Increase in Interference Levels in the 45 -- 870 MHz Band at the Spanish e-CALLISTO Sites over the Years 2012 and 2019

Two sets of radio-frequency interference (RFI) measurements in the 45 ? 870 MHz band are compared. The first set was taken in 2012 at various sites in the province of Guadalajara (Spain) as part of a worldwide site-testing campaign for the deployment of an international network of solar radio-spectrometers, the Compound Astronomical Low-cost Low-frequency Instrument for Spectroscopy and Transportable Observatory (e-CALLISTO) array. Peralejos de las Truchas was found to be an ideal location, even for high-sensitivity non-solar observations, with the lowest interference levels ever measured in the framework of e-CALLISTO. The same set of measurements have been repeated seven years later us- ing the same experimental setup at the same locations. The results presented in this article show that the RFI levels after seven years have notably increased, at some places by a factor of two, thereby placing at risk broadband spectroscopic radio-astronomy studies from the ground.Ministerio de Economía y Competitivida

Effect of an alcohol-free beer enriched with isomaltulose and a resistant dextrin on insulin resistance in diabetic patients with overweight or obesity

Background & aims: The quality of carbohydrates has an essential role in nutritional management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because of its substantial impact on glucose homeostasis. Alcohol-free beer has beneficial bioactive components but it has a relatively high glycemic-index so its consumption is restricted in diabetic subjects. We aimed to explore the effect of an alcohol-free beer with modified carbohydrate composition almost completely eliminating maltose and adding isomaltulose (16.5 g/day) and a resistant maltodextrin (5.28 g/day) in comparison to a regular alcohol-free beer on glycemic control of diabetic subjects with overweight or obesity. Design: We randomized 41 subjects into two groups: a) consumption of 66 cL/day of; regular alcohol-free beer for the first 10 weeks and 66 cL/day of alcohol-free beer with modified carbohydrate composition for the next 10 weeks; b) the same described intervention in opposite order. There was a washout period for 6–8 weeks between the two interventions. Participants were counseled to adhere to a healthy diet for cardiovascular health and to increase physical activity. Clinical, biochemical, anthropometric, lifestyle and satiety assessments were performed at the beginning and at the end of each period. Results: Subjects showed significantly weight loss after the two ten weeks periods (-1.69 ± 3.21% and -1.77 ± 3.70% after experimental and regular alcohol-free beers, respectively, P = 0.881). Glucose and glycated hemoglobin did not significantly change after any period. Insulin concentrations and HOMA-IR significantly decreased (-11.1 [–21.3-4.64]% and -1.92 ± 32.8% respectively) after the intake of experimental alcohol-free beer but not after regular alcohol-free beer. Reductions remained statistically significant after adjusting for weight loss, energy intake, physical activity and intervention order. Subjects reported higher satiety scores after consuming experimental alcohol-free beer. Conclusions: An alcohol-free beer including the substitution of regular carbohydrates for low doses of isomaltulose and the addition of a resistant maltodextrin within meals led to an improvement in insulin resistance in subjects with T2DM and overweight or obesity. Clinical trial registration: The clinical trial has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03337828)

Effect of the Consumption of Alcohol-Free Beers with Different Carbohydrate Composition on Postprandial Metabolic Response; 35268021

Background: We investigated the postprandial effects of an alcohol-free beer with modified carbohydrate (CH) composition compared to regular alcohol-free beer. Methods: Two randomized crossover studies were conducted. In the first study, 10 healthy volunteers received 25 g of CH in four different periods, coming from regular alcohol-free beer (RB), alcohol-free beer enriched with isomaltulose and a resistant maltodextrin (IMB), alcohol-free beer enriched with resistant maltodextrin (MB), and a glucose-based beverage. In the second study, 20 healthy volunteers were provided with 50 g of CH from white bread (WB) plus water, or with 14.3 g of CH coming from RB, IMB, MB, and extra WB. Blood was sampled after ingestion every 15 min for 2 h. Glucose, insulin, incretin hormones, TG, and NEFAs were determined in all samples. Results: The increase in glucose, insulin, and incretin hormones after the consumption of IMB and MB was significantly lower than after RB. The consumption of WB with IMB and MB showed significantly less increase in glucose levels than WB with water or WB with RB. Conclusions: The consumption of an alcohol-free beer with modified CH composition led to a better postprandial response compared to a conventional alcohol-free beer. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Globular cluster formation within the Aquarius simulation

The Aquarius project is a very high-resolution simulation capable of resolving the full mass range of potential globular cluster (GC) formation sites. With a particle mass mp= 1.4 × 104 M¿, Aquarius yields more than 100 million particles within the virial radius of the central halo which has a mass of 1.8 × 1012 M¿, similar to that of the Milky Way. With this particle mass, dark matter concentrations (haloes) that give rise to GCs via our formation criteria contain a minimum of ~2000 particles. Here, we use this simulation to test a model of metal-poor GC formation based on collapse physics. In our model, GCs form when the virial temperatures of haloes first exceed 104 K as this is when electronic transitions allow the gas to cool efficiently. We calculate the ionizing flux from the stars in these first clusters and stop the formation of new clusters when all the baryonic gas of the Galaxy is ionized. This is achieved by adopting reasonable values for the star formation efficiencies and escape fraction of ionizing photons which result in similar numbers and masses of clusters to those found in the Milky Way. The model is successful in that it predicts ages (peak age ~13.3 Gyr) and a spatial distribution of metal-poor GCs which are consistent with the observed populations in the Milky Way. The model also predicts that less than 5 per cent of GCs within a radius of 100 kpc have a surviving dark matter halo, but the more distant clusters are all found in dark matter concentrations. We then test a scenario of metal-rich cluster formation by examining mergers that trigger star formation within central gas discs. This results in younger (~7¿13.3 Gyr), more centrally located clusters (40 metal-rich GCs within 18 kpc from the centre of the host) which are consistent with the Galactic metal-rich population. We test an alternate model in which metal-rich GCs form in dwarf galaxies that become stripped as they merge with the main halo. This process is inconsistent with observed metal-rich globulars in the Milky Way because it predicts spatial distributions that are far too extended

A Keck/DEIMOS spectroscopic survey of the faint M31 satellites And IX, And XI, And XII, and And XIII

We present the first spectroscopic analysis of the faint M31 satellite galaxies, AndXI and AndXIII, and a reanalysis of existing spectroscopic data for two further faint companions, And IX and AndXII. By combining data obtained using the DEIMOS spectrograph mounted on the Keck II telescope with deep photometry from the Suprime-Cam instrument on Subaru, we have calculated global properties for the dwarfs, such as systemic velocities, metallicites and half-light radii.We find each dwarf to be very metal poor ([Fe/H] -2 both photometrically and spectroscopically, from their stacked spectrum), and as such, they continue to follow the luminosity-metallicity relationship established with brighter dwarfs. We are unable to resolve a dispersion for And XI due to small sample size and low S/N, but we set a one sigma upper limit of sigma-v <5 km/s. For And IX, And XII and And XIII we resolve velocity dispersions of v=4.5 (+3.4,-3.2), 2.6(+5.1,-2.6) and 9.7(+8.9,-4.5) km/s, and derive masses within the half light radii of 6.2(+5.3,-5.1)x10^6 Msun, 2.4 (+6.5,-2.4)x10^6 Msun and 1.1(+1.4,-0.7)x10^7 Msun respectively. We discuss each satellite in the context of the Mateo relations for dwarf spheroidal galaxies, and the Universal halo profiles established for Milky Way dwarfs (Walker et al. 2009). For both galaxies, this sees them fall below the Universal halo profiles of Walker et al. (2009). When combined with the findings of McConnachie & Irwin (2006a), which reveal that the M31 satellites are twice as extended (in terms of both half-light and tidal radii) as their Milky Way counterparts, these results suggest that the satellite population of the Andromeda system could inhabit halos that are significantly different from those of the Milky Way in terms of their central densities (abridged).Comment: 26 pages, 18 figures, MNRAS submitte

Angiogenic T Cells: potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in autoimmune diseases?

Background: We explored, for the first time, the contribution of angiogenic T cells (TAng) in interstitial lung disease associated to autoimmune disease (AD-ILD+) as potential biomarkers of the disease, evaluating their role in the underlying vasculopathy and lung fibrosis. Additionally, the relationship of TAng with clinical manifestations and cellular and molecular endothelial dysfunctionrelated biomarkers was assessed. (2) Methods: We included 57 AD-ILD+ patients (21 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-ILD+, 21 with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-ILD+ and 15 with other AD-ILD+) and three comparative groups: 45 AD-ILD-- patients (25 RA-ILD-- and 20 SSc-ILD--); 21 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients; 21 healthy controls (HC). TAng were considered as CD3+CD184+CD31+ by flow cytometry. (3) Results: A similar TAng frequency was found between AD-ILD+ and IPF, being in both cases lower than that observed in AD-ILD- and HC. A lower TAng frequency was associated with negative Scl-70 status and lower FEV1/FVC ratio in SSc-ILD+, as well as with men in RA-ILD+ and non-specific interstitial pneumonia radiological pattern in other AD-ILD+. No relationship between TAng and endothelial progenitor cells, endothelial cells and vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression and protein levels was disclosed. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest TAng as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ILD in AD.Funding: V.P.-C. and S.R.-M. are supported by funds of RETICS Program [RD16/0012/0009, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); FG is supported by funds of the RICORS Program (RD21/0002/0025) from ISCIII, co-funded by the European Union; OG is staff personnel of Xunta de Galicia (Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) through a research-staff stabilization contract (ISCIII/SERGAS) and his work is funded by ISCIII and ERDF [RD16/0012/0014 (RIER) and PI17/00409]. He is the beneficiary of project funds from the Research Executive Agency of the European Union in the framework of MSCA-RISE Action of the H2020 Programme, project 734899—Olive-Net. RL-M is a recipient of a Miguel Servet type II Program fellowship from ISCIII, co-funded by the European Social Fund, ‘Investing in your future’ (CPII21/00004)

Endothelial Progenitor Cells as a Potential Biomarker in Interstitial Lung Disease Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) increases morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the pathogenesis of ILD associated with RA (RA-ILD(+)) remains poorly defined, vascular tissue is crucial in lung physiology. In this context, endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in endothelial tissue repair. However, little is known about their implication in RA-ILD(+). Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the potential role of EPC related to endothelial damage in RA-ILD(+). EPC quantification in peripheral blood from 80 individuals (20 RA-ILD(+) patients, 25 RA-ILD(-) patients, 21 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, and 14 healthy controls) was performed by flow cytometry. EPC were considered as CD34(+), CD45(low), CD309(+) and CD133(+). A significant increase in EPC frequency in RA-ILD(+) patients, as well as in RA-ILD(-) and IPF patients, was found when compared with controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). RA-ILD(+) patients exhibited a higher EPC frequency than the RA-ILD(-) ones (p = 0.003), but lower than IPF patients (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that EPC increase may represent a reparative compensatory mechanism in patients with RA-ILD(+). The degree of EPC frequency may help to identify the presence of ILD in RA patients and to discriminate RA-ILD(+) from IPF

Endothelial Progenitor Cells as a Potential Biomarker in Interstitial Lung Disease Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) increases morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the pathogenesis of ILD associated with RA (RA-ILD+) remains poorly defined, vascular tissue is crucial in lung physiology. In this context, endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in endothelial tissue repair. However, little is known about their implication in RA-ILD+. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the potential role of EPC related to endothelial damage in RA-ILD+. EPC quantification in peripheral blood from 80 individuals (20 RA-ILD+ patients, 25 RA-ILD? patients, 21 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, and 14 healthy controls) was performed by flow cytometry. EPC were considered as CD34+, CD45low, CD309+ and CD133+. A significant increase in EPC frequency in RA-ILD+ patients, as well as in RA-ILD? and IPF patients, was found when compared with controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). RA-ILD+ patients exhibited a higher EPC frequency than the RA-ILD? ones (p = 0.003), but lower than IPF patients (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that EPC increase may represent a reparative compensatory mechanism in patients with RA-ILD+. The degree of EPC frequency may help to identify the presence of ILD in RA patients and to discriminate RA-ILD+ from IPFThis work was partially supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and ‘Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria’ [PI18/00043] from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Health Ministry, Spain. VP-C is supported by a pre-doctoral grant from IDIVAL [PREVAL 18/01]. SR-M is supported by funds of RETICS Program [RD16/0012/0009, ISCIII, co-funded by ERDF]. BA-M is a recipient of a ‘López Albo’ Post-Residency Programme funded by Servicio Cántabro de Salud. LL-G is supported by funds of ISCIII, co-funded by ERDF [PI18/00042]. OG is beneficiary of a grant funded by Xunta de Galicia, Consellería de Educación, Universidade Formación Profesional and Consellería de Economía, Emprego e Industria (GAIN), GPC IN607B2019/10. RL-M is a recipient of a Miguel Servet type I fellowship [ISCIII, co-funded by European Social Fund—ESF, CP16/00033]

Role of MUC1 rs4072037 polymorphism and serum KL-6 levels in patients with antisynthetase syndrome

Mucin 1/Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is proposed as a serum biomarker of several interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), including connective tissue disorders associated with ILD. However, it has not been studied in a large cohort of Caucasian antisynthetase syndrome (ASSD) patients. Consequently, we assessed the role of MUC1 rs4072037 and serum KL-6 levels as a potential biomarker of ASSD susceptibility and for the differential diagnosis between patients with ILD associated with ASSD (ASSD-ILD?+) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). 168 ASSD patients (149 ASSD-ILD?+), 174 IPF patients and 523 healthy controls were genotyped for MUC1 rs4072037 T?>?C. Serum KL-6 levels were determined in a subgroup of individuals. A significant increase of MUC1 rs4072037 CC genotype and C allele frequencies was observed in ASSD patients compared to healthy controls. Likewise, MUC1 rs4072037 TC and CC genotypes and C allele frequencies were significantly different between ASSD-ILD+ and IPF patients. Additionally, serum KL-6 levels were significantly higher in ASSD patients compared to healthy controls. Nevertheless, no differences in serum KL-6 levels were found between ASSD-ILD+ and IPF patients. Our results suggest that the presence of MUC1 rs4072037 C allele increases the risk of ASSD and it could be a useful genetic biomarker for the differential diagnosis between ASSD-ILD+ and IPF patients

Elevated VCAM-1, MCP-1 and ADMA serum levels related to pulmonary fibrosis of interstitial lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction: Early diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) constitutes a challenge for the clinicians. Pulmonary vasculopathy is relevant in the development of interstitial lung disease. Accordingly, we aimed to explore the role of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), key molecules in the vasculopathy, as potential biomarkers of pulmonary fibrosis in RA-ILD+. Methods: We included 21 RA-ILD+ patients and two comparative groups: 25 RA-ILD- patients and 21 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. Serum levels of the molecules were determined by ELISA, and mRNA expression was quantified by qPCR. Results: VCAM-1, MCP-1 and ADMA serum levels were increased in RA-ILD+ patients in relation to RA-ILD- and IPF patients. Additionally, RA-ILD+ patients exhibited increased CCL2 (gene encoding MCP-1) and decreased PRMT1 (gene related to ADMA synthesis) mRNA expression in relation to RA-ILD- patients. A lower expression of VCAM1, CCL2, and PRMT1 was observed in RA-ILD+ patients when compared with those with IPF. Furthermore, MCP-1 serum levels and PRMT1 mRNA expression were positively correlated with RA duration, and ADMA serum levels were positively associated with C-reactive protein in RA-ILD+ patients. Conclusion: Our study suggests that VCAM-1, MCP-1 and ADMA could be considered as useful biomarkers to identify ILD in RA patients, as well as to discriminate RA-ILD+ from IPF, contributing to the early diagnosis of RA-ILD+.Funding: VP-C is supported by funds of PI18/00042 from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). SR-M is supported by funds of RETICS Program (RD16/0012/0009) from ISCIII, co-funded by ERDF; FG is supported by funds of the RICORS Program (RD21/ 0002/0025) from ISCIII, co-funded by the European Union; OG is staff personnel of Xunta de Galicia (Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS) through a research-staff stabilization contract (ISCIII/SERGAS) and his work is funded by ISCIII and ERDF [RD16/0012/0014 (RIER) and PI17/00409]. He is beneficiary of project funds from the Research Executive Agency of the European Union in the framework of MSCA-RISE Action of the H2020 Programme, project 734899—Olive-Net. RL-M is a recipient of a Miguel Servet type II Program fellowship from ISCIII, co-funded by the European Social Fund, ‘Investing in your future’ (CPII21/00004)