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The objective of this formative research was to explore the acceptability and feasibility of changing housekeeping behaviors as a low-cost approach that may reduce childhood lead exposure in Johannesburg, South Africa. Using the Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) methodology, modified housekeeping behaviors were negotiated with participants who chose the behaviors they wanted to try and then performed them in their homes over 4 weeks. Researchers interviewed them at the end of the month to understand their experience of trying out the behaviors. The modified behaviors offered to each participant were as follows: cleaning window sills with detergent and water, cleaning window sills more frequently, mopping floors with two buckets (one with soapy water for washing and one with clean water for rinsing), mopping floors more frequently, dusting surfaces with detergent and water and dusting surfaces more frequently. Participants found cleaning window sills with soap and water and cleaning them more often the most acceptable and feasible of behavior modifications. Environmental samples showed a significant reduction in lead dust on window sills. These findings can assist in the development of acceptable and feasible medium-term interventions to reduce childhood lead exposure in resource-poor settings until more robust health policies are implemented.

Indoor air pollution is responsible for the deaths and illness of millions of young children in developing countries. This study investigated the acceptability (willingness to try) and feasibility (ability to perform) of four indoor air pollution reduction behaviors (improve stove maintenance practices, child location practices, ventilation practices and reduce the duration of solid fuel burning). The study further aimed to identify the motivations for and barriers against modifying the behaviors, the perceived impact of the behaviors on children's respiratory health, and families intention to continue with the behaviors. Thirty families in a rural village of South Africa tried out one or more of the behaviors over a 4-week trial period during winter 2002. Improving stove maintenance and reducing the duration of solid fuel burning proved to be very difficult for most families. It is recommended that the main intervention should focus on improving child location and ventilation practices. (Contains 1 table.)

Previous research has shown that the CAMK (calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase) inhibitor, KN62, can lead to reductions in insulin stimulated glucose transport. Although controversial, an L-type calcium channel mechanism has also been hypothesized to be involved in insulin stimulated glucose transport. The purpose of this report was to determine if 1) L-type calcium channels and CAMK are involved in a similar signaling pathway in the control of insulin stimulated glucose transport and 2) determine if insulin induces an increase in CAMKII phosphorylation through an L-type calcium channel dependent mechanism. Insulin stimulated glucose transport was significantly (p<0.05) inhibited to a similar extent ( approximately 30%) by both KN62 and nifedipine in rat soleus and epitrochelaris muscles. The new finding of these experiments was that the combined inhibitory effect of these two compounds was not greater than the effect of either inhibitor alone. To more accurately determine the interaction between CAMK and L-type calcium channels, we measured insulin induced changes in CAMKII phosphorylation using Western blot analysis. The novel finding of this set of experiments was that insulin induced an increase in phosphorylated CAMKII ( approximately 40%) in rat soleus muscle that was reversed in the presence of KN62 but not nifedipine. Taken together these results suggest that a CAMK signaling mechanism may be involved in insulin stimulated glucose transport in skeletal muscle through an L-type calcium channel independent mechanism.

Purpose: This investigation was designed to examine the influence of creatine (Cr) supplementation on acute cardiovascular, renal, temperature, and fluid-regulatory hormonal responses to exercise for 35 min in the heat., Methods: Twenty healthy men were matched and then randomly assigned to consume 0.3 g.kg(-1) Cr monohydrate (N = 10) or placebo (N = 10) for 7 d in a double-blind fashion. Before and after supplementation, both groups cycled for 30 min at 60-70% VO2(peak) immediately followed by three 10-s sprints in an environmental chamber at 37 degrees C and 80% relative humidity., Results: Body mass was significantly increased (0.75 kg) in Cr subjects. Heart rate, blood pressure, and sweat rate responses to exercise were not significantly different between groups. There were no differences in rectal temperature responses in either group. Sodium, potassium, and creatinine excretion rates obtained from 24-h and exercise urine collection periods were not significantly altered in either group. Serum creatinine was elevated in the Cr group but within normal ranges. There were significant exercise-induced increases in cortisol, aldosterone, renin, angiotensin I and II, atrial peptide, and arginine vasopressin. The aldosterone response was slightly greater in the Cr (263%) compared with placebo (224%) group. Peak power was greater in the Cr group during all three 10-s sprints after supplementation and unchanged in the placebo group. There were no reports of adverse symptoms, including muscle cramping during supplementation or exercise., Conclusion: Cr supplementation augments repeated sprint cycle performance in the heat without altering thermoregulatory responses.