High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of supergiant HMXB 4U 1700-37 during the compact object eclipse

We present an analysis of the first observation of the iconic high-mass X-ray binary 4U 1700-37 with the Chandra High-Energy Transmission Gratings (HETGs) during an X-ray eclipse. The goal of the observation was to study the structure/physical conditions in the clumpy stellar wind through high-resolution spectroscopy. We find the following: (a) Emission-line brightness from K-shell transitions, corresponding to near-neutral species, directly correlates with continuum illumination. However, these lines do not greatly diminish during eclipse. This is readily explained if fluorescence K α emission comes from the bulk of the wind. (b) The highly ionized Fe xxv and Fe xxvi Ly α diminish during eclipse. Thus, they must be produced in the vicinity of the compact object where log ζ > 3. (c) To describe the emission-line spectrum, the sum of two self-consistent photoionization models with low ionization (log ζ ∼-1) and high ionization (log ζ ∼2.4) is required. From their emission measures, the clump-to-interclump density ratio can be estimated to be nc/ni ∼300. To fit the complex He-like Si xiii profile, the plasma requires a broadening with vbulk ∼840 km s-1. Reproducing the observed r ≈ f line fluxes requires the addition of a third collisionally ionized plasma. (d) Emission-line widths appear unresolved at the HETG resolution with the exception of silicon. There is no clear radial segregation between (quasi-)neutral and ionized species, consistent with cold wind clumps interspersed in a hot rarefied interclump medium

Transversal study on the prevalence of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) in Spain: data from NADYA group

Patients with intestinal failure who receive HPN are at high risk of developing MBD. The origin of this bone alteration is multifactorial and depends greatly on the underlying disease for which the nutritional support is required. Data on the prevalence of this disease in our environment is lacking, so NADYA-SEMPE group has sponsored this transversal study with the aim of knowing the actual MBD prevalence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective data from 51 patients from 13 hospitals were collected. The questionnaire included demographic data as well as the most clinically relevant for MBD data. Laboratory data (calciuria, PTH, 25 -OH -vitamin D) and the results from the first and last bone densitometry were also registered. RESULTS: Bone mineral density had only been assessed by densitometry in 21 patients at the moment HPN was started. Bone quality is already altered before HPN in a significant percentage of cases (52%). After a mean follow up of 6 years, this percentage increases up to 81%. Due to retrospective nature of the study and the low number of subjects included it has not been possible to determine the role that HPN plays in MBD etiology. Only 35% of patients have vitamin D levels above the recommended limits and the majority of them is not on specific supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: HPN is associated with very high risk of MBD, therefore, management protocols that can lead to early detection of the problem as well as guiding for follow up and treatment of these patients are needed.YesLos pacientes con insuficiencia intestinal que reciben NPD presentan un elevado riesgo de presentar EMO. El origen de esta afectación ósea es multifactorial y depende en gran parte de la enfermedad de base que origina la necesidad del soporte. En nuestro medio no disponemos de datos acerca de la prevalencia de esta enfermedad, por lo que el grupo NADYA-SENPE ha patrocinado este estudio transversal para intentar conocer la prevalencia de la EMO. Material y métodos: Se han recogido datos retrospectivos de 51 pacientes pertenecientes a 13 hospitales. La encuesta realizada incluía datos demográficos y los datos clínicos más relevantes que pudieran influir en la aparición de EMO. También se han registrados los datos analíticos más significativos para este proceso (calciuria, PTH, 25 OH vitamina D) y los resultados de la primera y la última densitometría realizadas. Resultados: Solamente 21 pacientes tenían realizada una densitometría en el momento de iniciar la NPD. La calidad del hueso está alterada al inicio de la NPD en un porcentaje significativo de casos (52%) Tras un seguimiento medio de 6 años ese porcentaje se eleva hasta el 81%. Dado el carácter retrospectivo del estudio y el escaso número de sujetos no es posible determinar el papel que juega la NPD en la etiología de la EMO. Sólo un 35% de los pacientes presentan niveles de vitamina D por encima de los niveles recomendados y la mayoría de ellos no recibe suplementación específica. Conclusiones: La NPD se asocia a un riesgo muy elevado de presentar EMO, por tanto es necesario disponer de protocolos de actuación que permitan detectar precozmente este problema y orientar el seguimiento y tratamiento de estos pacientes

The effect of physical exercise on salivary secretion of MUC5B, amylase and lysozyme

Objectives Saliva secretion is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Parasympathic stimuli increase the secretion of water and mucin MUC5B, whereas sympathetic stimuli such as physical exercise increase the secretion of amylase and other proteins. In the present study we investigated the effect of physical exercise, as a sympathetic stimulus, on salivary flow rate and output of MUC5B, amylase, lysozyme and total protein. Design Unstimulated whole saliva was collected before exercise (1), after 10 min exercise with moderate intensity by running with a heart rate around 130 beats per minute (2), followed by 10 min exercise with high intensity by running to exhaustion (3) and after 30 min recovery (4). Salivary flow rate, protein and MUC5B concentration, and amylase and lysozyme activity were determined. Saliva protein composition was analysed using SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Results Salivary flow rate, protein and lysozyme secretion increased after exercise with moderate intensity and increased further after exercise with high intensity (p < 0.01). Amylase and MUC5B increased after exercise with moderate intensity (p < 0.0001), but did not differ significantly between moderate and high exercise intensity. SDS-PAGE analysis and immunoblotting showed that, especially after exercise with high intensity, the concentrations of several other salivary proteins, including MUC7, albumin, and extra-parotid glycoprotein, also increased. Conclusions Exercise may not only lead to the anticipated increase in amylase and protein secretion, but also to an increase in salivary flow rate and MUC5B secretion

In vitro leishmanicidal activity of Tityus discrepans scorpion venom

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Broadband Multi-wavelength Properties of M87 during the 2018 EHT Campaign including a Very High Energy Flaring Episode

International audienceThe nearby elliptical galaxy M87 contains one of the only two supermassive black holes whose emission surrounding the event horizon has been imaged by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). In 2018, more than two dozen multi-wavelength (MWL) facilities (from radio to gamma-ray energies) took part in the second M87 EHT campaign. The goal of this extensive MWL campaign was to better understand the physics of the accreting black hole M87*, the relationship between the inflow and inner jets, and the high-energy particle acceleration. Understanding the complex astrophysics is also a necessary first step towards performing further tests of general relativity. The MWL campaign took place in April 2018, overlapping with the EHT M87* observations. We present a new, contemporaneous spectral energy distribution (SED) ranging from radio to very high energy (VHE) gamma-rays, as well as details of the individual observations and light curves. We also conduct phenomenological modelling to investigate the basic source properties. We present the first VHE gamma-ray flare from M87 detected since 2010. The flux above 350 GeV has more than doubled within a period of about 36 hours. We find that the X-ray flux is enhanced by about a factor of two compared to 2017, while the radio and millimetre core fluxes are consistent between 2017 and 2018. We detect evidence for a monotonically increasing jet position angle that corresponds to variations in the bright spot of the EHT image. Our results show the value of continued MWL monitoring together with precision imaging for addressing the origins of high-energy particle acceleration. While we cannot currently pinpoint the precise location where such acceleration takes place, the new VHE gamma-ray flare already presents a challenge to simple one-zone leptonic emission model approaches, and emphasises the need for combined image and spectral modelling

Broadband Multi-wavelength Properties of M87 during the 2018 EHT Campaign including a Very High Energy Flaring Episode

International audienceThe nearby elliptical galaxy M87 contains one of the only two supermassive black holes whose emission surrounding the event horizon has been imaged by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). In 2018, more than two dozen multi-wavelength (MWL) facilities (from radio to gamma-ray energies) took part in the second M87 EHT campaign. The goal of this extensive MWL campaign was to better understand the physics of the accreting black hole M87*, the relationship between the inflow and inner jets, and the high-energy particle acceleration. Understanding the complex astrophysics is also a necessary first step towards performing further tests of general relativity. The MWL campaign took place in April 2018, overlapping with the EHT M87* observations. We present a new, contemporaneous spectral energy distribution (SED) ranging from radio to very high energy (VHE) gamma-rays, as well as details of the individual observations and light curves. We also conduct phenomenological modelling to investigate the basic source properties. We present the first VHE gamma-ray flare from M87 detected since 2010. The flux above 350 GeV has more than doubled within a period of about 36 hours. We find that the X-ray flux is enhanced by about a factor of two compared to 2017, while the radio and millimetre core fluxes are consistent between 2017 and 2018. We detect evidence for a monotonically increasing jet position angle that corresponds to variations in the bright spot of the EHT image. Our results show the value of continued MWL monitoring together with precision imaging for addressing the origins of high-energy particle acceleration. While we cannot currently pinpoint the precise location where such acceleration takes place, the new VHE gamma-ray flare already presents a challenge to simple one-zone leptonic emission model approaches, and emphasises the need for combined image and spectral modelling