Long-term weight maintenance and cardiovascular risk factors are not different following weight loss on carbohydrate-restricted diets high in either monounsaturated fat or protein in obese hyperinsulinaemic men and women

The aim of this study was to determine after 52 weeks whether advice to follow a lower carbohydrate diet, either high in monounsaturated fat or low fat, high in protein had differential effects in a free-living community setting. Following weight loss on either a high monounsaturated fat, standard protein (HMF; 50 % fat, 20 % protein (67 g/d), 30 % carbohydrate) or a high protein, moderate fat (HP) (40 % protein (136 g/d), 30 % fat, 30 % carbohydrate) energy-restricted diet (6000 kJ/d) subjects were asked to maintain the same dietary pattern without intensive dietary counselling for the following 36 weeks. Overall weight loss was 6·2 (sd 7·3) kg (P < 0·01 for time with no diet effect, 7·6 (sd 8·1) kg, HMF v. 4·8 (sd 6·6) kg, HP). In a multivariate regression model predictors of weight loss at the end of the study were sex, age and reported percentage energy from protein (R2 0·22, P < 0·05 for the whole model). Fasting plasma insulin decreased (P < 0·01, with no difference between diets), 13·9 (sd 4·6) to 10·2 (sd 5·2) mIU/l, but fasting plasma glucose was not reduced. Neither total cholesterol nor LDL-cholesterol were different but HDL was higher, 1·19 (sd 0·26) v. 1·04 (sd 0·29) (P < 0·001 for time, no diet effect), while TAG was lower, 1·87 (sd 1·23) v. 2·22 (sd 1·15) mmol/l (P < 0·05 for time, no diet effect). C-reactive protein decreased (3·97 (sd 2·84) to 2·43 (sd 2·29) mg/l, P < 0·01). Food records showed that compliance to the prescribed dietary patterns was poor. After 1 year there remained a clinically significant weight loss and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors with no adverse effects of a high monounsaturated fat diet.Jennifer B. Keogh, Natalie D. Luscombe-Marsh, Manny Noakes, Gary A. Wittert and Peter M. Clifto

Mapping landscape-scale peatland degradation using airborne lidar and multispectral data

This is the final version. Available on open access from Springer via the DOI in this recordContext An increased interest in the restoration of peatlands for delivering multiple benefits requires a greater understanding of the extent and location of natural and artificial features that contribute to degradation. Objectives We assessed the utility of multiple, fine-grained remote sensing datasets for mapping peatland features and associated degraded areas at a landscape-scale. Specifically, we developed an integrated approach to identify and quantify multiple types of peatland degradation including: anthropogenic drainage ditches and peat cuttings; erosional gullies and bare peat areas. Methods Airborne LiDAR, CASI and aerial image datasets of the South West UK, were combined to identify features within Dartmoor National Park peatland area that contribute to degradation. These features were digitised and quantified using ArcGIS before appropriate buffers were applied to estimate the wider ecohydrologically affected area. Results Using fine-scale, large-extent remotely sensed data, combined with aerial imagery enabled key features within the wider expanse of peatland to be successfully identified and mapped at a resolution appropriate to future targeted restoration. Combining multiple datasets increased our understanding of spatial distribution and connectivity within the landscape. An area of 29 km2 or 9.2% of the Dartmoor peatland area was identified as significantly and directly ecohydrologically degraded. Conclusions Using a combination of fine-grained remotely sensed datasets has advantages over traditional ground survey methods for identification and mapping of anthropogenic and natural erosion features at a landscape scale. The method is accurate, robust and cost-effective particularly given the remote locations and large extent of these landscapes, facilitating effective and targeted restoration planning, management and monitoring.Dartmoor National Park AuthorityDartmoor Peatland PartnershipDuchy of CornwallEnvironment AgencyForestry CommissionMinistry of DefenceNatural EnglandSouth West partnership for Environmental and Economic Prosperity (SWEEP)South West WaterNatural Environment Research Council (NERC

The differential absorption of a series of P-glycoprotein substrates in isolated perfused lungs from Mdr1a/1b genetic knockout mice can be attributed to distinct physico-chemical properties: an insight into predicting transporter-mediated, pulmonary specific disposition

Purpose To examine if pulmonary P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is functional in an intact lung; impeding the pulmonary absorption and increasing lung retention of P-gp substrates administered into the airways. Using calculated physico-chemical properties alone build a predictive Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) model distinguishing whether a substrate’s pulmonary absorption would be limited by P-gp or not. Methods A panel of 18 P-gp substrates were administered into the airways of an isolated perfused mouse lung (IPML) model derived from Mdr1a/Mdr1b knockout mice. Parallel intestinal absorption studies were performed. Substrate physico-chemical profiling was undertaken. Using multivariate analysis a QSAR model was established. Results A subset of P-gp substrates (10/18) displayed pulmonary kinetics influenced by lung P-gp. These substrates possessed distinct physico-chemical properties to those P-gp substrates unaffected by P-gp (8/18). Differential outcomes were not related to different intrinsic P-gp transporter kinetics. In the lung, in contrast to intestine, a higher degree of non-polar character is required of a P-gp substrate before the net effects of efflux become evident. The QSAR predictive model was applied to 129 substrates including eight marketed inhaled drugs, all these inhaled drugs were predicted to display P-gp dependent pulmonary disposition. Conclusions Lung P-gp can affect the pulmonary kinetics of a subset of P-gp substrates. Physico-chemical relationships determining the significance of P-gp to absorption in the lung are different to those operative in the intestine. Our QSAR framework may assist profiling of inhaled drug discovery candidates that are also P-gp substrates. The potential for P-gp mediated pulmonary disposition exists in the clinic

Assessing the impact of peat erosion on growing season CO2 fluxes by comparing erosional peat pans and surrounding vegetated haggs (article)

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from International Mire Conservation Group and International Peat Society via the DOI in this record.The research data supporting this publication are openly available from the University of Exeter's institutional repository at: https://doi.org/10.24378/exe.1143.Peatlands are recognised as an important but vulnerable ecological resource. Understanding the effects of existing damage, in this case erosion, enables more informed land management decisions to be made. Over the growing seasons of 2013 and 2014 photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration were measured using closed chamber techniques within vegetated haggs and erosional peat pans in Dartmoor National Park, southwest England. Below-ground total and heterotrophic respiration were measured and autotrophic respiration estimated from the vegetated haggs. The mean water table was significantly higher in the peat pans than in the vegetated haggs; because of this, and the switching from submerged to dry peat, there were differences in vegetation composition, photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration. In the peat pans photosynthetic CO2 uptake and ecosystem respiration were greater than in the vegetated haggs and strongly dependent on the depth to water table (r2>0.78, p<0.001). Whilst in the vegetated haggs, photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration had the strongest relationships with normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) (r2=0.82, p<0.001) and soil temperature at 15 cm depth (r2=0.77, p=0.001). Autotrophic and total below-ground respiration in the vegetated haggs varied with soil temperature; heterotrophic respiration increased as water tables fell. An empirically derived net ecosystem model estimated that over the two growing seasons both the vegetated haggs (29 and 20 gC m 2; 95 % confidence intervals of -570 to 762 and -873 to 1105 gC m-2) and the peat pans (7 and 8 gC m 2; 95 % confidence intervals of -147 to 465 and -136 to 436 gC m 2) were most likely net CO2 sources. This study suggests that not only the visibly degraded bare peat pans but also the surrounding vegetated haggs are losing carbon to the atmosphere, particularly during warmer and drier conditions, highlighting a need for ecohydrological restoration.MomentaSouth West Water (SWW)Dartmoor National Park Authorit

New approaches to the restoration of shallow marginal peatlands

ArticleGlobally, the historic and recent exploitation of peatlands through management practices such as agricultural reclamation, peat harvesting or forestry, have caused extensive damage to these ecosystems. Their value is now increasingly recognised, and restoration and rehabilitation programmes are underway to improve some of the ecosystem services provided by peatlands: blocking drainage ditches in deep peat has been shown to improve the storage of water, decrease carbon losses in the long-term, and improve biodiversity. However, whilst the restoration process has benefitted from experience and technical advice gained from restoration of deep peatlands, shallow peatlands have received less attention in the literature, despite being extensive in both uplands and lowlands. Using the experience gained from the restoration of the shallow peatlands of Exmoor National Park (UK), and two test catchments in particular, this paper provides technical guidance which can be applied to the restoration of other shallow peatlands worldwide. Experience showed that integrating knowledge of the historical environment at the planning stage of restoration was essential, as it enabled the effective mitigation of any threat to archaeological features and sites. The use of bales, commonly employed in other upland ecosystems, was found to be problematic. Instead, ‘leaky dams’ or wood and peat combination dams were used, which are both more efficient at reducing and diverting the flow, and longer lasting than bale dams. Finally, an average restoration cost (£306 ha-1) for Exmoor, below the median national value across the whole of the UK, demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of these techniques. However, local differences in peat depth and ditch characteristics (i.e. length, depth and width) between sites affect both the feasibility and the cost of restoration. Overall, the restoration of shallow peatlands is shown to be technically viable; this paper provides a template for such process over analogous landscapes.South West WaterUniversity of ExeterTechnology Strategy BoardNERCKnowledge Transfer Partnership programm

Glauber dynamics in a single-chain magnet: From theory to real systems

The Glauber dynamics is studied in a single-chain magnet. As predicted, a single relaxation mode of the magnetization is found. Above 2.7 K, the thermally activated relaxation time is mainly governed by the effect of magnetic correlations and the energy barrier experienced by each magnetic unit. This result is in perfect agreement with independent thermodynamical measurements. Below 2.7 K, a crossover towards a relaxation regime is observed that is interpreted as the manifestation of finite-size effects. The temperature dependences of the relaxation time and of the magnetic susceptibility reveal the importance of the boundary conditions.Comment: Submitted to PRL 10 May 2003. Submitted to PRB 12 December 2003; published 15 April 200

Australian long-term care personnel's knowledge and attitudes regarding palliative care for people with advanced dementia.

This study aimed to describe Australian long-term care (LTC) personnel's knowledge and attitudes concerning palliative care for residents with advanced dementia, and explore relationships with LTC facility/personnel characteristics. An analysis was undertaken of baseline data from a cluster randomised controlled trial of facilitated family case conferencing for improving palliative care of LTC residents with advanced dementia (the 'IDEAL Study'). Participants included any LTC personnel directly involved in residents' care. Knowledge and attitudes concerning palliative care for people with advanced dementia were measured using the questionnaire on Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia. Univariate and multivariate analyses explored relationships between personnel knowledge/attitudes and facility/personnel characteristics. Of 307 personnel in the IDEAL Study, 290 (94.5%) from 19/20 LTCFs provided sufficient data for inclusion. Participants included 9 (2.8%) nurse managers, 59 (20.5%) registered nurses, 25 (8.7%) enrolled nurses, 187 (64.9%) assistants in nursing/personal care assistants and 9 (3.1%) care service employees. In multivariate analyses, a facility policy not to rotate personnel through dementia units was the only variable associated with more favourable overall personnel knowledge and attitudes. Other variables associated with favourable knowledge were a designation of nursing manager or registered or enrolled nurse, and having a preferred language of English. Other variables associated with favourable attitudes were tertiary level of education and greater experience in dementia care. Like previous international research, this study found Australian LTC personnel knowledge and attitudes regarding palliative care for people with advanced dementia to be associated with both facility and personnel characteristics. Future longitudinal research is needed to better understand the relationships between knowledge and attitudes, as well as between these attributes and quality of care