Monitoring Of Weight Changes Research Articles

Effects of Azanza garckeana Fruit Pulp on Metabolic Syndrome in Wistar Rats Fed on High Fructose Diet

The excessive consumption of high-energy dietary sweeteners is largely to blame for the widespread metabolic syndrome around the world. This study is aimed at in vivo evaluations of the ameliorative effects of A. garckeana fruit pulp on metabolic syndrome in Wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) adult male Wistar rats were divided into six (6) groups (n=4). Groups A, B, and C received standard, high-fructose, and 2% A. garckeana fruit pulp-supplemented standard diets, respectively. Groups D, E, and F were fed 5% A. garckeana fruit pulp-supplemented standard, 2% A. garckeana fruit pulp-supplemented high-fructose, and 5% A. garckeana fruit pulp-supplemented high fructose diets. In addition to weekly monitoring of weight changes, activities of serum antioxidant enzymes, lipid profile, and blood glucose level were determined. There were no significant changes in weight gain among the groups throughout the experimental period. Compared with the initial value of blood glucose level, only the group fed high fructose diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher blood glucose levels at the end of the experiment. The group fed 5% A. garckeana fruit pulp-supplemented high-fructose diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher serum concentration of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in comparison with the control. The groups fed A. garckeana fruit pulp-supplemented diets had significantly (P<0.05) higher albumin concentrations than the group fed high fructose diet. The serum urea concentration was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the group fed 2% A. garckeana fruit pulp-supplemented high fructose diet when compared with the control. The group fed 5% A. garckeana fruit pulp-supplemented high fructose diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher activities of SOD and GSH activities compared with the group fed high fructose diet. Also, the group fed 2% A. garckeana fruit pulp-supplemented high fructose diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher activities of CAT when compared with the group fed high fructose diet. It can be concluded that A. garckeana fruit pulp has anti-hyperglycemic, anti-dyslipidemic, and antioxidant effects, which could be responsible for its ameliorative effects on metabolic syndrome.

Brain pathological mechanism of weight loss preceding incident mild cognitive impairment

AbstractBackgroundWeight loss in late life is associated with a higher risk of dementia and higher mortality. However, the temporal and etiological associations between weight loss and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remain unclear.MethodWe examined 709 Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants to investigate body mass index (BMI) trajectories preceding the progression from normal cognition to MCI (N‐t‐M progression), and to explore the association between brain pathology and BMI trajectories preceding incident MCI.ResultDuring N‐t‐M progression, participants developed multiple brain pathologies, and amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation in the frontotemporal region at baseline was associated with decreased BMI (Figure 1, false discovery rate‐corrected p<0.05). For pathological changes, participants had increased accumulation of Aβ and tau, accelerated hypometabolism, and decreased gray matter volume in the brain during N‐t‐M progression. More importantly, accelerated hypometabolism (p<0.001) and gray matter atrophy (p = 0.011) were associated with a rapid decline in BMI during N‐t‐M progression.ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of regular monitoring of weight changes in older adults as faster BMI decline and lower BMI may be the result of brain pathology and associated with rapid progression of pathology, and provide a theoretical basis for strategies to minimize weight loss to prevent or delay MCI onset.

Effect of late-life weight change on dementia incidence: a 10-year cohort study using claim data in Korea

BackgroundThe association between body mass index (BMI) in late-life and dementia risk remains unclear. We investigated the association between BMI changes over a 2-year period and dementia in an elderly...

Development of a Weight Loss Mobile App Linked With an Accelerometer for Use in the Clinic: Usability, Acceptability, and Early Testing of its Impact on the Patient-Doctor Relationship

BackgroundAlthough complications of obesity are well acknowledged and managed by clinicians, management of obesity itself is often difficult, which leads to its underdiagnosis and undertreatment in hospital settings. However, tools that could improve the management of obesity, including self-monitoring, engagement with a social network, and open channels of communication between the patient and doctor, are limited in a clinic-based setting.ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a newly developed mobile app linked with an accelerometer and its early effects on patient-doctor relationships.MethodsFrom September 2013 to February 2014, we developed a mobile app linked with an accelerometer as a supportive tool for a clinic-based weight loss program. The app used information from electronic health records and delivered tailored educational material. Personal goal setting, as well as monitoring of weight changes and physical activity combined with feedback, are key features of the app. We also incorporated an interactive message board for patients and doctors. During the period of March 2014 to May 2014, we tested our mobile app for 1 month in participants in a hospital clinic setting. We assessed the app’s usability and acceptability, as well as the patient-doctor relationship, via questionnaires and analysis of app usage data.ResultsWe recruited 30 individuals (18 male and 12 female) for the study. The median number of log-ins per day was 1.21, with the most frequently requested item being setting goals, followed by track physical activities and view personal health status. Scales of the depth of the patient-doctor relationship decreased from 27.6 (SD 4.8) to 25.1 (SD 4.5) by a Wilcoxon signed rank test (P=.02).ConclusionsA mobile phone app linked with an accelerometer for a clinic-based weight loss program is useful and acceptable for weight management but exhibited less favorable early effects on patient-doctor relationships.

Noninvasive measurements of body composition and body water via quantitative magnetic resonance, deuterium water, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in cats

To compare quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and deuterium oxide (D2O) dilution methods for measurement of total body water (TBW), lean body mass (LBM), and fat mass (FM) in healthy cats and to assess QMR precision and accuracy. Domestic shorthair cats (58 and 32 cats for trials 1 and 2, respectively). QMR scans of awake cats performed with 2 units were followed by administration of D2O tracer (100 mg/kg, PO). Cats then were anesthetized, which was followed by QMR and DXA scans. Jugular blood samples were collected before and 120 minutes after D2O administration. QMR precision was similar between units (coefficient of variation < 2.9% for all measures). Fat mass, LBM, and TBW were similar for awake or sedated cats and differed by 4.0%, 3.4%, and 3.9%, respectively, depending on the unit. The QMR minimally underestimated TBW (1.4%) and LBM (4.4%) but significantly underestimated FM (29%), whereas DXA significantly underestimated LBM (9.2%) and quantitatively underestimated FM (9.3%). A significant relationship with D2O measurement was detected for all QMR (r(2) > 0.84) and DXA (r(2) > 0.84) measurements. QMR was useful for determining body composition in cats; precision was improved over DXA. Quantitative magnetic resonance can be used to safely and rapidly acquire data without the need for anesthesia, facilitating frequent monitoring of weight changes in geriatric, extremely young, or ill pets. Compared with the D2O dilution method, QMR correction equations provided accurate data over a range of body compositions.

Weight gain in bipolar disorder: pharmacological treatment as a contributing factor

The aim of this paper was to review the association of most commonly used psychopharmacological drugs with weight gain in bipolar disorder. Information was retrieved from a PubMed/Medline literature search reviewing weight gain in pharmacological studies in bipolar disorder. Obesity and overweight in bipolar disorder are partly related to prescribed drugs with a strong effect of clozapine and olanzapine. Lesser but still relevant weight gain is caused by quetiapine, risperidone, lithium, valproate, gabapentin and by some antidepressants. Ziprasidone, aripiprazole, carbamazepine and lamotrigine do not seem to cause significant overweight. Careful monitoring of weight changes in patients before and after drug prescription should be implemented in the clinical routine and drugs which potentially cause weight gain should be avoided in overweight patients with bipolar disorder. Furthermore, eating habits and daily activities should be targeted as they may also have a significant impact on overall health and weight-related issues.

Electrodeposition of uranium in dimethyl sulfoxide and its inhibition by acetylacetone as studied by EQCM

In the study of the all-uranium redox-flow battery with a high efficiency, electrochemical investigations of the negative electrode reaction, i.e. U(IV)/U(III) of uranium β-diketone complexes, is necessary in aprotic solvents. In our recent studies, the uranium(IV) acelylacetonate, known to show the simplest voltammograms due to a quasi-reversible U(IV)/U(III) reaction at −2.6 V versus Fc/Fc + in the solvent with the small donor number, shows more complicated voltammograms in the solvents with the larger donor numbers such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). For U 4+ ion without acetylacetone in such solvents, several researchers reported an electrodeposition at around −1.6 to −2 V versus Fc/Fc +, whereas its details have not known at all. Therefore in this study, the electrode reactions of the U(IV)/U(III) and the U(III)/U(0) reaction of U(dmso) 8(ClO 4) 4 were investigated by direct monitoring of weight changes of a Au electrode during potential sweeps by using the EQCM, as well as the HMDE. Also, an inhibition of the uranium electrodeposition by an addition of the acetylacetone was investigated.

A Table-Top Technique for Assessing the Blanching Resistance of Cu Alloys

A new method is described for the simple and straight-forward evaluation of a material’s resistance to blanching, a mode of degradation that limits the life and performance of rocket engine thrust-cell liners. The method is based on cyclic exposure to oxidation and reduction with continuous monitoring of weight changes. Results obtained so far are in excellent agreement with known and expected blanching behavior of available Cu alloys, showing that this method provides an effective screening test for blanching susceptibility.

Earthworms and the Degradation of Lactic Acid–Based Stereocopolymers

Two lactic acid–based stereocopolymers, namely 50/50 and 96/4 L/D poly(l-lactic-co-d-lactic acids) and corresponding oligomers, were allowed to age under different conditions in order to investigate their toxicity and that of some potential degradation by-products, namely lactic acid and sodium and calcium lactates, to earthworms. Degradation characteristics in various worm-free and worm-containing media were also investigated under various conditions including direct feeding using impregnated paper or coated tree-leaves, model composting, and vermi composting. Data were compared with abiotic degradation in sterile neutral phosphate buffer. Last but not least, a novel method aimed at assessing the bioassimilation of degradable polymers and oligomers was utilized, which is based on the monitoring of weight changes of a population of starved worms when the worms are given the polymeric or oligomeric compounds as potential nutrients. The work shows that high molar mass poly(lactic acids) can be ingested by earthworms provided they are disintegrated first. However, they cannot be bioassimilated before hydrolytic degradation generates oligomers. The involvement of microorganisms in the bioassimilation is discussed.

Seasonal Studies of Body Condition in Platypuses, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, Managed in Captivity at Healesville Sanctuary.

Platypuses at Healesville Sanctuary are managed so that the animals are physically examined on a daily basis before being allowed access to the display areas. This enables staff to monitor the health status of each animal by recording its weight and checking for any other physical abnormalities. Weights have been monitored for over ten years and the data presented here depicts seasonal changes and those associated with adaptation to a captive environment. Platypuses are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment and many wild platypuses do not adapt well to a captive environment. When platypuses are brought into the Sanctuary (whether for display purposes or due to injury) they are monitored on a daily basis for any weight changes and other obvious abnormalities. Monitoring of weight changes is continued on a daily basis throughout the captive life of the platypus to assess seasonal changes and any changes associated with reproductive status.

Dynamic behavior of surface oxygen complexes during oxygen-chemisorption and subsequent temperature-programmed desorption of calcium-loaded coal chars

The gas evolution during the oxygen chemisorption on coal char was determined together with the monitoring of weight change. From these data, the detailed mass balance during chemisorption was established. The addition of Ca to char accelerates the Co 2 evolution, whereas there was no effect on CO evolution. Approximately 70% of the reacted oxygen was trapped on the char surface. The stabilities of these trapped oxygen complexes were determined by a subsequent temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) experiment