Extreme Body Research Articles

The impact of body mass on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract Background Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and extreme body weights exhibit varying risks of bleeding and thrombotic outcomes. Furthermore, extreme body weights can influence the pharmacodynamic response to potent P2Y12 inhibitors (ticagrelor/prasugrel) and clopidogrel. Purpose This study aims to assess the impact of extreme body weights on cardiovascular outcomes, as well as the comparative efficacy and safety of potent P2Y12 inhibitors versus clopidogrel. Methods Data was extracted from the FORCE-ACS registry, a prospective, multicentre, registry, enrolling patients with ACS. Patients were stratified (in kg/m2) into the categories: underweight (body mass index [BMI] ≤20.0), normal weight (20.1–24.9), overweight (25.0–29.9), class 1 (30.0–34.9) and class 2 obesity (≥35.0). The primary thrombotic endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke. The primary bleeding endpoint was defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 2, 3 or 5 bleeding. Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate the risk of clinical events across the BMI categories. Restricted cubic splines were made to assess the continuous association of BMI with the risk of the primary endpoints, stratified for P2Y12-inhibitor therapy (potent vs. clopidogrel) and gender. Results The total included population consisted of 5,864 patients with ACS (mean age 65.2 years, 72.4% men), and were stratified into underweight (N=112 [2%]), normal weight (N=1,627 [28%]), overweight (N=2,697 [46%]), class 1 obesity (N=1,081 [18%]) and class 2 obesity (N=347 [6%]). Compared with normal weight (10.8%), the rate of primary bleeding outcome was higher in underweight (15.2%) patients, but lower in the overweight (8.9%), class 1 obesity (7.9%) and class 2 obesity (6.3%) categories. MACE occurred in 9.8% for the underweight group, 7.9% for normal weight, 7.0% for overweight, 8.0% for class, and 6.1% for class 2 obesity. After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors, access site, and medical therapy, each unit increase in BMI was associated with a decreased bleeding risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, p = 0.02), with no significant association found for MACE. Similar findings are demonstrated in the Kaplan Meier analysis (Figure 1A-1B). Subgroup analysis regarding bleeding risk and BMI did not show a significant interaction for potent P2Y12-inhibitor therapy versus clopidogrel and gender (P-value for interaction: 0.04 and 0.32, respectively)(Figure 2A-2D). Conclusions Our findings indicate a stronger correlation between BMI and bleeding risk compared to thrombotic risk, showing an increased risk for bleeding in patients with a low BMI. These results underscore the importance of careful monitoring and tailored interventions to mitigate bleeding risk in underweight patients.

Impact of body weight and body mass index on clinical outcomes of edoxaban therapy in atrial fibrillation patients included in the ETNA-AF-Global registry

Abstract Background In atrial fibrillation (AF) patients (pts) receiving non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant therapy, extreme body weights, both obesity and low body weight, may impact clinical outcomes. Purpose To determine the impact of body weight and body mass index (BMI) on clinical outcomes in AF pts receiving edoxaban from the Global ETNA program (Europe [NCT02944019], Japan [UMIN000017011], Korea/Taiwan [NCT02951039], Hong Kong [NCT03247582] and Thailand [NCT03247569]). Methods ETNA-AF-Global, a multinational, prospective, observational study collected demographic and clinical outcomes data for AF pts receiving edoxaban. In this subanalysis, pts were categorised into the following body weight groups: ≤60kg, >60 to 80kg (reference body weight), >80 to ≤100kg and >100kg; and BMI groups: <18.5kg/m², ≥18.5 to <25.0kg/m² (reference BMI), ≥25.0 to <30.0kg/m², ≥30.0 to <40.0kg/m² and ≥40.0kg/m². Clinical outcomes at 2-year follow-up were compared across body weight and BMI groups. Results 26,805 pts were included in this analysis. Mean ± standard deviation body weight was 72.2 ± 18.1kg and mean BMI was 26.4 ± 5.0kg/m². 43.7% of pts were categorised into the >60 to 80kg reference body weight group. [other groups: ≤60kg, 28.1%; >80 to ≤100kg, 21.7%; >100kg, 6.5%] and 40.0% of pts into the ≥18.5 to <25.0kg/m² reference BMI group [other groups: <18.5kg/m², 3.0%; ≥25.0 to <30.0kg/m², 37.3%; ≥30.0 to <40.0kg/m², 18.0%; ≥40.0kg/m², 1.7%]. Clinical outcomes are shown in Fig. 1 as unadjusted hazard ratios vs. reference group according to weight and in Fig. 2 according to BMI. Among body weight groups, pts weighing ≤60kg had the highest annualised rates of any stroke or systemic embolic event (SEE; 1.24%), ischemic stroke (0.97%), all-cause death (3.96%), major bleeding events (1.49%), and major bleeding or clinical-relevant non-major (CRNM) bleeding events (3.45%). Pts in the reference body weight group had the lowest annualised rates of all-cause death (2.81%). Annualised rates of major bleeding, major bleeding or CRNM bleeding events and any stroke or SEE were lowest in pts weighing >100kg. Among BMI groups, annualised rates of all effectiveness and safety outcomes were highest in pts with a BMI <18.5kg/m². Pts in the ≥25.0 to <30.0kg/m² BMI group had the lowest annualised rates of all-cause death (2.85%) and pts in the ≥18.5 to <25.0kg/m² BMI group had the lowest annualised rates of CV death (0.73%). Conclusions In the Global ETNA-AF program, clinical outcomes varied between different body weight and BMI subgroups. These findings highlight the need to consider the clinical implications of low body weight and/or low BMI, as AF pts who belong to these categories may be at higher risk of adverse outcomes during long-term anticoagulant treatment.Figure 1.Figure 2.

Navigating ideals: effects of curvy and thin models in Instagram fashion advertising on body type preferences and clothing purchase intentions

Purpose In light of the challenge the fashion industry faces to be more body shape-inclusive, several brands now feature curvy models (large breasts and buttocks, wide hips and a small waist) in their online advertising. Gaps exist in the understanding of the influence of these models on young consumers’ perceptions of body ideals and advertising effectiveness. This study aims to investigate how brief exposure to idealized thin and curvy models in Instagram fashion advertising affects young female consumers’ body type preferences and clothing purchase intentions. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 245 late-adolescent girls, aged 17–19 years, through online questionnaires. Participants were randomly assigned to view Instagram fashion advertising featuring thin or curvy models before reporting on study variables. Findings Results revealed that girls expressed a preference for the body type to which they were exposed. However, they indicated a higher intention to purchase clothes worn by thin models than those worn by curvy models despite rating both thin and curvy models as equally attractive. This effect held even when controlling for participants’ body size. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first known study to experimentally examine the effects of curvy models featured in Instagram fashion advertising on late-adolescent girls’ body type preferences and clothing purchase intentions. The study shows that purchase intentions do not necessarily follow body type preferences. Findings also highlight the role that advertisement content has in promoting idealized, yet frequently unattainable, body types. Marketers are encouraged to weigh the ethical implications of their use of these extreme body types.

7380 Qualitative Interviews Describing the Patient Experience of Individuals with Generalized Lipodystrophy Enrolled in a Clinical Trial of Mibavademab

Abstract Disclosure: S. Martin: Other; Self; Employee of RTI Health Solutions, an independent nonprofit research organization retained by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to conduct this research. Compensis unconnected to the studies they work on. K. Kosa: Other; Self; Employee of RTI Health Solutions, an independent nonprofit research organization retained by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to conduct this research. Compensis unconnected to the studies they work on. S. Podgrabinska: Employee; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Stock Owner; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. A. Garg: Consulting Fee; Self; Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Third Rock ventures, Kyttaro, Cello Health, Health Advances. Grant Recipient; Self; Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Amryt, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc. E.A. Oral: Consulting Fee; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Third Rock Ventures, Rejuvenate Inc. Grant Recipient; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Amryt Pharmaceuticals, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Gemphire Therapeutics. Other; Self; Amryt Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Fractyl Laboratories, GI Dynamics. I. Yildirim Simsir: None. R.J. Brown: Other; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. S. Ozen: None. O. Pagovich: Employee; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Stock Owner; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. D. Srinivasan: Employee; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Stock Owner; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. R.J. Sanchez: Employee; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Stock Owner; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Background: Generalized lipodystrophy (GLD) is characterized by near-total lack of adipose tissue and, consequently, low levels of serum leptin. Mibavademab (REGN4461) is an investigational human monoclonal agonist antibody of the leptin receptor. As part of the phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT04159415) of mibavademab, we conducted exit interviews to gather patient experience data specific to GLD and changes experienced during the study. Methods: Between week 52-54, experienced interviewers conducted 45-minute in-depth, semi structured, qualitative phone interviews to understand their GLD-related symptoms/signs, perceptions of any improvements experienced during the study as well as the importance of these improvements. Results: Interviews were conducted with 5 females and 2 males, with a mean age of 19.4 (range:15-23). Most participants reported experiencing hunger-related symptoms (n=6), pain, extreme body temperature sensations (n=5 for each), and fatigue or sleep problems (n=4 for each) prior to them starting the study. While we were interested in symptoms, many participants also reported clinical signs, such as enlarged/fatty liver and hyperglycemia (n=5 for each). Pain was most frequently reported as the most bothersome symptom (n=3) prior to the study. All participants who reported having hunger, pain, extreme body temperatures, hyperglycemia, and fatigue before the study reported improvements after 52 weeks of treatment. Participants generally indicated more than a minimal amount of change. For example, of the 5 participants who reported hunger as a symptom prior to the study and who were asked about the amount of change, all reported either “some” (n=1) or “a lot” of improvement (n=4). Participants, overall, rated each improvement, except body temperature as “very important.” Improvements in extreme body temperature were generally rated by participants as “somewhat important.” When asked which of the reported improvements were most important, changes in hyperglycemia was most frequently reported (n=4) followed by improvements in enlarged or fatty liver (n=2) and pain and hunger (n=1 each). All participants reported they were satisfied (n=2) or very satisfied (n=5) with the study treatment. Conclusions: All participants who reported symptoms of hunger, pain, fatigue, and extreme body temperature, or the clinical biomarker of hyperglycemia before entering the study reported improvements in each of these after treatment. In addition, all participants reported being either satisfied or very satisfied with treatment. This qualitative research provides insight into the patient experience for individuals with GLD and provides an opportunity to further understand and complement the clinical trial results. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Unraveling the impact of hyperleptinemia on female reproduction: insights from transgenic pig model

BackgroundInfertility is a growing global health concern affecting millions of couples worldwide. Among several factors, an extreme body weight adversely affects reproductive functions. Leptin is a well-known adipokine that serves as an endocrine signal between adiposity and fertility. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the effects of high leptin level on female reproduction remain unclear.MethodsTransgenic pigs overexpressing leptin (♀) were produced by backcrossing and screened for leptin overexpression. The growth curve, fat deposition, reproductive performance, apoptosis, serum hormones and cholesterol production, RNA sequencing, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of the leptin-overexpressing pigs and wild-type group were evaluated.ResultsTransgenic pigs overexpressing leptin (♀) were obtained, which exhibited significantly reduced body weight, body size, and back fat thickness. These pigs manifested a late onset of puberty (330 ± 54.3 vs. 155 ± 14.7 days), irregular estrous behavior characterized by increased inter-estrous interval (29.2 ± 0 vs. 21.3 ± 0.7 days), and more number of matings until pregnancy (at least 3 times). This reproductive impairment in leptin pigs was related to hormonal imbalances characterized by increased levels of FSH, LH, prolactin, E2, P4, and TSH, altered steroidogenesis such as increased levels of serum cholesterol esters along with steroidogenic markers (StAR, CYP19A), and ovarian dysfunctions manifested by neutrophilic infiltration and low expression of caspase-3 positive cells in the ovaries. Moreover, bulk RNA sequencing of the ovaries also revealed neutrophilic infiltration followed by upregulation of inflammation-related genes. Furthermore, snRNA-seq reflected that leptin overexpression triggered immune response, suppressed follicle development and luteinization, resulting in metabolic dysfunction and hormone imbalance in the ovary.ConclusionsLow body weight in leptin overexpressing pigs adversely affects the reproductive performance, causing delayed puberty, irregular estrous cycles, and reduced breeding efficiency. This is linked to metabolic imbalances, an increased immune response, and altered ovarian functions. This study provides a theoretical basis for the complex mechanisms underlying leptin, and infertility by employing leptin-overexpressing female pigs.

Small perturbations of polytopes

Motivated by first-order conditions for extremal bodies of geometric functionals, we study a functional analytic notion of infinitesimal perturbations of convex bodies and give a full characterization of the set of realizable perturbations if the perturbed body is a polytope. As an application, we derive a necessary condition for polytopal maximizers of the isotropic constant.

Extreme Body Condition Index Values in Small Mammals.

The body condition index (BCI) values in small mammals are important in understanding their survival and reproduction. The upper values could be related to the Chitty effect (presence of very heavy individuals), while the minimum ones are little known. In this study, we analyzed extremes of BCI in 12 small mammal species, snap-trapped in Lithuania between 1980 and 2023, with respect to species, animal age, sex, and participation in reproduction. The proportion of small mammals with extreme body condition indices was negligible (1.33% with a BCI < 2 and 0.52% with a BCI > 5) when considering the total number of individuals processed (n = 27,073). When compared to the expected proportions, insectivores and herbivores were overrepresented, while granivores and omnivores were underrepresented among underfit animals. The proportions of granivores and insectivores were higher, while those of omnivores and herbivores were lower than expected in overfit animals. In several species, the proportions of age groups in underfit and overfit individuals differed from that expected. The male-female ratio was not expressed, with the exception of Sorex araneus. The highest proportion of overfit and absence of underfit individuals was found in Micromys minutus. The observation that individuals with the highest body mass are not among those with the highest BCI contributes to the interpretation of the Chitty effect. For the first time in mid-latitudes, we report individuals of very high body mass in three shrew species.

The general minimal Orlicz surface area for measures

Petty proved that a convex body in [Formula: see text] has the minimal surface area among its [Formula: see text] images if and only if its surface area measure is isotropic. In this paper, we seek the general minimal Orlicz surface area of a convex body containing the origin in its interior among its [Formula: see text] images for a measure [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] with density that has a positive degree of homogeneous, demonstrate the existence of the extreme body, and establish a necessary condition for the extreme body. Moreover, we also provide a counterexample to negate the uniqueness of the extreme body attaining the general minimal Orlicz surface area for [Formula: see text].

Early evolution of small body size in Homo floresiensis

Recent discoveries of Homo floresiensis and H. luzonensis raise questions regarding how extreme body size reduction occurred in some extinct Homo species in insular environments. Previous investigations at Mata Menge, Flores Island, Indonesia, suggested that the early Middle Pleistocene ancestors of H. floresiensis had even smaller jaws and teeth. Here, we report additional hominin fossils from the same deposits at Mata Menge. An adult humerus is estimated to be 9 − 16% shorter and thinner than the type specimen of H. floresiensis dated to ~60,000 years ago, and is smaller than any other Plio-Pleistocene adult hominin humeri hitherto reported. The newly recovered teeth are both exceptionally small; one of them bears closer morphological similarities to early Javanese H. erectus. The H. floresiensis lineage most likely evolved from early Asian H. erectus and was a long-lasting lineage on Flores with markedly diminutive body size since at least ~700,000 years ago.

Extreme range in adult body size reveals hidden trade-offs among sexually selected traits.

Sexually selected weapons used to monopolize mating opportunities are predicted to trade-off with traits used in competition for fertilization. Yet, the limited size range typically found among adults of a species often precludes clear comparisons between population-level and individual-level relative trait investment. The jousting weevil, Brentus anchorago (Coleoptera: Brentidae), varies more than 26-fold in body mass, which is among the most extreme adult body size ranges of any solitary terrestrial species. We reveal a trade-off at a population level: hypermetric scaling in male weapons (slope = 1.59) and a closely mirrored reversal in allocation to postcopulatory traits (slope = 0.54). Yet, at the individual level, we find the opposite pattern; males that invest relatively more in weapons for their size class also invest more in postcopulatory traits. Across 36 dung beetle and 41 brentine weevil species, we find the allometric slope explains more trait variation at larger body size ranges; in brentines, population-level scaling patterns become more detectable in species with a larger range in adult body size. Our findings reveal that population-level allometries and individual-level trade-offs can both be important in shaping relative trait allocation; we highlight that the adult body size range is rarely examined but may be integral to gaining a deeper understanding of trade-offs in reproductive allocation.

Seis-ing up the Super-Morrison formation sauropods.

The Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation sauropods Diplodocus (formerly "Seismosaurus") hallorum and Supersaurus vivianae are quantifiably the largest dinosaurian taxa from the formation, as well as being among the largest dinosaurs in the world. Their extreme body size (in particular body length, c. 50+ m) has fascinated the paleontological community since their discoveries and has sparked an ongoing discussion on the trends and limits of Morrison Formation sauropod body size. Although not an undeviating proxy, often the largest and skeletally most mature specimens are among the rarest (as exemplified in Triceratops). While their body size has no phylogenetic bearing, the extreme size and potential eco and biological significance of these two sauropod taxa are frequently discussed. Whether these rare and titanically proportioned sauropod specimens are large-bodied, senescent or both is an often-repeating rhetoric. To definitively make maturational inferences about these taxa, we osteohistologically sampled the holotype of D. hallorum (NMMNH P-25079) and the second known specimen of S. vivianae (WDC DMJ-021). Our age-determinant and maturational assessments indicate that both specimens were skeletally mature at their respective age of death. Retrocalculation methods for D. hallorum NMMNH P-25079 produce a maximum age-at-death estimation of 60 years, whereas S. vivianae WDC DMJ-021 lived well past skeletal maturity-so much so that reliable retrocalculated ages cannot be accurately determined at this time. Additionally, the rarity of such large sauropods within the Morrison Formation might be more parsimoniously explained as relating to their maturity as opposed to representing aberrant taxa on the Morrison landscape.

Optimal Weight-Based Dosing of Vancomycin to Achieve an Area Under the Curve of 400 to 600 Stratified by Body Mass Index

Background: In 2020, the American Society of Health System Pharmacist (ASHP) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) published a consensus guideline for vancomycin management, recommending area under the curve (AUC) as the preferred monitoring strategy. These guidelines recommend doses of 15-20 mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours for most patients with normal renal function. However, in extreme body weights, standard dosing may deviate to provide a therapeutic AUC. The primary objective of this pharmacokinetic study is to evaluate the optimal vancomycin weight-based dosing strategy that achieves a therapeutic AUC of 400-600 stratified by body mass index (BMI). The secondary objective is to evaluate the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) based on BMI. Methods: Patients were identified from two sites within the Department of Veterans Affairs who received vancomycin for at least 48 hours and had at least one steady-state level from January 2015 through July 2022. Regimens with a frequency of ≤8 hours or patients with baseline creatine clearance of &lt; 5 0 ml/min were excluded. Patients were categorized based on the Center for Disease Control BMI groups: healthy weight, overweight, or obese. The online vancomycin calculator, VancoPK©, was utilized to calculate AUC. Renal function at baseline and during vancomycin therapy was collected. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Continuous outcomes were summarized using mean and standard deviation. The primary and secondary endpoints were analyzed using the analysis of variance and Fisher’s exact tests, respectively. Statistical significance was established at a p-value of &lt; 0 .05. Results: A total of 347 unique vancomycin regimens were included: 120 in the healthy weight group, 101 in the overweight group, and 126 in the obese group. The average total daily doses that achieved a therapeutic AUC were 1971mg (15.6mg/kg/dose), 2298mg (15mg/kg/dose), and 2524mg (12.6mg/kg/dose) for the healthy weight, overweight, and obese groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference among these groups. AKI occurred in 10/254 (3.9%) unique patients: 2/89 (2.2%) in the healthy weight group, 3/71 (4.2%) in the overweight group, and 5/94 (5.3%) in the obese group. This did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Vancomycin dosing regimens largely followed guideline recommendations. However, the average vancomycin mg/kg/dose that achieved a therapeutic AUC decreased as BMI increased, which was a statistically significant trend. While further research is needed to draw clinically impactful conclusions, these findings suggest that a lower mg/kg vancomycin dose in obesity may be needed to achieve therapeutic targets.

“Nothing Tastes as Good as Skinny Feels”

There has always been something compelling about extreme bodies. Kate Moss exemplifies “the waif,” a body type both frightening and appealing. She is one of the most common celebrities discussed on pro-anorexia (or, pro-ana) websites. To explore the connection between Moss’s body and pro-ana participation, this article examines the potential for an extraordinary body to solidify the aims of an extremist group and to draw in new members. Her unusually slender form affirms this pro-starvation cluster by physically representing the emotional distress that lies at its core. There is no conclusive evidence that Moss suffers from an eating disorder, and she has been open about discouraging people from starving themselves to look like her. Nevertheless, she has been framed as a unique icon in the pro-ana sphere, despite her personal intent, due to the extreme nature of her body. She helps members to express mental illness and severe emotional distress via an emaciated frame and grungy-but-cool aesthetic. She therefore gives people a way to explore sickness and femininity concurrently, which is especially relevant for young women with eating disorders. The pro-ana community has adopted her as a cult icon for these reasons. Here, I analyse this process using Rodney Stark and William Sims Bainbridge’s sociological scholarship on the social role of religion broadly and “cult formation” more specifically. This raises important questions about consent in cult formation and the role required of a leader.

Does so-called “healthy” content on instagram display balanced recipes? A pilot study in relation to the risk of unhealthy eating patterns in social network users

Objectivesocial networks (SN) including Instagram have increased in popularity. However, SN-mediated content may influence eating behaviors in a negative way. This study analyzed whether Instagram content claimed as “healthy” complies with nutritional guidelines. Methodsrecipes posted in French on Instagram with the caption #healthy or similar ones were analyzed, once from February to May 2023 and again in April 2024. Health authorities’ guidelines and food pyramid inclusion criteria were used for the quantitative and qualitative analysis, respectively. Recipes were then classified as balanced, partially unbalanced or unbalanced, with the two subgroups “restrictive” and “excessive”, and according to the main protein source. Resultswe coded a total of 114 courses (2 datasets of 57 courses each). Among these, 3 were classified as balanced main courses, 45 as partially unbalanced main courses and 66 as unbalanced main courses (21 were deemed as restrictive, 21 as excessive and 24 were otherwise inadequate), with a majority of hypocaloric courses. Approximately half of the recipes were vegetarian or vegan. Discussionthese results suggest that food recipes published on Instagram as #healthy may, at times, be far from nutritional guidelines and could rather promote unbalanced eating patterns. This suggest that food-related content on SN might be insufficiently moderated and that recipes referenced as #healthy should perhaps be accompanied by warnings and preventive measures. This observation, in addition to other detrimental behaviors displayed on SN (e.g. extreme physical activity or body image pressure) may contribute to the increased incidence of eating disorders (ED) associated with problematic SN use. Alerts on this risk and accessible tools for the prevention and early detection of ED risk in SN users are urgently needed.

Impact of Social Media Usage on Body Image Perception among Adolescents in Malawi

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of social media usage on body image perception among adolescents in Malawi. Materials and Methods: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Exposure to idealized images and content often leads to body dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem. Adolescents frequently compare themselves to the highly curated and often edited images they see online, which can create unrealistic expectations and negative self-perception. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among young girls, who are more likely to internalize societal beauty standards perpetuated by social media. Additionally, the constant feedback loop of likes and comments can exacerbate concerns about appearance, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. However, study suggest that positive social media interactions and exposure to body-positive content can mitigate these negative effects, highlighting the nuanced relationship between social media and body image. Overall, while social media offers opportunities for connection and self-expression, it also poses significant risks to adolescents' body image and mental health. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social comparison theory, objectification theory and uses and gratifications theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the impact of social media usage on body image perception among adolescents in Malawi. Educational institutions should implement media literacy programs that equip adolescents with critical thinking skills to navigate social media content effectively. Policymakers and regulatory bodies should work with social media platforms to enforce content moderation policies that restrict the promotion of harmful content related to body image, such as extreme dieting, beauty stereotypes, and body shaming.

Convolutional Neural Network in Motion Detection for Physiotherapy Exercise Movement

Physiotherapy focuses on movement and optimal utilization of the patient's potential. Exercise Therapy is a physiotherapy procedure that specifically focuses exercises on active and passive movements. Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients are one of the sufferers of motor disorders of the upper extremities. Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients suffer from disorders in motor functions of the upper extremities. Physiotherapy Exercise Movement has 4 categories of movement exercises for the therapy of people with upper extremity body disorders: Elbow flexor strengthening in sitting using free weights, lifting an object up, reaching diagonally in sitting, and reaching from a low surface to a high surface. By taking 4 categories of motion movements in exercise therapy, data were taken using normal child subjects as standard movements, which then became a reference for CP child therapy. The limitations of therapy in physical care prompted researchers to investigate the use of image processing as input to Human Computer Interaction (HCI) in the process of motion detection-based therapy. In research using Deep learning as a classifier, namely using the CNN Model (Inception V3, Resnet152, and VGG16 architectural models). The results obtained by the CNN (Inception V3) model have the best performance with an accuracy percentage of 98%.

Dynamic filtration in baleen whales: recent discoveries and emerging trends

Recent findings have greatly improved our understanding of mysticete oral filtration, and have upended the traditional view of baleen filtration as a simple process. Flow tank experiments, telemetric tag deployment on whales, and other lab and field methods continue to yield new data and ideas. These suggest that several mechanisms arose from ecological, morphological, and biomechanical adaptations facilitating the evolution of extreme body size in Mysticeti. Multiple lines of evidence strongly support a characterization of baleen filtration as a conceptually dynamic process, varying according to diverse intraoral locations and times of the filtration process, and to other prevailing conditions. We review and highlight these lines of evidence as follows. First, baleen appears to work as a complex metafilter comprising multiple components with differing properties. These include major and minor plates and eroded fringes (AKA bristles or hairs), as well as whole baleen racks. Second, it is clear that different whale species rely on varied ecological filtration modes ranging from slow skimming to high-speed lunging, with other possibilities in between. Third, baleen filtration appears to be a highly dynamic and flow-dependent process, with baleen porosity not only varying across sites within a single rack, but also by flow direction, speed, and volume. Fourth, findings indicate that baleen (particularly of balaenid whales and possibly other species) generally functions not as a simple throughput sieve, but instead likely uses cross-flow or other tangential filtration, as in many biological systems. Fifth, evidence reveals that the time course of baleen filtration, including rate of filter filling and clearing, appears to be more complex than formerly envisioned. Flow direction, and possibly plate and fringe orientation, appears to change during different stages of ram filtration and water expulsion. Sixth, baleen’s flexibility and related biomechanical properties varies by location within the whole filter (=rack), leading to varying filtration conditions and outcomes. Seventh, the means of clearing/cleaning the baleen filter, whether by hydraulic, hydrodynamic, or mechanical methods, appears to vary by species and feeding type, notably intermittent lunging versus continuous skimming. Together, these and other findings of the past two decades have greatly elucidated processes of baleen filtration, and heightened the need for further research. Many aspects of baleen filtration may pertain to other biological filters; designers can apply several aspects to artificial filtration, both to better understand natural systems and to design and manufacture more effective synthetic filters. Understanding common versus unique features of varied filtration phenomena, both biological and artificial, will continue to aid scientific and technical understanding, enable fruitful interdisciplinary partnerships, and yield new filter designs.

Terrestrial Birth and Body Size Tune UCP1 Functionality in Seals.

The molecular evolution of the mammalian heater protein UCP1 is a powerful biomarker to understand thermoregulatory strategies during species radiation into extreme climates, such as aquatic life with high thermal conductivity. While fully aquatic mammals lost UCP1, most semiaquatic seals display intact UCP1 genes, apart from large elephant seals. Here, we show that UCP1 thermogenic activity of the small-bodied harbor seal is equally potent compared to terrestrial orthologs, emphasizing its importance for neonatal survival on land. In contrast, elephant seal UCP1 does not display thermogenic activity, not even when translating a repaired or a recently highlighted truncated version. Thus, the thermogenic benefits for neonatal survival during terrestrial birth in semiaquatic pinnipeds maintained evolutionary selection pressure on UCP1 function and were only outweighed by extreme body sizes among elephant seals, fully eliminating UCP1-dependent thermogenesis.

Catatonic stupor in 32 years old man diagnosed with schizotypal disorder

Introduction Stupor is a state of numbness of almost all personality functions, accompanied by stiffness, lethargy and abulia (lethargy). A person in a state of stupor is recognized by the fact that he is constantly silent, does not respond to stimuli at all, refuses food, has a motionless body posture, a face immobile like a mask, a gloomy and absent look. We can call a person who is in a stupor only by calling loudly, shaking hard and similar charms. Catatonic stupor is a state of complete loss of spontaneous and active movement, the patient stands stiffly for hours, sits, does not take food, does not speak but registers everything that is happening around him because his consciousness is not clouded.ObjectivesHere, we report on the case of a 32 year-old man. He was brought in the Emergency Center by his mother with the eyes shut and unresponsive to all sorts of verbal and gestural attempts to elicit any kind of response, with extreme complete body rigidity. He was sweating.Over several weaks, he developed gradually social withdrowal, motoric stereotypies, loss of apetite, body stiffness. Three days before he was admited to the hospital he stopped eating, drinking water, he was developed body rigidity.MethodsCase reportResultsHe was admitted to a Psychiatric Clinic and first days he was treated with 7,5 mg of lorazepam daily, kariprazin tbl. a 3mg in the morning and olanzapine 10 mg in the evening. Over several days symptoms has diminished.ConclusionsThe patient was reacted very well on the therapy and after several days syptoms diminished. After a month he was released from the hospital. He is in good remission for over a year. He comes regularly for outpatient check-upsDisclosure of InterestNone Declared

The dress and commercial image of the American ‘Fat Lady’, 1850–1920

In this article, I analyse the genre of ‘Fat Lady’ photographs popular between the mid-nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries. I assert that there is an archetypal appearance that developed in the 1860s and was standardized by the 1880s, consisting of certain dress, grooming and posing practices that emphasized their subjects’ sizes and presumed social status. Fatness was a performance that these women were employed to embody – one that straddled the lines between corporeal deviance and normality. Freak shows reveal cultural anxieties about bodies. The way Fat Lady performers were costumed reflected concerns about fatness taking up too much space and visibility as well as fatness rendering people immature and androgynous, thereby challenging established sex-role differences; it also revealed the potential erotic allure of extreme body size. Over a century of popularity, Fat Lady performers came to rely on costumes inspired by evening dress, childrenswear and then lingerie, all of which grew scantier as time progressed. Existing cartes de visite, cabinet cards, posters, advertisements, reports from journalists and side show insiders, and rare interviews with the performers themselves provide material for close analysis.