Dietary Intake and Nitrogen Balance in British Army Infantry Recruits Undergoing Basic Training

We assessed dietary intake and nitrogen balance during 14 weeks of Basic Training (BT) in British Army Infantry recruits. Nineteen men (mean ± SD: age 19.9 ± 2.6 years, height: 175.7 ± 6.5 cm, body mass 80.3 ± 10.1 kg) at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick (ITC(C)) volunteered. Nutrient intakes and 24-h urinary nitrogen balance were assessed in weeks 2, 6 and 11 of BT. Nutrient intake was assessed using researcher-led weighed food records and food diaries, and Nutritics professional dietary software. Data were compared between weeks using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. There was a significant difference in protein intake (g) between weeks 2 and 11 of BT (115 ± 18 vs. 91 ± 20 g, p = 0.02, ES = 1.26). There was no significant difference in mean absolute daily energy (p = 0.44), fat (p = 0.79) or carbohydrate (CHO) intake (p = 0.06) between weeks. Nitrogen balance was maintained in weeks 2, 6 and 11, but declined throughout BT (2: 4.6 ± 4.1 g, 6: 1.6 ± 4.5 g, 11: −0.2 ± 5.5 g, p = 0.07). A protein intake of 1.5 g·kg−1·d−1 may be sufficient in the early stages of BT, but higher intakes may be individually needed later on in BT

Pre-sleep protein supplementation does not improve recovery from load carriage in British Army recruits (part 2)

British Army basic training (BT) is physically demanding with new recruits completing multiple bouts of physical activity each day with limited recovery. Load carriage is one of the most physically demanding BT activities and has been shown to induce acute exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and impair muscle function. Protein supplementation can accelerate muscle recovery by attenuating EIMD and muscle function loss. This study investigated the impact of an additional daily bolus of protein prior to sleep throughout training on acute muscle recovery following a load carriage test in British Army recruits. Ninety nine men and 23 women (mean ± SD: age: 21.3 ± 3.5 yrs., height: 174.8 ± 8.4 cm, body mass 75.4 ± 12.2 kg) were randomized to dietary control (CON), carbohydrate placebo (PLA), moderate (20 g; MOD) or high (60 g; HIGH) protein supplementation. Muscle function (maximal jump height), perceived muscle soreness and urinary markers of muscle damage were assessed before (PRE), immediately post (POST), 24-h post (24 h-POST) and 40-h post (40 h-POST) a load carriage test. There was no impact of supplementation on muscle function at POST (p = 0.752) or 40 h-POST (p = 0.989) load carriage but jump height was greater in PLA compared to HIGH at 24 h-POST (p = 0.037). There was no impact of protein supplementation on muscle soreness POST (p = 0.605), 24 h-POST (p = 0.182) or 40 h-POST (p = 0.333). All groups had increased concentrations of urinary myoglobin and 3-methylhistidine, but there was no statistical difference between groups at any timepoint (p > 0.05). We conclude that pre-sleep protein supplementation does not accelerate acute muscle recovery following load carriage in British Army recruits during basic training. The data suggests that consuming additional energy in the form of CHO or protein was beneficial at attenuating EIMD, although it is acknowledged there were no statistical differences between groups. Although EIMD did occur as indicated by elevated urinary muscle damage markers, it is likely that the load carriage test was not arduous enough to reduce muscle function, limiting the impact of protein supplementation. Practically, protein supplementation above protein intakes of 1.2 g⸱kg−1⸱day−1 following load carriage over similar distances (4 km) and carrying similar loads (15–20 kg) does not appear to be warranted

Pre-sleep protein supplementation does not improve performance, body composition, and recovery in British Army recruits (part 1)

Dietary protein is crucial for optimising physical training adaptations such as muscular strength and mass, which are key aims for athletic populations, including British Army recruits. New recruits fail to meet the recommended protein intake during basic training (BT), with negligible amounts consumed in the evening. This study assessed the influence of a daily bolus of protein prior to sleep on performance adaptations, body composition and recovery in British Army recruits. 99 men and 23 women [mean ± standard deviation (SD): age: 21.3 ± 3.5 years, height: 174.8 ± 8.4 cm, body mass 75.4 ± 12.2 kg] were randomised into a dietary control (CON), carbohydrate placebo (PLA), moderate (20 g) protein (MOD) or high (60 g) protein (HIGH) supplementation group. Supplements were isocaloric and were consumed on weekday evenings between 2000 and 2100 for 12 weeks during BT. Performance tests (mid-thigh pull, medicine ball throw, 2 km run time, maximal push-up, and maximal vertical jump) and body composition were assessed at the start and end of BT. Dietary intake, energy expenditure, salivary hormones, urinary nitrogen balance, perceived muscle soreness, rating of perceived exertion, mood, and fatigue were assessed at the start, middle and end of BT. Protein supplementation increased protein intake in HIGH (2.16 ± 0.50 g⸱kg−1⸱day−1) and MOD (1.71 ± 0.48 g⸱kg−1⸱day−1) compared to CON (1.17 ± 0.24 g⸱kg−1⸱day−1) and PLA (1.31 ± 0.29 g⸱kg−1⸱day−1; p < 0.001). Despite this, there was no impact of supplementation on mid-thigh pull performance (CON = 7 ± 19%, PLA = 7 ± 19%, MOD = 0 ± 16%, and HIGH = 4 ± 14%; p = 0.554) or any other performance measures (p > 0.05). Fat-free mass changes were also similar between groups (CON = 4 ± 3%, PLA = 4 ± 4%, MOD = 3 ± 3%, HIGH = 5 ± 4%, p = 0.959). There was no impact of protein supplementation on any other body composition or recovery measure. We conclude no benefits of pre-bed protein supplementation to improve performance, body composition and recovery during BT. It is possible the training stimulus was great enough, limiting the impact of protein supplementation. However, the high degree of inter-participant variability suggests an individualised use of protein supplementation should be explored, particularly in those who consume sub-optimal (<1.6 g⸱kg−1⸱day−1) habitual amounts of protein.Clinical trial registration: The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. national institutes (identifier: NCT05998590)

Tidal streams, fish and seabirds : understanding the linkages between mobile predators, prey, and hydrodynamics

Fundings: Natural Environment Research Council (GrantNumber(s): VertIBase project [NE/N01765X/1]) Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK Government (GrantNumber(s): Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We gratefully acknowledge the support of the crew and scientists of the MRV Scotia 2016 (0916S) and 2018 (1018S) cruises: Marianna Chimienti, Helen Wade, Laura Williamson, Ewan Edwards, Ross Culloch, Tom Evans, Sarah Fenn, David Hunter, Eric Armstrong, and Adrian Tait. This work was supported by the NERC VertIBase Project [NE/N01765X/1] and the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment Programme.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Engineering Enzyme Specificity Using Computational Design of a Defined-Sequence Library

Engineered biosynthetic pathways have the potential to produce high-value molecules from inexpensive feedstocks, but a key limitation is engineering enzymes with high activity and specificity for new reactions. Here, we developed a method for combining structure-based computational protein design with library-based enzyme screening, in which inter-residue correlations favored by the design are encoded into a defined-sequence library. We validated this approach by engineering a glucose 6-oxidase enzyme for use in a proposed pathway to convert D-glucose into D-glucaric acid. The most active variant, identified after only one round of diversification and screening of only 10,000 wells, is approximately 400-fold more active on glucose than is the wild-type enzyme. We anticipate that this strategy will be broadly applicable to the discovery of new enzymes for engineered biological pathways.United States. Office of Naval Research. Young Investigator Program (Grant N000140510656)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center. Grant EEC-0540879)MIT Faculty Start-up FundCodon Devices, Inc

Improvement in the pre-hospital care of recreational drug users through the development of club specific ambulance referral guidelines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previously developed 'club guidelines' developed for club owners and promoters have tended to focus more on the legislative aspects of clubs, rather than the medical management of unwell clubbers within club environments. Despite this lack of guidance on the management of unwell clubbers, a significant proportion of clubs have 'club medic' rooms for managing these individuals. However, due to the lack of specific guidance on the training of staff working in these rooms and guidelines on when an ambulance should be called for an unwell clubber, there have been instances previously where clubbers have been inappropriately managed within the club environment, and often referred to hospital only after significant physiological derangement has occurred, thereby leading to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We identified owners and promoters of local club venues within the catchment area of our Emergency Department and working jointly with them and other key stakeholders, in particular the London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police, identified strategies to improve pre-hospital care for clubbers who become unwell as a result of recreational drug use. These included developing guidelines detailing indications for ambulance transfer to hospital for clubbers with recreational drug toxicity and the training of club medic staff to use the guidelines</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Following the initial development of a pilot set of guidelines, an audit of their use identified training needed relating to the assessment of unwell clubbers with recreational drug toxicity and revisions required to the pilot version of the guidelines. After training related to the revised guidelines, all the club medic staff were confident in their ability to assess unwell clubbers with recreational drug toxicity, the use of the guidelines and also when to call an ambulance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Working with key stakeholders in the local community, we have developed guidelines that can be used to improve the pre-hospital care of clubber unwell with recreational drug toxicity, and demonstrated that individuals with a variety of medical knowledge can be trained to use these guidelines. Wider dissemination of these guidelines, both regionally, nationally and potentially internationally, may help to reduce the pre-hospital morbidity and mortality associated with recreational drug toxicity encountered in club environments.</p

Does Protein Supplementation Support Adaptations to Arduous Concurrent Exercise Training? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Military Based Applications

We evaluated the impact of protein supplementation on adaptations to arduous concurrent training in healthy adults with potential applications to individuals undergoing military training. Peer-reviewed papers published in English meeting the population, intervention, comparison and outcome criteria were included. Database searches were completed in PubMed, Web of science and SPORTDiscus. Study quality was evaluated using the COnsensus based standards for the selection of health status measurement instruments checklist. Of 11 studies included, nine focused on performance, six on body composition and four on muscle recovery. Cohen’s d effect sizes showed that protein supplementation improved performance outcomes in response to concurrent training (ES = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.08–1.70). When analysed separately, improvements in muscle strength (SMD = +4.92 kg, 95% CI = −2.70–12.54 kg) were found, but not in aerobic endurance. Gains in fat-free mass (SMD = +0.75 kg, 95% CI = 0.44–1.06 kg) and reductions in fat-mass (SMD = −0.99, 95% CI = −1.43–0.23 kg) were greater with protein supplementation. Most studies did not report protein turnover, nitrogen balance and/or total daily protein intake. Therefore, further research is warranted. However, our findings infer that protein supplementation may support lean-mass accretion and strength gains during arduous concurrent training in physical active populations, including military recruits

Exertional heat stroke: nutritional considerations

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a life-threatening illness and an enduring problem among athletes, military servicemen and -women, and occupational labourers who regularly perform strenuous activity, often under hot and humid conditions or when wearing personal protective equipment. Risk factors for EHS and mitigation strategies have generally focused on the environment, health status, clothing, heat acclimatization and aerobic conditioning, but the potential role of nutrition is largely underexplored. Various nutritional and dietary strategies have shown beneficial effects on exercise performance and health and are widely used by athletes and other physically active populations. There is also evidence that some of these practices may dampen the pathophysiological features of EHS, suggesting possible protection or abatement of injury severity. Promising candidates include carbohydrate ingestion, appropriate fluid intake and glutamine supplementation. Conversely, some nutritional factors and low energy availability may facilitate the development of EHS, and individuals should be cognizant of these. Therefore, the aims of this review are to present an overview of EHS along with its mechanisms and pathophysiology, discuss how selected nutritional considerations may influence EHS risk focusing on their impact on the key pathophysiological processes of EHS, and provide recommendations for future research. With climate change expected to increase EHS risk and incidence in the coming years, further investigation on how diet and nutrition may be optimized to protect against EHS would be highly beneficial