Effects of luteolin-rich chrysanthemum flower extract on purine base absorption and blood uric acid in Japanese subjects

Background and objective: Chrysanthemum flowers are consumed as fresh condiments, herbal teas, and processed foods in Japan and Taiwan. They contain luteolin as a major polyphenol and are traditionally used for eye care. We previously demonstrated that the ingestion of Chrysanthemum flower extract (CFE) for 1 month reduced serum uric acid levels. However, the findings obtained were considered to be biased because the study was performed by a CFE manufacturer. Therefore, we herein conducted a clinical trial on CFE on a larger scale and examined its effects on purine base absorption from the intestines, which represents an effective approach for reducing serum uric acid levels. Methods: Both studies were performed as randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and CFE (100 mg) containing 1 mg of luteolin was used as the active sample. We enrolled 44 healthy Japanese men and women with 6.0 to 7.9 mg/dL serum uric acid. All subjects were randomly allocated to an active group (n=22) or placebo group (n=22) using a computerized random number generator. In the purine base absorption study, CFE was ingested with a purine base-rich diet and serum uric acid levels were measured chronologically. In the 12-week consecutive ingestion study, CFE or placebo was administered between January and April 2021. Serum uric acid levels after 12 weeks were assessed as the primary outcome, and uric acid were measured before and after 4 weeks of the intervention as secondary outcomes. Blood, urine and body parameters were examined to evaluate the safety of CFE. Results: Thirty-nine subjects completed the trial, and the per protocol set comprised 18 and 21 subjects in the active and placebo groups, respectively. In the single dosing study of CFE on subjects loaded by the purine base-rich diet, no significant changes were observed between the CFE and placebo groups. On the other hand, in the 12-week ingestion study, serum uric acid levels were significantly lower in the CFE group than in the placebo group. Laboratory tests revealed no abnormalities to suggest any side effects of CFE.Conclusions: CFE (100 mg/day) containing 1 mg of luteolin reduced serum uric acid levels. CFE may be beneficial for improving hyperurichemia. Trial Registration: UMIN-CTR: UMIN000042327Foundation: The present study was funded by Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co., Ltd. Keywords: Chrysanthemum, luteolin, uric acid, purine base

Prediction of body weight from linear body measurement in two breeds of cattle

The study compared live weight and linear body measurements of two breeds of cattle (White Fulani and Muturu Cattle) and regressed linear body measurements on live weight. A total of eighty-six cattle of forty-three per a breed were reared at the cattle production unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, Akwa Ibom State University – Obio Akpa Campus, Nigeria in a semi intensive management system. Parameters measured were; live weight (LW), face length (FCL), head circumference (HC), ear length (EL), neck length(NL), neck circumference(NC), height at wither(HW), body length(BL), body circumference(BC), hind limb(HL), fore limb(FL), and tail length(TL). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis for morphometric traits and prediction was done through linear model regression method using SPSS statistical software package. Breed of cattle significantly (P>0.05) affected all linear body measurements and live weight exception of NL .Linear body Parameters of both breeds were compared. The mean live weight of White Fulani and Muturu were 251.28kg and 149.81kg, respectively. Means of FL, EL, NL, BL, HL, TL and BC, NC and HW of White Fulani were significantly (P<0.01) higher than Muturu breed but the HC of Muturu was significantly (P<0.01) higher than White Fulani breed. Muturu breed had higher R2 of 0.98 in BL and BC than White Fulani breed. In conclusion, White Fulani was considered a larger breed than Muturu cattle. Live weight can be accurately predicted from linear body measurements through BC and BL in both breeds.

Parameter Measurement of Live Animals Based on the Mirror of Multiview Point Cloud

Scale and standardization are essential to the prosperity of the breeding industry. During large-scale, standardized breeding, the selective breeding of good livestock breeds hinges on the accurate measurement of body parameters for live animals. However, the complex shooting environment brings several urgent problems, such as the missing of many local data in the point cloud and the difficulty in the automatic acquisition of body data. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a method for parameter measurement of live animals based on the mirror of multiview point cloud. Firstly, the acquisition and stitching principles were given for the multiview point cloud data on body parameters of live animals. Next, the authors presented a way to make up for the data missing areas in the point cloud. Finally, this paper acquires the body mirror data of live animals and scientifically calculates the body parameters. The proposed measurement method was proved effective through experiments.

Influence of the Shape of Gear Wheel Bodies in Marine Engines on the Gearing Deformation and Meshing Stiffness

The basic properties of gears must be considered: the shape of their gearing, their load capacity, and the meshing stiffness, which affects the noise and vibration. When designing large gears, it is important to choose the correct shape of the gear body. Large gears used in marine gearboxes must be designed with as little weight as possible. The requirements of sufficient stiffness of the gear wheel body, as well as the meshing stiffness, must be met. This paper is devoted to the influence of spur gear wheel body parameters on gearing deformation and meshing stiffness. The stiffness of the gear is solved on the basis of the deformation of the gearing teeth, which is determined by the finite element method. Examples of the simulation and subsequent processing of results demonstrates how the individual parameters of the gear wheel body influence the stiffness of the gearing teeth. At the same time, the results point to designs of suitable shape and dimensions to achieve the required stiffness of the gearing teeth, but with the lowest possible weight of the spur gear wheel body.

Estimation of Ghanaian Adult Liver dimensions and body parameters

Despite refinements in surgical techniques for liver transplantation, liver size disparity remains one of the most common problems in patients. The general aim of this study is to estimate the size of liver volume and length of the liver in the midclavicular section and also estimate body parameters such as BMI, BSA, and BSI. The height and weight of patients going for abdominal CT were measured. The BSA, BSI and BMI were then calculated and compared to other measurements. Using MeVisLab software each patient liver volume was measured from their CT images.

Motivation of women of different ages to engage in oriental dances as a kind of physical culture and health activities

Oriental dance classes today are one of the current areas of physical culture and health activities for women of different ages. They have a positive effect on their physical and psycho- emotional state. The problem of insufficient formation of the system of scientific and methodological support of this type of health-improving motor activity is relevant. The work is devoted to the issue of priority motives of women of different age groups to oriental dance classes. Involvement of the population in physical education is impossible without knowledge of motivation to exercise. Taking into account the priority motives for the construction of physical culture and health classes is important. We conducted a survey of women aged 16-61 who are engaged in oriental dances. We found diversity and heterogeneity in the structure of women's priority motives for oriental dance. The results of our study show that the priority motives of women are participation in competitions, the formation of body parameters, improving of health, improvement of psycho-emotional state. Participation in competitions, as well as improving of the parameters of the figure are important motives for young women. Improving of health and improvement of psycho-emotional state are important for older women. Prospects for further research in this area - the development of training programs in various fields, taking into account the age and level of training of women.