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Regional study of nutritional status of urban primary schoolchildren. 3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tee ES, Khor SC, Ooi HE, Young SI, Zakiyah O, Zulkafli H

Food Nutr Bull, 2002 Mar;23(1):41-7.
PMID: 11975368

A total of 5,995 (7.8% of all 7- to 10-year-old primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur), randomly selected from 166 schools (97.6% of all schools), were measured for their weight and height. The analyses of all weight and height data, including the cutoffs used for defining stunting, underweight, and wasting and for thinness and overweight, were carried out as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The prevalances of stunting (height-for-age Z score < -2 SD), underweight (weight-for-age Z score < -2 SD) and wasting (weight-for-height Z score < -2 SD) among all the children studies were 6.7%, 7.1%, and 4.5%, respectively. Undernutrition among boys was more serious than among girls according to all three indicators. Because it was not possible to analyze the weight-for-height data for most of the children above 8.5 years of age, body mass index (BMI)-for-age was used to determine the prevalences of thinness and overweight for all the children. Based on the reference data, the prevalence of overweight (at or above the 95th percentile) was 9.7% and 7.1% for boys and girls, respectively, and 8.4% overall.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Fulltext Role of excitatory amino acid input in rostral ventrolateral medulla neurons in rats with obesity-induced hypertension

Suhaimi FW, Yusoff NH, Dewa A, Yusof AP

Acta Neurol Belg, 2010 Mar;110(1):57-64.
PMID: 20514927

Obesity is intimately associated with hypertension; increases in blood pressure are closely related to the magnitude of weight gain. The present study aims to determine whether the excitatory amino acid input to rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) contributes to elevated blood pressure in rats with diet-induced obesity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 280 to 300 grams were fed with a low-fat diet (10% kcal from fat) or moderately high-fat diet (32% kcal from fat) for 16 weeks. At week 16, rats on the moderate high-fat diet were segregated into obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats based on body weight distribution. Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly higher in obesity-prone rats as compared to obesity-resistant and rats on a low-fat diet. Bilateral injection of kynurenic acid (KYN) (40 nM) into the RVLM of the obesity-prone rats reduced MAP to levels significantly different from those observed in rats on a low-fat diet and obesity-resistant rats (no change in MAP). At a lower concentration (4 nM), KYN injection did not produce any change in MAP in any group. The results obtained suggest that excitatory amino acid input to the RVLM does contribute to the development of hypertension in rats with diet-induced obesity.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Gastrointestinal tract morphological alteration by unpleasant physical treatment and modulating role of Lactobacillus in broilers

Meimandipour A, Hair-Bejo M, Shuhaimi M, Azhar K, Soleimani AF, Rasti B, et al.

Br Poult Sci, 2010 Feb;51(1):52-9.
PMID: 20390569 DOI: 10.1080/00071660903394455

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supposedly unpleasant physical treatment on broiler performance, small intestinal development and ameliorating role of probiotics. 2. The following treatments were applied from day one: (1) chicks exposed to normal human contact fed basal diet (control); (2) chicks were exposed to unpleasant physical treatment and fed basal diet (UPT-BD); and (3) chicks were exposed to unpleasant physical treatment and fed basal diet supplemented with Lactobacillus (UPT-BDL). Chicks were exposed to UPT from days 1 to 21. Different segments of gastrointestinal tract were sampled at 14, 28, 35 and 42 d of age. 3. Broilers of UPT-BD had lower feed consumption compared with control group at 7 d of age. Overall, UPT-BDL birds showed higher body weight gain (BWG) and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) over the course of the experiment. 4. Birds of UPT-BD had lower concentrations of lactic, propionic and butyric acids in the caecum as compared with other groups at 14 d of age. Acetic acid concentration was profoundly decreased in both UPT groups compared to the control. 5. Duodenal villus height of UPT-BD broilers showed a slight reduction compared to the control and UPT-BDL birds at 14 d of age. Afterwards until day 42, UPT-BDL birds showed the highest villus height among treatments in different parts of the small intestine. 6. The results suggested that, even though UPT did not have significant inhibitory effects on the development of the small intestine and broiler performance, it negatively affected bacterial metabolic end products in the caecum, which could be ameliorated by the addition of Lactobacillus.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Anthropometric and physiological profiles of sepak takraw players

Jawis MN, Singh R, Singh HJ, Yassin MN

Br J Sports Med, 2005 Nov;39(11):825-9; discussion 825-9.
PMID: 16244191

OBJECTIVES: Anthropometric and physiological profiles of national sepak takraw players were determined.
METHODS: Thirty nine players, specialising in the three playing positions (tekong/server, feeder, and killer/spiker) were divided into three age categories of under 15 (U15), under 18 (U18), and under 23 (U23) years of age. Height, weight, percent body fat (%bf), maximum oxygen consumption (Vo(2max)), range of motion (ROM), back and leg strength, and heart rate, for the estimation of oxygen consumption during matches, were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA for independent measurements and data are presented as mean+/-standard deviation.
RESULTS: The U23 players were significantly taller and heavier with significantly better ROM of the neck, trunk, and ankle joints and back and leg strength than the U15 players. No significant difference was found in %bf between the three age categories. Mean maximum heart rate during exercise was significantly higher in the U15 group when compared to the U18 and U23 groups (p<0.05). Mean Vo2max was similar between the three groups. Estimated oxygen consumption during matches was 69.1%, 68.5%, and 56.4% of Vo2max in the killer, tekong, and the feeder groups, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The mean height, body weight, and cardiopulmonary capacities of the players were within the Malaysian population norms, but were somewhat lower than those of players of other court games from other countries. %bf was also lower in these players. This study provides the much needed anthropometric and physiological data of sepak takraw players for further development of this sport.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Progressive and accelerated weight and body fat loss in Parkinson's disease: A three-year prospective longitudinal study

Yong VW, Tan YJ, Ng YD, Choo XY, Sugumaran K, Chinna K, et al.

Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 2020 08;77:28-35.
PMID: 32615497 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.06.015

INTRODUCTION: Although weight loss is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), longitudinal studies assessing weight and body composition changes are limited.
METHODS: In this three-year longitudinal study, 125 subjects (77 PD patients and 48 spousal/sibling controls) underwent clinical, biochemical and body composition assessments using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
RESULTS: Patients were older than controls (65.6 ± 8.9 vs. 62.6 ± 7.1, P = 0.049), with no significant differences in gender, comorbidities, dietary intake and physical activity. Clinically significant weight loss (≥5% from baseline weight) was recorded in 41.6% of patients, with a doubling of cases (6.5 to 13.0%) classified as underweight at study end. Over three years, patients demonstrated greater reductions in BMI (mean -1.2 kg/m2, 95%CI-2.0 to -0.4), whole-body fat percentage (-2.5% points, 95%CI-3.9 to -1.0), fat mass index (FMI) (-0.9 kg/m2, 95%CI-1.4 to -0.4), visceral fat mass (-0.1 kg, 95%CI-0.2 to 0.0), and subcutaneous fat mass (-1.9 kg, 95%CI-3.4 to -0.5) than in controls, with significant group-by-time interactions after adjusting for age and gender. Notably, 31.2% and 53.3% of patients had FMI<3rd (severe fat deficit) and <10th centiles, respectively. Muscle mass indices decreased over time in both groups, without significant group-by-time interactions. Multiple linear regression models showed that loss of body weight and fat mass in patients were associated with age, dyskinesia, psychosis and constipation.
CONCLUSIONS: We found progressive loss of weight in PD patients, with greater loss of both visceral and subcutaneous fat, but not muscle, compared to controls. Several associated factors (motor and non-motor disease features) were identified for these changes, providing insights on possible mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology*
Fulltext Weight as predictors of clinical progression and treatment failure: results from the TREAT Asia Pediatric HIV Observational Database

Kariminia A, Durier N, Jourdain G, Saghayam S, Do CV, Nguyen LV, et al.

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2014 Sep 01;67(1):71-6.
PMID: 24872132 DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000000227

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of time-updated weight and height in predicting clinical progression, and immunological and virological failure in children receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).
METHODS: We used Cox regression to analyze data of a cohort of Asian children.
RESULTS: A total of 2608 children were included; median age at cART was 5.7 years. Time-updated weight for age z score < -3 was associated with mortality (P < 0.001) independent of CD4% and < -2 was associated with immunological failure (P ≤ 0.03) independent of age at cART.
CONCLUSIONS: Weight monitoring provides useful data to inform clinical management of children on cART in resource-limited settings.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology*
Fulltext What's in a Surname? Physique, Aptitude, and Sports Type Comparisons between Tailors and Smiths

Voracek M, Rieder S, Stieger S, Swami V

PLoS One, 2015;10(7):e0131795.
PMID: 26161803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131795

Combined heredity of surnames and physique, coupled with past marriage patterns and trade-specific physical aptitude and selection factors, may have led to differential assortment of bodily characteristics among present-day men with specific trade-reflecting surnames (Tailor vs. Smith). Two studies reported here were partially consistent with this genetic-social hypothesis, first proposed by Bäumler (1980). Study 1 (N = 224) indicated significantly higher self-rated physical aptitude for prototypically strength-related activities (professions, sports, hobbies) in a random sample of Smiths. The counterpart effect (higher aptitude for dexterity-related activities among Tailors) was directionally correct, but not significant, and Tailor-Smith differences in basic physique variables were nil. Study 2 examined two large total-population-of-interest datasets (Austria/Germany combined, and UK: N = 7001 and 20,532) of men's national high-score lists for track-and-field events requiring different physiques. In both datasets, proportions of Smiths significantly increased from light-stature over medium-stature to heavy-stature sports categories. The predicted counterpart effect (decreasing prevalences of Tailors along these categories) was not supported. Related prior findings, the viability of possible alternative interpretations of the evidence (differential positive selection for trades and occupations, differential endogamy and assortative mating patterns, implicit egotism effects), and directions for further inquiry are discussed in conclusion.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology*
Fulltext Sleep timing is associated with diet and physical activity levels in 9-11-year-old children from Dunedin, New Zealand: the PEDALS study

Harrex HAL, Skeaff SA, Black KE, Davison BK, Haszard JJ, Meredith-Jones K, et al.

J Sleep Res, 2018 08;27(4):e12634.
PMID: 29160021 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12634

It is well documented that short sleep duration is associated with excess body weight and poor food intake in children. It has been suggested that sleep timing behaviour may also be an important predictor of weight and other related behaviours, independent of sleep duration; however, there is a lack of research investigating these relationships. The present study investigated sleep timing in association with diet and physical activity levels in 439 children aged 9-11 years old from New Zealand. Sleep and physical activity data were collected using accelerometry, and food choice using a short food-frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified into one of four sleep timing behaviour categories using the median split for sleep-onset and -offset times. Differences between sleep timing groups for weekly consumption frequency of selected food groups, dietary pattern scores and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were examined. Children in the late sleep/late wake category had a lower 'Fruit & Vegetables' pattern score [mean difference (95% CI): -0.3 (-0.5, -0.1)], a lower consumption frequency of fruit and vegetables [mean weekly difference (95% CI): -2.9 (-4.9, -0.9)] and a higher consumption frequency of sweetened beverages [mean weekly difference (95% CI): 1.8 (0.2, 3.3)] compared with those in the early sleep/early wake category. Additionally, children in the late sleep/late wake category accumulated fewer minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day compared with those in the early sleep/early wake category [mean difference (95% CI): -9.4 (-15.3, -3.5)]. These findings indicate that sleep timing, even after controlling for sleep duration, was associated with both food consumption and physical activity.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Upregulation of catalase and downregulation of glutathione peroxidase activity in the kidney precede the development of hypertension in pre-hypertensive SHR

Sundaram A, Siew Keah L, Sirajudeen KN, Singh HJ

Hypertens Res, 2013 Mar;36(3):213-8.
PMID: 23096233 DOI: 10.1038/hr.2012.163

Although oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), there is little information on the levels of primary antioxidant enzymes status (AOEs) in pre-hypertensive SHR. This study therefore determined the activities of primary AOEs and their mRNA levels, levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant status (TAS) in whole kidneys of SHR and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats aged between 2 and 16 weeks. Compared with age-matched WKY rats, catalase (CAT) activity was significantly higher from the age of 2 weeks (P<0.001) and glutathione peroxide (GPx) activity was lower from the age of 3 weeks (P<0.001) in SHR. CAT mRNA levels were significantly higher in SHR aged 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks. GPx mRNA levels were significantly lower in SHR at 8 and 12 weeks. Superoxide dismutase activity or its mRNA levels were not different between the two strains. H2O2 levels were significantly lower in SHR from the age of 8 weeks (P<0.01). TAS was significantly higher in SHR from the age of 3 weeks (P<0.05). MDA levels were only significantly higher at 16 weeks of age in the SHR (P<0.05). The data suggest that altered renal CAT and GPx mRNA expression and activity precede the development of hypertension in SHR. The raised CAT activity perhaps contributes to the higher TAS and lower H2O2 levels in SHR. In view of these findings, the precise role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of hypertension in SHR needs to be investigated further.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Waist circumference and not body mass index as the outcome of a group weight intervention for patients with severe mental illness

Nik Jaafar NR, Midin M, Mahadevan R, Sinniah A, Rahman AH, Ming W, et al.

Compr Psychiatry, 2014 Jan;55 Suppl 1:S60-4.
PMID: 24139853 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.09.002

OBJECTIVE: Most weight interventions among patients with severe mental illness (SMI) used body mass index (BMI) as outcome measure but excluded waist circumference (WC) although the latter is a stronger predictor of obesity complications. This study aimed to assess a weight-management program consisting of education, exercise and behavioural techniques for patients with SMI using weight parameters including WC as the outcome measures.
METHODS: A group intervention was carried out as part of psychiatric outpatient community service. It used structured modules on diet, exercise and related topics comprising of education and exercises sessions with a total of 12-week duration. The participants were outpatients with SMI recruited through referrals to the program by the treating doctor. The participants' body weight, BMI and WC were measured at the baseline, fortnightly and at the end of the program.
RESULTS: A total of 27 patients participated in the program which was carried out in 6 cycles. The pre- and post-intervention comparisons analysis of the weight parameters found a significant reduction in the WC (mean=3.878 cm+5.165, p=0.001) while no significant changes were recorded in body weight and BMI.
CONCLUSION: Small but significant loss in WC and possibly weight maintenance were achieved using this non-pharmacological intervention. Modest loss in WC may have an impact on reducing the risk of obesity-related health risks.
Study site: Psychiatric clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Michaelis-Menten pharmacokinetics of phenytoin in adult Malaysian patients

Ismail R, Rahman AF

J Clin Pharm Ther, 1990 Dec;15(6):411-7.
PMID: 2089048

We reviewed our data from 122 records of patients taking phenytoin for the treatment of various types of epilepsy and selected 15 (age range 10-43 years old) who were on phenytoin alone to calculate Michaelis-Menten pharmacokinetic parameters. The average Vm and Km for this age group was found to be 8.45 mg/kg/day and 6.72 mg/litre, respectively. Km was independent of age and weight. Vm correlated well with weight but there was no relationship with age.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Fulltext Physiological responses of 3 chicken breeds to acute heat stress

Soleimani AF, Zulkifli I, Omar AR, Raha AR

Poult Sci, 2011 Jul;90(7):1435-40.
PMID: 21673158 DOI: 10.3382/ps.2011-01381

Domestic animals have been modified by selecting individuals exhibiting desirable traits and culling the others. To investigate the alterations introduced by domestication and selective breeding in heat stress response, 2 experiments were conducted using Red Jungle Fowl (RJF), village fowl (VF), and commercial broilers (CB). In experiment 1, RJF, VF, and CB of a common chronological age (30 d old) were exposed to 36 ± 1°C for 3 h. In experiment 2, RJF, VF, and CB of common BW (930 ± 15 g) were subjected to similar procedures as in experiment 1. Heat treatment significantly increased body temperature, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, and plasma corticosterone concentration in CB but not in VF and RJF. In both experiments and irrespective of stage of heat treatment, RJF showed lower heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, higher plasma corticosterone concentration, and higher heat shock protein 70 expression than VF and CB. It can be concluded that selective breeding for phenotypic traits in the domestication process has resulted in alterations in the physiology of CB and concomitantly the ability to withstand high ambient temperature compared with RJF and VF. In other words, domestication and selective breeding are leading to individuals that are more susceptible to stress rather than resistant. It is also apparent that genetic differences in body size and age per se may not determine breed or strain variations in response to heat stress.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Fulltext Perceived physical activity barriers related to body weight status and sociodemographic factors among Malaysian men in Klang Valley

Ibrahim S, Karim NA, Oon NL, Ngah WZ

BMC Public Health, 2013;13:275.
PMID: 23530696 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-275

Physical inactivity has been acknowledged as a public health issue and has received increasing attention in recent years. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the barriers to physical activity among Malaysian men. These barriers were analyzed with regards to sociodemographic factors, physical activity level, BMI and waist circumference.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Non-uniform decay in jumping exercise-induced bone gains following 12 and 24 weeks of cessation of exercise in rats

Ooi FK, Singh R, Singh HJ, Umemura Y, Nagasawa S

J Physiol Sci, 2011 Nov;61(6):487-95.
PMID: 21870136 DOI: 10.1007/s12576-011-0169-4

The effects of deconditioning on exercise-induced bone gains in rats were investigated in 12-week-old female WKY rats performing a standard jumping exercise regimen for either 8, 12 or 24 weeks, followed by sedentary periods of either 24, 12 or 0 weeks, respectively. Age-matched controls received no exercise over the same period. At the end of the training/sedentary period, the tibiae were harvested for analyses of bone parameters. Gains in tibial fat-free dry weight decayed within 12 weeks of deconditioning, but gains in tibial ultimate bending force (strength), maximum diameter and cortical area were still present at 12 weeks of deconditioning. With the exception of cortical area, all other exercise-induced bone gains decayed by the 24th week of deconditioning. It appears that the decay in exercise-induced bone gains in strength, physical and morphological properties is not uniform, and that gains in fat-free dry weight seem to decay earlier.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Effects of probiotics supplementation and circuit training on immune responses among sedentary young males

Ibrahim NS, Ooi FK, Chen CK, Muhamad AS

J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 2017 07 05;58(7-8):1102-1109.
PMID: 28677946 DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.17.07742-8

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that probiotics may have positive benefits on immune responses following endurance exercise. However, little attention has been given to its possible beneficial effects on immune responses following resistance exercise.
METHODS: Forty-one healthy sedentary males were recruited and randomised into four groups: sedentary control with placebo (C), probiotics (P), circuit training with placebo (Ex), and circuit training with probiotics (PEx) groups. Participants in the Ex and PEx groups performed a progressive load of circuit training at 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Each circuit comprised 10 exercises with work to rest ratio of 1:2. Participants consumed either multi-strain probiotics or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Body height and weight, blood pressure, resting heart rate, saliva and blood samples were collected at pre- and post-tests.
RESULTS: Saliva flow rate and salivary IgA, α-amylase, lactoferrin and lysozyme responses were not significantly different (P>0.05) between groups and also between pre- and post-test within each group. Similarly, total leukocytes, total lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, T-helper, T-cytotoxic, B lymphocytes, and natural killer cells counts were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the probiotics and/or circuit training. However, circuit training significantly increased (P<0.05) immune cells count at post-test as compared to pre-test. Yet, a combination of circuit training and probiotics showed no significant (P>0.05) effects on immune cells count.
CONCLUSIONS: This study did not provide enough support for the positive effects of probiotics on immune responses among sedentary young males following resistance exercise. However, 12 weeks of circuit training enhanced immune cells count.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Anthropometric and growth assessment of children receiving renal replacement therapy in Malaysia

Karupaiah T, Chooi CH, Lim YN, Morad Z

J Ren Nutr, 2002 Apr;12(2):113-21.
PMID: 11953925

To report on the anthropometric and growth status of children receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Fulltext Co-administration of conjugated linoleic acid and rosiglitazone increases atherogenic co-efficient and alters isoprenaline-induced vasodilatation in rats fed high fat diet

Chai BK, Lau YS, Loong BJ, Rais MM, Ting KN, Dharmani DM, et al.

Physiol Res, 2018 Nov 14;67(5):729-740.
PMID: 29750886

The cis(c)-9, trans(t)-11 (c9,t11) and t10,c12 isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) have been reported as agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and beneficial in lipidemia and glycemia. However, it is unclear whether CLA isomers enhance or antagonize effects of conventional drugs targeting PPAR. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and treated without or with CLA, rosiglitazone or both for 4 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance and surrogate markers of insulin resistance were not significantly different for all treatments compared to untreated normal diet (ND) or HFD group, except lipoprotein levels. The combination of CLA and rosiglitazone had suppressed levels of low and high density lipoproteins (46 % and 25 %, respectively), compared to HFD-alone. Conversely, the atherogenic co-efficient of the animals received HFD or HFD+rosiglitazone+CLA was 2-folds higher than ND, HFD+rosiglitazone or HFD+CLA. Isolated aortic rings from the combined CLA and rosiglitazone treated animals were less sensitive to isoprenaline-induced relaxation among endothelium-denuded aortas with a decreased efficacy and potency (R(max)=53+/-4.7 %; pEC50=6+/-0.2) compared to endothelium-intact aortas (R(max)=100+/-9.9 %; pEC50=7+/-0.2). Our findings illustrate that the combination of CLA and rosiglitazone precede the atherogenic state with impaired endothelium-independent vasodilatation before the onset of HFD-induced insulin resistance.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Growth curves for school children from Kuching, Sarawak: a methodological development

Bong YB, Shariff AA, Mohamed AM, Merican AF

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):NP1217-27.
PMID: 22652249 DOI: 10.1177/1010539512446959

In this article, the authors propose reference curves for height and weight for school children in the Kuching area, Sarawak. The school children were from primary to secondary schools (aged 6.5 to 17 years old) and comprised both genders. Anthropometric measurements and demographic information for 3081 school-aged children were collected (1440 boys and 1641 girls). Fitted line plots and percentiles for height and weight (3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th percentiles) were obtained. The height of school boys and school girls were almost similar at the start of their school-going age. For school girls, height and weight values stabilized when they reached 16 or 17 years old but kept increasing for school boys. School boys were taller than school girls as they entered adolescence. Height differences between school boys and school girls became significantly wider as they grew older. Chinese school children were taller and heavier than those of other ethnic groups.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Subterranean termite open-air foraging and tolerance to desiccation: Comparative water relation of two sympatric Macrotermes spp. (Blattodea: Termitidae)

Hu J, Neoh KB, Appel AG, Lee CY

Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol, 2012 Feb;161(2):201-7.
PMID: 22085890 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2011.10.028

The foraging patterns of termites are strongly related to physiological limits in overcoming desiccation stress. In this study, we examined moisture preferences and physiological characteristics of Macrotermes carbonarius (Hagen) and M. gilvus (Hagen) as both exhibit conspicuous patterns of foraging activity. Despite both species showing no significant differences in calculated cuticular permeability, and percentage of total body water, they differed greatly in rate of water loss and surface area to volume ratio. For example, M. carbonarius which had a lower surface area to volume ratio (29.26-53.66) showed lower rate of water loss and percentage of total body water loss. This also resulted in higher LT(50) when exposed to extreme conditions (≈2% RH). However, contrasting observations were made in M. gilvus that has smaller size with higher surface area to volume ratio of 40.28-69.75. It is likely that the standard equation for calculating insect surface areas is inadequate for these termite species. The trend was further supported by the result of a moisture preference bioassay that indicated M. carbonarius had a broader range of moisture preference (between 5% and 20%) than M. gilvus which had a relatively narrow moisture preference (only 20%). These results explain why M. carbonarius can tolerate desiccation stress for a longer period foraging above-ground in the open air; while M. gilvus only forages below ground or concealed within foraging mud tubes.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology
Implementation of herd health program to improve survival of Boer goats in Malaysia

Salisi MS, Saad MZ, Kasim A

Trop Anim Health Prod, 2012 Feb;44(2):207-11.
PMID: 22083271 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-011-0008-x

A Boer goat breeding farm with 800 heads of breeder females, 50 breeder males, and 400 growing goats of various ages in Sabah, Malaysia was selected to study the effect of implementing herd health program. This included vaccination program against pneumonic mannheimiosis; fecal monitoring for helminthiasis, coccidiosis, and colibacillosis; and introduction of modified feeding regime comprised of day-time grazing and feeding of cut grass and supplemented feed. The herd health program was implemented in September 2007 and the impact was observed on body weight gains, body scoring, and annual mortality among adults and kids. It was found that implementation of herd health program significantly (p < 0.05) increased the average body weight gains in both adults and kids from 1.8 g per kid and 0.6 g per adult in 2006 to 3.7 g per kid and 2.2 g per adult in 2008. The percentage of adults with body scoring of <3 was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from 82.3% in 2006 to 77.6% in 2007 and 4% in 2008. Similarly, the annual mortality rate was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from 6.5% among kids and 58.2% among adults in 2006 to 12.1% among kids and 10.4% among adults in 2007, and to 9.1% among kids and 1.1% among adults in 2008. Therefore, it was concluded that implementation of herd health program significantly improved the survival and performance of goats.

Matched MeSH terms: Body Weight/physiology

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