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Background: Common cancers develop through a multistep process often including inherited susceptibility. Collaboration among multiple institutions, and funding from multiple sources, has allowed the development of an inexpensive genotyping microarray, the OncoArray. The array includes a genome-wide backbone, comprising 230,000 SNPs tagging most common genetic variants, together with dense mapping of known susceptibility regions, rare variants from sequencing experiments, pharmacogenetic markers, and cancer-related traits.Methods: The OncoArray can be genotyped using a novel technology developed by Illumina to facilitate efficient genotyping. The consortium developed standard approaches for selecting SNPs for study, for quality control of markers, and for ancestry analysis. The array was genotyped at selected sites and with prespecified replicate samples to permit evaluation of genotyping accuracy among centers and by ethnic background.Results: The OncoArray consortium genotyped 447,705 samples. A total of 494,763 SNPs passed quality control steps with a sample success rate of 97% of the samples. Participating sites performed ancestry analysis using a common set of markers and a scoring algorithm based on principal components analysis.Conclusions: Results from these analyses will enable researchers to identify new susceptibility loci, perform fine-mapping of new or known loci associated with either single or multiple cancers, assess the degree of overlap in cancer causation and pleiotropic effects of loci that have been identified for disease-specific risk, and jointly model genetic, environmental, and lifestyle-related exposures.Impact: Ongoing analyses will shed light on etiology and risk assessment for many types of cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(1); 126–35. ©2016 AACR.

Objectives: To compare the effect of low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on fat mass, cardiometabolic profile, and physical capacity, and confirm its feasibility in older women. Methods: Inactive older women (60–75 years) were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of either HIIT (75 min/week; n = 9) or MICT (150 min/week; n = 9). Body composition, fasting metabolic profile, cardiovascular risk (Framingham score), and physical capacity (senior fitness test, peak oxygen uptake) were assessed before and after the intervention. Feasibility was evaluated with completion rate (training compliance; dropout rate) and affective response (Feeling Scale; pre- and postexercise). Results: Total cholesterol level, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and the Framingham risk score decreased in both groups (ps ≤ .03). Although peak oxygen uptake remained unchanged, the 6-min walk test distance increased (p ps ≥ .38). Conclusion: A short-term HIIT program is feasible and provides as much benefits as MICT in older women.

Objective: To compare the acute and chronic effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on glycemic control, body composition and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in older women with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: Thirty older women (68 ± 5 years) with T2D were randomized in two groups—HIIT (75 min/week) or MICT (150 min/week). Glucose homeostasis (A1c, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR2) and body composition (iDXA) were measured before and after the 12-week exercise intervention. During the first and last week of training (24-h before and 48-h after exercise), the following CGM-derived data were measured: 24-h and peak glucose levels, glucose variability and time spent in hypoglycemia as well as severe and mild hyperglycemia. Results: While lean body mass increased (p = 0.035), total and trunk fat mass decreased (p ≤ 0.007), without any difference between groups (p ≥ 0.81). Fasting glucose levels (p = 0.001) and A1c (p = 0.014) significantly improved in MICT only, with a significant difference between groups for fasting glucose (p = 0.02). Neither HIIT nor MICT impacted CGM-derived data at week 1 (p ≥ 0.25). However, 24-h and peak glucose levels, as well as time spent in mild hyperglycemia, decreased in HIIT at week 12 (p ≤ 0.03). Conclusion: These results suggest that 12 weeks of low-volume HIIT is enough to provide similar benefit to MICT for body composition and improve the acute effect of exercise when measured with CGM.

Additive manufacturing (AM) has enabled great application potential in several major industries. The footwear industry can customize shoe soles fabricated by AM. In this paper, lattice structures are discussed. They are used to design functional shoe soles that can have controllable stiffness. Different topologies such as Diamond, Grid, X shape, and Vintiles are used to generate conformal lattice structures that can fit the curved surface of the shoe sole. Finite element analysis is conducted to investigate stress distribution in different designs. The fused deposition modeling process is used to fabricate the designed shoe soles. Finally, compression tests compare the stiffness of shoe soles with different lattice topologies. It is found that the plantar stress is highly influenced by the lattice topology. From preliminary calculations, it has been found that the shoe sole designed with the Diamond topology can reduce the maximum stress on the foot. The Vintiles lattice structure and the X shape lattice structure are stiffer than the Diamond lattice. The Grid lattice structure buckles in the experiment and is not suitable for the design.

Background and aims To compare the effect of a low-volume walking high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on risk of cardiovascular diseases and physical capacity in older women with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Thirty inactive older women with T2D were randomized into either HIIT (75 min/week) or MICT (150 min/week). Cardiovascular risk profile (lipid profile; waist circumference and fat mass; resting, post-exercise and ambulatory blood pressure [BP]; VO2 peak; UKPDS score; ABC's) and physical capacity were assessed before and after a 12-week intervention. Results While resting systolic and diastolic BP (all p ≤ 0.01) were reduced, ambulatory BP (p ≥ 0.49) and lipid profile (p ≥ 0.40) remained unchanged after the intervention. Although VO2 peak increased to a similar extent in both groups (p = 0.015), the distance covered during the 6MWT (p = 0.01) and grip strength (p = 0.02) increased to a greater extend in HIIT. The UKPDS risk score decreased in both groups after the intervention (p = 0.03) and 31% of the participants reached the ABC's compared to 24% at baseline. Conclusion Low-volume walking HIIT is an efficient exercise intervention for older women with T2D as it improved some CVD risk factors and physical capacity. Nevertheless, neither low-volume HIIT nor MICT is sufficient to affect ambulatory blood pressure in T2D patients.

International audience; Based on long term investigations of the microstructure of various geomaterials as 14 different as sensitive low plastic clays from Eastern Canada, unsaturated compacted silt from 15 the Paris area, highly plastic compressible deep marine clay from the Gulf of Guinea, 16 compacted MX80 bentonite and the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone, considered as possible 17 barriers in deep geological radioactive waste disposal, two fundamentals and distinct nano 18 and micro mechanisms governing their macroscopic volume changes have been identified. In 19 low plastic structured clays and dry compacted soils, in which an aggregate microstructure has 20 been evidenced, the decrease in volume under mechanical compression result from the 21 collapse of inter-aggregates pores in an ordered manner, from the larger to the smaller, with 22 no effect on the intra-aggregate porosity. The soil skeleton can hence be modelled as an 23 elastic fragile porous matrix, affected by the ordered collapse of its pores. Things are different 24 in plastic soils, due to the significant reactivity of the montmorillonite minerals to changes in 25 water content that results in significant changes of the initial porous matrix. The ordered 26 adsorption of layers of water molecules in clay platelets with respect to the suction or stress 27 applied, evidenced long time ago in Soil science through X-ray diffraction techniques, appear 28 to be able to help better understanding various phenomena like the compression of plastic 29 compressible soils and the hydration of compacted bentonites. Interestingly, it also applies to 30 understand the effects of smectite minerals in the volume changes behaviour of the Callovo-31 Oxfordian claystone. These two mechanisms at nano and microscopic scales hence provide a 32 better understanding of the macroscopic volume changes of a large variety of natural and 33 compacted clayey soils and rocks. 34 Keywords: clayey soils and rocks; microstructure; montmorillonite; pore size distribution; 35 nano scale; water adsorption. 36 37 2

Background and Objectives: Fatigue is one of the characteristics defining frailty. However, the mechanisms leading to fatigue are still poorly understood. Our objectives were to assess the efficacy of energy utilization (EU) during walking in frail older persons and their level of fatigue. Research Design and Methods: Clinical study of a convenient sample of frail older women. 10 healthy (H; 77 ± 4 year, BMI: 25 ± 3 kg/m2, MMSE: 29 ± 1) and 10 frail elderly women (F; 83 ± 6 year, 26 ± 5 kg/m2, 27 ± 3) were compared for their usual level of fatigue and changes in perceived fatigue and EU before and after walking. A 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) prior to and following a 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) served to measure fatigue. EU was based on VO2 consumption adjusted for walking distance and measured using a portable Cosmed K4b2 indirect calorimeter. Participants underwent body composition measurements by DXA and venous blood sampling. Results: Groups had similar body composition and blood parameters. At rest, there were no differences in VO2 or energy expenditure, but the frail group had a lower heart rate. During 6MWT, between group differences were found for distance VO2, HR and EU. There were VAS changes in fatigue and a moderate correlation between the VAS of general fatigue and hsCRP. Discussion and Implications: Compared with their healthy counterparts, frail older women exhibited lower physical performance, efficacy of EU, and perceived more fatigue with activity. Inflammation was significantly correlated with subjective fatigue but did not characterize frailty.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of an α-linolenic acid-rich supplement (ALA-RS) on the ketogenic response and plasma long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in healthy young adults and older individuals.Ten young (25 ± 0.9 y) and 10 older adults (73.1 ± 2.2 y) consumed a flaxseed oil supplement providing 2 g/d of ALA for 4 wk. Plasma ketones, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), triacylglycerols, glucose, and insulin were measured over 6 h, before and after supplementation. Total body fat mass was assessed before and after the ALA-RS.The ALA-RS did not significantly modify fasting ketones but postprandial production of β-hydroxybutyrate was increased by 26% (P = 0.037) only in the young adult group. Fasting plasma ketones were positively correlated to fasting plasma NEFA (P 0.01) in both groups. However, the relation was shifted to the right in the older group, suggesting that older adults needed higher plasma NEFA levels to achieve the same ketone amounts as young adults. At baseline, the older group had 47% higher total plasma fatty acids than the young group (P = 0.007). After the ALA-RS, plasma ALA doubled in both groups (P 0.01), an effect that was associated in the older group with a 40% higher eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; P = 0.004), but no difference in docosahexaenoic acid. The postsupplementation increase in plasma ALA correlated positively with percent total body fat, especially in the older group (r(2) = 0.77; P = 0.0016).In young adults, ALA-RS mildly stimulated postprandial ketogenesis, whereas in the older group, it favored increased plasma ALA and EPA.

We are experiencing an epidemic of both diabetes and dementia among older adults in this country. The risk for dementia appears to be increased in patients with diabetes, and patients with dementia and diabetes appear to be at greater risk for severe hypoglycemia. In addition, there may be an increased risk for developing dementia by older patients with diabetes who have had episodes of severe hypoglycemia, although this issue is controversial. In this article, we review the factors that contribute to the increased risk for dementia in older adults with diabetes and outline the complex relationships between hypoglycemia and dementia.

The “4 per 1000” initiative: A credibility issue for the soil science community?

Contribute evidence towards the complex interrelationships of body composition, insulin sensitivity and protein intake independently from adiposity in an older population. This is a cross-sectional analysis of an existing dataset in which a literature-supported model linking together the variables of interest is tested using path analysis. The loss of muscle mass has been implicated in the development of insulin resistance. We propose to test associations of muscle mass with insulin sensitivity and their respective associations with animal and vegetable sources of protein intake, independently from adiposity. Non-diabetic participants aged 68–82 years from the NuAge study with all available measures (n=441) were included. A model considering age, sex, chronic diseases, physical activity; smoking and sources of protein intake influencing body composition components and insulin sensitivity was created and tested with Path Analysis for their independent associations. Muscle mass index (MMI; kg/height in m2) and % body fat were derived from DXA and BIA. Insulin resistance was estimated by the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) score and physical activity by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) questionnaire. Protein intakes were obtained from three non-consecutive 24h-diet recalls. In the final model, direct positive associations were observed between HOMA-IR score and MMI (β=0.42; 95%CI: 0.24; 0.6) and % body fat (β=0.094; 95%CI: 0.07; 0.11). There were no direct associations between animal protein intake and MMI or with HOMA-IR. There was a significant direct negative association between plant protein intake and MMI (β= -0.068; 95%CI: -0.13; -0.003) and significant indirect associations mediated through MMI and % body fat between HOMA-IR and animal protein intake (β=0.0321; 95%CI: 0.01; 0.05), as well as plant protein intake (β= -0.07; 95%CI: -0.1; 0.0). Our final model indicated that MMI and HOMA score were significantly positively associated. Protein intake sources were related to HOMA-IR score differently through MMI and % body fat, respectively.

Background/aim: Deficiency of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) and L-carnitine (LC) appears to play a role in peripheral diabetic neuropathy, although the evidence in humans is still limited. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the effect of ALC on pain and electromyographic parameters in people with diabetic neuropathy. Methods: A literature search in major databases, without language restriction, was undertaken. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or pre-and post-test studies. The effect of ALC supplementation on pain perception and electromyographic parameters in patients with diabetic neuropathy was compared vs. a control group (RCTs). The effect of ALC/LC on electromyographic parameters were also calculated vs. baseline values. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for summarizing outcomes. Results: Six articles, with a total of 711 diabetic participants, were included. Three RCTs (340 treated with ALC vs. 203 placebo and 115 with methylcobalamine) showed that ALC reduces pain perception (SMD = -0.45; 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.04; P = 0.03; I-2 = 85%). Compared to controls, ALC supplementation improved nerve conduction velocity and amplitude response for ulnar nerve (both sensory and motor component). Compared to baseline values, ALC/LC supplementation improved nerve conduction velocity for all the sensory and motor nerves (except ulnar and peroneal) investigated and the amplitude of all nerves. The onset of adverse events was generally limited to minor side effects. Conclusion: ALC appears to be effective in reducing pain due to diabetic neuropathy compared to active or placebo controls and improving electromyographic parameters in these patients. (C) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS and European Union Geriatric Medicine Society. All rights reserved.

Isoflavones and exercise have been shown to affect C-reactive protein (CRP) and body composition and to act synergistically on trunk and total fat mass (FM), glucose metabolism, and lean body mass in postmenopausal women with a body mass index higher than 25 kg/m. We hypothesized that exercise and isoflavone supplementation (Ex + ISO) could reduce inflammation in the same subpopulation of women. The objective of this study was to investigate if 6 months of mixed exercise combined with isoflavones could have greater effects on specific inflammatory markers than exercise alone in overweight or obese postmenopausal women.Thirty-four postmenopausal women aged 50 to 70 years were randomly assigned to exercise and placebo (Ex + PLA; n = 15) or Ex + ISO (n = 19). At baseline and after 6 months, waist circumference, hip circumference, total FM, trunk FM, leg FM, and muscle mass index (MMI; = total fat free mass [kg] / height [m]) were assessed (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry). Inflammatory markers (CRP, tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], and interleukin-6) were obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. T tests were used to compare groups at baseline.The Ex + PLA group showed significant changes in MMI (+0.33 kg/m, P ≤ 0.009) and FM compartments (waist circumference, -5.13 cm; % FM, -1.31%; P ≤ 0.001), whereas inflammation remained unchanged. However, the Ex + ISO group showed significant changes in total FM (-1.70 kg, P0.0001), FM compartments (hip circumference [-2.51 cm, P = 0.019], leg FM [-1.16 kg, P = 0.037], and trunk FM [-0.72 kg, P = 0.006]), MMI (+0.39 kg, P = 0.011), and inflammation (CRP, -1.14 mg/L, P = 0.029; TNF-α, +0.29 pg/mL, P = 0.010).Despite an increase in TNF-α, the use of isoflavones-when body weight remains stable-seems to enhance the beneficial effects of mixed-exercise training on body composition and CRP in overweight or obese postmenopausal women.

Objectives Contribute evidence towards the complex interrelationships of body composition, physical performance and physical activity (PA) in an older population to assist in decisions for maintaining functional capacity in older adults. Design This is a cross-sectional analysis of an existing dataset in which a literature-supported model linking together the variables of interest is tested using path analysis. A proposed model with age, sex, energy intake and chronic diseases as predictors associated with body composition components, while the latter associated with physical performance and with PA acting both as a predictor and as an outcome of physical performance. Participants A sample of 847, community dwellers, non-diabetic older men and women from the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge Study). Measurements Physical performance tests were reduced to two indices: strength and mobility. Muscle mass index (MMI; kg/height 2 ) and % body fat were derived from DXA and bioimpedance analysis (BIA). PA was assessed by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) and energy intakes were calculated from 24-hour food recalls. Data from the NuAge dataset served to test the relationships. The proposed model was evaluated using indices of fit. Results Significant associations were found for MMI and % body fat with mobility (β − 0.11 and − 0.02, respectively), and for MMI with strength (β = 0.60). PA was associated with MMI (β = 0.02) and negatively with % body fat (β = − 0.16), while mobility associated with PA (β = 0.65). Our hypothesized model, with some paths added, fit the data: chi-square = 4.64, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0. Conclusions PA has desirable associations with body composition in older adults and mobility is associated with PA. These results stress the importance of taking into account the prior level of mobility when recommending PA for this age group. This model could explain in part the complex interrelationships that occur with aging and the potential factors that could be targeted to assist older individuals in maintaining functional capacity.

We determined insulin resistant subjects over a 3-year period by trajectory analyses of the HOMA-IR in a sample of non-diabetic, participants of the NuAge Study. Muscle mass index and % body fat were derived from DXA and bioimpedance. Physical activity was assessed. Protein intakes were calculated. Serum biomarker profile included adiponectin, leptin, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, lipid profile, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. Using path analysis without biomarkers, positive associations were observed for HOMA-IR score with MMI (β=0.42) and % body fat (β=0.094). Logistic regression without biomarkers provided only 3 significant predictors of insulin resistance: MMI [OR (95% CI): 1.72 (1.26–2.3)]; %body fat [1.18 (1.12–1.25)]; male sex [0.145 (0.04–0.45)]. When the biomarker profile was included, adiponectin [0.58 (0.35–0.95)], TNF-α [1.12 (1.00–1.23)] and leptin [2.92 (1.29–6.64)] were independent predictors of insulin resistance. Our analyses showed that positive association between muscle mass and HOMA-IR is likely mediated through higher levels of TNF-α and leptin and lower adiponectin.

A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the association between current consumption of a series of 26 common antioxidant-rich foods (ARF) with serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and plasma vitamin C and E levels in community-dwelling older adults. A convenience sample of the first 94 non-smoking Caucasian men (54%) and women (46%) enrolled in the Quebec Longitudinal Study NuAge were selected. The "Functional Foods Consumption Frequency Questionnaire" (FFCFQ) was administered at recruitment (T1) to ascertain patterns of consumption of ARF over the lifetime. The total Oxygen Radical Antioxidant Capacity (ORAC) of 25 ARF reported by subjects was estimated using published values. Serum TAS was determined based on the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay while plasma vitamins C and E (α- and γ-tocopherol) levels were analyzed by HPLC. The numbers of ARF eaten daily at T1, estimated from the FFCFQ and calculated from the diet recalls, were significantly correlated (r=0.51, P

An 80-year-old woman is seen for a periodic health examination by her family physician. Laboratory test results in her chart show a fasting blood glucose level of 11 mmol/L and a hemoglobin A1C concentration of 9.5%. She has a body mass index of 28. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 10 years

Our objective was to determine whether bezafibrate, a hypotriglyceridemic drug and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha agonist, is ketogenic and increases fatty acid oxidation in humans. We measured fatty acid metabolism and ketone levels in 13 mildly hypertriglycemic adults (67 +/- 11 years old) during 2 metabolic study days lasting 6 h, 1 day before and 1 day after bezafibrate (400 mg of bezafibrate per day for 12 weeks). beta-Hydroxybutyrate, triglycerides, free fatty acids, fatty acid profiles, insulin, and glucose were measured in plasma, and fatty acid beta-oxidation was measured in breath after an oral 50-mg dose of the fatty acid tracer [U-(13)C]linoleic acid. As expected, 12 weeks on bezafibrate decreased plasma triglycerides by 35%. Bezafibrate tended to raise postprandial beta-hydroxybutyrate, an effect that was significant after normalization to the fasting baseline values (p = 0.03). beta-Oxidation of [U-(13)C]linoleic acid increased by 30% (p = 0.03) after treatment. On the metabolic study day after bezafibrate treatment, postprandial insulin decreased by 26% (p = 0.01), and glucose concentrations were lower 2 to 5 h postprandially. Thus, in hypertriglyceridemic individuals, bezafibrate is mildly ketogenic and significantly changes fatty acid metabolism, effects that may be linked to PPARalpha stimulation and to moderately improved glucose metabolism.

Whether frail elderly subjects are more insulin resistant (IR) than non-frail is unclear. How obesity, muscle mass, inflammation, hormonal and lipid status, oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity and physical activity influences insulin sensitivity (IS) in frail elderly subjects remains uncertain. We determined (1) whether frail elderly persons are more IR than non-frail elderly and (2) the influence of abdominal fat mass (AFM), muscle mass index (MMI), inflammation (CRP), hormonal (cortisol, free IGF-1, DHEA) and lipid (FFA, triglyceride (TG)) status, oxidative stress (paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), malondialdehyde (MDA)), antioxidant capacity (vitamin C, E) and physical activity (PASE questionnaire) on IS (QUICKI) in 16 frail obese (FO), 17 frail lean (FL) and 21 healthy, non-obese (HN) elderly subjects. IS was lower in FO than FL, but there was no significant difference between HN and FO or FL. There were no significant differences among groups for CRP, cortisol, IGF-1, DHEA, FFA, TG, PON-1, MDA, vitamin C and E and PASE. Age, AFM and MMI significantly correlated with IS. Only AFM and MMI were significant predictors explaining, respectively, 18.5% and 8.5% of the variance in IS. Increased abdominal obesity is associated with IR in frail elderly. Non-obese frail persons are not more IR than their healthy counterparts.

Older people with diabetes represent a major and increasing proportion of our elderly population and their care requires better organisation. Targets for risk factor control and pathways of care must be adjusted to the subject's general health status. It is thus advisable to screen for frailty. We have carried out a detailed literature review of the studies published on diabetes in older people since 1990. Studies were considered if they included groups or subgroups of diabetic patients > 65 years old. This review discusses the elaboration of general targets for care, the approach to risk factor control, the screening and the specific prevention or management of complications, the integration of geriatric concepts in diabetes care and the specificity of education with respect to frailty status.

The transfer of soil sediments and phosphorus from terrestrial to aquatic systems is a common process in agricultural lands. The aims of this paper are to quantify the soil phosphorus availability and to characterize phosphorus forms in soil sediments as contaminant agents of waters as a function of anthropic pressures. On three subwatersheds with different anthropic pressure, water and sediment samples were collected automatically in upstream and downstream discharge points in six rainfall events during the tobacco growing season. Phosphorus desorption capacity from soil sediments was estimated by successive extractions with anion exchange resins. First-order kinetic models were adjusted to desorption curves for estimating potentially bioavailable particulate phosphorus, desorption rate constant, and bioavailable particulate phosphorus. The amount of bioavailable particulate phosphorus was directly correlated with the iron oxide content. The value of desorption rate constant was directly related with the total organic carbon and inversely with the iron oxide contents. Phosphate ions were released to solution, on average, twice as rapidly from sediments collected in subwatersheds with low anthropic activity than from those ones of highly anthropic subwatersheds. Anthropic pressure on watershed can engender high sediment discharge, but these solid particles seem to present low phosphorus-releasing capacity to water during transport due to the evidenced high affinity between phosphorus and iron oxide from sediments. Anthropic pressure was related with sediment concentration and phosphorus release to aquatic systems. While natural vegetation along streams plays a role on soil and water depuration, it is unable to eliminate the phosphorus inputs intrinsic to the agricultural-intensive systems. Recommendations and perspectives The contamination of water in watershed by phosphates is facilitated by the erosion process and the traditional tobacco cropping system. Urgent measures for erosion control must be adopted, in accordance to conformations of landscape and the local inhabitants’ needs. Among them, those worth pointing out are the adoption of a conservation crop system, regeneration of riparian zone, and reduction of the phosphate doses added to soil for tobacco cultivation.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases with age. However, the management of diabetes in the elderly has received surprisingly little attention. Diabetes in the elderly is associated with a high risk of geriatric syndromes including malnutrition and sarcopenia, functional impairments, falls and fractures, incontinence, depression and dementia. Tight glycaemic control for the prevention of vascular complications is often of limited value in the elderly. However, glycaemic control and non-pharmacological therapy may prevent diabetes symptoms and delay geriatric syndromes. The prevention, screening and treatment of both conventional diabetic complications and geriatric syndromes should be integrated in a management plan to optimize the patients' overall health status and quality of life.

International audience; Retention processes play a major role in the fate and impact of organic contaminants in soils. The main goal of this study was to determine the influence of soil hydrophobic properties on the retention of diuron by using plots of a long-term experiment in Versailles. We selected seven plots with pH 3.4 to 8.2 and low organic content. Sorption isotherms were obtained on soil slurries and kinetic measurements of diuron sorption were performed on undisturbed soil samples. The results showed that the Freundlich coefficient kf decreased as pH increased and that the Koc coefficient, kf/TOC, was linearly related to the contact angle measured on the clay fraction over a wide range of pH. A low initial adsorption rate and low adsorption equilibrium were observed for the plot treated with NaNO3. In this case, the structure in micro-aggregates was assumed to limit the accessibility of adsorption sites. The CaCO3 and CaO treated plots had similar organic matter contents, pHs, CECs and bulk densities, although their < 2 03BCm:C ratio differed. The higher retention of diuron in the CaCO3 plot is attributed to the higher hydrophobicity of the < 2 03BCm fraction, probably masking part of the permanent clay negative charges. Thus, in addition to the different treatments, organic matter composition and distribution should also be included as specific soil properties. We conclude that the sorption properties of pesticides such as diuron can be a good tool to obtain greater understanding of soil properties and the degree of soil hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity in particular.

We determined the effect of antioxidants and resistance training on bone mineral density of postmenopausal women. After 6 months, we observed a significant decrease in the lumbar spine BMD of the placebo group while other groups remained stable. Antioxidants may offer protection against bone loss such as resistance training.The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effects of antioxidant supplements combined to resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy elderly women.Thirty-four postmenopausal women (66.1 +/- 3.3 years) were randomized in four groups (placebo, n = 7; antioxidants, n = 8; exercise and placebo, n = 11; and exercise and antioxidants, n = 8). The 6-month intervention consisted in antioxidant supplements (600 mg vitamin E and 1,000 mg vitamin C daily) or resistance exercise (3x/week). Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD (DXA) and dietary intakes (3-day food record) were measured before and after the intervention. A repeated measure ANOVA and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests were used.We observed a significant decrease in the placebo group for lumbar spine BMD (pre, 1.01 +/- 0.17 g/cm(2); post, 1.00 +/- 0.16 g/cm(2); P0.05 respectively) while it remained stable in all other groups. No changes were observed for femoral neck BMD.Antioxidant vitamins may offer some protection against bone loss in the same extent as resistance exercise although combining both does not seem to produce additional effects. Our results suggest to further investigate the impact of antioxidant supplements on the prevention of osteoporosis.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) was assessed in a long-term (19 yr) experiment comparing conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) management systems and various winter cover crop treatments in a Rhodic Hapludox in southern Brazil. After 19 yr, NT resulted in 6.84 Mg C ha -1 , in the upper soil layer (0-10 cm), which represented 64.6% more than CT. In the 0 to 20 cm soil layer, the NT system sequestered 1.24 Mg C ha -1 yr -1 , while CT sequestered 0.96 Mg C ha -1 yr -1 . Independent of soil management, the fallow treatment resulted in the lowest SOC stocks to the 40-cm soil depth compared to all other winter treatments. We compared SOC levels of the experimental site with a nearby-forested area, which has never been cleared. No-till management combined with winter cover crops resulted in soil properties that most closely resembled the undisturbed forest. Maize grain yields and soybean seed yields were 6 and 5% higher, respectively, under NT than CT. Our results point to NT management combined with winter cover crops as the management system of choice to achieve sustainable crop production on Oxisols in the subtropical and tropical regions of the world.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clay mineral phases in a Rhodic Acrisol soil and to discuss their evolution in subtropical conditions. Prairie and forest soil profiles were sampled and clay fractions of the parent material and soil horizons analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil. The XRD results show the presence of interstratified kaolinite-smectite and illite-smectite as well as illite in the parent material. These minerals were also found in the soil samples but with two new phases: hydroxy-aluminium interlayered vermiculite (HIV), which showed incomplete collapse with treatment at 550ºC, and a newly formed kaolinite (d= 7.17 Å). Under a subtropical climate and a sandy lithology, HIV and kaolinite appear to be a result of a specific pedogenic clay formation, related to the natural vegetation. Originally, under the prairie area, the intensity of the weathering processes was weak (within 2:1 clay minerals), as only small quantities of kaolinite and Fe oxides, and no evidence of gibbsite, were found.

International audience; No-tillage is an increasing way of management for agricultural soils. The objective of this study was to identify in which extent the chemical properties of a loamy soil could be affected by no-tillage under temperate conditions. Soil chemical properties were investigated on a field subjected to either conventional or no-tillage management of maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with identical fertilization practices and no lime supply since 1970. On no-tilled soil, maize was cropped exactly on the same line every other year, which enabled soil sampling under the row and under the interrow.Tilled soil had an homogeneous ploughed horizon, whereas soil under no-tillage exhibited strong vertical gradients of pH, exchangeable cations and organic C. No-tilled soil had 11.4% greater organic C than tilled soil, and the difference was concentrated in the upper 5 cm. The proportion of exchangeable cations was highest in the interrow of no-tilled soil and lowest in tilled soil. Tilled soil contained much lower exchangeable K than no-tilled soil, indicating a difference in retention capacity of this cation. The pH of the upper 5 cm of no-tilled soil was low, probably because of surface accumulation of organic residues. Whatever the tillage system, exchangeable Al was significantly related to pH according to the relation: Al-ex = 76441 x 10(-0.99) (pH) (r(2) = 0.96; p < 0.001). An expected complexing effect of organic matter on Al was not observed, probably hidden by the influence of pH. Since yields were not negatively affected by long-term no-tillage and organic C content was higher, no-tillage appears to be a cost-saving choice for maize and wheat production under these temperate environmental conditions, as well as a way for C sequestration. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background Diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure (HBP) are commonly associated conditions in the elderly population. An effect of treatments, biologic and anthropometric variables on long-term mortality is unknown in this population. Objectives To determine the prevalence of HBP control in a sample of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes with office blood pressure (BP) readings and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and evaluate the influence of BP, anthropometric and laboratory variables on long term mortality. Methods Cohort study in patients living at home in the area of Sherbrooke, ≥65 years old, receiving reimbursement for antidiabetic medication. The study included medical history, 2 sets of BP measurements, 2 24-hour urinary collections for microalbuminuria, 1 24-hour ABPM, blood level of creatinine and glycosylated hemoglobin. Charts were reanalyzed 8 years later for analysis of cardiovascular and total mortality cases. Results 198 patients were initially recruited. By history, 83% of the subjects had diagnoses and treatments for high blood pressure. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with an 8-year increased risk for cardiovascular mortality were creatinine ≥84 µmol/L, office seated systolic blood pressure ≤130 and diastolic BP ≤67.6 over 24 hours. Factors associated with total mortality were lower waist circumference, serum creatinine ≥84 and diastolic BP ≤67.6 over 24 hours. Conclusions Lower systolic and diastolic BP (office and ABPM), lower waist circumference and higher creatinine values are associated with an increased mortality risk. This suggests that a lower BP, declining kidney function and frailty are factors associated with this observation.