Skeletal muscle total creatine content and creatine transporter gene expression in vegetarians prior to and following creatine supplementation

This study examined the effect of vegetarianism on skeletal muscle total creatine (TCr) content and creatine transporter (CreaT) gene expression, prior to and during 5 d of Cr supplementation (CrS). In a double-blind, crossover design, 7 vegetarians (VEG) and nonvegetarians (NVEG) were assigned Cr or placebo supplements for 5 d and after 5 wk, received the alternative treatment. Muscle sampling occurred before, and after 1 and 5 d of treatment ingestion. Basal muscle TCr content was lower (P < 0.05) in VEG compared with NVEG. Muscle TCr increased (P < 0.05) throughout the Cr trial in both groups but was greater (P < 0.05) in VEG compared with NVEG, at days 1 and 5. CreaT gene expression was not different between VEG and NVEG. The results indicate that VEG have a lower muscle TCr content and an increased capacity to load Cr into muscle following CrS. Muscle CreaT gene expression does not appear to be affected by vegetarianism.

Public definitions of success in weight management

Objective: To examine perceptions of success in weight control and future weight-control intentions in a community sample. Design: Cross-sectional postal survey. Subjects: There were 1500 adults randomly selected from the Electoral Roll of Victoria (47% response). Setting: Community. Main outcome measures: Retrospective weight change over previous 12 months; perceived weight-control success; future weight-control intentions. Statistical analyses: Pearson's χ² tests were used to compare perceived weight-control success by sex, and by age, education level, initial BMI, amount of weight change and weight-loss behaviour within sex. ANOVA was used to compare mean weight change associated with perceived weight control success within sex, and within age, education, body mass index and weight-loss behaviour by sex. The distribution (frequency) of weight-control intentions are reported within perceived weight-control success and amount of weight change. Results: One in two (53%) reported maintaining their weight within 1kg in the preceding 12 months, 26% of men and 21% of women reported weight gain and 20% of men and 26% of women reported weight loss. Almost one-third (30%) of those who maintained their weight considered themselves unsuccessful. A majority of those who lost weight considered themselves successful at controlling their weight. However, more than 45% of men who gained weight also considered themselves successful. Those who considered themselves unsuccessful experienced less weight loss (1.1 ± 3.9kg) than those who considered themselves quite successful (-1.4 ± 4.5 kg, P < 0.001) or very successful (-1.3 ± 7.8 kg, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Public views of what constitutes successful weight control may need to be reoriented to be consistent with public health goals.

Resistant starch in the Australian diet

We set out to estimate resistant starch (RS) intakes using the 24-hour food intake data from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) database of 13 858 Australians. As there are often significant differences in the RS content of foods reported by various authors. we calculated intakes based on both published maximum and minimum value, for individual food,. RS intakes (mean and SEM) for all persons were in the range 3.4 ± 0.03 g/d (minimum estimate) to 9.4 ± 0.07 g/d (maximum estimate). Adult males (19+ years) consumed more RS (10.7 ± 0.11 g/day maximum estimale) than adult females (19+ years) (8.2 g ± 0.08 g/day maximum estimate). RS comprised a greater proportion of the total starch intake in the very young and in the older age groups. Across the population. foods contributing most to RS intake were potatoes, bananas and white bread.

The Left in Australia: time for a new renewal?

For the purpose of the article the author takes as a starting point the approach taken by the Italian writer, Norberto Bobbio, who identifies the Left with egalitarianism and distinguishes left leaning positions which support equality, from right wing ones which support inequality. Thus, in its broadest form, the term `Left' refers to ideas and philosophies, people, groups and political and social movements whose normative base is embedded in a commitment to an egalitarian society. However, the term 'equality,' like the term 'Left,' is not always straightforward.

Employer satisfaction with employees with a disability: comparisons with other employees

This paper is based on survey responses from 656 employers who had employed someone with a disability using support from disability employment agencies. Differences in employers' ratings of employees with and without a disability in relation to employer satisfaction and work performance are outlined. Employers were found to be less satisfied with their employee with a disability than with other employees; determinants of employer satisfaction differed between the two employee groups; and employers were predisposed to be more satisfied with employees with a disability than with other employees in relation to the work performance variables tested. Identifying areas directly related to employer satisfaction, and highlighting important differences in factors that determine employer satisfaction between these two employee groups, provides valuable direction for effective strategic planning of service interventions

Psyshoanalysis and its discontents

There are only 5,000 patients in psychoanalysis with members of the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA), and these analysts are often viewed as arrogant and insular. As a laboratory for psychoanalytic institutions the APsaA provides crucial lessons for the future across the field. What ingredients are needed for psychoanalysis to be a vibrant discipline? What factors have prevailed where psychoanalysis is successful? The author explores the cases of Argentina and France, where psychoanalysis is relatively popular, and then returns to the U.S. situation. Insular mind-sets led to many missed opportunities for cultural and academic engagement in the United States. As an example, the author explores responses to the making of John Huston's film Freud: The Secret Passion. To become revitalized, psychoanalysis needs to be a cultural asset. Psychoanalysts need to build bridges, engage in partnerships, and emphasize the exciting method of philosophical probing of the human mind and the nature of human nature.

Cheilodactylus (Goniistius) francisi, a new species of morwong (Perciformes: Cirrhitoidea) from the Southwest Pacific

A new morwong, Cheilodactytus (Goniistius) francisi, is recognized from southwest Pacific Islands (Lord Howe Island, Middleton Reef, Kermadecs, and probably Elizabeth Reef, Norfolk Island, and New Caledonia). Distinguishing features from C. (G.) vittatus (Hawaiian Islands) comprise gill-raker counts, caudal-fin coloration, and notable molecular divergence.

Corporate citizenship : some perspectives from Australian CEOs

Without CEO sign-off and vision, it is unlikely that corporate citizenship will be either embedded into core business in a company, or have any staying power in that company. This paper reports on this, and other views, of leading CEOs of top Australian companies and NCOs, providing a unique insight into the way that many business and civil-society leaders in Australia engage with corporate citizenship policy and practice in their respective organisations. What is emerging in Australia is the beginnings of an answer that sees corporate citizenship as more than just activities, more than a set of protocols, and more than a set of reporting accountabilities. It is all of these. But it is also being seen, though somewhat nervously by some, as a vehicle for cultural and organisational behavioural change.

Corporate social responsibility in Asia

"Introduction JCC theme issue"

Handicapped from birth? Why women golfers are traditionally a fairway behind

Examines the values and assumptions that underpin and validate the subordinate status of women in Australian golf, and shows how longstanding structures, systems and practices continue to sustain existing class and gender hierarchies. Solutions require a major change in golfing culture and tradition.

The disunity of employment law and sentencing

This article discusses the lack of integration between criminal sanctions and employment deprivations (in the form of being dismissed from employment or disqualified from working in certain industries). Offenders who are employed in certain industries, especially the professions, often suffer a far greater net punishment upon being found guilty of a criminal offence than other offenders, thereby violating the principle of proportionality and the (related) principle of equality in the impact of sanctions. The reason that such a situation has developed is because criminal sanctions and employment deprivations have evolved from different streams of jurisprudence. This article argues that sentencers should impose a ‘net’ sanction for a criminal offence, thereby merging these streams of jurisprudence. This would require courts to be vested with the power to suspend or disqualify people from being employed in certain occupations. The legal analysis in this article focuses on case and statutory law in Australia, however, the same broad principles apply in all common law jurisdictions, including the UK. Hence, the reform proposals suggested in this article are relevant throughout the common law world.