Disorder Parameter Research Articles

2D Fluorescence Spectroscopy is used to Probe Local Conformations and Conformational Disorder of the Sugar-Phosphate Backbones of DNA at and Near DNA Replication Fork Junctions

DNA replication requires the binding of genome-regulatory proteins to non-sequence-specific positions near single-stranded (ss) - double-stranded (ds) DNA junctions. The local conformation of DNA near ss-dsDNA junctions must undergo fluctuations within an unknown distribution of functionally relevant states to permit the proper binding of replication proteins. As a consequence, the nature and extent of conformational disorder at DNA junctions may be critical for controlling the molecular mechanisms of this binding. DNA constructs that contain dimers of Cy3 chromophore probes rigidly incorporated into the sugar-phosphate backbones at defined positions near ss-dsDNA fork junctions have been studied using absorption, circular dichroism (CD) and two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopic (2DFS) techniques to determine local backbone conformations and the degree of disorder experienced by these dimer probes. Analysis of these data provides insight into position- and temperature-dependent conformational heterogeneity at various sites within these DNA constructs, and suggests that quantifiably different energetic barriers to conformational exploration exist at the ss-ds junction when compared to DNA base pairs located deeper within the duplex DNA. We have employed an optimization routine to fit linear and nonlinear spectra in order to characterize structural and disorder parameters associated with conformations at and near ss-dsDNA junctions that are stabilized by the binding of relevant proteins, as well as to examine structural distortions induced by DNA-associated small molecules and ions.

Quenching Thermal Transport in Aperiodic Superlattices: A Molecular Dynamics and Machine Learning Study.

Random multilayer (RML) structures, or aperiodic superlattices, can localize coherent phonons and therefore exhibit drastically reduced lattice thermal conductivity compared to their superlattice counterparts. The optimization of RML structures is essential for obtaining ultralow thermal conductivity, which is critical for various applications such as thermoelectrics and thermal barrier coatings. A higher degree of disorder in RMLs will lead to stronger phonon localization and, correspondingly, a lower lattice thermal conductivity. In this work, we identified several essential parameters for quantifying the disorder in layer thicknesses of RMLs. We were able to correlate these disorder parameters with thermal conductivity, as confirmed by classical molecular dynamics simulations of conceptual Lennard-Jones RMLs. Moreover, we have shown that these parameters are effective as features for physics-based machine learning models to predict the lattice thermal conductivity of RMLs with improved accuracy and efficiency.

Interactions between PAMAM dendrimers and DOPC lipid multilayers: Membrane thinning and structural disorder

BackgroundUnderstanding the structure of hybrid nanoparticle-lipid multilayers is of fundamental importance to their bioanalytical applications and nanotoxicity, where nanoparticle-membrane interactions play an important role. Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are branched polymeric nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications due to precise tunability of their physicochemical properties. Here, the effect of PAMAM dendrimers (2.9–4.5 nm) with either a hydrophilic amine (NH2) or a hydrophobic C12 chain surface termination on the 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) multilayers has been studied for the first time. MethodsDOPC multilayers were created by the liposome-rupture method via drop-casting dendrimer-liposome dispersions with the dendrimers added at different concentrations and at three different stages. The multilayer structure was evaluated via the analysis of the synchrotron X-ray reflectivity (XRR) curves, obtaining the bilayer d-spacing, the coherence length from the Scherrer (Ls) analysis of the Bragg peaks, and the paracrystalline disorder parameter (g). ResultsDendrimer addition led to lipid bilayer thinning and more disordered multilayer structures. Larger hydrophobic dendrimers caused greater structural disruption to the multilayers compared to the smaller dendrimers. The smallest, positively charged dendrimers at their highest concentration caused the most pronounced bilayer thinning. The dendrimer-liposome mixing method also affected the multilayer structure due to different dendrimer aggregation involved. ConclusionsThese results show the complexity of the effect of dendrimer physicochemical properties and the addition method of dendrimers on the structure of mixed dendrimer-DOPC multilayers. General significanceThese insights are useful for fundamental understanding of nanotoxicity and future biomedical application of nanocomposite multilayer materials in which nanoparticles are added for enhanced properties and functionality.

Description of the experimental data of water in the wicinity of the critical point on the basis of algebra of fluctuation variables

The system of algebraic equations of the algebra of fluctuating variables, proposed by V.L. Pokrovsky, has been directly applied for the first time to quantitative describing experimental data in close vicinity of the liquid-vapor critical point. Based on the literature data for water, the thermodynamic variables were subsequently converted into variables of the symmetric three-dimensional Ising model with using software. This transformation of variables was carried out until the following conditions were simultaneously fulfilled: 1) until the equation of the coexistence curve for the order parameter was symmetrized; 2) until the entropy jump along the coexistence curve was disappearanced. Within experimental errors for the initial experimental water data, it has been additionally shown next conditions fulfilled: 1) simultaneously with the symmetrization of the coexistence curve equation for the order parameter, the critical isotherm equation becomes symmetric 2) simultaneously with the disappearance of the entropy jump, the ordering field along the coexistence curve reaches zero. These properties of the transforming from experimental variables to variables of the symmetric three-dimensional Ising model indicate the thermodynamic consistency of the applied approach. According to the proposed methodology, the coefficients of equations of the algebra of fluctuating variables have been quantitatively determined for water. It is established that, in contrast to the initial idea of V.L. Pokrovsky, the condition for the smallness of both cross coefficients of the algebra of fluctuating variables simultaneously is not fulfilled, and also the signs of these coefficients can be different. On the example of water, it has been concluded that the transforming from thermodynamic variables of molecular liquids determined from experiment to variables of the Ising model does not significantly affect the disordering field and the order parameter, but significantly changes the ordering field and the disordering parameter. It is this behavior that characterizes the qualitative difference between the properties of liquids in the vicinity of the critical point and the properties of the symmetric three-dimensional Ising model.

Bayesian inference of material properties in disordered media using sound characteristics

A simulation study of sound wave propagation is used to characterise material properties. The synthetic model consisting of a one-dimensional chain of particles with different mass distributions is used to generate space-time responses. The standard deviation of this mass distribution is chosen as the disorder parameter ξ, which eventually gives information about the longitudinal wave propagation (P-wave). The space-time responses obtained from the synthetic model are used by a Bayesian inference technique to infer the most probable values of the parameter ξ, which would have caused the responses. While it is found that, during the sampling process, the sampler could effectively choose a region in the neighborhood of the true causative ξ, results show that the estimation in a low disordered setting are acceptable when . A frequency domain analysis is also carried out which shows superior performance in identifying the true region, suggesting that it is a more suitable approach for inference in random media.

Two-dimensional bimolecular recombination in amorphous organic semiconductors.

We consider the two-dimensional bimolecular recombination of charge carriers in amorphous organic semiconductors having the lamellar structure. We calculate the dependence of the effective recombination rate constant on the carrier density taking into account the correlated nature of the energetic disorder typical for organic semiconductors. The resulting recombination kinetics demonstrates a very rich variety of behaviors depending on the correlation properties of the particular semiconductor and relevant charge density range.

Оценка эффективности физиотерапевтических методов лечения ранних менопаузальных расстройств

Objective. Assessment of the effectiveness of pelotherapy in combination with phytoaromatic baths in women during menopause transition. Patients and methods. We examined 26 women aged 52 ± 2.4 years. All women with vegetative-vascular manifestations of the climacteric syndrome were randomly assigned to 2 groups for comparison: group 1 – 12 patients, who received full-body “rapa” baths, inhalation phytoaromatherapy with a complex composition including phytoestrogens; group 2 – 14 patients, who received pelotherapy with applications of Saki lake mud on the «panty» zone and hydrodynamic phytoaromatic baths with a complex composition including phytoestrogens. Results. After therapy, a significant improvement of the parameters of climacteric disorders was noted in group 2. Severe disorders were practically absent in the second group – 2% (65 ± 6.1 scores), whereas mild changes prevailed – 64% (18 ± 5.3 scores). Changes in the microcirculation parameter were found, which increased by 19%, an increased contribution of endothelial oscillations to the total flux motion level, an increase of the amplitude of neurogenic and myogenic oscillations, a decrease of respiratory rates on average from 9.2 to 5.51 perf. units. In the first group, no significant changes were recorded. Conclusion. The use of pelotherapy in combination with hydrodynamic phytoaromatic baths permits to improve the parameters of microcirculation, venous and lymph output, trophism and oxygenation of tissues, and also ensures an adaptogenic effect. Key words: balneothaerpy, menopause transition, pelotherapy, rehabilitation

Effects of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on mood, cognition, and quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-hypopnea syndrome is characterized by breathing cessation with temporary decrease in cerebral oxygenation that may lead to poor concentration up to cognitive impairment and mood problems. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is essential for treating OSA-hypopnea syndrome, but its role remains debatable. This current work was designed to evaluate the effect of CPAP therapy on neuropsychiatric complications of OSA including mood disorders (depression and anxiety), neurocognitive disorders, and sleep-related quality of life (QoL). Patients and methods A total of 113 newly diagnosed patients with OSA were followed up after receiving CPAP treatment for 3 months, by assessment of Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Functional Outcome of Sleep Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and neurocognitive assessment by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale. Results After 3 months on CPAP, patients with OSA achieved improvement in sleep symptoms, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Functional Outcome of Sleep Questionnaire-10 (P Conclusion A remarkable improvement was evident in sleep-related QoL, depression, anxiety, and some domains of cognitive function, after using CPAP treatment among complaint patients with OSA. Depression, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction are the prevalent neuropsychiatric complications of OSA and have to be assessed in all patients with OSA. Minimal oxygen saturation was the most striking risk factor correlated with sleep-related QoL and all the studied parameters of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Upper Zone of Growth Plate and Cartilage Matrix (UCMA) Levels in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important health problem across the world affecting the adult population with an enormous social and economic burden. Calcium regulation is also affected in patients with CKD, and related to several disorders including vascular calcifications, mineral bone disorders, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Upper zone of growth plate and cartilage matrix (UCMA) is vitamin K-dependent protein (VKDP) and acts as a calcification inhibitor in the cardiovascular system. The molecular mechanism of UCMA action remains unclear in CKD. In the current study, we aimed to investigate serum total UCMA levels and its association with calcium metabolism parameters in CKD patients including hemodialysis (HD) patients. Thirty-seven patients with CKD stage 3-5, 41 HD patients, and 34 healthy individuals were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Serum UCMA and calcification related protein levels (Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), Osteocalcin (OC), and Fetuin-A) were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Calcium mineral disorder parameters (Serum Ca, P, iPTH) were quantified with routine techniques. We, for the first time, report the potential biomarker role of UCMA in CKD including HD. Serum total UCMA levels were significantly higher in patients with CKD including HD patients than the healthy controls. Also, serum UCMA levels showed negative correlations with serum calcium, and eGFR, while showed positive relationships with P, iPTH, MGP, OC. Increased total UCMA levels may have a role in the Ca metabolism disorder and related to the pathogenesis of Vascular Calcification in patients with CKD.

Optimization of pharmacotherapy of patients with prostate adenoma with hormonal and metabolic disordes: correction of vitamin D deficiency with “Aquadetrim”

Introduction: Modern studies demonstrate an epidemiological and pathogenetic role of systemic hormonal and metabolic disorders in men with prostate adenoma (PA), so it is obvious that a pharmacotherapeutic correction of these disorders can increase the efficacy of the traditional therapy of the disease.
 Aim of study: To investigate the frequency, relationships among themselves and with PA local parameters of key systemic hormonal and metabolic disorders (obesity, insulin resistance, testosterone deficiency, vitamin D deficiency) and to develop practical algorithms for optimizing diagnosis and management based on an integrative approach.
 Material and Methods: The results of a comprehensive examination of 160 patients with PA (main group; average age 62.3 ± 4.2 years) and 30 healthy men without PA of the same age (control group), including: collection of anamnesis and complaints; questionnaires; physical, hormonal and sonographic studies, – are presented. Pharmacotherapeutic correction methods were tested in some patients of the main group. The data was processed using descriptive and comparative statistics.
 Results and Discussion: In the patients with PA, a significantly higher frequency of concomitant systemic hormonal and metabolic disorders formed at a younger age was established, compared to the men without PA, and significantly worse local characteristics of PA compared to the patients with PA without such (p < 0.05). Reliable connections of some studied systemic hormonal and metabolic disorders with one another and with local parameters of PA (p < 0.05) were revealed. A more severe vitamin D deficiency in the patients with PA compared to the control group was revealed, and the safety and a significant positive effect of its drug compensation on the parameters of hormonal and metabolic status and PA in D-deficient men with PA were shown (p < 0.05).
 Conclusion: The results of the study confirm an important role of the studied systemic hormonal and metabolic disorders in the pathogenesis of PA and the need for their diagnosis and pharmacotherapeutic correction in all patients with PA on the basis of an integrative approach, according to the proposed algorithms.

Experimentally Validated Hopping-Transport Model for Energetically Disordered Organic Semiconductors

Charge transport in disordered organic semiconductors occurs by hopping of charge carriers between localized sites that are randomly distributed in a strongly energy dependent density of states. Extracting disorder and hopping parameters from experimental data like temperature dependent current-voltage characteristics typically relies on parametrized mobility functionals that are integrated in a drift-diffusion solver. Surprisingly, the functional based on the extended Gaussian disorder model (eGDM) has been extremely successful at this, despite it being based on the assumption of nearest neighbor hopping (nnH) on a regular lattice. We here propose a variable range hopping (VRH) model that has been integrated in a freeware drift-diffusion solver. The mobility model has been calibrated using kinetic Monte Carlo calculations and shows good agreement with the Monte Carlo calculations over the experimentally relevant part of the parameter space. The model is applied to temperature-dependent space charge limited current (SCLC) measurements of different systems. In contrast to the eGDM, the VRH model provides a consistent description of both p-type and n-type devices. We find a critical ratio of aNN/$\alpha$ (mean inter-site distance / localization radius) of ~3 below which hopping to non-nearest neighbors becomes important around room temperature and the eGDM cannot be used for parameter extraction. Typical (Gaussian) disorder values in the range 45-120 meV are found, without any clear correlation with photovoltaic performance when the same active layer is used in an organic solar cell.

Efecto regulador de paricalcitol sobre parámetros inflamatorios, fibróticos y anticalcificantes en el paciente con enfermedad renal crónica. Más allá de la regulación de la enfermedad óseo-mineral

BackwardCardiovascular events are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Inflammation and mineral-bone disorder are pathological conditions that have been associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. ObjectiveShow paricalcitol regulation overinflammatory, fibrotic and mineral disorder parameters in CKD. Material and methodsProspective Study in 46 CKD stages III-V patients without dialysis patients whith elevated parathormone in which we introduced paricalcitol. We evaluated classic and newest mineral and bone metabolism serum parameters (calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, fibroblast growth factor-23 [FGF-23], Klotho, calcidiol), inflammatory-fibrosis and anticalcifying parameters (interleukin-6 and 10, tumor necrosis factor-a [TNF- α], transforming growth factor-b [TGF-β],bone morphogenic protein-7 [BMP-7] and fetuin-A) for four months. ResultsAt the end of study soluble Klotho increased (p=.001), FGF-23 remained stable, calcium and phosphorus levels were not increased, calcidiol increased (p=.010) and PTH decreased (p=.002). Inflammation-fibrosis and calcification parameters showed positive regulation after paricalcitol treatment: interleukin-6 decreased significantly (p=.001) and also TNF-α did (p=.005), on the contrary, interleukin-10 and fetuin-A increased (p=.001 for both). Anti-fibrosis marker BMP-7 increased (p=.001) and TGF-b decreased (p=.001). We did not find significant changes in renal function. ConclusionsParicalcitol treatment might be profitable in regulating inflammatory and anticalcificant parameters, unmodified calcium or phosphorus seric levels and preserving kidney function in renal patients with no dialysis. Our selected parameters could indicate paricalcitol effects in mineral and endothelial disorder related to renal disease.

System-size-dependent avalanche statistics in the limit of high disorder.

We investigate the effect of the amount of disorder on the statistics of breaking bursts during the quasistatic fracture of heterogeneous materials. We consider a fiber bundle model where the strength of single fibers is sampled from a power-law distribution over a finite range, so that the amount of materials' disorder can be controlled by varying the power-law exponent and the upper cutoff of fibers' strength. Analytical calculations and computer simulations, performed in the limit of equal load sharing, revealed that depending on the disorder parameters the mechanical response of the bundle is either perfectly brittle where the first fiber breaking triggers a catastrophic avalanche, or it is quasibrittle where macroscopic failure is preceded by a sequence of bursts. In the quasibrittle phase, the statistics of avalanche sizes is found to show a high degree of complexity. In particular, we demonstrate that the functional form of the size distribution of bursts depends on the system size: for large upper cutoffs of fibers' strength, in small systems the sequence of bursts has a high degree of stationarity characterized by a power-law size distribution with a universal exponent. However, for sufficiently large bundles the breaking process accelerates towards the critical point of failure, which gives rise to a crossover between two power laws. The transition between the two regimes occurs at a characteristic system size which depends on the disorder parameters.

Dynamical quantum phase transitions in extended toric-code models

We study the nonequilibrium dynamics of the extended toric code model (both ordered and disordered) to probe the existence of the dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs). We show that in the case of the ordered toric code model, the zeros of Loschmidt overlap (generalized partition function) occur at critical times when DQPTs occur, which is confirmed by the nonanalyticities in the dynamical counter-part of the free-energy density. Moreover, we show that DQPTs occur for any non-zero field strength if the initial state is the excited state of the toric code model. In the disordered case, we show that it is imperative to study the behavior of the first time derivative of the dynamical free-energy density averaged over all the possible configurations, to characterize the occurrence of a DQPTs in the disordered toric code model since the disorder parameter itself acts as a new artificial dimension. We also show that for the case where anyonic excitations are present in the initial state, the conditions for a DQPTs to occur are the same as what happens in the absence of any excitation.

EXAFS studies of enhancement of L21-B2 chemical disorder induced by ball milling in martensitic Ni50Mn36Sn14 pseudo-Heusler alloy

Chemical disorders in L21-B2-type structure, naturally occurred in 57Fe-doped Ni50Mn36Sn14 pseudo-Heusler alloy or enhanced in milled material, were systematically investigated using local probe methods: 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). 57Fe Mössbauer studies show two Fe configurations: paramagnetic (singlet) and ferromagnetic (magnetic distribution) with approximately a 1:1 ratio. Fe atoms in singlet configuration are replacing Ni or Sn sites, where a near zero or magnetically frustrated state occurs. The magnetic distribution component is due to Fe magnetically coupled to Mn atoms. The singlet fraction is 100% after 220 s of milling. Low temperature thermal annealing easily recovers the original magnetic component and its initial ratio. Ni and Mn K-edges EXAFS spectra suggest that the milled material still displays the long range crystalline ordering, but with an enhancement of the local disorder due to Mn atoms occupying Sn sites and Mn-distance changes (D-sites of the L21 structure: Mn–Sn). While Mn–Mn distances seem to reduce slightly from 2.91 Å to 2.89 Å after the milling, the chemical disorder parameter (σ2) enhanced 29%. No change in Mn–Ni distances was observed; a condition necessary for observation of structural transition inside of crystalline grain. The structural transition properties change due to the increase of σ2-parameters of Mn–Ni (enhanced to 38%) and Mn–Sn (increased to 29%). EXAFS spectra of annealed sample indicate an improvement of the D-site symmetry, which is confirmed by a distance value of 2.92 Å for the Mn–Mn and Mn–Sn in the L21 structure as well as a large reduction (between 40% and 80%) of the σ2 parameter value. The chemical order improvement of the L21-structure favors Mn–Mn ferromagnetic order, indirectly measured by 57Fe MS that probed a magnetic hyperfine field component.

Approach-to-magnetic saturation of Fe nanoparticle/nanorod encapsulated multi-walled carbon nanotubes under heavy ion irradiation

Effects of irradiation with swift heavy ions at different fluences on the structural and magnetic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes filled with Fe nanorods and nanoparticles (Fe-MWCNTs) are investigated. An up-shift in the ‘G’- band of the Raman spectra with the increasing fluence designates the development of stresses in Fe-MWCNTs. During the ion-irradiation, the disorder parameter that signifies the defect concentration initially decreases at lower fluence and then picks-up with a further rise in fluence. Structural characterization by electron microscopy reveals damaged walls and formation of defects in Fe-MWCNTs irradiated at the highest fluence. The average diameter of Fe-MWCNTs inferred from high-resolution TEM shows a reduction from 56 (±2) nm to 36 (±2) nm upon increasing the irradiation fluence from 5 × 1012 to 1 × 1014 ions/cm2. The ferromagnetic character of Fe nanoparticles/nanorods embedded in the MWCNTs swamps the diamagnetic nature of bare MWCNTs and hence a saturation behaviour in magnetization is seen for the Fe-MWCNTs. A significant reduction in the saturation magnetization (≈20%) is observed in the ‘irradiated’ Fe-MWCNTs when compared to their ‘as-prepared (pristine)’ counterparts and is attributed to the increase in surface disorder and weakening of exchange interactions upon irradiation. The coercive field follows a monotonous thermal decline in both ‘pristine’ and ‘irradiated’ Fe-MWCNTs. Contrary to the expectation, the coercivity of the ‘irradiated’ Fe-MWCNTs is less than nearly half the value for ‘pristine’ samples, in the entire temperature range 2 K–300 K.

Association of Mineral Bone Disorder With Decline in Residual Kidney Function in Incident Hemodialysis Patients.

Abnormalities of mineral bone disorder (MBD) parameters have been suggested to be associated with poor renal outcome in predialysis patients. However, the impact of those parameters on decline in residual kidney function (RKF) is uncertain among incident hemodialysis (HD) patients. We performed a retrospective cohort study in 13,772 patients who initiated conventional HD during 2007 to 2011 and survived 6 months of dialysis. We examined the association of baseline serum phosphorus, calcium, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with a decline in RKF. Decline in RKF was assessed by estimated slope of renal urea clearance (KRU) over 6 months from HD initiation. Our cohort had a mean ± SD age of 62 ± 15 years; 64% were men, 57% were white, 65% had diabetes, and 51% had hypertension. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) baseline KRU level was 3.4 (2.0, 5.2) mL/min/1.73 m2 . The median (IQR) estimated 6-month KRU slope was -1.47 (-2.24, -0.63) mL/min/1.73 m2 per 6 months. In linear regression models, higher phosphorus categories were associated with a steeper 6-month KRU slope compared with the reference category (phosphorus 4.0 to <4.5 mg/dL). Lower calcium and higher intact PTH and ALP categories were also associated with a steeper 6-month KRU slope compared with their respective reference groups (calcium 9.2 to <9.5 mg/dL; intact PTH 150 to <250 pg/mL; ALP <60 U/L). The increased number of parameter abnormalities had an additive effect on decline in RKF. Abnormalities of MBD parameters including higher phosphorus, intact PTH, ALP and lower calcium levels were independently associated with decline in RKF in incident HD patients. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

The Effects of Restricted Protein Diet Supplemented With Ketoanalogue on Renal Function, Blood Pressure, Nutritional Status, and Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To systemically review the meta-analysis exploring the effectiveness and safety of restricted protein diet supplemented with ketoanalogues (KAs) when compared with regular diet or low protein diet (LPD) without KAs in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We conducted electronic searches in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1960 to May 2018 to identify randomized controlled clinical trials that explored the effects of restricted protein diet including vegetarian and mixed type of protein with KAs on kidney endpoints including the changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria, nutritional status, and CKD-mineral bone disorder. Seventeen RCTs with 1,459 participants were included in our meta-analysis. Restricted protein diet with KAs significantly preserved eGFR and reduced proteinuria, serum phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH) level, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and serum cholesterol. By subgroup analysis, very low protein diet (VLPD) with KAs was plausibly superior to LPD with KAs in slowing the decline in eGFR. Only VLPD with KAs significantly improved serum PTH, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure while both regimens significantly decreased serum phosphate. Only LPD with KAs significantly raised serum albumin and serum calcium. Restricted protein diet supplemented with KAs could effectively improve kidney endpoints including preserving eGFR and diminishing proteinuria, blood pressure levels, and CKD-mineral bone disorder parameters without causing malnutrition. VLPD with KAs appears to provide more effectiveness in slowing the decline in eGFR, lowering blood pressure, reducing serum PTH, and less increasing serum calcium level.

Relationship between the expression level of microRNA and the features of clinical course of the gallbladder and Оddi's sphincter functional disorders in children

The aim of the work is to establish the relationship between the expression levels of microRNA-378f, microRNA-4311, microRNA-4714-3p and anamnestic, clinical and paraclinical parameters of functional disorders of the gallbladder and Oddi's sphincter (FD GB and OS) in children. Materials and methods. We examined 50 children with FD GB and OS aged from 4 to 14 years old. The control group included 20 healthy children of the same age. All the children, in addition to general clinical examination, underwent a molecular genetic study with the determination of the expression level of microRNA-378f, microRNA-4311, microRNA-4714-3p in blood serum by the method of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction according to TaqMan Gene Expression Assays protocol. In total, 140 clinical, laboratory and instrumental diagnostic indicators of 50 patients with verified FD GB and OS were analyzed using correlation analysis. Results. Associations between the expression level of microRNA-378f and familial heredity of the biliary tract diseases with FD GB and OS in mothers (r = +0.27; P < 0.05) and sisters (r = +0.39; P < 0.05) of patients were identified. A positive correlation was registered between the expression levels of microRNA-378f and micro-RNA-4311 and FD GB and OS in maternal relatives (r = +0.35 and r = +0.32, respectively; P < 0.05). Associations between the expression levels of microRNA-4311 and microRNA-4714-3p and burdened allergic history in children with FD GB and OS (r = +0.41; r = +0.37, respectively; P < 0.05) were established. Analysis of the correlation diagram showed that the expression level of microRNA-4714-3p was positively correlated with a decrease in the gallbladder contractility (r = +0.36; P < 0.05). Conclusions. Significant correlations between the expression levels of microRNA-378f and microRNA-4311 and familial aggregation of the biliary tract pathology in the pedigrees of children with FD GB and OS were established. It was determined that the burdened allergic history was associated with the expression levels of microRNA-4311 and micro-RNA4714-3p in the examined children. Associations between the expression levels of microRNA-4311 and microRNA-4714-3p and clinical manifestations of abdominal pain syndrome, dyspeptic and asteno-vegetative syndromes of FD GB and OS in children were found. It was revealed that a decrease in the expression level of microRNA-4714-3p was associated with a decrease in the gallbladder contractility in children with FD GB and OS.

Non-equilibrium phonon transport in surface-roughness dominated nanowires

Experimental observation of highly reduced thermal conductivity in surface-roughness dominated silicon nanowires have generated renewed interest in low-dimensional thermoelectric devices. Using a previous work where the scattering of phonons from a rough surface is mapped to scattering from randomly situated localized phonons in the bulk of a smooth nanowire, we consider the thermal current across a nanowire for various strengths of surface disorder. We use non-equilibrium Green’s function techniques that allow us to evaluate the thermal current beyond the linear response regime, for arbitrary cold and hot temperatures of the two semi-infinite connecting leads. We show how the surface-roughness affects the frequency dependence of the thermal current, eventually leading to a temperature dependent reduction of the net current at high temperatures. We use a universal disorder parameter to describe the surface-roughness as has been proposed, and show that the dependence of the net current on this parameter provides a natural explanation for the experimentally observed differences between smooth versus rough surfaces. We argue that a systematic study of the thermal current for different values of the temperature difference between the two sides of a surface-roughness dominated nanowire for various strengths of disorder would help in our understanding of how best to optimize the thermoelectric efficiency.