The role of physicians in promoting weight loss

There are numerous costs resulting from being overweight or obese. A relevant question is how to effectively reduce rates of obesity. I examine the effect of advice from a physician or heath care provider to lose weight on individual weight outcomes using survey data. I account for selection bias using a control function approach and rely on data restrictions to control for simultaneity. I find robust results indicating that advice has a significant effect on weight loss. Several studies suggest physicians may not adequately advise their patients about weight loss. The results of this paper highlight an important opportunity for physicians to advise at-risk patients.     

Genetic modulation of the serotonergic pathway: influence on weight reduction and weight maintenance

The serotonergic pathway plays a major role in the development of obesity. Its activity can be modulated by the 5-HT transporter–linked polymorphic region in the SLC6A4 gene and the upstream variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in the MAOA gene. We studied whether these genetic modulations have an influence on weight reduction and weight maintenance in a one-year weight reduction program (OPTIFAST^®52). The polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR in a sample of 135 female and 67 male subjects with severe obesity (44 ± 13 years, 122.3 ± 22.2 kg, BMI: 41.7 ± 6.7 kg/m²). The program leads to a total weight loss of 19.9 ± 9.8 kg (16.9 ± 8.3 %) in women and 27.4 ± 13.6 kg (20.4 ± 9.9 %) in men. Anthropometric measurements and blood levels were determined at the start of the program (T0), after the weight reduction phase (T1) and after the subsequent weight maintenance phase at the end of the program (T2). Each polymorphism alone did not significantly influence weight loss or weight maintenance neither in men nor in women. However, women carrying both risk genotypes (SS and 3/3) displayed a lower total weight loss during the program (p = 0.05). This effect derived mainly from difficulties in the weight maintenance phase (p = 0.11), while the weight reduction phase was not affected (p = 0.61). No influence was found in men (p = 0.93). Modulation of the serotonergic pathway by carrying both risk alleles seems to influence success of weight loss programs in women with severe obesity due to problems in stabilizing body weight after weight reduction.     

Female size and age-specific fecundity in the small white butterfly,Pieris rapae crucivora Boisduval (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Individual differences in several reproductive parameters of female Pieris rapae were investigated in a controlled laboratory condition. Lifetime and age-specific fecundity showed considerable variability between individuals. Larger females began oviposition at an earlier age than smaller ones, and larger females were more fecund than smaller ones. Larger females laid a larger proportion of their eggs in the early stages of their reproductive lifetime, whilst smaller females laid the larger proportion of their eggs later in their reproductive lifetime. The significance of the variance in age-specific fecundity associated with female size is discussed with respect to the seasonal change in size and habitat utilization of this species.     

Relationships between body size,reproductive traits,and food resource in three species of tropical flesh flies

Intra- and inter-specific comparisons in progeny size and clutch size were used to identify possible selection pressures acting on three sympatric species of ovoviviporous flesh flies. Both progeny and clutch sizes increased with body weight of the female parent in all species. There was no evidence for a simple trade-off between the two traits. In one species, the larger the female adult the smaller the relative biomass of larvae per clutch (total weight of larvae/body weight of female parent). Female flies produced similar progeny and clutch sizes over successive batches. Variation in progeny size did not influence either larval survival or duration of larval and pupal development. However, larger first instar larvae tended to form larger pupae in two of the species. The experiments testing the effect of progeny size on pupal weight under limited food conditions suggest a selective advantage for larger progeny size.     

Differences in population parameters of twoTribolium castaneum strains in environments of different shapes

1. Survival and duration of development of two Tribolium castaneum strains were not the same when reared in environments of different shapes under the same external conditions.
2. The bb strain survived better in jars than vials. The ++ strain survived better in vials than in jars of type 3.
3. Both strains (as well as their hybrid (+b)) developed faster in vials (type 1) than in shallow jars (type 2). Both strains developed faster in jars of type 3 than in vials, at the low density. At the high density, the strains reacted differently: ++ developed faster in vials, but bb developed faster in jars.
4. Cultures of “selected” strains followed the population trends they exhibited in the selection experiments from which they came.
5. In both densities and in all environments, mean individual weight of ++ adults was always higher then that of bb, suggesting that this character is, at least in part, genetically determined.
6. The differences in survival and developmental period in environments of different shapes may be due to microclimatic differences between environments and to changes produced in them by the developing immatures.

     

Effects of grouping and fighting on the reproductive tracts of male white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)

Summary Adult, male white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were subjected to a variety of social situations ranging from isolation during the 20 day experimental period to constant contact with both females and other adult males. Contacts included grouping (three or four males per cage) and exposure to fighters (once daily for 20 minutes). The following measurements were recorded: weights of the body, testes, epididymides, vesicular glands, vesicular gland tissue (wet and dry), seminal fluid of the vesicular gland, adrenal glands, and baculum; spermatozoan reserves of the testes and epididymides. Grouping significantly affected both the weight and spermatozoan reserves of the testes and epididymides, as well as both the tissue and seminal fluid weight of the vesicular glands. The results suggested a graded effect of all treatments on the reproductive tract. In order of magnitude of the associated response, from none to greatest, the treatments may be ranked as follows: pairing with females, isolating, handling, fighting, and grouping. All reproductive parameters measured showed this general ranking, suggesting that the response to the various treatments was similar and differed only quantitatively. The results further suggested decreased secretion of LH and testosterone, although measurements of testosterone did not substantiate this conclusion. The lack of significant effects of grouping on adrenal gland weights strengthened the argument that adrenal involvement is not a necessary adjunct to the suppression of the reproductive tract in groupedPeromyscus, but the adrenal may be involved if contacts between males result in overt fighting.     

芦笋对高脂饮食小鼠体质量的影响

目的探究芦笋对高脂饮食小鼠体质量的影响。方法将实验动物随机分为正常组、高脂饮食组、高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食阳性对照组。其中正常组喂食正常饲料,其余组喂食高脂饲料。分别灌胃蒸馏水(正常组、高脂饮食组)、芦笋1.05g/(kg·d)(高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组)、芦笋2.10g/(kg·d)(高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组)、芦笋4.20g/(kg·d)(高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组)、降脂理肝汤1.19g/(kg·d)(高脂饮食阳性对照组),每天2次,每次0.35mL。比较分析各组小鼠的体质量变化,同时对各组之间的雌性小鼠和雄性小鼠体质量变化进行对比。结果随饲养时间的增加,服用芦笋后的三组小鼠体质量均低于高脂饮食组,但与高脂饮食组相比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。高脂饮食低剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食中剂量芦笋组、高脂饮食高剂量芦笋组小鼠的体质量变化率低于高脂饮食组,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。对各组之间的雌性小鼠和雄性小鼠体质量变化进行对比可以发现雄性小鼠的体质量变化大于雌性小鼠的,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论芦笋能降低高脂饮食小鼠的体质量,雄性小鼠和雌性小鼠的体质量变化存在差异。     

长爪沙鼠生长繁殖性能的研究

目的　动物的生长繁殖性能是其生理学数据的重要组成部分 ,对实验动物的开发和应用具有指导意义。方法　选择离乳的长爪沙鼠 80只 (雌雄各半 ) ,一雌一雄长期同居。结果　每胎产仔 3～ 7只的居多 ,占总胎数的 77% ;平均每胎产仔 (5 .0 2± 2 .1 1 )只 ;每年产仔胎数 5～ 9胎的较多 ,占总胎数的 91 .7% ,平均 (7.4 9± 2 .0 1 )胎 /年 ;最早的初产周龄为 1 3周龄 ,最长的 5 2周龄 ,在 1 3～ 2 0和 2 5～ 2 8周龄的居多 ,占总对数的 80 %。长爪沙鼠的平均出生重为 3.5g ,成年鼠平均体重雌性 5 5 .6g ,雄性 6 7.2g。结论　普通级长爪沙鼠封闭群配种日龄最早在 6 5日龄 ,初产日龄超过 2 0 0日龄的长爪沙鼠应淘汰 ;性别对长爪沙鼠体重无显著影响     

-混合误差下非参数回归权函数估计的渐近正态性

本文在一定条件下讨论了－混合误差下非参数回归权函数估计的渐近正态性，并且减弱了文献［３］的条件，证明方法大大简化了。     

Estimation of prey consumption of a mantid,Paratenodera angustipennis (S.) in a natural habitat

Using a relationship between prey consumption and growth rate, field prey consumption of adults of Paratenodera angustipennis (S.) in a paddy field was estimated. Since a great number of grasshoppers (Oxya japonica) lived in the research area and the mantids had frequently eaten O. japonica, we presumed that they consumed only O. japonica. As a result, it was estimated that average prey consumptions for 6 days were 406 mg for the females and 23 mg for the males. From the result of this estimation and the feeding rhythm of the mantids, it is concluded that each female captured one grasshopper on average every a few days. By comparing this actual feeding level of P. angustipennis with those of other predacious arthropods, characteristics of P. angustipennis as a predator were discussed.     

不同月龄香猪血清胰岛素水平的比较

本文用放射免疫测定法测定了四个不同月龄香猪血清胰岛素含量。所得结果：不同月龄胰岛素含量不同,即２月龄胰岛素含量最高,１和３月龄处于中等水平,４月龄最低。同一月龄内胰岛素含量雌雄差异不显著（Ｐ＞０．０５）,不同月龄间Ｆ检验结果胰岛素含量差异均极显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）。相对生长率在２月龄最高,３月龄最低,４月龄处于中等水平。结果证实：胰岛素具有促生长作用。动物越幼小,促生长作用越强。推测１月龄仔猪存在生理性胰岛素水平低下。     

小灵猫的体重对其泌香影响的研究

本文就人工饲养条件下的小灵猫体重对其泌香的影响进行了研究。试验结果表明,体重对小灵猫的泌香量影响不大,差异不显著（Ｐ＞００５）。但接近野生小灵猫体重的个体组泌香量稍高,随着体重的增加,小灵猫的泌香量有所减少。因此,控制在人工饲养条件下的小灵猫体重对降低饲养成本,提高产香量有一定的意义     

GM-CSF is not essential for optimal fertility or for weight control

Independent studies with GM-CSF−/− mice have concluded that GM-CSF is necessary for normal reproductive outcome and for the maintenance of normal weight. In contrast to the literature we report that GM-CSF−/− and wild type (C57Bl/6) mice over a continuous 12 month period had similar litter size and neonatal survival. Likewise, unlike a literature observation, for the two mouse strains both male and female mice had similar weight gain when fed on a normal chow diet and monitored until 30 weeks of age. It is concluded that GM-CSF is not necessary for an optimal fertility outcome or for normal weight maintenance during development.     

Growth status, age, and grade as predictors of school continuation for Guatemalan Indian children

Schooling is considered by many researchers and agencies as an important contributor to individual and national development for populations living in the less developed countries. Accordingly, programs to increase school enrollment and continuation from grade to grade are being developed for many of these countries. This paper investigates the relationship of physical growth status (height, weight, and body composition), grade in school, and age to school continuation for a sample of Indian children living in a village near Guatemala City. It was found that physical growth status, a reflection of health and nutritional status, does not predict school continuation. A child's age and current grade in school do predict continuation. Most children leave school after reaching 9 years of age or after completing the second grade. It is suggested that children may learn enough to satisfy their parents' expectations by this age or grade. Also, the child's economic value to his or her family may be a significant reason for school drop-out.     

双歧啤酒预防性减肥作用的实验研究

目的探讨双歧啤酒预防大鼠肥胖的作用及其对大鼠血脂、瘦素和胰岛素的影响。方法48只SD大鼠被随机分成双歧啤酒低剂量组[12．5ml／（kg·BW）]、中剂量组[25ml／（kg·BW）]、高剂量组[50ml／（kg·BW）]和市售啤酒组[25ml／（kg·BW）]、肥胖模型组以及基础组,进行预防性减肥实验,观察双歧啤酒在大鼠致肥过程中对大鼠的影响,测定指标包括大鼠体重、体脂、脂肪细胞直径、血脂水平和血瘦素、血胰岛素。结果实验结果显示,双歧啤酒各组除TCHO外的所有测定指标值都较肥胖组有明显好转,特别是腹膜下脂肪重量、TG和HDL水平都与正常组差异无显著性,低、中剂量组脂肪细胞直径也与正常组差异无显著性。市售啤酒组所有指标均与肥胖模型组差异无显著性。结论双歧啤酒能有效预防血TG的升高,有效预防啤酒肚的形成。对于预防体脂和体重的增加也有一定作用。     

Monthly changes in the gain and loss of growth in weight of children living in Guatemala.

Monthly increments of weight growth for a sample of 246 Guatemala City private school children are analyzed for the presence of a seasonal pattern in rates of growth. Neither a seasonal pattern nor any other periodic rhythm is found. It is observed that a significantly greater number of children aged 5.0 to 6.9 years experience their minimum annual growth rate during the dry season, with up to 60% of them losing or not gaining weight in any one month. Patterns of diet, exercise and disease cannot explain this trend. A possible association between minimum weight growth and maximum growth in height is discussed.     

A limit on the energy transfer rate from the human fat store in hypophagia

A limit on the maximum energy transfer rate from the human fat store in hypophagia is deduced from experimental data of underfed subjects maintaining moderate activity levels and is found to have a value of (290+/-25) kJ/kgd. A dietary restriction which exceeds the limited capability of the fat store to compensate for the energy deficiency results in an immediate decrease in the fat free mass (FFM). In cases of a less severe dietary deficiency, the FFM will not be depleted. The transition between these two dietary regions is developed and a criterion to distinguish the regions is defined. An exact mathematical solution for the decrease of the FFM is derived for the case where the fat mass (FM) is in its limited energy transfer mode. The solution shows a steady-state term which is in agreement with conventional ideas, a term indicating a slow decrease of much of the FFM moderated by the limited energy transferred from the fat store, and a final term showing an unprotected rapid decrease of the remaining part of the FFM. The average resting metabolic rate of subjects undergoing hypophagia is shown to decrease linearly as a function of the FFM with a slope of (249+/-25) kJ/kgd. This value disagrees with the results of other observers who have measured metabolic rates of diverse groups. The disagreement is explained in terms of individual metabolic properties as opposed to those of the larger population.     

饲喂重组鸡白细胞介素18蛋白增加肉仔鸡体重的初步研究

经口服途径给肉仔鸡饲喂重组鸡白细胞介素 1 8(ChIL -1 8)蛋白,观察其在正常饲养条件下和人工感染鸡传染性支气管炎病毒 (IBV)时对肉仔鸡的影响。将 84只肉仔鸡随机分为 2组:正常称重组和IBV接种组。 2组肉仔鸡再随机各分为 3个亚组,分别每隔 5d各口服 1次PBS、细菌蛋白和重组ChIL -1 8蛋白。正常称重组每亚组 8只,每次口服前称重。IBV接种试验组每亚组 2 0只,在 30日龄时滴鼻接种IBVM41株并每隔 5d称重 1次。各亚组试验鸡分别在正压隔离器中饲养。结果表明,饲喂重组ChIL- 1 8蛋白的试验亚组肉仔鸡体重总增重量明显高于饲喂PBS和细菌蛋白的对照亚组;IBV接种试验组肉仔鸡在人工感染IBVM41株后,饲喂重组ChIL 1 8亚组的发病率和死亡率明显低于饲喂PBS和细菌蛋白亚组,而且后 2个亚组肉仔鸡临床症状也较饲喂重组ChIL- 1 8试验亚组明显。结果初步显示,饲喂重组ChIL -1 8融合蛋白能够增加肉仔鸡体重并可增强肉仔鸡对IBV感染的抵抗能力。     

裕固族4～13岁儿童身高、体重状况调查分析

了解裕固族4～13岁儿童身高、体重发育现状,分析该儿童4～7岁组及7～13岁组生长发育随年龄的变化关系, 为儿童保健工作提供参考依据和合理化建议。采用随机整群抽样的方法抽取484名儿童, 测量身高和体重。以全国身高体重值为参比值, 计算年龄别身高(HAZ)和年龄别体重(WAZ)值评价4～7岁儿童体格生长迟缓和低体重状况; 身体质量指数(BMI)评价7～13岁儿童超重和消瘦情况。结果显示, 调查对象身高均高于对比值, 4～7岁儿童超重检出率为3.45%, 偏瘦检出率2.30%; 7～13岁裕固族儿童营养不良人数占裕固族儿童总人数的36.90%, 严重消瘦的人数占13.10%, 其中女生的消瘦程度较男生差。所以, 儿童身高、体重生长发育符合一般生长规律。7～13岁裕固族男女生身体偏瘦人数较多的问题值得关注, 建议改善该人群营养膳食, 加强各项体育锻炼。