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Background: During whole blood donation (BD), 500 mL of blood is drawn. The time interval between two BDs is at least 8–12 weeks. This period might be insufficient for restoring hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and iron especially in women, who generally have lower Hbmass and iron availability. Since both variables influence physical performance, this pilot study aimed to monitor Hbmass, iron status, and maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) recovery in women after a single BD. Study Design and Methods: In 10 women (24.7 ± 1.7 years), Hbmass, hemoglobin concentration [Hb], iron status, and V̇O2max were assessed before and up to 12 weeks after a single BD. Results: BD reduced Hbmass from 562 ± 70 g to 499 ± 64 g (p <.001). Although after 8 weeks no significant mean difference was detected, 7 women had not returned to baseline after 12 weeks. [Hb] did not return to initial values (13.4 ± 0.7 g/dL) after 12 weeks (12.9 ± 0.7 g/dL, p <.01). Ferritin decreased from baseline until week 6 (40.9 ± 34.2 ng/mL vs. 12.1 ± 6.9 ng/mL, p <.05) and was not restored after 12 weeks (18.4 ± 12.7 ng/mL, p <.05), with 6 out of 10 women exhibiting iron deficiency (ferritin <15 ng/mL). V̇O2max was reduced by 213 ± 47 mL/min (7.2 ± 1.2%; p <.001) and remained below baseline after 12 weeks (3.2 ± 1.4%, p <.01). Discussion: For most pre‐menopausal women, 12 weeks were not sufficient to recover from BD and achieve baseline Hbmass and iron stores resulting in prolonged reduction of aerobic capacity. A subsequent BD might lead to a severe anemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to determine the effects of three treatments on hemoglobin (Hb) levels in patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS): 1) descent to lower altitude, 2) nocturnal O2 supply, 3) administration of acetazolamide. Nineteen patients with CMS living at an altitude of 3,940 ± 130 m participated in the study, which consisted of a 3-wk intervention phase and a 4-wk postintervention phase. Six patients spent 3 wk at an altitude of 1,050 m (low altitude group, LAG), six received supplemental oxygen for 12 h overnight (oxygen group, OXG), and seven received 250 mg of acetazolamide daily (acetazolamide group, ACZG). Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) was determined using an adapted carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing method before, weekly during, and 4 wk postintervention. Hbmass decreased by 245 ± 116 g (P < 0.01) in the LAG and by 100 ± 38 g in OXG, and 99 ± 64 g in ACZG (P < 0.05, each), respectively. In LAG, hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) decreased by 2.1 ± 0.8 g/dL and hematocrit by 7.4 ± 2.9% (both P < 0.01), whereas OXG and ACZG only trended toward lower values. Erythropoietin concentration ([EPO]) decreased between 81 ± 12% and 73 ± 21% in LAG at low altitude (P < 0.01) and increased by 161 ± 118% 5 days after return (P < 0.01). In OXG and ACZG, the [EPO] decrease was -75% and -50%, respectively, during the intervention (P < 0.01). Descent to low altitude (from 3,940 m to 1,050 m) is a fast-acting measure for the treatment of excessive erythrocytosis in patients with CMS, reducing Hbmass by 16% within 3 wk. Nighttime oxygen supplementation and daily acetazolamide administration are also effective, but reduce Hbmass by only 6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that proteins are abundant in food and are vital to nutrition and biochemical function. What is not well known is that proteins derived from agricultural sources are used in everyday products such as glue and textiles. Research continues to find new uses for proteins in a wide variety of applications, most of which would be replacements for petroleum-derived materials. Proteins can be a viable source of polymers for fiber, molded plastics, films, and an array of products currently supplied by the synthetic polymers industry. The big advantages are that proteins are derived from a sustainable resource and can be processed in much the same way as conventional synthetic polymers. While there are many current and future nonfood uses for proteins, it is the intent of this review to concentrate on recent advances focusing on uses as polymers and biomaterials, which have enormous commercial potential. (Contains 10 figures.)

Coronavirus has a lipid membrane. Whist replication requires hijacking the RNA tools of the host to synthesize virion protein, that then has to be wrapped in a lipid membrane to enable the budding off which extends the infection. Recent studies implicate certain essential fatty acids with replication suppression properties. The lipid membrane is commonly thought of as a fatty barrier to water solubles. It is however highly ordered and compositionally specific to cellular and sub cellular functions. There will likely also be an optimum specificity for the viral coat. Whist DNA, RNA and protein compositions are not affected by diet, the lipid membrane is. Moreover, the greater sensitivity of males over females to inadequacy of these essential fatty acids and membrane integrity has been known since the 1960 s. With evidence that arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids exhibiting anti-viral, immune, anti-inflammatory, blood pressure control and resolvin activity, their status needs to be urgently examined in relation to the prevention and therapy for Covid-19. It would also be advisable to re-assess food policy. The lipid requirements for the membrane rich systems as in the brain, nervous, vascular and immune systems have not been considered. There is little doubt these were significant in shaping the human genome over several million years. Departure from such conditions would be predicted to put populations at risk to disorder and infection, with males being more at risk than females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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