Effect of Stand-Up Paddle Boarding on Hydration Status in Recreational and Competitive Individuals.

Stand up paddle (SUP) boarding is a popular water-based aquatic sport and recreational activity that continues to grow in popularity, however, little is known about its effect upon hydration status in recreational and elite level participants. The aim of this study was to examine the hydration status in SUP by investigating fluid loss through measurement of nude body mass. Thirty participants successfully completed the study. Hydration status was assessed by measurements of nude body mass taken pre and post SUP session. Intensity of the session was monitored throughout each session using a telemetry heart rate (HR) monitor; both mean and maximum HRs were assessed. Environmental conditions were recorded prior to each session and participants rated perceived hydration pre and post activity. SUP sessions average duration was 68 ± 13 mins (mean HR: 135 ± 20 bpm, peak HR: 167.1 ± 12 bpm). The average mass lost in a SUP session was 0.82 ± 0.4 kg (absolute), 0.03 ± 1 (relative BMI), 0.43 ± 0.2 (relative BSA) and the overall percentage of loss was 1.2 ± 0.6 % (p < 0.01, d = 0.47). Key predictors (p < 0.05) of fluid loss included ambient air temperature, gender (males), mean HR and SUP session duration. Results from this study suggest that SUP participants may require fluid loss monitoring to allow for effective rehydration strategies. Pre-hydration strategies are also recommended to avoid dehydration which is associated with decreased performance (aerobic and strength), increased core temperature, heart rate and may lead to detrimental health outcomes such as renal failure and heat illness in extreme circumstances.

Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus pumilus SCAL1, an Endophytic Heat-Tolerant Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium.

Bacillus pumilus strain SCAL1 is an endophytic, thermophilic plant that was isolated from the leaf of a plant, Solanum lycopersicum L., in Sindh, Pakistan. B. pumilus strain SCAL1 has usually exhibited high resistance to environmental stresses, with a growth temperature ranging from 30 to 60°C. An approximately 3.75-Mb draft genome was assembled into 68 contigs.

Evidence for Anti-Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) Activity of Propolis.

White-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats, caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), is a cutaneous infection that has devastated North American bat populations since 2007. At present, there is no effective method for controlling this disease. Here, we evaluated the effect of propolis against Pd in vitro. Using Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) medium, approximately 1.7 × 107 conidia spores of the Pd strain M3906-2/mL were spread on each plate and grown to form a consistent lawn. A Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay was employed using different concentrations of propolis (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%), in plates incubated at 8 °C and 15 °C. At 8 °C and 15 °C, as the concentration of propolis increased, there was an increasing zone of inhibition (ZOI), reaching the highest degree at 10% and 25% concentrations, respectively. A germule suppression assay showed a similar effect on Pd conidia germination. A MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of propolis revealed multiple constituents with a potential anti-Pd activity, including cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, and dihydrochalcones, which could be further tested for their individual effects. Our study suggests that propolis or its individual constituents might be suitable products against Pd.