scholarly journals Bird behaviour on and entanglement in invasive burdock (Arctium spp.) plants in Winnipeg, Manitoba

2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd J. Underwood ◽  
Robyn M. Underwood
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Small Animals ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Migratory Status

Burdocks (Arctium spp.) are invasive plants native to Eurasia. They produce their seeds within large burrs that adhere to vertebrates for seed dispersal, i.e., epizoochory. Small animals may become entangled in these burrs and die. Through active searches of natural areas in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from 2000 to 2005, we documented 29 songbirds entangled in burdock burrs and recorded observations of bird behaviour on burdock plants. We analyzed trends among birds found entangled by taxon, sex, age, migratory status, and season, and we compared them to observations of bird activity on burdock. Thirteen species of birds were found entangled. Most birds found entangled (62%) were warblers (Parulidae), but there were also species from five other families (<15% per family). There was no significant difference in the distribution of birds found entangled by sex or age. A significant proportion of birds found entangled were migrants, and the average number of birds found entangled per search visit differed significantly by season, with most birds found entangled in fall. By comparison, we recorded 34 species of birds (n = 178 observations) active on burdock plants. Warblers (38%) and sparrows (Emberizidae) (24%) were the most active, followed by small numbers of birds from eight other families (<9% per family). Species that were observed actively foraging on burdocks more often became entangled than those species observed only perching on burdocks. Species found entangled had a significantly lower body mass than species that were not found entangled but were active on burdocks. Overall, we suggest that small-bodied fall migrants that forage on burdock plants are most at risk of becoming entangled.

A Descriptive Study of Lower-Body Strength and Power in Overweight Adolescents

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Nuzzo ◽  
Michael J. Cavill ◽  
N. Travis Triplett ◽  
Jeffrey M. McBride
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Maximal Strength ◽  
Jump Performance ◽  
Leg Press ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lower Body Strength

The primary purpose of this investigation was to provide a descriptive analysis of lower-body strength and vertical jump performance in overweight male (n = 8) and female (n = 13) adolescents. Maximal strength was tested in the leg press and isometric squat. Kinetic and kinematic variables were assessed in vertical jumps at various loads. When compared with females, males demonstrated significantly greater (p ≤ .05) absolute maximal strength in the leg press. However, when maximal strength was expressed relative to body mass, no significant difference was observed. There were no significant differences between males and females in vertical jump performance at body mass.

Information-Seeking on the Internet

Crisis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod Singaravelu ◽  
Anne Stewart ◽  
Joanna Adams ◽  
Sue Simkin ◽  
Keith Hawton
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Young People ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Specific Advice ◽  
Restriction Sites ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Negative Tone

Abstract. Background: The Internet is used by young people at risk of self-harm to communicate, find information, and obtain support. Aims: We aimed to identify and analyze websites potentially accessed by these young people. Method: Six search terms, relating to self-harm/suicide and depression, were input into four search engines. Websites were analyzed for access, content/purpose, and tone. Results: In all, 314 websites were included in the analysis. Most could be accessed without restriction. Sites accessed by self-harm/suicide search terms were mostly positive or preventive in tone, whereas sites accessed by the term ways to kill yourself tended to have a negative tone. Information about self-harm methods was common with specific advice on how to self-harm in 15.8% of sites, encouragement of self-harm in 7.0%, and evocative images of self-harm/suicide in 20.7%. Advice on how to get help was given in 56.1% of sites. Conclusion: Websites relating to suicide or self-harm are easily accessed. Many sites are potentially helpful. However, a significant proportion of sites are potentially harmful through normalizing or encouraging self-harm. Enquiry regarding Internet use should be routinely included while assessing young people at risk.

scholarly journals Effects of habitat edges on vegetation structure and the vulnerable golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis) in northwestern Madagascar

BMC Ecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertrand Andriatsitohaina ◽  
Daniel Romero-Mujalli ◽  
Malcolm S. Ramsay ◽  
Frederik Kiene ◽  
Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Edge Effects ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Logistic Function ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Vegetation Parameters

Abstract Background Edge effects can influence species composition and community structure as a result of changes in microenvironment and edaphic variables. We investigated effects of habitat edges on vegetation structure, abundance and body mass of one vulnerable Microcebus species in northwestern Madagascar. We trapped mouse lemurs along four 1000-m transects (total of 2424 trap nights) that ran perpendicular to the forest edge. We installed 16 pairs of 20 m2 vegetation plots along each transect and measured nine vegetation parameters. To determine the responses of the vegetation and animals to an increasing distance to the edge, we tested the fit of four alternative mathematical functions (linear, power, logistic and unimodal) to the data and derived the depth of edge influence (DEI) for all parameters. Results Logistic and unimodal functions best explained edge responses of vegetation parameters, and the logistic function performed best for abundance and body mass of M. ravelobensis. The DEI varied between 50 m (no. of seedlings, no. of liana, dbh of large trees [dbh ≥ 10 cm]) and 460 m (tree height of large trees) for the vegetation parameters, whereas it was 340 m for M. ravelobensis abundance and 390 m for body mass, corresponding best to the DEI of small tree [dbh < 10 cm] density (360 m). Small trees were significantly taller and the density of seedlings was higher in the interior than in the edge habitat. However, there was no significant difference in M. ravelobensis abundance and body mass between interior and edge habitats, suggesting that M. ravelobensis did not show a strong edge response in the study region. Finally, regression analyses revealed three negative (species abundance and three vegetation parameters) and two positive relationships (body mass and two vegetation parameters), suggesting an impact of vegetation structure on M. ravelobensis which may be partly independent of edge effects. Conclusions A comparison of our results with previous findings reveals that edge effects are variable in space in a small nocturnal primate from Madagascar. Such an ecological plasticity could be extremely relevant for mitigating species responses to habitat loss and anthropogenic disturbances.

scholarly journals OP0220 ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF INCREASED BODY MASS INDEX ON RESPONSE TO TNF INHIBITORS IN ESTABLISHED RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: RESULTS FROM THE METEOR DATABASE

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 137.1-137
Author(s):  
M. Dey ◽  
S. S. Zhao ◽  
R. J. Moots ◽  
R. B. M. Landewé ◽  
N. Goodson
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Personalised Medicine ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Established Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Eular Response ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Das28 Remission

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased body mass index (BMI)- 60% of patients are either overweight or obese. Obesity in RA has been shown to predict reduced response to biologic therapy including tumour-necrosis-factor inhibitors (TNFi) [1]. However, it is not clear whether increased BMI influences response to all TNFi drugs in RA.Objectives:1.To explore whether BMI is associated with response to TNFi in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (estRA), including those newly-starting on these drugs.Methods:Participants with estRA (>1year since diagnosis) taking biologic medications, registered on METEOR (international database of RA patients), 2008-2013, were included. EULAR response, DAS28 remission (including components), and treatment regimens were recorded at baseline, 6, and 12 months. WHO definitions of overweight (BMI≥ 25) and obese (BMI≥30) were explored as predictors of TNFi response (good EULAR response and DAS28 remission) using normal BMI as comparator. Logistic and linear regression models (controlling for age, gender, smoking, and baseline outcomes) and sensitivity analyses were performed. Subgroup analyses were performed for grouped TNFi and individual TNFi (infliximab, IFX; adalimumab, ADA; etanercept, ETN).Results:247 patients with estRA were taking a biologic at 6 months, and 231 patients were taking a biologic at 12 months. Obese patients taking any biologic were significantly less likely to achieve DAS28 remission (OR 0.33 [95%CI 0.12-0.80]) or good EULAR response (OR 0.37 [95%CI 0.16-0.81]) after 6 months, compared to those of normal BMI; this was also demonstrated in those co-prescribed methotrexate (DAS28 remission: OR 0.23 [95%CI 0.07-0.62]; good EULAR response: OR 0.39 [95%CI 0.15-0.92]). These associations did not remain statistically significant at the 12 months assessment.Regarding specific anti-TNF therapies, RA patients treated with monoclonal antibody (-mab) TNFis (IFX/ADA/ GOL) were significantly less likely to achieve good EULAR response at 6 months if they were obese RA (n=38), compared to those of normal weight (n=44) (OR 0.17 [95%CI 0.03-0.59]). A similar non-significant difference was demonstrated for DAS28 remission, and 12-month remission. Specifically, obese individuals were significantly less likely to achieve good EULAR response at 6 months with IFX (OR 0.09 [95%CI 0.00-0.61]; n=20), and significantly less likely to achieve DAS28 remission at 6 months when newly-starting ADA (OR 0.14 [95%CI 0.01-0.96]; n=17), compared to those of normal weight. There were no significant differences in remission outcomes between individuals of different BMI taking ETN. A small number of individuals stopped taking their respective biologic after 6months; reason for cessation was not recorded.Similar outcomes were seen in patients already established on anti-TNF therapy, with overweight and obese individuals less likely overall to be in DAS28 remission at all time points.Conclusion:In established RA, obesity is associated with reduced treatment response to -mab TNFi. No association between increased BMI and response to ETA was observed. Using BMI to direct biologic drug choice could prove to be a simple and cost-effective personalised-medicine approach to prescribing.References:[1]Schäfer M, Meißner Y, Kekow J, Berger S, Remstedt S, Manger B, et al. Obesity reduces the real-world effectiveness of cytokine-targeted but not cell-targeted disease-modifying agents in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology. 2019 Nov 20.Disclosure of Interests:Mrinalini Dey: None declared, Sizheng Steven Zhao: None declared, Robert J Moots: None declared, Robert B.M. Landewé Consultant of: AbbVie; AstraZeneca; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Eli Lilly & Co.; Galapagos NV; Novartis; Pfizer; UCB Pharma, Nicola Goodson: None declared

Comparison of CrossFit Barbara and classic resistance trainings for the protection of strength performance during off-season in kickboxers

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Cebrail Gençoğlu ◽  
İlhan Şen
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Bench Press ◽  
Body Fat Percentage ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Strength Performance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Push Up

BACKGROUND: The inability of athletes to train or the decrease in the intensity and frequency of training may cause athletes to lose performance. Particularly in view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining strength outside the normal framework provides an advantage to athletes for the next competitions. OBJECTIVE: To compare the CrossFit Barbara which can be applied easily at home during the off-season or some situations such as the epidemic limitation to classic resistance training methods used to maintain the strength performance of national kickboxers. METHODS: Forty-three national kickboxers, CrossFit (CF, n= 22), and resistance training (RT, n= 21), participated in this study. While CF performed 20 pull-ups, 30 push-ups, 40 sit-ups, and 50 squat exercises, RT performed bench press, lat pull down, leg press, biceps curl, and triceps extension exercises twice per week for six weeks. Before and after the six weeks, the following variables were measured; body mass (BM) and body fat percentage (FP), VO2max, bench press (BP), squat (SQ), leg strength (LS), hand grip strength (HGS), pull-up, push-up and counter movement jump (CMJ). RESULTS: BP (p< 0.001, F= 41.125, ηp2= 0.501), SQ (p< 0.001, F= 26.604, ηp2= 0.394), LS (p< 0.001, F= 15.234, ηp2= 0.271), push-up (p< 0.001, F= 31.978, ηp2= 0.438) and pull-up (p< 0.001, F= 24.410, ηp2= 0.373) values changed significantly in group-time interaction between CF and RT groups, while there was no significant difference for the BM (p= 0.198, F= 1.715, ηp2= 0.040), Fat (p= 0.265, F= 1.279, ηp2= 0.030), HGS (p= 0.665, F= 0.190, ηp2= 0.005, CMJ (p= 0.054, F= 3.946, ηp2= 0.088) and VO2max (p=0.747, F= 0.106, ηp2= 0.003). Furthermore, according to the before and after study values, BP, SQ, LS, and CMJ decreased significantly (p< 0.05) while BM, FP, HGS, VO2max, pull-up and push-up variables did not in the CF (p> 0.05). In the RT, the pull-up and push-up variables decreased significantly (p< 0.05) while there was no significant difference for BP, SQ, LS, HGS, VO2max, body mass, body fat percentage and CMJ (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: CF Barbara workout was more effective in maintaining strength endurance performances, and RT in maintaining maximum strength performances. According to the individual performance needs of athletes, reasonable training method can be used to prevent performance decrement in the strength domain.

scholarly journals Body mass index and clinical outcomes in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage: results from the China Stroke Center Alliance

2021 ◽  
pp. svn-2020-000534
Author(s):  
Zhentang Cao ◽  
Xinmin Liu ◽  
Zixiao Li ◽  
Hongqiu Gu ◽  
Yingyu Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Intracerebral Haemorrhage ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Discharge Disposition ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stroke Center

Background and aimObesity paradox has aroused increasing concern in recent years. However, impact of obesity on outcomes in intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate association of body mass index (BMI) with in-hospital mortality, complications and discharge disposition in ICH.MethodsData were from 85 705 ICH enrolled in the China Stroke Center Alliance study. Patients were divided into four groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese according to Asian-Pacific criteria. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes included non-routine discharge disposition and in-hospital complications. Discharge to graded II or III hospital, community hospital or rehabilitation facilities was considered non-routine disposition. Multivariable logistic regression analysed association of BMI with outcomes.Results82 789 patients with ICH were included in the final analysis. Underweight (OR=2.057, 95% CI 1.193 to 3.550) patients had higher odds of in-hospital mortality than those with normal weight after adjusting for covariates, but no significant difference was observed for patients who were overweight or obese. No significant association was found between BMI and non-disposition. Underweight was associated with increased odds of several complications, including pneumonia (OR 1.343, 95% CI 1.138 to 1.584), poor swallow function (OR 1.351, 95% CI 1.122 to 1.628) and urinary tract infection (OR 1.532, 95% CI 1.064 to 2.204). Moreover, obese patients had higher odds of haematoma expansion (OR 1.326, 95% CI 1.168 to 1.504), deep vein thrombosis (OR 1.506, 95% CI 1.165 to 1.947) and gastrointestinal bleeding (OR 1.257, 95% CI 1.027 to 1.539).ConclusionsIn patients with ICH, being underweight was associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Being underweight and obese can both increased risk of in-hospital complications compared with having normal weight.

scholarly journals Clinical characteristics and longitudinal changes of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in 2 decades: the NAGALA study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuro Okamura ◽  
Yoshitaka Hashimoto ◽  
Masahide Hamaguchi ◽  
Akihiro Obora ◽  
Takao Kojima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasonography ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
The Past ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract Background In this study, to clarify the evolving background of people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we compared the current prevalence of NAFLD with that of 2 decades ago. Methods We included two cohorts. The past cohort was from 1994 to 1997 and included 4279 men and 2502 women. The current cohort was from 2014 to 2017 and included 8918 men and 7361 women. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. Results The prevalence of NAFLD increased in both genders throughout these 2 decades (18.5% in the past cohort and 27.1% in the current cohort for men; and 8.0% in the past cohort and 9.4% in the current cohort for women). The prevalence of hyperglycemia increased, whereas the prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and hypertriglyceridemia significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in the mean body mass index. Multivariate analysis revealed that the prevalence of obesity and body mass index were significantly associated with the prevalence of NAFLD in both the past and current cohorts. Conclusions The incidence of NAFLD significantly increased throughout these 2 decades, and obesity is the most prevalent factor. Thus, body weight management is an essential treatment option for NAFLD.

Heritability of Longitudinal Measures of Body Mass Index and Lipid and Lipoprotein Levels in Aging Twins

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 703-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen L. Goode ◽  
Stacey S. Cherny ◽  
Joe C. Christian ◽  
Gail P. Jarvik ◽  
Mariza de Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Significant Contributor ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Over Time

AbstractBody-mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels are known to be highly heritable. We evaluated the genetic and environmental relationships of these measures over time in an analysis of twin pairs. Monozygotic (235 pairs) and dizygotic (260 pairs) male twins were participants in the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Veteran Twin Study, and were followed with three clinical exams from mean age 48 years to mean age 63 years. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with adjustment forAPOEgenotype (a significant contributor to TC and LDL-C) was used to assess longitudinal patterns of heritability. Results indicated a contribution of genetic factors to BMI, TC, LDL-C, HLD-C, and TG. Modest increases over time were observed in the heritability of BMI (from 0.48 to 0.61), TC (from 0.46 to 0.57), LDL-C (from 0.49 to 0.64), and HDL-C (from 0.50 to 0.62), but this trend was not present for TG. There was a corresponding decrease in shared environmental influences over time for these traits, although shared environment was a significant contributor only for HDL-C. Moreover, we observed that genetic influences for all measures were significantly correlated over time, and we found no evidence of age-specific genetic effects. In summary, longitudinal analyses of twin data indicate that genetic factors do not account for a significant proportion of the variation in age-related changes of BMI or lipid and lipoprotein levels.

scholarly journals Are Men More Intuitive When It Comes to Eating and Physical Activity?

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Gast ◽  
Hala Madanat ◽  
Amy Campbell Nielson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Intrinsic Motivation ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Intuitive Eating ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Behavioral Regulation

The purpose of this study was to determine where men fall on the motivation continuum based on intuitive eating status and if motivation for physical activity and intuitive eating are correlated. Results indicate that being an intuitive eater was associated with a lower body mass index. In terms of demographic variables, as age increased, intuitive eating status decreased and body mass index increased. Men scored high on the antidieting and self-care subscales of the Intuitive Eating Scale. Men who were classified as intuitive eaters scored higher on the external and introjected regulation of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire but no significant differences were reported by eating status and the identified and intrinsic motivation subscales. Intuitive eating holds promise as a weight management and weight loss tool for men. Intuitive eating may also influence initial motivation for physical activity for men.

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