The Effects of Xylitol on Body Weight Loss Management and Lipid Profile on Diet-Induced Obesity Mice

Xylitol is an alternative sweetener which has been previously reported to have many beneficial effects such as prevention from dental caries, reduction of visceral fat and increased synthesis of collagen. However, its role in body weight loss management has not been uncovered before. This study sought to investigate the effects of xylitol on body weight loss management, blood glucose and lipid profile on diet-induced obesity (DOI) mice. Fifteen male mice were subjected to high fat diet (60 kcal%) and normal drinking water for 28 days and then randomly divided into three (control, glucose and xylitol) groups. Each group of mice was then fed with normal diet for another 28 days with supplied normal drinking water (control);glucose solution 10% and xylitol solution 10%. Body weight loss was found to be significantly high in xylitol mice (2.56 ± 0.21, p = 0.003) compared to the other two groups. Lowest blood glucose level was found in the control group mice with the mean 7.65 ± 0.10 (p = 0.001). Xylitol mice had also showed the lowest total cholesterol level (4.20 ± 0.90, p = 0.000) than the other groups, but highest in HDL level (2.72 ± 0.14, p = 0.000). In conclusion, these findings proved that xylitol has the potential to reduce body weight, lowering the blood glucose but yet increase the HDL level.

Longitudinal changes in body weight of breastfeeding mothers in the first year after delivery and its relationship with human milk composition:a combined longitudinal and cross-sectional cohort study

Objective:Postpartum weight retention(PPWR)is a common problem among women after childbirth.The main objectives of this study are to understand the changes in body weight of breastfeeding mothers during long-term follow-up and preliminarily explore the relationship between maternal body weight and human milk composition,including macronutrients,leptin,and adiponectin.Methods:The study included a longitudinal cohort(122 mothers),and a cross-sectional cohort(37 mothers).The human milk,maternal weight,and dietary surveys were collected in the longitudinal cohort at different follow-up time points(1-14 days postpartum,2-4 months postpartum,5-7 months postpartum,and 12-17 months postpartum).The maternal body weight was analyzed using the responses in the survey questionnaires.A milk analyzer based on the mid-infrared spectroscopy(MIRS)was used to determine milk composition,and nutrition analysis software evaluated dietary intakes.In the cross-sectional cohort,participating mothers were asked to provide blood and human milk samples and pertinent information related to maternal body composition.Maternal body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis(BIA),while ELISA analyzed leptin and adiponectin in milk and serum.Results:At 5-7 months postpartum,the PPWR of breastfeeding mothers was(2.46±3.59)kg.At 12-17 months postpartum,the PPWR was(0.98±4.06)kg.PPWR was found to be negatively correlated with milk fat content within 14 days postpartum and positively correlated at 2-4 months postpartum.In addition,the maternal weight and body muscle mass were positively correlated with leptin and adiponectin in milk.Plasma leptin was positively correlated with the mother’s body weight,body mass index(BMI),FAT percentage,and body fat mass,while plasma adiponectin did not correlate with any parameter.The results also indicate that the PPWR did not correlate with leptin and adiponectin in plasma or milk.Conclusions:Breastfeeding mothers may retain considerable weight gain one year after delivery.Human milk composition may be related to changes in maternal body weight.Leptin and adiponectin in breast milk and leptin in plasma are associated with the maternal body composition.This study supports the notion that maternal nutritional status may affect offspring health through lactation,and future research should focus on exploring weight management of postpartum mothers.

The Influence of Secular Trends in Body Height and Weight on the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Chinese Children and Adolescents

Objective To explore the influence of secular trends in body height and weight on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents. Methods The data were obtained from five cross-sectional Chinese National Surveys on Students＇ Constitution and Health. Overweight/obesity was defined as BMI-for-age Z-score of per the Wold Health Organization （WHO） reference values. Body height and weight for each sex and age were standardized to those reported in 1985 （standardized height＂ SHY, standardized weight： SWY） and for each sex and year at age 7 （standardized height： SHA; standardized weight： SWA） using the Z-score method. Results The prevalence of overweight/obesity in Chinese children was 20.2% among boys and 10.7% among girls in 2010 and increased continuously from 1985 to 2010. Among boys and girls of normal weight, SHY and SHA were significantly greater than SWY and SWA, respectively （P 〈 0.001）. Among boys and girls with overweight/obesity, SHY was significantly lower than SWY （P 〈 0.001）, and showed an obvious decreasing trend after age 12. SHA was lower than SWA among overweight boys aged 7-8 years and girls aged 7-9 years. SHY/SHW and SHA/SWA among normal-weight groups were greater than among overweight and obese groups （P 〈 0.001）. Conclusion The continuous increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity among Chinese children may be related to a rapid increase in body weight before age 9 and lack of secular increase in body height after age 12.

Analysis of influencing factors and interaction of body weight and disease outcome in patients with prediabetes

BACKGROUND The trend of prediabetes progressing to type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is prominent,and effective intervention can lead to a return to prediabetes.Exploring the factors influencing the outcome of prediabetes is helpful to guide clinical intervention.The weight change in patients with prediabetes has not attracted much attention.AIM To explore the interaction between body weight and the factors affecting the progression of prediabetes to T2DM.METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of 236 patients with prediabetes and 50 with normal glucose tolerance(NGT),and collected clinical data and follow-up results of all patients.Based on natural blood glucose outcomes,we classified 66 patients with progression to T2DM into the disease progression(DP)group,and 170 patients without progression to T2DM into the disease outcome(DO)group.We analyzed the factors that influenced prediabetes outcome and the influence of body weight on prediabetes blood glucose outcome by unconditional logistic regression.A general linear model(univariate)was used to analyze the interaction between body weight and independent influencing factors.RESULTS There were 98 cases of impaired fasting glucose(IFG),90 cases of impaired glucose tolerance(IGT),and 48 cases of coexistent IFG and IGT.The body weight,waist circumference,body mass index,fasting blood glucose,and 2 h plasma glucose of patients with IFG,IGT,and coexistent IFG and IGT were higher than those in patients with NGT(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that body weight,glycosylated hemoglobin,uric acid,fasting insulin,and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance were independent factors affecting progression of prediabetes to T2DM(P<0.05).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve predicted by the above indicators combined was 0.905[95%confidence interval(CI):0.863-0.948],which was greater than that predicted by each indicator alone.Logistic regression analysis with baseline body weight as an independent variable showed that compared with body weight 1,the odds ratio(95%CI)of body weight 3 was 1.399(1.142-2.126)(P=0.033).There was a multiplicative interaction between body weight and uric acid(β=1.953,P=0.005).CONCLUSION High body weight in patients with prediabetes is an independent risk factor for progression to T2DM,and the risk of progression is increased when coexisting with high uric acid level.

Association between childhood obesity and gut microbiota:16S rRNA gene sequencing-based cohort study

BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children(8-12 years old)using 16S rDNA sequencing.The research aimed to provide insights for mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity.Thirty normal-weight and thirty age-and sex-matched obese children were included.Questionnaires and body measurements were collected,and fecal samples underwent 16S rDNA sequencing.Significant differences in body mass index(BMI)and body-fat percentage were observed between the groups.Analysis of gut microbiota diversity revealed lowerα-diversity in obese children.Differences in gut microbiota composition were found between the two groups.Prevotella and Firmicutes were more abundant in the obese group,while Bacteroides and Sanguibacteroides were more prevalent in the control group.AIM To identify the characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children(8-12-year-old)using 16S rDNA sequencing,and provide a basis for subsequent mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity.METHODS Thirty each normal-weight,1:1 matched for age and sex,and obese children,with an obese status from 2020 to 2022,were included in the control and obese groups,respectively.Basic information was collected through questionnaires and body measurements were obtained from both obese and normal-weight children.Fecal samples were collected from both groups and subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing using an Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform for gut microbiota diversity analysis.RESULTS Significant differences in BMI and body-fat percentage were observed between the two groups.The Ace and Chao1 indices were significantly lower in the obese group than those in the control group,whereas differences were not significant in the Shannon and Simpson indices.Kruskal-Wallis tests indicated significant differences in unweighted and weighted UniFrac distances between the gut microbiota of normal-weight and obese children(P<0.01),suggesting substantial disparities in both the species and quantity of gut microbiota between the two groups.Prevotella,Firmicutes,Bacteroides,and Sanguibacteroides were more abundant in the obese and control groups,respectively.Heatmap results demonstrated significant differences in the gut microbiota composition between obese and normal-weight children.CONCLUSION Obese children exhibited lowerα-diversity in their gut microbiota than did the normal-weight children.Significant differences were observed in the composition of gut microbiota between obese and normal-weight children.

Sarcopenic obesity in patients awaiting liver transplant: Unique challenges for nutritional recommendations

Sarcopenic obesity increases the risk of mortality in patients with liver disease awaiting liver transplantation and in the post-transplant period.Nutrition recommendations for individuals with sarcopenia differ from recommendations for patients with obesity or sarcopenic obesity.While these nutrition guidelines have been established in non-cirrhotic patients,established guidelines for liver transplant candidates with sarcopenic obesity are lacking.In this paper,we review existing literature on sarcopenic obesity in patients with chronic liver disease and address opportunities to improve nutritional counseling in patients awaiting liver transplantation.

The Mediating Effect of Body Dissatisfaction in Association between Obesity and Dietary Behavior Changes for Weight Loss in Chinese Children

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the mediating effect of body dissatisfaction in correlation between obesity and dietary behavior changes for weight loss(DBCWL).Methods A total of 680 primary and middle school students were included in this study. Their body height, weight, and waistline were effectively measured, and they were also evaluated to assess their body dissatisfaction, perception of dietary behaviors, and DBCWL. The correlation among these factors was analyzed using mediating effect models.Results The prevalence of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity was significantly higher in males than in females(P < 0.05). Overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity, and body dissatisfaction significantly increased the risk for DBCWL(OR = 2.57, 2.77, and 1.95, respectively). Overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity significantly increased the risk for body dissatisfaction(OR = 6.00 and 4.70,respectively). Significant mediating effects of body dissatisfaction were observed in correlation between overweight/obesity and DBCWL and between abdominal obesity and DBCWL(OR = 2.20 and 1.92,respectively;P < 0.05), and the proportions of mediating effects among the total effects were 48.89% and 46.60%, respectively.Conclusion Body dissatisfaction might play an important mediating effect in association between DBCWL and obesity, which indicates that guiding children to correctly recognize their body might be more conducive than promoting obese children toward weight loss through dietary behavior changes.

Relationships among body weight,lipids and bone mass in elderly individuals with fractures:A case-control study

BACKGROUND The prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass is steadily rising each year.Low body weight is commonly linked to diminished bone mass and serves as a robust predictor of osteoporosis.Nonetheless,the connection between body mass index(BMI),bone mineral density,and lipid profiles among the elderly remains elusive.AIM To examine the association between BMI and bone mass,explore the correlation between lipid profiles and bone mass,and delve into the interplay between lipid metabolism and bone health.METHODS The study included 520 patients aged≥65 years(178 men and 342 women).Age,sex,weight,and height were recorded.Femoral neck bone mineral density and T scores were determined using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner.Blood calcium(Ca),phosphorus(P),albumin(ALB),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein(HDL)and low-density lipoprotein(LDL)levels were measured.Patients were classified by sex(male and female),age(65-79 years and≥80 years),and T score(normal bone mineral density,osteopenia and osteoporosis).RESULTS Age,sex,BMI,and ALP and TG levels were independent risk factors for osteoporosis.For the 65-79-and≥80-yearold groups,females presented lower T scores than males.Ca,P,ALB,ALP,TC,HDL and LDL levels were significantly different between men and women in the 65-79-year-old group.In addition,BMI and TG levels were significantly decreased in osteoporotic patients compared with patients with normal bone mass.TC levels declined in 65-to 79-year-old male and female osteoporosis patients.In the group of women aged≥80 years,osteoporotic patients showed significantly increased ALP levels.Furthermore,we found positive correlations between BMI and TG levels in the male and female patient groups.However,we found no significant differences in ALB,Ca,P,HDL and LDL levels in osteoporotic patients compared to patients with normal bone mass.CONCLUSION Osteoporotic patients showed significantly decreased BMI and TG levels compared with those with normal bone mass.BMI showed positive correlations with TG levels in male and female patients.These results indicate correlations between BMI and bone mass and between lipid profiles and bone mass.

Novel subtype of obesity influencing the outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy:Familial aggregation of obesity

BACKGROUND Differences in the preoperative characteristics and weight loss outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy(SG)between patients with familial aggregation of obesity(FAO)and patients with sporadic obesity(SO)have not been elucidated.AIM To explore the impact of SG on weight loss and the alleviation of obesity-related comorbidities in individuals with FAO.METHODS A total of 193 patients with obesity who underwent SG were selected.Patients with FAO/SO were matched 1:1 by propensity score matching and were categorized into 4 groups based on the number of first-degree relatives with obesity(1 SO vs 1FAO,2SO vs 2FAO).The baseline characteristics,weight loss outcomes,prevalence of obesity-related comorbidities and incidence of major surgeryrelated complications were compared between groups.RESULTS We defined FAO as the presence of two or more first-degree relatives with obesity.Patients with FAO did not initially show significant differences in baseline data,short-term postoperative weight loss,or obesity-related comorbidities when compared to patients with SO preoperatively.However,distinctions between the two groups became evident at the two-year mark,with statistically significant differences in both percentage of total weight loss(P=0.006)and percentage of excess weight loss(P<0.001).The FAO group exhibited weaker remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)(P=0.031),hyperlipidemia(P=0.012),and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)(P=0.003)as well as a lower incidence of acid reflux(P=0.038).CONCLUSION FAO patients is associated with decreased mid-to-long-term weight loss outcomes;the alleviation of T2DM,hyperlipidemia and NAFLD;and decreased incidence of acid reflux postoperatively.

In-hospital outcomes in COVID-19 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by severity of obesity:Insights from national inpatient sample 2020

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases independently of other risk factors.However,data on its effect on cardiovascular outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)hospitalizations with varied obesity levels is scarce.Clinical management and patient care depend on understanding COVID-19 admission results in NAFLD patients with varying obesity levels.AIM To study the in-hospital outcomes in COVID-19 patients with NAFLD by severity of obesity.METHODS COVID-19 hospitalizations with NAFLD were identified using International Classification of Disease-10 CM codes in the 2020 National Inpatient Sample database.Overweight and Obesity Classes Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ(body mass index 30-40)were compared.Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events(MACCE)(all-cause mortality,acute myocardial infarction,cardiac arrest,and stroke)were compared between groups.Multivariable regression analyses adjusted for sociodemographic,hospitalization features,and comorbidities.RESULTS Our analysis comprised 13260 hospitalizations,7.3% of which were overweight,24.3% Class Ⅰ,24.1% Class Ⅱ,and 44.3% Class Ⅲ.Class Ⅲ obesity includes younger patients,blacks,females,diabetics,and hypertensive patients.On multivariable logistic analysis,Class Ⅲ obese patients had higher risks of MACCE,inpatient mortality,and respiratory failure than Class Ⅰ obese patients.Class Ⅱ obesity showed increased risks of MACCE,inpatient mortality,and respiratory failure than Class I,but not significantly.All obesity classes had non-significant risks of MACCE,inpatient mortality,and respiratory failure compared to the overweight group.CONCLUSION Class Ⅲ obese NAFLD COVID-19 patients had a greater risk of adverse outcomes than class Ⅰ.Using the overweight group as the reference,unfavorable outcomes were not significantly different.Morbid obesity had a greater risk of MACCE regardless of the referent group(overweight or Class Ⅰ obese)compared to overweight NAFLD patients admitted with COVID-19.

Genetic parameters for cold tolerance and body weight of Chinese fleshy prawn,Fenneropenaeus chinensis

The inability of Fenneropenaeus chinensis to tolerate low temperatures is of major economic concern in temperate climates,as it reduces their growing season and leads to over-winter mortality.In this study,the heritability of body weight under low grow-out temperature and cold tolerance in F.chinensis were first investigated and estimated using 88 ful-sib families,which might provide crucial information in Chinese fleshy prawn breeding programs.The heritability for body weight under suitable and low temperature of F.chinensis were both moderate（0.158 0±0.307 5 and 0.132 0±0.026 9 respectively）;the large coefficient of variation（approximately 21%） and moderate estimate of heritability for body weight indicated substantial potential for selective breeding.The heritability estimate for cold tolerance was low（0.019 2±0.023 5）,and showed no significant differences from zero（P〉0.05）.A weak genetic correlation between cold tolerance and body weight was also estimated in the present study,also showing no significant differences from zero（P〉0.05）.Thus,more research needs to be conducted on the more accurate heritability estimate of cold tolerance and genetic correlations between traits in F.chinensis to further improve the achievement of breeding goals.

Meeting 24-h movement guidelines: Prevalence, correlates, and the relationships with overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents

Background:Meeting 24-h movement guidelines by children and adolescents has been associated with improved indicators of health,although it has been under-studied in China.Hence,this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines,its correlates,and its relationships with body mass index in children and adolescents in China.Methods:Cross-sectional data from the 2017 Youth Study in China of 114,072 children and adolescents(mean age=13.75 years,49.18%boys)were used.Meeting 24-h movement guidelines(60 min of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity,2 h of daily leisure screen time,911 h and 810 h nightly sleep duration for 613-year-olds and 1417-year-olds,respectively)and height and weight of all participants were assessed.The prevalence of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and World Health Organization weight status categories were determined.Generalized linear models were used to determine the correlates of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and the relationships of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines with overweight(OW)and obesity(OB).Results:Only 5.12%of Chinese children and adolescents met the 24-h movement guidelines,and 22.44%were classified as OW/OB.Older children and adolescents were less likely to meet the 24-h movement guidelines.Parental education level and family income were positively related to meeting the 24-h movement guidelines.Children and adolescents meeting the 24-h movement guidelines showed lower odds ratios for OW/OB.Compared with participants meeting the 24-h movement guidelines,boys in 4th6th grades met none of the recommendations(OR=1.22,95%CI:1.061.40),met the screen time recommendation only(OR=1.13,95%CI:1.011.28),met the nightly sleep duration recommendation only(OR=1.14,95%CI:1.031.28),and had significantly higher odds ratios for OW/OB.Similar trends were observed for girls in 4th6th grades:meeting none of the guidelines(OR=1.35,95%CI:1.141.59),meeting sleep duration guidelines only(OR=1.23,95%CI:1.081.39),and meeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity+nightly sleep duration guidelines(OR=1.24,95%CI:1.011.54).For girls in 7th9th grades,the following trend was observed:meeting none of the guidelines(OR=1.30,95%CI:1.011.67).Conclusion:Very few Chinese children and adolescents met the 24-h movement guidelines.Age(negatively correlated),parental education level,and family income(both positively correlated)were correlates of meeting the 24-h movement guidelines.Children and adolescents meeting the 24-h movement guidelines were more likely to have lower risks for OW/OB,especially in the youngest age group(Grades 46);and girls in the middle age group(Grades 79)were also more likely to have lower risks for OW/OB.Further research studies should explore additional correlates and determinants for meeting the 24-h movement guidelines.Also,future studies should use longitudinal or interventional designs to determine the relationships between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and OW/OB and other health indicators,while taking sex and age differences into account.

Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity,Associated Behaviors,and Weight-related Perceptions in a National Survey of Primary School Children in China

Objective To in vestigate potential gender differences in the odds of overweight/obese, weight-related perceptions, and behaviors among Chinese school children. Methods Height, weight, and a survey of weight-related perceptions and behaviors were measured in a nationally representative survey of 12,811 children in primary schools in China. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess gender differences, adjusting for confounders. Results Boys had higher odds of being overweight/obese compared to girls within both urban [adjusted odds ratio （OR） 2.30, 95% CI 2.00 to 2.65] and rural areas （OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.20）. Girls reported healthier diets （e.g., daily vegetables OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.85） whereas boys consumed fried food （OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.38） and sugar-sweetened drinks more often （OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.65）. Gender differences included higher odds of boys perceiving themselves as overweight if they had more highly educated mothers （OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.68）, less educated fathers （OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.99）, and if they frequently consumed carbonated drinks （OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.05）. Conclusion Childhood obesity prevention in China should be gender-focused, particularly for boys who reported an unhealthier diet but were less likely to see they were fat, even though more boys were overweight or obese than girls.

Heritability of body weight and resistance to ammonia in the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles

Ammonia,toxic to aquaculture organisms,represents a potential problem in aquaculture systems,and the situation is exacerbated in closed and intensive shrimp farming operations,expecially for Litopenaeus vannamei.Assessing the potential for the genetic improvement of resistance to ammonia in L.vannamei requires knowledge of the genetic parameters of this trait.The heritability of resistance to ammonia was estimated using two descriptors in the present study:the survival time(ST) and the survival status at half lethal time(SS_(50)) for each individual under high ammonia challenge.The heritability of ST and SS_(50) were low(0.154 4±0.044 6 and 0.147 5±0.040 0,respectively),but they were both significantly different from zero(P<0.01).Moreover,these two estimates were basically the same and showed no significant differences from each other(P>0.05),suggesting that ST and SS_(50) could be used as suitable indicators for resistance to ammonia.There were also positive phenotypic and genetic correlation between resistance to ammonia and body weight,which means that resistance to ammonia can be enhanced by the improvement of husbandry practices that increase the body weight.The results from the present study suggest that the selection for higher body weight does not have any negative consequences for resistance to ammonia.In addition to quantitative genetics,tools from molecular genetics can be applied to selective breeding programs to improve the efficiency of selection for traits with low heritability.

Regional cerebral blood flow imaging assessment of brain function reconstruction in elderly hemiplegia patients by body weight support treadmill training

The mechanism underlying body weight support treadmill training in elderly hemiplegic stroke patients is largely unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the changes of cortical blood flow in seven elderly patients with post-stroke hemiplegia before and after body weight support treadmill training by semi-quantitative analysis of regional cerebral blood flow assessed by single photon emission computed tomography. Body weight support treadmill training for 6 months was effective in improving cerebral blood flow and promoting the walking speed and balance recovery in elderly patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

B Vitamins Can Reduce Body Weight Gain by Increasing Metabolism-related Enzyme Activities in Rats Fed on a High-Fat Diet

B vitamins are enzyme cofactors that play an important role in energy metabolism.The aim of this study was to elucidate whether B vitamin administration can reduce body weight（BW） gain by improving energy metabolism-related enzyme activities in rats fed on a highfat diet.Fifty rats were randomly assigned to one of the following five groups：control group（C）,including rats fed on standard rat chow;four treatment groups（H0,H1,H2,and H3）,in which rats were fed on a high-fat diet.Rats in the H1 group were treated daily with 100 mg/kg BW thiamine（VB1）,100 mg/kg BW riboflavin（VB2）,and 250 mg/kg BW niacin（VPP）;rats in the H2 group were treated daily with 100 mg/kg BW pyridoxine（VB6）,100 mg/kg BW cobalamin（VB12）,and 5 mg/kg BW folate（FA）;and rats in the H3 group were treated daily with all of the B vitamins administered to the H1 and H2 groups.After 12 weeks,the BW gains from the initial value were 154.5±58.4 g and 159.1±53.0 g in the H1 and C groups,respectively,which were significantly less than the changes in the H0 group（285.2±14.8 g,P〈0.05）.In the H0 group,the plasma total cholesterol（CHO） and triglyceride（TG） levels were 1.59±0.30 mmol/L and 1.55±0.40 mmol/L,respectively,which were significantly greater than those in the H1 group（1.19±0.18 mmol/L and 0.76±0.34 mmol/L,respectively,P〈0.05）.The activities of transketolase（TK）,glutathione reductase,and Na^＋/K^＋ adenosine triphosphatase were significantly increased in the B vitamin-treated groups and were significantly greater than those in the H0 group（P〈0.05）.Furthermore,the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase,pyruvic acid kinase,and succinate dehydrogenase activities also were increased after treatment with B vitamins.Supplementation with B vitamins could effectively reduce BW gain and plasma levels of lipids by improving energy metabolism-related enzyme activities in rats,thus possibly providing potential benefits to humans.

A novel equation and nomogram including body weight for estimating prostate volumes in men with biopsy-proven benign prostatic hyperplasia

Anthropometric measurements, e.g., body weight （BW）, body mass index （BMI）, as well as serum prostate-specific antigen （PSA） and percent-free PSA （%fPSA） have been shown to have positive correlations with total prostate volume （TPV）. We developed an equation and nomogram for estimating TPV, incorporating these predictors in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH）. A total of 1852 men, including 1113 at Tokyo Medical and Dental University （TMDU） Hospital as a training set and 739 at Cancer Institute Hospital （CIH） as a validation set, with PSA levels of up to 20 ng m1-1, who underwent extended prostate biopsy and were proved to have BPH, were enrolled in this study. We developed an equation for continuously coded TPV and a logistic regression-based nomogram for estimating a TPV grater than 40 mh Predictive accuracy and performance characteristics were assessed using an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve （AUC） and calibration plots. The final linear regression model indicated age, PSA, %fPSA and BW as independent predictors of continuously coded TPV. For predictions in the training set, the multiple correlation coefficient was increased from 0.38 for PSA alone to 0.60 in the final model. We developed a novel nomogram incorporating age, PSA, %fPSA and BW for estimating TPV greater than 40 mh External validation confirmed its predictive accuracy, with AUC value of 0.764. Calibration plots showed good agreement between predicted probability and observed proportion. In conclusion, TPV can be easily estimated using these four independent predictors.

Genetic parameters and response to selection for body weight in turbot(Scophthalmus maximus, Linnaeus)

Genetic parameters and response to selection were estimated for harvest body weight in turbot. The data consisted of 10 952 individuals of 508 full-sib families from three generations（G0, G1, and G2）. The heritability estimates for G0, G1, and G2 were 0.11±0.08, 0.18±0.09, and 0.17±0.07, respectively. Over three generations, the heritability estimate was 0.19±0.04. Maternal and common environmental effects were 0.10±0.04, 0.14±0.04, and0.13±0.03 within each generation and 0.12±0.01 across generations. The selection differential in growth was 18.24 g in G0 and 21.19 g in G1 corresponding to an average of 19.72 g per generation. The genetic gains were also calculated, they were 22.06 g in G1 and 11.93 g in G2, corresponding to 6.36% and 3.52% body weight. The total genetic gain after two generations was 10.10% body weight, which indicated that the selective breeding program for the body weight trait in turbot was successful.

The Potential of Duck Hepatitis Virus(DHV-1) Stimulating the Body Weight Gain and the Effects of Silymarin on It in Duckling

To evaluate the effects of duck hepatitis virus-1 （DHV-1） on the body weight gain in duck and the effects of silymarin on it in vivo, 100 10-d-old ducks, both male and female, were collected to be subjected to the test. The experiments were conducted in 8 groups： in group 1-3, the animals were inoculated with 1：105 diluted duck hepatitis virus （DHV-1） infected allantoic fluid and given 0, 30, and 50 mg kg^-1 BW d^-1 silymarin orally, respectively. In group 4-6, the animals were inoculated with 1：5 × 105 diluted DHV-1 infected allantoic fluid and given 0, 10, and 30 mg kg^-1 BW d^-1 silymarin orally, respectively. In group 7, the animals were given 10 mg kg^-1 BW d^-1 silymafin only. Group 8 was the control one treated by injecting sterillized saline into the leg muscles. All the silymarin was given from 0 to 4 d after inoculation of the virus. By the 5th d after inoculation, the vein blood was drawn from the dorsal foot vein and the plasma samples were collected and stored at -20℃. The body weight gain （BWG） was measured from 0 to 10 d after inoculation. The plasma IGF-I, T3, and T4 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay （RIA）. At the virus dose of 1：5 ×105 diluted virus infected allantoic fluid, the inoculation of the virus enhanced the BWG significantly compared with that of the control （P〈 0.01）, while 10-50 mg kg^-1 BW d^-1 silymarin could counteract the effects of the virus on the BWG dose-dependently. The plasma IGF-I levels showed no correlation with the BWG, but the T3 levels showed a same tropism with the body weight gain. The present results indicated that sublethal DHV-1 enhanced the body weight gain of ducklings significantly, and the silymarin could counteract this effect in vivo.

Maternal Genistein Intake Can Reduce Body Weight in Male Offspring

The study objectives were to investigate the relationship between early exposure to genistein and obesity in young adulthood and to evaluate changes in reproductive health during puberty and adulthood following in utero exposure to genistein.