Metal alloys, matrix inclusions and manufacturing techniques of Moinhos de Golas collection (North Portugal): a study by micro-EDXRF, SEM–EDS, optical microscopy and X-ray radiography

"Article:820"A collection of 35 metallic artefacts comprising various typologies, some of which can be attributed to the Bronze Age and others to later periods, were studied to provide detailed information on elemental composition, manufacturing techniques and preservation state. Elemental analysis by micro-EDXRF and SEM–EDS was performed to investigate the use of different alloys and to study the presence of microstructural heterogeneities, as inclusions. X-ray radiography, optical microscopy and SEM–EDS were used to investigate manufacturing techniques and degradation features. Results showed that most of the artefacts were produced in a binary bronze alloy (Cu–Sn) with 10–15 wt% Sn and a low concentration of impurities. Other artefacts were produced in copper or in brass, the latest with varying contents of Zn, Sn and Pb. A variety of inclusions in the metal matrices were also found, some related to specific types of alloys, as (Cu–Ni)S2 in coppers, or ZnS in brasses. Microstructural observations revealed that the majority of the artefacts were subjected to cycles of thermomechanical processing after casting, being evident that among some artefacts different parts were subjected to distinct treatments. The radiographic images revealed structural heterogeneities related to local corrosion processes and fissures that seem to have developed in wear-tension zones, as in the handle of some daggers. Radiographic images were also useful to detect the use of different materials in one particular brass artefact, revealing the presence of a possible Cu–Sn solder.This work was funded by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT— Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia under the project UID/CTM/ 50025/2013 to CENIMAT/I3N. C2 TN/IST authors gratefully acknowledge the FCT support through the UID/Multi/04349/2013 project. EF acknowledges FCT for the grant SFRH/BPD/97360/2013. JF acknowledge FCT for the grant SFRH/BD/65143/2009. Part of this project has been done in the framework of the FCT project ENARDAS (PTDC/HISARQ/112983/2009).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

PI3Kδ and primary immunodeficiencies.

Primary immunodeficiencies are inherited disorders of the immune system, often caused by the mutation of genes required for lymphocyte development and activation. Recently, several studies have identified gain-of-function mutations in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) genes PIK3CD (which encodes p110δ) and PIK3R1 (which encodes p85α) that cause a combined immunodeficiency syndrome, referred to as activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS; also known as p110δ-activating mutation causing senescent T cells, lymphadenopathy and immunodeficiency (PASLI)). Paradoxically, both loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations that affect these genes lead to immunosuppression, albeit via different mechanisms. Here, we review the roles of PI3Kδ in adaptive immunity, describe the clinical manifestations and mechanisms of disease in APDS and highlight new insights into PI3Kδ gleaned from these patients, as well as implications of these findings for clinical therapy

Does Physical Activity and Sport Practice Lead to a Healthier Lifestyle and Eating Habits in Male Adolescents?

The prevalence of childhood obesity has been increasing rapidly and there is general consensus that good nutritional practices and physical activity should be encouraged as early as possible in life. The aim of this study was to describe and to compare the current lifestyle and dietary pattern of normal weight (NW) and overweight + obese (OW+OB) male adolescents who are physically active. This observational and retrospective study was based on clinical records analysis of male adolescents aged 11-18 years who had undergone a medical evaluation at a Medical Sport Centre (Pavia, Italy) during 2009, and had filled in a self-administered life style questionnaire. The results showed that out of 1423 clinical records 23.0% of subjects were OW, 5.4% OB and 71.6% NW. We invited all the overweight and obese subjects to participate in the study, 308 of them (75.8%) agreed. Then we randomly enrolled an equivalent num-ber of NW participants (n=308) in the medical evaluation at the sports center with similar characteristics as for socio-economic status, physical activity and age for a whole sample of 616 subjects. We handled them a validated lifestyle questionnaire. The questionnaire analysis was used to compare OW+OB and NW participants, as far as eating habits, sedentary activities and time spent in sports. All the subjects frequently skipped breakfast, did not consume fruit and vegetables daily and had a high soft drinks intake. Inverse correla-tions were found between weight and physical activity (p=0.01). Sedentary activities were preferred by about 25% and 66 % of the NW and OW+OB groups respectively. The percentage of smokers was similar within the two groups (14%). Conclusions: Adolescents eating habits are incorrect, despite BMI and sports practice. Sports practice seems contributing to lower spare time physical inactivity, but does not improve eating habits. Public health interventions should focus on the reinforcement of lei-sure time physical activity, besides nutrition education and behavioral education programs in order to prevent obesity in the adulthood

Prevention of recurrent lone atrial fibrillation by the angiotensin-II converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril in normotensive patients

Objectives. The aim of the present study was to verify whether angiotensin-II converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition is also effective in preventing relapses of lone atrial fibrillation (LAF), that is, in the absence of hypertension and/or heart disease. Background. Several studies have shown that ACE inhibitors are effective in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) relapses in patients with arterial hypertension or several forms of heart disease, that is, in the presence of clinical conditions that are recognized as causing a higher risk of atrial arrhythmias. Methods. Sixty-two patients admitted to the emergency department of our institution for a first-ever episode of LAF were enrolled in the study after excluding the presence of cardiac or extracardiac conditions known to be associated with an increased risk of AF, by medical history, physical examination, complete echocardiographic study, and the evaluation of blood pressure, thyroid function, urinary catecholamines, serum electrolytes, blood glucose, red blood cell count, and arterial blood gases. After cardioversion to sinus rhythm by intravenous propafenone, patients were randomized to either ramipril 5 mg/day (n = 31) or placebo (n = 31). Holter monitoring and clinical examination were performed every 3 months. Results. After a 3-year follow-up, AF relapses were observed in 3 patients treated with ramipril and in 10 patients allo- cated to placebo (p < 0.03, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test). During follow-up, none of the patients developed arterial hypertension or other cardiac or extracardiac condition known to be associated with increased risk of AF, that is, in all patients the diagnosis of LAF was confirmed. Conclusions. Ramipril is effective in preventing relapses of LAF