Body composition obtained from the body mass index

BACKGROUND: Since obesity and related diseases are now considered epidemic, new and more accurate formulas for epidemiological studies are of interest to the scientific community. Several equations have been proposed to estimate the body composition simply from anthropometric measurements. However, with time, the body composition of the populations studied changes in relation to their food habits and lifestyle, and, therefore, the equations must be regularly updated and corrected. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to develop new equations to determine the body composition among the Italian population using the body mass index and independently by variables such as age and body structure. METHODS: Bioelectrical impedance and anthropometric analysis of 764 Italian Caucasian subjects (342 females and 422 males), 11 to 80 years of age, were analysed. Females and males were analysed separately. Multiple regression analyses were performed in order to estimate the body composition of the subjects. The estimated masses were then compared with the measured masses using Bland and Altman plots. We also calculated the differences between the estimated and measured masses, reported as % of the body weight, for the 95, 85 and 75 degrees percentile of the female and male groups. Finally we compared our formulas with the Watson equations, which are used to estimate the total body water. RESULTS: All body masses estimated were positively correlated to the measured values. Moreover, at any percentile analysed, our formulas resulted more precise than the Watson formula. Equations: Females: FM = 1.9337 BMI - 26.422; FFM = BW - FM; BCM = 0.3655 FFM + 4.865; TBW = 0.5863 FFM + 7.1732; Males: FM = 1.407 BMI - 21.389; FFM = BW - FM; BCM = 0.4485 FFM + 3.3534; TBW = 0.6997 + 1.4567. CONCLUSIONS: Although an inevitable inaccuracy must be expected in epidemiological studies, our equations are adequate to analyze the body composition state and changes occurring among the Italian population by simply considering weight and height

Effects of Losartan and Irbesartan administration on brain angiotensinogen mRNA levels

Losartan, 2-n-butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-1-[(2'(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenil-4-yl)methyl] imidazole, and Irbesartan, 2-n-butyl-3-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-1,3-diaza-spiro[4,4]non -1-en-4-one, are two angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists largely used in human health care as antihypertensive agents. Their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and to influence the central renin-angiotensin system are widely investigated, but how this brain system responds to the subchronic and chronic block of the angiotensin AT1 receptor is still unknown. Normotensive rats were intragastrically implanted for 7- and 30-day administration, with a dose of 3 and 30 mg/kg body weight. Treatments were shown to influence, in a dose-, time- and brain-area-dependent manner, angiotensinogen mRNA levels in scanned areas. This study showed a general up-regulation of angiotensinogen mRNA expression after 7 days and a widespread down-regulation or basal level of expression after a 30-day administration of two angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists

Assessment of body fluid balance and voluntary drinking in ultimate players during a match.

AIM: Ultimate is a sport played by hundreds of thousands of people in more than 42 countries; however, it is still mainly known as a recreational more than a team sport, and further studies are needed to define its physical load. Particularly, since no studies relating Ultimate to hydration have been performed, we aimed to determine body fluid balance, voluntary water intake and the most reliable method for assessing the hydration status of players after a typical 80-minute Ultimate match. METHODS: bioimpedance, urine specific gravity and body mass changes to asses the hydration level of the players were measured. RESULTS: It was observed that not all of the methods are adequate to determine dehydration in Ultimate players, and that measurement of body mass changes represents a reliable and accurate technique. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that ultimate as an intense sport that can induce significant fluid loss, which is not always replaced by individual drinking

Measurement of the structural behaviour of a 3D airless wheel prototype by means of optical non-contact techniques

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is becoming a widely employed technique also in mass production. In this field, compliances with geometry and mechanical performance standards represent a crucial constrain. Since 3D printed products exhibit a mechanical behaviour that is difficult to predict and investigate due to the complex shape and the inaccuracy in reproducing nominal sizes, optical non-contact techniques are an appropriate candidate to solve these issues. In this paper, 2D digital image correlation and thermoelastic stress analysis are combined to map the stress and the strain performance of an airless wheel prototype. The innovative airless wheel samples are 3D-printed by fused deposition modelling and stereolithography in poly-lactic acid and photopolymer resin, respectively. The static mechanical behaviour for different wheel-ground contact configurations is analysed using the aforementioned non-contact techniques. Moreover, the wheel-ground contact pressure is mapped, and a parametric finite element model is developed. The results presented in the paper demonstrate that several factors have great influence on 3D printed airless wheels: a) the type of material used for manufacturing the specimen, b) the correct transfer of the force line (i.e., the loading system), c) the geometric complexity of the lattice structure of the airless wheel. The work confirms the effectiveness of the proposed non-contact measurement procedures for characterizing complex shaped prototypes manufactured using AM

Groundwater of Rome

This paper describes the contents of the new Hydrogeological Map of the City of Rome (1:50,000 scale). The map extends to the entire municipality (1285 km2) and is based on both the most recent scientific studies on the groundwater field and new survey activities carried out in order to fill the data gaps in several areas of the examined territory. The map is the result of a combination of different urban groundwater expertise and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping performed using the most recent available data and has been produced with the intention of furnishing the City of Rome with the most recent and updated information regarding groundwater

Kinetics of Host Cell Recruitment During Dissemination of Diffuse Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Diffuse malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor which displays a median survival of 11.2 months and a 5-year survival of less than 5% emphasizing the need for more effective treatments. This study uses an orthotopic model of malignant mesothelioma established in syngeneic, immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice which produce malignant ascites and solid tumors that accurately replicate the histopathology of the human disease. Host stromal and immune cell accumulation within malignant ascites and solid tumors was determined using immunofluorescent labeling with confocal microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. An expression profile of cytokines and chemokines was produced using quantitative real-time PCR arrays. Tumor spheroids and solid tumors show progressive growth and infiltration with host stromal and immune cells including macrophages, endothelial cells, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, and a novel cell type, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). The kinetics of host cell accumulation and inflammatory mediator expression within the tumor ascites divides tumor progression into two distinct phases. The first phase is characterized by progressive macrophage and T lymphocyte recruitment, with a cytokine profile consistent with regulatory T lymphocytes differentiation and suppression of T cell function. The second phase is characterized by decreased expression of macrophage chemotactic and T-cell regulating factors, an increase in MDSCs, and increased expression of several cytokines which stimulate differentiation of MDSCs. This cellular and expression profile suggests a mechanism by which host immune cells promote diffuse malignant mesothelioma progression

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics.

Position statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) provides an objective and critical review of the mechanisms and use of probiotic supplementation to optimize the health, performance, and recovery of athletes. Based on the current available literature, the conclusions of the ISSN are as follows: 1)Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host (FAO/WHO).2)Probiotic administration has been linked to a multitude of health benefits, with gut and immune health being the most researched applications.3)Despite the existence of shared, core mechanisms for probiotic function, health benefits of probiotics are strain- and dose-dependent.4)Athletes have varying gut microbiota compositions that appear to reflect the activity level of the host in comparison to sedentary people, with the differences linked primarily to the volume of exercise and amount of protein consumption. Whether differences in gut microbiota composition affect probiotic efficacy is unknown.5)The main function of the gut is to digest food and absorb nutrients. In athletic populations, certain probiotics strains can increase absorption of key nutrients such as amino acids from protein, and affect the pharmacology and physiological properties of multiple food components.6)Immune depression in athletes worsens with excessive training load, psychological stress, disturbed sleep, and environmental extremes, all of which can contribute to an increased risk of respiratory tract infections. In certain situations, including exposure to crowds, foreign travel and poor hygiene at home, and training or competition venues, athletes' exposure to pathogens may be elevated leading to increased rates of infections. Approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the gut and probiotic supplementation has been shown to promote a healthy immune response. In an athletic population, specific probiotic strains can reduce the number of episodes, severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections.7)Intense, prolonged exercise, especially in the heat, has been shown to increase gut permeability which potentially can result in systemic toxemia. Specific probiotic strains can improve the integrity of the gut-barrier function in athletes.8)Administration of selected anti-inflammatory probiotic strains have been linked to improved recovery from muscle-damaging exercise.9)The minimal effective dose and method of administration (potency per serving, single vs. split dose, delivery form) of a specific probiotic strain depends on validation studies for this particular strain. Products that contain probiotics must include the genus, species, and strain of each live microorganism on its label as well as the total estimated quantity of each probiotic strain at the end of the product's shelf life, as measured by colony forming units (CFU) or live cells.10)Preclinical and early human research has shown potential probiotic benefits relevant to an athletic population that include improved body composition and lean body mass, normalizing age-related declines in testosterone levels, reductions in cortisol levels indicating improved responses to a physical or mental stressor, reduction of exercise-induced lactate, and increased neurotransmitter synthesis, cognition and mood. However, these potential benefits require validation in more rigorous human studies and in an athletic population