin and Womersley equation (1974) and body fat % using the Siri method (1956). VO2max was predicted from Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSRT). Results: Lean body mass was found to be higher in Kayakers than Canoers. Body fat percentage was found to be significantly higher among female Kayakers than female Canoers which was 26.53±4.28 and 18.96±1.54 respectively. Physiological variables when concerned showed that relative back strength and oxygen consumption of female Canoers were significantly higher than that of female Kayakers which were 2.22±0.14 kg, 45.20±2.17ml/min/kg and 1.83±0.18kg, 40.71±2.87ml/min/kg respectively. Conclusion: It had been found that both male and female Kayakers were found to be taller and heavier than the male and female Canoers respectively.

ESTIMATION OF BODY FAT PERCENTAGE IN ADULT POPULATION IN NEPAL AND ASSESS ITS CORRELATION WITH BODY MASS INDEX

Background: Body mass index (BMI) remains widely used parameter to assess obesity. However, it does not account for the fat and lean body mass. Amidst different methods of estimation of body fat, skinfold measurement remains the most feasible. This study was conducted to explore the correlation between BMI and body fat percentage (BF %) measured through skin-fold measurements. Methods: This cross-section study includes 207 healthy subjects (100 male and 107 female) aged 17-25 years. Anthropometric variables, waist and hip circumference were measured. Skinfold was measured using a caliper at triceps, biceps, iliac crest, and subscapular areas. BMI was derived from height and weight. Body density was calculated using the Durnin and Womersley formula and BF% was estimated by Siri equation. Group means for BMI and body fat percentage was calculated, the association between BF % and BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) was established using a Pearson Correlation analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient was reported. Results: The mean BMI and BF% was 21.77 ± 2.986 kg/m2 and 23.25 ± 6.693 respectively. Overall correlation between BMI and BF% was 0.325. The correlation of BF% with BMI was (0.811, 0.790) and with waist circumference was (0.668, 0.558) in male and female respectively. Similarly, correlation between BF% and WHR was 0.30 in male and 0.266 in female. The results were statistically significant at p&lt;0.01. Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between BF% and BMI. This study also showed that WC better correlates with BF% as compared to WHR in both sexes.

Agreement and Validity of Existing Anthropometric Calibration Models to Estimate Whole Body Density in Male Professional Football Players

Introduction To date no calibration models exist to estimate whole body density (Db) of professional footballers, as such the development of practical anthropometric calibration models to make sound body composition judgements is imperative. The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement and validity of estimating Db from 15 existing calibration models through comparison to a criterion method of hydrostatic weighing (HW) in male professional footballers. Materials and Methods Data were gathered from a total of n=206 professional football participants (x±s; age=24.1±5.4-years, body mass=78.8±8.4 kg, stature=180.1±7.0 cm, Db 1.075±0.01 g.ml-1). Bland and Altman limits of agreement (LoA) approaches were used to determine bias and random variation derived from the calibration models. Results Bias and random errors for the published calibration models ranged from -0.005 to +0.015 g.ml-1 and 1.012 to 1.090 g.ml-1 respectively. A priori criterion (±3.8% p=&lt;0.05 (g.ml-1)) was set as acceptable limits for the LoA method of which 13 calibration models found that (on average) estimated Db derived from HW was greater than Db derived from the models. Discussion A rank order of LoA identified the best model to use, however, LoA were not narrow enough for measurements to be of practical use and in most instances, selected models are not appropriate for estimating Db in male professional footballers.

Body Composition in Youths Aged 10‒17 Years by Deuterium Oxide Dilution, Air Displacement Plethysmography, and DXA: Validation of the Medical Body Composition Analyzer Bioimpedance Device by a 4-Compartment Model

BackgroundThe medical body composition analyzer (mBCA) incorporates advances in multifrequency technology and has been validated using a 4-compartment (4C) model in adults but not in youths aged <18 y. ObjectivesThis study aimed to formulate a 4C model based on 3 reference methods and develop and validate a body composition prediction equation for the mBCA in youths aged 10‒17 y. MethodsThe body density of 60 female and male youths was measured by air displacement plethysmography, total body water by deuterium oxide dilution, and BMC by DXA. Data from the equation group (n = 30) were used to formulate a 4C model. The all-possible-regressions method was used to select variables. The model was validated in a second cohort (n = 30) in a random split design. The accuracy, precision, and potential bias were evaluated by the Bland and Altman procedure. ResultsMean age, weight (W), height (H), waist circumference, and z-score of BMI were 13.6 ± 2.3 y, 54.5 ± 15.5 kg, 156 ± 11.9 cm, 75.5 ± 10.9 cm, and 0.70 ± 1.32 z, respectively. The prediction equation was as follows: FFM in kg (FFMkg) = ([0.2081] ∗ [W] + [0.8814] ∗ [H2cm/RΩ] + [0.2055 ∗ XcΩ])–15.343; R2 = 0.96; standardized root-mean-square error (SRMSE) = 2.18 kg. FFM did not differ between the 4C method (38.9 ± 12.0 kg) and the mBCA (38.4 ± 11.4 kg) (P > 0.05). The relationship between these 2 variables did not deviate from the identity line, was not significantly different from 0, and the slope was not significantly different from 1.0. In the precision prediction model of mBCA, the R2 value was 0.98 and SRMSE was 2.1. No significant bias was found when regressing differences between methods and their means (P = 0.08). ConclusionsThe equation for the mBCA was accurate, precise, had no significant bias, had substantial strength of agreement and could be used in this age group when subjects were preferentially within the constraints of a specified body size.

Изменчивость показателей состава тела детей школьного возраста из семей различного социально-экономического статуса Саратовской области

Numerous publications have noted a general pattern: then higher are the parents’ educational and professional level, and then larger and heavier are their children, which is associated with a higher family income. The purpose of this work is to consider the variability of body composition indicators in schoolchildren 7–17 years old from the Saratov region depending the characteristics of the family’s socio-economic status proposed by us, and to evaluate the impact of the level of material prosperity on the main indicators of the physical development of children and adolescents. Materials and methods. The materials of the comprehensive survey in 2002–2004 children and adolescents 7–17 years old from the cities of the Saratov region, with a total number of 4266 people are used. The average normalized values of total sizes and 17 body composition indicators calculated by different methods were compared in each of 42 groups of boys or girls formed according to 3 gradations by one of 7 socio-economic factors. Results and discussion. There are significant (95%) differences in levels of total body size in children of both sexes, corresponding to the literature data: the higher the indicators of family income, the greater the values of morphological signs, magnitude of differences up to 0.7δ. Boys from large families have the smallest body sizes and very weak development of the fat component. With an increase in the educational and professional levels of mothers, sons have higher total fat-free mass, total water and percentage of fat mass, magnitude of differences 0.4δ–0.7δ. In girls, with an increase in the material income, educational and professional levels of mothers, almost all indicators are growing, except for body density, percentage of fat-free mass and percentage of water, magnitude of differences 0.4δ–0.7δ. Daughters of fathers with secondary professional level have the highest rates of development of the fat-free component (magnitude of differences 0.6δ) and average body size. Conclusions. There is sexual dimorphism in the variability of body composition indicators in school-aged children from families of various socio-economic status. In boys, the relationship between absolute indicators of body composition (reflecting body sizes) and factors of financial income of the family according to the traditional scheme is expressed. In girls – between relative indicators (reflecting the development of fat deposition) and the professional level of parents. In children of parents with high occupational levels, the ratio of fat to muscle component may indicate latent obesity. The method of calculating the body composition does not significantly affect the results of the analysis.

Butterflies diversity in Maldevta region of Uttarakhand

The study was carried out in spring seasons of 2017 and 2018 in the forest area of Maldevta region. The distinct butterflies were collected from sites and preserved according to their body size and density. The total 26 species of butterflies were collected, identified and categorized as their families and sub –families like Papilionidae: Papilioninae; Pieridae: Pierinae, Coliadinae; Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae, Satyrinae, Danainae; Lycaenidae: Lycaeninae, Hesperiidae.

Estimating body mass of sperm whales from aerial photographs

AbstractBody mass is a fundamental feature of animal physiology. Although sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are the largest toothed predators on earth, body mass is seldom included in studies of their ecophysiology and bioenergetics due to the inherent difficulties of obtaining direct measurements. We used UAV‐photogrammetry to estimate the weight of free‐ranging sperm whales. Aerial photographs (23 calves, 11 juveniles, 55 nonmother adults, 13 mothers) were collected in the Eastern Caribbean and Mediterranean Sea during 2017–2020. Body length, widths, and heights (dorso‐ventral distance at 5% increments) were measured from dorsal and lateral photographs, while body volume was calculated using an elliptical model. Volume varied noticeably (12.01 ± 4.79 m3) in larger animals (&gt;8 m), indicating fluctuations in body condition of adults and mothers. Volume was converted to mass, using tissue‐density estimates from catch data, animal‐borne tags, and body‐tissue composition. Average total body density ranged from 834 to 1,003 kg/m3, while the weight predictions matched with existing measurements and weight‐length relationships. Our body‐mass models can be used to study sperm whale bioenergetics, including inter‐ and intraseasonal variations in body condition, somatic growth, metabolic rates, and cost of reproduction.

Global Proteomic Profile of Aluminum-Induced Hippocampal Impairments in Rats: Are Low Doses of Aluminum Really Safe?

Hippocampus is the brain area where aluminum (Al) accumulates in abundance and is widely associated with learning and memory. In the present study, we evaluate behavioral, tissue, and proteomic changes in the hippocampus of Wistar rats caused by exposure to doses that mimic human consumption of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in urban areas. For this, male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Control (distilled water) and AlCl3 (8.3 mg/kg/day), both groups were exposed orally for 60 days. After the Al exposure protocol, cognitive functions were assessed by the Water maze test, followed by a collection for analysis of the global proteomic profile of the hippocampus by mass spectrometry. Aside from proteomic analysis, we performed a histological analysis of the hippocampus, to the determination of cell body density by cresyl violet staining in Cornu Ammonis fields (CA) 1 and 3, and hilus regions. Our results indicated that exposure to low doses of aluminum chloride triggered a decreased cognitive performance in learning and memory, being associated with the deregulation of proteins expression, mainly those related to the regulation of the cytoskeleton, cellular metabolism, mitochondrial activity, redox regulation, nervous system regulation, and synaptic signaling, reduced cell body density in CA1, CA3, and hilus.

Comparing Body Density of Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) to Different Operational Welfare Indicators

Farmed lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) are commonly used as cleaner fish in the salmonid aquaculture industry, but a knowledge gap exists with regards to their body density. Filling this knowledge gap is of importance, as the lumpfish has no swim bladder and thus relies on alternative methods for buoyancy, i.e., the body density difference between the fish and its surroundings. The aims of this study were to measure the body density of lumpfish and investigate the correlation between body density and different operational welfare indicators. A total of 138 lumpfish were sampled at five different aquaculture sites situated in the Faroe Islands. Weight in water and air was measured, body density was calculated, and operational welfare was assessed. The average body density of the juvenile lumpfish was 1.030 g mL−1. Fulton’s K, stomach score, and length were negatively correlated to body density, while the hepatosomatic index was positively correlated to body density. Liver colour was correlated to body density, but the groupings were too broad for a final definitive conclusion. The knowledge gained from this study might help the industry improve their understanding of the operational welfare indicators used for lumpfish. Additionally, the knowledge might also help the aquaculture industry improve their husbandry and feeding practices.

Numerical Investigation of Liquid Flow Behaviors through Closed Rough Fractures in the Self-Propped Shale Formation

The surface morphology of fractures formed by hydraulic fracturing is usually rough. The roughness of the fracture surface is the main reason the actual fracture conductivity deviates from the ideal flat plate model result. In this paper, based on the three-dimensional reconfiguration of actual rough hydraulic fractures, a randomly generated geometric model of a micro-convex body with a rough fracture surface is used as an example of a hydraulic fracture in a shale reservoir. Assuming that the flow in the fracture conforms to the laminar flow pattern, the velocity and pressure fields of the fluid flow on the fracture surface are solved by the finite element method. The effects of micro-convex body size, uniformity, density, and shape on the non-uniform flow of the rough fracture surface are analyzed. The three-dimensional model shows that the average velocity is minimum in the near fully closed fracture. The fluid bypasses the micro-convex body during the flow, forming multiple nonlinear flow regions. The streamlined tortuosity increases with the density and size of the micro-convex bodies and depends on the distribution of the micro-convex areas. The bypassing accelerates the pressure drop and slows down the flow rate. The greater the degree of micro-convex body aggregation, the more significant the decrease in flow velocity. The more locations where the curvature of the micro-convex edge is not zero, the more nonlinear flow zones can significantly reduce the flow rate and thus affect oil and gas production. Targeted optimization of the proppant placement pattern to make the trailing part of the micro-convex body as close to streamlined as possible can reduce the nonlinear flow area and slow down the flow rate reduction.

Study on the Relationship between the Use of Bisphosphonates for Antiosteoporosis and Vertebral Re-Fracture after Vertebroplasty.

Objective To explore the effect of bisphosphonates after vertebroplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF), and to analyze the relationship between the use of bisphosphonates and vertebral refracture. Methods A total of 150 patients with OVCF were selected from the pain department of our hospital from January 2018 to May 2020. All patients received vertebroplasty after admission, and were divided into the surgery group (62 cases) and combined with the bisphosphonates group (combined group, 88 cases) according to whether patients had used bisphosphonates after surgery. Before surgery, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), vertebral body and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), and Cobb Angle were collected, and the differences among groups were compared to analyze the treatment effect. After the follow-up, patients were divided into two groups according to whether vertebral refracture occurred during the follow-up period. Clinical characteristics, general information, and surgical indicators of patients in the two groups were collected, and related factors of postoperative vertebral refracture were analyzed. Results There were no significant differences in preoperative VAS score, ODI index, BMD value, and Cobb angle between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 12 months after surgery, VAS score, ODI index, and Cobb angle decreased, while BMD value increased in both groups. The VAS score, ODI index, and Cobb angle in the combined group were lower than those in the operation group, while the BMD value was higher than that in the operation group, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that in BMD, no postoperative antiosteoporosis treatment, bone cement leakage, and poor cement diffusion were independent risk factors for vertebral refracture after vertebroplasty in patients with vertebral compression fractures. Conclusion In order to avoid recurrent fractures in OVCF patients, attention should be paid to BMD, whether patients take antiosteoporosis drugs, whether bone cement permeation occurs and the diffusion of bone cement, etc. The above factors are the main influencing factors leading to recurrent fractures after PKP and PVP in the clinic.

Assessing the density of the vitreous body in young people with type I diabetes using multispiral computer tomography

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the severe complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the multiyear research of DR pathogenesis, the role of the vitreous body in DR development has not been sufficiently studied. Purpose: to demonstrate the potentials of multispiral computer tomography for assessing the density of the vitreous body in patients with type I diabetes.Material and methods. 97 practically healthy individuals (the control group) and 137 patients with type I diabetes (the main group), aged 10 to 35, were tested by multispiral computer tomography to assess their vitreous density.Results. DM type I patients showed a higher vitreous body density in the central and preretinal areas than healthy individuals. The two observation groups showed a statistically significant difference in the level of glycemia only, whilst no reliable difference in lipid metabolism was revealed.Conclusion. Multispiral computer tomography is a sufficiently sensitive testing method which allows registering even minor differences in the density of the main components of the vitreous body between healthy people and patients with type I diabetes. The higher density of the vitreous body in type I DM patients is probably associated with a higher level of glycosylation.

Indications of Peripheral Pain, Dermal Hypersensitivity, and Neurogenic Inflammation in Patients with Lipedema.

Lipedema is a disease with abnormally increased adipose tissue deposition and distribution. Pain sensations have been described in the clinical evaluation of lipedema, but its etiology remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that pain sensitivity measurements and ex vivo quantitation of neuronal cell body distribution in the skin would be lipedema stage-dependent, and could, thus, serve to objectively characterize neuropathic pain in lipedema. The pain was assessed by questionnaire and peripheral cutaneous mechanical sensitization (von-Frey) in lipedema (n = 27) and control (n = 23) consenting female volunteers. Dermal biopsies from (n = 11) Stages 1–3 lipedema and control (n = 10) participants were characterized for neuronal cell body and nociceptive neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and nerve growth factor (NGF) distribution. Stage 2 or 3 lipedema participants responded positively to von Frey sensitization in the calf and thigh, and Stage 3 participants also responded in the arm. Lipedema abdominal skin displayed reduced Tuj-1+ neuronal cell body density, compared to healthy controls, while CGRP and NGF was significantly elevated in Stage 3 lipedema tissues. Together, dermal neuronal cell body loss is consistent with hyper-sensitization in patients with lipedema. Further study of neuropathic pain in lipedema may elucidate underlying disease mechanisms and inform lipedema clinical management and treatment impact.

Validity Of B-mode Ultrasound For Body Composition Assessment In The Field

Shane Draper, Nate Jensen, Conner Dearden, Brett Holmes, Andrew Creer Utah Valley University; Orem, UT Air displacement plethysmography (ADP) is a common way to assess athlete body composition in many laboratories. While this method provides accurate values for body composition, it is not a feasible option for field work. Identifying an accurate, user friendly alternative to skinfold calipers may allow for accurate assessment of body composition in more applied settings, such as various training and competition venues. PURPOSE: To determine the validity of B-mode ultrasound (BMUS) for body composition assessment by comparing this method to values obtained using ADP. METHODS: Twenty actively training runners (≥ 4 hours/week for 12 months) have participated in this study. Participants (37.5 ± 10.2 yrs; 173.2 ± 9.8 cm; 69.4 ± 12.5 kg) included males (n = 12) and females (n = 8) that have undergone two forms of body composition assessment during a single lab visit; ADP and BMUS. ADP body density was estimated using an air displacement chamber (BodPod, COSMED USA Inc.) in combination with measured lung volume. BMUS body density was estimated from measuring the Jackson-Pollock 7 site skinfolds with a portable, app-based ultrasound device (Lumify, Philips) to determine subcutaneous fat thickness. Images were then analyzed using proprietary software (MuscleSound, Glendale, CO). Body density values for both methods were converted to body fat percentage using the Siri equation. A paired samples t-test was used to compare values obtained from ADP and BMUS. RESULTS: There was no difference between ADP (18.7 ± 7.1%) and BMUS (17.7 ± 7.8%; p = 0.2) for percent body fat. In addition, data analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (R = 0.91) for percent body fat obtained from ADP and BMUA methods. CONCLUSION: These data suggest BMUS is a valid method for assessing body composition when compared to ADP, and therefore provide a portable, accurate method for assessing body composition in applied settings.

Environmental predictors of filarial infection in Amazonian primates: Ecological factors and primate filarial infection

Filarial nematode infections are common in primates, but have received little attention in the Neotropics. Epidemiological data on filarial infections in primates are still too sparse to fully understand the complex of this parasitism, especially because of the difficulty in studying the ecology and epidemiology of wild primates.. We describe natural infections by Dipetalonema parasitizing 211 primates belonging to eight free-living primate genera in Amazonia, and assess the relationships between parasitic indicators and climatic (rainfall and river level), ecological (fruiting periods of plants) and biological (sex, species’ body mass, group size and density) factors. The overall prevalence was 64.4% (95% CI: 64.0 – 64.9); parasitic mean abundance (N filariae per individual) and parasitic mean intensity (N filariae per infected host) of infection were 11.9 (95% CI: 8.3 – 15.6) and 18.4 (95% CI: 13.4 – 23.4) filariae/individual, respectively. Although we observed differences in parasitic parameters among primate genera, there was no correlation between parasitic parameters with density, body mass or group size. Sapajus, Cebus and Lagothrix had the highest prevalence and parasitic mean intensity. Using Lagothrix lagotricha poeppigii, the most sampled species (n = 92), as a model, we found that the number of filariae per infected host was associated with fruit production in swamp forests during the dry season, the time of food scarcity. The long periods of food shortage may cause environmental stress on primates, impairing their immune defenses and leading to increased parasite load but not affecting infection prevalence. However, the lack of information on vector ecology, key to understand risk factors associated to infection rate, prevents confirming the existence of an infection pattern dependent on food availability.

Bone marrow transplantation as a therapy for autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type 2 in mice.

Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADO2) is a heritable bone disease of impaired osteoclastic bone resorption caused by missense mutations in the chloride channel 7 (CLCN7) gene. Clinical features of ADO2 include fractures, osteomyelitis of jaw, vision loss, and in severe cases, bone marrow failure. Currently, there is no effective therapy for ADO2, and patients usually receive symptomatic treatments. Theoretically, bone marrow transplantation (BMT), which is commonly used in recessive osteopetrosis, could be used to treat ADO2, although the frequency of complications related to BMT is quite high. We created an ADO2 knock-in (p.G213R mutation) mouse model on the 129 genetic background, and their phenotypes mimic the human disease of ADO2. To test whether BMT could restore osteoclast function and rescue the bone phenotypes in ADO2 mice, we transplanted bone marrow cells from 6-8 weeks old male WT donor mice into recipient female ADO2 mice. Also, to determine whether age at the time of transplant may play a role in transplant success, we performed BMT in young (12-week-old) and old (9-month-old) ADO2 mice. Our data indicate that ADO2 mice transplanted with WT marrow achieved more than 90% engraftment up to 6 months post-transplantation at both young and old ages. The in-vivo DXA data revealed that young ADO2 mice transplanted with WT marrow had significantly lower whole body and spine areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at month 6 post-transplantation compared to the ADO2 control mice. The old ADO2 mice also displayed significantly lower whole body, femur, and spine aBMD at months 4 and 5 post-transplantation compared to the age-matched control mice. The in-vivo micro-CT data showed that ADO2 experimental mice transplanted with WT marrow had significantly lower BV/TV at months 2 and 4 post-transplantation compared to the ADO2 control mice at a young age. In contrast, ADO2 control and experimental mice displayed similar BV/TV values for all post-transplantation time points at old age. In addition, serum CTX was significantly higher at month 2 post-transplantation in both young and old ADO2 experimental mice compared to the ADO2 control mice. Serum P1NP levels in young ADO2 experimental mice were significantly higher at baseline and month 2 post-transplantation compared to the ADO2 control mice. These data suggest that BMT may provide, at least, some beneficial effect at both young and adult ages.