Balance Assessment Using Multi-Directional Reach Test in Community-Dwelling Elderly People with Different Body Mass Index

Objective: To assess ability of balance in community-dwelling elderly people with different body mass index (BMI) using multi-directional reach test (MDRT) test. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on ability of balance using MDRT in community-dwelling elderly people. Results: Obese community-dwelling elderly people had the lowest scores in all directions of MDRT when compared with those of normal weight and overweight groups. Furthermore, in overweight group, the scores in all directions of MDRT were significantly reduced compared to those of normal weight group (p<0.05). Moreover, the scores of MDRT were negatively correlated with BMI (p<0.05). Conclusion: Obese and overweight community-dwelling elderly people had decreased ability of balance. Additionally, BMI was negatively correlated with the scores of MDRT in community-dwelling elderly people. Keywords: Body mass index; Multi-directional reach test; Falls; Elderly; Balance

Decreased DNA Repair Ability: A Mechanism for Low Early Embryonic Development Potential of Oocytes From Overweight Patients After Fertilization in IVF Cycles

BackgroundWhether female BMI impacts the DNA repair ability in the oocytes after fertilization has not been investigated. The aim of this study is to assess the early embryo quality and reproductive outcomes of oocytes from overweight women when fertilized with sperm with varying degrees of DNA fragmentation.MethodsA total number of 1,612 patients undergoing fresh autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles was included. These patients were divided into two groups according to maternal body mass index (BMI): normal weight group (18.5–24.9 kg/m2; n=1187; 73.64%) and overweight group (≥25 kg/m2; n=425; 26.36%). Each group was then subdivided into two groups by sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI): low fragmentation group (&lt;20% DFI, LF) and high fragmentation group (≥20% DFI, HF). Laboratory and clinical outcomes were compared between subgroups.ResultsFor the normal-weight group, there was no statistical significance in embryo quality and reproductive outcomes between the LF and HF groups. But in the overweight group, significantly lower fertilization rate (LF: 64%; HF: 59%; p=0.011), blastocyst development rate (LF: 57%; HF: 44%; p=0.001), as well as high-quality blastocyst rate (LF: 32%; HF: 22%; p=0.034) were found in the HF group, despite the similar pregnancy rates (LF: 56%; HF: 60%; p=0.630).ConclusionsDecreased DNA repair activity in oocytes may be a possible mechanism for the low early development potential of embryos from overweight patients in in vitro fertilization cycles.

Age moderates the relationships between obesity, glucose variability, and intensive care unit mortality: a retrospective cohort study

Background Although the associations between obesity, glucose variability (GV), and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mortality have been studied extensively, whether age moderates these associations is not well understood. Materials and methods The medical records of 1062 patients, who were admitted into ICU at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (Zhejiang, China), were studied. Logistic regression was used to test the associations between obesity, GV, and ICU mortality. Furthermore, the moderation effect of age was tested. Results After controlling for covariates, the underweight group had the highest odds of death (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.43–3.95, p < 0.001) in comparison with the control group (overweight). However, normal weight (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.88–1.89, p = 0.185) and obese (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.61–1.90, p = 0.790) groups had similar odds of death, compared to the overweight group. Age significantly moderated the association between obesity and mortality, where being overweight was more advantageous than being normal weight in older adults (B = 0.03, SE = 0.01, OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.001–1.06, p = 0.045). Meanwhile, higher GV predicted greater mortality in adjusted models (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.06–1.42, p = 0.005). We also found an interaction between age and GV (B = − 0.01, SE = 0.01, OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–0.999, p = 0.025), which suggested that the association between GV and mortality becomes weaker with increasing age. Conclusions With increasing age, the association between BMI and mortality becomes stronger and the association between glucose variability and mortality becomes weaker. Future studies should investigate the underlying mechanisms of such phenomenon and the causal relationship between obesity, GV, and ICU mortality.

Estimating trunk fat in children according to sex using basic somatic readings: an opportunity for improving evaluation among girls

Background The fat mass estimators waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and relative fat mass—pediatric (RFMp) complement the widely accepted body mass index (BMI) in obesity evaluation. Aims of the Study: Conduct an easy appraisal of trunk fat and the cardiometabolic risk associated with pediatric obesity. Methods A total of 472 children (39% boys in the total sample) were classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese (nutritional groups, NGs) according to BMI Z-score after initial anthropometric data were obtained and ad hoc exclusion criteria were applied. WHtR and RFMp (% of total fat) were calculated for each group, associations were assessed through multiple linear regression (MLR), and differences between sexes were evaluated (medians, IQR). Results The mean age (mean (95% CI)) was 10.8 y (10.1–11.1). The values in the total sample were as follows: WHtR, 0.5 (0.49–0.51) and RFMp%, 32.3 (31.7–33.0). In the overweight group, the values were as follows: WHtR, 0.51 (0.50–0.52) and RFMp(%), 34.2 (33.3–35.1). In the obese group, the values were as follows: WHtR, 0.56 (0.55–0.57) and RFMp(%), 37.8 (36.9–38.6). The associations were as follows (NG; independent variables): In the NG, adjusted R2 values were between 0.74 and 0.78. In the total sample, the beta coefficient was 3.36 (P < 0.001) for RFMp for girls; for waist circumference (WC), the beta coefficient was 2.97 (P < 0.001), and for WHtR the beta coefficients were − 0.01 (p < 0.001) and 0.03 (p < 0.001),for girls and for WC respectively. The sex differences were as follows: BMI exhibited no differences in the NG (Mann-Whitney U). WHtR (median (IQR)) differed (M vs. F) in the total sample (0.49 (0.45–0.54) vs. 0.52 (0.45–0.56), p < 0.004); in the overweight group (0.51 (0.48–0.53) vs. 0.54 (0.51–0.55), p < 0.001); and in the obese group (0.55 (0.52–0.57) vs. 0.57 (0.54–0.60), p < 0.004). RFMp (%) differed in the total group (29.21 (24.27–32.92) vs. 36.63 (30.2–39.51), p < 0.001); in the overweight group (31.24 (28.35–32.35) vs. 37.95 (35.75–38.82), p < 0.001) and in the obese group (35.89 (32.05–36.15) vs. 40.63 (38.27–42.42), p < 0.001). Conclusions WHtR and RFMp are simple and reliable indices that do not require centile charts. Their values, including waist circumference, can be used to estimate the different trunk fat components in boys and girls better than BMI, especially if individuals are overweight or obese. RFMp proved to be more reliable as it considers sex. Both should be included in routine anthropometric readings.

Distribution and Association of ABO and Rh Blood Group Antigens with BMI Among Nepalese and Indian Students Studied in a Medical College of Nepal

Introduction: Blood group antigens and body mass index of human are gaining importance for many diseases. Some attempts were reported to find any relationship between BMI and Blood groups with some contradictions. The possible association between BMI and blood groups of Nepalese and Indian medical students is yet to be established. Methods: Blood groups, ABO and Rh systems and body mass index (BMI) of participants, medical students of Nepalese and Indian origin were determined and analyzed statistically. Results: The distribution frequencies of 10.56%, 17.08%, 3.06%, and 20.28% females and 9.03%, 16.39%, 3.61% and 20.0% males of both the countries were present in A, B, AB and O blood groups, respectively. Rh-negative participants were predominantly present in O blood group. The observed frequencies of participants with different BMI group were distributed as 56.11%, 24.72%, 10.69% and 8.47% in Normal, Overweight, Underweight and Obese groups, respectively. Underweight participants were prevalent in O group and in females. The difference between the distribution of Nepalese females and males with Normal BMI was found significant in A and O. A distribution pattern of B>O>A>AB was observed for Overweight group. The occurrence of Obese is few folds higher among Indian participants than Nepalese and prevalent in males. Obese participants were found more associated with B and O blood group. Conclusions: Participants with A were more prevalent among Nepalese in respect to Indian. Rh-negative participants were distributed as 1.67% and 5.0% in Nepalese and Indians, respectively and predominantly present in O (4.44%) and are more prevalent in Indian males. In Normal BMI Nepalese were significantly more as compared to Indians. In the Underweight group females were significantly more prevalent as compared to males and found maximally associated with O blood group and most of them are Nepalese. In Overweight group males were more than females. Participants with obesity were mostly present in B and O blood group and most of them are Indian.

Use of Multi-Modality Technology to Reduce the Radiation Dose of Multi-Slice Spiral CT Coronary Angiography (MSCTCA) in Normal Weight and Overweight Patients

Purpose: This study was performed to explore the value of multi-modality technology, with a combination of narrow acquisition window, isocentric scanning, low tube voltage, low tube current and iterative reconstruction (IR), for reducing the radiation dose in multi-slice spiral computed tomography coronary angiography (MSCTCA). Materials and methods: In this prospective randomised controlled study, 154 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were classified according to body mass index (BMI) as normal weight (BMI 18–27kg/m2) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2), and divided into four groups: multi-modality–normal BMI group (A1, n = 82); multi-modality–overweight group (B1, n = 17); conventional–normal BMI group (A2, n = 39); and conventional–overweight group (B2, n = 16). The parameters in the multi-modality groups were as follows: isocentric scan, tube voltage = 80 kV, tube current control using 80% “smart milliampere”, and maximum current during 60–80% of the RR interval. The parameters in the conventional groups were as follows: normal position, tube voltage = 100 kV, tube current control using smart milliampere, and maximum current during 30–80% of the RR interval. The effective radiation dose (ED), objective image quality (IQ), noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast signal-to-noise ratio (CNR) and subjective 5-point Likert scale IQ scores of MSCTCA images were compared among the four groups. Results: The average EDs of groups A1, A2, B1and B2 were( 1.13±0.35 ) mSv, ( 3.36±1.30 ) mSv, ( 1.54±0.53 ) mSv and ( 5.90±0.93 ) mSv, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in ED between groups A1 and A2, and between groups B1 and B2 (all P < 0.01). Noise was significantly lower, and both SNR and CNR were significantly higher, in group A2 than group A1 (all P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences in these parameters between groups B1 and B2 (P = 0.14–0.51). The average IQ scores of groups A1, A2, B1and B2 were 4.46±0.59(Fig.3), 4.45±0.62(Fig.4), 4.39±0.68(Fig.5) and 4.42±0.66(Fig.6),respectively. There were no significant differences in subjective IQ scores among the four groups (P = 0.12). Consistency among observers in the subjective IQ scores of the four groups was very good, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.71–0.90. The subjective IQ scores of the coronary artery were excellent in all four groups, with a total good-to-excellent rate of ≥ 92.64%, and the total number of evaluable segments in the images of all four groups was ≥ 98.26%. Conclusions: Under conditions appropriate for clinical diagnosis, multi-modality technology can reduce the radiation dose of MSCTCA scans in both normal weight and overweight patients.

The Significance of Differences in Melanocortin 3 Levels and their Relationship with Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND: Melanocortin 3 Receptors (MC3R) levels plays a role in many biological systems, including energy homeostasis and regulation of fat metabolism. However, very few have researched the relationship between MC3R and tuberculosis (TB) and body mass index. AIM: This study explores the differences in serum MC3R levels in active TB, household contacts, and control groups, as well as at different body mass index status. This study tries to find out the relationship between MC3R and other variables. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Blood samples were taken from 53 active TB patients, 49 household contacts, and 30 healthy people as controls. The 132 samples were subjected to IGRA and ELISA examinations to determine differences in MC3R levels in all groups. RESULTS: The highest mean of MC3R levels were found in the active TB group at 1.259.55 (p = 0.028) and had a positive correlation with a value of p = 0.008. In the sex group, men had the highest levels (p = 0.551). In the 30–49 year age group, the median value increased significantly in the three groups (p = 0.028), and there was a correlation between MC3R and the 17–29 year age group, although the correlation was negative (p = 0.021), in the 30–49 year age group with a positive correlation (p = 0.050). The mean MC3R value increased significantly in the overweight group in the three groups (p = 0.006) but did not significantly correlate. CONCLUSION: The high level of MC3R in TB patients is related to its role as a defence against microbes that enter the body through the immune process to prevent further infection and inflammation. Meanwhile, high levels of MC3R in excess Body mass index were associated with the function of MC3R as an inhibitor of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to release α-MSH.

The Effect of Body Mass Index on the Feasibility of Surgery and Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer Patients Over 80 Years Old

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of radical surgery and explore prognostic factors affecting cancer-specific survival (CSS) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients over 80 years old.Methods From January 2010 to December 2020, a total of 372 elderly CRC patients who underwent curative resection at the National Cancer Center were enrolled and classified into a control group (BMI <24 kg/m2) and an overweight group (BMI ≥24 kg/m2). Preoperative clinical features, perioperative outcomes and postoperative pathological characteristics were collected and compared between the two groups.Results The control group and overweight group comprised 219 and 153 patients, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients in terms of operative time (153.0 vs 142.3 min, P=0.226), intraoperative bleeding (67.8 vs 69.3 ml, P=0.873) or other surgical outcomes or grade 3-4 postoperative complications (11.1% vs 14.6%, P=0.326). The 5-year CCS of patients in the overweight group was significantly worse than that of the control group (63.3% vs 80.0%, P=0.046). The multivariate analysis showed that CCS was significantly affected by BMI (HR: 2.30; 95% CI, 1.27-4.17; P=0.046) and N stage (HR: 2.97; 95% CI, 1.48-5.97; P=0.002)Conclusion The results of this study demonstrated that radical resection for CRC is safe and feasible for patients over 80 years of age. The increase in BMI does not increase the difficulty of surgery or postoperative complications. BMI and N stage were independent prognostic factors for elderly CRC patients after radical resection.

Bmis Have Different Effects on the Prevalence of OSA in Copd Patients: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

BackgroundObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Underweight and overweight have paradoxical effect on COPD prognosis, while obesity is a risk factor for OSA. We aimed to examine the association between BMIs and OSA risk in COPD patients. MethodsThis cross-section study included 1637 COPD subjects in the final analysis. BMI was classified into different groups. OSA was defined as varying severity by AHI. The associations between BMIs and risks of diverse severity of OSA were examined. ResultsFor varying severity of OSA, obesity associated with higher risk, while normal weight group associated with lower risk; overweight had no differences and underweight group had lower risk of moderate-to-severe OSA. Compared with normal weight, for OSA, the overweight group showed a trend of high risk whereas the underweight group indicated a higher risk (OR 1.424, 95% CI 1.015-1.988) (multivariable adjusted). BMI exhibited a J-shaped association with OSA; the risk for OSA was relatively flat at BMIs of 20-24 kg/m2 and above or below the risk increased (P for non-linearity 0.0057); for severe OSA, the plot depicted a S-shaped relation, the risk reached the lowest around 24 kg/m2 and then increased thereafter (P for non-linearity 0.0200). ConclusionsIn COPD population, for various severity of OSA, obesity is a firmly risk factor, overweight not influence the risk, while normal weight associate with lower risk; compared with normal weight, underweight increased the risk for OSA; BMI had a J-shaped association with OSA and a S-shaped with severe OSA.

Salivary Microbiome Diversity in Kuwaiti Adolescents with Varied Body Mass Index—A Pilot Study

The potential role of the salivary microbiome in human diseases has increasingly been explored. The salivary microbiome has been characterized in several global populations, except the Arabian Gulf region. Hence, in this pilot study, we profiled the salivary microbiome of Kuwaiti adolescents with varied body mass indexes (BMI). The analyses of core microbiome composition showed Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, Patescibacteria, Fusobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, and Campylobacterota as the common phylum found in the Kuwaiti adolescent population. We also illustrated a diverse microbial community among the sampled individuals grouped according to their BMI. Notably, the overweight group was found with a higher number of distinct taxa than other groups. As such, the core microbiome composition was found to be significantly different (p-value < 0.001) across different BMI groups. Overall, this pilot investigation outlined the microbial diversity and suggested that changes in salivary microbiome composition in people with obese or overweight BMI might reflect their susceptibility to oral diseases.