“Simultaneous and integrated neutron-based techniques for material analysis of a metallic ancient flute“

A metallic 19th century flute was studied by means of integrated and simultaneous neutron-based techniques: neutron diffraction, neutron radiative capture analysis and neutron radiography. This experiment follows benchmark measurements devoted to assessing the effectiveness of a multitask beamline concept for neutron-based investigation on materials. The aim of this study is to show the potential application of the approach using multiple and integrated neutron-based techniques for musical instruments. Such samples, in the broad scenario of cultural heritage, represent an exciting research field. They may represent an interesting link between different disciplines such as nuclear physics, metallurgy and acoustics

Effect of Physical Exercise on Bone Density and Remodeling in Egyptian Type 1 Diabetic Osteopenic Adolescents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study was planned to assess effect of physical exercise on bone remodeling in type I diabetics with osteopenia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-four type I diabetes mellitus (DM1) with osteopenia (10 females and 14 males) were compared to thirty-eight age- and sex-matched healthy control individuals (20 females and 18 males) for biochemical and radiologic parameters of bone mass. Laboratory investigations included serum and urinary calcium, inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and serum "procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP). Bone densitometry was assessed at neck femur using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Serum P1NP and DEXA were reevaluated after a planned exercise program.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Patients and controls were comparable with respect to serum as well as urinary biochemical parameters of bone mass namely; calcium, phosphorus and total serum alkaline phosphatase. Osteopenic DM1 patients displayed lower mean serum P1NP than control group (20.11 ± 6.72 ugdL versus 64.96 ± 34.89 ugdL; p < 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between BMD and degree of glycemic control reflected by serum glycated hemoglobin (r = -0.44, p, 0.030). Bone densitometry correlated with serum P1NP (r = -0.508, p, 0.011). After a planned regular exercise for 3 months, serum P1NP and BMD levels increased with percentage change of 40.88 ± 31.73 and 3.36 ± 2.94, respectively. Five patients resumed normal densitometry and they were all males.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Diabetic osteopenic patients displayed lower serum levels of procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide which reflects poor bone formation. A 3-months planned exercise program was associated with improvement of bone densitometry and significant increment of serum P1NP.</p

Impaired Growth and Force Production in Skeletal Muscles of Young Partially Pancreatectomized Rats: A Model of Adolescent Type 1 Diabetic Myopathy?

This present study investigated the temporal effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on adolescent skeletal muscle growth, morphology and contractile properties using a 90% partial pancreatecomy (Px) model of the disease. Four week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to Px (n = 25) or Sham (n = 24) surgery groups and euthanized at 4 or 8 weeks following an in situ assessment of muscle force production. Compared to Shams, Px were hyperglycemic (>15 mM) and displayed attenuated body mass gains by days 2 and 4, respectively (both P<0.05). Absolute maximal force production of the gastrocnemius plantaris soleus complex (GPS) was 30% and 50% lower in Px vs. Shams at 4 and 8 weeks, respectively (P<0.01). GP mass was 35% lower in Px vs Shams at 4 weeks (1.24±0.06 g vs. 1.93±0.03 g, P<0.05) and 45% lower at 8 weeks (1.57±0.12 vs. 2.80±0.06, P<0.05). GP fiber area was 15–20% lower in Px vs. Shams at 4 weeks in all fiber types. At 8 weeks, GP type I and II fiber areas were ∼25% and 40% less, respectively, in Px vs. Shams (group by fiber type interactions, P<0.05). Phosphorylation states of 4E-BP1 and S6K1 following leucine gavage increased 2.0- and 3.5-fold, respectively, in Shams but not in Px. Px rats also had impaired rates of muscle protein synthesis in the basal state and in response to gavage. Taken together, these data indicate that exposure of growing skeletal muscle to uncontrolled T1DM significantly impairs muscle growth and function largely as a result of impaired protein synthesis in type II fibers

Large kidneys predict poor renal outcome in subjects with diabetes and chronic kidney disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Renal hypertrophy occurs early in diabetic nephropathy, its later value is unknown. Do large kidneys still predict poor outcome in patients with diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventy-five patients with diabetes and CKD according to a Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR, by 51Cr-EDTA clearance) below 60 mL/min/1.73 m²or an Albumin Excretion Rate above 30 mg/24 H, had an ultrasound imaging of the kidneys and were cooperatively followed during five years by the Diabetology and Nephrology departments of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The patients were mainly men (44/75), aged 62 ± 13 yrs, with long-standing diabetes (duration:17 ± 9 yrs, 55/75 type 2), and CKD: initial GFR: 56.5 (8.5-209) mL/min/1.73 m², AER: 196 (20-2358) mg/24 H. Their mean kidney lenght (108 ± 13 mm, 67-147) was correlated to the GFR (r = 0.23, p < 0.05). During the follow-up, 9/11 of the patients who had to start dialysis came from the half with the largest kidneys (LogRank: p < 0.05), despite a 40% higher initial isotopic GFR. Serum creatinine were initially lower (Small kidneys: 125 (79-320) μmol/L, Large: 103 (50-371), p < 0.05), but significantly increased in the "large kidneys" group at the end of the follow-up (Small kidneys: 129 (69-283) μmol/L, Large: 140 (50-952), p < 0.005 vs initial). The difference persisted in the patients with severe renal failure (KDOQI stages 4,5).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Large kidneys still predict progression in advanced CKD complicating diabetes. In these patients, ultrasound imaging not only excludes obstructive renal disease, but also provides information on the progression of the renal disease.</p