Individual Hen Differences in Egg Shell Mottling and the Relationship of Shell Mottling to Clutch Size, Internal Quality and Weight Loss

In evaluating optimal egg-size theory and the effects of anatomical constraints on egg size in turtles, pivotal questions concern the significance of the relationship of egg size to female body size and whether the relationship is isometric or hypoallometric. In a central Texas population of the kinosternid turtle Sternotherus odoratus in which clutch size of a sample of turtles was nearly fixed (seven of eight females had two eggs while the largest female had three eggs), there was an isometric increase in egg width with body size among the females with two-egg clutches and significantly reduced egg width in the largest female’s three-egg clutch. Allometric analyses of populations that exhibit little variation in clutch size, as well as analysis of modal clutch sizes in populations with more variable clutch sizes, both have the potential to further illuminate the competing demands of increasing egg size vs. increasing clutch size as females grow larger, enabling them to optimize their reproductive output as it increases with body size.

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A Short Weight Loss Intervention in a Neurosurgical Subspecialist Clinical Setting

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice ◽

10.4103/jnrp.jnrp_2_18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 09 (04) ◽

pp. 492-495 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cara L. Sedney ◽

Treah Haggerty ◽

Patricia Dekeseredy R. N.

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Back Pain ◽

Educational Intervention ◽

Primary Care Physicians ◽

Social Issues ◽

Management Program ◽

Disc Disease ◽

Relationship Of ◽

Weight Loss Interventions ◽

The Relationship

ABSTRACT Context: The relationship between back pain and obesity is well characterized; therefore, the neurosurgical consultant visit for back pain may be a key interventional opportunity for weight loss. Aims: The aim of this project was to evaluate efficacy of an educational intervention for back pain. Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate effectiveness of an educational intervention (Show patient's own MRI, Explain degenerative disc disease, Relate to weight issues, Reference other weight-related comorbidities, and Encourage a plan of action for weight loss [SERRE]). This has been performed since 2014 for patients presenting to the first author's neurosurgical spine clinic with nonsurgical back pain and body mass index (BMI) over 35. Results: The average BMI was 50.7. Fifty-five percent of patients had additional weight-related comorbidities. After SERRE intervention, 82% of patients were open to weight loss interventions. However, only 22% of patients went on to follow-up with a formal weight management program and only 9% of patients went on to have a documented weight loss. The lack of success was largely attributed to social issues and severe medical comorbidities within the specific population. Conclusions: Incorporation of patient education regarding the relationship of weight loss to back pain and other weight-related comorbidities is well received in a rural specialist consultation setting. Improved communication with primary care physicians regarding this message and further supportive actions may improve follow-through, and therefore success of ultimate weight loss interventions.

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