Limb, sex, but not acute dietary capsaicin, modulate the near-infrared spectroscopy-vascular occlusion test estimate of muscle metabolism

The downward slope during the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-vascular occlusion test (NIRS-VOT) is purported as a simplified estimate of metabolism. Whether or not the NIRS-VOT exhibits sex- or limb-specificity or may be acutely altered remains to be elucidated. Thus, we investigated if there is limb- or sex specificity in tissue desaturation rates (DeO2) during a NIRS-VOT, and if acute dietary capsaicin may alter this estimate of muscle metabolism. Young healthy men (n = 25, 21 ± 4 years) and women (n = 20, 20 ± 1 years) ingested either placebo or capsaicin, in a counterbalanced, single-blind, crossover design after which a simplified NIRS-VOT was conducted to determine the DeO2 (%/s), as an estimate of oxidative muscle metabolism, in both the forearm (flexors) and thigh (vastus lateralis). There was a significant limb effect with the quadriceps having a greater DeO2 than the forearm (-2.31 ± 1.34 vs. -1.78 ± 1.22%/s, p = 0.007, ηp 2 = 0.19). There was a significant effect of sex on DeO2 (p = 0.005, ηp 2 = 0.203) with men exhibiting a lesser DeO2 than women (-1.73 ± 1.03 vs. -2.36 ± 1.32%/s, respectively). This manifested in significant interactions of limb*capsaicin (p = 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.26) as well as limb*capsaicin*sex on DeO2 (p = 0.013, ηp 2 = 0.16) being observed. Capsaicin does not clearly alter O2-dependent muscle metabolism, but there was apparent limb and sex specificity, interacting with capsaicin in this NIRS-derived assessment

State of Waste Management and the Willingness of Households to Sort Plastic Wastes before Disposal in Bolgatanga Municipality

Abstract: The study was conducted in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Ghana involving 360 household heads. A simple random sampling was used to select the households from 12 randomly selected Electoral Areas out of 47 Electoral Areas. The study shows that 34% preferred plastic products because of the lack of alternative materials while 53% and 13% preferred plastics products because it was common and light in weight respectively. The desire to use plastic products has resulted in high plastic waste generation. Out of the total households of 360, 2% were not aware that plastics could cause any threat whilst 98% households were very much aware of the threats caused by plastics. In a multiple response, almost all household within the Municipality agreed that plastic waste created a diversity of problems. 97% indicated that plastic waste silt gutters, 97% said plastic waste creates unsanitary environmental conditions, 66% was of the view that plastic wastes serves as breading grounds for mosquitoes, 60% said they cause animal death whilst 53% said they pollute water bodies. Also nearly 50% indicated that plastic wastes affect human health and 59% said they affect agricultural soils. The study also revealed that 34% were not willing to separate plastics waste from household waste before disposal whilst 66% were willing to do so. The Bolgatanga Municipality and the Zoomlion Company have very little capacity to manage plastic waste in the Municipality. The government and civil society organizations must therefore establish recycling plants in each region to convert the plastic wastes into useful products for the society

Sex Differences in Estimating Cardiac Autonomic Function Using Heart Rate Variability: Effects of Oral Capsaicin

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Do Racial Differences Exist in Blood Pressure and Vascular Stiffness in Otherwise Healthy Young Men?

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Heavy Metal Contamination Levels in Topsoil at Selected Auto Workshops in Accra

ABSTRACT This work has the objective to ascertain the heavy metal contamination levels in topsoil at auto workshops and also determine the anthropogenic and crustal contributions. Surface soil dust samples of particle sizes below 100 µm from two roadside auto-workshops were analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis to investigate the heavy metal contents. 18 elements were identified in each soil sample collected from the two roadside auto-workshops. Pollution indices {enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (DC), pollution load index (PLI),} were used to assess the contamination status of the heavy metals in the soil samples. Generally the elements Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Pb were found to be mostly of anthropogenic origins. The extent of contamination observed at the two sites for most of the metal elements ranged from moderate to considerable contamination. Lead (Pb) was revealed to be the greatest contaminant and was found to be mostly very high at the electrical shops. The anthropogenic contributions to the soil dust contaminants are largely in the small particle size fractions

The paradox of youth empowerment: Exploring youth intervention programme in Ghana

From Crossref journal articles via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: ppub 2018-01-01, issued 2018-01-01, epub 2018-10-09Article version: Vo