Supplementary Energy Increases Bone Formation during Arduous Military Training

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementary energy on bone formation and resorption during arduous military training in energy deficit. Methods: Thirty male soldiers completed an 8-wk military combat course (mean ± SD, age = 25 ± 3 yr, height = 1.78 ± 0.05 m, body mass = 80.9 ± 7.7 kg). Participants received either the habitual diet (control group, n = 15) or an additional 5.1 MJ·d−1 to eliminate the energy deficit (supplemented group, n = 15). Circulating markers of bone formation and resorption, and reproductive, thyroid, and metabolic status, were measured at baseline and weeks 6 and 8 of training. Results: Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase decreased in controls (−4.4 ± 1.9 μg·L−1) and increased in the supplemented group (16.0 ± 6.6 μg·L−1), between baseline and week 8 (P < 0.001). Procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide increased between baseline and week 6 for both groups (5.6 ± 8.1 μg·L−1, P = 0.005). Beta carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen decreased between baseline and week 8 for both groups (−0.16 ± 0.20 μg·L−1, P < 0.001). Prolactin increased from baseline to week 8 for the supplemented group (148 ± 151 IU·L−1, P = 0.041). The increase in adiponectin from baseline to week 8 was higher in controls (4.3 ± 1.8 mg·L−1, P < 0.001) than that in the supplemented group (1.4 ± 1.0 mg·L−1, P < 0.001). Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 was lower at week 8 than baseline for controls (−461 ± 395 ng·mL−1, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The increase in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, a marker of bone formation, with supplementation supports a role of energy in osteoblastic activity; the implications for skeletal adaptation and stress fracture risk are unclear. The mechanism is likely through protecting markers of metabolic, but not reproductive or thyroid, function

Good perceived sleep quality protects against the raised risk of respiratory infection during sleep restriction in young adults.

Study Objectives: Prospectively examine the association between sleep restriction, perceived sleep quality (PSQ) and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Methods: In 1318 military recruits (68% males) self-reported sleep was assessed at the beginning and end of a 12-week training course. Sleep restriction was defined as an individualized reduction in sleep duration of ≥2 hours/night compared with civilian life. URTIs were retrieved from medical records. Results: On commencing training, approximately half of recruits were sleep restricted (52%; 2.1 ± 1.6 h); despite the sleep debt, 58% of recruits with sleep restriction reported good PSQ. Regression adjusted for covariates showed that recruits commencing training with sleep restriction were more likely to suffer URTI during the course (OR = 2.93, 95% CI 1.29–6.69, p = .011). Moderation analysis showed this finding was driven by poor PSQ (B = −1.12, SE 0.50, p = .023), as no significant association between sleep restriction and URTI was observed in recruits reporting good PSQ, despite a similar magnitude of sleep restriction during training. Associations remained in the population completing training, accounting for loss to follow-up. Recruits reporting poor PSQ when healthy at the start and end of training were more susceptible to URTI (OR = 3.16, 95% CI 1.31–7.61, p = .010, vs good PSQ). Conclusion: Good perceived sleep quality was associated with protection against the raised risk of respiratory infection during sleep restriction. Studies should determine whether improvements in sleep quality arising from behavioral sleep interventions translate to reduced respiratory infection during sleep restriction

Influence of Vitamin D Supplementation by Simulated Sunlight or Oral D3 on Respiratory Infection during Military Training.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between vitamin D status and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) of physically active men and women across seasons (study 1). Then, to investigate the effects on URTI and mucosal immunity of achieving vitamin D sufficiency (25(OH)D ≥50 nmol·L-1) by a unique comparison of safe, simulated-sunlight or oral D3 supplementation in winter (study 2). METHODS: In study 1, 1,644 military recruits were observed across basic military training. In study 2, a randomized controlled trial, 250 men undertaking military training received either placebo, simulated-sunlight (1.3x standard erythemal dose, three-times-per-week for 4-weeks and then once-per-week for 8-weeks) or oral vitamin D3 (1,000 IU·day-1 for 4-weeks and then 400 IU·day-1 for 8-weeks). URTI was diagnosed by physician (study 1) and Jackson common cold questionnaire (study 2). Serum 25(OH)D, salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and cathelicidin were assessed by LC-MS/MS and ELISA. RESULTS: In study 1, only 21% of recruits were vitamin D sufficient during winter. Vitamin D sufficient recruits were 40% less likely to suffer URTI than recruits with 25(OH)D 0.05). Supplementation did not affect salivary SIgA or cathelicidin. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D sufficiency reduced the URTI burden during military training

Vitamin D metabolites are associated with musculoskeletal injury in young adults: a prospective cohort study

The relationship between vitamin D metabolites and lower body (pelvis and lower limb) overuse injury is unclear. In a prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between vitamin D metabolites and incidence of lower body overuse musculoskeletal and bone stress injury in young adults undergoing initial military training during all seasons. In 1637 men and 530 women (age, 22.6 ± 7.5 years; BMI, 24.0 ± 2.6 kg∙m-2 ; 94.3% white ethnicity), we measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and 24,25- dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) by immunoassay during week 1 of training. We examined whether the relationship between 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D:24,25(OH)2D ratio was associated with overuse injury. During 12 weeks training, 21.0% sustained ≥1 overuse musculoskeletal injury, and 5.6% sustained ≥1 bone stress injury. After controlling for sex, BMI, 2.4 km run time, smoking, bone injury history, and Army training course (Officer, standard, or Infantry), lower body overuse musculoskeletal injury incidence was higher for participants within the second lowest versus highest quartile of 24,25(OH)2D (OR: 1.62 [95%CI 1.13–2.32; P = 0.009]) and lowest versus highest cluster of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D:24,25(OH)2D (OR: 6.30 [95%CI 1.89–21.2; P = 0.003]). Lower body bone stress injury incidence was higher for participants within the lowest versus highest quartile of 24,25(OH)2D (OR: 4.02 [95%CI 1.82–8.87; P < 0.001]) and lowest versus highest cluster of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D:24,25(OH)2D (OR: 22.08 [95%CI 3.26–149.4; P = 0.001]), after controlling for the same covariates. Greater conversion of 25(OH)D to 24,25(OH)2D, relative to 1,25(OH)2D (i.e., low 1,25(OH)2D:24,25(OH)2D), and higher serum 24,25(OH)2D were associated with a lower incidence of lower body overuse musculoskeletal and bone stress injury. Serum 24,25(OH)2D may have a role in preventing overuse injury in young adults undertaking arduous physical training

Equity and health policy in Africa: Using concept mapping in Moore (Burkina Faso)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This methodological article is based on a health policy research project conducted in Burkina Faso (West Africa). Concept mapping (CM) was used as a research method to understand the local views of equity among stakeholders, who were concerned by the health policy under consideration. While this technique has been used in North America and elsewhere, to our knowledge it has not yet been applied in Africa in any vernacular language. Its application raises many issues and certain methodological limitations. Our objective in this article is to present its use in this particular context, and to share a number of methodological observations on the subject.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two CMs were done among two different groups of local stakeholders following four steps: generating ideas, structuring the ideas, computing maps using multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis methods, and interpreting maps. Fifteen nurses were invited to take part in the study, all of whom had undergone training on health policies. Of these, nine nurses (60%) ultimately attended the two-day meeting, conducted in French. Of 45 members of village health committees who attended training on health policies, only eight were literate in the local language (Moore). Seven of these (88%) came to the meeting.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The local perception of equity seems close to the egalitarian model. The actors are not ready to compromise social stability and peace for the benefit of the worst-off. The discussion on the methodological limitations of CM raises the limitations of asking a single question in Moore and the challenge of translating a concept as complex as equity. While the translation of equity into Moore undoubtedly oriented the discussions toward social relations, we believe that, in the context of this study, the open-ended question concerning social justice has a threefold relevance. At the same time, those limitations were transformed into strengths. We understand that it was essential to resort to the focus group approach to explore deeply a complex subject such as equity, which became, after the two CMs, one of the important topics of the research.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Using this technique in a new context was not the easiest thing to do. Nevertheless, contrary to what local organizers thought when we explained to them this "crazy" idea of applying the technique in Moore with peasants, we believe we have shown that it was feasible, even with persons not literate in French.</p

Individual Facial Coloration in Male Eulemur fulvus rufus: A Condition-dependent Ornament?

Researchers studying individual variation in conspicuous skin coloration in primates have suggested that color indicates male quality. Although primate fur color can also be flamboyant, the potential condition dependence and thus signaling function of fur remains poorly studied. We studied sources of variation in sexually dichromatic facial hair coloration in red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus). We collected data on 13 adult males in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar, during two study periods in 2006 and 2007, to determine whether variation in facial hair coloration correlates with male age, rank, androgen status, and reproductive success. We quantified facial hair coloration via standardized digital photographs of each male, assessed androgen status using fecal hormone measurements, and obtained data on reproductive success through genetic paternity analyses. Male facial hair coloration showed high individual variation, and baseline coloration was related to individual androgen status but not to any other parameter tested. Color did not reflect rapid androgen changes during the mating season. However, pronounced long-term changes in androgen levels between years were accompanied by changes in facial hair coloration. Our data suggest that facial hair coloration in red-fronted lemur males is under proximate control of androgens and may provide some information about male quality, but it does not correlate with dominance rank or male reproductive success

The Phase Space as a New Representation of the Dynamical Behaviour of Temperature and Enthalpy in a Reefer monitored with a Multidistributed Sensors Network

The study of temperature gradients in cold stores and containers is a critical issue in the food industry for the quality assurance of products during transport, as well as forminimizing losses. The objective of this work is to develop a new methodology of data analysis based on phase space graphs of temperature and enthalpy, collected by means of multidistributed, low cost and autonomous wireless sensors and loggers. A transoceanic refrigerated transport of lemons in a reefer container ship from Montevideo (Uruguay) to Cartagena (Spain) was monitored with a network of 39 semi-passive TurboTag RFID loggers and 13 i-button loggers. Transport included intermodal transit from transoceanic to short shipping vessels and a truck trip. Data analysis is carried out using qualitative phase diagrams computed on the basis of Takens?Ruelle reconstruction of attractors. Fruit stress is quantified in terms of the phase diagram area which characterizes the cyclic behaviour of temperature. Areas within the enthalpy phase diagram computed for the short sea shipping transport were 5 times higher than those computed for the long sea shipping, with coefficients of variation above 100% for both periods. This new methodology for data analysis highlights the significant heterogeneity of thermohygrometric conditions at different locations in the container

Long Lamai community ICT4D E‐commerce system modelling: an agent oriented role‐based approach

This paper presents the post‐mortem report upon completion of the Long Lamai e‐commerce development project. Some weaknesses with regards to the current software modelling approach are identified and an alternative role‐based approach is proposed. We argue that the existing software modelling technique is not suitable for modelling, making it difficult to establish a good contract between stakeholders causing delays in the project delivery. The role‐based approach is able to explicitly highlight the responsibilities among stakeholders, while also forming the contract agreement among them leading towards sustainable ICT4D

Characterizing the Syphilis-Causing Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum Proteome Using Complementary Mass Spectrometry

YesBackground. The spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum is the etiological agent of syphilis, a chronic multistage disease. Little is known about the global T. pallidum proteome, therefore mass spectrometry studies are needed to bring insights into pathogenicity and protein expression profiles during infection. Methodology/Principal Findings. To better understand the T. pallidum proteome profile during infection, we studied T. pallidum ssp. pallidum DAL-1 strain bacteria isolated from rabbits using complementary mass spectrometry techniques, including multidimensional peptide separation and protein identification via matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) and electrospray ionization (ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap) tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 6033 peptides were detected, corresponding to 557 unique T. pallidum proteins at a high level of confidence, representing 54% of the predicted proteome. A previous gel-based T. pallidum MS proteome study detected 58 of these proteins. One hundred fourteen of the detected proteins were previously annotated as hypothetical or uncharacterized proteins; this is the first account of 106 of these proteins at the protein level. Detected proteins were characterized according to their predicted biological function and localization; half were allocated into a wide range of functional categories. Proteins annotated as potential membrane proteins and proteins with unclear functional annotations were subjected to an additional bioinformatics pipeline analysis to facilitate further characterization. A total of 116 potential membrane proteins were identified, of which 16 have evidence supporting outer membrane localization. We found 8/12 proteins related to the paralogous tpr gene family: TprB, TprC/D, TprE, TprG, TprH, TprI and TprJ. Protein abundance was semi-quantified using label-free spectral counting methods. A low correlation (r = 0.26) was found between previous microarray signal data and protein abundance. Conclusions. This is the most comprehensive description of the global T. pallidum proteome to date. These data provide valuable insights into in vivo T. pallidum protein expression, paving the way for improved understanding of the pathogenicity of this enigmatic organism.This work was supported by the grants from the Flanders Research Foundation, SOFI-B Grant to CRK, http://www.fwo.be/, a Public Health Service Grant from the National Institutes of Health to CEC, (grant # AI-051334), https://www.nih.gov/ and a grant from the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic to DS and MS (P302/12/0574, GP14-29596P), https:// gacr.cz/