Comparison of Supine and Vertical Bioimpedance Measurements in Young Adults

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 3: Issue 1, Article 11, 2022. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) methods estimate health parameters such as phase angle (PhA) and body fat percentage (%BF) from various positional and electrode configurations. PhA and %BF are known biological markers of cellular and physical health, respectively, and can be used to predict various health-related conditions and therefore require accurate assessment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of body position during BIA by investigating the difference and agreement between PhA and %BF using RJL (supine) and InBody (vertical) analyzers. Thirty-eight young adults (23.4±4.1 yrs.) volunteered and underwent body composition assessments by both analyzers. Difference and agreement in assessments of PhA and %BF between analyzers were assessed using paired samples t-tests and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (rc), respectively. RJL’s PhA (7.15±0.84°) exceeded InBody’s (6.11±0.74°), p\u3c0.001, and had poor agreement (rc =0.47). RJL’s %BF (23.0±6.8%) was similar to InBody’s (23.1±7.4%), p=0.813, and had substantial agreement (rc =0.95). Both analyzers estimated %BF similarly and may be interchangeable for this purpose, thus demonstrating no effect of body position on the estimation of %BF with these BIA devices. An individual\u27s PhA may be underestimated if measured in the vertical position and compared to supine reference values. Current reference values for PhA are based on measurements in the supine position, so until vertical reference values of PhA are available, caution is urged when interpreting PhA from vertical BIA assessments

The Effect of Quercetin on Bone Turnover Markers, Inflammatory Markers, and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Investigation

Maintaining optimal bone health prevents major bone disorders (e.g., osteoporosis) and prolongs longevity. Quercetin is a plant-based flavonoid that is suggested to have anti-inflammatory effects and may improve bone health. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of quercetin supplementation over 90-days on prominent bone turnover markers (BTMs), inflammatory markers, bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, and physical functioning in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Thirty-three healthy, nonosteoporotic, postmenopausal women (59.2±7.0 years) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation. Participants were randomized into one of two supplement groups: 1) 500 mg of quercetin (QUE) once daily or 2) 500 mg of methylcellulose (placebo; PLB) once daily. Pre- and post-testing visits included assessments of BTMs (i.e., osteocalcin [OC], procollagen type-I N-terminal propeptide [PINP], and type-I collagen cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide [CTX]), inflammatory markers (i.e., interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-a], and C-reactive protein [CRP]), BMD measurements, body composition measurements (i.e., body fat percentage), and physical function. RESULTS: The QUE group increased OC (p=0.016; d=0.89), PINP (p=0.030; d=0.64), and CTX (p=0.023; d=0.91) levels and decreased IL-6 (p=0.045; d=0.73) and TNF-a (p=0.021; d=0.90) levels compared to PLB. CRP (p=0.448; d=0.34), BMD, body composition, and physical function remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that QUE may maintain optimal bone health by mediating bone formation and decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines

New Multisite Bioelectrical Impedance Device Compared to Hydrostatic Weighing and Skinfold Body Fat Methods

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4): 1718-1728, 2020. The purpose of this study was to compare the Skulpt Chisel™ to seven-site skinfold (SKF) and hydrostatic weighing (HW) body fat percentage (%BF) estimates. Twenty-six participants (aged 24 ± 4 years; BMI 23.1 ± 3.5 kg∙m-2) were assessed. Significant differences in %BF estimates were found for all methodological pairings; p \u3c 0.05. The SKF method underestimated %BF compared to HW (-2.52 ± 3.42 %BF). The Skulpt Chisel™ overestimated %BF compared to both HW (3.38 ± 6.10 %BF) and SKF (5.90 ± 5.26 %BF). Limits of agreement comparing HW to Skulpt Chisel™ indicated a difference between 95% confidence interval bounds (Upper bound: 5.84 %BF, Lower bound 0.92 %BF) and for HW to SKF (Upper bound: -1.14 %BF, Lower bound: -3.91 %BF). Regression analysis showed no significant bias for any methodological pairing; (p \u3e 0.05). In conclusion, the Skulpt Chisel™ method should be used with caution when evaluating %BF of adults with similar demographics reported in this study

Conceptual framework for the definition of preclinical and prodromal frontotemporal dementia

The presymptomatic stages of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are still poorly defined and encompass a long accrual of progressive biological (preclinical) and then clinical (prodromal) changes, antedating the onset of dementia. The heterogeneity of clinical presentations and the different neuropathological phenotypes have prevented a prior clear description of either preclinical or prodromal FTD. Recent advances in therapeutic approaches, at least in monogenic disease, demand a proper definition of these predementia stages. It has become clear that a consensus lexicon is needed to comprehensively describe the stages that anticipate dementia. The goal of the present work is to review existing literature on the preclinical and prodromal phases of FTD, providing recommendations to address the unmet questions, therefore laying out a strategy for operationalizing and better characterizing these presymptomatic disease stages

Extent of Methionine Limitation in Peak-, Early-, and Mid-Lactation Dairy Cows

Five multiparous, ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows were assigned to 5 × 5 Latin squares at wk 2 (experiment 1), wk 11 to 13 (experiment 2), and wk 17 to 19 postpartum (experiment 3) to determine extent of Met limitation. Treatments were duodenally infused and consisted of 10 g/d of l-Lys plus 0, 3.5, 7.0, 10.5, or 16.0 g/d of dl-Met in experiments 1 and 2 and 8 g/d of l-Lys plus 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 g/d of dl-Met in experiment 3. Calculated Lys contributions to total AA (TAA) in duodenal digesta for control treatments were 8.6, 7.5, and 9.0% for experiments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Methionine contributions to TAA for the 5 infusion treatments were 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, and 2.7% for experiment 1; 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.7% for experiment 2; and 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, and 2.5% for experiment 3, respectively. Milk protein yield increased linearly in experiments 1 and 2, indicating that Met contribution to TAA in duodenal digesta for maximal milk protein synthesis exceeded 2.7 for early-lactation cows. In experiment 2, a quadratic relationship was found between level of infused Met and milk protein content, with the response reaching a plateau when 12.2 g of Met was infused, corresponding with a Met contribution to TAA in duodenal digesta of 2.4%. In experiment 3, milk protein content increased quadratically, but milk yield declined linearly with increasing levels of infused Met; hence, milk protein yield was unaffected by treatment. The calculated plateau point of the milk protein content response curve was determined to be 12.4 g of infused Met, which corresponds to a Met contribution to TAA in duodenal digesta of 2.3%. Experiment 3 results indicate that the required level of Met in duodenal digesta for maximizing milk protein yield is lower than that required for maximizing milk protein content

How people with dementia and their families decide about moving to a care home and support their needs: development of a decision aid, a qualitative study

yesBackground: People with dementia and their relatives find decisions about the person with dementia living in a care home difficult. Methods: We interviewed 20 people with dementia or family carers around the time of this decision in order to design a decision-aid. Results: Decision-makers balanced the competing priorities of remaining somewhere familiar, family’s wish they remain at home, reduction of risk and effects on carer’s and person with dementia’s physical health. The person with dementia frequently resented their lack of autonomy as decisions about care home moves were made after insight and judgment were impaired. Family consultation usually helped carers but sometimes exacerbated tensions. Direct professional support was appreciated where it was available. There is a need for healthcare professionals to facilitate these conversations around decision-making and to include more than signposting to other organisations. Conclusions: There is a need for a healthcare professional facilitated decision-aid. This should detail what might change for the person with dementia and their carer, possible resources and alternatives and assist in facilitating discussion with the wider family; further research will develop and test a tool to facilitate decision making about place of care needs

Comparison of two telemetric intestinal temperature devices with rectal temperature during exercise.

The experienced discomfort of rectal probes and esophageal probes for the estimation of body core temperatures has triggered the development of GI-capsules that are easy acceptable for athletes and workers due to their non-invasive characteristics.
 We compare two new GI-capsule devices with rectal temperature during cycle ergometer exercise and rest. Eight participants followed a protocol of (i) 30 min exercise with a power output of 130 W, (ii) 5 min rest, (iii) 10 min self-paced maximum exercise, and (iv) 15 min rest. Core temperature was measured using two GI-capsule devices (e-Celsius and myTemp) and rectal temperature.
 The myTemp system gave temperatures indifferent different from rectal temperature during rest and exercise. However, the factory calibrated e-Celsius system, showed a systematic underestimation of rectal temperature of 0.2 °C that is corrected in the 2018 versions. Finally, both GI-capsules react faster to temperature changes in the body compared to the rectal temperature probe during the rest period following maximum exercise

A panel of CSF proteins separates genetic frontotemporal dementia from presymptomatic mutation carriers: a GENFI study

Background A detailed understanding of the pathological processes involved in genetic frontotemporal dementia is critical in order to provide the patients with an optimal future treatment. Protein levels in CSF have the potential to reflect different pathophysiological processes in the brain. We aimed to identify and evaluate panels of CSF proteins with potential to separate symptomatic individuals from individuals without clinical symptoms (unaffected), as well as presymptomatic individuals from mutation non-carriers. Methods A multiplexed antibody-based suspension bead array was used to analyse levels of 111 proteins in CSF samples from 221 individuals from families with genetic frontotemporal dementia. The data was explored using LASSO and Random forest. Results When comparing affected individuals with unaffected individuals, 14 proteins were identified as potentially important for the separation. Among these, four were identified as most important, namely neurofilament medium polypeptide (NEFM), neuronal pentraxin 2 (NPTX2), neurosecretory protein VGF (VGF) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4). The combined profile of these four proteins successfully separated the two groups, with higher levels of NEFM and AQP4 and lower levels of NPTX2 in affected compared to unaffected individuals. VGF contributed to the models, but the levels were not significantly lower in affected individuals. Next, when comparing presymptomatic GRN and C9orf72 mutation carriers in proximity to symptom onset with mutation non-carriers, six proteins were identified with a potential to contribute to a separation, including progranulin (GRN). Conclusion In conclusion, we have identified several proteins with the combined potential to separate affected individuals from unaffected individuals, as well as proteins with potential to contribute to the separation between presymptomatic individuals and mutation non-carriers. Further studies are needed to continue the investigation of these proteins and their potential association to the pathophysiological mechanisms in genetic FTD