Influence of aerobic fitness on gastrointestinal barrier integrity and microbial translocation following a fixed-intensity military exertional heat stress test

Purpose: Exertional-heat stress adversely disrupts gastrointestinal (GI) barrier integrity, whereby subsequent microbial translocation (MT) can result in potentially serious health consequences. To date, the influence of aerobic fitness on GI barrier integrity and MT following exertional-heat stress is poorly characterised. Method: Ten untrained (UT; VO2max = 45 ± 3 ml·kg−1·min−1) and ten highly trained (HT; VO2max = 64 ± 4 ml·kg−1·min−1) males completed an ecologically valid (military) 80-min fixed-intensity exertional-heat stress test (EHST). Venous blood was drawn immediately pre- and post-EHST. GI barrier integrity was assessed using the serum dual-sugar absorption test (DSAT) and plasma Intestinal Fatty-Acid Binding Protein (I-FABP). MT was assessed using plasma Bacteroides/total 16S DNA. Results: UT experienced greater thermoregulatory, cardiovascular and perceptual strain (p < 0.05) than HT during the EHST. Serum DSAT responses were similar between the two groups (p = 0.59), although Δ I-FABP was greater (p = 0.04) in the UT (1.14 ± 1.36 ng·ml−1) versus HT (0.20 ± 0.29 ng·ml−1) group. Bacteroides/Total 16S DNA ratio was unchanged (Δ; -0.04 ± 0.18) following the EHST in the HT group, but increased (Δ; 0.19 ± 0.25) in the UT group (p = 0.05). Weekly aerobic training hours had a weak, negative correlation with Δ I-FABP and Bacteroides/total 16S DNA responses. Conclusion: When exercising at the same absolute workload, UT individuals are more susceptible to small intestinal epithelial injury and MT than HT individuals. These responses appear partially attributable to greater thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, and perceptual strain

Innovation, science, environment 08/09: Canadian policies and performance, 2008-2009

Rapidly developing changes in technology, scientific knowledge, and domestic and international environmental issues force analysts to constantly reevaluate how public policy is coping. Are governments leading, following, or falling behind other societal actors? This third volume in a series of annual assessments of Canadian public policy provides an innovative approach to evaluating key developments in one of the most challenging areas of public policy in the twenty-first century. Leading experts look at crucial issues such as climate change, sustainable development policy tools, science management, and the international approach to governing intellectual property. They address recent developments within the pesticide, wildlife, and infrastructure policy areas involving the federal government and key private and non-governmental players. The 2008-09 volume explores the role of governments in a number of key areas, showing that while government institutions and policies should be part of the solution to the complex array of science and technology and environment and development issues facing Canadians, too often it appears they are part of the problem

The international energy agency and the development of the stocks decision

In July 1984, the IEA adopted measures to counter oil supply disruptions too small to trigger the IEA's formal emergency oil sharing system. The decision to use oil stocks expeditiously in supply disruptions was stimulated by the damage caused by the 1979 supply shortfall. Based on primary research, this article analyses the process by which the IEA moved toward the Stocks Decision and reveals the pivotal role played by the IEA's dominant member, the USA. The article provides important insights into the inner workings of the 21 member-state body, and concludes with an assessment of the Stocks Decision as an instrument of international energy management

Five political and policy imperatives in green plan formation: The canadian case

The 1990 Canadian Green Plan is useful as a case study in examining the five key political and policy imperatives essential in green plan formation, defined as systematic efforts by western governments to transform their environmental policy approaches from a remedial clean-up approach after pollution has occurred to a preventive approach intended to support sustainable development. The five political and policy imperatives are prime ministerial leadership; sustained ministerial and bureaucratic coordination and leadership; strategic support by both environmental nongovernmental organisations (ENGOs) and business interests; a suitable conceptual framework for articulating and communicating the meaning of sustainable development in a world of mass-media-driven politics; and the right mix of policy instruments

Canadian energy security: the state of Canada's emergency preparedness system

Abstract: Because Canada has regions totally dependent on imported oil and is a trading nation dependent on international trade for a significant s