Effects of hyperglycemia on glucose metabolism before and after oral glucose ingestion in normal men.

The plasma glucose excursion may influence the metabolic responses after oral glucose ingestion. Although previous studies addressed the effects of hyperglycemia in conditions of hyperinsulinemia, it has not been evaluated whether the route of glucose administration (oral vs. intravenous) plays a role. Our aim was to determine the effects of moderately controlled hyperglycemia on glucose metabolism before and after oral glucose ingestion. Eight normal men underwent two oral glucose clamps at 6 and 10 mmol/l plasma glucose. Glucose turnover and cycling rates were measured by infusion of [2H7]glucose. The oral glucose load was labeled by D-[6,6-2H2]glucose to monitor exogenous glucose appearance, and respiratory exchanges were measured by indirect calorimetry. Sixty percent of the oral glucose load appeared in the systemic circulation during both the 6 and 10 mmol/l plasma glucose tests, although less endogenous glucose appeared during the 10 mmol/l tests before glucose ingestion (P < 0.05). This inhibitory effect of hyperglycemia was not detectable after oral glucose ingestion, although glucose utilization was increased (+28%, P < 0.05) due to increased nonoxidative glucose disposal [10 vs. 6 mmol/l: +20%, not significant (NS) before oral glucose ingestion; +40%, P < 0.05 after oral glucose ingestion]. Glucose cycling rates were increased by hyperglycemia (+13% before oral glucose ingestion, P < 0.001; +31% after oral glucose ingestion, P < 0.05) and oral glucose ingestion during both the 6 (+10%, P < 0.05) and 10 mmol/l (+26%, P < 0.005) tests. A moderate hyperglycemia inhibits endogenous glucose production and contributes to glucose tolerance by enhancing nonoxidative glucose disposal. Hyperglycemia and oral glucose ingestion both stimulate glucose cycling.

Effectiveness of three different walking prescription durations on total physical activity in normal- and overweight women.

OBJECTIVE: While there is a dose-response relationship between physical activity (PA) and health benefit, little is known about the effectiveness of different PA prescriptions on total daily PA. AIM: To test, under real-life conditions and using an objective, non-invasive measurement technique (accelerometry), the effect of prescribing additional physical activity (walking only) of different durations (30, 60 and 90 min/day) on compliance (to the activity prescribed) and compensation (to total daily PA). Participants in each group were prescribed 5 sessions of walking per week over 4 weeks. METHODS: 55 normal-weight and overweight women (mean BMI 25 ± 5 kg/m(2), height 165 ± 1 cm, weight 68 ± 2 kg and mean age 27 ± 1 years) were randomly assigned to 3 prescription groups: 30, 60 or 90 min/day PA. RESULTS: Walking duration resulted in an almost linear increase in the number of steps per day during the prescription period from an average of about 10,000 steps per day for the 30-min prescription to about 14,000 for the 90-min prescription. Compliance was excellent for the 30-min prescription but decreased significantly with 60-min and 90-min prescriptions. In parallel, degree of compensation subsequent to exercise increased progressively as length of prescription increased. CONCLUSION: A 30-min prescription of extra walking 5 times per week was well tolerated. However, in order to increase total PA further, much more than 60 min of walking may need to be prescribed in the majority of individuals. While total exercise 'volume' increased with prescriptions longer than 30 min, compliance to the prescription decreased and greater compensation was evident. © 2014 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.

Extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) subsheath: Normal MRI appearance and findings in athletic injuries : 40

Purpose: First, to report ECU subsheath's normal MRI appearance and the findings in athletic injuries. Second, to determine the best MRI sequence for diagnosis. Methods and materials: Sixteen patients (13 males, 3 females, mean age 30.3 years) with ECU subsheath's athletic injuries sustained between January 2003 and June 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Wrist MRI studies were performed on 1.5-T units and consisted of at least transverse T1 and STIR sequences in pronation, and FS Gd T1 in pronation and supination. Two radiologists assessed the following items, in consensus: injury type (A to C according to Inoue), ECU tendon stability, and associated lesions (ulnar head oedema, extensor retinaculum injury, ECU tendinosis and tenosynovitis). Then, each reader independently rated the sequences' diagnostic value: 0 = questionable, 1 = suggestive, 2 = certain. Follow-up studies were present in 8 patients. ECU subsheath's normal visibility (medial, central and lateral parts) was retrospectively evaluated in 30 consecutive control MRI studies. Results: FS Gd T1 sequences in supination (1.63) and pronation (1.59) were the most valuable for diagnosis, compared to STIR (1.22) and T1 (1). The study group included 9 type A, 1 type B and 6 type C injuries. There were trends towards diminution in pouches' size, signal intensity and enhancement in follow-up studies, along with tendon stabilization within the ulnar groove. In control studies, ECU subsheath's visibility in medial, central and lateral parts were noted in 66.7-80%, 63.3-80% and 30-50% respectively. Conclusion: ECU subsheath's athletic injuries are visible on 1.5-T MRI studies. FS Gd T1 sequences in supination and pronation are the most valuable.

La situacion alimentaria del Jurel Trachurus murphryi Nichols en un año normal (1979) y en el niño 1982/83

La situación alimentaria del jurel (Trachurus murphyi) en las zonas de Paita, Callao, Pisco e Ilo se comparó en un año normal (1979) y durante El Ni ño 1982/83, analizando los datos del (1) contenido estomacal, (2) del indice alimentario y (3) de la relación longitud/peso, de un total de 2082 individuos. Durante El Niño el cambio más notable en la dieta del jurel fue la ausencia de la anchoveta (Egraulis ringens), la cual representó en 1979 más del 60% del peso estomacal total, el principal ítem alimentario (promedio: Callao, Pisco, Iló). A diferencia de lo constatado en el centro y el sur, la importancia de la anchoveta como recurso alimentario del jurel fue casi nulo en el norte (zona de Paita, 4°L.S 2°L.S) tanto en un año "normal" (1979) , como durante El Niño 1982/83. De otro lado, durante El Niño se incrementó la diversidad alimentaria por la presencia de peces de aguas tropicales como Bregmaceros bathymaster, Abrialopsis sp. y Anchoa sp. y aumentó la importancia de la fracción de macrozooplancton (eufáusidos, Copépodos), alcanzando el 53% del peso estomacal total, comparado con sólo 32%. en 1979 ( promedios:Paita, Callao, Pisco, Ilo) . El valor promedio del indice alimentario durante El Niño es sólo el 36% del valor durante 1979 y la relación longi­tud / peso muestra para un jurel (macho) de 35 cm una pérdida en el peso promedio de 8%.

Increased body fat is independently and negatively related with cardiorespiratory fitness levels in children and adolescents with normal weight.

Body mass index (BMI) is related with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), but less is known regarding the combined relationships between BMI and body fat (BF) on CRF. Cross-sectional study included 2361 girls and 2328 boys aged 10–18 years living in the area of Lisbon, Portugal. BMI was calculated by measuring height and weight, and obesity was assessed by international criteria. BF was assessed by bioimpedance. CRF was assessed by the 20-m shuttle run and the participants were classified as normal-to-high or low-CRF level according to Fitness gram criterion-referenced standards. The prevalence of low CRF was 47 and 39% in girls and boys, respectively. The corresponding values for the prevalence of obesity were 4.8 and 5.6% (not significant) and of excess BF of 12.1 and 25.1% (P <0.001), respectively. In both sexes, BMI and BF were inversely related with CRF: r = – 0.53 and – 0.45 for BMI and % BF, respectively, in boys and the corresponding values in girls were – 0.50 and – 0.33 (all P <0.01). When compared with a participant with normal BMI and BF, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for low CRF were 1.94 (1.46–2.58) for a participant with normal BMI and high BF, and 6.19 (5.02–7.63) for a participant with high BMI and high BF. The prevalence of low-CRF levels is high in Portuguese youths. BF negatively influences CRF levels among children/adolescents with normal BMI.

Ministère de la Guerre. Direction du Génie. Bureau du personnel. Instruction du 31 décembre 1919 pour l'admission à l'Ecole polytechnique en 1920 (concours normal). Additif du 31 janvier 1920 à l'instruction du 31 décembre 1919 pour l'admission à l'Ecole polytechnique en 1920 (concours normal). Instruction du 31 décembre 1919 pour l'admission à l'Ecole polytechnique en 1920 (concours spécial)

[Ecole polytechnique]

The normal co-ordinate analysis, vibrational spectra and theoretical infrared intensities of some thiocarbonyl halide molecules /

TITLE: The normal co-ordinate analysis, vibrational spectra and theoretical infrared intensities of some thiocarbonyl halides. AUTHOR: J. L. Brema SUPERVISOR: Dr. D. C. Moule NUMBER OF PAGES: 89 ABSTRACT: The vibrational assignment of the five-in-plane fundamental modes of CSClBr has been made on the basis of infrared gas phase and liquid Raman spectral analyses to supplement our earlier vibrational studies. Even though the one out-of-plane fundamental was not observed spectroscopically an attempt has been made to predict its frequency. The vibrational spectra contained impurity bands and the CSClBr assignment was made only after a thorough analysis of the impurities themselves. A normal co-ordinate analysis calculation was performed assuming a Urey-Bradley force field. This calculation yielded the fundamental frequencies in good agreement with those observed after refinement of the originally transferred force constants. The theoretical frequencies are the eigenvalues of the secular equation and the calculation also gave the corresponding eigenvectors in the form of the very important LLj matrix. The [l] matrix is the transfoirmation between internal co-ordinates and normal co-ordinates and it is essential for Franck-Condon calculations on electronically excited molecules and for infrared Integrated band intensity studies. Using a self-consistent molecular orbital calculation termed "complete neglect of differential overlap" (CNDO/2) , theoretical values of equilibrium bond lengths and angleswere calcuted for a series of carbonyl and thlocarbonyl molecules. From these calculations valence force field force constants were also determined but with limited success. With the CNIX)/2 method theoretical dipole moment derivatives with respect to symmetrized internal co-ordinates were calculated and the results should be useful in a correlation with experimentally determined values.

Secretory immunity in overweight and obese versus normal-weight early-and late-pubertal females

Obesity is a condition associated with a wide variety of health problems including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, certain forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and gallstones (157). TTiere is growing evidence that obesity may also be related to compromised immune function due to altered metabolic, psychological, and physical attributes (93). The aim of this study was to compare: a) immunity-related variables such as frequency of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels between overweight/obese (OB) and normal weight (NW) early-pubertal and late-pubertal girls, and b) stress-related variables such as Cortisol, melatonin, the melatonin/cortisol ratio, testosterone and the testosterone/cortisol ratio. Physical activity levels, stress indicators, and fatigue were used to explain potential differences in the dependent variables. It was hypothesized that the OB females would have lower melatonin (M) and higher Cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) levels compared with NW girls, regardless of maturity status. The altered levels of melatonin, Cortisol, and testosterone, would result in decreased M/C and T/C ratios, despite the increase in testosterone in OB females. It was hypothesized that this altered hormonal status results in a compromised immunity marked by higher frequency of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and decreased levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). It was also hypothesized that OB girls would participate in less hours of physical activity than their NW counterparts and that this would relate to their stress and immunity levels. Forty (16 early- and 24 late-pubertal) overweight and obese females were compared to fifty-three (27 eariy- and 26 late-pubertal) age-matched normal-weight control subjects. Participants were categorized as early-pubertal (EP) or late-pubertal (LP) using Tanner self-staging of secondary sex characteristics. Subjects were classified into the two adiposity groups according to relative body fat (%BF), where normal weight (NW) subjects had a %BF less than 25%, and overweight and obese (OB) subjects had a %BF greater than 27.5%. Participants completed a number of questionnaires and information was collected on menstrual history, smoking history, alcohol and caffeine consumption, and medical history. Following the determination of maturity status, a complete anthropometric assessment was made including height, body mass, and body composition. All questionnaires and measurements were completed during a one-hour visit between 1 500 and 1900 hours Relative body fat was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Resting saliva samples were obtained and assayed (ELISA) for testosterone, Cortisol, melatonin and secretory immunoglobulin A. Physical activity was self-reported using the Godin- Shephard Leisure time questionnaire, and quantified using Actigraph GTIM accelerometers, which participants wore for seven consecutive days from the time they woke up in the morning, until the time they went to bed. Late-pubertal girls also completed questionnaires on their perceived stress and fatigue. Finally, all participants also filled out a one-month health log to record frequency of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Significant age effects were found for testosterone, Cortisol, incidence of sickness, and sIgA when controlling for physical activity, however there were no significant effects of adiposity on any of the variables. There was a trend which neared-significance for an effect of adiposity on sIgA (p=0.01). There were no significant differences between the groups on the total selfreported leisure-time physical activity in METs per week, however EP girls recorded significantly greater levels of moderate, hard, and very hard physical activity from accelerometers. Results of the perceived stress and fatigue questionnaires in late-pubertal girls demonstrated that contrary to what was hypothesized, NW girls reported more stress and more fatigue than OB girls. Results of the present study suggest that excess adiposity in early- and latepubescent girls may not have a negative impact on immunity as hypothesized.

A comparison of electrophysiological changes during the sleep onset period of psychophysiological insomniacs, psychiatric insomniacs and normal sleepers

The EEG of the sleep onset period of psychophysiological insomniacs, psychiatric insomniacs and controls was compared using power spectral analysis (FFT). Eighteen drug-free subjects were equally divided into three groups according to their responses in the Brock Sleep and Insomnia Questionnaire, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and the Sleep Disorders Questionnaire. Group 1 consisted of psychophysiological insomniacs, group 2 included insomniacs with an indication of psychiatric disturbances, and group 3 was a control group. EEG, EOG and EMG were recorded for two consecutive nights. Power spectral analysis (FFT) of EEG at C4 from the sleep onset period (defined as lights out to the first five minutes of stage 2) was performed on all standard frequency bands, delta: .5-4 Hz; theta: 4-8 Hz; alpha: 8-12 Hz; sigma: 12-15 Hz beta: 15-25 Hz. Psychophysiological insomniacs had less alpha during wakefulness than the other two groups and did not show the dramatic drop in alpha across the sleep onset period, which characterizes normal sleep. They also had less delta, especially during stage 2 on night 2. They also showed less delta in the last quartile of the chronological analysis of the sleep onset period. Psychiatric insomniacs showed lower relative beta power values overall while psychophysiological insomniacs showed higher relative beta power values during wakefulness. This microanalysis 11 confirms that the sleep onset period is generally similar for psychiatric insomniacs and normal sleepers. This may be due to the sample of psychiatric insomniacs being heterogeneous or may reflect a sleep onset system that is essentially intact. Psychophysiological insomniacs have higher cortical arousal during the sleep onset period than do the psychiatric insomniacs and the controls. Clear differences in the sleep onset period of psychophysiological insomniacs exist. The dramatic changes in power values in these two groups are not seen in the psychophysiological insomniacs, which may make the discrimination between wakefulness and sleep more difficult.