Longitudinal age changes in a fishermen population of West Bengal

The longitudinal anthropological age changes in a sample of coastal fishermen in West Bengal are discussed. The results show that some traits follow the trends observed in ageing of Western populations, for instance nasal length and breadth continue to increase throughout life in both sexes. Stature follows also the trend generally observed: a decrease occurs indeed from 35 years of age in both sexes, the decline is becoming higher with increasing age. The typical ecological conditions of our population influence the rate of change in other traits, such as weight and biacromial diameter. Weight is known to be influenced by the nutritional status and the way of life. It explains that in our study of males an early increase of weight and biacromial diameter is observed first and a decrease afterwards. In females, however, a decrease is observed already from 35 years of age. This kind of analysis was only possible with the help of longitudinal data and in a well defined population: only longitudinal data is free from the effect of secular changes and of selective death.     

Cognitive behavioral therapy and fluoxetine for binge eating disorder: two-year follow-up

Objective: This study assessed the long‐term effects of group behavioral treatment plus individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or fluoxetine in binge eating disorder (BED) patients. Research Methods and Procedures: A total of 116 individuals were randomized to an initial five‐month trial and were followed up over two years. Assessments, including binge frequency, weight, and self‐report measures, were administered at pre‐treatment, post‐treatment, and ～6, 12, 18, and 24 months after initial treatment. Results: Across treatment groups, there was overall improvement over 29 months in binge frequency and in binge abstinence. The odds of binge abstinence 2 years post‐treatment were 1.373 times the odds of binge abstinence immediately post‐treatment. There was no significant change in weight over the two‐year period. Subjects who received individual CBT evidenced lower binge frequency over the two‐year follow‐up period than patients who had not received individual CBT. Similarly, CBT was associated with increased rates of binge abstinence. There were no main effects of treatment assignment on weight over the two‐year follow‐up period. There was a significant advantage for fluoxetine assignment over the two‐year follow‐up period on depressive symptoms. Discussion: The major significance of the study rests in its examination of the long‐term effects of standardized interventions for BED. Our findings provide support for the ideas that short‐term treatment may confer long‐term benefit and that not all treatments are equivalent in the benefits they confer.     

Personal, behavioral, and environmental risk and protective factors for adolescent overweight

Objective: The objective was to examine a breadth of personal, behavioral, and socio‐environmental factors as potential risk and protective factors of overweight among male and female adolescents. Research Methods and Procedures: A longitudinal study was conducted with an ethnically and socio‐economically diverse sample of 2516 adolescents who completed surveys at both Time 1 (1998 to 1999) and Time 2 (2003 to 2004) of the Project Eating Among Teens (EAT) study. Results: In 1998 to 1999, 335 (25.7%) girls and 282 (26.4%) boys met the age‐adjusted criteria for overweight. During the 5‐year study period, 236 (70.5%) of the overweight girls and 185 (65.7%) of the overweight boys remained overweight and 115 (12.0%) girls and 77 (9.9%) boys originally not overweight became overweight. Although differences by sex were found, a number of personal, behavioral, and socio‐environmental factors were associated with overweight among both male and female adolescents. Body dissatisfaction and weight concerns at Time 1 predicted overweight at Time 2 for both male and female adolescents. Dieting and use of unhealthy weight control behaviors at Time 1 also predicted overweight at Time 2. Greater frequency of breakfast consumption at Time 1 was protective against overweight. Higher levels of weight‐related teasing and parental weight‐related concerns and behaviors at Time 1 were positively associated with Time 2 overweight. Discussion: Body dissatisfaction, weight concerns, use of unhealthy weight control behaviors, weight‐related stigmatization, and parental concern about the child's weight may increase risk for adolescent overweight. Interventions that enhance adolescents’ body satisfaction while providing them with skills to avoid dieting and to engage in more effective weight‐control behaviors should be developed and tested.     

The longitudinal distribution of riverine benthos: A river dis-continuum?

We used several techniques to analyze 10–11 collections from each of 13 stations along a mountain stream gradient to examine the hypothesis that there was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) uniform downstream gradient in benthic distribution. Random skewer techniques suggested that there was a significant downstream gradient of individuals per species, but only a weak gradient in species per station, and no gradient in functional guild composition. Ordination and clustering of either taxonomic or functional guild data suggested the existence of four longitudinally-defined groups of stations. Rarefaction curves also implied longitudinal groupings, with differences among groups implying species replacement than changes in organism numbers. Two species replacement indexes confirmed that suggestion. In summary, the distribution of the benthos in the creek may best be characterized as a punctuated gradient where gradual downstream changes in community composition are punctuated by sudden shifts to new community types. This punctuated gradient appears caused by changes in stream physical and chemical characteristics; the rapid nature of the changes hampers the interpretation of longitudinal analyses. Techniques such as random skewers and cluster analysis of rarefied samples will prove helpful in discerning pattern in stream benthos.     

Longitudinal random effects models for genetic analysis of binary data with application to mastitis in dairy cattle

A Bayesian analysis of longitudinal mastitis records obtained in the course of lactation was undertaken. Data were 3341 test-day binary records from 329 first lactation Holstein cows scored for mastitis at 14 and 30 days of lactation and every 30 days thereafter. First, the conditional probability of a sequence for a given cow was the product of the probabilities at each test-day. The probability of infection at time t for a cow was a normal integral, with its argument being a function of "fixed" and "random" effects and of time. Models for the latent normal variable included effects of: (1) year-month of test + a five-parameter linear regression function ("fixed", within age-season of calving) + genetic value of the cow + environmental effect peculiar to all records of the same cow + residual. (2) As in (1), but with five parameter random genetic regressions for each cow. (3) A hierarchical structure, where each of three parameters of the regression function for each cow followed a mixed effects linear model. Model 1 posterior mean of heritability was 0.05. Model 2 heritabilities were: 0.27, 0.05, 0.03 and 0.07 at days 14, 60, 120 and 305, respectively. Model 3 heritabilities were 0.57, 0.16, 0.06 and 0.18 at days 14, 60, 120 and 305, respectively. Bayes factors were: 0.011 (Model 1/Model 2), 0.017 (Model 1/Model 3) and 1.535 (Model 2/Model 3). The probability of mastitis for an "average" cow, using Model 2, was: 0.06, 0.05, 0.06 and 0.07 at days 14, 60, 120 and 305, respectively. Relaxing the conditional independence assumption via an autoregressive process (Model 2) improved the results slightly.     

BMI, obesity, and sickness absence in the Whitehall II study

Objective: To study BMI and change in BMI from age 25 as predictors of sickness absence. Research Methods and Procedures: Data were collected from 2564 women and 5853 men, who were British civil servants (35 to 55 years) on entry to the Whitehall II study (Phase 1, 1985 to 1988). Employer's records provided annual medically certified (long, >7 days) and self‐certified (short, 1 to 7 days) spells of sickness absence. BMI at age 25 and Phase 1 were examined in relation to absences from Phase 1 to the end of 1998 (mean follow‐up, 7.0 years). Results: After adjustment for employment grade, health‐related behaviors, and health status, overweight (BMI = 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI > 30.0 kg/m²) at Phase 1 were significant predictors of short and long absences in both sexes; rate ratios (95% confidence intervals) ranged from 1.13 (1.05 to 1.21) to 1.51 (1.30 to 1.76) compared with a BMI of 21.0 to 22.9 kg/m². Additionally, a BMI of 23.0 to 24.9 kg/m² at Phase 1 predicted long absences in women, and underweight (BMI < 21.0 kg/m²) predicted short absences in men. Obesity at age 25 predicted long absences, and obesity at Phase 1 predicted short and long absences in both sexes. Chronic obesity was a particularly strong predictor of long absences in men, with a rate ratio of 2.61 (1.88 to 3.63). Discussion: Findings from this well‐characterized cohort suggest that the obesity epidemic in industrialized countries may result in significant increases in sickness absence. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms. Policy to reduce sickness absence needs to tackle the problem of excess weight in the working population.     

Technical note: A volumetric method for measuring the longitudinal arch of human tracks and feet

Fossil footprints (i.e., tracks) were believed to document arch anatomical evolution, although our recent work has shown that track arches record foot kinematics instead. Analyses of track arches can thereby inform the evolution of human locomotion, although quantifying this 3-D aspect of track morphology is difficult. Here, we present a volumetric method for measuring the arches of 3-D models of human tracks and feet, using both Autodesk Maya and Blender software. The method involves generation of a 3-D object that represents the space beneath the longitudinal arch, and measurement of that arch object's geometry and spatial orientation. We provide relevant tools and guidance for users to apply this technique to their own data. We present three case studies to demonstrate potential applications. These include, (1) measuring the arches of static and dynamic human feet, (2) comparing the arches of human tracks with the arches of the feet that made them, and (3) direct comparisons of human track and foot arch morphology throughout simulated track formation. The volumetric measurement tool proved robust for measuring 3-D models of human tracks and feet, in static and dynamic contexts. This tool enables researchers to quantitatively compare arches of fossil hominin tracks, in order to derive biomechanical interpretations from them, and/or offers a different approach for quantifying foot morphology in living humans.     

Faunistique et répartition longitudinale des Trichoptères dans une rivière salmonicole de basse montagne,en Belgique

Trichoptera have been studied in the drainage basin of the Flavion, a small calcium-ion rich low altitude trout river in Belgium. During a one-year investigation, 45 species, which represent one fourth of the recorded Belgian Trichoptera, have been collected. As a whole, the caddis larvae show a rather weakly defined zonation. Longitudinal distribution of closely related species is discussed from the standpoint of interspecific competition.

     

A statistical characterization of consistent patterns of human immunodeficiency virus evolution within infected patients

Within-patient HIV populations evolve rapidly because of a high mutation rate, short generation time, and strong positive selection pressures. Previous studies have identified "consistent patterns" of viral sequence evolution. Just before HIV infection progresses to AIDS, evolution seems to slow markedly, and the genetic diversity of the viral population drops. This evolutionary slowdown could be caused either by a reduction in the average viral replication rate or because selection pressures weaken with the collapse of the immune system. The former hypothesis (which we denote "cellular exhaustion") predicts a simultaneous reduction in both synonymous and nonsynonymous evolution, whereas the latter hypothesis (denoted "immune relaxation") predicts that only nonsynonymous evolution will slow. In this paper, we present a set of statistical procedures for distinguishing between these alternative hypotheses using DNA sequences sampled over the course of infection. The first component is a new method for estimating evolutionary rates that takes advantage of the temporal information in longitudinal DNA sequence samples. Second, we develop a set of probability models for the analysis of evolutionary rates in HIV populations in vivo. Application of these models to both synonymous and nonsynonymous evolution affords a comparison of the cellular-exhaustion and immune-relaxation hypotheses. We apply the procedures to longitudinal data sets in which sequences of the env gene were sampled over the entire course of infection. Our analyses (1) statistically confirm that an evolutionary slowdown occurs late in infection, (2) strongly support the immune-relaxation hypothesis, and (3) indicate that the cessation of nonsynonymous evolution is associated with disease progression.     

JUNCTIONAL PORES AND CELL WALL DEPRESSIONS OF HORMOSCILLA PRINGSHEIMII (CYANOPHYCEAE)1

Sassoon's isolate identified as Borzia trilocularis (but recently renamed Hormoscilla pringsheimii Anagnostidis and Komárek (1988) was studied with transmission electron microscopy because of its unusual combination of longitudinal wall features, described here in development for the first time. Junctional pores (linear rows of circumferential L-II layer pores near crosswalls) developed into multiple, parallel series, unlike the pores in many other species, which form only single rows. In dividing cells, two single pore rows appear opposite crosswalls after crosswall initiation, but an additional parallel row is usually added to each row by completion of fission. Elongating cells reveal 3–6 parallel and uniformly spaced pore rows developing on each side of crosswall pairs; these rows may end up toward the center of the cell wall after cell elongation. Pores are 18–24 nm wide with a center-to-center and row-to-row distance of 24–36 nm and occur in an especially thick L-II area. The second group of pit-like pores of longitudinal cell walls are 50–135 nm-wide depressions and have a center-to-center distance of 100–1000 nm. These depressions arise when the L-II layer fails to form and appear next to a row-pair of junctional pores soon after fission. Most depressions form single rows, but when they form several rows they may cover much of the surface of the cell. The L-III and L-IV wall layers line these L-II layer cavities; the outer surface of the L-IV layer around and within the depressions is covered with fibrous mucilage. Given their diversity, pores and depressions of longitudinal walls deserve further attention from functional and taxonomic points of view.     

Changes in T-cell subpopulations during four years of suppression of HIV-1 replication in patients with advanced disease

We compared the number/percentages of naive and memory CD4+ T-cells, CD38+ CD8+ T-cells, and CD28+ CD4+ and CD28+ CD8+ T-cells in patients with advanced HIV disease (baseline CD4+ count < 100) with those with less advanced (baseline CD4+ cell count > 100) HIV disease during 4 years of suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy. This prospective, longitudinal study included 30 treatment-naive patients and 32 controls. Advanced HIV-infected patients (n = 13) gained more CD4+ T-cells than less advanced patients (n = 11) at 1 month (median: 60 vs. 36 microL(-1)), 3 months (86 vs. 14), 6 months (111 vs. 23), 12 months (174 vs. 47), 24 months (162 vs. 72) and 48 months (257 vs. 123) (P = 0.15, P < 0.001, P = 0.026, P = 0.021, P = 0.1 and P = 0.06, respectively). Advanced patients gained more naive CD4+ T-cells at 48 months compared to less advanced patients (27.3 vs. 11.4%, P = 0.05). The relative gain in memory CD4+ T-cells was greater in advanced vs. less advanced patients at 1 month (median: 6.4 vs. 1.4%), 3 months (4.3 vs. 2.0), 6 months (6.7 vs. 1.6), 12 months (6.9 vs. 2.4), 24 months (7.5 vs. 3.1) and 48 months (11.3 vs. 6.8) (P = 0.002, P = 0.013, P < 0.001, P = 0.004, P = 0.001 and P = 0.015, respectively). At 48 months, CD38+ CD8+ T-cells and naive CD4+ T-cells reached normal values (9.2%, P = 0.869 vs. controls and 47.5%, P = 0.699, respectively) in less advanced patients, as did CD38+ CD8+ T-cells in advanced patients (4.7%, P = 0.309 vs. controls). The kinetics of naive and memory CD4+ T-cell reconstitution is different in less advanced compared to advanced HIV patients.     

Genetic Variation and Obesity in Australian Women: A Prospective Study

Objective: A number of candidate genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity in humans. This study examines associations between longitudinal changes in body mass and composition and the presence of polymorphisms in the β‐3 adrenergic receptor, tumor necrosis factor‐α, leptin, and leptin receptor (Lepr) in a cohort of Australian women. Research Methods and Procedures: Healthy white Australian women (n = 335) were randomly selected from the Barwon region of Victoria and underwent baseline anthropometry and double‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry for assessment of body mass and adiposity. These measurements were repeated again at 2‐year follow‐up. Genomic DNA was extracted and used for polymerase chain reaction‐based genotyping of all polymorphisms. Results: The Pro1019Pro Lepr polymorphism was associated with longitudinal increases in body weight (p = 0.02), fat mass (p = 0.05), and body mass index (p = 0.01) in this study, and individuals homozygous for the A allele at this locus had a greater propensity to gain body fat over time. The largest effects on body composition seemed to be in individuals already obese at baseline. Changes in body weight, fat mass, percent body fat, and body mass index over a 2‐year period were not associated with genetic variation in the β‐3 adrenergic receptor (Trp64Arg), tumor necrosis factor‐α promoter, or leptin genes in non‐obese or obese women. Discussion: These results suggest that a Lepr polymorphism is involved in the regulation of body mass and adiposity in obese Australian white women, which may have implications for the treatment of obesity in this population.     

Cephalometric evaluation of the changes in mandibular symphysis after 7 years of denture wearing

Objective: To evaluate changes in mandibular symphysis during 7 years of complete denture wearing following extraction of natural anterior teeth. Design: Comparison among measurements taken at four different occasions in a prospective cephalometric study. Setting: The study was conducted at the Dental School of Athens University. Subjects: 10 complete denture wearers (5 women, 5 men) with average age of 53.2 years, at the beginning of the study. Measures: Linear and area measurements of the mandibular symphysis. Results: The overall reduction in the anterior mandibular height was 7.87 mm and in the mandibular symphysis area 54.8 mm² (p<0.05). Females presented higher total average reduction in both variables tested, and more rapid bone loss during the first two years of denture wear, compared to men. Superimposition of the tracings revealed considerable individual variation in mandibular symphysis changes. Conclusion: Results are in line with the findings of other authors indicating continuous reduction and dramatic inter-subject variation in the mandibular alveolar bone, following extraction of natural teeth and wearing of complete dentures.     

Longitudinal organisation of the mollusc species in a theoretical French river

An analysis of mollusc communities collected at 272 stations was carried out, using multivariate statistical methods. The stations ranged from the sources to the lower reaches of large rivers. Nine malacotypes succeeded each other along this upstream-downstream gradient; comments are given regarding the composition of their communities. The organisation of the 52 mollusc species included corresponds to that of a theoretical river, representative of the French hydrographic system. The reduction of the abundance and of species richness in the lower reaches of large rivers is discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Serum Leptin and Weight Gain Over 8 Years in African American and Caucasian Young Adults

FOLSOM, AARON R., MICHAEL D. JENSEN, DAVID R. JACOBS, JR., JOAN E. HILNER, ALBERT W. TSAI, AND PAMELA J. SCHREINER. Serum leptin and weight gain over 8 years in African American and Caucasian young adults. Obes Res. 1999;7:1–8. Objective : There is considerable interest in how to prevent weight gain in adulthood. Leptin, a peptide hormone expressed in adipose tissue, is believed to signal the central nervous system about the level of body fat stores, and thereby may control appetite. Little information exists on whether the serum leptin concentration influences long-term weight changes in the free-living population. Research Methods and Procedures : From an ongoing cohort study of young African American and white adults, we selected a sample of participants (n=492), stratified on sex, race, and weight changes over 8 years. Serum leptin was measured on stored specimens using a radioimmunoassay. Weight change was modeled in relation to baseline leptin concentrations. Results : Cross-sectionally, leptin concentration was associated positively with body mass index, negatively with physical activity level, and was higher in women than men. These variables explained 72% of the variance in serum leptin. Over the 8 years, the sample gained an average of 7.8 kg (standard deviation = 10.8). There was no evidence that 8-year weight change was associated with initial leptin concentration: 8-year weight change was only 0.5 kg less (95% confidence interval = ?1.8 to 0.8, p = 0.47) per each 10 ng/ mL increment (approximately one standard deviation) of baseline leptin. In contrast, leptin change correlated highly (r = 0.62) with weight change. Discussion : Our data corroborate evidence that adiposity determines leptin levels but do not support the hypothesis that leptin deficiency plays an important role in obesity in the general population.     

Clinical standards for growth in height of Belgian boys and girls,aged 2 to 18 years

The present paper presents the first clinical standard for growth in height of Belgian boys and girls, based on purely longitudinal data. Growth charts are provided with centiles of height for age along with growth curves of the typical early, average and late maturing child in the population. These new standards show the classical features of cross-sectional standards, but above that, they also provide information about the variability in individual growth patterns, as a result of variation in maturation. Average adult height is 176.6 cm (SD=6.3 cm) in boys and 163.3 cm (SD=5.7 cm) in girls. The representativity of these new standards with respect to the actual Belgian population has been by comparison with recent cross-sectional data, collected on a large number of subjects. These standards should be applied in all situations where interest lies in the evaluation of the normality of a child's growth pattern over some length of time and will therefore find their usefulness in clinical follow-up studies of growth.     

我国首次发现暗孢节菱孢所致皮肤真菌病——一株新的条件致病性真菌

本文报告暗孢节菱孢(又名球形阜孢霉)所致皮肤真菌病。此菌是我国首次发现的条件致病真菌。患者头部发生多处皮下结节及萎缩性秃发。皮损活检可见毛囊和皮脂腺严重破坏。肉芽肿内有褐色孢子和分隔菌丝,尤以皮下脂肪浸润明显。多次从皮损外皮屑内检出圆形的厚壁孢子。在沙氏琼脂培养基上,37℃培养生长良好。菌落初呈淡黄色,渐变为橙色。小培养镜检时(放大400倍),可见菌丝分枝有隔(1—2μm)。单细胞性小分生孢子呈球形,晶体形等,光滑发亮呈褐色。有的孢子中央有一黑色纵条带。扫描电镜下发现球形或卵形分生孢子,将暗孢节菱孢制成的菌液接种于实验动物皮肤,2周后出现斑块、小结节、小脓肿和脱毛等症状,与患者临床症状相同。对照组动物正常。动物皮损活检所见病理损害与患者皮损病理损害相同,证实了此菌的致病性。