Identification of two components of the female sex pheromone of the sugarcane‐borer Diatraea flavipennella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Analysis by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection of extracts of pheromone glands derived from calling females of the sugarcane‐borer Diatraea flavipennella revealed two antennally active compounds. These components were identified as (Z)‐9‐hexadecenal (Z9–16:Ald) and (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal (Z11–16:Ald) by comparison of the retention times of the natural compounds and the synthetic compounds supported by two‐dimensional gas chromatography – time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric analysis and the positions of the double bounds in the chains were confirmed from the mass spectral fragmentation patterns of their dimethyldisulphide adducts. The analysis indicated that Z9–16:Ald and Z11–16:Ald were present in the sex pheromone in the proportions 25 : 75. Trace amounts of tetradecanal, hexadecanal, (Z)‐7‐hexadecenal (Z7–16:Ald), (Z)‐9‐hexadecen‐1‐ol and (Z)‐11‐hexadecen‐1‐ol were also found in the extract, but of these only Z9–16:Ald and Z11–16:Ald appeared to be antennally active. Behavioural bioassays demonstrated that a binary blend composed of Z9–16:Ald and Z11–16:Ald in the ratio of 25 : 75 induced a response in D. flavipennella virgin males similar to that elicited by live virgin females or by an hexane extract of the pheromone glands of calling females. Z9–16:Ald and Z11–16:Ald are, therefore, considered to be the major constituents of the female sex pheromone of D. flavipennella.     

Phytoremediation Potential of Weeds in Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils of the Bassa Industrial Zone of Douala,Cameroon

Phytoremediation is a promising option for reclaiming soils contaminated with toxic metals, using plants with high potentials for extraction, stabilization and hyperaccumulation. This study was conducted in Cameroon, at the Bassa Industrial Zone of Douala in 2011, to assess the total content of 19 heavy metals and 5 other elements in soils and phytoremediation potential of 12 weeds. Partial extraction was carried out in soil, plant root and shoot samples. Phytoremediation potential was evaluated in terms of the Biological Concentration Factor, Translocation Factor and Biological Accumulation Coefficient. The detectable content of the heavy metals in soils was Cu:70–179, Pb:8–130, Zn:200–971, Ni:74–296, Co:31–90, Mn:1983–4139, V:165–383, Cr:42–1054, Ba:26–239, Sc:21–56, Al:6.11–9.84, Th:7–22, Sr:30–190, La:52–115, Zr:111–341, Y:10–49, Nb:90–172 in mg kg^?1, and Ti:2.73–4.09 and Fe:12–16.24 in wt%. The contamination index revealed that the soils were slightly to heavily contaminated while the geoaccumulation index showed that the soils ranged from unpolluted to highly polluted. The concentration of heavy metals was ranked as Zn > Ni > Cu > V > Mn > Sc > Co > Pb and Cr in the roots and Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu > Sc > Co > V > Pb > Cr > Fe in the shoots. Dissotis rotundifolia and Kyllinga erecta had phytoextraction potentials for Pb and Paspalum orbiculare for Fe. Eleusine indica and K. erecta had phytostabilisation potential for soils contaminated with Cu and Pb, respectively.     

Syntaxonomy of the Robinia pseudoacacia communities in the central peri-adriatic sector of the Italian peninsula

This study presents the results of a floristic vegetational study on Robinia pseudoacacia neoformation forests in the peri-Adriatic sector of central Italy. This has allowed the characterization of these coenoses at the ecological, biogeographic, syntaxonomic and landscape levels. These currently represent the southernmost syntaxa of the Robinietea class described for the Italian peninsula, and the first syntaxonomic contribution of this class in Europe for the Mediterranean biogeographical region. We propose here the new alliance Lauro nobilis–Robinion pseudoacaciae of the order Chelidonio–Robinietalia pseudoacaciae and class Robinietea, with two new associations: Melisso altissimae–Robinietum pseudoacaciae and Rubio peregrinae–Robinietum pseudoacaciae. The new alliance Lauro nobilis–Robinion pseudoacaciae (typus: Melisso altissimae–Robinietum pseudoacaciae) brings together neoformation forests and pre-forest dominated by R. pseudoacacia in those territories with a Mediterranean macroclimate of the peri-Adriatic sector of central Italy. The optimum is found for the alluvial plain and low-slope morphologies, on soils that are moist and rich in organic matter and in areas with anthropic disturbance. On the basis of comparisons with the European context, the alliance Bryonio–Robinion described for the temperate territories of northern Italy is here validated.     

The Structure of the Carbohydrate Moietv of a Glycopeptide GP-I-a from Rhizopus Saccharogenic Amylase

The structure of the carbohydrate moiety of GP–I–a, one of three glycopeptides obtained from Rhizopus saccharogenic amylase, was determined by using enzymatic and chemical techniques.

Six residues (all of the residues in GP–I–a) of mannose and one residue of N-acetylglucosamine were released in that order when GP–I–a was digested successively with purified α-mannosidase and β-N-acetylglucosaminidase.

Exhaustive methylation of GP–I–a gave 3,6-di-O-methyl derivative from the N-acetylglucosamine residues, and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl, 3,4,6-tri-O-methyI and 2,4-di-O-methyl derivatives from the mannose residues in an approximate ratio of 3: 1:2.

After one step of the Smith degradation of GP–I–a, a residual glycopeptide (F–1) consisted of one mole each of asparagine and glycine and two moles each of mannose and N-acetylglucosamine was obtained. Exhaustive methylation of F–1 gave 3,6-di-O-methyl derivative of N-acetylglucosamine, and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl and 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl derivatives of mannose in a ratio of 1.00: 0.91.

Partial acetolysis of 1→6 linkages in GP–I–a yielded mannose, 3-O-mannosylmannose and a smaller glycopeptide which was resistant to the acetolysis.

From these and other evidences, the following structure was determined for GP–I–a.     

Phytosociological study of the Pinus occidentalis forests in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

The article deals both with the Pinus occidentalis pine tree forests growing on high mountain limestones and siliceous substrates, and with the copses growing on serpentines in Dajabón (Cibao Valley), Dominican Republic. The samplings carried out in these forests reveal the occurrence of numerous endemic species and, consequently, the habitats can be considered as endemic, priority habitats of the Antilles. The article relies on some previous surveys carried out by us, Cano E, Velóz Ramirez A, Cano-Ortiz A, Esteban FJ. (2009b). Analysis of the Pterocarpus officinalis forests in the Gran Estero (Dominican Republic). Acta Botanica Gallica 156(4):559–570, that made use of the data provided by 87 weather stations of the Dominican Republic. With the values of the Ci, Oi, Cti, etc. indexes, we make a bioclimatical proposal for Hispaniola. Our preliminary analysis of the studies published on the vegetation of the Island of Hispaniola and nearby islands, along with the samples taken by us, lead us to propose two new alliances: Ilici tuerckheimi–Pinion occidentalis and Phyllario mummularioidi–Leptogonion buchi, and three new associations: Dendropemon phycnophylli–Pinetum occidentalis, Cocotrino scopari–Pinetum occidentalis and Leptogono buchi–Pinetum occidentalis.     

Deciduous dental morphology of the prehistoric Jomon people of Japan: Comparison of nonmetric characters

Morphological variations of the deciduous dentition are as useful as those of the permanent dentition for determining the biological affinities of human populations. This paper provides material on morphological variations of deciduous teeth of the prehistoric Japanese population from the Late and the Latest Jomon Period (ca. 2000–ca. 300 B.C.). The expression of nonmetric traits of the deciduous teeth in the Jomon sample shows a closer affinity with modern Japanese and Native American samples than with American White, Asiatic Indian, and African samples. However, the frequency of shoveling in deciduous upper incisors in the Jomon sample is lower than those in modern Japanese and Native American samples. The Jomon sample also expresses a much higher frequency of cusp 6 in deciduous lower second molars than seen in modern Japanese, Ainu, and Native American samples. The frequency in the Jomon sample is equal to that in the Australian Aboriginal sample, which shows cusp 6 most frequently among the samples compared. A somewhat low incidence of incisor shoveling in the Jomon sample was also reported in the permanent dentition (Turner [1976] Science 193:911–913, [1979] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 51:619–635, [1987] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 73:305–321, [1990] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 82:295–317; T. Hanihara [1992] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 88:163–182, 88:183–196). However, the frequency of cusp 6 in the Jomon sample shows no significant difference from those of Northeast Asian or Native American samples in the permanent dentition (Turner [1987] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 73:305–321; T. Hanihara [1992] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 88:1–182, 88:183–196). Evidently, some nonmetric traits express an inter-group difference only in the deciduous dentition. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Length–weight relationships for 15 fish species from the Three Gorges Reservoir

The length–weight relationships (LWRs) for 15 fish species from the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) were described in this paper. Specimens were collected using gill nets (mesh size: 6, 8, 10, 12 cm), cage net (mesh size: 1 cm), benthic fyke net (mesh size: 1 cm), hook longlines (80 m long, 3 barbless hooks per meter line) and electrofishing (power: 1,500 w; distance of electrodes: 1–2 m; water depth: 0.2–1.0 m; water area: 1–2 m²; catch by dip net [mesh size: 0.4 cm]) at four sections of the TGR, monthly in June–August and October–November in 2017 and 2018. The first LWR reference for Zacco acutipinnis (Bleeker, 1871), Discogobio brachyphysallidos Huang, 1989, Squalidus nitens (Günther, 1873), Leptobotia pellegrini Fang, 1936, Sinibotia reevesae (Chang, 1944), Pseudobagrus tenuifurcatus (Nichols, 1931), Pseudobagrus medianalis (Regan, 1904), Liobagrus marginatoides (Wu, 1930), Glyptothorax fokiensis (Rendahl, 1925), and Ctenogobius szechuanensis (Liu, 1940) and new maximum total length for 12 species are provided.     

A new ant species of the Leptogenys sulcinoda-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Saudi Arabia

Leptogenys polaszeki sp. n. is described from the Asir Mountains, Saudi Arabia, based on the worker caste. The new species is a member of the L. sulcinoda-group and appears closest to L. bellii Emery, 1901, originally described from Ethiopia. The likely male caste of L. polaszeki sp. n. is described based on a single specimen collected by a pitfall trap in the type locality.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5D3BF3AF-5308–48E8–8416–902278909AD5     

A review of the genus Dysalotus (Percomorphacea: Chiasmodontidae), with the description of Dysalotus pouliulii sp. nov.

A new species of Dysalotus (family Chiasmodontidae) known only from off the Hawaiian archipelago is described here as Dysalotus pouliulii sp. nov. It differs from all other species of Dysalotus in having a greater number of teeth on the premaxilla (151–198 v. 60–138) and dentary (136–199 v. 76–132) and in a shorter upper jaw [51·9–54·9% of head length (L_H) v. 62·4–74·4% L_H] and lower jaw (64·8–67·4% in L_H v. 75·3–88·1% in L_H). A key for the species of Dysalotus and an updated distribution map are provided. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E9B5F1DC‐52E0‐4F53‐9109‐2A8E252AE8CE .     

Growth of Salmonella on sprouting alfalfa seeds as affected by the inoculum size, native microbial load and Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79

Aims: To investigate the growth of salmonellae on sprouting alfalfa seeds as affected by the inoculum size, microbial load and Pseudomonas fluorescens 2–79. Methods and Results: Alfalfa seeds pre‐inoculated with ≤10¹–10³ CFU g^?1 of salmonellae and with or without Ps. fluorescens 2–79 were sprouted in glass jars and the population of salmonellae were determined daily for up to 6 days. The population of salmonellae on germinating seeds reached the maximum 2–3 days after sprouting when total bacterial count reached the maximum (10⁹ CFU g^?1). The population of salmonellae on sprouting seeds not treated with Ps. fluorescens 2–79 showed a net increase of 3–4 log units. However, the population of salmonellae on alfalfa seeds treated with Ps. fluorescens 2–79 showed a net increase of only 1–2 log units. Disinfection of seeds with calcium hypochlorite enhanced the growth of salmonellae. Conclusions: Treatment of seeds with Ps. fluorescens 2–79 reduced the growth of salmonellae by 2–3 log units. Significance and Impact of the Study: The potential of Ps. fluorescens 2–79 as a biological agent for use in control of salmonellae on sprouting seeds was demonstrated and warrants further investigation.     

Functional characterization of Arabidopsis phototropin 1 in the hypocotyl apex

Phototropin (phot1) is a blue light‐activated plasma membrane‐associated kinase that acts as the principal photoreceptor for shoot phototropism in Arabidopsis in conjunction with the signalling component Non‐Phototropic Hypocotyl 3 (NPH3). PHOT1 is uniformly expressed throughout the Arabidopsis hypocotyl, yet decapitation experiments have localized the site of light perception to the upper hypocotyl. This prompted us to investigate in more detail the functional role of the hypocotyl apex, and the regions surrounding it, in establishing phototropism. We used a non‐invasive approach where PHOT1–GFP (P1–GFP) expression was targeted to the hypocotyl apex of the phot‐deficient mutant using the promoters of CUP‐SHAPED COTYLEDON 3 (CUC3) and AINTEGUMENTA (ANT). Expression of CUC3::P1–GFP was clearly visible at the hypocotyl apex, with weaker expression in the cotyledons, whereas ANT::P1–GFP was specifically targeted to the developing leaves. Both lines showed impaired curvature to 0.005 μmol m^?2 sec^?1 unilateral blue light, indicating that regions below the apical meristem are necessary for phototropism. Curvature was however apparent at higher fluence rates. Moreover, CUC3::P1–GFP partially or fully complemented petiole positioning, leaf flattening and chloroplast accumulation, but not stomatal opening. Yet, tissue analysis of NPH3 de‐phosphorylation showed that CUC3::P1–GFP and ANT::P1–GFP mis‐express very low levels of phot1 that likely account for this responsiveness. Our spatial targeting approach therefore excludes the hypocotyl apex as the site for light perception for phototropism and shows that phot1‐mediated NPH3 de‐phosphorylation is tissue autonomous and occurs more prominently in the basal hypocotyl.     

The Structure of the Carbohydrate Moiety of a Glycopeptide GP-I-b from Rhizopus Saccharogenic Amylase

The structure of the carbohydrate moiety of GP–I–b which is one out of three glycopeptides isolated from a Pronase digest of the saccharogenic amylase of Rhizopus javanicus sp. 3–46, was investigated by enzymatic and chemical techniques.

Nine moles of mannose followed by one mole of N-acetylglucosamine were released per mole of GP–I–b when it was treated sequentially with purified jack bean α-mannosidase and β-N-acetylglucosaminidase.

Methylation of GP–I–b gave 3, 6-di-O-methyl derivative from the N-acetylglucosamine residues, and 2, 3, 4, 6-tetra-O-methyl, 3, 4, 6-tri-O-methyl and 2, 4-di-O-methyl derivatives from the mannose residues in an approximate ratio of 3: 4: 2.

A smaller glycopeptide (F–l) containing two moles each of mannose and N-acetylglucosamine per mole of asparagine was obtained when GP–I–b was subjected to one step of the Smith degradation. Exhaustive methylation of F–l gave 3, 6-di-O-methyl derivative of Nacetylglucosamine, and 2, 3, 4, 6-tetra-O-methyl and 2, 3, 4-tri-O-methyl derivatives of mannose in a ratio of 1.00: 0.85.

Controlled acetolysis of GP–I–b yielded mannose, O-α-mannosyl-(l→2)-O-α-mannosyl-(l→3)-mannose and a smaller glycopeptide which was resistant to the acetolysis.

From these and previous evidences, the following structure was determined for GP–I–b.     

Trends in obesity and its distribution: data from the Northern Sweden MONICA Survey, 1986-2004

Objective: Obesity, especially abdominal, is a risk factor for many diseases. This study explored trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity, 1986–2004, in northern Sweden. Methods and Procedures: Cross‐sectional population surveys were performed in 1986, 1990, 1994, 1999, and 2004; 250 men and 250 women aged 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, and 55–64 years (from 1994, also 65–74 years) were randomly selected; the overall participation rate was 77%. Anthropometric data were used. Results: Weight and BMI increased in all men, most significantly in men aged 25–64 years (P < 0.0005). Weight increased in women aged 25–64 years (P < 0.005) and BMI in women aged 25–44 years (P < 0.005). Prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) increased significantly in men aged 25–44 and 55–74 years (P < 0.005; for men 65–74 years old, P < 0.05) and in women aged 25–44 years (P < 0.005). Waist circumference decreased significantly between 1986 and 1990 in all women (P < 0.005) and in men aged 55–64 years (P < 0.05). After 1990 waist circumference increased, most markedly so in women; by 2004 circumference measurements for women, and for men aged 55–64 years, were equal to those of 1986, while for men aged 25–54 years they were higher. Prevalence of abdominal obesity has increased since 1990, most markedly so in women aged 45–64 years (P < 0.0005). Discussion: The rapid increase in both general and central obesity raises concern for the future; increasing abdominal obesity in women is particularly alarming.     

Age and growth of stargazer (Uranoscopus scaber L., 1758) in the southeastern Black Sea

A sample of 346 Uranoscopus scaber (L., 1758) was collected from the southeastern Black Sea between January 2002 and May 2005 in order to provide information on age, growth, length–weight relationship, and stomach contents of this species. Total length and total weight of sampled fish ranged from 5.2 to 21.9 cm and from 2.0 to 182.5 g, respectively. The sex ratio (1 : 1.98) was biased toward females (P < 0.05). Isometric growth was determined in the population. Length–weight relationships for all individuals were described by the parameters: a = 0.0167, b = 3.00, with the r² = 0.99. The population was composed of five age‐classes (I–V years). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters (±SE) and confidence limit (CL, 95%) for the entire population were: L_∞ = 26.31 ± 0.838 cm (CL: 24.66–27.96), k = 0.339 ± 0.023 1/year (CL: 0.294–0.385), and t_o = 0.087 ± 0.0346 year (CL: 0.019–0.155) (r² = 0.96). Growth performance index (Φ) was 2.37. The diet was composed of Gobius sp. (2.2%),Trachurus trachurus (2.1%), Merlangius merlangus euxinus (4.3%) and unidentified fish species (17.4%); 39.1% were unidentified remains.     

Comparison of Lipid and Fatty Acid Composition of the Liver,Subcutaneous and Intra‐abdominal Adipose Tissue,and Serum

Ceramides may mediate saturated fat–induced insulin resistance, but there are no data comparing ceramide concentrations between human tissues. We therefore performed lipidomic analysis of human subcutaneous (SCfat) and intra‐abdominal (IAfat) adipose tissue, the liver, and serum in eight subjects. The liver contained (nmol/mg tissue) significantly more ceramides (1.5–3‐fold), sphingomyelins (7–8‐fold), phosphatidylethanolamines (10–11‐fold), lysophosphatidylcholines (7–12‐fold), less ether‐linked phosphatidylcholines (2–2.5‐fold) but similar amounts of diacylglycerols as compared to SCfat and IAfat. The amounts of ceramides and their synthetic precursors, such as palmitic (16:0) free fatty acids and sphingomyelins, differed considerably between the tissues. The liver contained proportionally more palmitic, stearic (18:0), and long polyunsaturated fatty acids than adipose tissues. Stearoyl‐CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) activity reflected by serum, estimated from the 16:1/16:0‐ratio, was closely related to that in the liver (r = 0.86, P = 0.024) but not adipose tissues. This was also true for estimated elongase (18:1/16:1, r = 0.89, P = 0.01), and Δ5 (20:4/20:3, r = 0.89, P = 0.012) and Δ6 (18:3[n‐6]/18:2, r = 1.0, P < 0.001) desaturase activities. We conclude that the human liver contains higher concentrations of ceramides and saturated free fatty acids than either SCfat or IAfat.     

New and validated syntaxa for the checklist of Italian vegetation

We drew up a checklist of the Italian vegetation (http://www.prodromo-vegetazione-italia.org/), up to the syntaxonomical rank of alliance. During the compilation of this checklist, we observed that some syntaxa were invalidly published. For this reason, in this article we validated some syntaxa names and, at the same time, described new syntaxa of different hierarchical levels. Therefore, 10 new orders, 1 new suborder, 18 new alliances, 3 new suballiances and 5 new associations are described here. These new syntaxa belong to the following classes: Adiantetea capilli-veneris, Parietarietea judaicae, Thlaspietea rotundifolii, Artemisietea vulgaris, Stellarietea mediae, Galio aparines–Urticetea dioicae, Mulgedio alpini–Aconitetea variegati, Trifolio medii–Geranietea sanguinei, Festuco-Seslerietea, Salicetea herbaceae, Festuco valesiacae–Brometea erecti, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Cisto cretici–Micromerietea julianae, Rhamno catharticae–Prunetea spinosae, Salici purpureae–Populetea nigrae, Salicetea purpureae, Quercetea ilicis and Querco roboris–Fagetea sylvaticae.     

Review of the Australian hagfishes with description of two new species of Eptatretus (Myxinidae)

This paper revises and updates taxonomic and distributional information about hagfishes (Myxinidae) from Australia. It covers five species of the genus Eptatretus: Eptatretus cirrhatus known from eastern Australia and also distributed around New Zealand, Eptatretus longipinnis endemic to South Australia, Eptatretus strahani originally described from the Philippines and reported here as a new record from Western Australia and two new species described herein as Eptatretus alastairi and Eptatretus gomoni, both from Western Australia. Eptatretus alastairi is distinguished from all congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: six pairs of gill pouches; three‐cusp multicusps on the anterior and posterior rows of cusps; anterior unicusps 9–12; posterior unicusps 8–11; total cusps 48–56; prebranchial pores 13–16; branchial pores 5–6; trunk pores 50–55; tail pores 11–13; total pores 83–88; two bilaterally symmetrical nasal‐sinus papillae in the dorsal surface of the nasal sinus. Eptatretus gomoni is distinguished from all congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: eight pairs of gill pouches; three‐cusp multicusps on the anterior and two‐cusp multicusps on the posterior row of cusps; anterior unicusps 10–11; posterior unicusps 9–10; total cusps 50; prebranchial pores 12–13; branchial pores 7–8; trunk pores 57–58; tail pores 14–15; total pores 91–93; no nasal‐sinus papillae. An identification key for the Australian species of Eptatretus is also provided.     

Factors associated with blood zinc,chromium, and lead concentrations in residents of the Nam Pong River in Thailand

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to determine the blood levels of zinc (B-Zn), chromium (B-Cr), and lead (B-Pb) and to identify the factors influencing these levels in the blood of residents of the Nam Pong River. Quantitative data collection was utilized, and systematic random sampling was conducted to obtain 420 samples for measuring serum heavy metals, including B-Zn, B-Cr, and B-Pb. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing the accumulation of heavy metals in the population, reported mean differences, 95% confidence intervals, and p values. The average levels of heavy metals were 74.38 ± 14.00 µg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.03–75.72) for zinc, 0.28 ± 0.23 µg/L (95% CI: 0.26–0.30) for chromium, and 2.80 ± 1.60 µg/dL (95% CI: 2.64–2.95) for lead, which all were within normal limits. Factors influencing zinc levels included occupational exposure (batteries) (mean diff = 11.56; 95% CI: 1.81–21.32, p value = 0.02) and consumption of fish from the river exceeding 300 grams/meal or three times/week (mean diff = 4.68; 95% CI: 0.09–9.45, p value = 0.05). Factors influencing chromium levels included a history of past illness (mean diff = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05–0.34, p value = 0.01) and dust/chemical exposure from industry (mean diff = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.00–0.11, p value = 0.05). Factors influencing lead concentrations included gender (mean diff = 1.82; 95% CI: 0.26–1.98, p value = 0.001), smoking (mean diff = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.60–1.45, p value < 0.001), and occupational exposure (garage) (mean diff = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.27–1.94, p value = 0.01).     

Measurement Site and the Association Between Visceral and Abdominal Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue With Metabolic Risk in Women

The associations between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) and metabolic risk may be influenced by measurement site. The aim of this study was to compare the strength of the associations between VAT and ASAT, as assessed by a cross‐sectional image (area) or total volume, and prevalent metabolic syndrome (MetS). We also examined the association between changes in abdominal AT area and volume with concomitant changes in metabolic risk. Abdominal AT volume and areas were derived using ～35 continuous computed tomography (CT) images from T10–T11 to L5–S1 in overweight or obese postmenopausal women before (n = 67) and after (n = 39) a 6‐month exercise intervention. At baseline, measurement site did not influence the inter‐relationship between ASAT area and total volume, and between ASAT and MetS. Conversely, VAT areas at L1–L2 and L2–L3 were stronger correlates of VAT volume at baseline (L1–L2 (r = 0.94), L2–L3 (r = 0.95), L4–L5 (r = 0.89)) and changes therein (L1–L2 (r = 0.77), L2–L3 (r = 0.75), L4–L5 (r = 0.55)) as compared to L4–L5, but were not significantly better predictors of MetS as compared to L4–L5 or the total volume (L2–L3: odds ratio (OR) = 2.68 (1.6–4.4), L1–L2: OR = 1.88 (1.2–3.0), L4–L5: OR = 2.56 (1.6–4.1), volume: OR = 2.07 (1.1–3.8)). Changes in VAT and ASAT were not associated with changes in MetS (P > 0.10). Although measurement site has an impact on the prediction of VAT volume, this does not translate into an improved prediction for the MetS. Thus, there is not enough evidence to support changing the current research practice of assessing VAT volume or at L4–L5 for the prediction of metabolic risk.