A hypoenergetic diet with decreased protein intake does not reduce lean body mass in trained females

Purpose Increasing protein intake during energy restriction (ER) attenuates lean body mass (LBM) loss in trained males. However, whether this relationship exists in trained females is unknown. This study examined the impact of higher compared to lower protein intakes (35% versus 15% of energy intake) on body composition in trained females during 2 weeks of severe ER. Methods Eighteen well-trained females completed a 1-week energy balanced diet (HD100), followed by a 2-week hypoenergetic (40% ER) diet (HD60). During HD60, participants consumed either a high protein (HP; 35% protein, 15% fat) or lower protein (CON; 15% protein, 35% fat) diet. Body composition, peak power, leg strength, sprint time, and anaerobic endurance were assessed at baseline, pre-HD60, and post-HD60. Results Absolute protein intake was reduced during HD60 in the CON group (from 1.6 to 0.9 g·d·kgBM−1) and maintained in the HP group (~ 1.7 g·d·kgBM−1). CON and HP groups decreased body mass equally during HD60 (− 1.0 ± 1.1 kg; p = 0.026 and − 1.1 ± 0.7 kg; p = 0.002, respectively) and maintained LBM. There were no interactions between time point and dietary condition on exercise performance. Conclusion The preservation of LBM during HD60, irrespective of whether absolute protein intake is maintained or reduced, contrasts with findings in trained males. In trained females, the relationship between absolute protein intake and LBM change during ER warrants further investigation. Future recommendations for protein intake during ER should be expressed relative to body mass, not total energy intake, in trained females.

EXTRATO DE MAMONA COMO MANIPULADOR DA FERMENTAÇÃO RUMINAL

Objetivou-se investigar os efeitos da adição do extrato de farelo de mamona (EFM) sobre o perfil da fermentação ruminal in vitro em dietas com alto e baixo teor de forragem. Utilizou-se ensaio de incubação ruminal in vitro com dois controles, um negativo (sem aditivo) e um positivo (monensina sódica) e EFM liofilizado (20, 40 e 60 mg/frasco). Em condições de alto teor de forragem na dieta, a adição do EFM aumentou o pH do meio e a concentração de acetato, reduziu a produção de gás, mas não afetou a produção de gás por unidade de matéria seca (MS) digerida em relação ao tratamento controle. Em comparação com monensina sódica, o EFM reduziu as concentrações de propionato e amônia e aumentou a produção de gás por unidade de MS digerida. Em condições de baixo teor de forragem, a adição do EFM reduziu o pH e potencial redox do meio em relação ao tratamento controle. Em comparação com a monensina sódica, o EFM reduziu o pH do meio e a produção total de gás, mas não afetou a produção de gás por unidade de MS digerida. O extrato de farelo de mamona destoxificado não apresenta potencial como manipulador da fermentação ruminal.Palavras-chave: amônia; digestibilidade; eficiência; metano. CASTOR BEAN EXTRACT AS A MANIPULATOR OF RUMINAL FERMENTATION ABSTRACT: Effects of the castorbean meal extract (CME) on ruminal in vitro were investigate in high and low forage diet conditions. For each dietary condition, one in vitro ruminal incubation experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with nine repetitions per treatment (three animal inoculum donators and three 48 hors-incubations). In high forage diet, CME increased ruminal pH acetate concentration, reduced gas production, but it did not affect the gas production per unit of digested dry matter (DM), in relation to control treatment. Compare to monensin sodium, CME reduced propionate and ammonia concentrations and increased gas production per unit of digested DM, indicating that CME reduces ruminal energetic efficiency. In low forage diet, CME reduced pH and redox potential compare to control. Compare to monensin sodium, CME reduced pH and gas production, but it did not affect gas production per unit of digested DM. Castorbean meal extract does not present potential as manipulator of the ruminal fermentation.Keywords: ammonia; digestibility; efficiency; methane.

Sex-dependent expression of behavioural genetic architectures and the evolution of sexual dimorphism

Empirical studies imply that sex-specific genetic architectures can resolve evolutionary conflicts between males and females, and thereby facilitate the evolution of sexual dimorphism. Sex-specificity of behavioural genetic architectures has, however, rarely been considered. Moreover, as the expression of genetic (co)variances is often environment-dependent, general inferences on sex-specific genetic architectures require estimates of quantitative genetics parameters under multiple conditions. We measured exploration and aggression in pedigreed populations of southern field crickets ( Gryllus bimaculatus ) raised on either naturally balanced (free-choice) or imbalanced (protein-deprived) diets. For each dietary condition, we measured for each behavioural trait (i) level of sexual dimorphism, (ii) level of sex-specificity of survival selection gradients, (iii) level of sex-specificity of additive genetic variance, and (iv) strength of the cross-sex genetic correlation. We report here evidence for sexual dimorphism in behaviour as well as sex-specificity in the expression of genetic (co)variances as predicted by theory. The additive genetic variances of exploration and aggression were significantly greater in males compared with females. Cross-sex genetic correlations were highly positive for exploration but deviating (significantly) from one for aggression; findings were consistent across dietary treatments. This suggests that genetic architectures characterize the sexually dimorphic focal behaviours across various key environmental conditions in the wild. Our finding also highlights that sexual conflict can be resolved by evolving sexually independent genetic architectures.

Feasibility and preliminary results of A Lifestyle Intervention via Email (ALIVE) in minority breast cancer survivors.

e12573 Background: Prior data have indicated that minority breast cancer survivors are receptive to participating in lifestyle interventions delivered via email or the Web. In this study, we examined the feasibility and preliminary results of A Lifestyle Intervention via Email (ALIVE) in a sample of racial and ethnic minority cancer survivors. Methods: Survivors (Mean age = 52, 83% African American) were recruited and randomized to either a 3-month physical activity or a dietary condition. Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects models were computed to examine the behavioral and evaluation outcomes. Results: Forty-four of 71 survivors who participated in the baseline assessment completed the study. Survivors in the physical activity condition compared to the diet condition made greater improvements in leisure time physical activity (+272 vs. +120 Metabolic equivalent minutes per week; P < 0.01) and greater reductions in sedentary time (-304 vs. -59 minutes/week; P < 0.01). No significant time-by-group interactions were observed for our diet variables; however, positive trends among survivors in fruit and vegetables (+0.7 cup servings/day, P < 0.01) were observed in the dietary condition. Feasibility data from survivors indicated that most survivors would recommend ALIVE to other cancer survivors (97%), were satisfied with ALIVE (82%), and felt that ALIVE was effective (73%). Survivors expressed concerns about the automated calls and functionality of the ALIVE e-mails. Conclusions: ALIVE appears to be feasible for racial and ethnic minority cancer survivors and shows promising results for implementation in larger and ethnically diverse cohorts. Functionality changes are warranted to boost adherence rates. Clinical trial information: NCT02722850.

The Politics of Chronic Hunger And Famine

How do we measure hunger? In our personal lives, hunger is a sensation we feel regularly at mealtime. In the world of politics and public policy, “hunger” is often used as a substitute word for chronic undernutrition, a long-term dietary condition that includes either a...