Testing of the large bore single aperture 1-meter superconducting dipoles made with phenolic inserts

Two identical single aperture 1-metre superconducting dipoles have been built in collaboration with HMA Power Systems and tested at CERN. The 87.8 mm aperture magnets feature a single layer coil wound using LHC main dipole outer layer cable, phenolic spacer type collars, and a keyed two part structural iron yoke. The magnets are designed as models of the D1 separation dipole in the LHC experimental insertions, whose nominal field is 4.5 T at 4.5 K. In this report we present the test results of the two magnets at 4.3 K and 1.9 K

Acute Modulation of Adipose Tissue Lipolysis by Intravenous Estrogens

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether intravenous (IV) conjugated estrogens (EST) acutely enhance the suppression of whole-body or regional subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) lipolysis by insulin in postmenopausal women. Research Methods and Procedures: We assessed whole-body lipolysis by [2H5]glycerol rate of appearance (GlycRA) and abdominal and femoral SAT lipolysis (interstitial glycerol; GlycIS) by subcutaneous microdialysis. Postmenopausal women (n = 12) were studied on two occasions, with IV EST or saline control (CON), under basal conditions and during a 3-stage (4, 8, and 40 mU/m2/ min) hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamp. Ethanol outflow/inflow ratio and recovery of [13C] glycerol during microdialysis were used to assess blood flow changes and interstitial glycerol concentrations, respectively. Results: Compared with CON, EST did not affect systemic basal or insulin-mediated suppression of lipolysis (GlycRA) or SAT nutritive blood flow. Basal GlycIS in SAT was reduced on the EST day. However, insulin-mediated suppression of lipolysis in SAT was not significantly influenced by EST. Discussion: These findings suggest that estrogens acutely reduce basal lipolysis in SAT through an unknown mechanism but do not alter whole-body or SAT suppression of lipolysis by insulin. Originally published Obesity (Silver Spring), Vol. 14, No. 12, Dec 200

Anthropometric, hemodynamic, metabolic, and renal responses during 5 days of food and water deprivation

Background: Although there is considerable research in the field of fasting and fluid restriction, little is known about the impact of food and water deprivation (FWD) on body circumferences and vital parameters. Methods: During 5 days of FWD in 10 healthy adults, hemodynamic, metabolic, and renal parameters, such as weight, 5 circumferences at neck, waist, hip, chest at axilla, chest at nipples, and 1 new oblique hip circumference were measured daily. For each circumference, new quotients of daily circumference-to-weight decrease were calculated. The set of employed parameters quantified and monitored dieting persons' compliance and efficacy of the method. Results: The values of blood pressure, heart rate, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, glucose, K(+), Na(+), Cl(-), urea, creatinine, and serum osmolality proved to be stable. The mean creatinine clearance increased up to 167%. The mean daily weight decrease (1,390 ± 60 g) demonstrated the effectiveness of FWD in weight reduction. The daily decrease of all measured circumferences and the values of the corresponding circumference-to-weight decrease quotients reflected considerable volume decrease in all measured body parts per day and kg of weight loss during FWD. Conclusion: The intervention of 5 FWD days in 10 healthy adults was found to be safe, decreased weight and all measured circumferences, and improved renal function considerably

Is metabolic flexibility altered in multiple sclerosis patients?

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic flexibility is defined as ability to adjust fuel oxidation to fuel availability. Multiple sclerosis (MS) results in reduced muscle strength and exercise intolerance. We tested the hypothesis that altered metabolic flexibility contributes to exercise intolerance in MS patients. METHODS: We studied 16 patients (all on glatiramer) and 16 matched healthy controls. Energy expenditure (EE), and carbohydrate (COX) and lipid oxidation (LOX) rates were determined by calorimetry, before and after an oral glucose load. We made measurements either at rest (canopy device) or during 40 min low-grade (0.5 W/kg) exercise (metabolic chamber). We also obtained plasma, and adipose tissue and skeletal muscle dialysate samples by microdialysis to study tissue-level metabolism under resting conditions. RESULTS: At rest, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, insulin, and free fatty acid levels did not differ between patients and controls. Fasting and postprandial COX was higher and LOX lower in patients. In adipose, fasting and postprandial dialysate glucose, lactate, and glycerol levels were higher in patients vs. controls. In muscle, fasting and postprandial dialysate metabolite levels did not differ significantly between the groups. During exercise, EE did not differ between the groups. However, COX increased sharply over 20 min in patients, without reaching a steady state, followed by an immediate decrease within the next 20 min and fell even below basal levels after exercise in patients, compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Glucose tolerance is not impaired in MS patients. At rest, there is no indication for metabolic inflexibility or mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle. The increased adipose tissue lipolytic activity might result from glatiramer treatment. Autonomic dysfunction might cause dysregulation of postprandial thermogenesis at rest and lipid mobilization during exercise

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate: a useful, effective and safe clinical approach for targeted prevention and individualised treatment of neurological diseases

Neurodegenerative disorders show an increasing prevalence in a number of highly developed countries. Often, these diseases require life-long treatment mostly with drugs which are costly and mostly accompanied by more or less serious side-effects. Their heterogeneous manifestation, severity and outcome pose the need for individualised treatment options. There is an intensive search for new strategies not only for treating but also for preventing these diseases. Green tea and green tea extracts seem to be such a promising and safe alternative. However, data regarding the beneficial effects and possible underlying mechanism, specifically in clinical trials, are rare and rather controversial or non-conclusive. This review outlines the existing evidence from preclinical studies (cell and tissue cultures and animal models) and clinical trials regarding preventive and therapeutic effects of epigallcatechin-3-gallate in neurodegenerative diseases and considers antioxidative vs. pro-oxidative properties of the tea catechin important for dosage recommendations

Comparing single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis against deuterium dilution to assess total body water.

Background/Objectives: In this study, we aimed to validate the accuracy of single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (SF-BIA) at 50 kHz to assess total body water (TBW) against the reference technique deuterium dilution (D(2)O) and to explore if the simple clinical parameters extracellular fluid (ECF) composition and body shape explain individual differences between D(2)O and SF-BIA (Diff(BIA-D(2)O)). Subjects/Methods: We assessed TBW with D(2)O and SF-BIA in 26 women and 26 men without known disease or anomalous body shapes. In addition, we measured body shape with anthropometry and ECF composition (osmolality, albumin, glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium). Results: On group average, SF-BIA to predict TBW agreed well with D(2)O (SF-BIA, 39.8±10.1 l; D(2)O, 40.4±10.2 l; and Diff(BIA-D(2)O) -0.7 l). In four individuals ('outliers'; 15% of the study population), Diff(BIA-D(2)O) was high (-6.8 to +3.8 l). Diff(BIA-D(2)O) was associated with individual variations in body shape rather than ECF composition. Using gender-specific analysis, we found that individual variability of waist circumference in men and arm length in women significantly contributed to Diff(BIA-D(2)O). When removing the four 'outliers', these associations were lost. Conclusions: In the majority of our sample, BIA agreed well with D(2)O. Adjusting for individual variability in body shape by anthropometrical assessment could possibly improve the accuracy of SF-BIA for individuals who deviate from mean values with respect to body shape. However, further studies with higher subject numbers are needed to confirm our findings

Effect of cracks on chlorideinduced corrosion of steel in concrete - a review

Denne rapporten tilhører Prosjekt 1: Tilstandsutvikling bruer. Prosjektet vil generere informasjon om tilstanden for bruer av betong, stål og tre, og gi økt forståelse for de bakenforliggende nedbrytningsmekanismene. Dette vil gi grunnlag for bedre levetidsvurderinger og reparasjonsmetoder. Innenfor områdene hvor det er nødvendig vil det etableres forbedrede rutiner og verktøy for tilstandskontroll- og analyse. Prosjektet vil også frembringe kunnskap om konstruktive konsekvenser av skader, samt konstruktive effekter av forsterkningstiltak. Prosjektet vil gi viktig input i forhold til design av material- og konstruksjonsløsninger for nyere bruer, og vil således ha leveranser av stor betydning til Prosjekt 3: Fremtidige bruer.Denne rapporten går gjennom studier på hvilken effekt riss i betong har på kloridinitiert korrosjon av armering. Riss kan føre til tidligere kloridinitiert korrosjon, men nåværende kunnskap tyder på at effekten av riss avtar med tiden, og muligens kan neglisjeres på lang sikt. Det finnes imidlertid få veldokumenterte, realistiske langtidsforsøk. Det ble også oppdaget store mangler i kunnskapen om effekten av rissfrekvens. I følge dagens forståelse av korrosjonsmekanismene i opprisset betong, vil korrosjonshastigheten på den lokale anoden i risset reduseres med økende rissfrekvens, men det er få undersøkelser som underbygger dette. Det er ikke mulig basert på nåværende kunnskap å angi kritiske rissvidder, verken for initiering av korrosjon eller for korrosjonshastighet. Dette understreker det store behovet for videre forskning. This report reviews studies about the effect of concrete cracks on chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcement steel. Cracks can lead to earlier corrosion initiation, but the current state-of-the-art suggests that the effect of cracks on corrosion diminishes with time and may on the long-term even be negligible. Nevertheless, well-documented long-term studies under realistic field exposure are scarce. A further major lack of knowledge was identified with respect to crack frequency. According to current understanding of the working mechanism of corrosion in cracked concrete, it is expected that the corrosion rate at the local anodic site at the crack should decrease with increasing crack frequency. There is, however, very little experimental data confirming this suggested effect of the crack frequency. The current state-of-knowledge does not permit general recommendations for critical crack widths, neither for corrosion initiation nor for corrosion propagation. This clearly illustrates the urgent need for more research. Varige konstruksjoner består, i tillegg til et overordnet implementeringsprosjekt, av fire prosjekter: Prosjekt 1: Tilstandsutvikling bruer Prosjekt 2: Tilstandsutvikling tunneler Prosjekt 3: Fremtidens bruer Prosjekt 4: Fremtidens tunnelerStatens vegvesen Vegdirektorate

Atrial natriuretic Peptide and adiponectin interactions in man

Reduced circulating natriuretic peptide concentrations are independently associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, while increased natriuretic peptide levels appear to be protective. Observations in vitro and in heart failure patients suggest that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) promotes adiponectin release, an adipokine with insulin sensitizing properties. We tested the hypothesis that ANP acutely raises adiponectin levels in 12 healthy men. We infused ANP intravenously over 135 minutes while collecting venous blood and adipose tissue microdialysates at baseline and at the end of ANP-infusion. We obtained blood samples at identical time-points without ANP infusion in 7 age and BMI matched men. With infusion, venous ANP concentrations increased ∼10 fold. Systemic and adipose tissue glycerol concentrations increased 70% and 80%, respectively (P<0.01). ANP infusion increased total adiponectin 14±5% and high molecular-weight (HMW)-adiponectin 13±5% (P<0.05). Adiponectin did not change in the control group (P<0.05 vs. infusion). ANP-induced changes in HMW adiponectin and adipose tissue lipolysis were directly correlated with each other, possibly suggesting a common mechanism. Our data show that ANP acutely increases systemic total and HMW-adiponectin concentrations in healthy subjects. Our study could have implications for the physiological regulation of adiponectin and for disease states associated with altered natriuretic peptide availability

Validity and reliability of total body volume and relative body fat mass from a 3-dimensional photonic body surface scanner

OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional photonic body surface scanners (3DPS) feature a tool to estimate total body volume (BV) from 3D images of the human body, from which the relative body fat mass (%BF) can be calculated. However, information on validity and reliability of these measurements for application in epidemiological studies is limited. METHODS: Validity was assessed among 32 participants (men, 50%) aged 20-58 years. BV and %BF were assessed using a 3DPS (VitusSmart XXL) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP) with a BOD POD(R) device using equations by Siri and Brozek. Three scans were obtained per participant (standard, relaxed, exhaled scan). Validity was evaluated based on the agreement of 3DPS with ADP using Bland Altman plots, correlation analysis and Wilcoxon signed ranks test for paired samples. Reliability was investigated in a separate sample of 18 participants (men, 67%) aged 25-66 years using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) based on two repeated 3DPS measurements four weeks apart. RESULTS: Mean BV and %BF were higher using 3DPS compared to ADP, (3DPS-ADP BV difference 1.1 +/- 0.9 L, p<0.01; %BF difference 7.0 +/- 5.6, p<0.01), yet the disagreement was not associated with gender, age or body mass index (BMI). Reliability was excellent for 3DPS BV (ICC, 0.998) and good for 3DPS %BF (ICC, 0.982). Results were similar for the standard scan and the relaxed scan but somewhat weaker for the exhaled scan. CONCLUSIONS: Although BV and %BF are higher than ADP measurements, our data indicate good validity and reliability for an application of 3DPS in epidemiological studies

Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition impacts energy homeostasis and induces sex-specific body weight loss in humans

BACKGROUND: Previous data from a 2-year randomized controlled trial (CRAD001ADE12) indicated that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition by everolimus slowed cyst growth in patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). During the trial, we noted body weight loss in some patients, particularly in women. We hypothesized that everolimus causes body weight reduction by reduced food intake and/or metabolic changes, which could lead to cachexia. METHODS: Within a sub-analysis of the CRAD001ADE12 trial, body weight course was investigated regarding sex-specific differences in 433 adult ADPKD patients (everolimus, n = 215; placebo, n = 218). One hundred four out of 111 patients who participated in the clinical trial centre in Berlin were evaluated under everolimus/placebo therapy (on drug: everolimus, n = 48; placebo, n = 56) and after therapy (off drug: everolimus, n = 15; placebo, n = 18). Eating habits and nutrient/caloric intake were evaluated by validated questionnaires. Systemic and local metabolism was evaluated in four patients after an oral glucose load (OGL) by using calorimetry and adipose/muscle tissue microdialysis. RESULTS: Within the 2-year CRAD001ADE12 trial, a significant body weight loss was observed in female patients on everolimus versus placebo (P = 0.0029). Data of the Berlin Cohort revealed that weight loss was greater in women on everolimus versus men (P < 0.01). After 9 months, women and men had lost 2.6 ± 3.8 and 0.8 ± 1.5 kg (P < 0.05) in body weight, respectively, and after 21 months, they had lost 4.1 ± 6.6 and 1.0 ± 3.3 kg (P < 0.05), respectively. On everolimus, caloric intake was significantly lower in women versus men (1510 ± 128 vs. 2264 ± 216 kcal/day, P < 0.05), caused mainly by a lower fat and protein intake in women versus men. Cognitive restraints, disinhibition and hunger remained unchanged. In a subgroup of patients resting metabolic rate was unchanged whereas OGL-induced thermogenesis was reduced (7 ± 2 vs. 11 ± 2 kcal, P < 0.05). Fasting and OGL-induced fat oxidation was increased (P < 0.05) on versus off everolimus. In adipose tissue, fasting lipolytic activity was increased, but lipolytic activity was inhibited similarly after the OGL on versus off everolimus, respectively. In skeletal muscle, postprandial glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis was reduced in patients on everolimus. CONCLUSIONS: mTOR inhibition by everolimus induces body weight reduction, specifically in female patients. This effect is possibly caused by a centrally mediated reduced food (fat and protein) intake and by centrally/peripherally mediated increased fat oxidation (systemic) and mobilization (adipose tissue). Glucose uptake and oxidation might be reduced in skeletal muscle. This could lead to cachexia and, possibly, muscle wasting. Therefore, our results have important implications for patients recieving immune-suppressive mTOR inhibition therapy