On the Nature of Hereditary Size Limitation

1929 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-324
Author(s):  
R. CUMMING ROBB

1. Throughout post-natal life the relative weights of the pituitary body, thyroid, thymus and adrenals in the rabbit may be expressed by the equation y = axk + c. 2. A similar association is indicated in the rat for the weights of eyeballs, liver, pancreas, hypophysis, thyroid, adrenals, submaxillary glands, kidney and fresh skeleton (data from Donaldson, 1924). 3. In giant and pigmy rabbits, the ultimate proportions of body parts are not the same, but (for any given body weight) corresponding tissues in the two groups tend to exhibit an identical relation to total body mass. 4. The adrenals and testes of the Polish rabbits are relatively much larger than those of the Flemish. But in each case the growth of the adrenal approximates to a constant power function of body weight. Moreover, in these two groups and in their hybrids, the growth of the testes adheres to a simple association with adrenal weight identical for each. 5. These data suggest the generalisation that in a growing organism the magnitude of any part tends to be a specific function of the total body mass or of some portion so related to the whole. 6. These associations may be explained by surmising that each tissue is in equilibrium with the internal milieu with regard to the distribution of nutrient growth essentials; that in each case the equilibrium point would be determined by the nature of the cell and after differentiation would tend to remain constant; and that the relative enlargement of each tissue is limited by the excess of the equilibrium value over the katabolic expenditure. 7. According to the above hypothesis of organ growth, the equation y = axk + c may possess a physical significance. Eight types of growth relationships may thus exist, differing because of the apparent inactivity of one or more constants in this equation.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 175-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Temel ◽  
David Christopher Currow ◽  
Kenneth Fearon ◽  
Ying Yan ◽  
John Friend ◽  
...  

175 Background: Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome is common in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is characterized by loss of lean body mass (LBM) and negatively impacts quality of life. Anamorelin HCl (ANAM) is a novel investigational ghrelin receptor agonist with anabolic and appetite-enhancing activity. Methods: Two randomized, double-blind, Phase 3 ROMANA 1 (N = 484; NCT01387269) and ROMANA2, (N = 495; NCT01387282) trials assessed ANAM (100 mg) efficacy/safety versus placebo in patients with unresectable stage III/IV NSCLC and cachexia ( ≥ 5% weight loss within prior 6 months or BMI < 20 kg/m2) over 12 weeks. Co-primary endpoints were change from baseline over 12 weeks in LBM and hand grip strength (HGS). Secondary endpoints included changes in body weight and in the anorexia-cachexia subdomain of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy questionnaire, and pooled survival from ROMANA 1 and 2. Exploratory post-hoc analyses determined change in total body and fat mass from baseline to 12 weeks. Results: Over 12 weeks ANAM significantly increased LBM vs placebo in ROMANA 1 (1.10 vs -0.44 kg, p < 0.001) and ROMANA 2 (0.75 vs -0.96 kg, p < 0.001); HGS was similar in the two arms. In both studies ANAM vs placebo increased body weight (2.20 vs 0.14 kg, p < 0.001; and 0.95 vs -0.57 kg, p < 0.001) and improved anorexia/cachexia symptoms (4.12 vs 1.92, p < 0.001; and 3.48 vs 1.34, p = 0.002). Increases in total body mass (2.87 vs 0.07 kg, p < 0.001; and 2.04 vs -0.59 kg, p < 0.001) and in fat mass (1.21 vs -0.13 kg, p < 0.001; and 0.77 vs 0.09 kg, p = 0.012) were observed for ANAM vs placebo. ANAM was well tolerated; the most frequent drug-related adverse event in ROMANA 1 and 2 was hyperglycemia (5.3% and 4.2%). There was no difference between study arms in median 1-year survival. Conclusions: In two global, Phase 3 studies, ANAM treatment for 12 weeks was well tolerated, and increased LBM, body weight, total body mass and fat mass indicating anabolic activity and suggesting restoration of energy balance in advanced NSCLC patients with cachexia. ANAM also improved anorexia-cachexia symptoms/concerns. Similar pooled survival was observed between the study arms. Clinical trial information: NCT01387269, NCT01387282.


2002 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline L. Martin ◽  
Joan Lane ◽  
Louise Pouliot ◽  
Malcolm Gains ◽  
Rudolph Stejskal ◽  
...  

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatsugu Suzuki ◽  
Manabu Onuma ◽  
Mayumi Yokoyama ◽  
Koich Kaji ◽  
Masami Yamanaka ◽  
...  

Measurements of shoulder height, body length, hind-foot length, and total body mass were collected from 309 Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884) (115 males and 194 females) and analyzed statistically for sexual dimorphism and seasonal body mass fluctuations. The von Bertalanffy equation was fitted to the growth curves that resulted. Asymptotic shoulder height, body length, and hind-foot length were 106.2, 112.6, and 52.9 cm in males and 94.8, 103.9, and 49.4 cm in females, respectively. Total body mass showed distinct seasonal fluctuations, ranging between 102.8 and 151.0 kg in adult males and 68.0 and 99.8 kg in adult females. Male/female ratios in shoulder height, body length, hind-foot length, and total mass were 1.12, 1.08, 1.07, and 1.51, respectively. These results indicate that the Hokkaido sika deer is one of the largest subspecies, at least in skeleton size. A larger body and longer hind foot would seem to be evolutionary adaptations to Hokkaido's cold, snowy environment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. CCRep.S39776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Elliott ◽  
Michelle Mina ◽  
Chrystalla Ferrier

A 34-year-old obese male (96.8 kg; BMI, 30.2 kg m−1) volitionally undertook a 50-day fast with the stated goal of losing body mass. During this time, only tea, coffee, water, and a daily multivitamin were consumed. Severe and linear loss of body mass is recorded during these 50 days (final 75.4 kg; BMI, 23.5 kg mT 1 ). A surprising resilience to effects of fasting on activity levels and physical function is noted. Plasma samples are suggestive of early impairment of liver function, and perturbations to cardiovascular dynamics are also noted. One month following resumption of feeding behavior, body weight was maintained (75.0 kg; BMI, 23.4 kg m−1). Evidence-based decision-making with the fasting or hunger striking patient is limited by a lack of evidence. This case report suggests that total body mass, not mass lost, may be a key observation in clinical decision-making during fasting and starvation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 219-219
Author(s):  
Toru Aoyama ◽  
Takaki Yoshikawa ◽  
Taiichi Kawabe ◽  
Hirohito Fujikawa ◽  
Tsutomu Hayashi ◽  
...  

219 Background: Postoperative changes in body weight and composition during first 1 month after gastrectomy remained unclear. Methods: The patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer between May 2010 and October 2013 were examined. Body weight and composition were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analyzer within 1 week before surgery (first measurement), at 1 week after surgery (second measurement), and at 1 month after surgery (third measurement). The changes of the early period were defined as the differences until the second measurement, while those of the late period as the differences from the second to the third measurement. Results: Two-hundred forty four patients were selected for this study. Total body weight loss (BWL) within 1 month was -3.4 kg and the rate of body weight at 1 month to the preoperative body weight was 94.1%. BWL was significantly greater in the early period rather than that of the late period (-2.1 kg vs -1.2 kg, p<0.001). In the early period, loss of lean body mass was significantly greater than loss of fat mass (-1.5 kg vs -0.6 kg, p<0.001). The same trend was observed regardless of type of gastrectomy and surgical approach. Conclusions: Loss of lean body mass within 1 week was a major determinant for total body weight loss at 1 month. To maintain lean body mass within 1 week and total body weight at 1 month, future trial should be focused on not the surgical approach but nutritional intervention within 1 week.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 890-896
Author(s):  
Helouane Ázara ◽  
Paulo Farinatti ◽  
Adrian Midgley ◽  
Fabrício Vasconcellos ◽  
Patrícia Vigário ◽  
...  

AbstractThe main purpose of the present study was to compare the reference metabolic equivalent (MET) value and observed resting oxygen uptake (VO2) for defining cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) and characterizing the energy cost of treadmill running. A heterogeneous cohort of 114 healthy men volunteered to participate. In Part 1 of the study, 114 men [mean±SD, age: 24±5 years; height: 177.1±7.9 cm; body mass: 75.0±10.0 kg] visited the laboratory twice for assessment of resting and maximal VO2 values to compare the reference MET value vs. observed resting VO2 and to investigate the association between resting VO2 and VO2max. In Part 2, 14 of the 114 men visited the laboratory once more to perform a 30-min bout of running at 8.0 km∙h−1/8.3 METs. The mean observed resting VO2 of 3.26 mL·kg−1·min−1 was lower than the reference MET value of 3.5 mL·kg−1·min−1 (P<0.001). Resting and maximal VO2 values relative to total body mass and fat-free mass were positively correlated (R=0.71 and 0.60, respectively; P<0.001). The maximal MET and energy cost of treadmill running were consequently underestimated when calculated using the reference MET value only for those with low VO2max (P=0.005 to P<0.001). In conclusion, the reference MET value considerably overestimated observed resting VO2 in men with low VO2max, resulting in underestimations of the maximal MET, exercise intensity prescription, and the energy cost of running.


2003 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 2368-2374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein Visser ◽  
Marco Pahor ◽  
Frances Tylavsky ◽  
Stephen B. Kritchevsky ◽  
Jane A. Cauley ◽  
...  

Changing body composition has been suggested as a pathway to explain age-related functional decline. No data are available on the expected changes in body composition as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a population-based cohort of older persons. Body composition data at baseline, 1-yr follow-up, and 2-yr follow-up was measured by DXA in 2,040 well-functioning black and white men and women aged 70–79 yr, participants of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. After 2 yr, a small decline in total body mass was observed (men: −0.3%, women: −0.4%). Among men, fat-free mass and appendicular lean soft tissue mass (ALST) decreased by −1.1 and −0.8%, respectively, which was masked by a simultaneous increase in total fat mass (+2.0%). Among women, a decline in fat-free mass was observed after 2 yr only (−0.6%) with no change in ALST and body fat mass. After 2 yr, the decline in ALST was greater in blacks than whites. Change in total body mass was associated with change in ALST ( r = +0.58 to +0.70; P < 0.0001). Among participants who lost total body mass, men lost relatively more ALST than women, and blacks lost relatively more ALST than whites. In conclusion, the mean change in body composition after a 1- to 2-yr follow-up was 1–2% with a high interindividual variability. Loss of ALST was greater in men compared with women, and greater in blacks compared with whites, suggesting that men and blacks may be more prone to muscle loss.


1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 234-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Castanet ◽  
Maria Helena Caetano

To specify the influence of a permanent aquatic life on skeletal mass and bone structure in anuran amphibians, the general and regional masses of the skeleton, as well as several histomorphometric indices of the bones (porosity, corticodiaphyseal index, density) were compared in four ranid species, two predominantly aquatic (Rana perezi and R. esculenta) and two more terrestrial (R. temporaria and R. dalmatina). The relative mass of the skeleton (as a percentage of the total body mass) is significantly lower in aquatic forms. This difference is not a phenomenon of intra- or inter-specific allometry between skeletal mass and body mass (size effect). Rather, it reflects a selective reduction of skeletal volume (low corticodiaphyseal index values and higher porosity), in particular in the autopodia, pectoral girdle, front limbs, and vertebral column of aquatic forms. These results reinforce the idea that habitat and mode of life are selective factors producing a more or less developed skeleton in anurans. Whether a lighter skeleton is a permanent adaptative feature or a reversible response in predominantly aquatic anurans remains to be tested.


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