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PubMedDate not supplied

Ethanol and tertiary butanol induced microcephaly in the neonatal rat: comparison of brain growth parameters.

Neonatal rats were reared using an artificial feeding technique from postnatal day 4 through 18. On Postnatal Days 4 through 7, corresponding to the onset of the brain growth spurt, some animals were administered either ethanol or tertiary butanol in the milk formula, with the remaining animals serving as controls. The alcohol dosages were equated to each other by membrane to buffer partition coefficients. Following the 4 day alcohol exposure, all animals were given the plain milk formula until Day 18, when they were decapitated and various organ weights measured. The only significant weight differences between alcohol-exposed animals and controls were absolute brain weights and brain weight/body weight ratios, which were decreased in both alcohol groups. Biochemical analysis of the brains showed similar DNA levels for the ethanol, tertiary butanol, and control group forebrain samples. Both alcohol groups had significantly lower DNA levels than the control group for the hindbrain samples. Cholesterol levels and cholesterol/DNA ratios indicated that ethanol, but not tertiary butanol, impaired myelination and/or arborization. Total protein and protein/DNA ratios suggested that ethanol interfered with protein production and/or incorporation. The tertiary butanol animals did not show this deficit. The results imply that while exposure to either alcohol during the brain growth spurt can lead to microcephaly, the ethanol-induced alteration of myelin formation and protein production in neonatal brain tissue may be due to additional properties of ethanol.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Non-invasive approach for body composition measurement: differential buoyancy method and correction for water loss.

The Differential Buoyancy method uses Archimedes' principle to non-invasively determine body fat percentage by measuring the subject's weight in breathable high and low densities atmospheres. We currently use both air and helium/oxygen mixtures in our experiments[1]. When the method was tested on rats, an anomaly was observed. As helium/oxygen mixture was admitted to the weighing chamber, while the atmospheric density monotonically decreased, the rat's weight first increased but then after several minutes decreased. Water loss from the rat's body was found to be the main cause of this anomaly. Therefore it was necessary to compensate for this water loss. Consistent with experimental findings the water loss was modeled as a constant rate process, and determined experimentally from weight measurements at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Making these corrections allowed for accurate predictions of the rat's volume and body fat percentage.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2006

Relation of childhood sexual abuse and other forms of maltreatment to 12-month postoperative outcomes in extremely obese gastric bypass patients.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of sexual abuse for extremely obese patients who undergo bariatric surgery is uncertain. This study examined self-reported childhood sexual abuse and other forms of childhood maltreatment in relation to preoperative presentation and to 12-month postoperative outcomes in gastric bypass patients. METHODS: 137 extremely obese patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery completed a questionnaire battery before surgery and again 12 months after surgery. Weight loss was determined with measured weight and height, childhood maltreatment was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and associated eating disorder and psychological functioning were assessed with established measures. RESULTS: 32% of patients self-reported childhood sexual abuse, 37% reported some form of non-sexual childhood abuse or neglect, and 31% reported no form of childhood maltreatment. Significant and clinically robust improvements in weight and in all measures of eating and psychological functioning were observed at 12 months after surgery. Patients who reported histories of childhood sexual abuse and other forms of childhood maltreatment differed little from patients who reported no childhood maltreatment in body mass index, eating disorder features, and psychological functioning both pre- and postoperatively at 12-month follow-up. Patients who reported childhood sexual abuse had statistically significantly higher levels of depression at 12 months after surgery, although the depression levels represented significant reductions from pre-surgery and fell within the non-depressed range. CONCLUSION: Extremely obese patients who seek gastric bypass surgery report higher rates of childhood maltreatment than normative community samples. A history of childhood maltreatment, including reports of sexual abuse, does not appear to be a negative prognostic indicator for gastric bypass surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Measurement challenges and other practical concerns when studying massively obese individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the measurement challenges faced and to evaluate the measurement quality obtained with massively obese individuals. METHOD: A cross-sectional analysis of 107 individuals with body mass indices (kg/m2) > or = 50 was conducted. Individuals had their body fat measured via bioimpedance analysis (BIA), their serum leptin levels measured via radioimmunoassay (RIA), and height and weight measured via both laboratory scales and self-report. RESULTS: Serum leptin appeared to be measured accurately, provided the serum was diluted prior to conducting the RIA. Difficulties remained, however, in evaluating what was an unusual or expected value of leptin among individuals this large. Measures of impedance appeared to provide reasonable ordinal indications of body fatness. However, currently available equations for converting measures of impedance to estimates of percent body fat were highly inaccurate. Self-reported height and weight were reasonably good proxies of measured height and weight among individuals who reported their height and weight. However, a substantial proportion were unable to provide estimates. DISCUSSION: The above results suggest there are substantial challenges when trying to obtain meaningful measurements regarding obesity-related variables among massively obese individuals. Other logistic challenges also are discussed. It is hoped future research is directed at overcoming some of these challenges.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bias in reported body weight as a function of education, occupation, health and weight concern.

Comparison of self-reported and measured weights in a working population of 2046 men and 2393 women revealed systematic underreporting of 1.3% in men and 1.7% in women. Underreporting was significantly related to weight, height, and current participation in a weight reduction program in both men and women. In men only, it was also related to age, education, history of weight-control attempts, and history of weight-related health conditions. Overall, however, these predictor variables accounted for a small fraction of the variance in underreporting and the correlation between measured and self-reported weight was very high (rs = .99). It is concluded that self-reported body weight is an excellent approximation of actual weight across a broad range of population subgroups.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Immunostimulatory polysaccharides from Chlorella pyrenoidosa. A new galactofuranan. measurement of molecular weight and molecular weight dispersion by DOSY NMR.

Fractionation of the hot water extract of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was performed using a combination of ethanol precipitation, size exclusion chromatography, and anion exchange chromatography. One fraction contained a new polysaccharide, and this compound was shown to be a 1-->2-linked beta-d-galactofuranan from its 1D and 2D (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra, with a molecular weight of 15 kDa from DOSY NMR measurements. A number of other fractions were shown to have the same repeating unit as the previously identified arabinogalactan. However, arabinogalactans from different fractions were shown by DOSY NMR to have different molecular weights, which ranged from 27 to 1020 kDa. Agreement with molecular weights measured for some of these fractions by SEC-MALS was very good, further confirming the relationship established by Viel et al. between molecular weights of neutral polysaccharides and self-diffusion coefficients. The smaller molecular weight polysaccharides, the galactofuranan and the 27 and 50 kDa arabinogalactans, were shown to be close to monodisperse by analysis of the distributions of the self-diffusion coefficients for the polymers. The larger arabinogalactans had considerable variation in their molecular weights (188 +/- 109 kDa and 1020 +/- 370 kDa). Only the two larger arabinogalactans showed immunostimulatory activity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2001

Body mass index: comparing mean values and prevalence rates from telephone and examination surveys.

BACKGROUND: Cost effective means of assessing the levels of risk factors in the population have to be defined in order to monitor these factors over time and across populations. This study is aimed at analyzing the difference in population estimates of the mean levels of body mass index (BMI) and the prevalences of overweight, between health examination survey and telephone survey. METHODS: The study compares the results of two health surveys, one by telephone (N=820) and the other by physical examination (N=1318). The two surveys, based on independent random samples of the population, were carried out over the same period (1992-1993) in the same population (canton of Vaud, Switzerland). RESULTS: Overall participation rates were 67% and 53% for the health interview survey (HIS) and the health examination survey (HES) respectively. In the HIS, the reporting rate was over 98% for weight and height values. Self-reported weight was on average lower than measured weight, by 2.2 kg in men and 3.5 kg in women, while self-reported height was on average greater than measured height, by 1.2 cm in men and 1.9 cm in women. As a result, in comparison to HES, HIS led to substantially lower mean levels of BMI, and to a reduction of the prevalence rates of obesity (BMI>30 kg/m(2)) by more than a half. These differences are larger for women than for men. CONCLUSION: The two surveys were based on different sampling procedures. However, this difference in design is unlikely to explain the systematic bias observed between self-reported and measured values for height and weight. This bias entails the overall validity of BMI assessment from telephone surveys.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Growth and protein status of term infants fed soy protein formulas differing in protein content.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare growth and protein status of healthy term infants from 2 to 112 days of age fed a commercially available soy-based formula (IS) and a similar formula (EF) containing less protein (2.91 vs 2.45 g/100 kcal). DESIGN: A controlled, randomized, blind parallel clinical trial was conducted in 32 male and 32 female infants. Infants were enrolled at 2 days of age, and their assigned formula was their only feeding to 112 days of age. At this time their weight, length, and head circumference were measured. Weight, length, and head circumference were measured and formula intake, formula intolerance and stool characteristics were recorded at 8, 28, 56, and 112 days of age. Plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), total protein, albumin, and transthyretin were determined at 56 and 112 days. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in weight, length, head circumference, or gains in these measures. PUN concentration was significantly lower in infants fed EF than IS at 56 and 112 days. Plasma total protein, albumin, and transthyretin concentrations were not different between the two feeding groups at the two testing periods. Tolerance to the two formulas was similar. Stool characteristics did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: A soy-based formula containing 2.45 g protein/100 kcal and approximately 640 mumol of total sulfur containing amino acids/100 kcal adequately meets the protein needs of term infants from 2 to 112 days of age.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1998

[Changes in life style as a causal therapeutic approach in coronary heart disease].

Life style measures (weight reduction and control, reduction of total fat calories to < 30% of total calories, modification of fat intake to increased monounsaturated vegetable fat, increased intake of dietary fibers, increased physical activity, controlled stress relaxation) are the basis of longterm therapy of coronary heart disease. For transformation to daily life both patient and doctor need motivation, information, patience, and realistic aims. For realization the 10 rules of medical information should be followed. The patient must be informed that the "new lifestyle" is not punishing but means a new quality of life. With respect to the most important metabolic syndrome with hyperinsulinemia due to insulin resistance, weight reduction is the most important measure for preventing complications of atherosclerosis. The patient should use a diary for weight control and blood pressure self-measurement. Secondary prevention of CHD has been shown useful and effective; however, most patients need additionally drug therapy to avoid or retard progression of the coronary heart disease. The targets for cholesterol and blood pressure control are low; the responsibility of the patient remains high. Besides weight reduction, stopping smoking, lowering lipids, controlling hypertension, and aspirin are the most important.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed2001

Accuracy of self-reported weight in patients with binge eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of self-reported weight in patients with binge eating disorder. METHOD: Subjects were 108 adults who were consecutively evaluated for outpatient clinical trials and met DSM-IV criteria for binge eating disorder. Self-reported and measured weights were taken and participants were administered a battery of measures to examine correlates of reporting error. In addition, accurate reporters of weight (i.e., individuals who reported their weight within 5 lb of their measured weight) were compared to underreporters (i.e., individuals who underreported their weight by more than 5 lb) on eating disorder psychopathology and conceptually related measures. RESULTS: Overall, most binge eating disorder subjects were accurate in reporting weight: 73% were accurate within 5 lb and 82% were accurate within 10 lb. Self-reported and measured body mass index were highly correlated and the magnitude of the difference was nonsignificant. Body mass index was not significantly associated with the degree of accuracy, that is, accurate reporters weighed about the same as underreporters. Accurate reporters and underreporters did not differ on measures of overeating behaviors, eating disorder psychopathology, and conceptually related measures. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that most patients with binge eating disorder were accurate in self-reporting weight. Unlike findings in healthy samples, heavier patients with binge eating disorder were not more likely to underreport weight. Similar to findings in patients with bulimia nervosa, eating disorder psychopathology was not related to reporting error.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Measurements of genetic variation in residual metabolizable energy intake of laying hens.

An experiment was conducted to determine heritability of the residual component of feed consumption. The effect of test period length was also examined to determine the shortest test period that would result in reliable data. Three hundred and thirty-five pedigreed White Leghorn hens were used. The experiment began when the hens were 26 wk of age and lasted for 28 wk. The residual component of energy intake was determined for each hen for time periods of 2, 4, and 8 wk in length. These values were used to determine heritability. Analyses of the data for each period were performed in two steps. A reduced model, without pedigree information, was used to develop a regression model. A complete model was used for analyses of data. The procedure of starting egg mass output measurements 2 days after body weight measurements was more effective than starting records on the same days that body weights were obtained. The partial regression coefficients of ME intake decreased with age. Also the partial regression coefficients of ME on body weight change increased with the length of the test period. The partial regression coefficients of ME on egg mass increased slightly with age. Heritability of ME intake adjusted for metabolic body weight, body weight change, and egg mass output was highest (.567 +/- .186) when the test was calculated by 8-wk periods. However, the range of estimates over time was lowest when made for 4-wk periods.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The prevalence of overweight adults living in a rural and remote community. The Bella Coola Valley.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of overweight adults living in the Bella Coola Valley. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of all people attending the Bella Coola Medical Clinic, and residing in the Bella Coola Valley. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight (killograms) and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: More than 92% of clinic charts had a recent measurement of weight and 65% of clinic charts had height measured; accordingly, we were able to calculate the BMI on 65% of the clinic population. Over 50% of the adults residing in the Bella Coola Valley are considered overweight (BMI > 27, the Health Canada definition) and only 25% have a BMI within an acceptable range (20.0 to 24.9). Proportionately more Aboriginal people are overweight (65%) than non-Aboriginal people (47%); men and women were similarly overweight (56% and 53%, respectively); and proportionately more people were overweight with increased age. The prevalence of being overweight in people aged 65 years and older is 66%. As weight increased so did the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diverticular disease, dyspepsia/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), alcohol issues, asthma, depression, coronary artery disease, and eczematous dermatitis. There was no relationship between increasing weight and atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular disease, inflammatory arthritis, hypothyroidism, chronic back/neck pain, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, congestive heart failure, and cancer. CONCLUSION: Living in a remote community does not protect against obesity and the complications of obesity. Obesity is present in a greater proportion of Aboriginal people. The treatment and prevention of obesity in rural populations of differing ethnicity may need to be individualized.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates of pelvic measurements and birth weight in beef heifers.

Data on 1210 spring-born (1983 to 1988) yearling heifers were analyzed by paternal half-sib procedures to obtain genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates involving birth weight and pelvic measurements. Data included records on 629 Angus, 325 Simmental, and 256 Salers representing 93, 49, and 22 paternal half-sib sire groups, respectively. Heritabilities for birth weight (BW), pelvic height (PH), pelvic width (PW), and pelvic area (PA) for Angus were 0.30, 0.61, 0.28, and 0.43, respectively. Corresponding values for Simmental and Salers heifers were 0.14, 0.34, 0.44, 0.37, and 0.18, 0.02, 0.29, 0.15, respectively. Genetic correlations among pelvic measurements (PH-PW, PH-PA, PW-PA) were positive (0.25 to 1.03) except for the estimate of -0.07 for PH-PW in Simmentals. Genetic correlations between BW and the 3 pelvic measurements (BW-PH, BW-PW, BW-PA) were negative (-0.18 to -0.36) except for the estimates of 0.53 (BW-PW) and 0.26 (BW-PA) in Simmentals and 2.84 (BW-PH) and 0.39 (BW-PA) in Salers. Phenotypic correlations among pelvic measurements ranged from 0.16 to 0.80. Phenotypic correlations between birth weight and the 3 pelvic measurements were consistently lower (-0.02 to 0.09) than the genetic correlations.

Journal Article↗