Sea cucumber aquaculture represents a sustainable alternative to wild fisheries to supply the exponential demand for this product. Yet larval rearing remains a critical bottleneck in the production of European sea cucumbers. This study investigated the effects of different microalgae feeding regimes on larval development, growth, and settlement competency of Holothuria arguinensis , a promising candidate species for European aquaculture. Larvae were daily fed either a single-species diet of Isochrysis sp. (10,000 cells mL −1 ) or a mixed diet combining Rhodomonas sp. and Isochrysis sp. (5000 cells mL −1 each), over a four-week period. Biochemical analyses revealed that Rhodomonas sp. contributed elevated protein content (44.51%) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (54.25%), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 5.68%), while Isochrysis sp. provided high lipid content (30.18%). Larvae fed the mixed diet exhibited significantly enhanced performance across multiple parameters: wider body dimensions at the late auricularia stage (744.31 ± 130.57 μm), higher survival rates (62.11% vs. 40.44% at 14 days post-fertilization), accelerated formation of hyaline spheres, and most notably, exclusive progression to pentactula and juvenile stages within the experimental timeframe. This represented a 53.6% improvement in survival rates at 14 dpf compared to the monospecific diet. By day 28, all larvae in the mixed treatment had successfully reached the juvenile stage, whereas those fed Isochrysis sp. alone remained at earlier developmental stages. These findings demonstrate that dietary diversity and complementary biochemical composition are critical determinants of larval performance in H. arguinensis , providing valuable insights for optimizing feeding protocols in commercial hatchery operations and advancing sustainable sea cucumber aquaculture expansion in Europe. • Mixed Rhodomonas sp. + Isochrysis sp. diet outperformed Isochrysis sp. diet in H. arguinensis larval culture, boosting development and survival • Larvae fed mixed diet reached late auricularia stage earlier (60% vs. 20% at day 10), had larger dimensions and achieved 62% survival at 14 dpf vs 40% • Only larvae receiving the mixed diet successfully progressed through pentactula and juvenile stages within the experimental period • Rhodomonas sp. provided high protein (44.51%) and PUFAs (60.95%) content, while Isochrysis sp. supplied high lipids levels (30.18%)

To define subaxial cervical spine vertebral body and canal dimensions in a paediatric cohort and to assess the influence of age and ethnicity. Retrospective radiological observational study. Single-centre tertiary level trauma care setting in New Zealand. CT scans of children under 18 years of age were reviewed. A total of 111 participants were included (63 New Zealand European (NZE) and 48 Māori). Patients with cervical spine pathology or deformity were excluded. Not applicable. Primary outcomes were anteroposterior and transverse vertebral body and spinal canal dimensions measured at the mid-pedicle level from C3 to C7. Secondary outcomes included canal-to-vertebral body (canal:VB) ratios. Associations with age and ethnicity were assessed using correlation analysis and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Absolute vertebral body and canal dimensions were larger in NZE children compared with Māori. Canal:VB ratios were smaller in NZE children, reaching statistical significance at C7 (p=0.011). Age demonstrated a strong positive correlation with mean vertebral body anteroposterior diameter and a moderate correlation with canal:VB ratio. ANCOVA showed ethnicity (NZE) to be a significant predictor of vertebral body dimensions, particularly transverse diameter at C4-C6, while age had a lesser effect. Canal:VB ratios decreased with increasing age from C3 to C7, with low coefficients of determination indicating additional influencing factors. In this paediatric cohort, vertebral body dimensions were more strongly associated with age than spinal canal dimensions. Ethnicity was associated with modest differences in cervical spine morphology, particularly transverse vertebral body diameter. These findings suggest cervical spine development is multifactorial and may have implications for trauma assessment and spinal cord injury risk evaluation in adolescents. Further studies incorporating anthropometric and sex-specific variables are warranted.

Sex, body size and environmental conditions are key determinants of home range size in large mammals, yet their relative importance within populations remains unclear for many wide-ranging carnivores such as brown bears. This study combined GPS-collar data and detailed morphometrics from 69 free-ranging brown bears (46 males, 23 females) in Türkiye to test how home range size relates to sex, body mass, and body dimensions. Individual home ranges were estimated using 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP95) and kernel utilisation distribution methods, and the MCP95 area was log-transformed and analysed with linear models that included sex, log body mass, representative linear size measures, sampling effort covariates, and principal component scores derived from a multivariate analysis of eight morphometric traits. Home range size varied markedly among individuals (5.1-203.9 km2), with males consistently having nearly twice the MCP95 area of females, with sex accounting for most of the variance in log home range size. In contrast, neither body mass nor linear body dimensions showed significant within-sex relationships with home range size, and sex × mass interactions were not supported. Principal component analysis revealed a dominant body size axis, but this multivariate size component, as well as a secondary shape axis, did not explain additional variation once sex was included. Models that accounted for the number of GPS fixes, tracking duration, and influential points confirmed the robustness of the sex effect and indicated only modest contributions of sampling effort. Overall, the results showed that sex, rather than fine-scale variation in body size or shape, is the primary intrinsic driver of home range size in this southern brown bear population, highlighting the need for sex-specific but not size-specific spatial planning and conservation strategies in the future.

Introduction: Computed Tomography (CT) procedures contribute significantly to medical radiation exposure and therefore necessitate the implementation of optimisation measures that balance diagnostic image quality with patient safety. Body Mass Index (BMI) influences radiation absorption; however, standard CT protocols do not adequately account for patient-specific body dimensions. Aim: To analyse the relationship between BMI categories and radiation dose metrics—volumetric CT Dose Index (CTDIvol), Dose-Length Product (DLP), Effective Dose (ED) and SizeSpecific Dose Estimates (SSDE)—while examining genderbased and protocol-specific differences in adult thoracic and abdominal CT examinations. Materials and Methods: This Cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, India, from April 2025 to July 2025. The study included adult participants (aged 18-70 years) who underwent thoracoabdominal CT examinations 2025 at a tertiary care centre. A total of 200 participants were classified according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) BMI classification as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2 ), normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/ m2 ), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2 ) and obese (≥30.0 kg/m2 ). Standard acquisition protocols included non contrast and contrast-enhanced abdominal studies, as well as non contrast and contrast-enhanced high-resolution thoracic imaging. Technical parameters (tube voltage, tube current-time product, pitch, slice thickness and field of view) and dosimetry-related data were consistently recorded. Statistical analysis included Pearson’s correlation, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and linear regression models. Results: The BMI demonstrated a positive correlation with CTDIvol (r=0.266, p<0.001), DLP (r=0.180, p=0.011) and ED (r=0.168, p=0.017). No significant correlation was observed between BMI and SSDE (r=0.043, p=0.549). Overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2 ) and obese (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2 ) participants received approximately 30% higher CTDIvol values (mean 14.4 vs. 11.1 mGy, p=0.003) and a 23% higher DLP compared to normal-weight individuals. Gender-related disparities persisted after adjustment for BMI, with male participants exhibiting a 28% higher DLP (647.7 vs. 504.1 mGy•cm, p<0.001). Protocol-specific analysis revealed that contrast-enhanced thoracic CT had the highest radiation dose (mean DLP 746.4 mGy•cm), which was 47% higher than that of high-resolution thoracic protocols. Conclusion: The BMI significantly influences radiation dose in thoracoabdominal CT examinations, supporting the need for BMI-stratified Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs). The poor correlation between BMI and SSDE suggests limitations in size calibration for individuals with extreme body habitus. Observed gender-based differences in radiation dose may warrant the development of sex-specific protocol adaptations. Overall, these findings support the personalisation of CT protocols and dose optimisation based on anthropometric parameters and anatomical features, particularly when advanced reconstruction algorithms are employed.

The Criollo horse is prized for its endurance, yet its specific biomechanical signatures remain under-researched. This study investigated diagonal dissociation and support patterns in eleven clinically sound Criollo horses to understand the influence of head and neck position (HNP), surface compliance, and morphometry. Using high-speed video (120 fps) and kinematic analysis, we found that diagonal dissociation occurred in 85.24% of hoof contacts, while HNP1 showed a higher frequency of positive (hindlimb-first) dissociation and HNP2 had a higher incidence of negative (forelimb-first) dissociation (p = 0.0398). On soft ground, both HNPs predominantly exhibited hindlimb-first dissociation (p = 0.0446). Soft ground is also associated with the appearance of tripedal support, whereas hard ground presented more synchronous (non-dissociated) diagonal limb support. Thoracic monopedal and tripedal supports are weakly correlated with forelimb measurements, whereas pelvic monopedal and tripedal supports correlate with global body dimensions. All associations were weak to moderate (R2 ≤ 0.40). The prevalence of dissociated phases and the absence of a standard symmetrical trot suggest a distinct breed signature adapted for functional efficiency and stability required for its traditional working roles.

The tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus Leach, 1819) is an endangered species whose population status and human interactions remain poorly understood in the Philippines. This study aimed to integrate morphometric and allometric analyses of T. tridentatus with fishers’ perceptions to inform species conservation. A total of 118 adult specimens (63 males and 55 females) were measured for prosomal length (PL), opisthosomal length (OL), carapace length (CL), carapace width (CW), telson length (TEL), total length (TL), and body weight (BW). Statistical comparisons using analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant sexual dimorphism, with females exhibiting larger body dimensions than males. Growth patterns differed by sex, with females showing isometric growth for PL and CW, while males exhibited negative allometry for BW. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated strong correlations among morphometric parameters, with the first component explaining 44.7% (males) and 46.4% (females) of total variance. To assess human dimensions, 90 fishers were interviewed across different ethnic groups. Univariate analysis revealed that Visayan fishers were the most supportive of proactive conservation actions, while PCA showed education and age as major factors shaping perception. These findings highlight the ne ed for integrated biological and social approaches to strengthen conservation strategies for T. tridentatus in the Philippines.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a newly developed Reactive Agility Test and examine the impact of body dimensions on performance. Male university-level basketball players (N.=32; age: 22.3±2.2 years; height: 190.7±8.2 cm; arm span: 189.9±9.6 cm; weight: 80.1±10.9 kg) completed testing over three laboratory visits within one week. Tests on days 1 and 2 assessed the test-retest reliability of the Light-Based Reactive Agility Wall Test (LBRAT-W), developed through multiple pilot trials using the Witty SEM electronic system. On day 3, to evaluate the influence of anthropometric factors, the equipment layout was customized to each participant's height, arm span, and downward reach. Each session included eight trials: four unplanned (Unplanned Light-Based Reactive Agility Wall Test, U-LBRAT-W), with unpredictable light sequences, and four planned (Planned Light-Based Reactive Agility Wall Test, P-LBRAT-W), with numbered plates indicating the sequence. Both U-LBRAT-W and P-LBRAT-W demonstrated good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.895 and 0.848), the same as the time difference between planned and unplanned tasks (Reactivity Index [RE-Index], ICC=0.891). Performance improved on day 2 for both tests (P<0.05), suggesting a learning effect, while RE-Index remained stable (P>0.05). Height explained approximately 10.8% of the variance in the unplanned test and 5.0% in the planned test but had minimal influence on the RE-Index. The LBRAT-W is a reliable tool for assessing reactive agility, with the RE-Index independent of height, although scaling may be considered for planned and unplanned task completion times if these are the primary outcome.

This study investigates the development of workwear designed to withstand harsh conditions and support physically demanding tasks. Its central aim is to create garments that enhance workers’ comfort and mobility by optimizing ergonomic and anthropometric factors. First of all, expert surveys were collected, and the importance of posture adaptability and material comfort was highlighted. To investigate realistic body–garment interactions, the 3D body scans of the upper body from 34 participants in common working poses were captured. These scans revealed the zones of high deformation, guiding the placement of elastic inserts to improve flexibility in targeted areas. The redesigned garments underwent a two-stage evaluation process. First, Clo3D virtual fittings provided qualitative insights into overall jacket fit and movement behavior. Next, stress and strain mapping offered quantitative validation, showing that fabric stress levels remained below 120 kPa, providing evidence that the added elasticity effectively reduced mechanical load and improved wearability. Expert reviewers confirmed the enhanced fit and functional performance. Overall, the study demonstrates an integrated design strategy that unites textile behavior, body dimensions and biomechanics. This approach not only improves workwear but also offers a transferable framework for developing specialized clothing across other physically intensive professions.

Aim: The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius, 1787), is an agriculturally important and major economic insect-pest of leguminous crops cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to analyse the morphological and biological variations in different M. vitrata populations collected from eight legume-growing locations in India. Methodology: The morphometric characteristics and various developmental stages of M. vitrata populations collected from eight locations of India were studied. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the immature stages of eight populations were reared until maturity. Subsequently, the data on life cycle duration, morphometric observations of different larval instars, fecundity, and sex ratio were collected and growth indices were analyzed. Results: Significant geographic variation was observed among the eight M. vitrata populations, with clear differences in developmental durations, and total life cycle. Morphometric comparisons revealed consistent regional differences in body dimensions, while larval chaetotaxy remained conserved. Interpretation: This study provide a crucial understanding of its biology, as well as its morphologically important phenotypic traits. These comparative data on detailed bionomic and morphological aspects may aid in the formulation of effective and phenology-based integrated pest management strategies for this economically important lepidopteran insect pest of legume. Key words: Developmental biology, Geographical variation, Legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata, Morphometric analysis, Pigeonpea

Agility in youth basketball reflects the interplay between body dimensions and motor abilities. Age-specific prediction models guide age appropriate training design and evidence based talent identification. Ninety-eight male players (6–13 y) from a basketball school were classified into 6–9 y (n = 44) and 10–13 y (n = 54) groups. Anthropometry included height, mass, and the triponderal mass index (TMI). Motor performance comprised the 20 m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), and the Hexagon test. Agility was assessed with the V-CUT test. Pearson (and, where normality was violated, Spearman) correlations were computed; age-stratified hierarchical regressions identified determinants of V-CUT. Hierarchical regression was performed by adding TMI, 20 m sprint, CMJ, and Hexagon, respectively. V-CUT time correlated strongly and positively with 20 m sprint in both groups (6–9 y: r = .807, p < .001; 10–13 y: r = .619, p < .001) and moderately and negatively with CMJ (6–9 y: r = − .440, p = .001; 10–13 y: r = − .337, p = .007). Associations with TMI were small and non-significant. In regression, adding 20 m sprint markedly increased explained variance (6–9 y: R2 = .657; 10–13 y: R2 = .387, both p < .001). Final models yielded R2 = .659 (6–9 y) and R2 = .476 (10–13 y); Hexagon provided additional unique variance only in the older group (ΔR2 = .082, p = .009), whereas CMJ contributed minimally once sprint was entered. Sprint speed is the primary determinant of agility (V-CUT) in young basketball players, while multidirectional change-of-direction ability (Hexagon) gains importance from 10–13 y. Anthropometric indices show limited predictive value. These results support emphasizing early sprint development and progressively integrating multidirectional drills in older athletes to inform age-appropriate training and talent identification.

ABSTRACT Length–mass regressions are widely used to estimate the biomass of aquatic organisms through allometric formulas, as they provide a rapid and efficient alternative to direct measurements. Developing species-specific allometric equations facilitates biomass estimation and supports ecological assessments. This study developed length–mass relationships for the non-native shrimps Macrobrachium pantanalense Santos et al. 2013 and Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) in a large reservoir in southeastern Brazil. In April 2024, we sampled 192 M. pantanalense and 58 M. amazonicum individuals across four sites. Body dimensions—(i) body length and (ii) cephalothorax length – were measured using a stereomicroscope and ImageJ software. Biomass was quantified as ash-free dry weight after drying specimens for 48 h at 60°C and incinerating them for 4 h at 550°C. Power functions (DM = aLb) were used to derive length–mass regressions. Cephalothorax length was the best predictor of biomass for both species, explaining most of the variance in M. pantanalense (r2 = 0.86, b = 3.08) and M. amazonicum (r2 = 0.58, b = 1.62), indicating isometric and negative allometric growth, respectively. Overall, cephalothorax length proved to be a robust and practical metric for biomass estimation, providing useful equations for ecological monitoring and management of non-native shrimp populations.

The comparative biology of pink bollworm (PBW) on Bt cotton bolls and fruit pods of malvaceous plants viz., Abutilon indicum, Abutilon hirtum and Abelmoschous ficulneus was investigated under controlled conditions. The incubation time of PBW eggs from different hosts ranged from 2.0 to 4.5 days, which was not differ significantly among treatments. The mean larval duration of all four instars as well as average larval duration of pink bollworm reared on Bt cotton was more as compared to the larvae reared on A. indicum, A. hirtum and A. ficulneus. The average male and female pupal period were longer on Bt cotton. Both adult male and female from Bt cotton lived longer as compared to adults from A. indicum, A. hirtum and A. ficulneus. The weight of the different life stages of the pink bollworm was also more significant when reared on Bt cotton. Similarly, morphometric parameters, including larval body length and width, as well as pupal size and adult body dimensions (including wing expanse), were significantly greater in PBW reared on Bt cotton than on other hosts. Larvae feeding on Bt cotton undergo physiological stress that delays development but allows extended feeding and compensatory growth, resulting in higher weight and longevity. Thus, Bt cotton induces delayed development in Bt tolerant populations, while non-cotton malvaceous hosts support faster but nutritionally inferior development. Thus, the results clearly indicate that the pink bollworm completes its life cycle on malvaceous hosts and this also might be a reason for the off seasonal survival of pink bollworm in cotton growing regions. This study could have implications for crop management strategies for controlling the pink bollworm, that can cause significant damage to cotton crops.

Ríos-Gallardo, PT, Carranza-García, LE, Dietze-Hermosa, M, Gonzalez, MP, Balsalobre-Fernández, C, Dorgo, S, and Montalvo, S. Validity and reliability of an AI-based jump height app vs. infrared contact mat: minimal influence of skin pigmentation under standardized lighting. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This study examined the validity, reliability, and visual robustness of an artificial intelligence-based mobile application (My Jump Lab) for measuring countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) height across a heterogeneous athletic population. A dual-session, test-retest design was implemented with 43 recreationally active adults (age: 21.2 ± 2.4 years), who performed 3 maximal-effort SJ and CMJ trials per session. Jump height was concurrently recorded using a force platform and the AI-based app. Validity was assessed through linear regression and Bland-Altman analyses, and reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV). A linear mixed-effects model tested whether body dimensions, lighting conditions, or skin pigmentation influenced AI accuracy. The AI systematically overestimated jump height (bias = +2.81 cm, p < 0.001), yet showed excellent concurrent validity (R2 = 0.94), strong within-session reliability (ICC = 0.97; CV = 4.2%), and good between-session reliability (ICC = 0.89). Countermovement jump values were more consistent than SJ. No significant effects were observed for lighting or pigmentation (p > 0.05). Although absolute error was higher in SJ, AI-based estimates remained stable across conditions. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. In conclusion, the AI-based app provides a valid and reliable alternative for field-based jump assessment. However, practitioners should interpret absolute values cautiously, especially for SJ. These findings support the utility of computer vision and AI to democratize biomechanical assessments without sacrificing measurement quality.

Toward dimensional body consciousness impairments in post-traumatic stress disorder and its dissociative subtype: A predictive processing approach.

Substantial innovations have been made in breast pedicle designs and breast implant manufacturing. Nevertheless, core principles in procedural planning remain key to ensuring optimal outcomes. Similarly, thromboembolic risk assessments have been standardized for decades, yet slight adjustments in utilization of prophylactic medications in the current era continue to be made and require evidence for safety. The articles reviewed in this month’s PRS Journal Club highlight the importance of an objective determination of the breast meridian, the benefits of direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction in the prepectoral plane, and the safety of direct oral anticoagulants after body-contouring procedures. Breast reduction and mastopexy procedures rely on an accurate meridian marking to ensure optimal nipple placement. Previous historic studies have sought to determine ideal breast dimensions.1–3 The vertical position of the nipple has been demonstrated to be an upper pole to lower pole ratio of 45:55,4 but the horizontal position of the nipple continues to be debated. Although studies have suggested that a slightly lateral nipple position is ideal,5,6 no standardized guideline has been universally adopted for the optimal horizontal position of the nipple relative to body dimensions. In the first March Journal Club article, “Simplifying Breast Reduction: An Effective Approach to Defining the Ideal Breast Meridian,” Kim et al.7 determined that the center of the nipple is ideally 11% of the underbust circumference. DTI breast reconstruction after mastectomy has been demonstrated to be safe in select patient populations,8–10 but studies that directly compare prepectoral DTI with prepectoral 2-stage reconstruction are limited. In the second March Journal Club article, “A Closer Look at Prepectoral Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Matched-Pair Comparison of Direct-to-Implant versus Two-Stage Outcomes,” Amro et al.11 utilized propensity matching to retrospectively compare these 2 cohorts and achieved similar preoperative variables. They found that prepectoral 2-stage and DTI reconstruction have similar risk profiles, but DTI may be more beneficial in the correctly identified patient. Prepectoral 2-stage reconstruction is associated with higher rates of seromas and surgical-site complications compared with DTI reconstruction. Although seromas are also the most common complication after abdominoplasty, these procedures carry a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) events due to several factors, such as rectus plication increasing intra-abdominal pressure and, thereby, decreasing lower extremity venous return.12,13 Low-molecular-weight heparin has been shown to reduce postoperative thrombotic complication rates in excisional body-contouring surgery,14 and society task force statements advocate for VTE risk stratification,15 yet it remains unknown which anticoagulation protocol is best. In addition, several surgeons remain apprehensive about the use of anticoagulants given the potential risks of postoperative bleeding complications after these procedures. In the third March Journal Club article, “Apixaban (Eliquis) for Venous Thromboembolic Prophylaxis following Abdominoplasty: Establishing a Safety and Efficacy Profile,” Bricker et al.16 demonstrate that apixaban is a safe and effective alternative to enoxaparin for VTE prophylaxis after abdominoplasty. Additional studies will be needed to compare the efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin with that of factor Xa inhibitors. In conclusion, the articles discussed in this month’s PRS Journal Club provide data-driven determination of fundamental geometric principles in plastic surgery, emphasize a more streamlined approach for prepectoral breast reconstruction after mastectomy, and provide an opportunity for novel anticoagulation regimens that may be more convenient for patient compliance. DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial or nonfinancial conflicts of interest to disclose.

Human childbirth is uniquely challenging among primates, which has been attributed to evolutionary trade-offs between birthing large-brained infants and bipedal locomotion ('obstetrical dilemma'). Adapted for efficient upright walking and running, the human pelvis forms a rigid ring that leaves little leeway for parturition and causes a relatively high risk of obstructed labour. Static mechanics suggests that a wider pelvis increases the energy demands of the abductor muscles during locomotion. Recent empirical studies, however, have not observed a significant increase in whole-body locomotor costs in individuals with wider pelves. To investigate this discrepancy, we employed a detailed musculoskeletal model and predictive forward modelling to simulate human gait while systematically varying body dimensions beyond modern human variation. Our results confirm that a wider pelvis substantially increases abductor muscle energy demands and activation (± 10% for ± 20% width change), consistent with predictions based on lever mechanics. However, during dynamic walking, these increased demands are offset by a redistribution of energy costs to other muscles, leading to only minimal increases in whole-body metabolic cost (± 1% for ± 20% width change). In contrast, lower limb length shows a 2.5-fold greater effect on metabolic cost than pelvic width. These findings reconcile static mechanics predictions with whole-body measurements: while abductor muscle costs increase with pelvic width as predicted, these costs are compensated mainly at the organismal level. We propose that if locomotor costs constrained pelvic evolution, they likely operated through subsystem-level mechanisms, such as muscle-specific energetics and fatigue, rather than whole-body energy economy.

BACKGROUNDPerianal abscesses (PAs) are associated with significant complications, such as recurrent infections, pain, anal fistulas, rectovaginal fistulas, rectourethral fistulas, and rectovesical fistulas. However, established primary and secondary prevention strategies for PAs are lacking.AIMTo explore the relationships between obesity and lipid metabolites, including perianal abscess onset.METHODSWe conducted two independent studies under a unified research question. Case-control analysis was conducted at a single hospital between May 2023 and November 2023. Inpatients diagnosed with a perianal abscess and matched healthy controls were included. Body dimensions and serum metabolites were measured. Genome-wide association study data regarding genetic variants of PAs, obesity, and serum metabolites were obtained for the Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. The study outcomes were perianal abscess onset and the number and location of PAs.RESULTSIn the case-control study, higher body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), blood glucose levels, uric acid (UA) levels, total cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were associated with increased risk of PAs. Higher high-density lipoprotein levels were associated with reduced risk of PAs. The BMI, WHR, WHtR, UA level, triglyceride level, and LDL level were associated with the number and severity of PAs. In MR analysis, the BMI, WHR, body fat percentage, whole body fat mass, limb fat percentage, limb fat mass, and various lipid profiles were significantly associated with the risk of PAs.CONCLUSIONA hospital-based case-control study and an independent MR analysis consistently support obesity and lipid metabolism profiles are associated with an increased risk of perianal abscess. These findings provide a basis for developing primary and secondary prevention strategies for perianal abscess.

Accurate measurement of sheep body dimensions is fundamental for growth monitoring and breeding management. To address the limited segmentation accuracy and the trade-off between lightweight design and precision in existing non-contact measurement methods, this study proposes an improved model, YOLOv12n-Seg-SSM, for the automatic measurement of body height, body length, and chest circumference from side-view images of sheep. The model employs a synergistic strategy that combines semantic segmentation with 3D point cloud geometric fitting. It incorporates the SegLinearSimAM feature enhancement module, the SEAttention channel optimization module, and the ENMPDIoU loss function to improve measurement robustness under complex backgrounds and occlusions. After segmentation, valid RGB-D point clouds are generated through depth completion and point cloud filtering, enabling 3D computation of key body measurements. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved model outperforms the baseline YOLOv12n-Seg: the mAP@0.5 for segmentation reaches 94.20%, the mAP@0.5 for detection reaches 95.00% (improvements of 0.5 and 1.3 percentage points, respectively), and the recall increases to 99.00%. In validation tests on 43 Hu sheep, the R2 values for chest circumference, body height, and body length were 0.925, 0.888 and 0.819, respectively, with measurement errors within 5%. The model requires only 10.71 MB of memory and 9.9 GFLOPs of computation, enabling real-time operation on edge devices. This study demonstrates that the proposed method achieves non-contact automatic measurement of sheep body dimensions, providing a practical solution for on-site growth monitoring and intelligent management in livestock farms.

We analysed sexual dimorphism, various aspects of feeding ecology, and reproductive traits of the grass snake (Natrix natrix) population inhabiting the marshy-swamp ecosystem of Bardača. Through a capture-mark-recapture study, between 2011 and 2014, the first long-term investigations of this snake species were commenced in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 172 adult individuals (96 ♀ : 76 ♂) have been captured and marked. Females reached larger overall body dimensions than males (maximum snout-vent length, SVL, was 994 mm and 640 mm, respectively) and had longer jaws than males of the same body length. On the other hand, tails were relatively longer in males compared to females (22.3% and 19.3% of total body length). Diet analysis revealed yearly differences in qualitative composition of prey, which confirmed intra-population plasticity in the grass snake’s diet. We also found differences in the direction of prey swallowing depending on the prey type (frog or fish): anurans were significantly more often swallowed tail-first, and fish head-first. Also, we found intersexual differences in prey type: females consumed more diverse prey and ate green frogs (Pelophylax sp.) significantly more often. Females reach adulthood at SVL of 62.6 cm and males at SVL of 48.5 cm. Clutch sizes ranged between eight and 28 eggs, and the correlation between female body size and clutch size was positive.

BACKGROUND: The morphological and physical development status of children and adolescents in the Nizhny Novgorod Region may be determined by specific environmental conditions. AIM: The study aimed to identify characteristics and describe the morphological status of children and adolescents within the environmental context of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. METHODS: The study material comprised anthropometric data collected by the author from populations of children and adolescents in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, fully comparable with the unified methodological standards of the Research Institute of Hygiene and Health Protection of Children and Adolescents. Analysis of total body dimensions was performed using operational datasets and contemporary descriptive approaches that document changes and provide an objective profile of anthropometric indicators within the regional secular trend, with consideration of environmental load characteristics and place of residence of the studied population groups. Quantitative assessment of statistical differences by sex, age, and geographic location was performed using Student’s t test, Fisher’s test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Pearson’s test, with differences considered significant at p 0.05. RESULTS: Changes in sex- and age-related characteristics of anthropometric parameters were demonstrated. Sexual dimorphism in total body dimensions was observed at ages 11–14 years, with residents of the northern territories lagging by an average of 2–3 months. Annual growth increments revealed substantial advantages for most parameters, except the body height. Variability in body height differed remarkably, manifesting in 45.5% of cases in northern areas and 72.7% in southern areas. The tempo of pubertal development was more accelerated in southern areas, whereas in northern areas the proportion of delayed maturation was 50.0% higher. CONCLUSION: The set of natural and climatic conditions in the northern and southern territories of the Nizhny Novgorod Region determines the characteristics in a heterogeneous manner. Children and adolescents living in southern territories demonstrated higher values across most parameters, whereas their northern peers showed delayed pubertal development, with boys exhibiting relative advantages in functional indicators and body height. The southern cohort showed a notably lower proportion of individuals with low body weight and a predominance of children with increased body weight and height, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in northern territories. Pubertal development was remarkably accelerated in southern territories, whereas in the extreme northern territories, delayed development among boys was 1.5 times higher and advanced development occurred twice as rarely, with comparable proportions within normal ranges. Among girls from northern regions, the proportion of delayed development showed a substantial positive correlation with age.