Search Results (879)

This preliminary study characterises type I collagen in the digestive system of the greater weever (Trachinus draco L.) by integrating histochemical and biochemical techniques. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first baseline mapping of type I collagen within the gastrointestinal tract of this species. Mallory staining and indirect immunofluorescence confirmed collagen presence across the oesophagus, stomach, and intestine. The histochemical quantification of the fluorescent area (100 measurements per organ across 15 fish specimens) showed no significant differences (p = 0.1315), indicating a uniform spatial distribution. However, biochemical analysis via hydroxyproline assay and a two-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in collagen content among organs (p = 0.0308). The stomach yielded the highest concentration (4.199 µg/mg), significantly exceeding that of the intestine (1.713 µg/mg; Šídák’s post hoc, p = 0.0300). This discrepancy suggests that the higher gastric content is due to greater fibre density rather than distribution area. SDS-PAGE and Western blot confirmed protein molecular weights of 100–130 kDa, corresponding to α1 and α2 chains typical of type I collagen. The combination of these histochemical and biochemical methods effectively detects and characterises collagen in fish gastrointestinal by-products. By introducing T. draco as a novel subject in this context, these findings provide essential baseline anatomical and histological data and offer a clear scientific justification for the biotechnological valorisation of unutilised commercial fishing by-products, fully aligning with sustainable marine circular economy principles. Full article

Background: Cervical extension type is commonly associated with forward head posture and altered cervical and scapular muscle activity. However, the comparative effects of cervical stabilization exercises combined with scapular stabilization exercises or thoracic exercises remain unclear. Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of cervical stabilization exercises combined with scapular stabilization exercises and cervical stabilization exercises combined with thoracic exercises on head posture and muscle activity in individuals with cervical extension type. Methods: Thirty-two university students with cervical extension deformity were randomly assigned to either a cervical spine stabilization combined with scapular stabilization training group or a cervical spine stabilization combined with thoracic spine training group. Baseline demographic and anthropometric characteristics, including sex, age, height, weight, and body mass index, were comparable between the groups. Both groups received a 4-week intervention consisting of stretching, strengthening, and postural correction exercises, performed three times per week. Head posture was assessed using the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and cranial rotation angle (CRA), and the muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) was measured using surface electromyography. Paired t-tests and two-way repeated measures ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Results: No significant differences were observed in the general characteristics between the two groups at baseline. After the intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in CVA and CRA compared with baseline. Compared with the CTG, the CSG showed significantly greater reductions in SCM and UT activity and significantly greater increases in LT and SA activity. Significant time effects and group-by-time interaction effects were identified for selected head posture and muscle activity variables. Conclusion: Cervical stabilization exercises combined with scapular stabilization exercises may be more effective than cervical stabilization exercises combined with thoracic exercises in improving head posture and optimizing neck and scapular muscle activity in individuals with cervical extension type. Full article

Background: The Forward Lunge is a representative squash-specific footwork movement involving rapid acceleration, braking, postural stabilization, and return propulsion. This study examined whether pre-competition neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with weighted squats was associated with differences in Forward Lunge performance and neuromuscular control in squash athletes. Methods: Thirty-six male squash athletes were randomly assigned to three groups: Weighted Squats, Fake Stimulation, and Real Stimulation, with 12 participants in each group. After the assigned acute intervention, all participants completed the squash-specific star test. Completion time was recorded using a Microgate Witty photocell timing system, while surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals from 14 right-side muscles were collected using a Delsys Trigno wireless electromyography system. High-speed video was used to identify the Forward Lunge movement cycle, and transistor–transistor logic (TTL) synchronization enabled temporal alignment among timing, video, and sEMG signals. Normalized root mean square (RMS), muscle co-activation index (CI), and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF)-based muscle synergy parameters were calculated. Between-group differences were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post hoc comparisons, and false discovery rate (FDR) correction was applied to secondary neuromuscular outcomes. Results: Star test completion time differed significantly among the three groups (F = 28.65, p < 0.001, η² = 0.63). The Real Stimulation group showed a shorter completion time (10.35 ± 0.45 s) than the Weighted Squats group (11.80 ± 0.55 s) and Fake Stimulation group (11.55 ± 0.50 s). During the Forward Lunge movement cycle, normalized RMS values of the rectus abdominis (ABS; F = 18.56, p < 0.001, η² = 0.55) and latissimus dorsi (LD; F = 13.42, p < 0.001, η² = 0.44) were significantly higher in the Real Stimulation group. The gluteus maximus–biceps femoris (GLM–BF) co-activation index also differed significantly among groups (F = 58.42, p < 0.001, η² = 0.78), with higher values in the Real Stimulation group. Muscle synergy analysis showed group differences in selected muscle activation weights and temporal activation parameters. Conclusions: In this parallel-group acute intervention study based on post-intervention measurements, real NMES combined with weighted squats was associated with shorter star test completion time and altered neuromuscular control during the Forward Lunge movement cycle. The integrated use of photocell timing, wireless sEMG, high-speed video, and TTL synchronization provided temporally aligned sensor-based evidence for evaluating acute pre-competition activation strategies. However, due to the absence of baseline measurements, the findings should be interpreted as post-intervention between-group differences rather than definitive evidence of individual improvement. Full article

Single-use plastic residues persist in agricultural and peri-urban soils of the Ecuadorian Andes. Regionally sourced starch-based films are a plausible local replacement for short-lifetime petroleum plastics, yet field-relevant degradation data for tropical high-altitude soils remain scarce. This study evaluated the soil biodegradability of bioplastic films produced from Colocasia esculenta (malanga blanca) and Manihot esculenta (yuca) across three contrasting soils from Chimborazo, Ecuador (ESPOCH, San Andrés and Río Chimborazo; 2825–3249 m a.s.l.) as a function of their physicochemical properties and bibliographically inferred microbial context. The films were prepared by citric acid starch extraction, glycerol plasticization and carboxymethylcellulose reinforcement; the gravimetric weight loss was tracked on days 0, 11, 18, 27, 40 and 47 on n = 20–21 film replicates per soil × feedstock combination, with the soils characterized by their pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter. After 47 days, the malanga films reached 42.3 ± 13.6%, 22.9 ± 10.7% and 54.1 ± 19.3% mean (±standard deviation, SD) weight loss in the ESPOCH, San Andrés and Río Chimborazo soils, respectively; the yuca films reached 24.4 ± 6.5%, 21.1 ± 6.8% and 49.4 ± 18.7%. The between-soil differences were statistically significant at 47 days according to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) (malanga: F = 22.17, p < 0.001; yuca: F = 34.08, p < 0.001; Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD)), with the results corroborated by the Kruskal–Wallis method (H = 29.16 and 37.05; both p < 0.001), given the partial departure from normality identified by the Shapiro–Wilk test. The ordering of degradation departed from the bulk organic matter ranking, indicating that microbial community composition, rather than organic matter quantity alone, was the proximal driver. These findings extend the scarce evidence base on cassava/taro film degradation under high-Andean conditions. Full article

The rapid global expansion of 5G technology has increased concerns regarding its potential health effects. Postural balance, a complex sensorimotor function reflecting central nervous system integrity, may be susceptible to electromagnetic field exposure. However, evidence on 5G effects on comprehensive balance outcomes remains limited. This randomized controlled pilot study investigated the effects of short-term exposure to 5G mobile phones on static and dynamic postural balance using computerized posturography. Nineteen healthy adults (mean age: 31 ± 7 years) participated in a randomized crossover design involving three conditions: 5-min exposure, 20-min exposure, and sham. Static and dynamic balance were assessed using the NeuroCom Balance Master, including the Unilateral Stance, Rhythmic Weight Shift, and Limits of Stability tests, which were performed immediately before and after each condition. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed no significant interaction between exposure condition and time (pre vs. post) across all outcomes. Bayesian analyses provided support against detectable exposure-related interaction effects, although evidence for some time-related effects was inconclusive or varied across outcomes. These findings suggest that short-term 5G exposure did not produce detectable alterations in postural control under the experimental conditions tested. Full article

The optimization of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process parameters is commonly performed using room-temperature mechanical properties as the main decision criteria, while the temperature-dependent thermomechanical response of printed polymers is often not explicitly considered. This limitation is relevant for functional components intended to operate above room temperature, where stiffness retention and viscoelastic behavior may strongly affect service performance. This work proposes an experimental–statistical framework for selecting FFF parameters by integrating Design of Experiments (DoE), tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) and the VIKOR method. Two materials with contrasting thermomechanical behavior were investigated: a high-performance semicrystalline polymer, Z-PEEK, and an elastomeric thermoplastic, TPU 95A. For each material, a DoE was defined to evaluate the influence of key printing parameters, and the manufactured specimens were characterized in terms of maximum tensile force, maximum deformation and storage modulus at selected temperatures. The ANOVA results showed a material-dependent influence of the processing parameters, with thermally driven parameters being especially relevant for Z-PEEK and deposition-related parameters having a stronger influence on TPU 95A. The EWM–VIKOR analysis identified the optimal Z-PEEK configuration as 400 °C extrusion temperature, 200 °C build plate temperature and 150 °C chamber temperature, whereas the optimal TPU 95A configuration corresponded to 225 °C extrusion temperature, 0.10 mm layer height, 50 mm/s printing speed and 80 °C build plate temperature. Overall, the results demonstrate that incorporating DMA-derived thermomechanical indicators into MCDM-based optimization provides a more application-oriented basis for FFF parameter selection than approaches based only on room-temperature mechanical properties. Full article

Light is a critical environmental cue regulating development and quality in edible fungi, yet the effects of dynamic light regimes (for example, transitions from white to blue light) remain poorly understood. We systematically investigated how white-light pretreatment duration (0, 4, 8, or 12 h) and two blue-light regimes—B6 (6 h blue followed by white until harvest) and Bc (continuous blue until harvest)—affect fruiting-body development, yield, color, textural properties, and nutritional quality of Pleurotus pulmonarius. The experiment was conducted at a single commercial production facility in Zhejiang Province, China, using the commercial strain P. pulmonarius (cultivar ‘Jinxiu’). Two-way ANOVA revealed significant interactions between white-light pretreatment and blue-light regime for cap a* value (red-green), cap width, cap hardness and chewiness, stipe hardness, number of fruiting bodies, and several nutrient components. All dynamic light regimes reduced cap L* value (lightness) and b* value (yellow-blue); continuous blue (Bc) produced a darker cap. Yield responses to blue-light duration depended on pretreatment: without white pretreatment, Bc outperformed B6, whereas with 4–12 h white pretreatment B6 produced higher yields. Relative to the control (CK), all dynamic regimes significantly increased total free amino acids and essential amino acids. Except for W4B6 and W12B6, all other treatments significantly increased crude protein; total soluble sugar, crude fat, and crude fiber decreased in most treatments compared to CK. These results indicate that an optimized transition from white to blue light can synergistically improve the color, nutritional quality and yield of P. pulmonarius. The W8Bc regime (8 h white pretreatment followed by continuous blue until harvest) produced the highest cap chewiness (21.65 N·mm) and free amino acid content (3110.44 μg·g⁻¹), the darkest cap color, and the top comprehensive score in the entropy-weighted TOPSIS evaluation, despite ranking second in yield and high-quality rate. Under the conditions tested (single cultivar ‘Jinxiu’ at one production base), we recommend the W8Bc light regime as suitable for industrial cultivation of Pleurotus pulmonarius. However, it should be noted that these findings cannot be generalized to the entire species without further validation across multiple strains and multiple locations. Full article

Background and Objectives: Halitosis is a prevalent oral concern that meaningfully affects oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), yet how active dental treatment is associated with short-term changes in the objective–subjective halitosis–QoL nexus remains poorly quantified. Interpretation is complicated by the multifactorial nature of malodor and by baseline differences between patients selected for different dental procedures. We compared changes in volatile sulfur compound (VSC) emissions, organoleptic ratings, tongue-coating burden, and OHIP-14 across three contrasting treatment modalities and explored whether VSC change statistically accounted for OHRQoL change. Methods: In a non-randomized prospective comparative study, 119 adults (18–67 y) commencing one of three procedures were assessed at baseline and at 8 weeks: scaling and root planing (Group A, n = 42), fixed prosthodontic rehabilitation (Group B, n = 38), or fixed orthodontic appliance bonding (Group C, n = 39). Outcomes included Halimeter^® VSC (ppb), Rosenberg organoleptic score (0–5), Winkel tongue-coating index (TCI), self-perceived halitosis, and OHIP-14 total and seven-domain scores. Mixed-design ANOVA, ANCOVA, prespecified multivariable regression, mediation (5000 bootstrap resamples), receiver operating characteristic analysis, and four-class latent class analysis were performed. A sensitivity-analysis framework including expanded covariate adjustment, propensity-score overlap weighting, and baseline-severity strata was also applied to address residual baseline imbalance. Secondary mediation, ROC, and latent-class analyses were considered exploratory. Results: At 8 weeks, VSCs fell by 116.4 ± 38.7 ppb in Group A and 35.4 ± 29.1 ppb in Group B but rose by 34.3 ± 28.6 ppb in Group C (p < 0.001). OHIP-14 improved by 10.3 and 4.9 points in A and B and worsened by 3.7 in C (p < 0.001). ΔVSC correlated with ΔOHIP-14 (ρ = 0.51, p < 0.001) and most strongly with the psychological discomfort domain (ρ = 0.58). VSC change mediated 35.1% of the periodontal-versus-orthodontic association on QoL (indirect β = −4.7; 95% CI −6.3 to −3.1). Because VSC and OHIP-14 changes were measured over the same interval, mediation was interpreted cautiously. A ΔVSC threshold of −63 ppb predicted clinically meaningful OHIP-14 improvement (AUC = 0.81). Latent class analysis identified four distinct responder phenotypes. The cutoff and responder classes were internally derived and require external validation. Sensitivity analyses preserved the direction of the primary contrasts, but residual confounding remains possible. Conclusions: Treatment modality was associated with the direction and magnitude of halitosis and QoL change, with orthodontic patients constituting a vulnerable subgroup. Targeted oral-hygiene reinforcement during fixed-appliance therapy is warranted. Full article

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of global mortality, necessitating its early detection. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a validated biomarker of CVD. In Saudi Arabia (SA), population-specific CIMT data for young adults are lacking. This pilot study aimed to generate single-institution preliminary CIMT data using the Butterfly iQ+ handheld ultrasound device (HHUD) and identify CVD risks. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 63 medical students. CIMT was measured bilaterally on common carotid artery (CCA), using the Butterfly iQ+ HHUD. Data on sex, age, ethnicity, BMI, mean arterial pressure (MAP), family history, and dietary habits were collected and analysed using t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Chi-square tests, Spearman’s rho (ρ) correlation, and stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: Mean age was 19.19 ± 1.89 years, and mean BMI was 24.93 ± 4.72 kg/m². Mean CIMT was 0.053 ± 0.006 cm. Males demonstrated thicker right CIMT (0.055 cm; 95% CI: 0.053–0.058 cm) than females (0.051 cm; 95% CI: 0.048–0.053 cm; mean difference: 0.005 cm, 95% CI: 0.001–0.008 cm; p = 0.012) and higher mean CIMT (0.0548 vs. 0.0513 cm; mean difference: 0.004 cm, 95% CI: 0.000–0.007 cm; p = 0.031). Height (ρ = 0.266; p = 0.035) and weight (ρ = 0.320; p = 0.011) correlated with right CIMT. Stepwise regression identified sex as the sole independent predictor (R² = 0.105; F = 6.541; p = 0.013). Conclusions: This pilot study establishes preliminary single-institution CIMT data for young healthy medical students at a single university in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sex, height, and body weight are key early determinants of carotid wall thickness. The Butterfly iQ+ HHUD is a feasible point-of-care tool for CIMT measurement, supporting community-based CVD screening in the region. Full article

Background: Shooting velocity is a critical determinant of competitive success in ice hockey, yet evidence for the use of weighted-implement training in high-level junior players is limited and the long-term retention of such adaptations has not been documented. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of off-ice shooting training performed with a heavy (260 g) versus a regular (170 g) puck on on-ice shooting velocity, accuracy and handgrip strength in junior players, and to examine the retention of these changes. Methods: Twenty male junior ice hockey players (18–19 years) were randomly allocated to a Heavy-puck group (n = 10) or a Regular-puck group (n = 10) and completed an identical six-week off-ice shooting programme (18 sessions, 100 shots per session) with their respective pucks. On-ice wrist-shot and snap-shot speed (radar; standard 170 g puck for both groups), on-ice shooting accuracy and bilateral handgrip strength were assessed before the intervention (pre-test), immediately after six weeks (post 6 weeks) and after a six-week retention period of normal on-ice training (post 12 weeks). Data were analysed with 2 × 3 mixed-model ANOVA with Bonferroni-corrected post hoc comparisons. Results: A significant Group × Time interaction was found for wrist-shot speed (ηp² = 0.61), snap-shot speed (ηp² = 0.78), left-hand handgrip strength (ηp² = 0.30) and shooting accuracy (ηp² = 0.24). The Heavy-puck group displayed substantially larger velocity gains at both post 6 weeks (wrist shot d = 2.97; snap shot d = 4.73) and post 12 weeks (d = 2.56 and d = 3.21, respectively). Left-hand handgrip strength gain was also greater in the Heavy-puck group at post 12 weeks (d = 1.40). A short-term cost on accuracy was observed in the Heavy-puck group at post 6 weeks (d = −1.21), which was fully recovered at post 12 weeks. Conclusions: Heavy-puck off-ice training produced large and durable improvements in on-ice puck velocity, with a transient and recoverable cost on accuracy, supporting its inclusion in the off-ice preparation of junior ice hockey players. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity remains difficult to treat effectively, not because weight loss cannot be achieved, but because it is difficult to sustain in the face of physiological adaptations to energy restriction, including reductions in resting metabolic rate and loss of fat-free mass. Dietary strategies that preserve favorable body composition while supporting long-term adherence are therefore needed. The purpose of this study was to compare continuous caloric restriction (CCR) with an intermittent approach incorporating structured diet refeeds and planned diet breaks (DRF) on body composition outcomes in adult women with obesity. Methods: Thirty adult females (18–65 years; BMI 30–45 kg·m⁻²) were randomized to 12 weeks of CCR or DRF following a two-week maintenance phase used to determine individualized caloric needs. Both groups were prescribed a 25% caloric deficit and protein intake of 1.2 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹. Body composition, including body fat percentage, fat mass, and fat-free mass, was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography at baseline and post-intervention. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of time for body fat percentage (p < 0.001), which decreased by 6.7 ± 2.1% in the CCR group and 6.0 ± 1.9% in the DRF group, with no significant group × time interaction (p > 0.05). Fat mass significantly declined in both groups (p < 0.001), with reductions of 9.30 ± 2.77 kg (CCR) and 9.21 ± 2.63 kg (DRF); between-group differences were negligible (p > 0.05; Cohen’s d = 0.03). Fat-free mass increased over time (p < 0.05); although the interaction was not significant (p = 0.08), the DRF group demonstrated a moderate effect size advantage. Despite similar changes in body composition, analysis of energy balance revealed a significantly greater daily energy deficit in the CCR group compared with DRF (−1005 ± 515 vs. −690 ± 120 kcal·day⁻¹, p = 0.041), indicating a higher achieved level of caloric restriction in CCR. Conclusions: Both dietary strategies effectively reduced fat mass in females with obesity; however, incorporating diet breaks was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward greater preservation or accrual of fat-free mass without compromising fat loss. Future studies should investigate this potential association in larger, adequately powered trials before any conclusions regarding metabolic adaptation or practical advantage can be drawn. Full article

Mungbean is an important legume crop native to India. In this study, 500 indigenous mungbean accessions collected from diverse eco-geographical regions of India were evaluated for agronomic trait genetic variability and core collection development. The accessions were grown in an augmented design during 2019 and 2020, and data were recorded for seven quantitative and 13 qualitative traits. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), frequency distribution, and box-plot analyses revealed substantial phenotypic variation among the accessions. Traits including plant height (PHT), number of pods per plant (NPP), hundred-seed weight (HSW), and single-plant yield (SPY) exhibited high heritability coupled with high genetic advance, indicating the predominance of additive genetic effects. Principal component analysis showed that the first three principal components explained 70% of the total phenotypic variation. The Shannon–Weaver diversity index further indicated high levels of genetic diversity within the population. Based on quantitative traits, the accessions were grouped into six major clusters and 42 sub-clusters, with SPY, NPP, HSW, PHT, and days to 50% flowering (DFF) contributing substantially to genetic divergence. Correlation analysis suggested that direct selection for SPY and indirect selection through associated traits, including NPP, HSW, PHT, NSP, and pod length (POL), may enhance yield improvement. The germplasm collection also possessed desirable traits such as high yield potential, contrasting maturity groups, and plant types suitable for mechanical harvesting and bold-seeded type. A representative core set comprising 50 accessions was developed using the PowerCore program, providing valuable genetic resources for mungbean breeding and genetic improvement programs. Full article

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare differences in positive lower limb joint work contributions during the concentric phase of the countermovement jump (CMJ) at various levels of perceived effort (PE). Methods: Twenty-four recreationally active individuals (12 males: age = 23 ± 5.0 y, weight = 83.8 ± 14.5 kg, height = 1.8 ± 0.1 m; 12 females: age = 23 ± 2.0 y, weight = 62.6 ± 12.0 kg, height = 1.6 ± 0.1 m) completed fifteen CMJs while kinematic and ground reaction force data were obtained. Jump height (JH), lower limb total work (W_total), and individual ankle (%_ankle), knee (%_knee), and hip (%_hip) joint work contributions were calculated for 100% (PE₁₀₀), 75% (PE₇₅), 50% (PE₅₀), and 25% (PE₂₅) perceived effort jumps. Results: One-way repeated measures ANOVA tests (α = 0.05) indicated JH and W_total were significantly different across all perceived effort levels. The %_ankle increased significantly as PE decreased, and %_hip decreased significantly as PE decreased. The %_ankle and %_hip were not significantly different between PE₅₀ and PE₇₅ conditions, and %_knee did not differ across PE levels. Conclusions: Reducing PE altered lower limb joint work contributions during the concentric phase of the CMJ by increasing %_ankle and decreasing %_hip. In addition, decreases in PE did not correspond proportionally to reductions in JH or W_total, suggesting that effort does not map linearly onto mechanical output during the CMJ. Full article

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease associated with significant metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have emerged as effective pharmacological options for weight management, demonstrating clinically relevant weight loss in controlled trials. However, real-world evidence is essential to assess their effectiveness and safety under routine clinical conditions and to verify if trial results are reproducible in diverse populations. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of GLP-1RAs in terms of weight loss in real-world clinical practice and to compare outcomes among different available agents, focusing on their impact on obesity management. Method: A cross-sectional, observational pilot study was conducted in Spain. Adult patients receiving GLP-1RAs for at least four weeks were included. Data collected included sociodemographic variables, treatment characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and adverse effects. Weight loss outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA for inter-drug comparisons, and multivariate ANCOVA to adjust for confounders. This pilot study also validated the protocol for a subsequent nationwide multicenter study. Results: A total of 32 patients (62.5% women; mean age 58.2 years) were analyzed. Mean weight loss was 2.97 kg (3.17%). Significant differences between drugs were observed (p = 0.005), with semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy^®) showing the greatest weight reduction (11.0 kg). Patients without diabetes achieved significantly greater weight loss than those with diabetes (5.0 vs. 0.8 kg; p = 0.021). Treatments were well tolerated, with 53.1% reporting no adverse effects; most side effects were mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusions: GLP-1RAs are effective and well-tolerated for obesity treatment in real-world clinical practice, although weight loss is more modest than in pivotal clinical trials. Differences between agents were observed after multivariate adjustment, although these findings should be interpreted cautiously given the exploratory pilot design and limited sample size. These findings support the need for individualized treatment strategies in obesity care. This pilot study successfully validated the methodology for an ongoing nationwide investigation. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of arginine (Arg), guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), and citrulline (Cit) supplementation in reduced protein (RP) diets on the production performance, serum uric acid level and bone quality of aged laying hens. A total of 208 Hy-Line Brown laying hens from 60 to 75 weeks of age were assigned to eight dietary treatments, with 13 replicate cages per treatment and two hens per cage. Experimental diets comprised two protein levels (standard protein at 15.8% crude protein versus RP at 13.8% crude protein), and six RP diets supplemented with two inclusion levels (0.06% and 0.12%) of Arg, GAA, or Cit. Overall, increasing Cit supplementation improved productive performance compared with Arg and GAA, particularly by increasing egg weight (p = 0.048), egg mass (p = 0.019), and feed intake (p = 0.014) over the entire experimental period. In addition, Cit increased egg weight during 60–67 weeks (p = 0.049) and improved egg mass during 68–75 weeks (p = 0.014). Furthermore, supplementation of 0.12% Cit in RP diets significantly increased feed intake compared with standard protein (SP) and RP diets from 60 to 67 weeks (p < 0.001; one-way ANOVA). Both Cit and Arg supplementation increased yolk weight compared to GAA (p = 0.018). Further, Arg supplementation to the RP diet at 0.06% significantly increased energy digestibility compared to the SP and RP diets (p = 0.037). Increasing Arg and GAA levels reduced bone breaking strength compared with their respective low levels, whereas increasing Cit level enhanced tibia (p = 0.014) and femur (p = 0.006) bone breaking strength. Low-level GAA supplementation also increased tibia breaking strength. Thus, a moderate reduction in dietary protein level by two percentage points, combined with Cit supplementation at the high level (0.12%), was effective in enhancing egg mass, egg weight, yolk weight, and bone breaking strength in aged laying hens. These findings suggest that RP feeding strategies supplemented with functional Arg precursors may support productive efficiency, skeletal health, and nutrient utilization in late-lay hens. Full article