Design and methods for the Ranger Resilience and Improved Performance on Phospholipid bound Omega-3's (RRIPP-3 study)

Narcissism Is Not Associated With Success in U.S. Army Soldier Training

INTRODUCTION

Narcissism has been studied for its role in leadership using various versions of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI). Narcissism is described as having a "dark and negative" side as well as a "positive or bright" side. The bright side of narcissism, in particular, has been studied for its role in leadership. In studies among military personnel in Finland and Hungary, the NPI has been associated with positive leadership traits. We assessed if measures of narcissistic personality were predictive of entrance to and graduation from the Army Ranger Course among United States (U.S.) Army personnel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included the NPI as one of the measures in the Ranger Resilience and Improved Performance on Phospholipid-bound Omega-3's (RRIPP-3) study. RRIPP-3 was a double-blind, placebo-controlled dietary supplement intervention trial at Fort Benning, GA, that enrolled 555 officers when they entered the U.S. Army Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course (IBOLC) with the intention to complete the U.S. Ranger School. RRIPP-3 volunteer participants consumed eight dietary supplements daily containing 2.3 g of omega-3 (krill oil) or macadamia nut oil (control) over a 20-week period. Blood spot samples were collected to monitor intake compliance. Cognitive functioning, resilience, and mood were assessed at approximately 14 and 16 weeks. Dietary intake was also assessed. The 40-item, forced-choice NPI was included to assess if three factors of narcissism: Leadership/Authority, Grandiose/Exhibitionism, and Entitlement/Exploitativeness measures of narcissistic personality were associated with entrance to and graduation from the Army Ranger Course.

RESULTS

Of the 555 soldiers enrolled in RRIPP-3, there were no statistically significant differences in the total NPI scores comparing U.S. Army IBOLC officers who enrolled (n = 225) versus did not enroll (n = 330, p = .649) or graduated (n = 95; versus did not graduate [n = 460, p = .451]) from the Ranger Course. None of the three-factor NPI subscales differed statistically comparing either enrollment in (p = .442, .510, and .589, respectively) or graduation from the Ranger Course (p = .814, .508, and .813, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Although narcissism has been positively associated with military trainee success in other countries, we did not find an association between narcissism and trainee success among U.S. Army trainees, and accordingly the level of narcissism did not predict trainee success or failure.

Study of the Interactions between Muscle Fatty Acid Composition, Meat Quality-Related Genes and the Ileum Microbiota in Tibetan Sheep at Different Ages

The intestinal microbiota of ruminants is an important factor affecting animal production and health. Research on the association mechanism between the intestinal microbiota and meat quality of ruminants will play a positive role in understanding the formation mechanism of meat quality in ruminants and improving production efficiency. In this study, the fatty acid composition and content, expression of related genes, and structural characteristics of the ileum microbiota of ewes of Tibetan sheep at different ages (4 months, 1.5 years, 3.5 years, and 6 years) were detected and analyzed. The results revealed significant differences in fatty acid composition and content in the muscle of Tibetan sheep at different ages (p < 0.05); in addition, the content of MUFAs in the longissimus dorsi muscle and leg muscle was higher. Similarly, the expressions of muscle-related genes differed among the different age groups, and the expression of the LPL, SCD, and FABP4 genes was higher in the 1.5-year-old group. The ileum microbiota diversity was higher in the 1.5-year-old group, the Romboutsia abundance ratio was significantly higher in the 1.5-year-old group (p < 0.05), and there was a significant positive correlation with oleic acid (C18:1n9c) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the content of beneficial fatty acids in the longissimus dorsi muscle and leg muscle of Tibetan sheep was higher at 1.5 years of age, and the best slaughter age was 1.5 years. This study provides a reference for in-depth research on the mechanism of the influence of the gut microbiota on meat quality and related regulation.

Poor effort on cognitive testing in voluntary research predicts failure in US Army Ranger School: Implications for clinical trial design

INTRODUCTION

Failure to provide effortful performance on cognitive testing is not uncommon for participants in clinical trials and can significantly impact sensitivity to treatment effect. Whether poor effort on cognitive testing might relate to other behaviors of interest is unknown. In the current investigation, we examined whether effort on baseline cognitive testing in a randomized controlled trial to enhance resiliency in US Army Officers predicted subsequent success in Ranger school.

METHODS

Baseline data on six cognitive tests were obtained from 237 US Army Officers entering a military training program prior to attempting Ranger School. Participation was voluntary and the Army was not informed of test scores. "Poor effort" was defined by chance-level accuracy or extreme outlier scores. Logistic regression examined likelihood of Ranger success according to the number of tests with poor effort.

RESULTS

Overall, 170 (72%) participants provided good effort on all tests. For these participants, 47% were successful in Ranger, versus 32% with poor effort on one test and 14% with poor effort on two tests. Logistic regression analysis found poor effort on baseline testing predicted reduced likelihood of Ranger success, β =-.486, p = .005.

DISCUSSION

A substantial number of participants exhibited poor effort on testing, and poor effort was predictive of failure in Ranger school. Findings highlight the importance of assessing effort in clinical trials involving cognitive outcomes and suggest application of cognitive effort testing in trials where other motivated behavior is targeted.

REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials.gov NCT02908932.

Omega-3 Index improves after increased intake of foods with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids among US service academy cadets

The inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids in our dietary intake is important for performance and recovery and may reduce the risk of various health issues. Studies have shown the omega-3 fatty acid status of US service members is low. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether offering fish and omega-3-enhanced foods would increase the Omega-3 Index (O3I). We hypothesize cadets will increase O3I with enhanced omega-3 options more than fish alone. Food service venues at 3 US service academies offered fish and other omega-3 foods to cadets for 12 weeks. Questionnaires were used to collect information on the dietary habits and omega-3 food intake of participants. The O3I of each participant was measured at baseline, mid- (6 weeks), and after data collection (12 weeks) time points. Following the 12 weeks, we found a significant increase in O3I. More specifically, the intake of other omega-3 foods, smoothies (3 per week) and toppings (3 per week), increased O3I in cadets. This study identified a strategy encouraging omega-3 food intake and improving O3I among cadets. These results help us understand how we can more effectively impact military service member nutrition for optimal health and performance.

Optimization of Omega-3 Index Levels in Athletes at the US Naval Academy: Personalized Omega-3 Fatty Acid Dosage and Molecular Genetic Approaches

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend increasing the intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The Omega-3 Index (O3I) is one marker used to assess omega-3 status. The O3I national average is 4.3%, which translates into a high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Research has reported an association between variants in the two desaturase encoding genes, fatty acid desaturase 1 and fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS1/2), and the concentration of O3I. The aim of this study was to assess whether a personalized dosage of omega-3 supplementation would lead to an O3I ≥ 8%. A secondary aim was to identify if changes in O3I levels would be associated with either of the two FADS1/2 variants. Methods: This interventional study had a pre- and post-intervention design to assess changes in O3I. Ninety participants completed demographic, biometrics, O3I, and genetic testing. Participants were provided a personalized dose of omega-3 supplements based on their baseline O3I. Results: The majority (63%) of participants were 20 year old white males with an average O3I at baseline of 4.6%; the post-supplementation average O3I was 5.6%. The most frequent genetic variants expressed in the full sample for FADS1/2 were GG (50%) and CA/AA (57%). Conclusions: O3I was significantly increased following omega-3 supplementation. However, it was not possible to conclude whether the two FADS1/2 variants led to differential increases in OI3 or if a personalized dosage of omega-3 supplementation led to an O3I ≥ 8%, due to our study limitations.

A Food-Based Intervention in a Military Dining Facility Improves Blood Fatty Acid Profile

Enhancing dietary omega-3 high unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA) intake may confer neuroprotection, brain resiliency, improve wound healing and promote cardiovascular health. This study determined the efficacy of substituting a few common foods (chicken meat, chicken sausage, eggs, salad dressings, pasta sauces, cooking oil, mayonnaise, and peanut butter) lower in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) and higher in n-3 HUFA in a dining facility on blood fatty acid profile. An eight-week prospective, between-subjects (n = 77), repeated measures, parallel-arm trial was conducted. Participants self-selected foods consumed from conventionally produced foods (control), or those lower n-6 PUFA and higher n-3 HUFA versions (intervention). Changes in blood omega-3 index, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), n-6 PUFA, lipid profile, and food satisfaction were main outcomes. Between-group differences over time were assessed using a linear mixed model to measure the effect of diet on blood serum fatty acids and inflammatory markers. The intervention group achieved a higher omega-3 index score (3.66 ± 0.71 vs. 2.95 ± 0.77; p < 0.05), lower total n-6 (10.1 ± 4.6 vs. 15.3 ± 6.7 µg/mL; p < 0.05), and higher serum concentration of EPA (5.0 ± 1.31 vs. 4.05 ± 1.56 µg/mL; p < 0.05) vs. controls. Satisfaction in intervention foods improved or remained consistent. Substitution of commonly eaten dining facility foods with like-items higher in DHA and EPA and lower in n-6 PUFA can favorably impact fatty acid status and the omega-3 index.

Vascular and blood-brain barrier-related changes underlie stress responses and resilience in female mice and depression in human tissue

Prevalence, symptoms, and treatment of depression suggest that major depressive disorders (MDD) present sex differences. Social stress-induced neurovascular pathology is associated with depressive symptoms in male mice; however, this association is unclear in females. Here, we report that chronic social and subchronic variable stress promotes blood-brain barrier (BBB) alterations in mood-related brain regions of female mice. Targeted disruption of the BBB in the female prefrontal cortex (PFC) induces anxiety- and depression-like behaviours. By comparing the endothelium cell-specific transcriptomic profiling of the mouse male and female PFC, we identify several pathways and genes involved in maladaptive stress responses and resilience to stress. Furthermore, we confirm that the BBB in the PFC of stressed female mice is leaky. Then, we identify circulating vascular biomarkers of chronic stress, such as soluble E-selectin. Similar changes in circulating soluble E-selectin, BBB gene expression and morphology can be found in blood serum and postmortem brain samples from women diagnosed with MDD. Altogether, we propose that BBB dysfunction plays an important role in modulating stress responses in female mice and possibly MDD.

Virtual non-compliance with Omega-3 treatment results in null effects: The RANGER study

A recent paper reported that 14 weeks of treatment with 2100 mg of EPA+DHA from krill oil had no effect on cognitive function in US Army Ranger trainees. Although the authors stated that poor compliance "may have contributed to a failure to detect a response," no indication of exactly how poor the compliance was is given. We have therefore calculated, based on their reported blood EPA+DHA levels and published equations predicting how a given dose of EPA+DHA should affect erythrocyte EPA+DHA levels (i.e., the Omega-3 Index), that the effective compliance was actually <3%. This study underscores the importance of adhering to ISSFAL recommendations that baseline and end of study blood Omega-3 levels always be reported in intervention studies. In this case the observed changes in blood levels are critical for interpreting the findings: there was no effect because there was essentially no intervention.

Impact of Fatty Acid Supplementation on Cognitive Performance among United States (US) Military Officers: The Ranger Resilience and Improved Performance on Phospholipid-Bound Omega-3's (RRIPP-3) Study

Studies have assessed omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive decline among older adults and cognitive development among children, although less is known about cognitive or neurological effects among young adults. We examined whether omega-3 supplementation from krill oil could improve cognition and resilience among young military officers compared to a control. This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 555 officers (mean age 23.4 ± 2.8, 98.6% male) entering the United States (US) Army Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course (IBOLC) with the intention to complete the US Ranger Course. Volunteer participants consumed eight dietary supplements daily of krill oil containing 2.3 g omega-3 or control (macadamia nut oil) over an approximate 20-week period. Cognitive functioning, resilience, and mood were assessed during a well-rested period at approximately 14 weeks and after a battlefield simulation at 16 weeks. Blood spot samples were collected to monitor compliance and dietary intake was assessed. All hypotheses were tested using both ‘Intention to Treat’ (ITT) and ‘As Per Protocol’ (APP) approaches. Of the 555 randomized individuals, 245 (44.1%) completed the study. No statistically significant group-by-time interactions indicating treatment effect were found on any outcomes. Poor compliance was indicated by lower than expected omega-3 elevations in the treatment group, and may have contributed to a failure to detect a response.