Conditional knockdown of transformer in sheep blow fly suggests a role in repression of dosage compensation and potential for population suppression.

The transformer (tra) gene is essential for female development in many insect species, including the Australian sheep blow fly, Lucilia cuprina. Sex-specific tra RNA splicing is controlled by Sex lethal (Sxl) in Drosophila melanogaster but is auto-regulated in L. cuprina. Sxl also represses X chromosome dosage compensation in female D. melanogaster. We have developed conditional Lctra RNAi knockdown strains using the tet-off system. Four strains did not produce females on diet without tetracycline and could potentially be used for genetic control of L. cuprina. In one strain, which showed both maternal and zygotic tTA expression, most XX transformed males died at the pupal stage. RNAseq and qRT-PCR analyses of mid-stage pupae showed increased expression of X-linked genes in XX individuals. These results suggest that Lctra promotes somatic sexual differentiation and inhibits X chromosome dosage compensation in female L. cuprina. However, XX flies homozygous for a loss-of-function Lctra knockin mutation were fully transformed and showed high pupal eclosion. Two of five X-linked genes examined showed a significant increase in mRNA levels in XX males. The stronger phenotype in the RNAi knockdown strain could indicate that maternal Lctra expression may be essential for initiation of dosage compensation suppression in female embryos.

The co-development and evaluation of an e-learning course on spinal cord injury physical activity counselling: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Health, fitness and lifestyle professionals can play important roles in promoting physical activity in groups at risk of developing an inactive lifestyle, such as people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Tailored counselling is a promising tool to promote and improve physical activity levels. To support professionals to effectively have a conversation about physical activity with clients with SCI, evidence-based training and resources are needed. This project aimed to (1) co-develop an e-learning course on best practices for SCI physical activity counselling and, (2) examine the effectiveness and usability of this course. METHODS: Guided by the technology-enhanced learning (TEL) evaluation framework, we used a systematic, multistep approach to co-develop and evaluate an e-learning course. The development process was informed by input and feedback from a diverse group of end-users and experts (n > 160) via online surveys and (think-aloud) interviews. A randomized controlled trial was used to compare learning outcomes (post-knowledge and self-efficacy) between participants who completed the course (intervention group) and the wait-listed control group. Usability, learning experiences, and satisfaction were assessed among all participants. RESULTS: Forty-one participants (21 intervention-group; 20 control-group) with various backgrounds (e.g., lifestyle counsellors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, fitness trainers) enrolled in the randomized controlled trial. After completing the course, participants in the intervention group showed significantly improved knowledge on the best practices for SCI physical activity counselling and higher self-efficacy for using these best practices in conversations with clients with SCI compared to the control group (p <.001). Participants reported above average usability scores, positive learning experiences, and high levels of satisfaction when completing the course. CONCLUSION: We used a systematic, multi-step, theory-informed approach to co-develop and evaluate an evidence-based e-learning course on SCI physical activity counselling to support professionals to promote physical activity in their daily practices. The overall positive findings demonstrate that the e-learning course is feasible and ready for further implementation in various health and community settings. Implementation of the e-learning course can help professionals improve the physical activity support they provide to their clients, and subsequently increase physical activity participation in people with SCI.

Identification and functional analysis of Cochliomyia hominivorax U6 gene promoters.

The New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is an obligate parasite, which is a major pest of livestock. While the sterile insect technique was used very successfully to eradicate C. hominivorax from North and Central America, more cost-effective genetic methods will likely be needed in South America. The recent development of CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic approaches, such as homing gene drive, could provide a very efficient means for the suppression of C. hominivorax populations. One component of a drive system is the guide RNA(s) driven by a U6 gene promoter. Here, we have developed an in vivo assay to evaluate the activity of the promoters from seven C. hominivorax U6 genes. Embryos from the related blowfly Lucilia cuprina were injected with plasmid DNA containing a U6-promoter-guide RNA construct and a source of Cas9, either protein or plasmid DNA. Activity was assessed by the number of site-specific mutations in the targeted gene in hatched larvae. One promoter, Chom U6_b, showed the highest activity. These U6 gene promoters could be used to build CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic systems for the control of C. hominivorax.

Addressing a silent and neglected scourge in sexual and reproductive health in Sub-Saharan Africa by development of training competencies to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) for health workers.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms, that can take two main forms: intestinal or urogenital. If left untreated, the urogenital form can lead to female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) in women and girls; frequently resulting in severe reproductive health complications which are often misdiagnosed as sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) or can be confused with cervical cancer. Despite its impact on women's reproductive health, FGS is typically overlooked in medical training and remains poorly recognized with low awareness both in affected communities and in health professionals. FGS has been described as the one of the most neglected sexual and reproductive health issues in sub-Saharan Africa (Swai in BMC Infect Dis 6:134, 2006; Kukula in PLoS Negl Trop Dis 13:e0007207; Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 2019). Increased knowledge and awareness of FGS is required to end this neglect, improve women's reproductive health, and decrease the burden of this preventable and treatable neglected tropical disease. METHODS: We conducted interactive virtual workshops, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), engaging 64 participants with medical and public health backgrounds from around the world to establish standardized skills (or competencies) for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of FGS at all levels of the health system. The competencies were drafted in small groups, peer-reviewed, and finalized by participants. RESULTS: This participatory process led to identification of 27 skills needed for FGS prevention, diagnosis, and management for two categories of health workers; those working in a clinical setting, and those working in a community setting. Among them, ten relate to the diagnosis of FGS including three that involve a pelvic exam and seven that do not. Six constitute the appropriate behaviors required to treat FGS in a clinical setting. Eleven address the community setting, with six relating to the identification of women at risk and five relating to prevention. CONCLUSION: Defining the skills necessary for FGS management is a critical step to prepare for proper diagnosis and treatment of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa by trained health professionals. The suggested competencies can now serve as the foundation to create educative tools and curricula to better train health care workers on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of FGS.

Evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tertiary gynaecological cancer care delivery: a population based study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of delays and alterations in cancer treatment pathways have emerged. We aim to evaluate the proportional impact of the pandemic over time on standard care delivery in a large tertiary gynaecological cancer centre. Consecutive patient records from weekly multidisciplinary team meetings were collected prospectively between 6 March 2020 and 26 March 2021. In total, 1943 patient discussions were held in our multidisciplinary team meetings during the study period, with 2.1% standard management decisions being altered due to the pandemic, the majority of which occurred during the first wave. Amongst alterations, 87.5% were deferral of surgery, and, in 62.5% of cases, were due to reduced critical care capacity. The majority of patients were offered alternative treatment, and surgery once resources permitted. During subsequent waves of COVID-19, with similar reductions in critical care capacity, we demonstrate avoidance of a second major increase in standard care pathway alterations.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known about the subject? Recent evidence has demonstrated significant delays to cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have objectively evaluated the quantity and nature of deviations from both surgical and non-surgical standard gynaecological cancer care pathways.What the results of this study add? We examined in detail the effects of the pandemic on tertiary gynaecological cancer service delivery in our centre. The main impact was in the ability to perform major surgery due to reduced critical care capacity. However, with the majority of standard care alterations clustered during the first wave of the pandemic, we demonstrate how the implementation of a COVID-19 mitigation plan minimised service disruption during subsequent waves.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study reinforces the importance of protecting gynaecological cancer services during situations where resources are limited. Having identified several key factors affected by the pandemic, we hope that our results will support others in coordinating responses to similar scenarios in future. Having not examined the effects of the pandemic on primary and secondary level cancer services, further research will be needed to evaluate the overall impact on long term patient outcomes.

Improved transgenic sexing strains for genetic control of the Australian sheep blow fly Lucilia cuprina using embryo-specific gene promoters.

For genetic approaches for controlling insect pests such as the sterile insect technique (SIT), it is advantageous to release only males as females are ineffective as control agents and they consume about 50% of the diet. Here we developed tetracycline-repressible Lucilia cuprina transgenic strains in which adult females were fully fertile and viable on a diet that lacked tetracycline and all of their female offspring died at the embryo stage. The transgenic strains are an improvement over the strains we developed previously, which had the disadvantage that adult females on diet without tetracycline were sterile and died prematurely. This was possibly due to the low level expression of the effector gene in ovaries. In the strains developed in this study, the early promoters from L. cuprina nullo or Cochliomyia macellaria CG14427 genes were used to drive the tetracycline transactivator (tTA) expression in the early embryo. In the absence of tetracycline, tTA activates expression of the proapoptotic gene Lshid which contains a female-specific intron. Consequently, only females produce active HID protein and die at the embryo stage. Crossing the tTA-expressing driver lines with an RFPex reporter line confirmed that there was no expression of the effector gene in the ovary. These new embryonic L. cuprina transgenic sexing strains hold great promise for genetic control programs and the system reported here might also be transferable to other major calliphorid livestock pests such as the New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax.

Identification of a gene promoter active in Lucilia sericata larval salivary glands using a rapid transient expression assay.

Tissue-specific gene promoters are desired as they provide the specificity needed for control of gene expression in transgenic animals. Here we describe a relatively rapid two-component transient expression assay that was used to identify a gene promoter active in the larval salivary glands of the green blow fly, Lucilia sericata. Sterile L.sericata maggots are widely used for wound debridement. A larval salivary gland gene promoter could be used to make maggots that secrete factors for enhanced wound therapy. Embryos from a line that carry a tetracycline transactivator (tTA)-activated red fluorescent protein gene were injected with plasmid DNA with the tTA gene driven by a constitutive or tissue-specific gene promoter. The hatched larvae were reared on diet and then examined for red fluorescence. A promoter from the LsCG30371 gene was active in the larval salivary glands. The tissue-specificity of the promoter was subsequently confirmed with stable transgenic lines that carried the LsCG30371-tTA gene. The relatively rapid transient expression assay could potentially be used to determine the tissue-specificity of other gene promoters. Further, the stable LsCG30371-tTA lines could be used to make sterile maggots that secrete factors from the salivary glands for enhanced wound healing.

Doxycycline is a viable alternative to tetracycline for use in insect Tet-Off transgenic sexing systems, as assessed in the blowflies Cochliomyia hominivorax and Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Transgenic insect strains with tetracycline repressible (Tet-Off) female-lethal genes provide significant advantages over traditional sterile insect techniques for insect population control, such as reduced diet and labor costs and more efficient population suppression. Tet-Off systems are suppressed by tetracycline-class antibiotics, most commonly tetracycline (Tc) or doxycycline (Dox), allowing for equal sex ratio colonies of transgenic insects when reared with Tc or Dox and male-only generations in their absence. Dox is a more stable molecule and has increased uptake than Tc, which could be advantageous in some insect mass-rearing systems. Here, we evaluated the suitability of Dox for rearing Tet-Off female-lethal strains of Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel, 1858) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and the effects of dosage on strain performance. For both species, colonies were able to be maintained with mixed-sex ratios at much lower dosages of Dox than Tc. Biological yields of C. hominivorax on either antibiotic were not significantly different. Reduction of Dox dosages in C. hominivorax diet did not affect biological performance, though rearing with 10 or 25 µg/mL was more productive than 50 µg/mL. Additionally, C. hominivorax mating performance and longevity were equal on all Dox dosages. Overall, Dox was a suitable antibiotic for mass-rearing Tet-Off female-lethal L. cuprina and C. hominivorax and was functional at much lower dosages than Tc.

Caffeine gum and cycling performance: a timing study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the most efficacious time to administer caffeine (CAF) in chewing gum to enhance cycling performance. Eight male cyclists participated in 5 separate laboratory sessions. During the first visit, the subjects underwent a graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max). During the next 4 visits, 3 pieces of chewing gum were administered at 3 time points (120-minute precycling, 60-minute precycling, and 5-minute precycling). In 3 of the 4 visits, at 1 of the time points mentioned previously, 300 mg of CAF was administered. During the fourth visit, placebo gum was administered at all 3 time points. The experimental trials were defined as follows: trial A (-120), trial B (-60), trial C (-5), and trial D (Placebo). After baseline measurements, time allotted for gum administration, and a standard warm-up, the participants cycled at 75% V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max for 15 minutes then completed a 7-kJ·kg(-1) cycling time trial. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Cycling performance was improved in trial C (-5), but not in trial A (-120) or trial B (-60), relative to trial D (Placebo). CAF administered in chewing gum enhanced cycling performance when administered immediately prior, but not when administered 1 or 2 hours before cycling.

CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in the New World Screwworm and Australian Sheep Blowfly.

Blowflies are of interest for medical applications (maggot therapy), forensic investigations, and for evolutionary developmental studies such as the evolution of parasitism. It is because of the latter that some blowflies such as the New World screwworm and the Australian sheep blowfly are considered major economic pests of livestock. Due to their importance, annotated assembled genomes for several species are now available. Here, we present a detailed guide for using the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 RNA-guided nuclease to efficiently generate both knockout and knock-in mutations in screwworm and sheep blowfly. These methods should accelerate genetic investigations in these and other closely related species and lead to a better understanding of the roles of selected genes in blowfly development and behavior.

Overview of Canada's Answer to the COVID-19 Pandemic's First Wave (January-April 2020).

Canada is a federal state of almost 38 million inhabitants distributed over ten provinces and three territories, each with their own power regarding health. This case study describes the health infrastructures' situation before the COVID-19 outbreak and their adaptations to face the expected cases, the available epidemiologic data for the beginning of the first wave (January-April 2020), and the public health and economic measures taken to control the pandemic both at the federal level and breaking down by province and territory. Canadian health infrastructures offered on average 12.9 intensive care units beds per 100,000 (occupancy rate ~90% before the outbreak), unevenly distributed across provinces and territories. Canada implemented public health measures, such as social distancing, when hospitalization and death rates due to the pandemic were still lower than in other countries; each province and territory adapted and implemented specific measures. Cumulated cases and deaths substantially increased from mid-March 2020, reaching 65 cases and 2 deaths per 100,000 on April 12, with strong differences across provinces and territories. Canada has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic's first wave with a generally slower dynamic than in the USA or in the European Union at the same period. This suggests that implementation of public health measures when health indicators were still low may have been efficient in Canada; yet the long-term care sector faced many challenges in some provinces, which drove a large part of the pandemic indicators.

Using Moderate Transgene Expression to Improve the Genetic Sexing System of the Australian Sheep Blow Fly Lucilia cuprina.

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a promising strategy to control the Australian sheep blow fly Lucilia cuprina, a major pest of sheep. We have previously developed a transgenic embryonic sexing system (TESS) for this pest to facilitate the potential SIT application. TESS carry two transgenes, a tetracycline transactivator (tTA) driver and a tTA-activated pro-apoptotic effector. TESS females die at the embryonic stage unless tetracycline is supplied in the diet. However, undesired female sterility was observed in some TESS strains without tetracycline due to expression of tTA in ovaries. Here we investigate if TESS that combine transgenes with relatively low/moderate expression/activity improves the fertility of TESS females. tTA driver lines were evaluated for tTA expression by quantitative real time PCR and/or by crossing with a tTA-activated RFPex effector line. Fertility and lethality tests showed that a TESS strain containing a driver line with moderate tTA expression and an effector line showing moderate pro-apoptotic activity could recover the fertility of parental females and eliminated all female offspring at the embryonic stage. Consequently, such a strain could be further evaluated for an SIT program for L. cuprina, and such a "moderate strategy" could be considered for the TESS development in other pest species.

Specific Gene Disruption in the Major Livestock Pests Cochliomyia hominivorax and Lucilia cuprina Using CRISPR/Cas9.

Cochliomyia hominivorax and Lucilia cuprina are major pests of livestock. Their larvae infest warm-blooded vertebrates and feed on host's tissues, resulting in severe industry losses. As they are serious pests, considerable effort has been made to develop genomic resources and functional tools aiming to improve their management and control. Here, we report a significant addition to the pool of genome manipulation tools through the establishment of efficient CRISPR/Cas9 protocols for the generation of directed and inheritable modifications in the genome of these flies. Site-directed mutations were introduced in the Chominivorax and Lcuprina yellow genes (ChY and LcY) producing lightly pigmented adults. High rates of somatic mosaicism were induced when embryos were injected with Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) pre-assembled with guide RNAs (sgRNAs) at high concentrations. Adult flies carrying disrupted yellow alleles lacked normal pigmentation (brown body phenotype) and efficiently transmitted the mutated alleles to the subsequent generation, allowing the rapid creation of homozygous strains for reverse genetics of candidate loci. We next used our established CRISPR protocol to disrupt the Chominivorax transformer gene (Chtra). Surviving females carrying mutations in the Chtra locus developed mosaic phenotypes of transformed ovipositors with characteristics of male genitalia while exhibiting abnormal reproductive tissues. The CRISPR protocol described here is a significant improvement on the existing toolkit of molecular methods in calliphorids. Our results also suggest that Cas9-based systems targeting Chtra and Lctra could be an effective means for controlling natural populations of these important pests.

The Effect of Increasing Autonomy Through Choice on Young Children's Physical Activity Behavior.

BACKGROUND: Increasing autonomy by manipulating the choice of available physical activity options in a laboratory setting can increase physical activity in older children and adults. However, the effect of manipulating the number of physically active choices has yet to be examined in young children in a gymnasium environment. METHODS: Twenty children (n = 10 girls, 6.1 ± 1.4 years old) individually participated in 2 [low choice (LC), high choice (HC)] free-choice activity conditions for 30 minutes in a 4360 square foot gymnasium. Children had access to 2 or 8 physical activity options in the LC and HC conditions, respectively. Physical activity behavior was measured via accelerometry. RESULTS: Children's 30-minute accelerometer counts increased (P < .03) from the LC (2675 ± 294 counts·min-1) to the HC (3224 ± 280 counts·min-1) condition. CONCLUSIONS: Providing greater autonomy through choice of a greater number of physically active options increased young children's physical activity participation by 20.5%.

Physiological responses to known intake of ergot alkaloids by steers at environmental temperatures within or greater than their thermoneutral zone.

Two studies separated effects of dietary ergot alkaloids from effects of feed intake or ambient temperature on respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), surface temperature (ST), rectal temperature (RT), blood pressure (BP), serum hormone, and plasma metabolite concentrations in beef steers. The balanced, single reversal design for each experiment used 8 beef steers fed tall fescue seed [2.5 g/kg body weight (BW)] with (E+) or without (E-) ergot alkaloids as part of a 60:40 switchgrass hay: supplement diet. Periods were 35 days with 21 days of preliminary phase and 14 days of feeding fescue seed once daily. Measures of dependent variables were collected on d 20, 25, 29, and 35 of each period at 0730 (before feeding), 1230 and 1530. In Experiment 1 steers weighed 286 kg, gained 0.61 kg BW/day, E+ supplied 2.72 mg ergot alkaloids including 1.60 mg ergovaline per steer daily, and mean minimum and maximum daily ambient temperatures were 23.6 and 32.3°C. In Experiment 2 steers weighed 348 kg, gained 1.03 kg BW/day, E+ supplied 3.06 mg ergot alkaloids including 2.00 mg ergovaline daily, and mean minimum and maximum daily ambient temperatures were 11.9 and 17.4°C. Dry matter intake was not affected by fescue seed treatment (P < 0.20) in either experiment. In both experiments, E+ reduced HR (P < 0.01) and increased insulin (P = 0.07). Systolic BP minus diastolic BP decreased (P < 0.05) for E+ in both experiments, due to increased diastolic BP in Experiment 1 (P < 0.03) and decreased systolic BP in Experiment 2 (P < 0.07). In Experiment 1, above the thermoneutral zone, E+ increased (P < 0.05) RR, RT, and left side ST in comparison to E-, but in Experiment 2, within the thermoneutral zone, E+ and E- did not differ (P < 0.18). Ergot alkaloids from fescue seed affect the cardiovascular system of steers separately from effects of feed intake or environmental temperature. Ergot alkaloids interact with ambient temperatures above the steers' thermoneutral zone to exacerbate the symptoms of hyperthermic stress.

Peer influence and physical activity behavior in young children: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that the presence of a friend increases physical activity behavior in school-aged children (≥ 8 years old) and in young adolescents. Little is known about the developmental trajectory of the effects of peer influences on children's physical activity. Therefore, we sought to test the effect of the presence versus absence of a friend on physical activity in young children (≤ 6 years old). METHODS: Physical activity was assessed, via accelerometery, in 3- to 6-year-old children, during 2 social conditions: alone and in the presence of a friend. During each condition, children were taken to a gymnasium and had free access to physical and sedentary activities for 30 minutes. In one condition children were tested alone (solo play), whereas in the other they were tested in the presence of a friend who had access to the same activities. RESULTS: Children exhibited 54% greater (P < .02) average accelerometer counts during the friend condition (mean = 2629, SD = 1080 or 5.7 METs) than during the solo play condition (mean = 1707, SD = 1009 or 4.5 METs). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a friend contributes to increased physical activity behavior in young children.

Physiologic Responses, Liking and Motivation for Playing the Same Video Game on an Active Versus a Traditional, Non-Active Gaming System.

Evidence suggests that individuals playing certain video games on the Nintendo Wii® (Wii) exhibit increased energy expenditure versus traditional video games, although little research examines non-Wii Sports/Fit games. The purpose of this study is to assess physiologic responses, liking, and the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of a popular, non-Wii sports video game for the Wii relative to the same game played on a traditional, non-active system. Twenty-four college-aged students participated. Heart rate and oxygen consumption (V̇O2) was assessed during rest and when playing the following games: Madden NFL 2011® for Playstation 2 (PS2 Madden) and the Wii (Wii Madden), and Wii Sports Boxing. The RRV was assessed for Wii Madden versus PS2 Madden. Analysis of variance demonstrated a main effect for condition (p ≤ 0.01) as V̇O2 (5.2 ± 0.2 ml·kg-1·min-1 Wii, 4.1 ± 0.1 ml·kg-1·min-1 PS2, 3.7 ± 0.1 ml·kg-1·min-1, rest) and heart rate (89.2 · 2.7 bpm Wii, 79.7 ± 2.5 bpm PS2, 79.1 ± 2.5 bpm, rest) was greater for Wii Madden than PS2 Madden and rest. Heart Rate (105.4 ± 5.3 bpm) and V̇O2 (10.4 ml·kg-1·min-1) for Wii Sports Boxing was significantly greater than all other conditions (p ≤ 0.003). The RRV was not significantly different between Wii Madden and PS2 Madden (p = 0.50). Compared to the same game on a traditional system, Wii Madden is more physiologically challenging and equally reinforcing. However, Wii Madden would not be categorized as moderate-intensity physical activity.

A 12-week Interdisciplinary Intervention Program for Children who are Obese.

UNLABELLED: Childhood obesity is a growing problem, for which multi-disciplinary interventions are needed. PURPOSE: This interdisciplinary intervention program was designed to improve the health of children who were obese. METHODS: Twenty-five children, mean age 8.1 (1.5) years; body mass index (BMI)> 98(th) percentile, and their parents completed the 12-week (3 days/wk) intervention consisting of aerobic and resistance exercise appropriate to age and developmental levels. Baseline and posttest measures of blood values, fitness, and cardiovascular risk factors were performed. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests with significance accepted at P ≤ .05. RESULTS: Significant differences between means (SD) for pre- and post-measurements were, respectively: BMI 30.31 (4.56), 27.80 (4.54), body-fat percent 43.7 (11.5), 40.7 (10.9), waist circumference 82.1 (7.1), 80.4(6.1) cm, calf circumference 34.2 (3.1), 35.2 (3.1) cm; step-test heart rate 137 (20), 126 (12) bpm, push-ups 1.0 (1.8), 5.6 (3.8), sit-ups 23.6 (12.7), 33.2 (13.8), sit-and-reach 35.1 (7.4), 41.2 (5.8) cm; systolic BP 102 (10), 108 (9) mmHg, glucose 4.9(0.3), 4.8 (0.4) mmol/L, total cholesterol 4.6 (1.0), 4.2 (0.8) mmol/L, ALT 41 (9), 35 (8) U/L, bilirubin 6.3 (2.4), 5.6 (2.1) µmol/L, and BUN 4.9 (1.1), 4.3 (0.9) mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: This interdisciplinary intervention program positively affected the fitness and health status of children who were obese by involving the children and parents.

Effect of acute salt ingestion upon core temperature in healthy men.

Salt intake may cause conflict for the cardiovascular system as it attempts to simultaneously maintain blood pressure (BP) and temperature homeostasis. Our objective was to determine the effect of a salt and water load vs. a water load upon rectal temperature (Tre) in healthy volunteers. Twenty-two healthy, non-hypertensive Caucasian men enrolled in two trials in which they ingested either salt and body temperature water (SALT), or body temperature water (WATER). BP, Tre, cardiac index, peripheral resistance and urine output were monitored one, 2 and 3 h post-baseline. Changes in the dependent variables were compared between those subjects who were salt sensitive (SS) and those who were salt resistant (SR) at the same time intervals. The percentage change reduction in Tre was greater following SALT compared with WATER at +120 min (-1.1±0.7 vs. -0.6±0.5%, P=0.009) and at +180 min (-1.3±0.8 vs. -0.7±0.6%, P=0.003). The percentage change reduction in Tre was greater in the SR group compared with the SS group at +180 min (-1.6±0.9 vs. -0.9±0.5%, P=0.043). SALT decreased Tre more than WATER. SS individuals maintained temperature homeostasis more effectively than SR individuals following SALT. These results may explain why some individuals are SS while others are SR. If these results are generalizable, it would be possible to account for the role of sodium chloride in the development of SS hypertension.