Association of daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity with body fat among U.S.adults

Background:Prolonged sitting and reduced physical activity lead to low energy expenditures.However,little is known about the joint impact of daily sitting time and physical activity on body fat distribution.We investigated the independent and joint associations of daily sitting time and physical activity with body fat among adults.Methods:This was a cross-sectional analysis of U.S.nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey2011-2018 among adults aged 20 years or older.Daily sitting time and leisure-time physical activity(LTPA)were self-reported using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.Body fat(total and trunk fat percentage)was determined via dual X-ray absorptiometry.Results:Among 10,808 adults,about 54.6%spent 6 h/day or more sitting;more than one-half reported no LTPA(inactive)or less than 150 min/week LTPA(insufficiently active)with only 43.3%reported 150 min/week or more LTPA(active)in the past week.After fully adjusting for sociodemographic data,lifestyle behaviors,and chronic conditions,prolonged sitting time and low levels of LTPA were associated with higher total and trunk fat percentages in both sexes.When stratifying by LTPA,the association between daily sitting time and body fat appeared to be stronger in those who were inactive/insuufficiently active.In the joint analyses,inactive/insuufficiently active adults who reported sitting more than 8 h/day had the highest total(female:3.99%(95%confidence interval(95%CI):3.09%-4.88%);male:3.79%(95%CI:2.75%-4.82%))and trunk body fat percentages(female:4.21%(95%CI:3.09%-5.32%);male:4.07%(95%CI:2.95%-5.19%))when compared with those who were active and sitting less than 4 h/day.Conclusion:Prolonged daily sitting time was associated with increased body fat among U.S.adults.The higher body fat associated with 6 h/day sitting may not be offset by achieving recommended levels of physical activity.

Steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone disturbs fat body lipid metabolism and negatively regulates gluconeogenesis in Hyphantria cunea larvae

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone(20E)has been described to regulate fat body lipid metabolism in insects,but its accurate regulatory mechanism,especially the crosstalk between 20E-induced lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis remains largely unclear.Here,we specially investigated the effect of 20E on lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis in the fat body of Hyphantria cunea larvae,a notorious pest in forestry.Lipidomics analysis showed that a total of 1907 lipid species were identified in the fat body of H.cunea larvae assigned to 6 groups and 48 lipid classes.The differentially abundant lipids analysis showed a significant difference between 20E-treated and control samples,indicating that 20E caused a remarkable alteration of lipidomics profiles in the fat body of H.cunea larvae.Further studies demonstrated that 20E accelerated fatty acidβ-oxidation,inhibited lipid synthesis,and promoted lipolysis.Meanwhile,the activities of pyruvate carboxylase,phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase,fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase,and glucose-6-phosphatase were dramatically suppressed by 20E in the fat body of H.cunea larvae.As well,the transcriptions of genes encoding these 4 rate-limiting gluconeogenic enzymes were significantly downregulated in the fat body of H.cunea larvae after treatment with 20E.Taken together,our results revealed that 20E disturbed fat body lipid homeostasis,accelerated fatty acidβ-oxidation and promoted lipolysis,but negatively regulated gluconeogenesis in H.cunea larvae.The findings might provide a new insight into hormonal regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in insect fat body.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Dietary d-Allulose and Medium-Chain Triglycerides in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

d-Allulose, a rare sugar, exerts anti-obesity effects by inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis and promoting energy expenditure. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) consist of three medium-chain fatty acids connected by glycerol. MCTs have been extensively investigated for their ability to reduce body fat accumulation. We previously investigated the anti-obesity effects of a combination of dietary d-allulose and MCT (5% - 13%) in rats;however, we could not confirm the anti-obesity effects of MCT or observed synergetic effects between d-allulose and MCT on body fat loss. We speculated that our previous studies were influenced by the excessive amount of MCT in the diets. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of the simultaneous intake of d-allulose and MCT in rats fed an obesity-inducing high-fat diet with a low amount of MCTs (2%). Thirty-two male Wistar rats (3-week-old) were randomly divided into four groups: control, d-allulose, MCT, and d-allulose + MCT groups. Rats in each group were fed ad libitum on a control (no d-Allulose or MCT), 5% d-allulose, 2% MCT, or 5% d-allulose + 2% MCT diets for 16 weeks. Abdominal adipose tissue weights were significantly lower in the d-allulose diet group than in the control group, whereas no differences were observed between results of the MCT-supplemented groups. The total body fat mass was significantly lower in the d-allulose and MCT diet groups than in the control group, but no differences were observed between the MCT-supplemented groups. These results suggested that anti-obesity effects of dietary d-allulose were observed, and the effects of dietary MCTs were weaker than those of d-allulose. Moreover, we confirmed the interaction between dietary d-allulose and MCT on indicators of obesity. Interestingly, their effects were not synergistic, as MCT supplementation offset the anti-obesity effects of dietary d-allulose. However, the specific mechanisms underlying those effects remain unknown, warranting further investigation.

The piRNA response to BmNPV infection in the silkworm fat body and midgut

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus(BmNPV)is a DNA virus that causes huge losses to the silkworm industry but the piRNA responses during BmNPV infection in the silkworm remain uninvestigated.Here,silkworm piRNA profiles of uninfected and BmNPV-infected fat body and midgut were determined by high-through sequencing in the early stages of BmNPV infection.A total of 2675 and 3396 genome-derived piRNAs were identified from fat body and midgut,respectively.These genome-derived piRNAs mainly originated from unannotated instead of transposon regions in the silkworm genome.In total,572 piRNAs were associated with 280 putative target genes in fat body and 805 piRNAs with 380 target genes in midgut.Compared to uninfected tissues,322 and 129 piRNAs were significantly upregulated in BmNPV-infected fat body and midgut,respectively.In addition,276 and 117 piRNAs were significantly downregulated.Moreover,differentially expressed(DE)piRNAs during BmNPV infection differed significantly between fat body and midgut.Putative DE piRNA-targeted genes were associated with“response to stimulus”and“environmental information processing”in fat body after infection with BmNPV,which may indicate an active piRNA response to BmNPV infection in fat body.This study may lay the foundation for future research of the potential roles of the piRNA pathway and specific piRNAs in BmNPV pathogenesis.

Two dehydroecdysone reductases act as fat body-specific 20E catalyzers in Bombyx mori

Periodic post-embryonic changes in insects, including growth, development and metamorphosis, are strictly controlled by many compounds, including steroid hormones. The biosynthesis and clearance of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), the major active form of the insect steroid hormone ecdysone, result in titer fluctuations that help control insect development. The inactivation of 20E in the silkworm Bombyx mori is highly tissue-specific, with CYP18A1 and ecdysone oxidase controlling 20E inactivation specifically in the mid-silk gland and midgut, respectively. Here, we characterized silkworm 3-dehydroecdysone 3α reductase (Bm3DE3α) and 3-dehydroecdysone 3β reductase (Bm3DE3β), two enzymes involved predominantly in the C-3-mediated catalysis of 20E in fat bodies. The ubiquitous and silk gland-specific overexpression of Bm3DE3α decreased the 20E titer, resulting in larval lethality and larval–pupal transition failure, respectively. In contrast, the ubiquitous and mid-silk gland-specific overexpression of Bm3DE3β increased the 20E titer, resulting in larval growth delays and lethality at the mid-fifth larval stage, respectively. Thus, Bm3DE3α and Bm3DE3β mediate fat body-specific steroid hormone metabolism in B. mori, indicating that highly diversified 20E metabolism-related mechanisms exist in different insect species.

Effects of Astragalus Powder on Serum Lipid and Body Fat Content of Fast Large-scale Quality Chickens

[ Objective] To study the effects of astragalus powder on serum lipids and body fat contents of fast large-scale quality chickens, and thus provide a theoretical basis for its application in poultry production,[ Method ] All the 180 1-day-old healthy Liangfeng chickens were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 was the control group, fed with basal diet; group 2, group 3 and group 4 were fed with basal diet added with 0.75%, 1.0% and 1.25% astragalus powder, respectively; group 5 and group 6 were separately fed with basal diet added with 1.0% and 1.25% astragalus pow- der, but the astragalus powder was used for 10 d and then was forbidden for 10 d in turn during the whole experiment. The content of triglyceride （TG）, total cholesterol （TCHO）, high-density lipoprotein-Cholesterol （ HDL-C）, and low-density lipoprotein-Cholesterol （LDL-C） were respectively determined when the chickens were 35-day-old and 63-day-old, while the percentage of abdominal fat （PAF） as well as intramuscular fat （IMF） and subcutaneous fat ply （SFP） was measured when the chickens were 63-day-old. [ Result] In 35-day-old chickens, the levels of TCHO were sig- nificantly or very significantly lower in group 3, group 4, and group 6 than in control group （ P 〈0.05 or 0.01 ） ; the levels of LDL-C significantly lower in group 3 and group 6 （ P〈0. 05） ; the level of HDL-C significantly higher in group 5 （P〈0.05）. In 63-day-old chickens, the levels of TCHO and LDL-C were significantly or very significantly lower in group 3, group 4, and group 5 than in control group （ P 〈 0.05 or 0.01 ） while the levels of HDL-C were significantly higher in these groups; the PAF was significantly lower in group 3 （ P 〈 0.05）. [ Condasion] Astragalus powder should re- duce the levels of TG, TCHO and LDL-C, promote HDL-C content, and also play a certain regulative role in deposition of abdominal fat.

Differences in nutrient uptake between the fat body and embryonic primary cultures of silkworm （Bombyx mori）

Nutrition utilization and by-product formation in cultured insect cells has been investigated in several insect cells and has been of great interest to cell culturists and physiologists. In this research the biochemical changes in embryonic and fat body primary cultures of silkworm, Bombyx mori, have been compared. TC-100 medium supplemented with 10% and 20% FBS was used in embryonic and fat body primary cultures, respectively. Medium was renewed every week and the amount of glucose, uric acid, urea, total protein and alkaline phosphatase were measured in the samples from medium of primary cultures using spectrophotometeric methods. All biochemical macromolecules except uric acid showed significant changes. Glucose decreased in embryonic tissues, while in fat body culture its amount increased. Urea accumulation in embryonic culture was higher than in the fat body cultures. Since urea is a by-product, this accumulation could be due to higher utilization of amino acids. Total protein showed considerable changes and was consumed by embryonic culture more than the fat body＇ s. Alkaline phosphatase showed stronger activity in embryonic cells.

BmPLA2 containing conserved domain WD40 affects the metabolic functions of fat body tissue in silkworm, Bombyx moil

PLA2 enzyme hydrolyzes arachidonic acid, and other polyunsaturated fatty acids, from the sn-2 position to release free arachidonic acid and a lysophospholipid. Previous studies reported that the PLA2 in invertebrate organisms participates in lipid signaling molecules like arachidonic acid release in immune-associated tissues like hemo- cytes and fat bodies. In the present study, we cloned the BmPLA2 gene from fat body tissue of silkworm Bombyx mori, which has a total sequence of 1.031 kb with a 31.90 kDa pro- tein. In silico results of BmPLA2 indicated that the protein has a putative WD40 conserved domain and its phylogeny tree clustered with Danaus plexippus species. We investigated the transcriptional expression in development stages and tissues. The highest expression of BmPLA2 was screened in fat body among the studied tissues of third day fifth instar larva, with a high expression on third day fifth instar larva followed by a depression of expression in the wandering stage of the fifth instar larva. The expression of BmPLA2 in female pupa was higher than that of male pupa. Our RNAi-mediated gene silencing results showed highest reduction of BmPLA2 expression in post-24 h followed by post-48 and post-72 h. The BmPLA2-RNAi larvae and pupa could be characterized by pharate adult lethality and underdevelopment. The phenotypic characters of fat body cells in RNAi-induced larva im- plied that BmPLA2 affects the metabolic functions of fat body tissue in silkworm Bombyx mori.

Antiapoptotic activity of 30 kDa lipoproteins family from fat body tissue of silkworm, Bombyx moil

The family of 30kDa lipoproteins （LP1-5） is abundant in silkworm pupa fat body （FB） and hemolymph. One of its members, the 29 kDa protein decreased in concentration from peripheral （PP） FB tissue but was sustained in perivisceral （PV） FB tissue at the time of apoptosis. This study investigated the correlation of the 30kDa proteins with FB apoptosis. Two protein fractions were purified, a 29 and a 30/31 kDa protein fraction, and they were used to test for activity against actinomycin D-induced apoptosis in the FB tissues. Concentrations as little as 50/zg/mL of the 29 kDa protein fraction efficiently inhibited apoptosis. Less antiapoptotie activity was detected for the higher MW fraction; DNA fragmentation was observed in FB tissue treated with 50 #g/mL of the 30/31 kDa fraction. The viability of the cells in the 29 kDa protein-supplemented culture was 40% higher than in the 31 kDa protein-supplemented culture. However, the 30 kDa lipoproteins were not able to prevent scheduled FB degeneration during silkworm metamorphosis. Thus, it is hypothesized that the antiapoptotic 29 kDa protein needs to be proteolytically degraded by a regulatory mechanism to allow programmed cell death of FB tissue.

Clathrin-dependent endocytosis predominantly mediates protein absorption by fat body from the hemolymph in Bombyx mori

During insect larval-pupal metamorphosis,proteins in the hemolymph are absorbed by the fat body for the maintenance of intracellular homeostasis;however,the type of proteins and how these proteins are internalized into the fat body are unclear.In Bombyx mori,the developmental profiles o f total proteins in the hemolymph and fat body showed that hemolymph-decreased protein bands(55-100 kDa)were in accordance with those protein bands that increased in the fat body.Inhibition o f clathrin-dependent endocytosis predominantly blocked the transportation o f 55-100 kDa proteins from the hemolymph into the fat body,which was further verified by RNA interference treatment o f Bmclathrin.Six hexamerins were shown to comprise〜90%of the total identified proteins in both the hemolymph and fat body by mass spectrum(MS)analysis.In addition,hemolymphspecific proteins were mainly involved in material transportation,while fat body-specific proteins particularly participated in metabolism.In this paper,four hexamerins were found for the first time,and potential proteins absorbed by the fat body from the hemolymph through clathrin-dependent endocytosis were identified.This study sheds light on the protein absorption mechanism during insect metamorphosis.

Body Mass Index and Body Fat Percentage in Assessment of Obesity Prevalence in Saudi Adults

Objective To assess the obesity prevalence in body mass index （BMI） and body fat percentage Saudi adults according to the international standards of （BF%）. Methods Five hundred and thirty healthy Saudi adults aged 18-72 years （mean 36.91＋15.22 years） were enrolled in this study. Their body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impendence analysis with a commercially available body composition analyzer. Standard BMI and BF% values were used to define obesity. Results The prevalence of underweight, normal underweight, overweight and obesity in Saudi adults according to the BMI criteria （〈18.5 kg/mz, 18.5-24.4 kg/m2, 25-29.9 kg/m2, 30 k＆/m2 and above, respectively） was 2.5%, 30.2%, 33.6%, and 33.8%, respectively, whereas the obesity prevalence was 60% （n=31g） in Saudi adults according to the BF% criteria （25% for males and 30% for females）, which was significantly higher than that according to BMI criteria. However, it was 50.6% （n=268） when the BMI cutoff point was 27.5 kg/m2, proposed by WHO for the Asian population. Kappa analysis showed that the obesity prevalence defined by BMI and BF% was higher in females than in males （k=0.530 vs k=0.418, P〈O.O001）. The sensitivity and specificity of BMI （30 kg/m2 and 27.5 kg/m2） were 54.1% and 96.7% and 76.4% and 88.2%, respectively, for obesity. A lower BMI cutoff point （26.60 kg/m2） was proposed in this study, which gave the maximum sensitivity （84.3%） and specificity （85.4%）, with a moderate kappa agreement （k=0.686）. Moreover, the obesity prevalence at this cutoff point （56.4%） was significantly higher than that recommended by WHO. Conclusion The specificity of BMI for obesity is high and its sensitivity is low in both sexes. Its sensitivity can be increased by changing BMI cutoff to a lower value. The choice of BF% reference is of great influence for the assessment of obesity prevalence according to the BMI.

Earlier Menarche Can Be an Indicator of More Body Fat:Study of Sexual Development and Waist Circumference in Chinese Girls

Objective This paper aims to study the relationship between body fat and sexual development in Chinese girls with different waist circumference.Methods Six thousand one hundred and fifty six girls aged 6-19 were sampled.Their body weight,height,waist circumference,percentage of body fat and secondary sex characteristics were measured.All the subjects were divided into three groups：low class waist circumference,moderate class waist circumference and high class waist circumference.The menarche percentages were analyzed by using the status method.The menarche ages were analyzed by using the retrospective method.Estimates for mean age at entry into a pubertal stage and menarche were calculated by a probit analysis.Results The incidences of moderate class and high class waist circumstance were 20.94% and 25.27%,respectively.The sexual development of the former was earlier than that of the latter.The percentages of the menarche were detected as high classmoderate classlow class.The menarche ages were expressed as high classmoderate classlow class.Conclusion A close association is found between the waist circumference and sexual development,especially the menarche age.Girls with high class waist circumference are more vulnerable to earlier menarche and excess body fat.It is important to control the occurrence of central obesity through monitoring the change of waist circumference in puberty for girls＇ health.

The Change of Plasm a very Low Density Lipoprotein Concentration Pre-or Post-Feeding and in Conrrelation with Body Fatness Traits in Broiler Chickens

Blood samples were taken from birds,from a commercial line of broiler chicken,being in a fully fed state and in fasting state for 2,4,6 hours respectively at 49 d of age and plasma very low density lipoprotein(VLDL) concentration was measured with turbidimetric assay.The experiment results showed that the variation coefficients of plasma VLDL concentration mersured at four different times were 58.11%,74.39%,69.70%,47.83%,respectively for male broilers,and 41.82%,60.87%.59.26%,50.0%for female broilers respectively.Plasma VLDL concentration decreased with the fasting time.There was a significant positive phenotypic correlation between abdominal fat weight,percentage of abdominal fat and plasma VLDL concentration for the birds being in fully feeding state,and the correlation decreased or no longer existed for the bired being in fasting state.The conclusion was that for practically application of plasma VLDL content selected in broiler chicken breeding,blood samples should be collected from birds being in feeding state.

The Relationship between Maximum Oxygen Consumption （VO2 Max） and Body Fat Percentage of the Male Secondary School Pupils （15-18 Years）

The purpose of this study was to find out the type of relationship between VO2 max and percentage of body fat in male secondary school students. The research sample consisted of 30 male students studying at Al-Khawarizmi High School in Tlemcen. Their average age was 16.56 ± 0.69. We based our research on books and scientific journals, site visits, and personal meeting. We used the descriptive approach. The test was carried out and the measurements were taken at the institution＇s yard and the doctor＇s office respectively. We used the running test for one mile to measure the maximum oxygen consumption. The skin folds were taken in three areas： the chest, abdomen and mid-thigh, to estimate the proportion of fat in the body. The results showed that the relationship between maximum oxygen consumption and body fat percentage was strongly reversed at a significant level of 0.01, with Pearson correlation coefficient -0.597.

Advances in the research and application of high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology for fat apoptosis and body shaping

With improvements in living standards and advancements in medical technology,the demand for fat reduction and body shaping is increasing.Non-invasive fat reduction and body shaping therapy has gradually become a research hotspot in plastic surgery.High-intensity electromagnetic technology,a non-invasive treatment that can reduce subcutaneous fat and strengthen muscle,has been increasingly applied in clinics in recent years.This article reviews the fat reduction and body shaping mechanism and clinical effects of this equipment and provides a reference for its clinical application.

Overweight and abdominal fat are associated with normal bone mineral density in patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND Low bone mineral density(BMD)is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.However,nutritional risk factors for low BMD in the ulcerative colitis(UC)population are still poorly understood.AIM To investigate the association of anthropometric indicators and body composition with BMD in patients with UC.METHODS This is a cross-sectional study on adult UC patients of both genders who were followed on an outpatient basis.A control group consisting of healthy volunteers,family members,and close people was also included.The nutritional indicators evaluated were body mass index(BMI),total body mass(TBM),waist circumference(WC),body fat in kg(BFkg),body fat in percentage(BF%),trunk BF(TBF),and also lean mass.Body composition and BMD assessments were performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.RESULTS The sociodemographic characteristics of patients with UC(n=68)were similar to those of healthy volunteers(n=66)(P>0.05).Most patients(97.0%)were in remission of the disease,58.8%were eutrophic,33.8%were overweight,39.0%had high WC,and 67.6%had excess BF%.However,mean BMI,WC,BFkg,and TBF of UC patients were lower when compared to those of the control group(P<0.05).Reduced BMD was present in 41.2%of patients with UC(38.2%with osteopenia and 2.9%with osteoporosis)and 3.0%in the control group(P<0.001).UC patients with low BMD had lower BMI,TBM,and BFkg values than those with normal BMD(P<0.05).Male patients were more likely to have low BMD(prevalence ratio[PR]=1.86;95%confidence interval[CI]:1.07-3.26).Those with excess weight(PR=0.43;95%CI:0.19-0.97)and high WC(PR=0.44;95%CI:0.21-0.94)were less likely to have low BMD.CONCLUSION Patients with UC in remission have a high prevalence of metabolic bone diseases.Body fat appears to protect against the development of low BMD in these patients.

Fatty liver is an independent risk factor for gallbladder polyps

BACKGROUND Gallbladder polyps(GBPs)are known to be associated with obesity and metabolic diseases.However,to date,the relationship between GBPs and abnormal body fat distribution,such as fatty liver,visceral obesity,or sarcopenia,has not yet been established.AIM To evaluate whether GBPs are associated with fatty liver,visceral obesity,or sarcopenia.METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of subjects who underwent various laboratory tests,body composition measurement with a non-invasive body composition analyzer,and abdominal ultrasonography during health checkups.A total of 1405 subjects with GBPs were compared with 2810 age-and sex-matched controls.RESULTS The mean age of the subjects was 46.8±11.7 years,and 63.8%were male.According to multiple logistic regression analysis,the presence of fatty liver[odds ratio(OR)1.413;95%confidence interval(CI)1.218-1.638;P<0.001]was an independent risk factor for GBP,together with low levels of alanine aminotransferase(OR 0.993;95%CI 0.989-0.996;P<0.001).Additionally,fatty liver showed both independent(OR 1.629;95%CI,1.335-1.988;P<0.001)and dosedependent(moderate to severe fatty liver;OR 2.137;95%CI,1.662-2.749;P<0.001)relationship with large GBPs(≥5 mm).The presence of sarcopenia and high visceral fat area were not significantly associated with GBPs.CONCLUSION Fatty liver was found to be closely associated with GBPs irrespective of sarcopenia and visceral obesity.

Interactions among age, adiposity, bodyweight, lifestyle factors and sex steroid hormones in healthy Singaporean Chinese men

Aim： To examine the inter-relationships among age, lifestyle factors, anthropometric parameters, percent body fat and steroid hormone parameters in 531 healthy Singaporean Chinese men aged between 29 and 72 years old. Methods： Various lifestyle parameters were quantified through a survey, and testosterone （T）, estradiol （E2）, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate （DHEAS） and sex hormone binding globulin （SHBG） were measured using established methods. Anthropometric parameters were collected and computed, and percent body fat （Siri） was measured using the DEXA scanner. Results： SHBG, DHEAS, bioavailable-T （Bio-T）, E2, Siri, Ht, W/H, W/Ht and work stress were independently correlated with age. Using multivariate analyses and adjusting for age and other related factors, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption have positive impacts on androgen levels and body composition. However, black and green tea consumption was associated with negative effects on body composition and with higher levels of E2 and Free Estradiol Index （FEI）. Men with shorter sleep duration had significantly lower T levels as compared to those with 6 h or more of nightly sleep. Higher T levels were associated with lower levels of adiposity and other indices of adiposity, whereas higher E2 levels were related to higher levels of adiposity. Men with higher DHEAS were significantly taller and heavier than those with low DHEAS levels. Conclusion： The study showed the close interactions among the gonadal/adrenal and metabolic compartments, with age being a key determinant in their interactions. Lifestyle factors such as exercise, smoking, sleeping and alcohol and tea consumption might play significantly roles in determining the status of health in men.

Phantom of Human Adipose Tissue and Studies of Light Propagation and Light Absorption for Parameterization and Evaluation of Noninvasive Optical Fat Measuring Devices

A method for noninvasive determination of fat and water content in the human body is examined. A spatially resolved spectroscopy method is used which can record low intensity near infrared spectra. This novel approach is compared to other methods for the determination of fat and water content. Monte Carlo simulations of light propagation in tissue are shown and the production and characterization of optical phantoms of adipose tissue are investigated.

Comparative effects of plant oils and trans-fat on blood lipid profiles and ischemic stroke in rats

Since plant oils are believed to be better than animal fats for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, the effects of various plant oils and trans-fat on blood lipid profiles and ischemic stroke were investigated. Sprague- Dawley rats were fed a diet containing the oils or trans-fat, and then body weights, blood lipids, and effects on brain infarction and physical dysfunction induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） were analyzed. All the oils and trans-fat, except perilla oil, significantly increased body fats and body weight gain. Sesame oil and trans-fat specifically increased blood cholesterols and triglycerides, respectively, while perilla oil decreased both cholesterols and triglycerides. Perilla oil not only attenuated cerebral infarction, but also restored locomotor activity and rota-rod performances of MCAO rats. It is suggested that perilla oil among oils and fats could be the first choice to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and ischemic stroke.