Influence of food consumption patterns and Galician lifestyle on human gut microbiota

The proportion of different microbial populations in the human gut is an important factor that in recent years has been linked to obesity and numerous metabolic diseases. Because there are many factors that can affect the composition of human gut microbiota, it is of interest to have information about what is the composition of the gut microbiota in different populations in order to better understand the possibilities for improving nutritional management. A group of 31 volunteers were selected according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria and were asked about their diet history, lifestyle patterns, and adherence to the Southern European Atlantic Diet. Fecal samples were taken and subsequently analyzed by real-time PCR. The results indicated different dietary patterns for subjects who consumed a higher amount of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish and a lower amount of bakery foods and precooked foods and snacks compared to Spanish consumption data. Most participants showed intermediate or high adherence to Southern European Atlantic Diet, and an analysis of gut microbiota showed high numbers of total bacteria and Actinobacteria, as well as high amounts of bacteria belonging to the genera Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. A subsequent statistical comparison also revealed differences in gut microbiota depending on the subject’s body weight, age, or degree of adherence to the Southern European Atlantic Diet.     

Dietary patterns and changes in body weight in women

Objective: Our objective was to examine the association between adherence to dietary patterns and weight change in women. Research Methods and Procedures: Women (51,670, 26 to 46 years old) in the Nurses’ Health Study II were followed from 1991 to 1999. Dietary intake and body weight were ascertained in 1991, 1995, and 1999. A Western pattern, characterized by high intakes of red and processed meats, refined grains, sweets and desserts, and potatoes, and a prudent pattern, characterized by high intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, and salad dressing, were identified with principal component analysis, and associations between patterns and change in body weight were estimated. Results: Women who increased their Western pattern score had greater weight gain (multivariate adjusted means, 4.55 kg for 1991 to 1995 and 2.86 kg for 1995 to 1999) than women who decreased their Western pattern score (2.70 and 1.37 kg for the two time periods), adjusting for baseline lifestyle and dietary confounders and changes in confounders over time (p < 0.001 for both time periods). Furthermore, among women who increased their prudent pattern score, weight gain was smaller (multivariate‐adjusted means, 1.93 kg for 1991 to 1995 and 0.66 kg for 1995 to 1999) than among women who decreased their prudent pattern score (4.83 and 3.35 kg for the two time periods) (p < 0.001). The largest weight gain between 1991 and 1995 and between 1995 and 1999 was observed among women who decreased their prudent pattern score while increasing their Western pattern score (multivariate adjusted means, 6.80 and 4.99 kg), whereas it was smallest for the opposite change in patterns (0.87 and ?0.64 kg) (p < 0.001). Discussion: Adoption of a Western dietary pattern is associated with larger weight gain in women, whereas a prudent dietary pattern may facilitate weight maintenance.     

Irregular patterns in the daily weight chart at night predict body weight regain

This study examined whether charting daily weight patterns can predict weight regain in obese patients. The subjects were 98 moderately obese Japanese women aged 23 to 66 years who were obliged to precisely record their daily weights during the initial 4-month education period, but not thereafter. The patients were followed up at 8, 12, and 16 months. Abdominal fat areas and blood samples were assessed in the outpatient clinic at 0, 4, and 16 months. The standard deviations (SDs) of the differences in body weight between "after waking up" and "after breakfast" (SDa), "after dinner" (SDb), and "before going to bed" (SDc) were calculated, which were parameters reflecting the fluctuations in the daily weight patterns during the first 4 months. SDc, but not SDa or SDb, was correlated positively with weight regain at 8, 12, and 16 months (P = 0.049, P = 0.002, and P = 0.001, respectively). There were significant differences in temporal change in body weight and abdominal visceral fat between the small SDc group (SDc 75th percentile), but not for subcutaneous abdominal fat or the serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, or lipids. The results indicate that fluctuation of body weight immediately before going to bed is useful for predicting the rebound in body weight.     

Direct and maternal genetic effects on body weight maturing patterns in mice

Summary Direct and maternal genetic effects were evaluated for maturing patterns of body weight in mice using a crossfostering design. Crossfostering was performed in one group using dams from populations selected for rapid growth rate (M16 and H₆) and their reciprocal F₁. crosses. A second crossfostering group consisted of dams from the respective control populations (ICR and C₂) and their reciprocal F₁. 's. Population differences were partitioned into direct and maternal effects due to genetic origin, correlated selection responses, heterosis and cytoplasmic or sex-linked effects. Degree of maturity was calculated at birth, 12, 21, 31 and 42 days of age by dividing body weight at each age by 63-day weight. Absolute and relative maturing rates were calculated in adjacent age intervals between birth and 63 days. Genetic origin effects (ICR vs. C₂; M16 vs. H₆) were significant for many maturity traits, with average direct being more important than average maternal genetic effects. In general, correlated responses to selection for maturity traits were larger in the M16 population (M16 vs. ICR) than in the H₆ population (H₆ vs. C₂) and correlated responses in average direct effects were larger than average maternal effects. Positive correlated responses in average direct effects were found for relative maturing rates at all ages and for absolute maturing rates from 31 to 63 days. Apparent correlated responses in degree of maturity were negative for M16 and H₆. However, further analysis suggested that the correlated response for degree of maturity in H₆ may be positive at later ages and negative at earlier ages. Direct and maternal heterosis for degree of maturity was positive in the selected and control crosses. Absolute and relative maturing rates showed positive heterosis initially, followed by negative heterosis. Reciprocal differences due to the cytoplasm or sex-linkage were not important for patterns of maturity.Paper No. 5244 the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Ealeigh, Animal Research Institute Contribution No. 683 and Agricultural University at Wageningen Contribution No. 654–490–12On leave from the Animal Research Institute, Agriculture Canada at Ottawa, OntarioOn leave from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Agricultural University at Wagenitgen, the Netherlands     

Influence of body weight on gonadotrophins and steroid hormone levels in menstruating women

In order to study the effect of obesity or underweight on gonadotropins and steroid hormone levels, serum concentrations of FSH, LH. Testosterone, Estradiol, Estrone, 17-OH-Progesterone and SHBG were measured by RIA in obese, underweight and control women, all menstruating in the follicular phase. Serum concentrations of all parameters measured did not differ significantly in the underweight and control groups. All obese women had higher levels of estrone than the control group, and only obese patients with a body mass index above 39 showed a lower SHBG level than that of the control group. The data suggest that the increased levels of estrone could play a role in the amenorrhea of obese women.     

Influence of body weight on response of Fischer 344 rats to anthrax lethal toxin

Groups of Fischer 344 rats were injected intravenously with Bacillus anthracis culture supernatant containing crude anthrax toxin. Times to death of rats given identical toxin preparations varied directly with the weights of the rats (P = 0.0001). In contrast to previous reports, the data indicate that rat weight must be taken into account during in vivo assays of anthrax lethal toxin activity.     

Influence of an asymmetrical body weight distribution on the control of undisturbed upright stance

Postural asymmetry in humans is generally associated with different pathologies. However, its specific influence on undisturbed upright stance is poorly understood. To evaluate its separate effects on each support, the centre of pressure (CP) displacements were recorded through two force platforms. In a second step, the complex resultant centre of pressure trajectories (CP(Res)) were computed and decomposed into two elementary components: the horizontal displacements of the centre of gravity (CG(h)) and the difference in the plane of support between the vertical projection of CG(h) and CP(Res) (CP-CG(v)). These motions were then processed through a frequency analysis and modelled as fractional Brownian motion to gain some additional insight into their spatio-temporal organisation. Ten healthy adults were tested in three conditions consisting of various weight distributions. The quality of the mechanism involved in the control of the unloaded support CP motions appears to decrease as the asymmetry becomes more pronounced. To be precise, larger increases of the CP displacements are observed for the unloaded support compared to the loaded one. As a result, the CP(Res) motions are themselves augmented in the ML direction, inducing in turn larger CG(h) and CP-CG(v) motions. Postural asymmetry thus constitutes an important constraint on the control of upright undisturbed stance by generating changes in the control of both supports and by reducing the efficiency of the hip load/unload mechanisms. On the other hand, by inducing larger body sways, postural asymmetry necessitates higher energy expenditure and the setting of particular control mechanisms.     

Influence of food intake but independence of body weight on puberty in female sheep

The effect of maintaining female sheep at a body weight intermediate between the normal weight for puberty (30-35 kg) and 20 kg (puberty suppressed) on the onset of oestrous cycles was studied. In addition, the influence of ad-libitum food intake or insulin infusion was studied in animals previously maintained at 20 kg. Coopworth ewe lambs (10 weeks old) were allocated to one of 6 treatments: (A) ad-libitum fed (n = 6), (B) ad-libitum fed to 28 kg then maintained at that weight (n = 6), (C) ad-libitum fed to 24 kg then maintained at that weight (n = 6), (D) maintained at 20 kg until Week 29 and then fed ad libitum (n = 6), (E) maintained at 20 kg and infused with 0.1 U insulin/kg/24 h for 2 weeks from 29-31 weeks of age (n = 5), (F) maintained at 20 kg (n = 6). The lambs were penned indoors under natural photo-period, which was decreasing virtually throughout the study, and fed a pelleted concentrate diet which was recorded daily. They were blood sampled twice a week, and plasma was analysed for progesterone. Puberty was defined as the date when plasma concentrations of progesterone first exceeded 1 ng/ml. In addition, ewes in Groups D, E and F were blood sampled every 10 min for 8 h on Days 0 and +12 of the insulin infusion or access to ad-libitum feeding and the plasma was analysed for luteinizing hormone (LH).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of maternal pregravid weight, height and body mass index on birth weight of male and female newborns

The study included 2300 healthy couples and their healthy newborns delivered vaginally from singleton, normal term (37-42 weeks) pregnancies in Sibenik, Zadar and Split (Croatia). Both fathers and mothers of male newborns were older and had a higher weight than those of female newborns (p < 0.05). Gestational age and birth weight were higher in male than female newborns (p < 0.001). Increasing maternal pregravid weight led to increasing birth weight of both male and female newborns (p < 0.001). Furthermore, increasing maternal height and body mass index resulted in increasing birth weight of male and female newborns (p < 0.001). Thus, the fathers and mothers of male infants were older than those of female infants (p < 0.05), and increasing pre-gravid body weight, body height and body mass index were associated with a higher birth weight in both male and female newborns.     

Effects of food texture change on metabolic parameters: short- and long-term feeding patterns and body weight

A complete diet was prepared with cooked pieces of meat, beans, cream starch, and water and presented to the rats in two different textures: a blended purée and a rough mixture that required a lot of chewing. We hypothesized that this texture modification might change both anticipatory reflexes and feeding behavior. Feeding rate, meal size, intermeal intervals, and their correlation were monitored in response to each texture. The long-term (6 wk) effect on body weight was assessed. Periprandial plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon, and lipid concentrations were assayed. Whole and background metabolism, respiratory quotient, and locomotion were measured using a computerized calorimeter of original design. In the short term, rats preferred the mixture. However, after 3 wk, they ingested more purée than mixture and gained more body weight per gram of food ingested as purée. Insulin response declined earlier with the mixture. During meals, glycerol and free fatty acid increased earlier with purée, whereas in the postprandial period, glycerol increased earlier with mixture. The metabolic rate, however, was not significantly affected. We concluded that texture, an everyday manipulation performed on food for human consumption, affects not only palatability of ingestants but also their metabolic management in the short and long term.     

Influence of body weight on response of Fischer 344 rats to anthrax lethal toxin.

Groups of Fischer 344 rats were injected intravenously with Bacillus anthracis culture supernatant containing crude anthrax toxin. Times to death of rats given identical toxin preparations varied directly with the weights of the rats (P = 0.0001). In contrast to previous reports, the data indicate that rat weight must be taken into account during in vivo assays of anthrax lethal toxin activity.     

Influence of temperature and body weight on mosquito predation by the dragonfly nymph Mesogomphus lineatus

Population densities, migrations and food composition of Echinogammarus veneris in Lake Kinneret were studied during march–September 1976. Migrations are affected by changes of water level and littoral currents. Peridinium was abundant in the gut content during its blooming period in the lake while cladocerans, benthic copepods, rotifers and other algae were abundantly found in other months. Metabolic parameters that were calculated for the gammarid population indicated that its contribution to the carbon-flow system in Lake Kinneret is negligible in comparison with nematodes, molluscans or planktonic copepods and cladocerans.