Desired Body Research Articles

Caribbean Bodies of Global Desire: Tourism and Eroticism in Contemporary Cinema

Caribbean Bodies of Global Desire: Tourism and Eroticism in Contemporary Cinema

Nanoemulsion Based Supramolecular Drug Delivery Systems for Therapeutic Management of Fungal Infections

Abstract: Fungal infections are one of the significant causes of death worldwide. Antifungal agents are associated with several side effects and toxicities while treating these infections. To overcome these physicochemical and pharmacokinetic side effects of antifungal agents, supramolecular drug delivery systems can be employed. The emulsion-based supramolecular assemblies, i.e., micro-emulsion and nanoemulsion, can be functionalized to achieve targeted delivery of antifungal drugs at the desired body sites. Emulsion based supramolecular assemblies have the ability to minimize the side effects related to antifungal agents and enhance their efficacy and safety profile. The pre-sent review focuses on the severe fungal infections and antifungal agents available for their man-agement with their drawbacks. This review also introduces various emulsion-based supramolecular drug delivery approaches that may improve the usability of antifungal agents or reduce their side effects to treat fungal infections.

Association between overweight/obesity perception, actual body weight and cardiometabolic risk among healthy Ghanaian adults

BackgroundThe global rise in obesity, particularly among black Africans in developing nations experiencing nutritional transitions, underscores the importance of exploring Overweight/Obesity Perception (OP) as a crucial factor in maintaining an optimal body weight. Incorrect body image perception may impede efforts to achieve the desired body weight, leading to adverse outcomes related to Cardiometabolic Diseases (CMD). This cross-sectional study investigated the interplay between overweight/obesity perception, actual body weight, and CMD risk in a cohort of healthy Ghanaian adults. MethodsA total of 302 apparently healthy adults, aged 25–60 years, with Dagomba ancestry, were recruited from three communities. Participants were screened based on age, ancestry, history of communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), and use of antidiabetic, lipid-lowering, and antihypertensive drugs. Anthropometric assessments and blood sample collections for biochemical analysis were conducted. Body image perception was measured using the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale (SFRS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation analysis, logistic regression, and multivariate analysis. ResultsParticipants had a mean age of 38.28 ± 10.88, with 61.6% being women. While 47% accurately perceived their body weight, 53% had incorrect perceptions. Notably, 47.2% underestimated and 8.5% overestimated their weight status. Among overweight individuals, 33% underestimated and 9.4% overestimated their weight, whereas among the obese, 66.7% and 33.3% respectively had inaccurate perceptions. Gender, serum triglyceride levels, and waist circumference were significantly associated with weight perception. About 55% of overweight/obese participants and 62.1% with high waist circumference did not express a desire to lose weight. Multiple logistic regression revealed that both overweight (AOR = 6, 95% CI (1.8–20.2), p < 0.05) and obesity (AOR = 20.5, 95% CI (5–84.9), p < 0.05) significantly increased the odds of CMD. ConclusionThe findings underscore the association between overweight/obesity and an elevated risk of CMD. This emphasizes the imperative for public health interventions aimed at promoting an ideal body weight and highlighting the impact of overweight/obesity on CMD risk factors.

Pengujian Perangkat Lunak Metode Black Box Pada Aplikasi Sistem Pakar Pola Latihan dan Asupan Makanan

Software testing is an important part of expert system application development. This software testing aims to ensure optimal performance and functionality of this application, where the application must be able to run according to a previously created design and application testing must ensure that the program is free from errors.&#x0D; The testing methodology includes a series of steps designed to identify potential bugs, ensure proper integration between components, and verify that the application meets functional and non-functional requirements. Testing is carried out using various functional testing scenarios.&#x0D; Test results show that this application is able to provide accurate and relevant solutions in the context of exercise patterns to achieve the desired body goals. Additionally, application performance is tested to ensure fast response and good user experience, even under high load conditions. The findings from this test provide confidence that the "Exercise Pattern and Food Intake Expert System" is ready for use by end users.

Why Acute Undernutrition? A Qualitative Exploration of Food Preferences, Perceptions and Factors Underlying Diet in Adolescent Girls in Rural Communities in Nigeria.

Adolescent girls are nutritionally vulnerable due to their rapid growth and increased nutrient requirements. Nigeria has the sixth-largest population in the world. This study qualitatively explored the food preferences, perceptions of nutritive value and factors underlying food consumption of adolescent girls in rural communities in Nigeria. The data were collected via the free listing of foods and focus group sessions conducted in the Hausa language with 48 unmarried adolescent girls. The discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed using a deductive thematic framework. The mean age of the respondents was 13.0 ± 2.7, and almost half (48%) had a primary school education. A total of 19 and 23 foods were identified as preferred, and perceived as nourishing, respectively. The top 10 foods present on both free lists overlapped considerably in terms of cognitive salience. The focus group themes included nutrition knowledge, food preferences, autonomy, household food allocation, courtship practices, and agricultural landscapes and economic access. The participants had minimal knowledge of nutrients and food groups, and their preferred foods were limited in diversity. The key factors in food preferences were desirable health effects, sensory attributes, and the contribution of foods to a desirable body image for marriage. Household food choices depended on parents. Thus, a desire for independence was an incentive for early marriage, mostly at 13 to 17 years. Gender inequities in household food distribution (quantity) and animal protein intake were reported. The participants believed that boys need more food for strength to impregnate girls. As part of a courtship practice, the girls received gifts of animal source foods from potential suitors. The food options were limited by financial challenges and low agricultural diversity. To interrupt the cycle of inadequate food consumption and undernutrition in these adolescent girls, policy makers need to promote nutrition education and address the underlying determinants of inequitable access to nutritious foods.

Bodies of desire: use of nonprescribed hormones among transgender women and travestis in five Brazilian capitals (2019–2021)

RESUMO Objective Analisar experiências de mulheres trans e travestis com o uso de hormônios para mudança corporal sem prescrição médica. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal, quantitativo e qualitativo, utilizando um recorte do TransOdara, que estimou prevalência de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis em mulheres trans e travestis, recrutadas por meio de Respondent-Driven Sampling, entre dezembro de 2019 e julho de 2021, em São Paulo, Campo Grande, Manaus, Porto Alegre e Salvador. Principal desfecho: uso de hormônios sem prescrição médica e fatores associados. Foram realizados análise descritiva e modelos de regressão logísticos univariados mistos e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Resultados: Das 1.317 participantes recrutadas, 85,9% já haviam usado hormônios. O uso atual de hormônios foi referido por 40,7% (536) delas. Das que souberam informar o local onde os conseguiram, 72,6% (381/525) faziam uso sem prescrição médica. As variáveis associadas ao uso sem prescrição foram: exercer trabalho sexual em tempo integral (OR 4,59; IC95% 1,90–11,06) ou no passado (OR 1,92; IC95% 1,10–3,34); não ter retificado o nome (OR 3,59; IC95% 2,23–5,76); não estar estudando (OR 1,83; IC95% 1,07–3,13); ser mais jovem (OR 2,16; IC95% 1,31–3,56); ter sofrido discriminação em algum momento na vida por ser mulheres trans e travestis (OR 0,40 – IC95% 0,20–0,81). Conclusão: O uso de hormônios não prescritos é alto entre mulheres trans e travestis, principalmente entre as mais jovens, as que não estudavam, as que não retificaram o nome e as com histórico de trabalho sexual. Está relacionado à urgência para a transição de gênero, com uso exagerado e danos à saúde.

Bodies of desire: use of nonprescribed hormones among transgender women and travestis in five Brazilian capitals (2019-2021).

To analyze the experiences of transgender women and travestis regarding the use of hormones for body changes without a medical prescription. This is a cross-sectional, quantitative and qualitative study, using data from "TransOdara", which estimated the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in transgender women and travestis recruited through Respondent-Driven Sampling, between December 2019 and July 2021, in São Paulo, Campo Grande, Manaus, Porto Alegre, and Salvador, Brazil. The main outcome was: use of hormones without medical prescription and associated risk factors. Descriptive analysis, mixed univariate logistic regression models, and semi-structured interviews were carried out. Of the 1,317 recruited participants, 85.9% had already used hormones. The current use of hormones was reported by 40.7% (536) of them. Of those who were able to inform the place where they obtained them, 72.6% (381/525) used them without a medical prescription. The variables associated with the outcome were: current full-time sex work (OR 4.59; 95%CI 1.90-11.06) or in the past (OR 1.92; 95%CI 1.10-3.34), not having changed their name (OR 3.59; 95%CI 2.23-5.76), not currently studying (OR 1.83; 95%CI 1.07-3.13), being younger (OR 2.16; 95%CI 1.31-3.56), and having suffered discrimination at some point in life for being a transgender women and travestis (OR 0.40; 95%CI 0.20-0.81). The use of nonprescribed hormones is high among transgender women and travestis, especially among those who are younger, did not study, have not changed their name, and with a history of sex work. This use is related to the urgency for gender transition, with excessive use and damage to health.

Searching for desirable bodies: How recruiters value physically exertive extracurricular activities for graduate hiring at elite professional firms in China.

The field of research in evaluating and applying Bourdieu's theories has seen growing interests in studying how the formation and effect of cultural capital vary in different contexts and fields. While existing studies have increasingly focussed on evaluating the role of cultural capital in creating educational inequalities in the Chinese context, little is known about how activities and taste are valued in the Chinese labour market. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 73 recruiters in elite professional firms in China, this article presents a study on how recruiters interpret physically exertive extracurricular activities (ECAs) for graduate hiring. It shows that these ECAs were valorised for assessing individual qualities and competences in job interviews, while other cultural activities, leisure or tastes carried little value. The notion of the body appeared central to this valorisation, conferring symbolic value onto physical exertive ECAs. The value of these activities was twofold, serving to convey candidates' possession of physical and embodied capital, which resonated to the normative dimension of elite professional firms. Recruiters thus used these activities to seek new professional bodies consumable for demanding professional work and resonating with the normative discourses of professionalism. This study provides more nuanced understandings of cultural capital in a non-Western context and the role of ECAs in elite hiring. It also contributes to the development of physical and embodied capital by integrating perspective that links the body with labour process and professional control.

Thermosensation and Temperature Preference: From Molecules to Neuronal Circuits in Drosophila.

Temperature has a significant effect on all physiological processes of animals. Suitable temperatures promote responsiveness, movement, metabolism, growth, and reproduction in animals, whereas extreme temperatures can cause injury or even death. Thus, thermosensation is important for survival in all animals. However, mechanisms regulating thermosensation remain unexplored, mostly because of the complexity of mammalian neural circuits. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster achieves a desirable body temperature through ambient temperature fluctuations, sunlight exposure, and behavioral strategies. The availability of extensive genetic tools and resources for studying Drosophila have enabled scientists to unravel the mechanisms underlying their temperature preference. Over the past 20 years, Drosophila has become an ideal model for studying temperature-related genes and circuits. This review provides a comprehensive overview of our current understanding of thermosensation and temperature preference in Drosophila. It encompasses various aspects, such as the mechanisms by which flies sense temperature, the effects of internal and external factors on temperature preference, and the adaptive strategies employed by flies in extreme-temperature environments. Understanding the regulating mechanisms of thermosensation and temperature preference in Drosophila can provide fundamental insights into the underlying molecular and neural mechanisms that control body temperature and temperature-related behavioral changes in other animals.

Body appearance values modulate risk aversion in eating restriction.

The understanding of eating disorders is hindered by the lack of integration between existing psychosocial and neurobiological approaches. We address this problem by developing a novel transdiagnostic and computational approach to eating restriction decisions. We first validated a novel paradigm which extends an established monetary risk task to involve body stimuli with psychosocial values. We used advanced behavioral data analysis of a large (total N = 539) sample of women from across the eating restraint spectrum, including those with anorexia nervosa (AN; n = 31), recovered from AN (n = 23), and subclinical women with varying levels of eating restraint (n = 485), obtained from an online experiment, public event, and laboratory-based study. We found that social and motivational values regarding body appearance have a significant effect on value-based, decision making in eating restriction. Subsequently, validated descriptive and predictive advanced computational modeling indicated that these behaviors are driven by an aversion to risk rather than loss, with desirable body outcomes being associated with less risk aversion, and undesirable body outcomes linked to greater risk aversion. These findings indicate that cognitive and social factors influence eating decisions by distinct mechanisms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Narcissus' belief about his body: Aspects of narcissism, body image, and eating disorder symptoms.

Narcissism may play a role in shaping body image concerns. Here we examined the relationships between narcissism (i.e., agentic extraversion, antagonism, narcissistic neuroticism, leadership/authority, exhibitionism/entitlement) and body image concerns and disturbances (i.e., drive for thinness, drive for muscularity, eating disorder symptoms, body mass index, current/desired fat, and current/desired muscularity). Mechanical Turk workers from the USA (N = 430; 64% male) completed the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire, the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Drive for Muscularity Scale, the Drive for Thinness Scale, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-Short, and the Sex-Specific Somatomorphic Matrixes. All narcissistic factors were associated with a greater drive for thinness (except for leadership/authority) and for muscularity, more eating disorder symptoms, a greater desired body fat (except for leadership/authority), and a greater current muscularity. Greater agentic extraversion and exhibitionism/entitlement were associated with lower levels of current body fat, and greater antagonism was associated with a greater desired muscularity. Notably, individual differences in narcissism appeared to be important in understanding body image concerns, broadly speaking. We found that narcissism may be associated with body image concerns among both sexes differently, and especially that drive for thinness was more related to narcissism in men. Our results emphasize the importance of narcissism in formulating and treating body image-related disorders for both men and women. Ultimately, narcissistic features of personality may be risk factors for developing and perpetuating body image concerns, and therefore should be considered in assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and treatment of eating disorders.

Body image and willingness to change it-A study of university students in Poland.

The present study aimed to identify declared patterns of ideal appearance among students at selected higher education institutions in Poland. In the present study, we set out to identify the body image and the propensity to change it. In order to achieve the goal of the study, a nationwide survey was carried out using a voluntary diagnostic survey. A total of 810 respondents took part in the survey. The study was conducted using a custom-made self-designed survey questionnaire with an indirect interview technique via a web-based platform (CAWI). The study results indicate that women were far more eager to maintain an attractive appearance through dieting than men. Importantly, the respondents, both women and men, did not identify influencers as role models of attractive appearance. Results of the present survey reveal that attitudes towards one's physical appearance are diverse and influenced by the considered factors. The attributes that determined the perception of oneself as an attractive person included height, weight, and body build. Normal body weight is a key feature of an attractive appearance, according to the respondents; nevertheless, students show a higher tolerance for being overweight than for being underweight. Furthermore, preferences in this respect are largely conditioned by individual personal characteristics. According to young people, a person with an attractive appearance is one who eats and exercises regularly, and who does not fall into extremes in terms of their appearance. On the other hand, the fear of growing fat and losing one's attractive appearance was frequently indicated among the concerns over personal appearance. Only one in five respondents expressed complete satisfaction with how they looked, with men and those with a normal BMI significantly more likely to do so. Respondents expressed readiness to undertake a range of activities related to increased exercise regime, changes in their eating habits, or seeking assistance (e.g., of a personal trainer) to achieve the desired body shape. Our findings can be used as a basis for discussion and consideration in developing educational activities on nutrition, as well as on overweight- and obesity-related health issues.

SAT677 Use Of An Anti-obesity Medication In A Transgender Woman Pursuing Body Mass Index Requirements For Gender-affirming Surgery

Abstract Disclosure: J.M. Taormina: None. A.H. Gilden: None. S.J. Iwamoto: None. Introduction: Obesity prevalence is higher in transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults compared to the general population. TGD people experience gender minority stress and disparities in lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status and medical comorbidities that likely contribute to excess weight. Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) has also been associated with increased body weight; oral estrogen with an antiandrogen is associated with increased fat mass and decreased lean mass. Many surgery centers enforce body mass index (BMI) requirements for gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) that limit access for TGD patients with obesity. The most effective and affirming weight management strategies for TGD patients have yet to be determined. Bariatric surgery has been identified as a treatment to address obesity prior to GAS; however, surgical weight loss can delay GAS for 3 years. While anti-obesity medications (AOMs) are effective, literature is needed supporting their use in TGD patients prior to GAS. Clinical Case: We report the case of a 40-year-old transgender woman with BMI 39.6 kg/m2, prediabetes, mixed hyperlipidemia, hypertension, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and congenital solitary kidney who presented for weight loss to qualify for gender-affirming bilateral breast augmentation. Her surgeon required a presurgical BMI &amp;lt;35.0 kg/m2. She had no prior GAS or bariatric procedures. She was taking intramuscular estradiol valerate, oral progesterone, spironolactone, and omeprazole without a history of prior AOM use. She was counseled on lifestyle modification, including recommendations for a reduced calorie diet, regular aerobic and resistance physical activity and sleep hygiene. Given history of prediabetes and NASH and superior mean weight loss with semaglutide compared to other FDA-approved AOMs, she was started on semaglutide 0.25 mg subcutaneously weekly with monthly dose escalation. In 3 months, she lost 17.7 kg or 13.9% total body weight with BMI 34.1 kg/m2. Complications addressed during treatment included acute kidney injury from poor water intake as a potential medication side effect; medication supply issues; limited engagement in physical activity due to lack of social safety, body dysmorphia and wish to limit upper body muscle mass for her desired body contour. Clinical Lessons: This case highlights (1) the need for increased access to affirming weight management services for TGD patients with obesity pursuing GAS and (2) the potential role of AOMs in assisting TGD patients in reaching presurgical BMI targets. Whether BMI requirements for GAS lead to improved surgical outcomes needs additional research. Perspectives on and the impacts of BMI requirements for GAS deserve exploration. Further studies are also needed to evaluate the needs of TGD patients in weight loss interventions and the effects of weight loss and AOMs on GAHT management. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023

“Tall, Dark and Tasty”: Masculinity in Food and Beverage Advertising

Abstract Food and drinks are necessary components of daily life. Similar to other types of advertising, food advertising frequently employs images of models to promote a company’s products, thus creating stereotypically gendered representations. This study aims to analyse the key discursive strategies employed in the representation of masculinity (and femininity) in contemporary food and beverage advertising in a sample of 35 print advertisements launched between 2000 and 2020. Food and beverages constitute utilitarian products, in contrast to hedonic products. This study analyses posters that promote products that fit into five major categories: (1) alcoholic and (2) non-alcoholic beverages, (3) fast food, (4) snacks, and (5) sport nutrition, in order to trace the relation between the types of endorsed products and the strategies employed in the representations of masculinity. Among the brands advertised are Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Coca-Cola, Maximuscle, McDonald’s, KFC and Nespresso. The study investigates how ideals of masculinity (and femininity) are represented, especially in terms of body ideals, and how these representations construct and promote socially desirable gendered bodies, thus having an impact on an individual’s satisfaction with their own body. We will show that the “framing of visibility” featuring male models as strong and therefore powerful, with trained muscular bodies, is contrasted with the “framing of invisibility,” in which female models are primarily represented as skinny and lightweight, but hyper-feminine and sexually appealing, which in turn leads to their objectification and sexualisation.

Body Image Perceptions and Visualization of Vietnamese Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

ABSTRACT Research on body image among men who have sex with men (MSM) has predominantly been approached with the assumption that all MSM conform to a culturally preferred body, and have a high risk of body image concerns leading to risky behaviors and negative health outcomes. Scholars have called for a more nuanced understanding of how MSM engage with their body images. In response, we conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with Vietnamese MSM to explore their perceptions and feelings of their bodies, including their current body, idealized body, and sexually desired body. Inductive thematic analysis was utilized. The findings highlight the diversity and complexity in Vietnamese MSM’s perceptions and feelings about their bodies, which Western measurements of body image and body dissatisfaction might not fully capture. The participants also acknowledge the pressure of physical appearance; however, they do not always conform to the dominant body ideals and have a high risk of body dissatisfaction. We conclude with a call for reframing the approach to gay and bisexual men’s body image to understand better how they navigate complex pressures and make sense of their body image instead of assuming they are at risk of body dissatisfaction.

Optimization of Age at Maturity in Surti Buffalo Heifers with Dietary Supplementation of Bypass Protein and Bypass Fat

Surti buffaloes heifers reared under ideal feeding and managemental practices achieve puberty, sexual maturity and first calving at the optimum desired age and body weight. In growing heifers during first parity, requirement of high plane of nutrition is obvious to meet the demands of body growth of dam, growth of fetus, and galactopoetic functions. This study was aimed to find out the effect of feeding bypass protein and bypass fat right from the age of puberty up to the age of first successful conception, i.e. maturity in Surti buffalo heifers. Sixteen Surti buffalo heifers were allotted in four equal groups (n=4 in each group), viz., Control (T-1) fed basal diet following ICAR nutrient requirements, T-2 basal diet + 30 % protein of concentrate mixture replaced with formaldehyde treated guar meal (FTGM), T-3 basal diet + 100 gm bypass fat (BF), and T-4 basal diet + 30 % protein of concentrate mixture replaced with FTGM + 100 gm of BF. All the treatment diets were isonitrogenous. The results revealed that there was beneficial effect of feeding by pass protein and bypass fat along with routine feeding management on growth of heifers in terms of the body wt. gain and reduced age at first conception (maturity) and thereby age at first calving (AFC). AFC reduced to 37.25, 37.87 and 33.37 months, respectively, in T2, T3 and T4 groups respectively; compared to 43.75 months in Control group. Further, the net benefit over control, in the group of heifers fed with FTGM alone and FTGM plus BF groups were 22.90 % and 16.40 % respectively.

Effect of age and gender on dietary patterns, mindful eating, body image and confidence

The emergence of ‘Diet Culture’ came into existence with the era of pop culture, which emphasized the idea of body improvement by embracing the portrayal of unrealistic beauty standards set by the thin-ideal media. This growing and trending culture gained its popularity in India with the COVID pandemic and the imposed lockdown, wherein the prevalence of obesity and binge eating resulted from counter-regulatory eating behaviors and restrictive food intake to a greater extent of skipping meals to achieve the desired body type. The present empirical investigation focuses on understanding the gender and age-based differences (between the ages 18 to 55) among Indian population on dietary patterns, body image, mindful eating and physical appearance confidence using 2 × 3 factorial design. The tools used were Eating Behavior Pattern Questionnaire (EBPQ) [43], Body Self- image Questionnaire (BSIQ) [40], Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) [18] and Personal Evaluation Inventory (PEI) [44] were administered on a sample size of 120, selected using convenience sampling technique. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS Version 20.0. Results of the study reveal non-significant age and gender differences for mindful eating and appearance confidence. Significant age- differences were observed for Snacking and convenience F(2,114) = 6.22, p < .05; social dependence F(2,114) = 3.87, p < .05 and height dissatisfaction F(2,114) = 8.79, p < .05. And, significant gender differences were observed for Meal Skipping F(1,114) = 6.46, P < .05; snacking and convenience F(1,114) = 4.19, p < .05; fatness evaluation F(1,114) = 5.94, p < .05 and fitness evaluation F(1,114) = 5.33, p < .05. The only significant interaction effect observed was for social dependence dimension F(2, 114) = 3.96, p < .05. Thus, high exposure to social media and diet-related content contributed significantly to changing dietary patterns, and how they look, feel or perceive their body.

The Occurrence of Cancer can be Prevented

The occurrence of cancer can be prevented through primary prevention: maintaining desirable body weight, adequate nutrition, sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables, regular physical activity, changes in sexual behavior and reduced exposure to carcinogens in the environment, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. Scientific research indicates that one-third of the disease can be prevented primarily by stopping smoking and changing eating habits. Early detection of cancer, or screening, plays a very important role in the fight against cancer

Development of a Multilayer Iliac Crest Numerical Model for Simulating Honeybee Stinger-Inspired Hollow Needle Insertion

Abstract Minimally invasive biopsy needles are frequently inserted into the desired body regions while performing the bone marrow biopsy (BMB) procedure. The key problem with needle insertion in tissues is that the insertion force damages the tissue and deviates the needle path, leading the needle to miss the desired target and reducing biopsy sample integrity. To address these shortcomings, the present work developed a unique bio-inspired barbed biopsy needle design that reduces insertion/extraction forces and needle deflection. This study established several design parameters, including barb geometry and shape (viz., the height of barb, barbed front angle, barbed back angle, and length of portion containing barbs), and examined the impact of these factors on insertion/extraction force and deflection. A Lagrangian surface-based nonlinear finite element (FE) approach has been used to numerically simulate the BMB procedure on a three-dimensional (3D) multilayered heterogeneous model of the human iliac crest. The proposed honeybee stinger-inspired needle design has been found to reduce both insertion and extraction forces because of the decreased frictional surface of the biopsy needle.

Body Image and Lifestyle Behaviors in High School Adolescents.

This secondary data analysis study aimed to examine the associations between 1) body size perception (BSP) and body size dissatisfaction (BSD) and 2) lifestyle behaviors and BSP and BSD in adolescents. The study pooled cross-sectional data from two studies (n = 301) performed in adolescents. Weight and height were measured, while lifestyle behaviors and perceived actual and desired body size variables were self-reported. Linear regression analysis assessed the contribution of sex and zBMI to BSP and BSD scores. Pearson's correlation explored associations between BSP and BSD. Cohen's effect sizes compared satisfied and dissatisfied adolescents within the underestimators subgroup. A positive association between BSP and BSD scores was observed among girls living with normal-weight and overweight/obesity only (r = 0.26; p ≤ 0.001 and r = 0.38; p < 0.05, respectively). Underestimators who were satisfied with their body size showed a moderate effect size for a lower zBMI, a small effect size for lower screen time, and higher sleep duration compared to dissatisfied underestimators. Underestimation was associated with more body size satisfaction in adolescent girls with normal weight and overweight/obesity, suggesting a protective effect of underestimation. These findings support the hypothesis that body size satisfaction and underestimation in adolescents is associated with healthier lifestyle behaviors.