Dental incremental lines in some small species of the European vespertilionid bats

The dentine and cementum of the mammals exhibit incremental lines (IL) that may be seen as dark and light rings in properly prepared sections of teeth. Counting of IL provides a potential method to evaluate the absolute age of many wild species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate IL in small bat species and to test whether the number of IL is associated with the absolute age of bat when its minimal age was known based on ringing data. Teeth of 26 specimens of the following species were examined:Myotis daubentonii (n = 12),Barbastella barbastellus (n = 4),M. brandtii (n = 2),M. nattereri (n = 2),Pipistrellus nathusii (n = 2),Plecotus auritus (n = 2),M. dasycneme (n = 1),Vespertilio murinus (n = 1). Transverse morphological sections of canines, incisors and postcanine teeth were analysed by a light microscopy. In 4 cases, the minimal age of animals examined in this study was known. The IL were revealed in the dentine of 14 bats examined. The cementum of all animals was devoid of IL. The mean distance between the first and second juxtaposed IL ofM. daubentonii was 3.2 ± 0.2 mm, but it was significantly fewer among the subsequent adjacent lines. Due to a thinness of the IL, an accurate counting was considerably difficult in the canines containing more than 10 IL, as well as in the incisors and postcanine teeth with more than 3-6 IL. The IL of roots showed the most contrast, but they were almost obscured from view at the cingulum and crown. In bats of known-age, the numbers of IL were significantly lower than minimal age of those animals examined, and IL were either revealed only in certain teeth or absent entirely in all teeth. The present findings suggest that the number of the IL varies in different teeth and is strongly dependent on section level. Consequently, age determination in small bats using dental IL is doubtful and requires a reevaluation.     

休眠卵孵化对策与食物浓度对萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)两品系干雌体种群增长的影响

周期性孤雌繁殖的轮虫靠休眠卵度过不良环境,等环境适宜时休眠卵孵化出干雌体,再次通过孤雌繁殖建立种群。通常休眠卵要经历一段休眠期再孵化,但也有些休眠卵生成后很快孵化,称为早孵化现象。有关休眠卵不同孵化对策如何影响其干雌体克隆种群的增长,目前尚不清楚。分别观测了萼花臂尾轮虫（Brachionus calyciflorus）的两个品系H1（窄温度生态位）和D1（宽温度生态位）的休眠卵在不同孵化对策和不同食物浓度下所生产的干雌体克隆群的种群增长差异。孵化对策包括早孵化（early hatching,EH）和晚孵化（late hatching,LH）;食物浓度包括高食物浓度（high food concentration,HF：2×10⁶个细胞/mL）和低食物浓度（low food concentration,LF：5×10⁵个细胞/mL）,每个品系下各设置4个实验组（LH-HF、LH-LF、EH-HF、EH-LF）,每组10个重复。结果发现,对D1品系来说：孵化对策和食物浓度对最大种群数量具有显著的综合影响（P=0.002）,但两因素间不存在交互作用（P=0.911）;早孵化的干雌体种群在最大种群数量上显著高于晚孵化的干雌体种群（P=0.001）。对H1品系：孵化对策和食物浓度对最大种群数量综合影响显著（P<0.001）,且两个因素之间存在交互作用（P<0.001）;高食物浓度下,EH干雌体克隆群的最大种群数量显著低于LH干雌体克隆群（P<0.001）。高食物浓度下干雌体克隆群开始有性生殖的密度阈值,D1品系EH组显著高于LH组（P=0.041）;而H1品系EH组却显著低于LH组（P=0.022）。最高种群密度下,H1品系的有性生殖率在两种孵化对策之间存在显著差异（P=0.044）,EH种群的有性生殖率低于LH种群,而D品系却未见有性生殖率在不同孵化对策间存在明显差异。本研究结果显示休眠卵的孵化对策会影响其后代干雌体种群的增长特性,其影响的结果可能与种群的生境适应相关。     

Changes in resting motor threshold of the tongue with normal aging and stroke

Aim of study: To examine the resting motor threshold of the tongue in healthy adults and stroke survivors.

Methods: Thirty-five healthy adults were classified into three groups: Group 1 (19–38?years; n?=?11), Group 2 (50–64?years; n?=?12) and Group 3 (66–78?years; n?=?12). Six chronic stroke survivors (mean age =59?years, SD?=?9.1?years) were recruited (Group 4). The resting motor thresholds (RMTs) of the tongue were measured and compared (i) among the four groups and (ii) between stroke survivors and age-matched healthy adults.

Results: Group 3 showed significantly higher RMTs than Group 1 (p?=?.001) and 2 (p =?0.007). Group 4 showed significantly higher RMTs than Group 1 (p =?.003) and 2 (p?=?.001). The RMTs of Group 3 and 4 were not significantly different (p =?.385). The RMT was positively correlated with age (r?=?0.534; p =?.001). Group 4 showed significantly higher RMTs than the age-matched controls (U?= 2.5, p?=?.009, r?=?0.77).

Conclusions: The resting motor threshold of the tongue is significantly increased in adults aged above 65 and in stroke survivors when compared with healthy adults. The findings suggested that the cortical excitability of the tongue deteriorates in the elderly and the stroke population.     

Aging and Loss of Fertility in Male and Female Brachionus plicatilis (Rotifera)

Summary

The decline with age of mictic female susceptibility to fertilization and male capacity for fertilization is characterized for the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. All mictic females were susceptible to fertilization until age 4 hr. Susceptibility then declined non-linearly according to the quadratic equation Y = 140.6—14.3X + 0.36X ². By age 24 hr, sexual females no longer could be fertilized. Only 83% of newborn males were capable of fertilization. This level of fertility held until age 8 hr, then declined linearly. The age when 50% of individuals were no longer fertile was termed the length of fertilizability ₅₀(LF₅₀) and is 7.9 hr (16.7% of lifespan) and 18.8 hr (26.1% of lifespan) for females and males, respectively. Newborn males had an average of 30.1 ± 1.40 motile sperm. Males transferred a mean of 2.3 motile sperm into the pseudocoelom of females on each insemination. Sperm inseminated per copulation closely corresponds to the mean number of resting cysts produced by fertilized females. It is not likely that resting cyst production is limited by sperm availability.     

Home range and habitat use by the sable<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Martes zibellina brachyura</Emphasis> in a Japanese cool-temperate mixed forest

Home range and habitat use of the sable Martes zibellina brachyura were studied in a cool-temperate mixed forest in northernmost Japan. In both sexes, some sables showed a wide range of migration without establishing home ranges and the others had home ranges of 0.50–1.78 km² (mean: 1.12±SD 0.495 km², n =6) which were not significantly correlated with body weight or age. The analysis of canine tooth annuli revealed that the maximum age was 5.5 years. The home ranges of some sables overlapped so extensively that the home ranges and even the core areas did not appear exclusive to other sables. We determined resting sites and foraging routes in snow in winter. Comparison of vegetation at the resting sites and foraging routes with habitat availability suggested that the sables preferred resting in dense-tree forests with many tree species and debris probably in order to avoid predators (red foxes) and strong wind and foraging in forests of climax succession which are usually rich in their prey such as voles and mice.     

Changes of weight and size of European bison testes during postnatal development

The material for this study was obtained from culled European bison (Linnaeus, 1758) originating from both captive breeding and free-ranging populations in Białowieża and Borecka Forests (north-east Poland), and was mostly collected from November until April. Mass difference between the right and left testis of the same individual up to 30% was considered to be physiological asymmetry, which proved typical of the species. Hypoplasia or atrophy of the testes exceeding 30% in size, were found in 37 males (13.6% of the examined animals;n=272). Cryptorchidism was recorded in 20 bison culled in Białowieża Forest at the age over 1 year (10.6% of individuals at the same age;n=188). We registered the weight of testes of 259 males aged 2 months to 20 years. In the examined males, no distinct predominance in size and weight between the right and left testes was observed. The weight of testes was significantly correlated with age (r=0.85,p < 0.0001) and body weight (r=0.93,p < 0.0001). The heaviest testicles belonged to older and sexually mature bulls aged 6–12 years (mean 216 g) and to old ones over 13 years (mean 242 g). Two testis measurements (length and width) were taken from 136 culled males, while two additional measurements (total length with the cauda of epididymis and circumference) from 65 males. The length and width of the testes were moderately correlated with age (r=0.31 andr=0.20,p < 0.01) and highly significantly correlated with testis (r=0.79,p < 0.001) and body weight (r=0.92,p < 0.001).     

Relationship between non‐ulcerative functional dyspepsia,occlusal pairs and masticatory performance in partially edentulous elderly persons

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2010.00377.x
Relationship between non‐ulcerative functional dyspepsia, occlusal pairs and masticatory performance in partially edentulous elderly persons Objective: To relate occlusal state, masticatory performance and non‐ulcerative functional dyspepsia. Background: In spite of the relationship between gastric disturbances and number of present teeth being recognised, the influence of the number of occlusal pairs and masticatory performance, expressed as median particle size, has not been considered. Materials and methods: Thirty‐eight subjects (mean age = 71.8 ± 7.7 years) diagnosed with non‐ulcerative functional dyspepsia were selected. A further 38 healthy subjects (mean age = 71.9 ± 7.0 years) acted as controls. Subjects were subdivided according to their number of occlusal pairs: (1) 0–4, (2) 5–9 and (3) 10–14. Masticatory performance was evaluated by using the sieving method. Data were analysed using 2‐way anova and Bonferroni post‐hoc, Chi‐square and Odd ratio tests. Results: Subjects presenting with non‐ulcerative functional dyspepsia and 0–4 occlusal pairs showed the lowest masticatory performance (p < 0.01). No association between the dyspepsia and the number of occlusal pairs (χ² = 0.48, p = 0.785) was observed, however results showed association between functional dyspepsia and masticatory performance (χ² = 4.07, p = 0.0437) presenting an odds ratio = 3.46 (Confidence Interval = 0.99–12.10). Conclusion: Changes in masticatory performance were associated with the presence of non‐ulcerative functional dyspepsia.     

Delayed dispersal and elevated monoaminergic activity in free-ranging rhesus monkeys

Male rhesus monkeys typically disperse from their groups of birth when they are between 3 and 5 years of age. Some males, however, delay dispersal from their natal groups until after they are 5 years old. The current study evaluated central monoaminergic neurotransmitter activity as a potential correlate of such “delayed” dispersal among 54 randomly selected adolescent and adult male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) captured on Cayo Santiago during an annual trapping season. Specifically, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA, a serotonin metabolite), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG, a norepinephrine metabolite), and homovanillic acid (HVA, a dopamine metabolite) were compared in monkeys 60 months of age or more that had either dispersed (n = 33) or were still in their natal groups (n = 5). The monkeys still in their natal groups had higher CSF concentrations of both 5-HIAA and HVA (but not MHPG) than did the animals that had emigrated (Ps < 0.05). Subsequent analysis indicated that only 5-HIAA independently differentiated dispersing monkeys from delayed dispensers. Of monkeys less than 60 months of age (n = 16), only two had dispersed from their natal groups; in this age class, there were no significant differences between dispersing and natal individuals in any CSF monoaminergic metabolite (all Ps = NS). Finally, there was no difference in the CSF 5-HIAA concentrations of the five delayed dispersers and those of younger animals (P = NS), suggesting a failure to experience the frequently reported adolescent decline in serotonergic activity. In contrast, the CSF 5-HIAA concentrations of the dispersing animals were lower than those of the younger animals (P < 0.05), consistent with either an agerelated decline or an effect of dispersal per se. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Temporal variability in organochlorine contamination in blood and blubber of captive Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

Three adult captive Steller sea lions (SSL; two females, one male) housed in Alaska were longitudinally sampled for organochlorine contaminant (OC) analysis in both blubber (n= 19) and blood (n= 69) over a 2 yr period (March 2001 to March 2003). Blood OC concentrations were similar between individuals, and exhibited significant increases in summer months (July through September) relative to winter (January through March). Additionally, paired blood and blubber sample (n= 18) OC were significantly related for all animals. The relationship of blubber OC concentrations to lipid content was significant in all animals. Although limited to a small number of animals, our study results indicate that in SSLs, blood OC were both consistent among all animals and likely changed in association with physiologically driven metabolism of blubber.     

An exploratory study of cardiac function and oxygen uptake during cycle ergometry in overweight children

Objective: Obesity has been proposed to negatively impact cardiac function in overweight (OW) individuals. The relationship between diastolic dysfunction and oxygen uptake (V?o ₂) kinetics is equivocal. This exploratory investigation evaluated the relationship between resting left ventricular function and V?o ₂ kinetics during cycle ergometry in OW and non‐overweight (NO) children and adolescents. Research Methods and Procedures: Fourteen OW (>85 percentile for BMI for age and gender) children, 10 boys and 4 girls (age, 11.7 ± 1.9 years; body mass, 80.6 ± 45.5 kg) and 10 NO children (4 boys, 6 girls) volunteered to participate in the study (age, 12.5 ± 2.1 years; body mass, 45.8 ± 13.8 kg). Resting cardiovascular structure and function were assessed using spectral Doppler echocardiography. All subjects underwent two sub‐maximal exercise stages on a cycle ergometer (3 minutes unloaded and 5 minutes at 50 W, both at a cadence of 50 rpm). Respiratory data were measured on a breath‐by‐breath basis at both workloads and the mean response time (MRT) was calculated. Results: Analysis of the MRT data demonstrated that there were no significant differences between OW and NO (OW, 52.6 ± 11.7 seconds vs. NO, 45.6 ± 7.4 seconds). Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were obtained between MRT V?o ₂ and echocardiographic‐derived mitral valve inflow pressure half‐time (r = 0.55) and between MRT V?o ₂, and mitral valve inflow deceleration time (r = 0.55). Discussion: The evidence from this research suggests a possible link between left ventricular diastolic function at rest and oxygen uptake kinetics during sub‐maximal exercise in OW and NO children and adolescents.     

Genetic Variability of Adult Body Mass Index: A Longitudinal Assessment in Framingham Families

Objective: To explore the contribution of genetics to the mean, SD, maximum value, maximum less the mean, and change over time in body mass index (BMI) and the residual of body weight after adjustment for height. BMI is frequently used as a general indicator of obesity because of its ease and reliability in ascertainment. Cross‐sectional twin and family studies have shown a moderate‐to‐substantial genetic component for BMI. However, the contribution of genetics to the long‐term average, variability, or change over time in BMI is less clear. Research Methods and Procedures: Longitudinal data from the Framingham heart study were used to create pedigrees of age‐matched individuals. Heritability estimates were derived using variance‐decomposition methods on a total of 1051 individuals from 380 extended pedigrees followed for a period of 20 years. All subjects were followed from approximately age 35 to 55 years. Results: Moderate heritability estimates were found for the mean BMI (h² = 0.37), maximum BMI (h² = 0.40), and the mean residual of body weight (h² = 0.36). Low heritability estimates (h² ? 0.20) were found for the maximum less the mean in BMI and the SDs of BMI and residual of body weight. No additive genetic contribution was found for the average change over time in BMI or the residual of body weight. Discussion: These findings suggest that there is a significant genetic component for the magnitude of BMI throughout an individual's middle‐adult years; however, little evidence was found for a genetic contribution to the variability or rate of change in an individual's BMI.     

大兴安岭林区南、北部天然樟子松生长对气候变化的响应差异

利用树木年代学方法,建立大兴安岭林区南、北部樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica)年轮宽度年表,探讨樟子松径向生长对气候变化的响应差异。结果表明,南部(阿尔山、海拉尔)树轮宽度主要与当年4—9月的平均标准化降水蒸散指数SPEI(Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index)极显著正相关(r=0.639,P0.01),而北部(漠河、塔河)树轮宽度主要与同时期的平均最低温极显著正相关(r=0.488,P0.01)。说明南部樟子松径向生长主要受当年4—9月的水分限制,北部主要受同期平均最低温调控。两个地区树木生长对降水的响应一致,对当年4—9月(6月除外)的温度响应相反。近几十年来随着温度显著升高(P0.01),南部树木生长对4—9月平均最高温的负响应不断增强,而北部树木对同时段平均最低温的正响应更加明显。同时,南部樟子松生长量快速下降(r=0.612,P0.001),而北部生长量显著增加(r=0.474,P0.001)。研究发现,高温加剧干旱胁迫是南部樟子松生长量下降的主要原因,而北部樟子松生长量增加是受到4—9月平均最低温和降水量的相互作用。如果持续变暖,未来樟子松分布区可能北移。     

Reproductive parameters of mandrills at the Tulsa Zoo

The genital swelling patterns and birth records of female mandrills housed at the Tulsa Zoo between 1979 and 1992 were examined to determine various reproductive parameters. Mean age at first adolescent genital swelling was 2.7 years (sd = .55), first adult swelling was 3.7 years (sd = .64), and first conception was 5.1 years (sd = 1.30). Genital swelling cycle duration averaged 39.6 days (n = 33 cycles), with the swelling phase averaging 19.5 days (n = 51 cycles). There was no interindividual difference in cycle length (F = 1.26, P = .31) or swelling duration (F = 0.65, P = .58), nor was there a difference in cycle length (F = 0.47, P = .50) or swelling duration (F = 1.27, P = .27) before and after first parturition. Duration of gestation was estimated to be 165.9 days (sd = 3.3; n = 17 pregnancies). Lactational anestrus averaged 10.1 months, whereas mean interbirth interval was 17.9 months (n = 11). There was a significant negative correlation between age of the mother and interbirth interval (r = ?;0.648, P = .03). Data presented in this report provide a comprehensive profile of reproductive parameters for zoo-housed mandrills, which may aid other facilities in the reproductive management of their captive groups. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Resting Metabolic Rate in Severely Obese Diabetic and Nondiabetic Subjects

Objectives : To compare the resting metabolic rate (RMR) between diabetic and nondiabetic obese subjects and to develop a predictive equation of RMR for these subjects. Research Methods and Procedures : Obese adults (1088; mean age = 44.9 ± 12.7 years) with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² (mean BMI = 46.4 ± 8.4 kg/m²) were recruited. One hundred forty‐two subjects (61 men, 81 women) were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (DM), giving the prevalence of DM in this clinic population as 13.7%. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry, and several multivariate linear regression models were performed using age, gender, weight, height, BMI, fat mass, fat mass percentage, and fat‐free mass as independent variables. Results : The severely obese patients with DM had consistently higher RMR after adjustment for all other variables. The best predictive equation for the severely obese was RMR = 71.767 ? 2.337 × age + 257.293 × gender (women = 0 and men = 1) + 9.996 × weight (in kilograms) + 4.132 × height (in centimeters) + 145.959 × DM (nondiabetic = 0 and diabetic = 1). The age, weight, and height‐adjusted least square means of RMR between diabetic and nondiabetic groups were significantly different in both genders. Discussion : Severely obese patients with type 2 diabetes had higher RMR than those without diabetes. The RMR of severely obese subjects was best predicted by an equation using age, gender, weight, height, and DM as variables.     

Age, distribution and abundance of viable resting eggs of Acartia pacifica (Copepoda: Calanoida) in Xiamen Bay, China

The distribution and abundance of viable resting eggs of copepod Acartia pacifica in Xiamen Bay, China, were determined in the laboratory by the presence of nauplii hatched from the sediments. Sediment cores to a depth of 30 cm, sliced at 1.0 cm intervals, showed that most viable resting eggs of A. pacifica occurred near the sediment surface (0-5 cm), and the number of viable eggs sharply decreased with depth of the sediment, although resting eggs remained viable as deep as 23 cm. ²¹⁰Pb analyses of the sediments indicated that the maximum age of viable eggs of A. pacifica was 20.5 years and the mean egg age was 4.3 years. The egg mortality of A. pacifica in the sediment was 0.1408 year⁻¹, or 85.92% annual egg survival, calculated by regressing ln(egg density) on the age of the sediment. The horizontal distribution of viable resting eggs ranged from 2.27×10³ to 3.85×10⁵ m⁻², with a mean value of 9.49×10⁴ m⁻². Regressions between viable eggs of A. pacifica and all fine-fraction particle size classes (at 2 μm intervals) were not significant. The accumulation of viable resting eggs that can persist for an extended period of time provided evidence for the existence of an egg bank of A. pacifica in the seabed of Xiamen Bay.     

Maternal obesity is associated with younger age at obesity onset in U.S. adolescent offspring followed into adulthood

Objective: The objective was to test the hypothesis that maternal obesity is associated with younger age of offspring's obesity onset. Research Methods and Procedures: We used prospective, nationally representative, longitudinal data collected across Waves I (1995; 12 to 20 years), II (1996; 13 to 20 years), and III (2001; 18 to 28 years) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 14,654; 49% female). Interval regression analysis was used to assess the association between maternal obesity and age at offspring's obesity onset (International Obesity Task Force BMI ≥30 equivalent age‐ and sex‐specific cut‐off points for adolescents and BMI ≥30 for young adults) using self‐reported heights and weights, adjusting for race/ethnicity, sex, parental education, and family income, accounting for complex sampling design. Results: The net effect of having an obese mother varied by race/ethnicity and was associated with a significantly earlier age at obesity onset (p = 0.0001) for whites [β= ?8.1 year, 95% confidence interval (CI), ?9.3; ?6.9)], blacks (β = ?10.8 years, 95% CI, ?12.4; ?9.2), Hispanics (β = ?7.0 years, 95% CI, ?9.2; ?4.8), and Asians (β = ?8.6 years, 95% CI, ?13.3; ?3.9). Earlier obesity onset (<18 years) was associated with increased severity at young adulthood (mean BMI, 36.0 ± 0.3 kg/m²) vs. onset after age 18 (mean BMI, 34.4 ± 0.2 kg/m²; p = 0.0001). There were no sex differences in the association of maternal obesity to age at obesity onset. Conclusions: Having an obese mother was associated with earlier age at obesity onset across all race/ethnic groups, particularly non‐Hispanic blacks. Early obesity onset has important health consequences because of its association with more severe adult obesity.     

Plasma Adiponectin Levels Are Not Associated with Fat Oxidation in Humans

Objective: To test the hypothesis that low adiponectin is associated with low fat oxidation in humans. Research Methods and Procedures: We measured plasma adiponectin concentrations in 75 healthy, nondiabetic Pima Indians (age, 28 ± 7 years; 55 men and 20 women; body fat, 29.7 ± 7.5%) and 18 whites [(age, 33 ± 8 years; 14 men and 4 women; body fat, 28.2 ± 10.8% (means ± SD)] whose body composition was measured by DXA and 24-hour energy expenditure (24-hour EE) by a respiratory chamber. Respiratory quotient (an estimate of whole-body carbohydrate/lipid oxidation rate) was calculated over 24 hours (24-hour RQ). Results: Before correlational analyses, waist-to-thigh ratio (WTR) and percentage of body fat (PFAT) were adjusted for age, sex, and race; 24-hour EE was adjusted for fat mass and fat-free mass, and 24-hour RQ were adjusted for energy balance. Plasma adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with WTR (r = −0.42, p < 0.0001) and PFAT (r = −0.46, p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between plasma adiponectin concentrations and 24-hour RQ, (r = 0.09, p = 0.36) before or after adjustment for PFAT (r = 0.001, p = 0.99, respectively, partial correlation), and no correlation was found between plasma adiponectin concentrations and 24-hour EE (r = −0.12, p = 0.27). Discussion: Our cross-sectional data do not suggest physiological concentrations of fasting plasma adiponectin play a role in the regulation of whole-body fat oxidation or energy expenditure in resting conditions. Whether administration of adiponectin to individuals with low levels of this hormone will increase their fat oxidation rates/energy expenditure remains to be established.     

Age and growth of the Black Sea turbot, Psetta maxima (Linneaus, 1758) (Pisces: Scophthalmidae), estimated by reading otoliths and by back-calculation

Age and growth of the Black Sea turbot, Psetta maxima, were determined from a total of 1445 individuals collected along the eastern Black Sea coast between 1990 and 1996. Age was estimated by interpreting growth rings in whole and broken sagittal otoliths. The former method underestimated the age over 5 years, and a maximum age of 11 years was observed by the latter. Marginal increment analysis clearly showed that a single annulus is formed in early summer each year. Growth in length differed between sexes, and females attained a larger size than males at the same age. No significant difference was found between the mean observed total length (TL), the back‐calculated TL derived from radius measurements and the TL estimated from otolith size–fish size relationship. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated by the length‐at‐age data were: L_∞ = 96.24 cm; K = 0.119 year^?1; t₀ = ?0.01 year for the entire population.     

Accuracy of SenseWear Pro2 Armband to Predict Resting Energy Expenditure in Childhood Obesity

Objective: The accuracy of the SenseWear Pro2 Armband (SWA) in estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) in children and adolescents with obesity, using indirect calorimetry (IC) as a reference was evaluated. Design and Methods: REE was assessed using both the SWA and IC in 40 obese subjects (26 M/14 F, age 11.5 ± 2.57 years, z‐score BMI 3.14 ± 0.53). The agreement between methods was assessed by the Bland‐Altman procedure. The relationship between REE assessments and patients' characteristics was also analyzed. Results : SWA‐ and IC‐derived estimates of REE showed a significant correlation (r = 0.614; P < 0.001), but the SWA overestimated mean REE by 13% (P < 0.001). Age and kilogram of fat‐free mass (kg‐FFM) were significantly correlated with both REE estimation by SWA (r = 0.434 and r = 0.564, respectively) and IC (r = 0.401 and r = 0.518, respectively). Only kg‐FFM was demonstrated to be the main predictor factor of REE variability (r² 79% SWA; 75% IC). Conclusions: The SWA overestimated mean REE in childhood obesity, suggesting that the SWA and IC are not yet interchangeable methods. This would require improving the SWA by developing better algorithms for predicting REE and, probably, bias in each individual REE could be reduced by an adjustment for subjects' kg‐FFM.     

Obesity and the Use of Health Care Services

Objective: This study investigated differences in the use of health care services and associated costs between obese and nonobese patients. Research Methods and Procedures: New adult patients (N = 509) were randomly assigned to primary care physicians at a university medical center. Their use of medical services and related charges was monitored for 1 year. Data collected included sociodemographics, self‐reported health status using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form‐36, evaluation for depression using the Beck Depression Index, and measured height and weight to calculate BMI. Results: Obese patients included a significantly higher percentage of women and had higher mean age, lower mean education, lower mean health status, and higher mean Beck Depression Index scores. Obese patients had a significantly higher mean number of visits to both primary care (p = 0.0005) and specialty care clinics (p = 0.0006), and a higher mean number of diagnostic services (p < 0.0001). Obese patients also had significantly higher primary care (p = 0.0058), specialty clinic (p = 0.0062), emergency department (p = 0.0484), hospitalization (p = 0.0485), diagnostic services (p = 0.0021), and total charges (p = 0.0033). Controlling for health status, depression, age, education, income, and sex, obesity was significantly related to the use of primary care (p = 0.0364) and diagnostic services (p = 0.0075). There was no statistically significant relationship between obesity and medical expenditures in any of the five categories or for total charges. Discussion: Obesity is a chronic condition requiring long‐term management, with an emphasis on prevention. If this critical health issue is not appropriately addressed, the prevalence of obesity and obesity‐related diseases will continue to grow, resulting in escalating use of health care services.