On-line determination of the water cut and chlorine impurities in crude oil using a pulsed beam of fast neutrons.

A neutron-based sensor has been developed able to measure the water cut and the chlorine content in crude oil. The sensor is based upon the use of a pulsed fast neutron source. Two different cases were studied. Case ''A'': chlorine detection with no water present and case ''B'': water cut measurements with no chlorine present. The minimum detection limits for case A and case B were found to be (62 ± 6) mg/L and (2 ± 2) vol%, respectively.

Corticosteroids provoke acute endothelial injury -- an ideal ground for thrombosis in multiple sclerosis.

Despite the effect corticosteroids exert on blood clotting and the irrefutable impact of intracranial sure decreasing shortly after lumbar puncture, a certain number of intracranial thromboses remain unexplained. Corticosteroids are useful in reducing the severity and duration of relapses of multiple sclerosis. Several questions emerge concerning the reasons behind thrombosis occurring so sporadically, not pertaining to any rule, the most important of which regard the location and timing. We developed this hypothesis as an obverse to chronic endothelial injury theory which, only partially explains atherosclerosis development. We followed Virchows classical triad of conditions which are believed to be connected to the development of thrombosis. Although corticosteroids affect more than vessel wall injury, component of Virchows triad that has been our narrowest interest is exactly vessel wall injury.

Effect of menopause, anthropometry, nutrition and lifestyle on bone status of women in the northern mediterranean / Efecto de la menopausia, la antropometría, la nutrición y el estilo de vida sobre la condición ósea de las mujeres en el mediterráneo norte

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of age, menopause, anthropometry, nutrition and lifestyle on bone status of women of the Northern Mediterranean Region of Croatia, which is considered the Adriatic Coast of Southeast Europe. METHODS: Quantitative ultrasound measurement was performed on the women's right heel and the values of the primary parameters (the Broad Ultrasonic Attenuation and the Speed of Sound [BUA and SOS]) were obtained. Dietary data were assessed with specially designed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the influence of age and anthropometry, as well as hormonal and nutritional factors on BUA and SOS. RESULTS: In all female subjects, both primary parameters were predicted by menopause. Among nutrition and lifestyle factors, carbohydrates were significant predictors for BUA (β= -0.151, p < 0.05), and smoking is significant predictor for SOS (β= -0.113, p < 0.05). In premenopausal women, BUA is significantly predicted by body height (β= 0.71, p < 0.05) and body mass index (β= 1.44, p < 0.05). In postmenopausal women, both primary parameters are strongly predicted by age and anthropometric parameters. Besides, SOS is significantly predicted by smoking (β= -0.18, p < 0.01) and alcohol (β= -0.13, p < 0.05). Besides, SOS is significantly predicted by smoking (β= -0.18, p < 0.01) and alcohol (β= -0.13, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Bone quality in women from the Croatian Mediterranean Region mostly depends on their hormonal status. When the effect of menopause is controlled, bone status becomes dependent on age and anthropometry.

OBJETIVO: El propósito de este estudio fue explorar la influencia de la edad, la menopausia, la antropometría, la nutrición y el estilo de vida en la condición ósea de las mujeres de la región mediterránea norteña de Croacia, que es considerada la Costa Adriática del Sudeste de Europa. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una medicación cuantitativa mediante ultrasonido en el talón derecho de las mujeres y se obtuvieron los valores de los parámetros primarios (la atenuación del ultrasonido de banda ancha y la velocidad del sonido [AUB y VDS]). Los datos dietéticos fueron evaluados mediante un cuestionario semi-cuantitativo de frecuencia de alimentos, especialmente diseñado. Se empleo el análisis de regresión múltiple para examinar la influencia de la edad y la antropometría, así como los factores hormonales y nutritivos sobre AUB y VDS. RESULTADOS: En todas las sujetos hembras, ambos parámetros primarios fueron predichos por la menopausia. Entre los factores nutrición y estilo de vida, los carbohidratos fueron predictores significativas de para AUB (β= -0.151, p < 0.05), y fumar es el predictor significativo para VDS (β= -0.113, p < 0.05). En las mujeres premenopáusicas, la AUB es predicha significativamente por la altura del cuerpo (β= 0.71, < 0.05) y el indice de masa corporal (β= 1.44, p < 0.05). En las mujeres postmenopáusicas, ambos parámetros primarios son fuertemente predichos por la edad y los parámetros antropométricos. Además, la VDS es predicha significativamente por el hábito de fumar (β= -0.18, p < 0.01) y el alcohol (β= -0.13, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIÓN: La calidad ósea de las mujeres de la región mediterránea croata depende principalmente de su estado hormonal. Cuando el efecto de la menopausia se controla, la condición ósea se hace dependiente de la edad y la antropometría.

Effect of menopause, anthropometry, nutrition and lifestyle on bone status of women in the northern Mediterranean.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of age, menopause, anthropometry, nutrition and lifestyle on bone status of women of the Northern Mediterranean Region ofCroatia, which is considered the Adriatic Coast of Southeast Europe. METHODS: Quantitative ultrasound measurement was performed on the women's right heel and the values of the primary parameters (the Broad Ultrasonic Attenuation and the Speed of Sound [BUA and SOS]) were obtained. Dietary data were assessed with specially designed semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the influence of age and anthropometry, as well as hormonal and nutritional factors on BUA and SOS. RESULTS: In all female subjects, both primary parameters were predicted by menopause. Among nutrition and lifestyle factors, carbohydrates were significant predictors for BUA (beta = -0.151, p < 0.05), and smoking is significant predictor for SOS (beta = -0.113, p < 0.05). In premenopausal women, BUA is significantly predicted by body height (beta = 0.71, p < 0.05) and body mass index (beta = 1.44, p < 0.05). In postmenopausal women, both primary parameters are strongly predicted by age and anthropometric parameters. Besides, SOS is significantly predicted by smoking (beta = -0.18, p < 0.01) and alcohol (beta = -0.13, p < 0.05). Besides, SOS is significantly predicted by smoking (beta = -0.18, p < 0.01) and alcohol (beta = -0.13, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Bone quality in women from the Croatian Mediterranean Region mostly depends on their hormonal status. When the effect of menopause is controlled, bone status becomes dependent on age and anthropometry.

Haematological, biochemical and bone density parameters in vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to determine any possible differences between haematological, biochemical and bone mineral density in vegetarians (vegans and lacto-ovovegetarians) and non-vegeterians. METHODS: The examined group consisted of 100 individuals: 50 non-vegetarians and 50 vegetarians. The vegetarian group was further divided in 2 subgroups: 20 vegans and 30 lacto-ovovegetarians. In all participants, plasma levels of erythrocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit, iron, low density lipoprotein, (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were measured. Quantitative ultrasound parameters of the right calcaneus were determined in all participants. RESULTS: The results showed that lacto-ovovegetarians had statistically significantly higher red blood cell counts and haematocrit values than non-vegetarians. Vegans also had higher haematocrit values than non-vegetarians. Statistically significant differences were found between iron plasma levels in the examined groups. Iron levels were lower in non-vegetarians than in vegans and lacto-ovovegetarians. Non-vegetarians had much higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL than the other two groups, but there were no differences found between same values in vegans and lacto-ovovegetarians. CONCLUSION: A well planned and balanced vegetarian diet, with avoidance of risk factors, does not result in abnormalities in laboratory tests and bone status parameters.

Dual hip bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: geometry and effect of physical activity.

The objectives of this study were to (1) obtain both femoral neck strength (FNS) and hip axis length (HAL) values from left and right femurs (regardless of hip dominance) measured by DXA and evaluate their relationship with BMD of all hip regions including total hip, (2) determine if there is a difference between dominant and nondominant hip BMD in any of the hip regions, and (3) determine how physical activity influences hip BMD. Participants were 136, generally healthy Caucasian women (57.4-88.6 years). BMD was measured by DPX-MD. Past and present activity was assessed by the Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey for older adults and normal/brisk walking pace was measured in a straight hallway. FNS analysis uses femoral geometry to calculate stresses at the femoral neck for two loading conditions: Safety Factor Index (SF) indicates risk of fracture for forces generated during a one-legged stance, and Fall Index (FI) indicates risk of fracture for forces generated during a fall on the greater trochanter. Simple and multiple regression analyses were used to determine predictive ability of HAL, SF, and FI for respective hip BMD values. There was no statistical difference in BMD between two hips in any of the measured regions, however, the nondominant hip correlated better with other skeletal sites. Subjects with a faster normal walking speed had higher neck BMD in the nondominant hip, 0.832 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.791 +/- 0.10 g/cm2 (P < 0.05). Longer HAL of the left hip was negatively related to neck, trochanter, shaft, and total hip BMD. FI was significantly associated with all sites of the hip BMD, while SF was associated only with neck and wards BMC (P < 0.05). In summary: (1) a longer HAL is associated with lower BMD and a higher FI with higher BMD, (2) it might be sufficient to measure BMD in only the nondominant hip, and (3) walking at a faster pace may positively benefit femoral neck BMD. Therefore, it appears that HAL, SF, and FI all play important roles in estimating fracture risk and should be assessed along with BMD when using DXA.

Causes of secondary osteoporosis.

Primary osteoporosis associated with menopause and aging is by far the most frequent metabolic bone disease. However, there are many patients who present with secondary osteoporosis due to identifiable causal factors and many others in whom a secondary factor contributes to the severity or progression of primary osteoporosis. Recognition of these secondary causes is particularly important for the prevention of further vertebral fractures, which are often progressive in secondary osteoporosis. This review will summarize the major factors that cause secondary osteoporosis and will discuss their pathogenetic mechanisms. While the most frequent cause is glucocorticoid excess, a number of other diseases, as well as drugs and nutritional deficiencies, can cause secondary osteoporosis. It is important to identify secondary osteoporosis both because of the differences in clinical expression due to different pathogenetic mechanisms and because there are often effective interventions that can add to the more general approach used in primary osteoporosis.