199 research outputs found

    A new ultra-high-vacuum variable temperature and high-magnetic-field X-ray magnetic circular dichroism facility at LNLS

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    FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOX-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) is one of the most powerful tools for investigating the magnetic properties of different types of materials that display ferromagnetic behavior. Compared with other magnetic-sensitive techniques, XMCD has the advantage of being element specific and is capable of separating the spin and magnetic moment contributions associated with each element in the sample. In samples involving, for example, buried atoms, clusters on surfaces or at interfaces, ultrathin films, nanoparticles and nanostructures, three experimental conditions must be present to perform state-of-the-art XMCD measurements: high magnetic fields, low temperatures and an ultra-high-vacuum environment. This paper describes a new apparatus that can be easily installed at different X-ray and UV beamlines at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). The apparatus combines the three characteristics described above and different methods to measure the absorption signal. It also permits in situ sample preparation and transfer to another chamber for measurement by conventional surface science techniques such as low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD). Examples are given of XMCD measurements performed with this set-up on different materials.X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) is one of the most powerful tools for investigating the magnetic properties of different types of materials that display ferromagnetic behavior. Compared with other magnetic-sensitive techniques, XMCD has the advantage of being element specific and is capable of separating the spin and magnetic moment contributions associated with each element in the sample. In samples involving, for example, buried atoms, clusters on surfaces or at interfaces, ultrathin films, nanoparticles and nanostructures, three experimental conditions must be present to perform state-of-the-art XMCD measurements: high magnetic fields, low temperatures and an ultra-high-vacuum environment. This paper describes a new apparatus that can be easily installed at different X-ray and UV beamlines at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). The apparatus combines the three characteristics described above and different methods to measure the absorption signal. It also permits in situ sample preparation and transfer to another chamber for measurement by conventional surface science techniques such as low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD). Examples are given of XMCD measurements performed with this set-up on different materials.163346351FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP [2007/08244-5]2007/08244-5Sem informaçãoThe authors would like to thank the LNLS staff, particularly the magnets, project and vacuum groups for their help during the construction of the XMCD UHV chamber. P. T. Fonseca and Dr F. Vicentin are acknowledged for their excellent technical support at the SGM and SXS beamlines. Furthermore, the authors would like to thank Dr A. Gobbi and M. M. Soares for their help in the preparation of the multilayer samples. JJSF would like to thank FAPESP for the studentship support. This project was supported financially by FAPESP (grant No. 2007/08244-5), CNPq and LNLS of Brazil

    Theoretical study of the heteroepitaxial growth of Pd on Cu(111), Pd on Ni(111), Ni on Pd(111), and Cu on Pd(111) using a semiempirical method

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    CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPEMIG - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISHeteroepitaxy has been widely studied by many different theoretical and experimental techniques. Each technique focuses on some features of the growth process, and only by combining the information each provides a full characterization can be given. In this work, the growth of Pd on Ni (111), Pd on Cu (111),Cu on Pd (111), and Ni on Pd (111) is studied with a purely energetic approach which consists of determining a unit cell with a size that depends on the relation between the lateral misfit of the deposited film and the substrate. The energetic is evaluated using a semiempirical coupled with a genetic algorithm global search method to determine with accuracy the relaxation magnitudes of the system. With this approach, features such as interlayer spacings, variation in the film's lattice parameter with coverage, and diffusion influence in the growth process are studied qualitative and quantitatively. The results obtained are directly compared with experimental findings from literature and also presented in this work. The theory-experiment comparison shows that the methodology used is successful in describing qualitatively most features of all four systems. However, for the Pd on Cu (111) case, poor agreement is found, and the analysis of the influence of diffusion and temperature suggests that a somewhat complex alloy formation in the interface is expected for this particular system.Heteroepitaxy has been widely studied by many different theoretical and experimental techniques. Each technique focuses on some features of the growth process, and only by combining the information each provides a full characterization can be given. In this work, the growth of Pd on Ni (111), Pd on Cu (111),Cu on Pd (111), and Ni on Pd (111) is studied with a purely energetic approach which consists of determining a unit cell with a size that depends on the relation between the lateral misfit of the deposited film and the substrate. The energetic is evaluated using a semiempirical coupled with a genetic algorithm global search method to determine with accuracy the relaxation magnitudes of the system. With this approach, features such as interlayer spacings, variation in the film's lattice parameter with coverage, and diffusion influence in the growth process are studied qualitative and quantitatively. The results obtained are directly compared with experimental findings from literature and also presented in this work. The theory-experiment comparison shows that the methodology used is successful in describing qualitatively most features of all four systems. However, for the Pd on Cu (111) case, poor agreement is found, and the analysis of the influence of diffusion and temperature suggests that a somewhat complex alloy formation in the interface is expected for this particular system.818114CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPEMIG - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPEMIG - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISSem informaçãoSem informaçã

    Assessment of body composition in health and disease using bioelectrical impedance analysis (bia) and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (dxa): A critical overview

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    The measurement of body composition (BC) represents a valuable tool to assess nutritional status in health and disease. The most used methods to evaluate BC in the clinical practice are based on bicompartment models and measure, directly or indirectly, fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM). Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (nowadays considered as the reference technique in clinical practice) are extensively used in epidemiological (mainly BIA) and clinical (mainly DXA) settings to evaluate BC. DXA is primarily used for the measurements of bone mineral content (BMC) and density to assess bone health and diagnose osteoporosis in defined anatomical regions (femur and spine). However, total body DXA scans are used to derive a three-compartment BC model, including BMC, FM, and FFM. Both these methods feature some limitations: the accuracy of BIA measurements is reduced when specific predictive equations and standardized measurement protocols are not utilized whereas the limitations of DXA are the safety of repeated measurements (no more than two body scans per year are currently advised), cost, and technical expertise. This review aims to provide useful insights mostly into the use of BC methods in prevention and clinical practice (ambulatory or bedridden patients). We believe that it will stimulate a discussion on the topic and reinvigorate the crucial role of BC evaluation in diagnostic and clinical investigation protocols

    Hafnium silicide formation on Si(100) upon annealing

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    FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORHigh dielectric constant materials, such as HfO2, have been extensively studied as alternatives to SiO2 in new generations of Si based devices. Hf silicate/silicide formation has been reported in almost all literature studies of Hf based oxides on Si, using different methods of preparation. A silicate interface resembles close to the traditional Si/SiO2. The silicate very likely forms a very sharp interface between the Si substrate and the metal oxide, and would be suitable for device applications. However, the thermal instability of the interfacial silicate/oxide film leads to silicidation, causing a dramatic loss of the gate oxide integrity. Despite the importance of the Hf silicide surface and interface with Si, only a few studies of this surface are present in the literature, and a structural determination of the surface has not been reported. This paper reports a study of the Hf silicide formation upon annealing by using a combination of XPS, LEED, and x-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD) analyses. Our results clearly indicate the formation of a unique ordered Hf silicide phase (HfSi2), which starts to crystallize when the annealing temperature is higher than 550 °C.High dielectric constant materials, such as HfO2, have been extensively studied as alternatives to SiO2 in new generations of Si based devices. Hf silicate/silicide formation has been reported in almost all literature studies of Hf based oxides on Si, using different methods of preparation. A silicate interface resembles close to the traditional Si/SiO2. The silicate very likely forms a very sharp interface between the Si substrate and the metal oxide, and would be suitable for device applications. However, the thermal instability of the interfacial silicate/oxide film leads to silicidation, causing a dramatic loss of the gate oxide integrity. Despite the importance of the Hf silicide surface and interface with Si, only a few studies of this surface are present in the literature, and a structural determination of the surface has not been reported. This paper reports a study of the Hf silicide formation upon annealing by using a combination of XPS, LEED, and x-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD) analyses. Our results clearly indicate the formation of a unique ordered Hf silicide phase (HfSi2), which starts to crystallize when the annealing temperature is higher than 550 °C.747110FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORSem informaçãoSem informação170/04This work was financially supported by DAAD (PROBRAL D/03/23553) from Germany, and FAPESP, CNPq, and CAPES (PROBRAL 170/04) from Brazil. A.S. especially would like to thank CAPES for their support

    Magnetic moment of Fe3O4 films with thicknesses near the unit-cell size

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    CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPEMIG - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORWe perform a systematic study on the evolution of the magnetic spin moment (ms) of epitaxial [100]- and [111]-magnetite films of increasing thickness. The ultrathin films are characterized by low-energy electron diffraction, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). By employing sum rules on the XMCD spectra we obtain ms=3.6 ÎŒB/f.u. for samples of around 35 Å. This is considered a bulk value and has been reported only for films more than 10 times thicker. Moreover, we show that even 10-Å-thick magnetite already presents a significant magnetic moment. For both grown directions the moment increases similarly with the thickness. The ferromagnetic behavior for each iron ion site (Feocta2+, Feocta3+, Fetetra3+) of Fe3O4 is measured by monitoring XMCD peaks. The deduced hysteresis curves (per ion, per site) exhibit a coercive field of 300 Oe. Our results show that both the ferrimagnetic order and the bulk moment value are preserved at room temperature around the thickness of 2 unit cells.We perform a systematic study on the evolution of the magnetic spin moment (ms) of epitaxial [100]- and [111]-magnetite films of increasing thickness. The ultrathin films are characterized by low-energy electron diffraction, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). By employing sum rules on the XMCD spectra we obtain ms=3.6 ÎŒB/f.u. for samples of around 35 Å. This is considered a bulk value and has been reported only for films more than 10 times thicker. Moreover, we show that even 10-Å-thick magnetite already presents a significant magnetic moment. For both grown directions the moment increases similarly with the thickness. The ferromagnetic behavior for each iron ion site (Feocta2+, Feocta3+, Fetetra3+) of Fe3O4 is measured by monitoring XMCD peaks. The deduced hysteresis curves (per ion, per site) exhibit a coercive field of 300 Oe. Our results show that both the ferrimagnetic order and the bulk moment value are preserved at room temperature around the thickness of 2 unit cells.We perform a systematic study on the evolution of the magnetic spin moment (ms) of epitaxial [100]- and [111]-magnetite films of increasing thickness. The ultrathin films are characterized by low-energy electron diffraction, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). By employing sum rules on the XMCD spectra we obtain ms=3.6 ÎŒB/f.u. for samples of around 35 Å. This is considered a bulk value and has been reported only for films more than 10 times thicker. Moreover, we show that even 10-Å-thick magnetite already presents a significant magnetic moment. For both grown directions the moment increases similarly with the thickness. The ferromagnetic behavior for each iron ion site (Feocta2+, Feocta3+, Fetetra3+) of Fe3O4 is measured by monitoring XMCD peaks. The deduced hysteresis curves (per ion, per site) exhibit a coercive field of 300 Oe. Our results show that both the ferrimagnetic order and the bulk moment value are preserved at room temperature around the thickness of 2 unit cells.901316CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPEMIG - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPEMIG - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORSem informaçãoSem informaçãoSem informaçãoSem informaçãoOrna, J., Algarabel, P.A., MorellĂłn, L., Pardo, J.A., De Teresa, J.M., LĂłpez AntĂłn, R., BartolomĂ©, F., Wildes, A., (2010) Phys. Rev. B, 81, p. 144420. , PRBMDO 1098-0121Hari Babu, V., Govind, R.K., Schindler, K.-M., Welke, M., Denecke, R., (2013) J. Appl. Phys., 114, p. 113901. , JAPIAU 0021-8979Moussy, J.-B., Gota, S., Bataille, A., Guittet, M.-J., Gautier-Soyer, M., Delille, F., Dieny, B., Snoeck, E., (2004) Phys. Rev. B, 70, p. 174448. , PRBMDO 1098-0121Morrall, P., Schedin, F., Langridge, S., Bland, J., Thomas, M.F., Thornton, G., (2003) J. Appl. Phys., 93, p. 7960. , JAPIAU 0021-8979Liu, W.Q., Xu, Y.B., Wong, P.K.J., Maltby, N.J., Li, S.P., Wang, X.F., Du, J., Zhang, R., (2014) Appl. Phys. Lett., 104, p. 142407. , APPLAB 0003-6951Lu, Y.X., Claydon, J.S., Xu, Y.B., Schofield, D.M., Thompson, S.M., (2004) J. Appl. Phys., 95, p. 7228. , JAPIAU 0021-8979Eerenstein, W., Hibma, T., Celotto, S., (2004) Phys. Rev. B, 70, p. 184404. , PRBMDO 1098-0121Voogt, F.C., Palstra, T.T.M., Niesen, L., Rogojanu, O.C., James, M.A., Hibma, T., (1998) Phys. Rev. B, 57, p. R8107. , PRBMDO 0163-1829Monti, M., Santos, B., Mascaraque, A., RodrĂ­guez De La Fuente, O., Niño, M.A., Mentes, T.O., Locatelli, A., De La Figuera, J., (2012) Phys. Rev. B, 85, p. 020404. , PRBMDO 1098-0121Lu, Y.X., Claydon, J.S., Xu, Y.B., Thompson, S.M., Wilson, K., Van Der Laan, G., (2004) Phys. Rev. B, 70, p. 233304. , PRBMDO 1098-0121Lu, Y.X., Claydon, J.S., Ahmad, E., Xu, Y.B., Ali, M., Hickey, B.J., Thompson, S.M., Wilson, K., (2005) J. Appl. Phys., 97, p. 10C313Schedin, F., Hewitt, L., Morrall, P., Petrov, V.N., Thornton, G., Case, S., Thomas, M.F., Uzdin, V.M., (1998) Phys. Rev. B, 58, p. R11861. , PRBMDO 0163-1829Wong, P.K.J., Zhang, W., Cui, X.G., Xu, Y.B., Wu, J., Tao, Z.K., Li, X., Van Der Laan, G., (2010) Phys. Rev. B, 81, p. 035419. , PRBMDO 1098-0121Goering, E., Gold, S., Lafkioti, M., SchĂŒtz, G., (2006) Europhys. Lett., 73, p. 97. , EULEEJ 0295-5075Chen, C.T., Idzerda, Y.U., Lin, H.-J., Smith, N.V., Meigs, G., Chaban, E., Ho, G.H., Sette, F., (1995) Phys. Rev. Lett., 75, p. 152. , PRLTAO 0031-9007Goering, E.J., Lafkioti, M., Gold, S., Schuetz, G., (2007) J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 310, p. e249. , JMMMDC 0304-8853Figueiredo, J.J.S., Basilio, R., Landers, R., Garcia, F., De Siervo, A., (2009) J. Synch. Rad., 16, p. 346. , JSYRES 0909-0495Kallmayer, M., Hild, K., Elmers, H.J., Arora, S.K., Wu, H.-C., Sofin, R.G.S., Shvets, I.V., (2008) J. Appl. Phys., 103, p. 07D715. , JAPIAU 0021-8979Huang, D.J., Chang, C.F., Jeng, H.-T., Guo, G.Y., Lin, H.-J., Wu, W.B., Ku, H.C., Chen, C.T., (2004) Phys. Rev. Lett., 93, p. 077204. , PRLTAO 0031-9007Abreu, G.J.P., Paniago, R., Pfannes, H.-D., (2014) J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 349, p. 235. , JMMMDC 0304-8853Bruns, D., Lindemann, S.R., Kuepper, K., Schemme, T., WollschlĂ€ger, J., (2013) Appl. Phys. Lett., 103, p. 052401. , APPLAB 0003-6951Fonin, M., Pentcheva, R., Dedkov, Y.S., Sperlich, M., Vyalikh, D.V., Scheffler, M., RĂŒdiger, U., GĂŒntherodt, G., (2005) Phys. Rev. B, 72, p. 104436. , PRBMDO 1098-0121Ritter, M., Over, H., Weiss, W., (1997) Surf. Sci., 371, p. 245. , SUSCAS 0039-6028Ritter, M., Ranke, W., Weiss, W., (1998) Phys. Rev. B, 57, p. 7240. , PRBMDO 0163-1829Weiss, W., Ritter, M., (1999) Phys. Rev. B, 59, p. 5201. , PRBMDO 0163-1829The authors thank CNPq, FAPEMIG, FAPESP, and CAPES, Brazilian research agencies, for financial support and the Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Sincrotron for beam time (SGM-10986 and SGM-12716)

    Assessment of a self-reported Drinks Diary for the estimation of drinks intake by care home residents: Fluid Intake Study in the Elderly (FISE)

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    Objectives: We evaluated the accuracy of a newly developed self-completed Drinks Diary in care home residents and compared it with direct observation and fluid intake charts. Design: Observational study. Setting: Residential care homes in Norfolk, UK. Participants: 22 elderly people (18 women, mean age 86.6 years SD 8.6, 12 with MMSE scores <27). Measurements: Participants recorded their own drinks intake over 24 hours using the Drinks Diary while care staff used the homes’ usual fluid intake chart to record drinks intake. These records were compared with drinks intake assessed by researcher direct observation (reference method), during waking hours (6am to 10pm), while drinks taken from 10pm to 6am were self-reported and checked with staff. Results: Drinks intake assessed by the Drinks Diary was highly correlated with researcher direct observation (Pearson correlation coefficient r=0.93, p<0.001, mean difference -163ml/day) while few staff-completed fluid charts were returned and correlation was low (r=0.122, p=0.818, mean difference 702ml/day). The Drinks Diary classified 19 of 22 participants correctly as drinking enough or not using both the European Food Safety Authority and US recommendations. Conclusion: The Drinks Diary estimate of drinks intake was comparable with direct observation and more accurate (and reliably completed) than staff records. The Drinks Diary can provide a reliable estimate of drinks intake in elderly care home residents physically and cognitively able to complete it. It may be useful for researchers, care staff and practitioners needing to monitor drinks intake of elderly people, to help them avoid dehydration

    Mediterranean diet and the hallmarks of ageing

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    Ageing is a multifactorial process associated with reduced function and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Recently, nine cellular and molecular hallmarks of ageing have been identified, which characterise the ageing process, and collectively, may be key determinants of the ageing trajectory. These include genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion and altered intercellular communication. Healthier dietary patterns reduce the risk of age-related diseases and increase longevity and may influence positively one or more of these hallmarks. The Mediterranean dietary pattern (MedDiet) is a plant-based eating pattern that was typical of countries such as Greece, Spain, and Italy pre-globalisation of the food system and which is associated with better health during ageing. Here we review the potential effects of a MedDiet on each of the nine hallmarks of ageing, and provide evidence that the MedDiet as a whole, or individual elements of this dietary pattern, may influence each hallmark positively—effects which may contribute to the beneficial effects of this dietary pattern on age-related disease risk and longevity. We also highlight potential avenues for future research

    Sarcopenic obesity research perspectives outlined by the sarcopenic obesity global leadership initiative (SOGLI) – Proceedings from the SOGLI consortium meeting in rome November 2022

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    The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) launched the Sarcopenic Obesity Global Leadership Initiative (SOGLI) to reach expert consensus on a definition and diagnostic criteria for Sarcopenic Obesity (SO). The present paper describes the proceeding of the Sarcopenic Obesity Global Leadership Initiative (SOGLI) meeting that was held on November 25th and 26th, 2022 in Rome, Italy. This consortium involved the participation of 50 researchers from different geographic regions and countries. The document outlines an agenda advocated by the SOGLI expert panel regarding the pathophysiology, screening, diagnosis, staging and treatment of SO that needs to be prioritized for future research in the field

    Water-loss (intracellular) dehydration assessed using urinary tests, how well do they work? Diagnostic accuracy in older people

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    Background: Water-loss dehydration (hypertonic, hyperosmotic or intra-cellular dehydration) is due to insufficient fluid intake and distinct from hypovolemia due to excess fluid losses. It is associated with poor health outcomes such as disability and mortality in older people. Urine specific gravity (USG), color and urine osmolality have been widely advocated for screening for dehydration in older adults. Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of urinary measures to screen for water-loss dehydration in older people.Design: This was a diagnostic accuracy study of people aged ≄65years taking part in the Dehydration Recognition In our Elders (DRIE, living in long-term care) or Dietary Strategies for Healthy Ageing in Europe (NU-AGE, living in the community) studies. The reference standard was serum osmolality, index tests included USG, urine color, osmolality, cloudiness, additional dipstick measures, ability to provide a urine sample, and volume of a random urine sample. Minimum useful diagnostic accuracy was set at sensitivity and specificity ≄70% or receiver operating characteristics plot area under the curve ≄0.70. Results: DRIE participants (67% women, mean age 86 years, n=162) had more limited cognitive and functional abilities than NU-AGE participants (64% women, mean age 70 years, n=151). 19% of DRIE and 22% of NU-AGE participants were dehydrated (serum osmolality >300mOsm/kg). Neither USG nor any other potential urinary tests were usefully diagnostic for water-loss dehydration. Conclusions: Although USG, urine color and urinary osmolality have been widely advocated for screening for dehydration in older adults, we show in the largest study to date that their diagnostic accuracy is too low to be useful and these measures should not be used to indicate hydration status in older people (either alone or as part of a wider tranche of tests). There is a need to develop simple, inexpensive and non-invasive tools for the assessment of dehydration in older people
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