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.

Postoperative body weight change and its influencing factors in patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The high incidence and mortality of gastric cancer(GC)pose a significant threat to human life and health,and it has become an important public health challenge in China.Body weight loss is a common complication after surgical treatment in patients with GC and is associated with poor prognosis and GC recurrence.However,current attention to postoperative weight change in GC patients remains insufficient,and the descriptions of postoperative weight change and its influencing factors are also different.AIM To investigate body weight changes in patients with GC within 6 mo after gastrectomy and identify factors that influence dynamic body weight changes.METHODS We conducted a prospective longitudinal study of 121 patients with GC and collected data before(T0)and 1(T1),3(T2),and 6(T3)mo after gastrectomy using a general data questionnaire,psychological distress thermometer,and body weight measurements.The general estimation equation(GEE)was used to analyze the dynamic trends of body weight changes and factors that influence body weight changes in patients with GC within 6 mo of gastrectomy.RESULTS The median weight loss at T1,T2,and T3 was 7.29%(2.84%,9.40%),11.11%(7.64%,14.91%),and 14.75%(8.80%,19.84%),respectively.The GEE results showed that preoperative body mass index(BMI),significant psychological distress,religious beliefs,and sex were risk factors for weight loss in patients with GC within 6 mo after gastrectomy(P<0.05).Compared with preoperative low-weight patients,preoperative obese patients were more likely to have weight loss(β=14.685,P<0.001).Furthermore,patients with significant psychological distress were more likely to lose weight than those without(β=2.490,P<0.001),and religious patients were less likely to lose weight 6 mo after gastrectomy than those without religious beliefs(β=-6.844,P=0.001).Compared to female patients,male patients were more likely to experience weight loss 6 mo after gastrectomy(β=4.262,P=0.038).CONCLUSION Male patients with GC with high preoperative BMI,significant psychological distress,and no religious beliefs are more likely to lose weight after gastrectomy.

Analysis of the Effects of Maternal Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Twin Pregnancy

Objective:To investigate the effects of maternal body mass index(BMI)and gestational weight gain on maternal and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies.Methods:Five hundred cases of twin pregnancies were divided into a low body weight group(68 cases),a normal weight group(355 cases),an overweight group(65 cases),and an obesity group(12 cases)according to the World Health Organization(WHO)Body Mass Index(BMI)classification guidelines Results:Comparison of weight gain during different pregnancies revealed that pregnant women were mainly of low weight and average weight.The higher the BMI before pregnancy,the higher the incidence of excessive weight gain during pregnancy.The incidences of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and premature rupture of membranes in women with low weight gain were significantly higher than those in women with average weight gain and high weight gain(P<0.05).The incidences of gestational hypertension,preeclampsia,and anemia in women with high weight gain were significantly higher than those in women with low weight gain and average weight gain(P<0.05).The incidence of neonatal birth weight,fetal distress,and macrosomia in the high weight gain group was significantly higher than those in the low weight gain and average weight gain groups(P<0.05).The birth weight of newborns in low-weight gain mothers was significantly lower than that of normal-weight gain mothers(P<0.05).Conclusion:Poor maternal and infant outcomes were common in women with insufficient or excessive weight gain during pregnancy.Therefore,for women with twin pregnancies,weight management is crucial to ensure maternal and infant health.

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.

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.

Growth Performance of Crocodile Fed with Chicken Intestine and Trash Fish at Smallholder Farm in Siem Reap Province,Cambodia

The experiment was conducted at the smallholder crocodile farm at Pouk district,Siem reap province,and lasted 12 months,commenced from January 1st to December 31st,2023.The CRBD(Completely Randomized Block Design),was used in 3 treatments,such as T1(fed chicken intestine only),T2(fed chicken intestine+trash fish)and T3(fed trash fish only),with 4 replications in each treatment.The block was set by gender of crocodile,male and female.The 36 of local breed crocodiles 4 months old were allocated into each replication randomly.The result found that the length of crocodile gradually increased in the first semester,then it greatly increased from or for second semester for all treatments.In addition,the final body length of crocodile was significant different among treatments(p<0.001),the treatment of T2(fed chicken intestine+trash fish)had the longest one.Body length was also affected by gender,and male crocodile had longer body length(p<0.001).However,there were no significant differences for the interaction between types of feed with gender(p>0.05)(Table 1).The body weight of crocodile had gradually increased in the first semester,then it greatly increased from or for second semester for all treatments,while the final body weight of crocodile was also significant different among treatments(p<0.001)and the gender of crocodile(p<0.001).The average ADG(Daily Weight Gain)was significant different among treatments(p<0.001).Treatment of T2(fed chicken intestine+trash fish)had highest ADG,11.05 g,followed by T3(fed trash fish only),while the T1 had the lowest one.The gender of crocodile affected the ADG of crocodile,and male crocodile had higher ADG than female crocodile(p<0.001).However,there were no significant differences for the interaction between type of feed with gender(p>0.05).Feed intake was calculated based on amount of feed offer and measured in fresh basis.The amount of intake feed in all treatments was the same.FCR(Feed Conversion Ratio)was significant different among treatments(p<0.001)and also gender of crocodile(p<0.001).However,there were no significant differences for the interaction between types of feed with gender(p>0.05).In conclusion,the uses of trash fish and chicken intestine are an alternative feed source for crocodile to result in higher growth performance of crocodile.

Weight regain after intragastric balloon for pre-surgical weight loss

BACKGROUND Over one-third of Americans carry the diagnosis of obesity,many also with obesity-related comorbidities.This can place patients at increased risk of operative and postoperative complications.The intragastric balloon has been shown to aid in minor weight loss,however its weight recidivism in patients requiring short interval weight loss has not been well studied.AIM To evaluate weight loss,ability to undergo successful elective surgery after intragastric balloon placement,and weight management after balloon removal.METHODS This study is a retrospective review of patients in a single academic institution undergoing intragastric balloon placement from 2019-2023 to aid in weight loss prior to undergoing elective surgery.Clinical outcomes including weight loss,duration of balloon placement,successful elective surgery,weight regain postballoon and post-procedure complications were assessed.Exclusion criteria included those with balloon in place at time of study.RESULTS Thirty-three patients completed intragastric balloon therapy from 2019-2023 as a bridge to elective surgery.All patients were required to participate in a 12-month weight management program to be eligible for balloon therapy.Elective surgeries included incisional hernia repair,umbilical hernia repair,inguinal hernia repair,and knee and hip replacements.The average age at placement was 53 years±11 years,majority(91%)were male.The average duration of intragastric balloon therapy was 186 days±41 days.The average weight loss was 14.0 kg±7.4 kg and with an average percent excess body weight loss of 30.0%(7.9%-73.6%).Over half of the patients(52.0%)achieved the goal of 30-50 lbs(14-22 kg)weight loss.Twenty-one patients(64%)underwent their intended elective surgery,2 patients(6%)deferred surgery due to symptom relief with weight loss alone.Twenty-one of the patients(64%)have documented weights in 3 months after balloon removal,in these patients the majority(76%)gained weight after balloon removed.In patients with weight regain at 3 months,they averaged 5.8 kg after balloon removal in the first 3 months,this averaged 58.4%weight regain of the initial weight lost.CONCLUSION Intragastric balloon placement is an option for short-term weight management,as a bridge to elective surgery in patients with body mass index(BMI)>35.Patients lost an average of 14 kg with the balloon,allowing two-thirds of patients to undergo elective surgery at a healthy BMI.However,most patients regained an average of 58%of the original weight lost after balloon removal.The intragastric balloon successfully serves as a tool for rapid weight loss,though patients must be educated on the risks including weight regain.

Gene Expression Profile of IGF-Ⅰ mRNA and Its Correlation with Body Weight in Different Goose Breeds

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the expression of IGF-I mRNA in breast and leg muscles of goose at the embryonic period and early growth stage, as well as the correlations between IGF-I mRNA expression and goose body weight. [Method] The expression of IGF-I mRNA in breast and leg muscles of 23, 25, 27, 29-embryo days and 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 week old geese of Taihu and Wanxi breeds was analyzed with multiplex competitive fluorescent-PCR method. [Result] Goose IGF-I mRNA was detected in breast and leg muscles of 23-embryo days of the both goose breeds. There were some differences in the IGF-I mRNA expression profiles between the two goose breeds during development stage. The body weight of Taihu goose was positively related with the IGF-I mRNA expression in leg muscle, and the body weight of Wanxi goose was positively related with IGF-I mRNA level in breast muscle. [Conclusion] IGF-I mRNA in the muscle of goose might play an important role in early development stage.

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.

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.

Carbon Budget of Bastard Halibut Paralichthys Olivaceus in Relation to Body Weight and Temperature

The effects of body weight and temperature on the carbon budget of the juvenile bastard halibut,Paralichthys olivaceus, were studied at temperature 13.5, 18, 21.5 and 24 ℃, respectively. The carbon intake, faecal and growth carbon were measured, and the carbon respiration was calculated using the carbon budget equation (C C=G C+F C+R C). The combined relationship between different components of the carbon budget, body weight and temperature could be described by regression equations:C C=1.0206W 0.8126e 0.1483T; G C=0.0042W 1.4096 (-5.11T3+285.90T2-5173.72T+30314.03);F C=0.0485W 0.7711e 0.1624T U C = 1.4333W 0.6715e 0.1487T. Body weight had no significant effect on the carbon absorption efficiency and the conversion efficiency.

PRELIMINARY STUDY OF FEASIBILITY OF WHOLE BODY DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGING IN DIAGNOSIS OF METASTASIS OF TUMOR

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of metastatic tumor. Methods Fifty-six patients (40 males and 16 females, age ranging from 29 to 84 years with a mean age of 57 years) with a variety of primary tumors were investigated by whole body DWI combined with computed tomography (CT) and/or conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Twelve patients underwent positron emission tomography. The final diagnosis was made on the basis of CT or high resolution CT result for lung lesion and MRI or CT result for skull, abdomen and other parts. All tumors were classified into four groups by their diameter: below 1.0 cm, 1.0-1.9 cm, 2.0-2.9 cm, and above 3.0 cm. The sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI in the detection of metastatic tumor were analyzed. Results The sensitivities of whole body DWI for screening metastasis of the four groups were 38%, 75%, 97%, and 100%, respectively. Whole body DWI showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for detecting metastasis of the skeletal system. It was difficult to find metastatic tumor whose diameter was below 1.0 cm, or lymph nodes located in the pelvis with diameter below 2.0 cm. Conclusions Whole body DWI is a promising method in the diagnosis of metastastic tumors. With the perfection of scanning parameter, whole body DWI should be a new effective whole body technique for tumor detection.

DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF WHOLE BODY DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGING FOR SCREENING PRIMARY TUMORS OF PATIENTS WITH METASTASES

Objective To evaluate the values of whole body diffusion weighted imaging （DWI） in screenmg pnmary unknown tumor in patients with metastases. Methods Totally, 34 patients with metastases of primary unknown tumors were scanned with whole body DWI, and conventional magnetic resonance （MR） imaging was performed if suspected lesions were detected. All the metastases including 27 cases of osseous metastases, 2 brain metastases, 2 liver metastases, 1 pulmonary multiple metastasis, 1 neck metastasis and 1 malignant ascites, were diagnosed by computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, or MR imaging. For the proven primary tumors diagnosed by biopsy or pathology of surgical specimens, apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） values of the primary and metastatic lesions were measured respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of this technique for screening primary tumors were cvaluated. Results We found 24 cases with suspected primary lesions, in which 23 lesions were proved to be primary tumors, and 1 was proved to be benign lesion. And no definite primary lesion was found in 10 cases on whole body DWI, but in which 1 case was diagnosed with primary tumor by biopsy later, and the other 9 cases remained unknown within follow-up of over halfa year. The difference was not significant in ADC values between primary and metastatic lesions （P〉0.05）. The sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI for searching primary tumors was 95.8% and 90.0%, respectively. Conclusion Combined with conventional MR scanning, whole body DWI can help to search primary lesions of patients with metastases.

PRELIMINARY APPLICATION OF WHOLE BODY DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGING IN SCREENING METASTASIS

Objective To investigate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (WB-DWI) in screening metastasis. Methods WB-DWI was performed in 24 patients diagnosed with various types of primary tumors. The three-dimensional maximum intensity projection reconstruction and black-and-white flip technique were used to observe metastatic lesions, and the results were compared with those of bone scintigraphy. Results By WB-DWI scanning sequence at b = 800 s/mm2, all the bone lesions found by bone scintigraphy in the cohort were well identified, and other lesions of soft tissue and organs were also well demonstrated. Its screening capability was equivalent with bone scintigraphy in screening metastases in bones (P = 0.062). Conclusion WB-DWI was practicable with the parameter settings attempted in metastases screening.

Effect of antidepressants on body weight, ethology and tumor growth of human pancreatic carcinoma xenografts in nude mice

AIM: To investigate the effects of mirtazapine and fluoxetine, representatives of the noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) and se- lective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepres- sant respectively, on body weight, ingestive behavior, locomotor activity and tumor growth of human pancre- atic carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. METHODS: A subcutaneous xenograft model of hu- man pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 was estab- lished in nude mice. The tumor-bearing mice were ran- domly divided into mirtazapine group [10 mg/(kg·d)], fluoxetine group [10 mg/(kg·d)] and control group (an equivalent normal saline solution) (7 mice in each group). Doses of all drugs were administered orally, once a day for 42 d. Tumor volume and body weight were measured biweekly. Food intake was recorded once a week. Locomotor activity was detected weekly using an open field test (OFT). RESULTS: Compared to the fluoxetine, mirtazapine significantly increased food intake from d 14 to 42 and attenuated the rate of weight loss from d 28 to 42 (t = 4.38, P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, food intake was significantly suppressed from d 21 to 42 and weight loss was promoted from d 35 to 42 in the fluoxetine group (t = 2.52, P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in body weight of the mice after removal of tumors among the three groups. The body weight of mice was the heaviest (13.66 ± 1.55 g) in the mirtazapine group and the lightest (11.39 ± 1.45 g) in the fluoxetine group (F(2,12) = 11.43, P < 0.01). The behavioral test on d 7 showed that the horizontal and vertical activities were significantly increased in the mirtazapine group compared with the fluoxetine and control groups (F(2,18) = 10.89, P < 0.01). These effects disappeared in the mirtazapine and fluoxetine groups during 2-6 wk. The grooming activity was higher in the mirtazapine group than in the fluoxetine group (10.1 ± 2.1 vs 7.1 ± 1.9 ) (t = 2.40, P < 0.05) in the second week. There was no significant difference in tumor vol- ume and tumor weight of the three groups. CONCLUSION: Mirtazapine and fluoxetine have no effect on the growth of pancreatic tumor. However, mirtazapine can significantly increase food intake and improve nutrition compared with fluoxetine in a pan- creatic cancer mouse model.

Relationships between body weight and other morphological traits in young sea cucumbers Apostichopus japonicas

Correlation, multiple regression, and path analyses were used to investigate the relationships between body weight and three other morphological traits in juvenile Japanese sea cucumbers Apostichopus japonicus . We measured live body weight (BW), body length (BL), numbers of papillae (NP), and numbers of tube feet (NF) at 60, 80, 100, and 130 days post-hatching (dph). We calculated path correlation coefficients, correlation indices ( R 2 ), and coefficients of determination with BW as the dependent variable and the other morphological traits as independent variables. The coefficient of variation for BW was high across all age groups, and all measured morphological traits were significantly correlated ( P < 0.01). BL had the greatest direct eff ect on BW across all age groups (60 dph, 0.526;80 dph, 0.404;100 dph, 0.620;and 130 dph, 0.681), while NF had the greatest indirect eff ect on BW across all age groups (60 dph, 0.528;80 dph, 0.452;100 dph, 0.666;and 130 dph, 0.603). Regression analyses between morphological traits and BW indicated that R 2 was greater than 0.85 only in the 100-dph specimens. The indirect eff ects of the other measured morphological traits on BW were age-dependent. The optimal regression equations, as determined with stepwise regression, were, for 60-dph specimens: BW 60 =10 (-3.04+0.092BL+0.014NP+0.014NF)( R 2 =0.632);for 80-dph specimens: BW 80 =10 (- 3.035+0.056BL+0.017NP+0.02NF)( R 2 =0.686);for 100-dph specimens: BW 100 =10 (- 3.742+0.069BL+0. 633 · lg (NP)+0. 464 · lg (NF))( R 2 =0.893);and for 130-dph specimens: BW 130 =10 (- 2.472+0.065BL+0.012NP)( R 2 =0.774). Our work clarified the correlation between various morphological traits and body weight of a commercially-important sea cucumber species ( A . japonicus ). Our predictive models for body weight might be useful for the aquaculture and selective breeding of A . japonicus . These models might also provide theoretical support for the indirect selection of traits that are difficult to select directly.

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.

Living donor liver transplantation with body-weight more or less than 10 kilograms

AIM: To compare the outcomes of pediatric patients weighing less than or more than 10 kg who underwent liver transplantation.METHODS: Data for 196 pediatric patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation between June 1994 and February 2011 were reviewed retrospectively.The information for each patient was anonymized and de-identified before analysis. The data included information regarding the pre-transplant conditions, intraoperative fluid replacement and outcomes for each patient. The 196 patients were divided into two groups: those with body weights of less than 10 kg were included in group 1(G1; n =101), while those with body weights of more than 10 kg were included in group 2(G2; n = 95). For each group, the patients' ages, body weights, heights,pediatric end stage liver disease scores, anesthesia times, and warm and cold ischemic times were analyzed. In addition, between-group comparisons were also made. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare all the variables except for complications and survival rates, which were analyzed using χ 2 tests and Kaplan-Meier tests, respectively.RESULTS: The general medical conditions of the G1patients were worse than those of the G2 patients, as shown by the higher pediatric end stage liver disease scores and poorer Z-scores. In addition, the preoperative Hb and serum albumin levels were all lower for the G1 patients than for the G2 patients. The G1 patients also had significantly more intraoperative blood loss than the G2 patients. In addition, the intraoperative fluid requirements for the G1 patients,including leukocyte poor red blood cell transfusions,5% albumin infusions and crystalloid infusions, were significantly higher than those for the G2 patients. The risk of intraoperative portal vein thrombosis was higher for the patients in G1 than for those in G2. However,the one-year survival rates(95.9% and 96.8% for G1 and G2, respectively) and three-year survival rates(94.9% and 94.6% for G1 and G2, respectively) for both groups were similar.CONCLUSION: Patients weighing less than 10 kg typically have poorer conditions, but their survival rates are comparable to those of children weighing more than 10 kg.

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.