Hormonal contraceptive use increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in active, young women [abstract]

Abstract only availableMany studies have shown that the estrogen in oral hormonal contraceptives (HC) increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D concentrations in women. As a hormone that regulates gene transcription estrogen is known to increase Vitamin-D binding protein concentrations, and therefore 25(OH)D concentrations in the blood. Furthermore, Vitamin D is a major regulator of bone metabolism and its status within the blood influences circulating levels of bone turnover markers. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of HC use on serum 25OHD concentrations and biochemical markers of bone turnover in active young females. Thirty-nine young (age 18-33 years), active (≥5 h of aerobic exercise per week) women participated (HC users, n=16; Non-users, n=23). Of the HC users, 9 were taking monophasic HC; 7 were taking triphasic HC. Fasting serum samples were taken during the early follicular phase (d2-5 of the menstrual cycle) and were analyzed for 25OHD and biochemical bone markers [bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), N-telopeptide of collagen cross-links (NTx), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and osteocalcin (OC)] using radioimmuno assay and ELISA, respectively. Serum 25OHD was significantly greater (p=.007) and BAP significantly lower (p=.002) in HC users compared with nonusers. No differences were found between groups for NTx, PTH or osteocalcin. Serum concentrations of BAP and Vitamin D were negatively correlated (r= -.453; p=.004). We conclude that HC use is associated with increased serum 25OHD concentrations and lower circulating BAP in young active females

Firm insoles effectively reduce hemolysis in runners during long distance running - a comparative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Shock absorbing insoles are effective in reducing the magnitude and rate of loading of peak impact forces generated at foot strike during running, whereas the foot impact force during running has been considered to be an important cause of intravascular hemolysis in long distance runners. Objective of this study was to evaluate the intravascular hemolysis during running and compare the effect of two different types of insoles (Soft and Firm) on hemolysis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty male long and middle distance runners volunteered to participate in this study. We selected two insoles (Soft and Firm) according to their hardness level (SHORE 'A' scale). Participants were randomly assigned to the soft insole (group 1) and firm insole (group 2) group with ten athletes in each group. Each athlete completed one hour of running at the calculated target heart rate (60-70%). Venous blood samples were collected before and immediately after running. We measured unconjucated bilirubin (mg/dl), lactate dehydrogenase (μ/ml), hemoglobin (g/l) and serum ferritin (ng/ml) as indicators of hemolysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our study revealed a significant increase in the mean values of unconjucated bilirubin (P < 0.05) while running with soft insoles indicating the occurrence of hemolysis in this group of athletes. Graphical analysis revealed an inverse relationship between hardness of insoles and hemolysis for the observed values.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicate that intravascular hemolysis occurs in athletes during long distance running and we conclude that addition of firm insoles effectively reduces the amount of hemolysis in runners compared to soft insoles.</p

NUTRIENT INTAKES OF MEN AND WOMEN COLLEGIATE ATHLETES WITH DISORDERED EATING

The objective of this study was to assess the macro- and micronutrient intakes of men and women collegiate athletes with disordered eating behaviors and to compare the nutrient intakes of athletes with restrictive- versus binge-eating behaviors. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I University athletes (n = 232) were administered an anonymous, written questionnaire to compare nutrient intakes, desired weight change, and weight control behaviors in athletes with restrictive- (R) and binge- (B) eating behaviors to those in asymptomatic (A) athletes. T-tests, χ2 statistic, and ANOVA were used to test for differences among disordered eating groups within genders (p < 0.05). Data are means ± standard error of the mean. Among men athletes, those with disordered eating consumed a smaller percentage of energy from carbohydrate compared to controls (R = 49.7 ± 1.5; B = 48.7 ± 2.3; A = 53.4 ± 0.7%). Among female athletes, those with disordered eating wanted to lose a greater percentage of their current body weight than did asymptomatic athletes (B = -6.1 ± 1.4; R = -6.7 ± 1.1; A = -3.7 ± 0.4%). Women who were classified with binge eating consumed significantly more alcohol than did controls (B = 6.8 ± 1.3; A = 3.9 ± 0.4 g alcohol per day). Athletes with disordered eating were more likely to report restricting their intake of carbohydrate and fat and using supplements to control their weight than asymptomatic athletes. Disordered eating was not associated with greater frequencies of inadequate micronutrient intake in either gender. Athletes with disordered eating may be at significantly greater risk for nutritional inadequacies than athletes who are asymptomatic due to macronutrient restriction and greater alcohol consumptio

Iron supplementation improves endurance after training in iron-depleted, nonanemic women

Tese de doutoramento em Educação e em Estudos Clássicos, apresentada ao Centro de Estudos Clássicos e Humanísticos da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Coimbra e ao Centro de Ciências Humanas, Letras e Artes da Universidade Estadual de MaringáEste trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a contribuição do diálogo entre o cristianismo e o epicurismo para a formação da identidade cristã, particularmente no que diz respeito ao afeto, visto ser em ambos- philía para Epicuro e agápe para Paulo de Tarso, considerado um instrumento formativo. Para tanto, utilizarse- ão, como fontes primárias, as Epístolas Paulinas autênticas aos I Tessalonisseces, I e II Coríntios, Romanos, Filipenses, Filemon e em especial a Carta aos Gálatas. E, como fonte epicurista, as Cartas a Heródoto e a Pítocles, com ênfase na Carta a Meneceu. Questões como medo, morte, sofrimento, liberdade, felicidade e fraternidade são discutidas em suas propostas formativas, em uma prática pedagógica voltada para a interiorização e a organização de comunidades fundadas na ética da igualdade. Ambos elaboraram uma proposta pedagógica, voltada para a formação de um homem ideal no exercício da autárkeia, no discernimento que habilita o sábio, no que diz respeito aos prazeres, saber selecioná-los e dosá-los, garantindo-lhe, para Epicuro, viver ―como um deus entre os homens‖ e, para Paulo de Tarso, ―refletindo deus para os homens‖. No enfrentamento com o epicurismo, Paulo de Tarso pôde, a partir de sua principal divergência, destacar, em sua proposta formativa, não somente uma identidade para o cristianismo nascente, mas também uma força pedagógica, capaz de unificar e regulamentar em torno da agápe o modelo formativo ideal para o cristão. Propõem-se a examinar, a partir das bases materiais, as rupturas e permanências que contribuem para a formação de modelos educacionais que objetivam responder às transformações sociais.The contribution of dialogue between Christianity and Epicureanism for the formation of Christian identity is provided, especially with regard to affection which is the formative instrument for the two: philia to Epicurus and agápe to Paul of Tarsus. The primary sources will be the authentic Pauline Epistles, namely, 1 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, Philippians, Philemon and particularly the Letter to the Galatians. In the case of Epicurean sources, the Letters to Herodotus and Phythocles will be used, with special emphasis on the Letter to Menoeceus. The issues of fear, death, pain, freedom, happiness and fraternity are discussed in their formative proposals within a pedagogic practice focused on the internalization and the organization of communities rooted on the ethics of equality. The two schools elaborated a pedagogical proposal for the formation of the ideal man through autárkeia, through a discernment that makes the wise man select and distribute pleasure: in the case of Epicurus it means ―living as a god amongst men‖ and in Paul´s case ―reflecting god to man‖. In his confrontation with Epicureanism, Paul of Tarsus could highlight within the formation proposal not a mere identity with a fledging Christianity but also a pedagogical force which is capable of unifying and regulating the formative model for the Christian with agápe as its core. Disrupture and continuation that contribute towards the formation of educational models aiming at social changes will be investigated in the wake of such material bases