Impact of corrosion on the emissivity of advanced-reactor structural alloys

Under standard operating conditions, the emissivity of structural alloys used for various components of nuclear reactors may evolve, affecting the heat transfer of the systems. In this study, mid-infrared emissivities of several reactor structural alloys were measured before and after exposure to environments relevant to next-generation reactors. We evaluated nickel-based alloys Haynes 230 and Inconel 617 exposed to helium gas at 1000 $^{\circ}$C, nickel-based Hastelloy N and iron-based 316 stainless steel exposed to molten salts at 750-850 $^{\circ}$C, 316 stainless steel exposed to liquid sodium at 650 $^{\circ}$C, and 316 stainless steel and Haynes 230 exposed to supercritical CO2 at 650 $^{\circ}$C. Emissivity was measured via emissive and reflective techniques using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Large increases in emissivity are observed for alloys exposed to oxidizing environments, while only minor differences were observed in other exposure conditions.Comment: Main text and supplementary info (merged in one file

Leucine-enriched protein feeding does not impair exercise-induced free fatty acid availability and lipid oxidation: beneficial implications for training in carbohydrate-restricted states

Given that the enhanced oxidative adaptations observed when training in carbohydrate (CHO) restricted states are potentially regulated through free fatty acid (FFA) mediated signalling and that leucine rich protein elevates muscle protein synthesis, the present study aimed to test the hypothesis that leucine enriched protein feeding enhances circulating leucine concentration but does not impair FFA availability nor whole body lipid oxidation 56 during exercise. Nine males cycled for 2 h at 70% VO2peak when fasted (PLACEBO) or having consumed a whey protein solution (WHEY) or a leucine enriched whey protein gel (GEL), administered as 22 g 1 hour pre-exercise, 11 g/h during and 22 g thirty minutes post-exercise. Total leucine administration was 14.4 g and 6.3 in GEL and WHEY, respectively. Mean plasma leucine concentrations were elevated in GEL (P= 0.001) compared 60 with WHEY and PLACEBO (375 ± 100, 272 ± 51, 146 ± 14 μmol.L-1 respectively). No differences (P= 0.153) in plasma FFA (WHEY 0.53 ± 0.30, GEL 0.45 ± 0.25, PLACEBO 0.65 ± 0.30, mmol.L-1) or whole body lipid oxidation during exercise (WHEY 0.37 ± 0.26, GEL 0.36 ± 0.24, PLACEBO 0.34 ± 0.24 g/min) were apparent between trials, despite elevated (P= 0.001) insulin in WHEY and GEL compared with PLACEBO (38 ± 16, 35 ± 16, 22 ± 11 pmol.L-1 respectively). We conclude that leucine enriched protein feeding does not impair FFA availability nor whole body lipid oxidation during exercise, thus having practical applications for athletes who deliberately train in CHO restricted states to promote skeletal muscle adaptations

Proinflammatory Protein Signatures in Cryptogenic and Large Artery Atherosclerosis Stroke

Objectives: The cause of ischemic stroke remains unknown, cryptogenic, in 25% of young and middle‐aged patients. We hypothesized that if atherosclerosis is prominent in cryptogenic stroke, it would have a similar proinflammatory protein signature as large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke. Materials & Methods: Blood was collected in the acute phase and after 3 months from cryptogenic (n = 162) and LAA (n = 73) stroke patients aged 18–69 years and once from age‐matched controls (n = 235). Cryptogenic stroke was divided into Framingham Risk Score (FRS) quartiles to compare low and high risk of atherosclerosis. Plasma concentrations of 25 proteins were analyzed using a Luminex multiplex assay. The discriminating properties were assessed with discriminant analysis and C‐statistics. Results: We identified proteins that separated cryptogenic and LAA stroke from controls (area under the curves, AUCs ≥ 0.85). For both subtypes, RANTES, IL‐4, and IFN‐γ contributed the most at both time points. These associations were independent of risk factors of atherosclerosis. We also identified proteins that separated cryptogenic strokes in the lowest quartile of FRS from those in the highest, and from LAA stroke (AUCs ≥ 0.76), and here eotaxin and MCP‐1 contributed the most. Conclusions: The protein signature separating cases from controls was different from the signature separating cryptogenic stroke with low risk of atherosclerosis from those with high risk and from LAA stroke. This suggests that increased RANTES, IL‐4, and IFN‐γ in stroke may not be primarily related to atherosclerosis, whereas increased eotaxin and MCP‐1 in cryptogenic stroke may be markers of occult atherosclerosis as the underlying cause

Borkekstrakt som middel mot koksidiose hos lam?

Rapporten bygger på resultat frå fleire finansieringkjelder, først og fremst Regionalt forskingsfond Midt-Norge, EU-prosjektet Organic-PLUS og industripartnarar. Koksidiar er eincella parasittar som kan gje alvorleg sjukdom i tarmen hos pattedyr og fugl. Koksidiose hos lam er eit stort problem i sauehaldet. Bruk av koksidiostatika (middel som hemmar utviklinga av koksidiane) er svært utbreidd og kan føre til utvikling av resistens, slik at det er av stor betydning å finne alternativ til desse. Internasjonalt er det stor interesse for forsking på bruk av planteekstrakt som fôrtilsettingsmiddel for å hindre parasittane i utviklinga. Vi har tidlegare vist at kondenserte tanninar frå bork frå norsk sagbruksindustri kan ha effekt mot parasittar i laboratorieforsøk. I dette pilotprosjektet har vi gjennomført ei første utprøving av borkekstrakt som fôrtilsetningsmiddel mot koksidiose på levande lam. Bork er elles eit avfallsprodukt for industrien. I forsøket hadde vi 24 lam fordelt på tre grupper à åtte lam. Ei gruppe vart smitta med koksidiar og fekk inga behandling, ei anna gruppe vart smitta og fekk behandling med borkekstrakt frå same dag som dei vart smitta og i 14 dagar framover, og den tredje gruppa vart verken smitta eller behandla (kontrollgruppe). Borkekstraktet var framstilt av fersk granbork frå Bøfjorden Sag AS og ekstrahert med vatn og deretter avdampa og tørka hos SINTEF Industri. Av 235 kg fersk granbork fekk vi ca. 6 kg tørt borkekstrakt (92% tørrstoff), med eit innhald av ca. 300 g CT-tørrstoff. Utbyttet av tørt ekstrakt var ca. 11-12% . Prøver frå tre av fem kanner med konsentrat viste alle 49 g CT/kg tørt ekstrakt. Alle lamma vart slakta tre veker etter smitte. Kontrollgruppa var friske gjennom heile forsøket og hadde best tilvekst. Gruppa som vart smitta , men ikkje fekk behandling, begynte å få diaré og redusert tilvekst frå om lag dag 15 etter behandling, men vart ikkje særleg sjuke i den korte tida vi hadde dei i forsøk. Gruppa som vart smitta og fekk borkekstrakt, fekk litt diaré dei dagane dei fekk ekstraktet, og dei mista matlysta og tilveksten i desse dagane. Så snart behandlinga var over, kom dei seg fort og hadde normal avføring og auka tilvekst i resten av forsøksperioden. Volumet og konsistensen på ekstraktet vi ga dei var tydeleg negativt for matlyst og tilvekst under behandlinga. Når vi talte parasittar (oocyster) i avføringa frå lamma før smitte og dag 12,14,17 og 21 etter smitte, fann vi langt færre parasittegg hos lamma som hadde fått borkekstrakt ved slutten av forsøket (dag 22) . Hos lamma som ikkje vart behandla, fann vi oocyster frå ca. dag 14 etter smitte og det auka mykje dei neste fem dagane. Hos lamma som fekk borkekstrakt, fann vi oocyster i eit svært lite tal frå dag 17 etter smitte og fram til vi avslutta forsøket. Statistisk vurdering av resultata ved regresjonsanalyser støttar hypotesa om at borkekstrakt reduserer utskiljinga av koksidiar hos lam for den perioden vi har gjort observasjonar. Det var signifikant effekt av behandling på utskiljinga av parasittar (P<0,0005) og det var ein klar samanheng mellom behandling og tidspunkt for utskiljing av oocyster (P<0,0001). Mengde ekstrakt som vi kunne gje til lamma utan at dei vart sjuke, viste seg å vere mindre enn vi hadde trudd på førehand på bakgrunn av referansar frå andre forsøk, og måten vi måtte gje det på (sonde) er ikkje foreinleg med praktisk sauehald. Ut frå dette forsøket ser vi at det er innhaldsstoff i bork som har effekt mot koksidiar av Eimeria-arten hos lam, men det er behov for meir forsking, både grunnforsking og anvendt forsking, for å forstå kva stoff dette er, om det er berre tanninar eller om det kanskje er heilt andre plantestoff som også har effekt. Det er nødvendig å finne ut korleis mekanismane som hemmar utviklinga til parasittane fungerer, mellom anna på kva stadium parasitten blir påverka. For å undersøke dette er det behov for meir langvarige forsøk enn det vi har hatt, slik at ein kan studere effekten både når det gjeld tilvekst, klinisk tilstand og ikkje minst parasittutvikling over ein heil beiteperiode. Vidare er det behov for eit utviklingsarbeid for å effektivisere ekstraksjonsprosessen og redusere produksjonskostnaden. Dette gjeld heile kjeda frå innsamling av bork, tørking og oppmaling og til slutt sjølve ekstraheringa, val av ekstraksjonsmiddel og konsentrasjonsprosessen. For å komme i praktisk bruk, må ein utvikle ei form for fôrtilsetjing eller eit medikament som kan gjevast til unge, diande dyr som eingongsbehandling, eller i det minste som kan ha effekt om det blir tilført nokre få gonger. Til eldre dyr kan det vere aktuelt å sjå om det kan tilsetjast i kraftfôr, eller til mineralnæring eller saltslikkesteinar

Eating Behaviors and Adiposity Indicators &ndash; Observations from the 2016/17 Examination of the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg

Kirsten Mehlig,1 Pawel Sliwa,1 Ann Blomstrand,1 Lena Farhan,1 Tore Hällström,2 Dominique Hange1,3 1School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 2Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 3Research, Education, Development & Innovation, Primary Health Care, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, SwedenCorrespondence: Kirsten Mehlig, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 453, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden, Tel +46 766 186844, Email [email protected]: To determine the cross-sectional association between eating behavior in terms of the three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) and adiposity measures.Methods: The TFEQ-R21 was administered to 573 women aged 38 and 50 who participated in the population study of women in Gothenburg 2016/17. Three domains, emotional eating (EE), uncontrolled eating (UE), and cognitive restraint (CR) were examined as outcomes as well as predictors of adiposity outcomes. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for age, education, lifestyle factors, and dieting behavior.Results: All TFEQ domains were positively associated with dieting. EE and UE were associated with higher consumption of sweets and CR with lower consumption of sweets. Wellbeing was negatively associated with EE and UE. In mutually adjusted models, EE and CR but not UE were positively associated with BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, and skinfold. One standard deviation higher EE was associated with obesity, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, OR = 1.62 (1.26, 2.10), and abdominal fatness, WC > 88 cm, OR = 1.57 (1.26, 1.95). Former and current dieting were positively associated with these outcomes, too, but UE and CR were not associated in mutually adjusted models.Conclusion: This study shows that emotional eating behavior is associated with adiposity in a population of middle-aged women, over a large range of values for body fatness, and independent of dieting behavior. The results imply that treatment of obesity should include psychological support to restrict the risk for emotional eating in response to states of negative mood.Keywords: three-factor eating questionnaire, eating behavior, dieting, obesity, adiposity, women, population-based stud

Repeated post-exercise administration with a mixture of leucine and glucose alters the plasma amino acid profile in Standardbred trotters

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The branched chain amino acid leucine is a potent stimulator of insulin secretion. Used in combination with glucose it can increase the insulin response and the post exercise re-synthesis of glycogen in man. Decreased plasma amino acid concentrations have been reported after intravenous or per oral administration of leucine in man as well as after a single per oral dose in horses. In man, a negative correlation between the insulin response and the concentrations of isoleucine, valine and methionine have been shown but results from horses are lacking. This study aims to determine the effect of repeated per oral administration with a mixture of glucose and leucine on the free amino acid profile and the insulin response in horses after glycogen-depleting exercise.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a crossover design, after a glycogen depleting exercise, twelve Standardbred trotters received either repeated oral boluses of glucose, 1 g/kg body weight (BW) at 0, 2 and 4 h with addition of leucine 0.1 g/kg BW at 0 and 4 h (GLU+LEU), or repeated boluses of water at 0, 2 and 4 h (CON). Blood samples for analysis of glucose, insulin and amino acid concentrations were collected prior to exercise and over a 6 h post-exercise period. A mixed model approach was used for the statistical analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Plasma leucine, isoleucine, valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine concentrations increased after exercise. Post-exercise serum glucose and plasma insulin response were significantly higher in the GLU+LEU treatment compared to the CON treatment. Plasma leucine concentrations increased after supplementation. During the post-exercise period isoleucine, valine and methionine concentrations decreased in both treatments but were significantly lower in the GLU+LEU treatment. There was no correlation between the insulin response and the response in plasma leucine, isoleucine, valine and methionine.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Repeated post-exercise administration with a mixture of leucine and glucose caused a marked insulin response and altered the plasma amino acid profile in horses in a similar manner as described in man. However, the decreases seen in plasma amino acids in horses seem to be related more to an effect of leucine and not to the insulin response as seen in man.</p

Serum erythropoietin and outcome after ischaemic stroke: a prospective study

Objectives: Erythropoietin (EPO), which is inversely associated with blood haemoglobin (Hb), exerts neuroprotective effects in experimental ischaemic stroke (IS). However, clinical treatment trials have so far been negative. Here, in patients with IS, we analysed whether serum EPO is associated with (1) initial stroke severity, (2) recovery and (3) functional outcome. / Design: Prospective. Controls available at baseline. / Setting: A Swedish hospital-initiated study with outpatient follow-up after 3 months. / Participants: Patients (n=600; 64% males, mean age 56 years, controls n=600) were included from the Sahlgrenska Academy Study on IS (SAHLSIS). / Primary and secondary outcome measures: In addition to EPO and Hb, initial stroke severity was assessed by the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) and compared with SSS after 3 months (follow-up) as a measure of recovery. Functional outcome was evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at follow-up. Serum EPO and SSS were divided into quintiles in the multivariate regression analyses. / Results: Serum EPO was 21% and 31% higher than in controls at the acute phase of IS and follow-up, respectively. In patients, acute serum EPO was 19.5% higher in severe versus mild IS. The highest acute EPO quintile adjusted for sex, age and Hb was associated with worse stroke severity quintile (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.87), better stroke recovery quintile (OR 1.93, CI 1.09 to 3.41) and unfavourable mRS 3–6 (OR 2.59, CI 1.15 to 5.80). However, the fourth quintile of EPO increase (from acute to follow-up) was associated with favourable mRS 0–2 (OR 3.42, CI 1.46 to 8.03). Only the last association withstood full adjustment. / Conclusions: The crude associations between EPO and worse stroke severity and outcome lost significance after multivariate modelling. However, in patients in whom EPO increased, the association with favourable outcome remained after adjustment for multiple covariates

Serum erythropoietin and outcome after ischaemic stroke: a prospective study

Objectives: Erythropoietin (EPO), which is inversely associated with blood haemoglobin (Hb), exerts neuroprotective effects in experimental ischaemic stroke (IS). However, clinical treatment trials have so far been negative. Here, in patients with IS, we analysed whether serum EPO is associated with (1) initial stroke severity, (2) recovery and (3) functional outcome. / Design: Prospective. Controls available at baseline. / Setting: A Swedish hospital-initiated study with outpatient follow-up after 3 months. / Participants: Patients (n=600; 64% males, mean age 56 years, controls n=600) were included from the Sahlgrenska Academy Study on IS (SAHLSIS). / Primary and secondary outcome measures: In addition to EPO and Hb, initial stroke severity was assessed by the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) and compared with SSS after 3 months (follow-up) as a measure of recovery. Functional outcome was evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at follow-up. Serum EPO and SSS were divided into quintiles in the multivariate regression analyses. / Results: Serum EPO was 21% and 31% higher than in controls at the acute phase of IS and follow-up, respectively. In patients, acute serum EPO was 19.5% higher in severe versus mild IS. The highest acute EPO quintile adjusted for sex, age and Hb was associated with worse stroke severity quintile (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.87), better stroke recovery quintile (OR 1.93, CI 1.09 to 3.41) and unfavourable mRS 3–6 (OR 2.59, CI 1.15 to 5.80). However, the fourth quintile of EPO increase (from acute to follow-up) was associated with favourable mRS 0–2 (OR 3.42, CI 1.46 to 8.03). Only the last association withstood full adjustment. / Conclusions: The crude associations between EPO and worse stroke severity and outcome lost significance after multivariate modelling. However, in patients in whom EPO increased, the association with favourable outcome remained after adjustment for multiple covariates

Administration of spruce bark (Picea abies) extracts in young lambs exhibits anticoccidial effects but reduces milk intake and body weight gain

Background: Eimeria spp. are widespread apicomplexan parasites known to cause coccidiosis in livestock, result- ing in reduced animal welfare and productivity, particularly in sheep. The treatment options are limited, and there is an emerging development of resistance against registered pharmaceuticals. Spruce bark is rich in plant secondary metabolites (PSM), such as condensed tannins, which are bioactive compounds previously shown to have antipara- sitic activity. Here, we examined the anticoccidial properties of bark extract of Norway spruce (Picea abies) against a field isolate of ovine Eimeria spp. by treating Eimeria-infected pre-ruminant lambs with water-extracted bark daily for 12 days. We hypothesised that the bark extract would reduce the faecal oocyst excretion and, consequently, the severity of diarrhoea. Results: Oral administration of spruce bark extract significantly reduced the excretion of Eimeria oocysts in milk-fed lambs post treatment till the end of the trial 22 days post infection. This difference in oocyst excretion between the treated and the untreated infected animals increased with time. Compared to the untreated and the sham-infected control group, the group treated with bark extract had softer fae- ces and reduced milk intake during the treatment period. After discontinuing the treatment, the treated animals got a more solid and formed faeces compared to that of the untreated control group, and the milk intake increased to the level of the sham-infected, untreated control group. The bark extract treated animals had a lower body weight and a lower mean daily body weight gain throughout the whole duration of the experiment. Conclusions: Bark extract from Norway spruce showed marked anticoccidial properties by reducing the faecal oocyst count and associated diarrhoea in young lambs. Simultaneously we experienced detrimental effects of the treatment, displayed as reduced feed intake and daily body weight gain. Therefore, we suggest conducting similar studies with lower bark extract dosage to explore the possibilities of a better trade-off to reduce the negative impact while maintaining the antiparasitic effect. Keywords: Coccidia, Coccidiocide, Eimeria, Industrial by-products, Shee

Extracts of pine bark (Pinus sylvestris) inhibit Cryptosporidium parvum growth in cell culture

The widespread apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum is responsible for severe gastrointestinal disease in humans and animals. The treatment options are limited, and the efficacy of available drugs is low. Bark contains condensed tannins (CT), which are bioactive compounds previously shown to inhibit parasite development. Here, we examined the anti-cryptosporidial properties of bark extract of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) against C. parvum by means of an in vitro growth inhibition test. We hypothesized that bark extracts would have dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the development of C. parvum in cell culture. Bark extracts from Scots pine extracted with acetone, methanol, and water as solvents, were investigated using human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells infected with C. parvum. Oocysts were inoculated onto the cell monolayer and bark extract was added at 7 different concentrations. Parasite growth inhibition was quantified by qPCR. The acetone and methanol extracts demonstrated a sigmoid dose-dependent inhibition of C. parvum. The IC50 values were 244.6 and 279.1 µg dry matter extract/mL, and 25.4 and 24.1 µg CT/mL, for acetone and methanol extracts, respectively. The IC50 for both extracts were similar, both with regards to the dry matter concentration of each extract and to CT concentrations. Given the limited treatment options available for Cryptosporidium spp., the evidence generated in our study encourages further investigation into the in vitro and in vivo effects of pine bark extracts against C. parvum