Greater Body Mass Research Articles

Spatio-temporal variation in oxidative status regulation in a small mammal.

Life-history allocation trade-offs are dynamic over time and space according to the ecological and demographical context. Fluctuations in food availability can affect physiological trade-offs like oxidative status regulation, reflecting the balance between pro-oxidant production and antioxidant capacity. Monitoring the spatio-temporal stability of oxidative status in natural settings may help understanding its importance in ecological and evolutionary processes. However, few studies have yet conducted such procedures in wild populations. Here, we monitored individual oxidative status in a wild eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) population across the 2017 summer active period and over three study sites. Oxidative damage (MDA: Malondialdehyde levels) and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels (FRAP: Ferric reducing antioxidant power and HASC: Hypochlorous acid shock capacity) were quantified across time and space using assays optimized for small blood volumes. Our results showed an increase in oxidative damage mirrored by a decrease in FRAP throughout the season. We also found different antioxidant levels among our three study sites for both markers. Our results also revealed the effects of sex and body mass on oxidative status. Early in the active season, females and individuals with a greater body mass had higher oxidative damage. Males had higher HASC levels than females throughout the summer. This study shows that oxidative status regulation is a dynamic process that requires a detailed spatial and temporal monitoring to yield a complete picture of possible trade-offs between pro-oxidant production and antioxidant capacity.

Vitamin D status in residents of Tyumen region

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency worldwide is often associated with the region of residence.
 AIMS: to study the level of vitamin D in serum of residents living in Tyumen region, to assess the frequency of occurrence of insufficiency and deficiency of vitamin D in the region.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational, single-site, transverse, selective, uncontrolled study of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adults in Tyumen region, conducted from November 2017 to March 2018.
 RESULTS: Optimal levels of 25(OH)D in the residents of the Tyumen region were found in 7.3% of patients, its insufficiency was registered in 22.0% of cases, and defficiency in 70.7%. There was a weak correlation relationship between lower values of 25(OH)D in those examined with obesity according to body mass index (r = -0.104, p 0.05) and waist circumference (r = -0.239, p 0.05), and with greater body mass (r = -0.130, p 0.05).
 CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of insufficiency and deficiency of vitamin D among the adult population living in Tyumen region has been revealed. Additionally, it has been established that the level of vitamin D is not associated with gender and age, but is associated with BMI, waist circumference and body weight of patients.

Comparison between newly diagnosed hypertension in diabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes in hypertension

BackgroundHypertension and diabetes mellitus are often jointly present, especially in early onset cases of either disease. We investigated clinical characteristics of hypertensive patients with newly diagnosed diabetes and diabetic patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.MethodsOur study subjects were recruited in a China nationwide multicenter registry of hypertension and diabetes (n = 2510). We performed logistic regression to compare patients seen for hypertension in cardiology, with newly diagnosed diabetes (n = 137) and patients seen for diabetes mellitus in endocrinology, with newly diagnosed hypertension (n = 155). Albuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio of ≥ 30 mg/g, and left ventricular hypertrophy according to the Cornell product index.ResultsThese two groups of patients with both hypertension and diabetes mellitus were similar in most of the characteristics (P ≥ 0.06). However, hypertensive patients with newly diagnosed diabetes, compared to diabetic patients with newly diagnosed hypertension, had a significantly greater body mass index (26.3 vs. 25.4 kg/m2, P = 0.03) and slower heart rate (73.7 vs. 78.1 beats/min, P = 0.01). In logistic regression analyses adjusted for sex (48.3% women) and age (mean 60.0 ± 11.5 years), the odds ratio for newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus versus newly diagnosed hypertension was 1.27 (95% CI 1.03–1.56) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.66–0.96) for body mass index (+ 3 kg/m2) and heart rate (+ 10 beat/min), respectively. Hypertensive patients with newly diagnosed diabetes also had a lower prevalence of albuminuria (16.0% vs. 30.1%, P = 0.02) and slightly and non-significantly higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (5.1% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.14) than diabetic patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.ConclusionsEarlier or later onset of hypertension than diabetes mellitus may have different risk factors and organ damage.

Body Mass Index and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Variables in Patients with Heart Failure

Background Obesity is often associated with reduced exercise capacity, but the impact of elevated body mass index (BMI) on CPET performance in patients with heart failure (HF) is incompletely understood. We sought to define the relationship between BMI, peak oxygen consumption (pkVO2) and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope (VE/VCO2). A greater body mass should generate greater O2 consumption and CO2 production, but the interaction between BMI and minute ventilation is less clear, leaving uncertainty as to whether BMI has an independent relationship with VE/VCO2. Methods We retrospectively reviewed cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) from 4/2017 to 11/2018 at a tertiary center. Patients with congenital or valvular heart disease were excluded. Baseline demographics, BMI on the day of testing, and key CPET parameters were recorded. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the BMI and key CPET parameters, and multivariable linear regression models constructed to identify independent relationships. Results There were 142 CPETs performed during the study period, of which 121 met inclusion criteria. The cohort (n=121) was 30% female, with median age 59 years and BMI 28.9 kg/m2. The primary cardiac condition was non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in 38%, ischemic cardiomyopathy in 40%, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 14% and HF with preserved ejection fraction in 8%. Median CPET parameters were exercise time 9.2 min, metabolic equivalents (METS) 5.4, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) 1.09, pkVO2 1.23 L/min, weight-adjusted pkVO2 14.6 mL/kg/min, VE/VCO2 34. There was a positive correlation between BMI and pkVO2 in L/min (r=0.40, p Conclusions Higher BMI was associated with greater pkVO2 (L/min) as expected, but this relationship was accounted for by using the weight-adjusted pkVO2 in mL/kg/min. Higher BMI was also independently associated with lower VE/VCO2, which is not routinely expressed in a weight-adjusted format. This highlights the importance of understanding interactions between BMI and CPET variables, including the finding that obesity may negatively bias the VE/VCO2 in patients with HF.

The roles of sex and morphology in burrowing depth of Iberian spadefoot toads in different biotic and abiotic environments

AbstractHiding behavior is key for most animals’ fitness, but it entails costs that must be balanced with benefits. Most research on this potential trade‐off focuses on hiding time. However, other features that might mirror an actual energy investment on hiding behavior, such as burrowing depth, have long been neglected. In this work, we examined energy‐demanding burrowing behavior of Iberian spadefoot toads (Pelobates cultripes), which hide in burrows they dig with the aid of a hard spade on each hindlimb. Namely, we tested whether toads increased burrowing depth as a response to soil dryness and predator kairomones, in search for subterranean humidity and predator avoidance, respectively. To do so, we measured burrowing depth of adult toads under three different treatments in a repeated‐measures design: damp sand, dry sand and sand with boar predator kairomones. We also checked potential effects of sex and morphology (snout–vent length, body mass, hindlimb length and spade length) on burrowing depth. Morphometric variables measured were not good predictors of burrowing depth: Mainly, body mass showed a negative relationship with burrowing depth. However, despite their greater body mass, females burrowed deeper than males in the damp sand treatment. Albeit, contradicting our hypothesis, males did not respond to the presence of predator kairomones, while females reduced their burrowing depth. This result could be a consequence of predator‐induced stress affecting burrowing ability. Also, both females and males burrowed shallower in the dry‐sand treatment than in the others, which could be due to substrate instability or to dehydration.

Time-Restricted Feeding a High-fat Diet in Mice Elevates Hepatic Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Content and Modifies the Triacylglyceryl Lipidome (P21-013-19)

ObjectivesObesity is associated with several diseases such as cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is effective in reducing adiposity and lessening the co-morbidities of obesity. We have demonstrated that mice consuming a high-fat (HF) diet (48%en fat), primarily composed of long chain saturated fatty acids display elevated content of hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG) and the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) arachidonic acid (20:4n6, ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA). We tested the hypothesis that TRF of the HF diet reduces adiposity and hepatic TAG content while maintaining elevated hepatic LCPUFA concentrations compared to mice eating the HF diet ad libitum. MethodsMale mice (12 weeks old) were fed (12 weeks) a low-fat diet ad libitum (LF-AL, 16%en fat) or a HF diet (48%en fat) either ad libitum (HF-AL) or restricted to feeding for 12 hours per day during the dark phase (HF-TRF). Fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin were measured. Plasma and hepatic levels of TAG and cholesterol were analyzed. Hepatic gene expression of mediators of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and the circadian rhythm were examined using qPCR. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis determined fatty acid content within the livers. ResultsBlood glucose, plasma insulin, and plasma cholesterol were elevated in the HF-AL group, but were attenuated by TRF. Intake of the HF diet elevated hepatic ARA and DHA content over that of the LF diet. Hepatic TAG content, while elevated in the HF-AL mice, was not different between HF-TRF and LF-AL mice. HF-AL mice had a greater body mass and % body fat than the LF-AL and HF-TRF animals. Lipidomic analysis coupled with multivariate analysis of hepatic TAG species demonstrated TRF induced distinct differences between the TAG structures and their concentrations. Hepatic gene expression of several DNL mediators were reduced by HF-AL intake and were further reduced within the HF-TRF group. TRF restored or partially restored mRNA levels of several circadian genes altered by the HF-AL diet. ConclusionsThese data suggest that limiting HF diet intake to certain hours of the day ameliorates comorbidities associated with obesity, modifies hepatic lipidomic composition, and increases the hepatic content of LCPUFA. Funding SourcesThis work was supported by USDA-ARS project 3062-51000-053-00D.

Does Dietary-Induced Obesity in Old Age Impair the Contractile Performance of Isolated Mouse Soleus, Extensor Digitorum Longus and Diaphragm Skeletal Muscles?

Ageing and obesity independently have been shown to significantly impair isolated muscle contractile properties, though their synergistic effects are poorly understood. We uniquely examined the effects of 9 weeks of a high-fat diet (HFD) on isometric force, work loop power output (PO) across a range of contractile velocities, and fatigability of 79-week-old soleus, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and diaphragm compared with age-matched lean controls. The dietary intervention resulted in a significant increase in body mass and gonadal fat pad mass compared to the control group. Despite increased muscle mass for HFD soleus and EDL, absolute isometric force, isometric stress (force/CSA), PO normalised to muscle mass and fatigability was unchanged, although absolute PO was significantly greater. Obesity did not cause an alteration in the contractile velocity that elicited maximal PO. In the obese group, normalised diaphragm PO was significantly reduced, with a tendency for reduced isometric stress and fatigability was unchanged. HFD soleus isolated from larger animals produced lower maximal PO which may relate to impaired balance in older, larger adults. The increase in absolute PO is smaller than the magnitude of weight gain, meaning in vivo locomotor function is likely to be impaired in old obese adults, with an association between greater body mass and poorer normalised power output for the soleus. An obesity-induced reduction in diaphragm contractility will likely impair in vivo respiratory function and consequently contribute further to the negative cycle of obesity.

Effect of testosterone blockers on male aggression, song and parental care in an arctic passerine, the Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus)

In many passerine birds, testosterone stimulates song and aggression but inhibits paternal care, but few studies have explored whether such effects can be reversed with testosterone blockers. We explored the effect of testosterone blockers on song, aggression and paternal care of Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus), an arctic passerine with a short breeding season. Twenty-one “blocker males” received implants containing an androgen receptor blocker and an aromatase inhibitor, compared to 27 control males with empty or no implants. Song, aggression and other behaviors were evaluated with simulated territorial intrusions (STI) during mate-guarding, and with focal observations (without STI) during mate-guarding and incubation. Nests were monitored and nestlings weighed as an indirect measure of paternal care. During STI, blocker males exhibited similar song rates, significantly lower aggression, and were significantly less likely to be found on territory than control males. Focal observations revealed no differences in spontaneous song, aggression, foraging, preening, or flight activity. Blocker males' nestlings had greater body mass on day 5 after hatching, but this difference disappeared by fledging, and both groups fledged similar numbers of young. Two blocker males exhibited unusual paternal care: incubation and brooding of young, or feeding of nestlings at another male's nest. In sum, testosterone blockers affected aggression but not song, contrasting with results from previously published testosterone implant studies. Effects on paternal care were concordant with testosterone implant studies. These patterns may be related to rapid behavioral changes characteristic of the short breeding season of the Arctic.

Methionine Supply During Late-Gestation Triggers Offspring Sex-Specific Divergent Changes in Metabolic and Epigenetic Signatures in Bovine Placenta

Nonruminant male and female offspring respond differently to gestational nutrition, with placenta contributing to the underlying mechanisms. However, similar data are lacking in large ruminants. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of methionine supply during late-gestation on metabolism and DNA methylation in placenta from cows carrying male or female calves. During the last 28 d of pregnancy, cows were individually fed a control diet (CON) or the control diet plus rumen-protected d,l-methionine (MET; 0.9 g/kg dry matter intake). Placentomes collected at term were classified according to cow dietary treatment and offspring sex as follows: Male CON (n=7), Male MET (n=7), Female CON (n=8), and Female MET (n=8). Calf growth was measured until 9 wk of age. Targeted metabolomics, RT-PCR, global DNA methylation, and activity of selected enzymes in one-carbon metabolism and transsulfuration pathways were performed. Statistics were conducted via ANOVA using MIXED models. At birth, Male MET calves were heavier than Male CON calves (7.6%, P=0.02), but body mass was similar at 9 wk of age. In contrast, compared with Female CON, Female MET calves had greater body mass at 9 wk of age (6.3%, P=0.03). Compared with Male CON, placenta from Male MET calves had greater concentrations of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and transsulfuration intermediates (23-100%, P<0.05), along with greater 5-methyltetrahydrofolatehomocysteine methyltransferase activity (67%, P=0.03). Compared with Female CON, placenta from Female MET calves had greater concentrations of one-carbon metabolism intermediates (13-52%, P<0.05). DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) was upregulated (43%, P<0.01) in placenta from Female MET compared with Female CON calves. Global DNA methylation was lower in placenta from Female MET compared with Female CON calves (45%, P=0.06). Methionine supply affects placental metabolism, DNA methylation, and body mass of the calf in a sex-specific manner, underscoring its importance as dietary methyl-donor for pregnant cows.

Toward a phenomic analysis of chronic postsurgical pain following cardiac surgery

ABSTRACT Background Despite the same surgical approach, up to 40% of patients develop chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) following cardiac surgery, whereas the rest are chronic pain free. This variability suggests that CPSP is controlled partially through genetics, but the genes for CPSP are largely unknown. Aims The aim of this study was to identify potential CPSP phenotypes by comparing patients who developed CPSP following cardiac surgery vs. those who did not. Methods A research ethics board–approved, cross-sectional study of post–cardiac surgery pain was conducted at Toronto General Hospital from 2011 to 2015. Patients were recruited to complete a short survey of chronic pain scores and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire–2. A subset of patients completed a longer survey of eight validated pain phenotyping questionnaires and/or four psychophysical assessments. All surveys and psychophysical testing were conducted after surgery. Patients were stratified by presence of chronic pain and groups were compared using descriptive statistics. Results Six hundred forty-three patients completed the short form survey. The mean postsurgery assessment time was 41.5 (SD = ±25.1) months. Over a quarter (27.8%) reported CPSP at the chest as a consequence of their surgery. Of patients reporting CPSP, 46.6% reported mild pain (0–3), 35.8% reported moderate pain (4–7), and 17.6% reported severe pain (7–10) in accordance with the numerical rating scale. Patients with moderate and/or severe CPSP were younger, had a greater body mass index, and had higher anxiety sensitivity, pain catastrophizing, and somatization scores. Conclusions Chronic pain levels after cardiac surgery are associated with anxiety, catastrophizing, and sensory abnormalities in body parts outside the field innervated by injured nerves, indicating the presence of widespread central sensitization to incoming sensory inputs from intact nerves.

Grip Strength in Youth Ice Hockey Players: Normative Values and Predictors of Performance.

Toong, T, Wilson, KE, Urban, K, Paniccia, M, Hunt, AW, Keightley, M, and Reed, N. Grip strength in youth ice hockey players: Normative values and predictors of performance. J Strength Cond Res 32(12): 3503-3511, 2018-Grip strength is a simple, valid, and reliable tool for estimating overall muscular strength, a key component of health-related fitness and sport performance. To date, there is a paucity of up-to-date and developmentally sensitive grip strength norms specific to youth-athlete populations. The objectives of this study are to (a) establish normative grip strength values in youth ice hockey players, (b) descriptively compare these values with existing Canadian pediatric norms, and (c) explore the relationship between age, sex, body mass, and hockey playing level on grip strength performance. A sample of 690 male and female youth ice hockey players between the ages of 10 and 16 years were included. Participants completed assessments of maximal grip strength using a hand dynamometer on both hands. In addition, age, sex, body mass, and hockey playing level were collected. Maximal absolute grip strength, stratified by age and sex, was higher than previously published Canadian pediatric norms. Grip strength increased with age in both sexes. Males and females performed similarly until 12 years of age, after which point males had greater strength. Individuals with greater body mass had greater strength. For the nondominant hand, competitive players had greater strength than those playing house league or select. This study describes normative grip strength values in youth ice hockey players according to age, sex, body mass, and playing level. These athlete-specific norms may be used to help evaluate and monitor changes in grip strength over time in youth ice hockey players.

Changes in northern hemisphere male international rugby union players’ body mass and height between 1955 and 2015

ObjectivesWe sought to establish the effects of professionalism, which officially began in 1995, on the body mass and height of northern hemisphere male international rugby union (RU) players. We hypothesised...

Temperature and Photoperiodic Control of Development in the Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina (L.) (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) in Leningrad Province

Thermal reaction norms for development (the lower temperature threshold, temperature sensitivity, and sum of degree-days) can show phenotypic plasticity in response to a combination of ecological factors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the degree of plasticity of the thermal reaction norms for development under different photoperiodic conditions in the green shield bug Palomena prasina. Experiments were conducted in 2015 and 2016. In 2015, two photoperiodic regimens (12 and 22 h of light per day) and five constant temperatures (20, 22, 24, 26, and 28°C) were used; a lower temperature of 16°C was added in 2016. There were no differences in the egg developmental time between the two photoperiodic conditions and across the two experiments. Under the short-day photoperiodic regimen, nymphal development was faster at all the temperatures and was characterized by greater thermal sensitivity and a higher temperature threshold than under the long-day photoperiod. Besides, the relationship between the developmental rate and temperature deviated from linearity at 26 and 28°C under short-day conditions. The adaptive nature of the observed nymphal response to photoperiodic conditions was confirmed by our phenological observations and an outdoor cage experiment. The adult body mass slightly increased with rising temperature under short-day conditions but did not depend on the temperature under long-day ones. Females were larger than males, and both sexes had a greater body mass under long-day conditions than under short-day ones. In 2015, the eggs for experiments were collected before mid-July, almost a month later than in 2016. Nymphs that hatched from the later eggs (in 2015) had significantly higher relative growth rates than the early-season nymphs (in 2016) at 20, 22, and 24°C under both photoperiods. This discrepancy between years was probably related to the maternal effect, namely, the difference in the female physiological age.

Visuospatial and Sensory Integration Tasks in Patients With Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder: Relationship to Body Mass Index and Smoking.

Neurological soft signs (NSSs) are highly prevalent among patients with schizophrenia, but their pathophysiological significance remains unclear. The present study employed perceptual-motor and visuospatial processing tests that have not yet been attempted in this patient population. Patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 42) and mentally healthy subjects (n = 10) were administered Copy Figure Test, Detection and Recognition of an Object Test and Road Map Test. As compared to controls, schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients displayed significantly poorer ability to copy three-dimensional figures (namely, Necker- and hidden line elimination cubes) and to orient in space on a road-map test; group differences in copying two-dimensional figures and on objects' recognition against a background noise were not apparent. In the schizophrenia/schizoaffective group, more mistakes on the hidden line elimination cube was associated with greater body mass index and greater severity of nicotine dependence measured via the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence. The above findings replicate those of prior reports and extend them to the tasks that do not involve motivational and attentional confounds. Furthermore, the present data support the hypothesis that subtle cerebral cortical abnormalities detected with specific NSSs tests may be related to some aspects of metabolic and motivational function in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder.

Birth delivery mode alters perinatal cell death in the mouse brain

Labor and a vaginal delivery trigger changes in peripheral organs that prepare the mammalian fetus to survive ex utero. Surprisingly little attention has been given to whether birth also influences the brain, and to how alterations in birth mode affect neonatal brain development. These are important questions, given the high rates of cesarean section (C-section) delivery worldwide, many of which are elective. We examined the effect of birth mode on neuronal cell death, a widespread developmental process that occurs primarily during the first postnatal week in mice. Timed-pregnant dams were randomly assigned to C-section deliveries that were yoked to vaginal births to carefully match gestation length and circadian time of parturition. Compared with rates of cell death just before birth, vaginally-born offspring had an abrupt, transient decrease in cell death in many brain regions, suggesting that a vaginal delivery is neuroprotective. In contrast, cell death was either unchanged or increased in C-section-born mice. Effects of delivery mode on cell death were greatest for the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), which is central to the stress response and brain-immune interactions. The greater cell death in the PVN of C-section-delivered newborns was associated with a reduction in the number of PVN neurons expressing vasopressin at weaning. C-section-delivered mice also showed altered vocalizations in a maternal separation test and greater body mass at weaning. Our results suggest that vaginal birth acutely impacts brain development, and that alterations in birth mode may have lasting consequences.

OR-033 Alterations in Inflammatory Markers and Hepatic Lipid Accumulation following Dietary and Exercise Intervention of Obese Rats

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of diet and different exercise training: High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Continuous Training (CT) on body mass gain, serum inflammatory markers and hepatic lipid accumulation of obese rats.&#x0D; Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a normal standard diet (N) or a high fat diet (H; 45% kcal as fat) for eight weeks without exercise stimuli. Obese rats were defined as increased at least 20% body weight than normal diet rats. After this period, N rats were continue fed with a normal diet (N), and half of obese rats were fed with a normal diet (ON), while the other half were continue fed with a high-fat diet (OH). Each diet type group was then divided into three subgroups, control (NC, ONC, OHC groups), High Intensity Interval training (NHI, ONHI, OHHI groups) and Continuous Training (NCT, ONCT, OHCT groups) (n=10). The interval and continuous straining consisted of a swimming exercise performed over eight weeks. Body weight, serum inflammatory markers, plasma and liver lipid concentrations were measured.&#x0D; Results Obese high fat diet rats showed greater body mass gain, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass, serum low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and serum inflammatory markers（MCP-1、IL-1β、TNF-α）in values than normal diet rats (OHC versus NC). In contrast, for the obese normal diet rats, no significantly difference was observed compared with normal diet rats on VAT weight, serum lipids, inflammatory markers except MCP-1 (ONC versus NC). On the other hand, the trained groups of obese high fat diet rats showed lower values of body and VAT weight, serum lipids, inflammatory markers levels compared with the OHC group and CT showed more remarkable effect than HIIT except on VAT weight, serum IL-1β levels (OHHI versus OHC and OHCT versus OHC). However, the significantly positive effect of CT on obese normal diet rats was only observed on serum TG, LDL and MCP-1 levels (ONCT versus ONC). In addition, compared to normal rats, hepatic wet weight (HWW)，liver triglycerides (TG) in the OHC group presented obvious high level (OHC versus NC), no differences were exhibited between ONC and NC groups. Interestingly, HIIT but not CT significantly deceased liver TG content compared with OHC group (OHHI versus OHC and OHCT versus OHC), which consistent with liver oil red O stain images as well as higher hepatic CPT-1 level.&#x0D; Conclusions Both training methodologies were shown to be effective in controlling body mass gain and adiposity levels in high-fat diet fed obese rats, HIIT displayed more positive effect on hepatic lipid accumulation. Additionally, diet and exercise was more effective than exercise alone in reducing body weight, VAT mass, serum inflammatory and liver TG content.

Effects of Zn and Ti Nanoparticles on the Survival and Growth of Sclerophrys arabica Tadpoles in a Two Level Trophic System.

Under natural conditions pollutants rarely affect only a single trophic level. This study investigated the effects of titanium dioxide (Ti-NPs) and zinc oxide (Zn-NPs) nanoparticles on survival and growth of Sclerophrys arabica tadpoles exposed directly in water, indirectly through their food source (decomposing leaves), or a combination of both. Zn-NPs did not cause significant mortality. The LC50 for tadpoles exposed to Ti-NPs directly was 74.9µg/L (95% CI 16.6-338.7µg/L) and 18.3µg/L (95% CI 6.5-51.9µg/L) for tadpoles exposed directly and with pre-treated leaves. Tadpoles fed only pre-exposed food did not show significant mortality. Exposure route also affected growth. On average the tadpoles with the lowest body mass were found in the water-only exposures, followed by the water and leaf treatments. However, the tadpoles with the greatest body mass were in the treatments fed with leaves pretreated with Ti-NPs. This suggests that the NPs made their contents more available to the tadpoles.

1.5 mile run time and body mass predict 8 mile loaded march performance, irrespective of sex

ObjectivesTo develop a statistical model to predict 8mile Loaded March (LM) performance and quantify differences in physical characteristics for men and women British Army Personnel. Design135 trained soldiers (87 men; 48 women) completed two sessions, seven days apart. MethodsSession 1: Participants’ stature, body mass, Fat Free Mass (FFM) [by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry], Single Lift (SL), Water Can Carry (WCC), and 1.5mile run performance were measured. Session 2: Participants completed an 8mile LM, carrying 25kg (4miles paced and 4miles individual best effort). Sex differences were compared using independent samples t-tests and 8mile LM performance time was predicted using various multiple linear regression analysis: hierarchical forced entry multiple ordinary least squares, principal component and ordinary least products. ResultsA combination of 1.5mile run time and body mass were the strongest predictors of 8mile LM time (R2=0.71; SEE=4.17min; p<0.001). Including stature, FFM, sex, SL score, or WCC score did not further improve predictions (p>0.05). Compared to women, men had faster mean 1.5mile run and LM times, greater body mass and total FFM and higher SL and WCC scores (p<0.001), however some women outperformed men. Conclusion1.5mile run time and body mass predict 8mile LM performance with no further improvement gained in the model by including sex as a variable.

Health literacy in a population-based sample of Australian women: a cross-sectional profile of the Geelong Osteoporosis Study

BackgroundThe term health literacy refers to the abilities and resources required to find, understand and use health information in managing health. This definition is reflected in the recent development of multidimensional health literacy tools that measure multiple facets of health literacy. The aim of this study was to determine the health literacy profile of a randomly selected, population-based sample of Australian women using a multidimensional tool, the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). A second aim was to investigate associations between independent HLQ scales, sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle and anthropometric risk factors for chronic disease.MethodsWe surveyed women involved in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study (GOS), a longitudinal, population-based study. We included demographic data, lifestyle information and anthropometric measures as well as the HLQ. The HLQ has 44 items, scored on either 4- or 5-point scales, within nine conceptually distinct scales. Means for each scale were calculated, and HLQ scales were regressed on educational level and socioeconomic status. Risk factors for chronic disease were investigated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and calculation of effect sizes.ResultsHigher mean scores were seen for the scales ‘Feeling understood and supported by healthcare professionals’ (mean 3.20, ± SD 0.52) and ‘Understanding health information well enough to know what to do’ (mean 4.28, ±SD 0.54), and lower mean scores were seen for ‘Appraisal of health information’ (mean 2.81, ±SD 0.48) and ‘Navigating the healthcare system’ (mean 4.09, ± SD 0.57). Associations were also seen between lower HLQ scores and poor health behaviours including smoking and being more sedentary, in addition to greater body mass index and waist circumference. Positive gradients were seen between several HLQ scales and education level, as well as SES. For some HLQ scales, these associations were non-linear.ConclusionsThe profile of this population-based cohort of women demonstrated associations between low health literacy and low SES, lower levels of education, increasing age, and anthropometric and lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease. These findings suggest implications of health literacy for health policy makers focusing on improving lifestyle prevention of chronic disease and promoting health equity at a population level.

Assemblage and Species Threshold Responses to Environmental and Disturbance Gradients Shape Bat Diversity in Disturbed Cave Landscapes

Ecological thresholds represent a critical tipping point along an environmental gradient that, once breached, can have irreversible consequences for species persistence and assemblage structure. Thresholds can also be used to identify species with the greatest sensitivity to environmental changes. Bats are keystone species yet are under pressure from human disturbances, specifically landscape and cave disturbances (i.e., reduced forest cover, urbanization, hunting, tourism). We compared bat assemblages across environmental and disturbance gradients measured at 56 caves in the Philippines to identify species-specific thresholds and assess congruence among species responses. All species exhibited significant responses to one or more gradients, with 84% responding to more than one gradient. Yet mixed responses of sensitivity to some gradients but tolerance to others hindered identification of assemblage thresholds to all gradients except landscape disturbance. However, we identified credible indicator species that exhibit distinct thresholds to specific gradients and tested for differences in ecological and morphological traits between species groups with shared responses (i.e., negative or positive). Few traits were useful for discriminating the direction of a species response, with some exceptions. Species that responded positively to increased landscape disturbance and hunting had greater body mass, whereas species that responded negatively to mining emitted higher peak call frequencies.