Agreement and bias in the estimation of fat free mass using bioelectrical impedance analysis and a resistance and reactance- based formula for the Mexican adults : a study from Merida, Yucatan

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is used to estimate body composition characteristics. The values of body fat and fat free mass (FFM) are obtained as per algorithms of the device that are often unknown to the researchers. Some models of the analyzer provide resistance and reactance values that may be useful to estimate FFM. Objective of the present study was to test the agreement and proportional bias in the estimation of FFM obtained through BIA and that derived from the resistance and reactance values using a formula for Mexican adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2019 selected 60 university male students aged 21 to 23 years from Merida, Yucatan. A multifrequency whole body bioelectrical impedance analyzer Tanita MC 180 MA (Tanita Corporation, Tokyo-Japan) was used to evaluate body composition characteristics. The device gives estimates of FFM in kg (based on algorithm) and the resistance and reactance values (ohms). There is an existing formula for Mexican adults to estimate FFM (FFM_FOR) from the resistance and reactance values obtained through BIA. An agreement between the two estimates of FFM has been tested using Bland-Altman plot and linear regression analysis. Mean value of age of the participants was 21.88 years. FFM estimated by BIA (FFM_BIA = 41.44 kg) and that derived from FFM_FOR (41.36 kg) had signifi cant intraclass correlation coeffi cient (ICC) (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.99, p<0.0001). One sample t-test estimating the diff erence of mean values between FFM_BIA and FFM_FOR was not signifi cant (t = 1.37, mean diff erence -0.02, p = 0.18). The Bland-Altman plot shows almost all data points lie within 95% confi dence interval limits. A linear regression analysis using the diff erence of FFM values as dependent variable and the average of the measurements as the independent variable showed no signifi cant interrelationships. In conclusion, the formula to estimate FFM using the resistance and reactance values of BIA has been found to be useful in the present study

Age-Sex and Diurnal Variation of Blood Pressure in Different Nutritional States among the Adult Telegas of Kharagpur in West Bengal, India

An anthropological investigation among the endogamous Telega population (106 adult individuals including 51 males and 55 females) in the district of Paschim Medinipur of West Bengal, India shows wide range of age-sex as well as diurnal variation of mean blood pressure (MBP) with reference to different nutritional status. Distribution of MBP shows distinct bias for sexes separately on different occasions and in association with age and other physiological conditions like menopause in females. Records of increase of blood pressure from morning to evening also indicate clear diurnal change in both male as well as in the female samples with some variations when compared between the two sexes. Results also help us to understand and to record the variation of blood pressure as a physiometric trait in the population under study. Data indicate that nearly 30% of males and more than 30 % of females are living at the level of undernutrition. Nutritional status is measured by anthropometric measurements, e.g. height, weight, mid arm circumference (MUAC) and further calculation of body mass index (BMI). Distribution of MBP at different BMI and MUAC levels and Pearson correlation and regression analysis – all suggest that age, BMI and MUAC have significant impacts on BMI with some sex-related variations

Interrelationships between Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile Characteristics among Postmenopausal Women at Naxalbari in Darjeeling, West Bengal

Objective of the present study was to find association between blood pressure and lipid profile characteristics in postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional study was done in 2015 at Naxalbari in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. The sample included 129 postmenopausal women aged between 40- and 55-years, representing Dhimal community. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) was recorded and levels of triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were estimated. Derived lipid profile parameters were total cholesterol, non-HDL-C, Castelli Risk Index (CRI) I and II, atherogenic coefficient, and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Hypertension (systolic/diastolic 140/90 mmHg), hypertriglyceridemia (≥150 mg/dL), high LDL-C (≥130 mg/dL), and low HDL-C (<50 mg/dL) were diagnosed. Correlation and binomial logistic regression analyses were done to find the association between variables. Mean values of age and age at menopause were 50.34 years and 45.36 years, respectively. Prevalence of hypertension (65.89%), hypertriglyceridemia (21.71%), high LDL-C (43.41%), and low HDL-C (48.06%) were remarkable in the sample. Binomial logistic regression models after adjusting for age, showed that lipid parameters (TG, non-HDL-C, and AIP) significantly predicted hypertension. AIP was observed to be the best predictor of hypertension (Youden index = 0.52) and odds ratio showed that one unit increase in AIP had a chance of 24% rise in odds of having hypertension. Hypertensive postmenopausal women had higher mean values and prevalence of abnormal lipid profile characteristics. Age at menopause had significantly negative association with blood pressure and lipid profile parameters

Body Mass Index, Fat Mass, Muscle Mass, and Somatotype of Young Adult Male Non-Elite Judokas According to Body Weight Categories in Merida, Mexico

Objetivo: Evaluar y comparar las características antropométricas, la masa grasa, la masa muscular y el somatotipo de adultos jóvenes judokas masculinos, no de élite y de diferentes categorías de peso corporal, en la ciudad de Mérida, Yucatán, México. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 2019; se seleccionó a 21 judokas, adultos jóvenes varones que tenían entre 20 y 24 años, y que no eran de élite. Estaban ubicados en tres categorías de peso (≤73 kg, ≤81 kg y ≤90 kg). Se registraron mediciones antropométricas de estatura, peso, perímetros, pliegues cutáneos y diámetros. Los parámetros derivados fueron el índice de masa corporal (IMC), el índice de estatura y peso, grasa corporal (%) y masa muscular (kg y %). Se estimaron valores Phantom Z-score (Zp) de parámetros antropométricos y Somatotipo. Resultados: La media de edad de los judokas fue de 22.43 años. Las medias de las características antropométricas de los atletas que estaban en las categorías de mayor peso fueron más elevadas que las de otros de categorías de menor peso. Los judokas tuvieron somatotipo mesomorfo endomórfico (3.4-5.7-1.6); se encontró que su musculatura relativa (mesomorfia) aumentaba en las categorías de mayor peso: 2.8-5.1-2.4 (≤73 kg), 3.5-5.5-1.6 (≤81 kg) y 3.6-6.7-0.9 (≤90 kg). El IMC tuvo una correlación positiva con la endomorfia y la mesomorfia, una correlación negativa con la masa muscular (%) y la ectomorfia. Los valores de Zp del diámetro de fémur y del perímetro de la pierna estuvieron entre (±0.5). Conclusiones: El predominio del componente muscular y la grasa corporal relativamente menor fueron las principales características del físico de los judokas participantes. Se encontró que el somatotipo es un indicador más confiable que el IMC para distinguir entre la grasa corporal relativa y la masa magra.Aim: To evaluate and compare anthropometric characteristics, body fat mass, muscle mass, and somatotype of young adult non-elite male judokas of different body weight categories in Merida, Mexico. Methods: A cross-sectional study in 2019 selected 21 young adult non-elite male judoists aged 20 to 24 years. They were in three weight categories (≤73 kg, ≤81 kg, and ≤90 kg). Anthropometric measurements of height, weight, circumferences, skinfolds, and breadths were recorded. Derived parameters were body mass index (BMI), height-to-weight ratio, body fat (%), and muscle mass (kg and %). Phantom Z-score values (Zp) of anthropometric parameters and Somatotype were estimated. Results: Mean value of age of the judokas was 22.43 years. Athletes in the higher weight categories had elevated mean values of anthropometric characteristics in comparison with peers of lower weight categories. The judokas had endomorphic mesomorph somatotype (3.4-5.7-1.6); relative muscularity of the judosits was found to increase in the higher weight categories: 2.8-5.1-2.4 (≤73 kg), 3.5-5.5-1.6 (≤81 kg), and 3.6-6.7-0.9 (≤90 kg). BMI had positive correlation with endomorphy and mesomorphy and negative correlation with muscle mass (%) and ectomorphy. The Zp values of femur breadth and calf circumference were in between (±0.5). Conclusions: Predominance of muscle component and relatively lower body fat was the principal characteristics of physique of the participant judokas. Somatotype was found to be a more reliable indicator than BMI to distinguish between relative body fat and lean mass

Low height-for-age among Limbu and Mech children and adolescents from two districts of West Bengal, India

Background: Low height-for-age (stunting) is a state of chronic undernutrition in children and adolescents. Studies reported that India has very high prevalence of stunting in children, particularly from rural and tribal communities. Objective of the present study was to record prevalence of stunting in 6 to 18 year-old boys and girls from two tribal communities (Limbu and Mech) in Darjeeling and Alipurduar districts of West Bengal, India. The study also aimed to compare height-for-age of the participants with standard growth reference curves. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the sample comprises 1523 individuals of both sexes from Limbu (377 boys, 379 girls) and Mech (365 boys, 402 girls) communities. Height data was normalized using LMS. Results: Overall frequency of stunting among 6 to 18 year-old boys (33%) and girls (34.7%) was remarkably high. Prevalence of stunting was higher in Limbu boys (43.5%) and girls (44.6%) than their age-peers from Mech community (boys 22.2%, girls 25.4%). Height data after normalization, shows that all centile curves of height of Limbu and Mech boys and girls are consistently below the standard height-for-age reference curves of the WHO. Limbu and Mech children appear to be taller with respect to their median (50th percentile) height when compared with the median height of children in the dataset of Indian Council of Medical Research. Conclusion: High frequency stunting in Mech and limbu children was recorded and situation of girls was worse. There was a tendency of decline in prevalence of stunting with advancement of age among children

Association of early menarche with elevated BMI, lower body height and relative leg length among 14- to 16-year-old post-menarcheal girls from a Maya community in Yucatan, Mexico

Human body segments have different timing and tempo of growth. Early menarche (EM) as an indicator of early reproductive maturity results in a shortened height and leg length. Relatively larger trunk may increase risk for more body fat deposit and higher body mass index (BMI) due to the allometry of total body fat with body proportions. The objective of the study was to assess the association of EM with BMI, absolute body size [height, sitting height (SH), subischial leg length (SLL)] and relative body dimensions [sitting height to subischial leg length ratio (SHSLLR), relative subischial leg length (RSLL)] among 14- to 16-year-old post-menarcheal girls from a rural Maya community in Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Mexico. In a cross-sectional study, post-menarcheal girls (n=51) aged 14 to 16 years had EM (n=22) (em>pem>pem>p/p

FeynGKZ: a Mathematica package for solving Feynman integrals using GKZ hypergeometric systems

In the Lee-Pomeransky representation, Feynman integrals can be identified as a subset of Euler-Mellin integrals, which are known to satisfy Gel'fand-Kapranov-Zelevinsky (GKZ) system of partial differential equations. Here we present an automated package to derive the associated GKZ system for a given Feynman diagram and solve it in terms of hypergeometric functions using two equivalent algorithms, namely the triangulation method and the Gr\"obner deformation method. We present our code in the form of a Mathematica package FeynGKZ.wl which requires the softwares polymake, Macaulay2 and TOPCOM, and the packages AMBRE and Olsson.wl as dependencies. As applications of the package, we find series solutions to the GKZ systems of several one-loop and two-loop Feynman integrals. These are included in the file Examples.nb that can be downloaded along with the package from https://github.com/anant-group/FeynGKZ.Comment: 26 pages, 1 figure, code repository: https://github.com/anant-group/FeynGK

A new distributional record of Ficus altissima Blume (Moraceae) in Tripura: an occasionally confused fig species with Ficus benghalensis L.

The present communication is the first report of new distributional record of Ficus altissima Blume (Moraceae) in Tripura. F. altissima was found to be an important feeding and nesting habitat for forest frugivores, since the genus is very rich in diversity and is considered as a keystone species. This also possesses huge scope to understand the mechanism of interactions especially for conservation of rich avifaunal diversity. Brief description and field photographs are presented for facilitating easy identification of the species

Lamb Wave Modes in Coal-Tar-Coated Steel Plates

In order to study the feasibility of using ultrasonic Lamb wave modes for detection and sizing of corrosion-related flaws in buried steel pipelines, we have calculated Lamb wave modes and performed numerous experiments on steel plates coated on one side with coal-tar enamel. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these theoretical and experimental results

Finger Dermatoglyphic Variations in Rengma Nagas of Nagaland India

The Rengma Nagas are one of the major Mongoloid tribal populations in the North-Eastern state of Nagaland in India. Population variation and sexual dimorphism in respect of finger dermatoglyphic characteristics in 207 adult individuals (104 males and 103 females) are reported in this present context. Frequency distribution of finger pattern types in different digits (both left and right sides combined) showed that whorls were the most prevalent patterns among both males (52.19%) and females (55.69%), followed by loops (47.70% in males and 42.81% in females). Significant sex differences in Dankmeijer Index (t=1.47; p<0.0001) and finger wise variations of total finger ridge count (TFRC) and absolute finger ridge count (AFRC) in both the sexes were recorded. However, in cases of the frequencies of finger dermatoglyphic pattern types, Pattern Intensity Index in fingers, TFRC and AFRC no significant sex differences were observed