Body fluid shifts in soldiers after a jogging/walking exercise in the heat: effects of water and electrolyte solution on rehydration

A CAJM journal article.Objectives: To examine the relationships between dehydration and body fluid shifts and the effects of ingesting water or oral rehydration solution or no fluid during and after exercise in the heat [mean (SE)] temperature, 40.5 (0.66)°C and 32 (3.7)% humidity. Design: PRE and POST three hours exercise comparative study. Setting: Zimbabwe National Army Wafa-Wafa Training Camp, Kariba, Zimbabwe. Subjects: 18 male soldiers volunteered to be studied during and after a 20 km (three hour) jogging/walking exercise in full kit. Main Outcome Measures: Body mass, total body water, extracellular water, intracellular water, plasma, osmolality, plasma sodium, and volume changes compared using paired t-test. Results: Total body water decreased by 4.9 (0.38) 1 (p<0.02) in soldiers exercising without fluid, 1.5 (0.3) 1 (oral rehydration solution), 2.4 (0.8) 1 (water). Extracellular water decreased by 3.6 (0.3) 1 (p<0.05), 1.3 (0.2) 1, 1.7 (0.3) 1, and intracellular water decreased by 1.3 (0.1) 1, 0.2 (0.01) 1, 0.7 (0.01) 1 respectively in thesegroups. Plasma volume/decreased by [mean (SE)] 16 (1.4)% on no fluid, three (0.3)% on oral rehydration solution, five (0.3)% on water. Plasma osmolality increased significantly from 285 (1.0) to 301 (2.3) mosmol.kg'1 (p<0.001) in subjects exercising without fluid and from 283 (2.0) to 291 (0.7) mosmol.kg1 (p<0.02) in subjects taking oral rehydration solution. No significant increases were observed when taking water only. Conclusions: During dehydration, total body water loss was derived from both fluid compartments but extracellular water contributed the most. Effective rehydration depends on adequate replacement of electrolytes lost from each fluid compartment. Water alone may not provide adequate re hydration

Effects of different frequencies of loading on healing in partial rupture of the achilles tendon in a rat model

A medical experiment based research on Achilles Tendon Rupture (ATR

Field effectiveness of microbial larvicides on mosquito larvae in malaria areas of Botswana and Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND : The successful control of malaria vectors requires the control of both the larval and adult stages. The adult control methods through indoor residual spraying (IRS) and use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) continue to be widely used with some high measure of success. Larval control methods are also being used by a number of National Malaria Control Programmes (NMCPs) with limited understanding of its contribution. Larval control might be needed in some areas to move from malaria control to elimination. This experimental study was conducted to assess the field effectiveness of winter larviciding on the larval stages of the mosquito in Botswana and Zimbabwe. METHODS : Two villages were selected in each of the two countries, one as an intervention and the other as the control. Water bodies in the intervention villages were treated using the commercial product VectoBac® WG (Valent BioSciences Corporation, IL, USA) containing the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti), a WHO recommended bio-larvicide, applied at a rate of 300 g per hectare. Random-effects Poisson regression was employed during data analysis to compare intervention with control sites with respect to larval counts. RESULTS : The average marginal effect of larviciding on the mosquito larvae taking interaction with time (period) into account, was −1.94 (95% CI −2.42 to −1.46) with incidence rate ratio of 0.14, thus an 86% larval reduction attributable to the intervention for both countries combined. There was a 92% and 65% effect for Botswana and Zimbabwe respectively. The effect on the early larval and late stages was 77% (P < 0.001) and 91% (P < 0.001), respectively. Overall, intervention larval sampling points had five more larvae than the control at baseline and 26 less after 16 weeks. The effect on the different species also showed similar trends. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION : Larval control using Bti showed a high effect on the population of the mosquito larvae. The reduction of the early and late larval stages can lead to reduced adult mosquito emergence and low adult mosquito densities. Larviciding can be used to control mosquito vector population by suppressing the larval stages thereby reducing adult emergence and malaria risk.The University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Controlhttp://www.malariajournal.comam2017School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Dropout rate during prolonged physical stress training in the military may be determined by haematological changes

A public health research paper on sustained physical training in the military leading to high drop-out rates amongst new recruits in the Zimbabwe National Army.Sustained physical training has profound effects on haematological adaptive changes and these may influence physical performance, the dropout rates and casualties in a military setting. Prompted by reports of increases in the number of dropouts during military training, the impact of haematological changes on dropout rates and physical performance was studied in 60 male Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) recruits during 60 days of military training at the Nyanga training camp. The training programme included, among other things, bush exercises in the rugged terrain of the Nyangani range of mountains. Blood for full blood count (FBC) were collected by venepuncture in a forearm vein in a seated position two weeks pre-training (day zero). Subsequent samples were collected at seven, 30 and 60 days. FBC analyses was carried out by Sysmex K800 (Kobe, Japan) and urine samples were analyzed for urobilinogen. The results showed significant decreases in the red blood cells (RBC) and haemoglobin (Hb) (P<0.05) and (P<0.04) on day seven and day 30 respectively when compared to day zero. The persistent increase in haematocrit throughout the 60 days suggested haemoconcentration and a fall in plasma volume (PV). When compared to pre-training, granulocytes were significantly higher on day 60 than on day 30 (P<0.004). Lymphocytes and eosinophils were lower on day seven (P<0.001) when compared to day zero and (P<0.04) and (P<0.013) when compared to day 30 and 60 respectively, suggesting that the subjects had a decreased protection against infection. However, lymphocytes were higher on day 60 than on day seven (P<0.01). This observed recovery in lymphocytes on day 60 when compared to day seven and 30, suggested that acclimatization and adaptation had occurred. Of the 60 subjects, 18 percent were hospitalized [four with pulmonary TB and a hypochromasia blood picture while three had bronchopneumonia and a raised neutrophil count]. The number of dropouts was 16 (27 percent) of the 60 subjects under study. Laboratory observations showed proteinuria, a shift to the left in the myeloid series, nucleated red blood cells, platelet clumps, macrocytosis and red cell fragments. These were associated with casualties, dropouts and poor physical performance. These results suggested that severe haematological changes might be associated with poor performance, high rates of casualties and dropouts. Therefore, monitoring the trends of haematological changes at regular intervals during stress training can minimize casualties and the rates of dropouts

Copeptin reflects physiological strain during thermal stress.

PURPOSE: To prevent heat-related illnesses, guidelines recommend limiting core body temperature (T c) ≤ 38 °C during thermal stress. Copeptin, a surrogate for arginine vasopressin secretion, could provide useful information about fluid balance, thermal strain and health risks. It was hypothesised that plasma copeptin would rise with dehydration from occupational heat stress, concurrent with sympathoadrenal activation and reduced glomerular filtration, and that these changes would reflect T c responses. METHODS: Volunteers (n = 15) were recruited from a British Army unit deployed to East Africa. During a simulated combat assault (3.5 h, final ambient temperature 27 °C), T c was recorded by radiotelemetry to differentiate volunteers with maximum T c > 38 °C versus ≤ 38 °C. Blood was sampled beforehand and afterwards, for measurement of copeptin, cortisol, free normetanephrine, osmolality and creatinine. RESULTS: There was a significant (P  38 °C (n = 8) vs ≤ 38 °C (n = 7) there were significantly greater elevations in copeptin (10.4 vs. 2.4 pmol L(-1)) and creatinine (10 vs. 2 μmol L(-1)), but no differences in cortisol, free normetanephrine or osmolality. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in copeptin reflected T c response more closely than sympathoadrenal markers or osmolality. Dynamic relationships with tonicity and kidney function may help to explain this finding. As a surrogate for integrated physiological strain during work in a field environment, copeptin assay could inform future measures to prevent heat-related illnesses

A review of methods for assessment of the rate of gastric emptying in the dog and cat: 1898-2002

Gastric emptying is the process by which food is delivered to the small intestine at a rate and in a form that optimizes intestinal absorption of nutrients. The rate of gastric emptying is subject to alteration by physiological, pharmacological, and pathological conditions. Gastric emptying of solids is of greater clinical significance because disordered gastric emptying rarely is detectable in the liquid phase. Imaging techniques have the disadvantage of requiring restraint of the animal and access to expensive equipment. Radiographic methods require administration of test meals that are not similar to food. Scintigraphy is the gold standard method for assessment of gastric emptying but requires administration of a radioisotope. Magnetic resonance imaging has not yet been applied for assessment of gastric emptying in small animals. Ultrasonography is a potentially useful, but subjective, method for assessment of gastric emptying in dogs. Gastric tracer methods require insertion of gastric or intestinal cannulae and are rarely applied outside of the research laboratory. The paracetamol absorption test has been applied for assessment of liquid phase gastric emptying in the dog, but requires IV cannulation. The gastric emptying breath test is a noninvasive method for assessment of gastric emptying that has been applied in dogs and cats. This method can be carried out away from the veterinary hospital, but the effects of physiological and pathological abnormalities on the test are not known. Advances in technology will facilitate the development of reliable methods for assessment of gastric emptying in small animals

Body fluid shifts in soldiers after a jogging/walking exercise in the heat: effects of water and electrolyte solution on rehydration

Objectives: To examine the relationships between dehydration and body fluid shifts and the effects of ingesting water or oral rehydration solution or no fluid during and after exercise in the heat [mean (SE)] temperature, 40.5 (0.66)°C and 32 (3.7)% humidity. Design: PRE and POST three hours exercise comparative study. Setting: Zimbabwe National Army Wafa-Wafa Training Camp, Kariba, Zimbabwe. Subjects: 18 male soldiers volunteered to be studied during and after a 20 km (three hour) jogging/walking exercise in full kit. Main Outcome Measures: Body mass, total body water, extracellular water, intracellular water, plasma osmolality, plasma sodium, and volume changes compared using paired t-test. Results: Total body water decreased by 4.9 (0.38) 1 (p<0.02) in soldiers exercising without fluid, 1.5 (0.3) 1 (oral rehydration solution), 2.4 (0.8) 1 (water). Extracellular water decreased by 3.6 (0.3) 1 (p<0.05), 1.3 (0.2) 1, 1.7 (0.3) 1, and intracellular water decreased by 1.3 (0.1) 1, 0.2 (0.01) 1, 0.7 (0.01) 1 respectively in these groups. Plasma volume decreased by [mean (SE)] 16 (1.4)% on no fluid, three (0.3)% on oral rehydration solution, five (0.3)% on water. Plasma osmolality increased significantly from 285 (1.0) to 301 (2.3) mosmol.kg'1 (p<0.001) in subjects exercising without fluid and from 283 (2.0) to 291 (0.7) mosmol.kg'1 (p<0.02) in subjects taking oral rehydration solution. No significant increases were observed when taking water only. Conclusions: During dehydration, total body water loss was derived from both fluid compartments but extracellular water contributed the most. Effective rehydration depends on adequate replacement of electrolytes lost from each fluid compartment. Water alone may not provide adequate rehydration

Body fluid shifts in soldiers after a jogging/walking exercise in the heat: effects of water and electrolyte solution on rehydration

Objectives: To examine the relationships between dehydration and body fluid shifts and the effects of ingesting water or oral rehydration solution or no fluid during and after exercise in the heat [mean (SE)] temperature, 40.5 (0.66)°C and 32 (3.7)% humidity. Design: PRE and POST three hours exercise comparative study. Setting: Zimbabwe National Army Wafa-Wafa Training Camp, Kariba, Zimbabwe. Subjects: 18 male soldiers volunteered to be studied during and after a 20 km (three hour) jogging/walking exercise in full kit. Main Outcome Measures: Body mass, total body water, extracellular water, intracellular water, plasma, osmolality, plasma sodium, and volume changes compared using paired t-test. Results: Total body water decreased by 4.9 (0.38) 1 (p<0.02) in soldiers exercising without fluid, 1.5 (0.3) 1 (oral rehydration solution), 2.4 (0.8) 1 (water). Extracellular water decreased by 3.6 (0.3) 1 (p<0.05), 1.3 (0.2) 1, 1.7 (0.3) 1, and intracellular water decreased by 1.3 (0.1) 1, 0.2 (0.01) 1, 0.7 (0.01) 1 respectively in thesegroups. Plasma volume/decreased by [mean (SE)] 16 (1.4)% on no fluid, three (0.3)% on oral rehydration solution, five (0.3)% on water. Plasma osmolality increased significantly from 285 (1.0) to 301 (2.3) mosmol.kg'1 (p<0.001) in subjects exercising without fluid and from 283 (2.0) to 291 (0.7) mosmol.kg1 (p<0.02) in subjects taking oral rehydration solution. No significant increases were observed when taking water only. Conclusions: During dehydration, total body water loss was derived from both fluid compartments but extracellular water contributed the most. Effective rehydration depends on adequate replacement of electrolytes lost from each fluid compartment. Water alone may not provide adequate re hydration

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE INCREASE IN EARLY CHILD MARRIAGES: A CASE OF GURUVE DISTRCT BY HAPPYMORE MUDAMBO

The study sought to explore factors contributing towards the increase in early child marriages in Guruve District with a view to proffer possible intervention to curb the menace brought by early marriages. The study was guided by three objectives which were to identify social factors contributing to early marriages, examine cultural practices that contribute towards the phenomenon and evaluate the legal framework in place to mitigate the problem. A review of literature from numerous scholars who examined the broad subject of early marriages was utilised as the basis of this study. The knowledge gathered was integrated and synthesised to link various concepts with the main dominant themes of the study. The mixed method approach was adopted, and the descriptive survey design employed for the study. The target population comprised of 179 survivors of child marriages where a sample of 38 subjects was extracted from using a simple random sampling technique. Data was elicited through questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data elicited through questionnaires was presented in tabular, pie charts and bar graphs formats while qualitative data solicited from the key informants who incorporated four (4) Victim Friendly Unit Police Officers, two (2) Chiefs and two (2) officials from the Ministry of Youth, Gender and Welfare from Guruve District using a non-probabilistic sampling namely purposive sampling was transcribed in textual form and coded into themes falling into the same categories. The findings of the study revealed that the major factors perpetuating child marriages in Guruve District were poverty, religion, sexual orientation, inheritance of right of marriage and weak marriage laws. In order to curb the menace brought by child marriages, the study postulated that there was need to conduct awareness campaigns, education and training of girl child and community, prosecution of all child marriages offenders, imposition of deterrent sentences against child marriages offenders and realignment and synchronization of marriage laws to comply with the dictates of the Constitution

Effects of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces training programme on body consumption and reproductive hormones in male army recruits

No Abstract. Central African Journal of Medicine Vol. 46 (2) 2000: pp. 27-3