Thalassophilia and marine identity: Drivers of 'thick' marine citizenship.

Changing humanity's relationship with the ocean is identified as one of ten key challenges in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Marine citizenship is one potential policy approach for reducing anthropogenic harms to the ocean and promoting ocean recovery, and there is a need to better understand marine citizenship motivating factors and their interactions. To contribute to a more holistic understanding, we approached this problem using an interdisciplinary, mixed methodology, which prioritised the voices and experiences of active marine citizens. An online survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine factors spanning environmental psychology (values, environmental identity) and human geography (place attachment and dependency). Our data uncovered a unique marine place attachment, or thalassophilia, which is a novel conceptualisation of the human capacity to bond with a type of place beyond human settlements or defined localities. It is the product of strong emotional responses to the sensorial experience of the ocean and shared social or cultural understanding of ocean place identifications. A key driver of deeper marine citizenship is marine place dependency, and it is positively influence by stimulation and non-conformity values, environmental identity, and thalassophilia. We map significant motivating factors to identity process theory and describe a novel marine identity concept. We propose this as an operational mechanism of marine citizenship action, potentially filling the value- and knowledge-action gaps in the context of marine environmental action. This research provides a cornerstone in marine citizenship research by analysing together in one study a multitude of variables, which cross human-ocean relationships and experiences. The identification and characterisation of thalassophilia and marine identity process theory will enable research and practice to move forwards with a clearer framework of the role of the ocean as a place in environmental action.

Treatment of canine sinonasal aspergillosis with clotrimazole infusion in patients with cribriform plate lysis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the treatment of sinonasal aspergillosis with topical 1% clotrimazole solution in dogs with cribriform plate lysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study includes data retrieval from medical records of dogs with sinonasal aspergillosis and cribriform plate lysis that underwent topical treatment with 1% clotrimazole solution. RESULTS: Five dogs with sinonasal aspergillosis, cribriform plate lysis diagnosed on CT scans, and normal neurologic examinations were treated with a single (n=3) or multiple (n=2) infusions of clotrimazole solution. No dogs developed clinical neurologic disease after therapy. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, a topical clotrimazole solution was not associated with adverse neurologic effects in neurologically normal dogs with sinonasal aspergillosis and cribriform plate lysis.

Longitudinal changes in calcium and vitamin D intakes and relationship to bone mineral density in a prospective population-based study: the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos).

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to study changes in calcium and vitamin D intakes over time, and their cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: We followed 9382 women and men aged ≥25 and 899 aged 16-24, for 10 and 2 years respectively. RESULTS: Calcium and vitamin D intakes increased over time in adults, but decreased in women aged 16-18. The increased intakes in adults were largely attributable to the increased use of calcium and/or vitamin D supplements. Both the percentage of supplement users and average dose among users increased over time. There was nevertheless a high prevalence of calcium and vitamin D intake below the estimated average requirement. At baseline, higher calcium and vitamin D intakes were associated with higher total hip and femoral neck BMD in young men, and cumulatively high levels of calcium and vitamin D intakes over time contributed to better BMD maintenance at lumbar spine and hip sites in adult women. CONCLUSIONS: Although total intakes, particularly of vitamin D, frequently fell below the Institute of Medicine recommendations despite an increase over time in supplement use, we found some positive associations between total calcium and vitamin D intake and bone health.

Healthy midlife Canadian women: how bone health is considered in their food choice systems.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of osteoporosis is predicted to increase as Western populations age. Diet is considered to be an important modifiable factor in bone health, yet the diets of many women are insufficient in calcium and vitamin D, which comprise two key nutrients for bone health. This focus group study explored ways in which midlife women consider bone health in their personal food choice systems. METHODS: Data were obtained in six audio-recorded focus groups from a total of 36 women from upper, middle and lower income neighbourhoods. Open and axial coding and thematic analysis revealed shared and unique themes across and within the income groups. Use of member checks, peer debriefing, and independent and team data analysis enhanced rigour in the findings. RESULTS: All participants were aware of osteoporosis. Most women idealised making simple food decisions and eating for 'holistic' health, but not specifically for bone health. Most midlife women were not motivated to change their diets, few had deliberately increased their intake of calcium and vitamin D through foods and supplements, and few others had simplified their food decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Midlife women in the present study did not make eating for bone health a priority in their food choice systems. Instead, women wanted to eat for 'holistic' health, and only by implication bone health.

Upregulation of cardiac cell plasma membrane calcium pump in a canine model of Chagas disease.

We have previously demonstrated that cardiac myocytes isolated from the hearts of adult dogs develop rapid repetitive cytosolic Ca2+ transients, membrane depolarization, and cell contraction by mobilization of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores when exposed to a soluble factor from the trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. These findings led us to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of cytosolic Ca2+ in cardiac tissues from dogs chronically infected with T. cruzi. Expression of the plasma membrane calcium pump (PMCA) RNA and protein was determined by Northern and Western blotting, respectively, followed by densitometric analyses. A 642-bp PMCA 1b complementary DNA probe derived from canine epicardial tissue hybridized to 2 major transcripts (7.3 and 5.3 kb) in canine epicardium. Expression of the dominant transcript (7.3 kb) was 77% greater in cardiac tissues obtained from dogs with chronic T. cruzi infection (140 days after inoculation) in comparison with constitutive expression levels in normal dogs. Monoclonal antibody 5F10, known to recognize all isoforms of the PMCA, was used to detect expression of the PMCA protein in epicardial tissue. Expression of a 142-kDa protein was increased by 58% in the cardiac tissues of infected dogs when compared with those from uninfected dogs. To establish a link between the upregulation of PMCA in dogs chronically infected with Chagas disease and the ventricular-based arrhythmias and myocardial failure that occur during this stage of disease both in dogs and humans, further study will be required.

Cloning and characterization of three differentially expressed peroxidoxin genes from Leishmania chagasi. Evidence for an enzymatic detoxification of hydroxyl radicals.

Antioxidants have been implicated in protecting cells from oxygen radicals produced as a result of aerobic metabolism and in response to foreign pathogens by phagocytic cells. The mechanisms allowing pathogens to withstand the toxic prooxidant environment within the phagolysosome are poorly understood. We have cloned and characterized three antioxidant genes belonging to the 2-Cys family of peroxidoxins from Leishmania chagasi that may prove to provide these parasites with an enhanced defense mechanism against toxic oxidants. The 5'-untranslated regions and coding regions of each gene are highly conserved, whereas the 3'-untranslated regions have diverged significantly. L. chagasi peroxidoxin 1 (LcPxn1) is predominantly expressed in the amastigote stage, whereas LcPxn2 and LcPxn3 are expressed mainly in the promastigote stage, with LcPxn3 being far less abundant than LcPxn2. LcPxn2 and LcPxn3 possess a nine-amino acid extension at the carboxyl terminus, which LcPxn1 lacks. LcPxn1 appears to exist as high molecular weight multimers in vivo, and recombinant LcPxn1 was shown to detoxify hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxides. We also present strong evidence that recombinant LcPxn1 can enzymatically detoxify hydroxyl radicals, an activity never before clearly demonstrated for a protein.

Effects of increased consumption of fluid milk on energy and nutrient intake, body weight, and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of increased consumption of milk, without other dietary advice, on older adults' energy and nutrient intakes, weight, cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, plasma lipid levels), and quality of life. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Two hundred four healthy men and women, aged 55 to 85 years, who consumed fewer than 1.5 dairy servings per day were chosen from six US academic health centers. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled open trial. INTERVENTION: Advice to increase skim or 1% milk intake by 3 cups per day (n = 101) or to maintain usual diet (n = 103) for 12 weeks after a 4-week baseline period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in energy and nutrient intake assessed from 3-day food records, body weight, blood pressure, and plasma lipid levels. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Group-by-time analysis of variance with repeated-measures, chi 2 test. RESULTS: Compliance with the intervention was good. Compared with controls, participants in the milk-supplemented group significantly increased energy, protein, cholesterol, vitamins A, D, and B-12, riboflavin, pantothenate, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and potassium intakes. Prevalence of nutrient inadequacy, assessed for nutrients with Estimated Average Requirements, decreased among women in the milk group for magnesium (40% at baseline vs 13% at 12 weeks, P < .001) and vitamin B-12 (6% vs 0%, P < .05) and tended to decrease (P < .10) for protein and thiamin (women) and magnesium and vitamin B-6 (men). The milk group gained 0.6 kg more than control group (P < .01); however, weight gain was less than predicted, which suggests some compensation for the added energy from milk. Blood pressure decreased similarly over time in both groups. Total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, were unchanged. Triglyceride levels increased within the normal range in the milk group (P = .002). Quality of life scores were high at baseline and remained high throughout. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Older adults can successfully increase milk intake, thereby meaningfully improving their nutrient intakes. Dietitians can play a key role in disseminating this advice.

Dietary changes favorably affect bone remodeling in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dietary counseling to increase milk intake could produce useful changes in the calcium economy and what, if any, other nutrition-related changes might be produced. DESIGN: Randomized, open trial. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Two hundred four healthy men and women, aged 55 to 85 years, who habitually consumed fewer than 1.5 servings of dairy foods per day. Six academic health centers in the United States. INTERVENTION: Subjects were instructed to consume 3 servings per day of nonfat milk or 1% milk as a part of their daily diets, or to maintain their usual diets, for a 12-week intervention period, which followed 4 weeks of baseline observations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Energy and nutrient intake assessed from milk intake logs and 3-day food records; serum calciotrophic hormone levels at baseline and at 8 and 12 weeks; urinary excretion of calcium and N-telopeptide at 12 weeks. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: In the milk-supplemented group, calcium intake increased by 729 +/- 45 mg/day (mean +/- standard error), serum parathyroid hormone level decreased by approximately 9%, and urinary excretion of N-telopeptide, a bone resorption marker, decreased by 13%. Urine calcium excretion increased in milk-supplemented subjects by 21 +/- 7.6 mg/day (mean +/- standard error), less than half the amount predicted to be absorbed from the increment in calcium intake. All of these changes were significantly different from baseline values in the milk group and from the corresponding changes in the control group. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase level (a bone formation marker) fell by approximately 9% in both groups. Serum level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) rose by 10% in the milk group (P < .001), and the level of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) fell slightly (1.9%) in the milk group and rose significantly (7.9%) in the control group (P < .05). APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: The changes observed in the calcium economy through consumption of food sources of calcium are similar in kind and extent to those reported previously for calcium supplement tablets. The increase in IGF-1 level and the decrease in IBFBP-4 level are new observations that are beneficial for bone health. Important improvements in skeletal metabolism can feasibly occur in older adults by consumption of food sources of calcium. Dietitians can be confident that food works, and that desired calcium intakes can be achieved using food sources.

Effects of dehydration on exercise performance.

Dehydration refers both to hypohydration (dehydration induced prior to exercise) and to exercise-induced dehydration (dehydration that develops during exercise). The latter reduces aerobic endurance performance and results in increased body temperature, heart rate, perceived exertion, and possibly increased reliance on carbohydrate as a fuel source. Although the negative effects of exercise-induced dehydration on exercise performance were clearly demonstrated in the 1940s, athletes continued to believe for years thereafter that fluid intake was not beneficial. More recently, negative effects on performance have been demonstrated with modest (<2%) dehydration, and these effects are exacerbated when the exercise is performed in a hot environment. The effects of hypohydration may vary, depending on whether it is induced through diuretics or sauna exposure, which substantially reduce plasma volume, or prior exercise, which has much less impact on plasma volume. Hypohydration reduces aerobic endurance, but its effects on muscle strength and endurance are not consistent and require further study.

Nutrient intakes and eating behavior scores of vegetarian and nonvegetarian women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare nutrient intakes between vegetarians and nonvegetarians with similar health practices, and to assess relationships with eating behavior scores from the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: Metropolitan area in western Canada. SUBJECTS: Subjects (n = 45) were participants in a study comparing subclinical menstrual disturbances between vegetarians and nonvegetarians. To be included, women had to be 20 to 40 years old, be weight stable with a body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) of 18 to 25, be a nonsmoker, exercise 7 hours a week or less, consume one alcoholic drink or less a day, and not be using oral contraceptives. Nonvegetarians (n = 22) ate red meat three times a week or more, and vegetarians (n = 23, 8 vegans and 15 lactovegetarians) had excluded all meat, fish, and poultry for 2 years or more. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nutrient intake assessed by three 3-day diet records; supplement use; body composition; and dietary restraint (conscious limitation of food intake), disinhibition, and hunger assessed by the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Anthropometric variables, nutrient intakes, and eating behavior scores were compared between vegetarians and nonvegetarians using unpaired t tests, and among vegans, lactovegetarians, and nonvegetarians using one-way analysis of variance and Duncan's test. Supplement use was compared using chi 2 analysis. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate relationships between variables. RESULTS: Diets of all women adhered closely to current nutrition recommendations. Vegetarians had lower protein and cholesterol intakes and higher percentage of energy as carbohydrate, ratio of polyunsaturated fat to saturated fat (P:S ratio), and fiber intake than nonvegetarians. Vegetarians had lower riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-12, zinc, and sodium intakes and higher folate, vitamin C, and copper intakes. However, many differences were not apparent between the subgroup of lactovegetarians and nonvegetarians (their P:S ratios and carbohydrate, fiber, riboflavin, folate, vitamin C, and copper intakes were similar). In contrast, differences existed between the lactovegetarian and the vegan subgroups. Supplement use was similar between groups, except for greater vitamin C use by vegetarians. Vegetarians were leaner than nonvegetarians, had lower restraint scores, and had significant associations between restraint and BMI (r = .49; P < .05) and energy per kilogram body weight (r = -.60; P < .01). APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Current nutrition recommendations can be attained by vegetarians and nonvegetarians alike, but nutrient intakes cannot be inferred from dietary pattern. In this study, the intakes of health-conscious nonvegetarians and lactovegetarians were more similar than the intakes of lactovegetarians and vegans. Vegans' calcium and vitamin B-12 intakes may need attention. Vegetarians' lower restraint scores suggest that they are not at increased risk for eating disorders.

Cyclic medroxyprogesterone treatment increases bone density: a controlled trial in active women with menstrual cycle disturbances.

OBJECTIVE: Bone loss occurs in young women who experience amenorrhea or ovulatory disturbances. The purpose of this study was to determine whether bone loss could be prevented by simulating a more normal hormonal pattern, using treatment with cyclic medroxyprogesterone, with or without calcium supplementation, in physically active women with disturbed menstruation. DESIGN: This study was a 1-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Women who were stratified by menstrual cycle disturbance were randomized into four groups. The outcome variable was the change in spinal bone density measured by dual energy techniques. SETTING: A large metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-one healthy, normal-weight physically active premenopausal women aged 21 to 45 years who experienced amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, anovulation, or short luteal phase cycles completed the study. INTERVENTION: Therapies were cyclic medroxyprogesterone (10 mg/day for 10 days per month) and calcium carbonate (1,000 mg/day of calcium) in four groups: (A) (n = 16) cyclic medroxyprogesterone plus calcium carbonate; (B) (n = 16) cyclic medroxyprogesterone with calcium placebo; (C) (n = 15) placebo medroxyprogesterone with active calcium; or (D) (n = 14) both medroxyprogesterone and calcium placebos. RESULTS: The initial bone density (mean = 1.12 g/cm2) did not differ by group (P = 0.85). The 1-year bone density change was strongly related to treatment with medroxyprogesterone (P = 0.0001) and weakly to calcium (P = 0.072) treatment. Bone density increased significantly (+1.7% +/- 0.5%, +/- SEM, P = 0.004) in the medroxyprogesterone-treated groups (A and B), did not change in the calcium-treated group (C) (-0.7% +/- 0.6%, P = 0.28), and decreased on both placebos (D) (-2.0% +/- 0.6%, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Cyclic medroxyprogesterone increased spinal bone density in physically active women experiencing amenorrhea or ovulatory disturbances. POTENTIAL CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, anovulation, and short luteal phase cycles are common in premenopausal women and associated with spinal bone loss occurring at a stage of life when bone density would normally be stable or increasing. This controlled trial shows a significant gain in bone in women in the cyclic medroxyprogesterone intervention group, whereas those subjects in the placebo group lost bone. Calcium supplementation appeared to be helpful but did not reach statistical significance. The implications of these findings for the prevention of osteoporosis warrant further investigation.

Effects of increasing dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids within the guidelines of the AHA step 1 diet on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in normal males.

We attempted to ascertain the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids by conducting two studies in normal young men, in which monounsaturated fats were replaced by polyunsaturated fats within the guidelines of the American Heart Association step 1 diet. Study A employed a randomized parallel design in which subjects first consumed an average American diet (AAD) containing 37% of calories as fat (saturated fat, 16% calories; monounsaturated fat, 14% calories; and polyunsaturated fat, 7% calories). After 3 weeks, one third of the subjects continued with the AAD, one third switched to a step 1 diet in which total fat calories were reduced to 30% by replacing saturated fat with carbohydrate, and one third switched to a polyunsaturated fat-enriched (Poly) diet with the same 30% fat calories and a reduction of monounsaturated fat from 14% to 8% and an increase of polyunsaturated fat from 7% to 13% of calories. The randomized period lasted 6 weeks. Total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels on the step 1 and Poly diets were reduced compared with levels on the AAD (P < .001). Total and LDL cholesterol did not differ between the step 1 and Poly diets, although comparison between the two diets is limited by the small study groups. Serum apolipoprotein (apo) B levels fell on the Poly diet compared with the AAD. Total high-density lipoprotein (HDL), HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol levels were not significantly affected by the diets. Postprandial lipid and lipoprotein concentrations did not significantly differ either. In study B, a randomized crossover design was used in which all subjects ate the step 1 and Poly diets for 5 weeks each with a 4-day break between diets. In the eight subjects studied, the values for fasting plasma total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol; triglycerides; apoB; and apoA-I were essentially identical at the end of each diet period. Postprandial triglyceride areas obtained after ingestion of a large, standard fat load were also the same. Finally, LDL apoB and HDL apoA-I turnovers were unaffected by replacement of monounsaturates with polyunsaturates. In summary our results indicate that modest exchanges of monounsaturated for polyunsaturated fats do not significantly affect LDL or HDL levels or metabolism, which supports the view that reducing saturated fats is the key to lowering total and LDL cholesterol.

Effects of folate and zinc supplementation on patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Twelve men and nine women undergoing chronic hemodialysis were studied to evaluate folate intake and status in relation to use of folate supplements. Because of possible folate-zinc interactions, zinc status was also evaluated. The patients were classified into four groups based on daily supplementation: no folate or zinc, 22.5 mg zinc, 5 mg folate, and 5 mg folate and 22.5 mg zinc. A food frequency questionnaire was developed to estimate average daily intakes of folate and zinc. Patients' mean dietary folate intake was 30% or more above the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), whereas their mean dietary zinc intake was close to the RDA. No significant differences in dietary folate or zinc intakes existed among groups. Red blood cell (RBC) folate levels of folate-supplemented patients were approximately 10 times higher than those of patients who did not receive folate and who had normal RBC folate levels. Serum zinc levels in all four groups of patients were close to the lower limit of the normal range and were unaffected by supplementation; however, hair zinc levels of six zinc-supplemented patients were significantly higher than those of healthy unsupplemented control patients. Generalization of this study's findings are limited by its descriptive nature; nevertheless, for these patients and presumably for similar patients who also have adequate dietary folate intakes, high-dose folate supplementation does not appear to be necessary to maintain normal folate status. No evidence of a folate-zinc interaction was obtained; however, serum zinc may not be a valid index of zinc status in these patients.

Nutrition knowledge of female varsity athletes and university students.

The objectives of this study were to compare the nutrition knowledge, including knowledge about nutrition in relation to physical activity, of female university students and members of varsity athletic teams and to document selected nutrition practices of those groups. Instruments developed for the study were completed by varsity athletes (no. = 70) and students not on teams (no. = 129). The two groups were similar in education, but the athletes were younger, taller, and heavier than the students and were considerably more active. The athletes used more nutritional supplements (especially iron) and were less likely to exclude red meat from their diet than were students. Scores on the knowledge test (which had a possible range of - 100% to 100%) averaged 34% for both team members and students. Both groups scored higher on general nutrition questions than on questions about nutrition in relation to activity. Among students, age, education, dietary pattern, total number of nutrition information sources, and length of time an activity program had been maintained were positively associated with nutrition knowledge. Those relationships were not detected among varsity athletes. It was concluded that female varsity athletes had levels of both general and sports-related nutrition knowledge that were similar to those of female students not participating on varsity teams.

Postprandial distribution of apolipoproteins C-II and C-III in normal subjects and patients with mild hypertriglyceridemia: comparison of meals containing corn oil and medium-chain triglyceride oil.

Five healthy male subjects and five patients with mild hypertriglyceridemia were studied following the administration of 800-kcal liquid meals containing 40% of energy from fat, 40% from carbohydrate, and 20% from protein. On the first day of the study, the fat source was corn oil (long-chain triglyceride), whereas medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil was used the second day. Meals were infused into the duodenum using a peristaltic pump. Plasma samples, obtained at hourly intervals for 8 hours, were analyzed for glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoproteins C-II and C-III. The distribution of apoC-II and apoC-III between ultracentrifugally-separated triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) was also evaluated. The patient group had significantly elevated fasting levels of triglyceride, apoC-II and apoC-III, as well as much greater lipemic response to the meal containing corn oil. In both groups, TRL apoC-II and apoC-III levels were positively correlated with the triglyceride level as it increased following the corn oil meal. These correlations were also observed in the normal subjects when the MCT oil meal was administered, even though changes in plasma triglycerides were minimal. In normal subjects, whole plasma levels of apoC-II and apoC-III decreased significantly following the meal containing corn oil, whereas no net changes occurred following the MCT oil meal. In hypertriglyceridemic subjects, small decreases in plasma apoC-II and apoC-III levels occurred after both meals, although the changes in apoC-II were not statistically significant. The tendency for decreased plasma apoC levels following alimentary lipemia confirms previous reports, and provides further data to support the concept that some apoC is cleared from plasma in association with TRL remnants. The finding that mildly hypertriglyceridemic subjects responded similarly to both conventional fat and MCT may indicate that their rates of remnant clearance were similar following the two meals.