Dog Life Spans and the Evolution of Aging.

AbstractThe basic tenets of the evolutionary theories of senescence are well supported. However, there has been little progress in determining the relative influences of mutation accumulation and life history optimization. The causes of the well-established inverse relationship between life span and body size across dog breeds are used here to test these two classes of theories. The life span-body size relationship is confirmed for the first time after controlling for breed phylogeny. The life span-body size relationship cannot be explained by evolutionary responses to differences in extrinsic mortality either of contemporary breeds or of breeds at their establishment. The development of breeds larger and smaller than ancestral gray wolves has occurred through changes in early growth rate. This may explain the increase in the minimum age-dependent mortality rate with breed body size and thus higher age-dependent mortality throughout adult life. The main cause of this mortality is cancer. These patterns are consistent with the optimization of life history as described by the disposable soma theory of the evolution of aging. The dog breed life span-body size relationship may be the result of the evolution of greater defense against cancer lagging behind the rapid increase in body size during recent breed establishment.

Mechanism of threshold size assessment: Metamorphosis is triggered by the TGF-beta/Activin ligand Myoglianin.

Although the mechanisms that control growth are now well understood, the mechanism by which animals assess their body size remains one of the great puzzles in biology. The final larval instar of holometabolous insects, after which growth stops and metamorphosis begins, is specified by a threshold size. We investigated the mechanism of threshold size assessment in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. The threshold size was found to change depending on the amount of exposure to poor nutrient conditions whereas hypoxia treatment consistently led to a lower threshold size. Under these various conditions, the mass of the muscles plus integuments was correlated with the threshold size. Furthermore, the expression of myoglianin (myo) increased at the threshold size in both M. sexta and Tribolium castaneum. Knockdown of myo in T. castaneum led to larvae that underwent supernumerary larval molts and stayed in the larval stage permanently even after passing the threshold size. We propose that increasing levels of Myo produced by the growing tissues allow larvae to assess their body size and trigger metamorphosis at the threshold size.

Traditional approaches to estimate length at first maturity (L50 ) retrieve better results than alternative ones in a Neotropical heptapterid.

Length at first maturity (L50 ) is an important tool for the management and conservation of fish populations. Traditional approaches based on macroscopic and microscopic maturity staging exhibit high accuracy and precision, while alternative approaches (e.g., Ig -based staging, stanza changing point) are less resource-demanding. Herein, we compare four approaches to estimate L50 in a population of the heptapterid Rhamdioglanis transfasciatus from Atlantic Forest streams. Fish were sampled monthly during a year by using electrofishing. We measured the length (cm), mass (g), and gonad mass (g) of each specimen, then classified their maturity status macroscopically and microscopically. Alternative approaches were strongly discordant from traditional ones. Logistic curves considering mature individuals as those displaying at least 1% of the maximum Ig in the sample greatly underestimated L50 for females and overestimated L50 for males. The stanza changing point derived from the polyphasic growth model underestimated L50 in both cases. Despite the increasing development of less onerous approaches, it seems that they are not suitable for all fish populations and the requirements to use such approaches demand further investigation.

A 2 year physical activity and dietary intervention attenuates the increase in insulin resistance in a general population of children: the PANIC study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We studied for the first time the long-term effects of a combined physical activity and dietary intervention on insulin resistance and fasting plasma glucose in a general population of predominantly normal-weight children. METHODS: We carried out a 2 year non-randomised controlled trial in a population sample of 504 children aged 6-9 years at baseline. The children were allocated to a combined physical activity and dietary intervention group (306 children at baseline, 261 children at 2-year follow-up) or a control group (198 children, 177 children) without blinding. We measured fasting insulin and fasting glucose, calculated HOMA-IR, assessed physical activity and sedentary time by combined heart rate and body movement monitoring, assessed dietary factors by a 4 day food record, used the Finnish Children Healthy Eating Index (FCHEI) as a measure of overall diet quality, and measured body fat percentage (BF%) and lean body mass by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The intervention effects on insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR were analysed using the intention-to-treat principle and linear mixed-effects models after adjustment for sex, age at baseline, and pubertal status at baseline and 2 year follow-up. The measures of physical activity, sedentary time, diet and body composition at baseline and 2 year follow-up were entered one-by-one as covariates into the models to study whether changes in these variables might partly explain the observed intervention effects. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, fasting insulin increased 4.65 pmol/l less (absolute change +8.96 vs +13.61 pmol/l) and HOMA-IR increased 0.18 units less (+0.31 vs +0.49 units) over 2 years in the combined physical activity and dietary intervention group. The intervention effects on fasting insulin (regression coefficient ß for intervention effect -0.33 [95% CI -0.62, -0.04], p = 0.026) and HOMA-IR (ß for intervention effect -0.084 [95% CI -0.156, -0.012], p = 0.023) were statistically significant after adjustment for sex, age at baseline, and pubertal status at baseline and 2 year follow-up. The intervention had no effect on fasting glucose, BF% or lean body mass. Changes in total physical activity energy expenditure, light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, total sedentary time, the reported consumption of high-fat (≥60%) vegetable oil-based spreads, and FCHEI, but not a change in BF% or lean body mass, partly explained the intervention effects on fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The combined physical activity and dietary intervention attenuated the increase in insulin resistance over 2 years in a general population of predominantly normal-weight children. This beneficial effect was partly mediated by changes in physical activity, sedentary time and diet but not changes in body composition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01803776 Graphical abstract.

Body size and composition, physical activity and sedentary time in relation to endogenous hormones in premenopausal and postmenopausal women: Findings from the UK Biobank.

Anthropometric and lifestyle factors may influence cancer risks through hormonal changes. We investigated cross-sectional associations between body size and composition, physical activity and sedentary time and serum concentrations of oestradiol (premenopausal women only), testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in 20 758 premenopausal and 71 101 postmenopausal women in UK Biobank. In premenopausal women, higher BMI (body mass index) was associated with a lower concentration of total oestradiol (15% difference in the highest vs lowest BMI group) and a higher concentration of calculated free oestradiol (22%). In both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, higher BMI was associated with higher concentrations of total and calculated free testosterone (premenopausal 29% and 113%, postmenopausal 39% and 126%, respectively) and lower concentrations of SHBG and IGF-I (premenopausal 51% and 14%, postmenopausal 51% and 12%, respectively). Similar associations were observed with waist to height ratio, waist to hip ratio and body or trunk fat mass. Self-reported physical activity was associated with somewhat lower concentrations of total and calculated free testosterone (premenopausal 10% difference [free testosterone], postmenopausal 5% and 11% difference respectively in the most vs least active group) and a higher concentration of SHBG (premenopausal 11%, postmenopausal 10%), and the opposite was true for self-reported sedentary time. The associations were slightly stronger with accelerometer-measured physical activity, but were attenuated after adjustment for BMI. Overall, our study confirms strong associations of hormones and SHBG with anthropometric factors. The associations with physical activity and sedentary time were at most modest.

Clinical Application of Apheresis in Very Small Dogs Weighing <8 kg to Pediatric Patients.

Apheresis in low body weight children and adolescents is challenging due to a variety of technical and clinical issues including vascular access, low total blood volume, and hypotension. Although dogs have been a valuable preclinical model for apheresis, the procedure can be challenging since many pure-bred dogs are extremely small. Therefore, apheresis in these very small breeds presents very similar challenges as seen when performing the procedure in very low body weight people. We describe apheresis of four very small dogs, weighing from 4.6 to 7.6 kg, using either a COBESpectra and Spectra Optia apheresis system (Terumo BCT, Lakewood, CO, USA). Two dogs underwent large volume leukapheresis to collect mononuclear cells in preparation for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and two dogs underwent therapeutic plasma exchange to treat an immune-mediated disease. In all cases, a dual-lumen hemodialysis catheter placed in the jugular vein provided adequate machine inlet and return flow rates. Machine priming was necessary to maintain hemodynamic stability during the beginning of the procedure, and rinseback was avoided for the same reason. Anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution, solution A was used for the large volume leukapheresis procedures and a combination of anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution, solution A and heparin was used for the therapeutic plasma exchange procedures. As such, serum iCa levels were regularly monitored and 10% calcium gluconate constant rate infusions were used to prevent citrate toxicity. All dogs completed the aphereses with no life-threatening adverse events. We conclude that aphereses in very small dogs is feasible if close attention is paid to hemodynamic stability and citrate toxicity.

The effect of malnutrition on mortality in hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the association between malnutrition status with the (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition) GLIM criteria and 1-year mortality in hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancy. METHODS: This study included 120 hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancy. Patients who were at risk of malnutrition with NRS2002 were reevaluated with the GLIM criteria for defined malnutrition. Also, the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), calf circumference (CC), and handgrip (HG) were measured, and albumin, C reactive protein (CRP), and total protein were recorded to assess malnutrition-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients are with lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma having a rate of 34.2%, 34.2%, and 31.6%, respectively, and risk of malnutrition with NRS2002 was established in 82% of patients. Malnutrition with GLIM criteria was seen in 25.8% of patients. The 1-year mortality rate was 41.7% (n = 50). Malnutrition was associated with higher mortality risk independently with age and duration of diagnosis (HR 3.55 (1.99-6.34), p = 0.001). Low HG (HR 0.51 (0.26-0.99), p = 0.03), low albumin (HR 0.39 (0.2-0.6), p = 0.001), and high CRP (HR 2.39 (1.36-4.20), p = 0.002) were significantly associated with increased mortality risk. In contrast, BMI, MUAC, FFMI, and CC were not associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition is high with the GLIM criteria. Hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancy with malnutrition have a higher 1-year mortality risk.

Effect of workplace physical activity interventions on the cardio-metabolic health of working adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adults in urban areas spend almost 77% of their waking time being inactive at workplaces, which leaves little time for physical activity. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize evidence for the effect of workplace physical activity interventions on the cardio-metabolic health markers (body weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipids and blood glucose) among working adults. METHODS: All experimental studies up to March 2018, reporting cardio-metabolic worksite intervention outcomes among adult employees were identified from PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANE CENTRAL, CINAHL and PsycINFO. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess bias in studies. All studies were assessed qualitatively and meta-analysis was done where possible. Forest plots were generated for pooled estimates of each study outcome. RESULTS: A total of 33 studies met the eligibility criteria and 24 were included in the meta-analysis. Multi-component workplace interventions significantly reduced body weight (16 studies; mean diff: - 2.61 kg, 95% CI: - 3.89 to - 1.33) BMI (19 studies, mean diff: - 0.42 kg/m2, 95% CI: - 0.69 to - 0.15) and waist circumference (13 studies; mean diff: - 1.92 cm, 95% CI: - 3.25 to - 0.60). Reduction in blood pressure, lipids and blood glucose was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace interventions significantly reduced body weight, BMI and waist circumference. Non-significant results for biochemical markers could be due to them being secondary outcomes in most studies. Intervention acceptability and adherence, follow-up duration and exploring non-RCT designs are factors that need attention in future research. Prospero registration number: CRD42018094436.

Pubertal timing and breast density in young women: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Earlier age at onset of pubertal events and longer intervals between them (tempo) have been associated with increased breast cancer risk. It is unknown whether the timing and tempo of puberty are associated with adult breast density, which could mediate the increased risk. METHODS: From 1988 to 1997, girls participating in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC) were clinically assessed annually between ages 8 and 17 years for Tanner stages of breast development (thelarche) and pubic hair (pubarche), and onset of menses (menarche) was self-reported. In 2006-2008, 182 participants then aged 25-29 years had their percent dense breast volume (%DBV) measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Multivariable, linear mixed-effects regression models adjusted for reproductive factors, demographics, and body size were used to evaluate associations of age and tempo of puberty events with %DBV. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) and range of %DBV were 27.6 (20.5) and 0.2-86.1. Age at thelarche was negatively associated with %DBV (p trend = 0.04), while pubertal tempo between thelarche and menarche was positively associated with %DBV (p trend = 0.007). %DBV was 40% higher in women whose thelarche-to-menarche tempo was 2.9 years or longer (geometric mean (95%CI) = 21.8% (18.2-26.2%)) compared to women whose thelarche-to-menarche tempo was less than 1.6 years (geometric mean (95%CI) = 15.6% (13.9-17.5%)). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a slower pubertal tempo, i.e., greater number of months between thelarche and menarche, is associated with higher percent breast density in young women. Future research should examine whether breast density mediates the association between slower tempo and increased breast cancer risk.

Body size and dietary risk factors for aggressive prostate cancer: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: Diet and body size may affect the risk of aggressive prostate cancer (APC), but current evidence is inconclusive. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in men under 75 years of age recruited from urology practices in Victoria, Australia; 1,254 with APC and 818 controls for whom the presence of prostate cancer had been excluded by biopsy. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable unconditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios and confidence intervals for hypothesized risk factors, adjusting for age, family history of prostate cancer, country of birth, socioeconomic status, smoking, and other dietary factors. RESULTS: Positive associations with APC (odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals, highest vs. lowest category or quintile) were observed for body mass index (1.34, 1.02-1.78, Ptrend = 0.04), and trouser size (1.54, 1.17-2.04, Ptrend = 0.001). Intakes of milk and all dairy products were inversely associated with APC risk (0.71, 9.53-0.96, Ptrend = 0.05, and 0.64, 0.48-0.87, Ptrend = 0.012, respectively), but there was little evidence of an association with other dietary variables (Ptrend > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed previous evidence for a positive association between body size and risk of APC, and suggest that consumption of dairy products, and milk more specifically, is inversely associated with risk.

White LED Light Exposure Inhibits the Development and Xanthophore Pigmentation of Zebrafish Embryo.

Circadian rhythm in all living organisms is disturbed continuously by artificial light sources and artificial lighting has become a hazard for public health. Circadian rhythm of melatonin maintains high levels of melatonin during the night and low levels during the day. N-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AANAT) is one of the four enzymes required for melatonin synthesis and mtnr1ba is a melatonin receptor-encoding mRNA that is expressed widely in the embryonic brain. Pax7 has important roles during neural crest development and especially xanthophore pigmentation. Due to its diurnal nature, zebrafish provide a special opportunity for research on circadian rhythms that are regulated by melatonin. Here in this study, we showed that when compared with the white light control group, white LED light exposure resulted in loss of yellow pigmentation, decreased body length and locomotor activity, oxidant-antioxidant imbalance and decreased expressions of aanat2, mtnr1ba, and pax7 in zebrafish embryos. Histological analysis of this group revealed disorganization of the spaces among photoreceptor cells, decreased total retinal thickness and photoreceptor cell layer thickness compared with the control group. Artificial lighting pollution has the potential to become an important risk factor for different diseases including cancer especially for industrialized countries, therefore, more studies should be performed and necessary regulations should be made regarding this risk factor.

Temperature and insulin signaling regulate body size in Hydra by the Wnt and TGF-beta pathways.

How multicellular organisms assess and control their size is a fundamental question in biology, yet the molecular and genetic mechanisms that control organ or organism size remain largely unsolved. The freshwater polyp Hydra demonstrates a high capacity to adapt its body size to different temperatures. Here we identify the molecular mechanisms controlling this phenotypic plasticity and show that temperature-induced cell number changes are controlled by Wnt- and TGF-ß signaling. Further we show that insulin-like peptide receptor (INSR) and forkhead box protein O (FoxO) are important genetic drivers of size determination controlling the same developmental regulators. Thus, environmental and genetic factors directly affect developmental mechanisms in which cell number is the strongest determinant of body size. These findings identify the basic mechanisms as to how size is regulated on an organismic level and how phenotypic plasticity is integrated into conserved developmental pathways in an evolutionary informative model organism.

Body size and weight, and the nutrition and activity behaviours of sexual and gender minority youth: findings and implications from New Zealand.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the body size and weight, and the nutrition and activity behaviours of sexual and gender minority (SGM) students and compare them with those of exclusively opposite-sex-attracted cisgender students. Male and female SGM students were also compared. DESIGN: Data were from a nationally representative health survey. SETTING: Secondary schools in New Zealand, 2012. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 7769 students, 9 % were SGM individuals. RESULTS: Overall, weight-control behaviours, poor nutrition and inactivity were common and, in many cases, more so for SGM students. Specifically, male SGM students (adjusted OR; 95 % CI) were significantly more likely to have tried to lose weight (1·95; 1·47, 2·59), engage in unhealthy weight control (2·17; 1·48, 3·19), consume fast food/takeaways (2·89; 2·01, 4·15) and be physically inactive (2·54; 1·65, 3·92), and were less likely to participate in a school sports team (0·57; 0·44, 0·75), compared with other males. Female SGM students (adjusted OR; 95 % CI) were significantly more likely to engage in unhealthy weight control (1·58; 1·20, 2·08), be overweight or obese (1·24; 1·01, 1·53) and consume fast food/takeaways (2·19; 1·59, 3·03), and were less likely to participate in a school sports team (0·62; 0·50, 0·76), compared with other females. Generally, female SGM students were more negatively affected than comparable males, except they were less likely to consume fast food/takeaways frequently (adjusted OR; 95 % CI: 0·62; 0·40, 0·96). CONCLUSIONS: SGM students reported increased weight-control behaviours, poor nutrition and inactivity. Professionals, including public health nutritionists, must recognize and help to address the challenges facing sexual and gender minorities.

Exploring the Role of Insulin Signaling in Relative Growth: A Case Study on Wing-Body Scaling in Lepidoptera.

Adult forms emerge from the relative growth of the body and its parts. Each appendage and organ has a unique pattern of growth that influences the size and shape it attains. This produces adult size relationships referred to as static allometries, which have received a great amount of attention in evolutionary and developmental biology. However, many questions remain unanswered, for example: What sorts of developmental processes coordinate growth? And how do these processes change given variation in body size? It has become increasingly clear that nutrition is one of the strongest influences on size relationships. In insects, nutrition acts via insulin/TOR signaling to facilitate inter- and intra-specific variation in body size and appendage size. Yet, the mechanism by which insulin signaling influences the scaling of growth remains unclear. Here we will discuss the potential roles of insulin signaling in wing-body scaling in Lepidoptera. We analyzed the growth of wings in animals reared on different diet qualities that induce a range of body sizes not normally present in our laboratory populations. By growing wings in tissue culture, we survey how perturbation and stimulation of insulin/TOR signaling influences wing growth. To conclude, we will discuss the implications of our findings for the development and evolution of organismal form.

Limb Length in Gastric Bypass in Super-Obese Patients-Importance of Length of Total Alimentary Small Bowel Tract.

BACKGROUND: In super-obese patients, rates of weight loss failure and weight regain are high after RYGB. In order to improve weight loss, lengthening of the biliopancreatic limb is vital. In this study, efficacy and safety of two types of RYGB with 2-m BP-limb were assessed in improving weight loss and in the resolution of comorbidities compared with standard RYGB in a long-term follow-up. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort analysis on 671 super-obese patients operated in a 10-year period. Patients were classified into three groups: (1) 155 patients; roux limb 150 cm, BP-limb 60 cm; (2) 230 patients; roux limb 60 cm, BP-limb 200 cm; and (3) 286 patients; roux limb 150 cm, BP-limb 200 cm. EWL, TWL, BMI, failure, weight regain, comorbidity resolution, nutritional status, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: Total alimentary limb length was shortened with 60 cm in group 1 and with 200 cm in groups 2 and 3. EWL, BMI change, and TWL were higher in the 2-m BP-limb groups vs group 1. No differences in complication rates were found, except higher frequency of marginal ulcers in patients with a shorter roux limb. EWL failure was higher in group 1 (10.3%) vs the other groups (4.3%; 5.2%). Group 3 had significantly less weight regain (26.6%). Remission of comorbidities was higher in the 2-m BP-limb groups at expense of nutritional and vitamin deficiencies (3.9%; 5.9%). No difference in hypoalbuminemia was noted. CONCLUSION: Lengthening of the BP-limb gives significantly higher weight loss, lower rate of EWL failure, and lesser weight regain along with better resolution of obesity-associated comorbidities.

Respiratory muscle strength and lung function in the stages of Parkinson's disease / Força muscular respiratória e função pulmonar nos estágios da doença de Parkinson

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate parameters of lung function and respiratory muscle strength in different stages of Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as to determine their correlation with motor function and quality of life. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a referral center for PD in the city of Recife, Brazil. Respiratory muscle strength and lung function, as well as their relationship with motor function and quality of life, were evaluated in patients with PD, stratified by the level of severity, and were compared with the data obtained for a control group. After confirming the normality of data distribution, we performed one-way ANOVA with a post hoc t-test. Results: The sample comprised 66 individuals, in two groups: PD (n = 49) and control (n = 17). All of the parameters investigated showed inverse correlations with PD severity, and there were significant differences among the levels of severity, as well as between the PD and control groups, in terms of the MIP, MEP, FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75%. The lung function parameters also showed moderate to weak inverse correlations with bradykinesia and rigidity. On a quality of life questionnaire, the total score and mobility domain score both presented a moderate inverse correlation with FVC, FEV1, PEF, and MEP. Conclusions: Respiratory muscle strength and some lung function parameters are impaired from the early stages of PD onward, bradykinesia and rigidity being the cardinal signs that correlate most strongly with impairment of those parameters. Such alterations negatively affect the quality of life of patients with PD.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a repercussão de parâmetros de função pulmonar e de força muscular respiratória nos diversos estágios da doença de Parkinson (DP) e suas correlações com a funcionalidade e a qualidade de vida desses pacientes. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal realizado em um serviço de referência para DP em Recife (PE). Foram avaliadas a força muscular respiratória e a função pulmonar, assim como suas relações com a funcionalidade e a qualidade de vida, em pacientes com DP estratificados por gravidade da DP e comparados a um grupo controle. Após a verificação da normalidade da amostra, foi realizada one-way ANOVA e teste t post hoc. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 66 indivíduos, sendo 49 no grupo DP e 17 no grupo controle. Houve reduções nos parâmetros investigados com a progressão da doença, em comparação com o grupo controle, sendo encontradas diferenças significativas em PImáx, PEmáx, CVF, VEF1 e FEF25-75% em todos os estágios da DP. Houve correlações inversas (de fraca a moderada) de alguns parâmetros estudados com bradicinesia e rigidez. Os escores totais do questionário de qualidade de vida e de seu domínio mobilidade apresentaram moderada correlação inversa com CVF, VEF1, PFE e PEmáx. Conclusões: A força muscular respiratória e alguns parâmetros de função pulmonar encontram-se reduzidos desde os estágios iniciais da DP, sendo a bradicinesia e a rigidez os sinais cardinais mais correlacionados ao prejuízo desses parâmetros. Essas alterações repercutem negativamente na qualidade de vida desses pacientes.

Metabolic profiling of adherence to diet, physical activity and body size recommendations for cancer prevention.

Maintaining a healthy body weight, eating well and being physically active lowers cancer risk by 30%. However, the biology underlying these relationships is not well understood. We examined cross-sectional associations between metabolites and cancer preventive behaviors as well as the relevance to cancer-related pathways among 120 participants (50% men, mean BMI 26.6 kg/m2, mean age 54 years) with no history of smoking or cancer. Participants completed questionnaires, physical measurements and provided blood samples. Non-targeted nuclear magnetic resonance captured 223 metabolite measures. Factor analysis was performed separately for amino acid, fatty acid and lipoprotein groups. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression was used to evaluate associations between cancer preventive recommendations and metabolite-containing factors (p-value < 0.05, false discovery rate <0.20). An inflammation-related metabolite (glycoprotein acetylation) loaded strongly on a factor that was associated with excess adiposity (body fat ≥25% (men) or ≥30% (women) ß (SE) = 0.74 (0.18)) and not meeting physical activity recommendations (ß (SE) = 0.40 (0.20)). Insulin sensitivity-related metabolites including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats were lower among participants not meeting recommendations for adiposity, fruits and vegetables and physical activity while branched chain amino acids were higher. Cancer preventive behaviors were associated with complex metabolic signatures, including alterations in pathways known to be involved in cancer pathogenesis.

ABSI is a poor predictor of insulin resistance in Chinese adults and elderly without diabetes

ABSTRACT Objective: Recently, a new obesity index (A Body Shape Index, ABSI) based on waist circumference (WC) was developed, and high ABSI corresponds to a more central concentration of body volume. It is well known that central obesity is closely linked with insulin resistance (IR). Therefore, our study aimed to examine the discriminatory power of ABSI for IR in Chinese adults and elderly without diabetes. Subjects and methods: In 2007, a cross-sectional study was made. In this study, 570 individuals without diabetes were available for analysis (male: 56.1%, mean age: 62.3 ± 6.5 years). Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were determined to identify variables/models that could predict insulin resistance. Results: ABSI was associated with IR, the cut-off points was 0.0785 m11/6kg-2/3 to identifying IR and the area under the ROC (AUC) curve was 0.618 (95%CI: 0.561-0.675), which was not better than body mass index BMI (AUC = 0.753; 95%CI: 0.706-0.801), WC (AUC = 0.749; 95%CI: 0.700-0.797), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG, AUC = 0.752; 95%CI: 0.705-0.799). Furthermore, combination with ABSI could improve the discriminatory power of other variables for IR. The AUC curve increased from 0.753 to 0.771for BMI, 0.749 to 0.754 for WC, 0.752 to 0.769 for FPG, respectively. Conclusions: ABSI is associated with IR in the general Chinese adults and elderly without diabetes, but the discriminatory power for IR is poor. It is recommended that ABSI be used in combination with other variables.

Height, waist circumference, body mass index, and body somatotype across the life course and risk of glioma.

PURPOSE: Recent studies have suggested height as a risk factor for glioma, but less is known regarding body mass index (BMI) or other anthropomorphic measures. We evaluated the association between body habitus and risk of glioma. METHODS: We evaluated the association of measures of height, BMI, waist circumference, and somatotypes with risk of glioma in two prospective cohorts, the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. RESULTS: We documented 508 incident cases of glioma (321 glioblastoma [GBM]). In both cohorts, we found no significant association between adult BMI or waist circumference and risk of glioma, with pooled HR for BMI of 1.08 (95% CI 0.85-1.38 comparing ≥ 30 to < 25 kg/m2) and for waist circumference of 1.05 (95% CI 0.80-1.37 highest vs. lowest quintile). Higher young adult BMI (at age 18 in NHS and 21 in HPFS) was associated with modestly increased risk of glioma in the pooled cohorts (pooled HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.06-1.72 comparing ≥ 25 kg/m2 vs. less; HR 1.34 for women and 1.37 for men). Analysis of body somatotypes suggested reduced risk of glioma among women with heavier body types at all ages this measure was assessed (HRs ranging from 0.52 to 0.65 comparing highest tertile to lowest tertile), but no significant association among men. Height was associated with increased risk of glioma among women (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.14 per inch), but not significantly among men. Within the 8 years prior to diagnosis, cases had no material weight loss compared to non-cases. All results were similar when limited to GBM. CONCLUSION: Adult BMI and waist circumference were not associated with glioma. Higher BMI at age 21 for men and at age 18 for women was modestly associated with risk in the pooled cohort. Based on body somatotypes, however, women with heavier body types during childhood and young adulthood may be at lower risk of glioma, although this association was not observed later in life with measurements of BMI. Greater height was associated with increased risk, and the trend was more pronounced in women.

Correlation of Neck Circumference with Difficult Mask Ventilation and Difficult Laryngoscopy in Morbidly Obese Patients: an Observational Study.

PURPOSE: Mask ventilation and laryngoscopy can be challenging in morbidly obese patients because of excessive fat tissue. There are studies suggesting that neck circumference is associated with difficult mask ventilation, difficult laryngoscopy, and difficult intubation. The primary aim of our study is to evaluate predictive value of neck circumference for difficult mask ventilation and difficult laryngoscopy in female and male morbidly obese patients separately. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study was performed in the period between March 2015 and December 2015. One hundred and twenty (37 male and 83 female) patients undergoing elective surgery were included. Neck circumference, BMI, Mallampati scores, neck movements, dentition, upper lip bite test, breast, thorax, waist, hip circumferences, mouth opening, and sternomental and thyromental distances were evaluated preoperatively. Mask ventilation was graded using four-grade classification. Laryngoscopy was evaluated by Cormack Lehane score. RESULTS: The incidence of difficult mask ventilation was 13.5% in male and 3.6% in female patients. Mouth opening ≤ 6.5 cm and inadequate flexion were found as significant predictors for difficult mask ventilation in male patients. The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy was 10.8% in male and 4.8% in female patients. Mallampati score > II was found as a significant predictor for difficult laryngoscopy in both male and female patients. Sternomental distance ≤ 16 cm and inadequate flexion were also significant predictors for difficult laryngoscopy in male patients. Neck circumference was not found statistically significant predictor for difficult mask ventilation and laryngoscopy in morbidly obese patients in our study. CONCLUSION: Neck circumference is not a statistically significant predictor for difficult mask ventilation and laryngoscopy in morbidly Turkish obese male and female patients. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02589015.