Dynamic magnetic behavior, through magnetoimpedance effect, is investigated in non-magnetostrictive multilayered films of Ni81Fe19/(Ag,Ta) grown on glass and flexible substrates. The magnetoimpedance ...measurements are performed in a wide range of frequencies (from 0.01GHz up to 3.0GHz) and are interpreted in terms of the structural and quasi-static magnetic properties of the films. In particular, Ni81Fe19/Ag multilayered films grown on glass and flexible substrates present very similar results, with MImax values of 40% at around 0.5GHz. For the Ni81Fe19/Ta multilayered film on glass substrate, higher MImax value is observed, 60% at around 0.45GHz, whereas for the one produced on flexible substrate, 28% at around 0.3GHz. Thus, the fact that the produced multilayered films present good MI performance, irrespective of the employed substrate, opens new possibilities for technological applications, making easier the integration of these samples as a sensor element in MI based electronic devices, where flexible substrates can be used with the same efficiency.
•We investigate the magnetoimpedance effect in non-magnetostrictive multilayered films grown on glass and flexible substrates.•The films present good magnetoimpedance performance, irrespective of the employed substrate.•The flexible substrate becomes promising candidate for RF-frequency devices.
Background and Purpose
Although inhibition of renal sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) has a stable glucose‐lowering effect in patients with type 2 diabetes, the effect of SGLT2 inhibition on ...renal dysfunction in type 2 diabetes remains to be determined. To evaluate the renoprotective effect of SGLT2 inhibition more precisely, we compared the effects of tofogliflozin (a specific SGLT2 inhibitor) with those of losartan (an angiotensin II receptor antagonist) on renal function and beta‐cell function in db/db mice.
Experimental Approach
The effects of 8‐week tofogliflozin or losartan treatment on renal and beta‐cell function were investigated in db/db mice by quantitative image analysis of glomerular size, mesangial matrix expansion and islet beta‐cell mass. Blood glucose, glycated Hb and insulin levels, along with urinary albumin and creatinine were measured
Key Results
Tofogliflozin suppressed plasma glucose and glycated Hb and preserved pancreatic beta‐cell mass and plasma insulin levels. No improvement of glycaemic conditions or insulin level was observed with losartan treatment. Although the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio of untreated db/db mice gradually increased from baseline, tofogliflozin or losartan treatment prevented this increase (by 50–70%). Tofogliflozin, but not losartan, attenuated glomerular hypertrophy. Neither tofogliflozin nor losartan altered matrix expansion.
Conclusions and Implications
Long‐term inhibition of renal SGLT2 by tofogliflozin not only preserved pancreatic beta‐cell function, but also prevented kidney dysfunction in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. These findings suggest that long‐term use of tofogliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes may prevent progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Lifestyle interventions can reduce body weight, but weight regain is common and may particularly occur with higher initial weight loss. If so, one may argue whether the 10% weight loss in clinical ...guidelines is preferable above a lower weight loss. This systematic review explores the relation between weight loss during an intervention and weight maintenance after at least 1 year of unsupervised follow‐up. Twenty‐two interventions (during at least 1 month) in healthy overweight Caucasians were selected and the mean percentages of weight loss and maintenance were calculated in a standardized way. In addition, within four intervention groups (n > 80) maintenance was calculated stratified by initial weight loss (0-5%, 5-10%, >10%). Overall, mean percentage maintenance was 54%. Weight loss during the intervention was not significantly associated with percentage maintenance (r = −0.26; P = 0.13). Percentage maintenance also not differed significantly between interventions with a weight loss of 5-10% vs. >10%. Consequently, net weight loss after follow‐up differed between these categories (3.7 vs. 7.0%, respectively; P < 0.01). The analyses within the four interventions confirmed these findings. In conclusion, percentage maintenance does not clearly depend on initial weight loss. From this perspective, 10% or more weight loss can indeed be encouraged and favoured above lower weight loss goals.
Many recent approaches for automated driving (AD) functions currently include components relying on deep neural networks (DNNs). One approach in order to test AD functions is the scenario-based ...approach. This work formalizes and evaluates the parameter discretization process required in order to yield concrete scenarios for which an AD function can be tested. Using a common perception algorithm for camera images, a simulation case study is conducted for a simple static scenario containing one other vehicle. The results are analyzed with methods akin to those applied in the domain of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The performance of the perception algorithm shows strong fluctuations even for small input changes and displays unpredictable outliers even at very small discretization samples. The convergence criteria as known from CFD fail, meaning that no parametrization is found which is sufficient for the validation of the perception component. Indeed, the results do not indicate consistent improvement with a finer discretization. These results agree well with theoretical attributes known for existing neural networks. However, the impact appears to be large even for the most basic scenario without malicious input. This indicates the necessity of directing more attention towards the parameter discretization process of the scenario-based testing approach to enable the safety argumentation of AD functions.
Advanced glycation end-products are a complex and heterogeneous group of compounds that have been implicated in diabetes related complications. At present it is not known if they are the cause or the ...consequence of the complications observed. We discuss the chemistry of advanced glycated end-product formation and their patho-biochemistry particularly in relation to the diabetic microvascular complications of retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy as well as their role in the accelerated vasculopathy observed in diabetes. The concept of carbonyl stress as a cause for advanced glycated end-product toxicity is mentioned. We discuss alterations in the concentrations of advanced glycated end-products in the body, particularly in relation to changes occurring with age, diabetes and its complications such as nephropathy. Problems relating to current methods of advanced glycated end-product detection and measurement are highlighted including the lack of a universally established method of detection or unit of measurement. Agents used for the treatment of advanced glycated end-product accumulation are reviewed, with an emphasis on the results of the recent phase III trials using aminoguanidine and diabetes related complications.
Physical activity has been associated with physical and mental health across the life course, yet few studies have used group-based trajectory modeling to examine the effect of longitudinal patterns ...of physical activity during childhood and adolescence on adult health outcomes. The Raine Study data from Gen2 follow-ups at 8, 10, 14, 17, 20, and 22 years collected between 1998 and 2014 were used. Latent class analysis identified trajectories using parent-reported physical activity for ages 8 to 17. Associations between trajectories and physical and mental health outcomes at ages 20 and 22 were explored, adjusting for current physical activity and considering sex interactions. Analysis in 2019 identified three trajectories: low (13%), mid (65%) and high (22%) physical activity (n = 1628). Compared to the low-activity trajectory, those in the high-activity trajectory had lower adiposity, insulin, HOMA-IR and fewer diagnosed disorders, higher HDL-cholesterol, and faster cognitive processing. For example, those in the high-activity trajectory had lower percent body fat at age 20 compared to those in the mid-activity (−4.2%, 95%CI: −5.8, −2.7) and low-activity (−9.5%, 95%CI: −11.7, −7.2) trajectories. Physical activity trajectories showed different associations between sexes for self-reported physical and mental health, BMI, systolic blood pressure, and depression symptoms. Being in the high- or mid-activity trajectory was associated with a more favorable cardiometabolic and mental health profile in young adulthood. Strategies are needed to help less active children to increase physical activity throughout childhood and adolescence to improve young adult health outcomes.
•Three trajectories of physical activity from ages 8 to 17 were identified.•Young adults in the high physical activity trajectory had better health.•Health associations between trajectories differed for men and women.
The Bauschinger effect in a 1mm thick sheet of interstitial free (IF) steel was examined by tensile testing (prestraining) and subsequent four-point bending. The effect was absent when the prestrain ...was below 4% and was present when the prestrain was above 4%. The Bauschinger effect parameter determined the elastic back stress which developed after prestraining. The occurrence of back stress coincided with the development of dislocation cell structures, observed with transmission electron microscopy.
•We proposed the efficacy of DRIAs and dietary supplement on endometriosis.•DRIAs inhibit cell proliferation in human endometriotic stromal cells.•DRIAs reduce inflammatory cytokines and exhibit ...ERβ-mediated activity.•DRIAs reduce the extent of endometriosis-like lesions in a mouse model.•DRIAs might be a potential therapeutic option for management of endometriosis.
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease, and isoflavones interact with estrogen receptors. The purposes of this study are to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of daidzein-rich isoflavone aglycones (DRIAs), dietary supplements, on cellular proliferation in endometriosis. Stromal cells isolated from ovarian endometrioma (OESCs) and normal endometrium (NESCs) were cultured with DRIAs, i.e., each of the DRIA components (daidzein, genistein, or glycitein), or isoflavone glycosides (IG; DRIA precursors). A mouse model of endometriosis was established by transplanting donor-mouse uterine fragments into recipient mice. Our results showed that DRIAs (0.2–20 μM) inhibited the proliferation of OESCs (P < 0.05 for 0.2 μM; P < 0.01 for 2 and 20 μM) but not of NESCs. However, daidzein, genistein, glycitein, and IG did not inhibit their proliferation. DRIA-induced suppression was reversed by inhibition of the estrogen receptor (ER)β by an antagonist, PHTPP, or by ERβ siRNA (P < 0.05), but not by MPP, an ERα antagonist. In OESCs, DRIAs led to reduced expression of IL-6, IL-8, COX-2, and aromatase, as well as reduced aromatase activity, serum glucocorticoid-regulated kinase levels, and PGE2 levels (P < 0.05). Western blot and immunofluorescence assays revealed that DRIAs inhibited TNF-α-induced IκB phosphorylation and p65 uptake into the nuclei of OESCs. In the mouse model, a DRIA-containing feed significantly decreased the number, weight, and Ki-67 proliferative activity of endometriosis-like lesions compared to in mice fed with an IG-containing feed and the control feed (P < 0.01). In conclusion, DRIAs inhibit cellular proliferation in endometriosis, thus representing a potential therapeutic option for the management of endometriosis.
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