Trunk Size Research Articles

Body Composition Comparison: Bioelectric Impedance Analysis with Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry in Adult Athletes

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the DF50 (ImpediMed Ltd, Eight Mile Plains, Queensland, Australia) bioelectrical impedance analysis device using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry as the criterion in two groups: endurance athletes and power athletes. The secondary purpose was to develop accurate body fat percentage prediction equations for each group based on bioelectrical impedance analysis data and/or the combination of bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometric data. Eighty male athletes (40 elite endurance athletes and 40 were power athletes), age 19–48 with body mass indexes ranging from 18.9 to 37.4 were recruited. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. An athlete-specific bioelectrical impedance analysis prediction equation was developed by stepwise regression analysis using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry as the criterion and bioelectrical impedance analysis data and anthropometric measurements as predictor variables. The DF50 bioelectrical impedance analysis significantly overestimated body fat percentage by 6.4 ± 0.5 in the entire group (p < .001) and in both the endurance group (6.1 ± .6, p < .001) and the power group (6.7 ± 0.7, p < .001). The endurance and power group showed no significant difference in the error of estimation by bioelectrical impedance analysis (p = .554), indicating that bioelectrical impedance analysis has the same error in both groups. The final prediction equation incorporated both anthropometric variables as well as bioelectrical impedance analysis variables and produced an adjusted r2 of .982 and a standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 1.98 for the entire group. This prediction equation used bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements and anthropometric measurements, specifically trunk measurements, to account for trunk size, a common source of error in bioelectrical impedance analysis equations. Follow-up validation studies are necessary to further validate the equations produced.

Patient Size Measured on CT Images as a Function of Age at a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital

The purpose of our study was to measure patient size on CT images as a function of age at a large tertiary care children's hospital to develop current patient size data for modeling optimal x-ray exposure factors in children. Anteroposterior and transverse dimensions of the head, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis were measured on CT examinations of pediatric patients less than 21 years old performed between June and November 2007. Patients with diseases that could affect measurements were excluded. From 1,009 patients, 336 examinations of each of four body regions were selected; 2,688 measurements were made and separated into 21 groups. Statistical model building and prediction equations were established for each region and 95% prediction intervals were used for analyses. Rapid growth of the head occurred from birth to approximately 2 years followed by a gradual plateau until 21 years. The thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic regions showed a linear relationship between age and size. Fitted equations showed transverse trunk measurements increased more rapidly than anteroposterior measurements. The anteroposterior trunk size growth rate was relatively region independent; transverse pelvic dimensions grew more rapidly than thoracic or abdominal regions. There was a broad overlap of predicted patient size ranges as a function of age within each region. Excellent interobserver agreement was measured by Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) (all p < 0.0001). Fitted average patient sizes are age dependent; however, predicted individual patient size does not correlate well with age. Our study suggests that pediatric patient body size should be determined for individual patients before performing diagnostic imaging procedures that entail radiation risks.

Magnetic resonance neurography for the evaluation of peripheral nerve, brachial plexus, and nerve root disorders

Treatment of spinal and peripheral nerve lesions relies on localization of the pathology by the use of neurological examination, spinal MR imaging and electromyography (EMG)/nerve conduction studies (NCSs). Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is a novel imaging technique recently developed for direct imaging of spinal and peripheral nerves. In this study, the authors analyzed the role of MRN in the evaluation of spinal and peripheral nerve lesions. Imaging studies, medical records, and EMG/NCS results were analyzed retrospectively in a consecutive series of 191 patients who underwent MRN for spinal and peripheral nerve disorders at the University of California, San Francisco between March 1999 and February 2005. Ninety-one (47.6%) of these patients also underwent EMG/NCS studies. In those who underwent both MRN and EMG/NCS, MRN provided the same or additional diagnostic information 32 and 45% of patients, respectively. Magnetic resonance neurograms were obtained at a median of 12 months after the onset of symptoms. The utility of MRN correlated with the interval between the onset of symptoms to MRN. Twelve patients underwent repeated MRN for serial evaluation. The decrease in abnormal signal detected on subsequent MRN correlated with time from onset of symptoms and the time interval between MRN, but not with resolution of symptoms. Twenty-one patients underwent MRN postoperatively to assess persistent, recurrent, or new symptoms; of these 3 (14.3%) required a subsequent surgery. Magnetic resonance neurography is a valuable adjunct to conventional MR imaging and EMG/NCS in the evaluation and localization of nerve root, brachial plexus, and peripheral nerve lesions. The authors found that MRN is indicated in patients: 1) in whom EMG and traditional MR imaging are inconclusive; 2) who present with brachial plexopathy who have previously received radiation therapy to the brachial plexus region; 3) who present with brachial plexopathy and have systemic tumors; and 4) in patients under consideration for surgery for peripheral nerve lesions or after trauma. Magnetic resonance neurography is limited by the size of the nerve trunk imaged and the timing of the study.

Epithelial Polarity Proteins Regulate Drosophila Tracheal Tube Size in Parallel to the Luminal Matrix Pathway

Regulation of epithelial tube size is critical for organ function. However, the mechanisms of tube size control remain poorly understood. In the Drosophila trachea, tube dimensions are regulated by a luminal extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM organization requires apical (luminal) secretion of the protein Vermiform (Verm), which depends on the basolateral septate junction (SJ). Here, we show that apical and basolateral epithelial polarity proteins interact to control tracheal tube size independently of the Verm pathway. Mutations in yurt (yrt) and scribble (scrib), which encode SJ-associated polarity proteins, cause an expansion of tracheal tubes but do not disrupt Verm secretion. Reducing activity of the apical polarity protein Crumbs (Crb) suppresses the length defects in yrt but not scrib mutants, suggesting that Yrt acts by negatively regulating Crb. Conversely, Crb overexpression increases tracheal tube dimensions. Reducing crb dosage also rescues tracheal size defects caused by mutations in coracle (cora), which encodes an SJ-associated polarity protein. In addition, crb mutations suppress cora length defects without restoring Verm secretion. Together, these data indicate that Yrt, Cora, Crb, and Scrib operate independently of the Verm pathway. Our data support a model in which Cora and Yrt act through Crb to regulate epithelial tube size.

A New Method for Blocking Probability Evaluation in OBS/OPS Networks With Deflection Routing

In this paper, we present a new method for the estimation of blocking probabilities in bufferless optical burst or packet switched networks. In such networks, deflection routing is used to reduce blocking probability. However, it requires certain wastage due to trunk reservation that must be used to avoid instability. We provide a wide range of simulation and numerical results to validate our new approximation method and demonstrate various effects on blocking probability and utilization, such as network size, trunk size, the maximal number of allowable deflections, and burst/packet length.

Body frame dimensions are related to obesity and fatness: Lean trunk size, skinfolds, and body mass index

We explore relationships between BMI and skinfolds and anthropometric variables reflecting variation in lean body frame. Data on the middle class adult Australian women (n = 1260) collected in 2002 during a National Body Size and Shape Survey were used. Standard measurements of stature, weight, skeletal dimensions (shoulder width, hip width, chest width, and depth, limb lengths), circumferences of head, trunk, limbs and triceps, subscapular and abdominal skinfolds were taken. Techniques for measurements of skeletal frame minimized the inclusion of adipose tissue thickness. Analysis of variance and parametric and nonparametric correlations were used. Vertical dimensions show weak correlations with fatness, while body frame circumferences and transverse dimensions are consistently, significantly, and substantially correlated with fatness, each explaining from 3 to 44% of variation in skinfold thickness. Skeletal dimensions explain up to 50% of variation in skinfold thickness (multiple regression). Especially high correlations with skinfold thickness occur for chest width, depth, and hip width (r range from 0.42 to 0.66). Body frame dimensions reflect largely trunk volume and the trunk/limb proportions. Larger lean trunk size is associated with greater fatness. Since the size of the abdominal cavity, and thus the gastrointestinal system (GI), is reflected in the trunk size, we speculate that larger frame may predispose to obesity in two ways: (1) larger stomachs require greater bulk of food to produce feeling of satiety as mediated through antral distension, (2) larger GIs may absorb more nutrients. Frame size may help to detect the risk of obesity among young adults.

PROPORCIONALIDADE CORPORAL E A RELAÇÃO COM A TÉCNICA DE PREFERÊNCIA DO JUDOCA

The purpose of this study was to analyse the compatibility between Judo techniques and the body proportions of the athletes, taking into account: the tokui-waza technique, the mecanical aspects of the technique, the size of legs, trunk and acromium, besides the relationship between tokui-waza and the body proportions (size) according to Phanton. The sample was composed of twenty-two male, athletes whose average age was 18.9 years and whose average time of practice was 7.7 years. All subjects were measured according to Ross & Marfell-Jone's (1982) procedures. The Chi-quadractic test revealed no relationship between tokui-waza and size of legs, trunk and acromium. It may be concluded that the choise of tokui-waza does not depend on the size of these body segments.

Relationship of Trunk Size to Selected Canopy Size Parameters for Native Pecan Trees

Trees in a native pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch.] grove vary in size, age, and genotype and tree spacing pattern is not uniform. This presents some problems for managing tree density, calibrating pesticide sprayers, and other management tasks. Trunk and canopy diameters and tree height of diverse sizes of native pecan trees in managed groves were measured and the relationships of cross-sectional trunk area with canopy footprint, surface area, and volume were determined. The canopy footprint, surface area, and volume per hectare were then calculated for the recommended stocking density of 6.9 m2·ha−1 of cross-sectional trunk area. Cross-sectional trunk area was strongly correlated with canopy footprint, surface area, and volume. Groves with an average tree size between 0.02 and 0.75 m2·ha−1 cross-sectional trunk had ≈50% canopy cover per unit land area and 3 ha·ha−1 bearing surface per unit land area at the recommended stocking density.

Comparative height–crown allometry and mechanical design in 22 tree species of Kuala Belalong rainforest, Brunei, Borneo

In rainforests, trunk size, strength, crown position, and geometry of a tree affect light interception and the likelihood of mechanical failure. Allometric relationships of tree diameter, wood density, and crown architecture vs. height are described for a diverse range of rainforest trees in Brunei, northern Borneo. The understory species follow a geometric model in their diameter-height relationship (slope, β = 1.08), while the stress-elasticity models prevail (β = 1.27-1.61) for the midcanopy and canopy/emergent species. These relationships changed with ontogeny, especially for the understory species. Within species, the tree stability safety factor (SSF) and relative crown width decreased exponentially with increasing tree height. These trends failed to emerge in across-species comparisons and were reversed at a common (low) height. Across species, the relative crown depth decreased with maximum potential height and was indistinguishable at a common (low) height. Crown architectural traits influence SSF more than structural property of wood density. These findings emphasize the importance of applying a common reference size in comparative studies and suggest that forest trees (especially the understory group) may adapt to low light by having deeper rather than wider crowns due to an efficient distribution and geometry of their foliage.

Early influences on adult lung function in two national British cohorts

Objectives:To compare adult lung function in two national British cohorts, born in 1946 and 1958, in relation to birth weight, postnatal growth and early air-pollution exposure.Design and setting:Persons born in...

Pancreatic Duodenal Homeobox 1 Expression Is Insufficient to Transdifferentiate Liver Cells Into Insulin-Secreting Cells

Wu, Yue BSc, PhD*†; Minger, Stephen L. BSc, PhD‡; Sawyer, Greta J. BSc, PhD†; Fabre, John W. MBBS, BMdSc, PhD†; Persaud, Shanta J. BSc, PhD*; Jones, Peter M. BSc, PhD* Author Information

Consistent growth of black cottonwoods despite temperature variation across elevational ecoregions in the Rocky Mountains

Globally, water and temperature provide the dominant environmental determinants of tree distribution and growth. In riparian or streamside zones, groundwater is abundant, and we consequently predicted that temperature would limit the growth of riparian cottonwoods in a cool climate northern mountain region. To investigate this association, we analyzed tree rings of 167 black cottonwoods, Populus trichocarpa, along two adjacent Rocky Mountain creeks in Alberta. Cottonwoods were sampled from 1700 m, near their upper elevational limit, down 500 m through three progressively warmer ecoregions, the montane, aspen parkland, and fescue prairie. Across these zones, June through September mean temperatures rose from 12.4 to 16.2°C (lapse rate = 0.67°C/100 m), and there was subsequently a 42% increase in growing degree days (base 5°C, GDD5) from 900 GDD5 at the trees’ upper limit. Despite this variation, growth rate of most trees was fairly consistent across the ecoregions; trunk diameter versus age associations were relatively similar (r2 = 0.85) with an estimated 14% increase in trunk sizes of 50 year-old trees with decreasing elevation. In all ecoregions, developmental patterns were prominent as annual radial increments increased up to about 20 years, and then progressively declined to an apparent lethal threshold of about 0.4 mm/year at about 100 years. Basal area increments also increased through the juvenile phase, but remained fairly constant thereafter. The weak association between growth and temperature suggests that other environmental factors limited growth rates or there were differences in temperature adaptation across these elevational ecoregions. The results suggest that predicted regional climate warming may not substantially promote the growth rates of these Rocky Mountain trees.

Boron Toxicity in Grapevine

Table grape production has recently become popular in arid and semiarid regions where conditions of salinity and excess boron (B) can be prevalent. This study addresses B toxicity in grapevine to define toxicity symptoms and evaluate growth, production, and B accumulation. The effect of excess B on grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sugraone) was evaluated in a 4-year study in Israel's Jordan Valley. Vines were grown in 60-L perlite-filled containers and irrigated with complete nutrient solutions with four B concentrations: 0.03, 0.12, 0.21, and 0.31 mm. Vines were monitored for growth, yield, and B accumulation. Boron accumulation in leaves correlated with B toxicity symptoms that materialized as chlorosis and necrosis of leaves beginning at their margins, reduced leaf size, and reduced internodal distance between adjacent leaves. Boron accumulated in grapevine leaves linearly as a function of increased B in irrigation solution with time and with age of leaves. The highest B levels were found at the end of each season and in the oldest leaves. No long-term (multiyear) effect of exposure to B was observed because similar accumulation patterns and levels were found in each year of the experiment. Hence, consistently sampled diagnostic leaves and time of sampling for B analysis is seen to be critical to provide valid comparisons between vines or over time. Boron supply influenced vine growth. At low levels of B (0.03 mm), canopy development was restricted but trunk size was not. At high levels of B (0.21 and 0.31 mm), substantial visual symptoms of B toxicity were observed, and the rate of trunk growth was reduced, but pruning biomass was not influenced. Despite severe visual toxicity damage and reduced overall growth rates, commercial fruit yield of the vines remained unaffected by high environmental B levels.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using a Bifurcated Internal Thoracic Artery

Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed successfully on a patient by anastomosing the left internal thoracic artery and its pericardiacophrenic branch to the obtuse marginal and the posterior descending coronary artery, respectively, to form a Y graft. Preoperative angiography of the internal thoracic artery had revealed the presence of an unusually large pericardiacophrenic branch almost the size of the main trunk, which allowed us to plan for bifurcated artery grafting.

Total and regional body volumes in African American women 60 years old with a BMI 35kg/m2

It is well known that senior aged adults have marked differences in body composition compared to their younger counterparts. Recent research suggests that as body mass increases there is a disproportionate increase in trunk size compared to that of the extremities (arm and legs). The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) and the relative volume of the arms (AV) and legs (LV) compared to the truncal (TV) region as a proportion of total body volume (TBV) in African American women ≥60 years old. Participant (n=23) mean age was 71.47 ± 6.80 years and mean BMI was 27.60 ± 4.51 kg/m2 (range 17.84–35.41 kg/m2). TBV and regional volumes (AV, LV, TV) were measured using the validated 3 dimensional photonic scanner (3DPS). Each of the regional volumes were assessed as a proportion of TBV (TV/TBV, AV/TBV, LV/TBV) in order to assess differences in the regional volume relative to overall body volume with increasing BMI. AV/TBV (r=−0.56, p=0.005) and LV/TBV (r=−0.480, p=0.020) were positively associated with BMI. TV/TBV, however, was inversely associated with BMI (r=0.52, p=0.011). These results show that the proportion of TV to TBV increases with BMI while the proportion of AV and LV to TBV decreases with increasing BMI. It may be that in older persons ≥60 years with a BMI between 17–35 kg/m2, increases in weight are largely in the trunk region while weight decreases proportionally to the total body in the extremities (arms and legs).

MALE PREGNANCY AND THE EVOLUTION OF BODY SEGMENTATION IN SEAHORSES AND PIPEFISHES

The evolution of complex traits, which are specified by the interplay of multiple genetic loci and environmental effects, is a topic of central importance in evolutionary biology. Here, we show that body and tail vertebral numbers in fishes of the pipefish and seahorse family (Syngnathidae) can serve as a model for studies of quantitative trait evolution. A quantitative genetic analysis of body and tail vertebrae from field-collected families of the Gulf pipefish, Syngnathus scovelli, shows that both traits exhibit significantly positive additive genetic variance, with heritabilities of 0.75 +/- 0.13 (mean +/- standard error) and 0.46 +/- 0.18, respectively. We do not find any evidence for either phenotypic or genetic correlations between the two traits. Pipefish are characterized by male pregnancy, and phylogenetic consideration of body proportions suggests that the position of eggs on the pregnant male's body may have contributed to the evolution of vertebral counts. In terms of numbers of vertebrae, tail-brooding males have longer tails for a given trunk size than do trunk-brooding males. Overall, these results suggest that vertebral counts in pipefish are heritable traits, capable of a response to selection, and they may have experienced an interesting history of selection due to the phenomenon of male pregnancy. Given that these traits vary among populations within species as well as among species, they appear to provide an excellent model for further research on complex trait evolution. Body segmentation may thus afford excellent opportunities for comparative study of homologous complex traits among disparate vertebrate taxa.

Ecological and biogeographical analyses of Mediterranean forests of northern Morocco

Abstract Mediterranean forests in northern Morocco have been studied. Tree species composition and abundance were investigated in 84 forest sites, distributed throughout the sandstone formation of the Tangier region. The relative abundance of 15 tree and arborescent shrub species was related, by ordination analysis, to altitude, disturbance by fire, and soil fertility. High-elevation forests were dominated by Cedrus atlantica , Quercus pyrenaica and Pinus pinaster . Sacred forests (protected as holy burial places) had a distinct stand structure, and were considered as refuges, for maintaining biodiversity at landscape scale. The evergreen oak Quercus suber and the semideciduous Quercus canariensis co-dominated the lowland forests. The mean basal area of the studied forests was 34 m 2 ha –1 . The mean trunk size (dbh) for Q. suber was 24 cm and for Q. canariensis 36.5 cm; in both cases there were indications of declining regeneration at population level. A comparative biogeographical analysis with the equivalent region in southern Spain (separated by the Strait of Gibraltar; 14 km wide), indicated a possible biodiversity loss in the Moroccan forests.

Congenitally corrected transposition: size of the pulmonary trunk and septal malalignment

Background In hearts with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, the atrial and ventricular septums are usually malaligned. This is associated with an abnormal location of the atrioventricular conduction system. However, well-aligned septums and normally positioned atrioventricular conduction tissues have been found in a few cases, some of which also happened to have a small or atretic pulmonary trunk. Our aim was to determine whether septal alignment could be predicted on the basis of the size of the pulmonary trunk. Potentially this could provide a guide to the disposition of the atrioventricular conduction tissues. Methods We examined 14 hearts. In all cases there was usual atrial arrangement. We carried out histologic examination of the sites of the atrioventricular conduction tissues in 1 heart. Results We found a statistically significant correlation between the size of the pulmonary trunk and the degree of septal malalignment. In the presence of a small or atretic pulmonary trunk, the septums were well aligned. Our histologic study of one such specimen revealed dual atrioventricular nodes connecting to a sling of conduction tissue. This suggests that presence of a postero-inferiorly situated atrioventricular conduction bundle in addition to an anteriorly located bundle may be anticipated when the septums are well aligned. Conclusions The presence of a small or atretic pulmonary trunk in congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is associated with good septal alignment. This should alert the surgeon to the possibility of a slinglike arrangement of the atrioventricular conduction system.

Estimation of breast burn size.

It is the authors' opinion that the size of chest burns on large-breasted women can be significantly underestimated, especially if the methods of calculation rely on burn charts, such as the Lund and Browder burns chart. This latter chart is based on data derived from only three women and eight men. The surface area of the torsos of 60 volunteers (20 men, 20 small-breasted women, and 20 large-breasted women) was measured using two well-established techniques. The torso surface area was divided into two parts: the anterior trunk and the posterior trunk (i.e., torso surface area = posterior trunk + anterior trunk). The anterior trunk was subdivided and the area above the costal margins defined as the pectoral region. These areas were measured separately for each individual. The volunteers' total body surface area was calculated using normograms, based on their weight and height. The area of each torso section was recorded as a percentage of the total body surface area and torso surface area. Whereas the torso surface area/total body surface area ratio did not vary significantly between the groups, the proportion of anterior to posterior trunk size did depend on the sex and on breast size. There was a direct correlation between the woman's bra cup size and the ratio of anterior-to-posterior trunk surface area. A simple chart was therefore derived that estimates the relative size of a woman's torso surface area once her bra cup size is known. Such a chart can be used to improve accuracy in adult female chest burn estimation, when used in conjunction with a burns chart. Breast burns in larger breasted women are underestimated when calculated using current burn charts. We recommend that a correction be made when estimating chest burns in women to account for the increased surface area of the breasts. A chart, such as the one we have developed, could be used in conjunction with a burn chart (e.g., Lund and Browder) to make this correction.

Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) zabensis sp. n. (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from freshwater fish in northern Iraq.

Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) zabensis sp. n. (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) is described from Capoeta damascina (Valenciennes, 1842) (type host) and Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) in the Greater and Lesser Zab Rivers, northern Iraq. The new species is unique among all other species of the genus by its characteristic paired para-vaginal muscular appendage and fragmented giant nuclei in the lemnisci. Eleven of the other 88 valid species of Neoechinorhynchus and N. zabensis have middle and posterior hooks of equal length. However, N. zabensis is distinguished from the others by size of trunk, proboscis, proboscis hooks and lemnisci, number of giant nuclei, position of female gonopore, and geographical and host distribution. It is also distinguished from six other species of Neoechinorhynchus previously reported from Iraq. Other distinguishing features are also included.