Search

Background. The present study demonstrates changes in the serum osteocalcin concentration after oral administration of calcium in patients with hypercalciuria, nephrolithiasis and primary hyperparathyroidism and the osteocalcin serum concentration as a differential diagnostic value for hypercalciurias. Eight of the control patients showed normal values of the serum osteocalcin during the control period with no calcium administration and the experimental period of OCTT, as follows: X1 = 3.05 ± 0.6 pmol/L and X2 = 3.65 ± l.1 pmol/L. The ninth patient from the control group showed an acute increase of the osteocalcin values-17.8 ± 3.8 respectively 23.9 ± 4.2 pmol/L during the experimental period of OCTT and he has been excluded from the study. The patients with absorptive hypercalciuria and recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis similar to the controls showed an increase of the serum osteocalcin during the experimental period of OCCT from 2.11 ± 0.30 pmol/l to 3.36; ± 0.7 pmol/L, p>0.1, non-significant. Obviously serum osteocalcin level assessment does not contribute to the differential diagnosis in patients with hypercalciuria, but nevertheless it demonstrates the presence of the hormonal statement, involved in the regulation of Ca metabolism. An acute rise of serum osteocalcin levels was found after the oral calcium tolerance test in patients with renal hypercalciuria and osteoporosis. The administration of calcium activates the osteosynthesis processes and the release of high quantities of osteocalcin. The study of the serum osteocalcin gives more possibilities to estimate the status of the bone system when pathological changes such as hyperparathyroidism, renal hypercalciuria and osteoporosis occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews thermal neutron detector developments in the Department of the IBR-2 Spectrometer Complex of the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (FLNP JINR). A variety of detector types are considered: neutron monitors, ring detectors, position-sensitive detectors (PSD), and scintillation detectors. The experience of exploitation of these detectors at the research facilities of the FLNP JINR is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important activities of the IBR-2 DSC is the development of detector technologies, which will be used as a basis in designing detectors for future experiments. Detector systems developed by the IBR-2 DSC are described. Today they are used to good effect in research facilities or are prepared for application in the foreseeable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two LiInSe2 single crystals, grown under different conditions, have been studied. Characteristics of these crystals for neutron detection have been compared using scintillation detection method due to the neutron capture by lithium nuclei and subsequent emission of charged particles and the conventional method of charge extraction from single-crystal surfaces due to the same nuclear reaction. Prospects of application of LiInSe2 single crystals for neutron detectors of different types are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the development of a new gas multi-section ring-shaped detector (MSRD) at the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna, Russia. The MSRD, which was developed for the study of samples in small quantities at high pressures, has 16 sections with equal gas volume distribution. It also cites the advantages of MSRD such as large working volume and efficiency.