Functional Relationship Research Articles

Association between lung function and risk of microvascular diseases in patients with diabetes: A prospective cohort and mendelian randomization study

Background and aimsTo investigate causal relationships of lung function with risks microvascular diseases among participants with diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), respectively, in prospective and Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Methods and results14,617 participants with diabetes and without microvascular diseases at baseline from the UK Biobank were included in the prospective analysis. Of these, 13,421 had T2DM and 1196 had T1DM. The linear MR analyses were conducted in the UK Biobank with 6838 cases of microvascular diseases and 10,755 controls. Lung function measurements included forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). The study outcome was microvascular diseases, a composite outcome including chronic kidney diseases, retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. During a median follow-up of 12.1 years, 2668 new-onset microvascular diseases were recorded. FVC (%predicted) was inversely associated with the risk of new-onset microvascular diseases in participants with diabetes (Per SD increment, adjusted HR = 0.86; 95%CI:0.83–0.89), T2DM (Per SD increment, adjusted HR = 0.86; 95%CI:0.82–0.90) and T1DM (Per SD increment, adjusted HR = 0.87; 95%CI: 0.79–0.97), respectively. Similar results were found for FEV1 (%predicted). In MR analyses, genetically predicted FVC (adjusted RR = 0.55, 95%CI:0.39–0.77) and FEV1 (adjusted RR = 0.48, 95%CI:0.28–0.83) were both inversely associated with microvascular diseases in participants with T1DM. No significant association was found in those with T2DM. Similar findings were found for each component of microvascular diseases. ConclusionThere was a causal inverse association between lung function and risks of microvascular diseases in participants with T1DM, but not in those with T2DM.

Oxygen's final frontier: novel capillary-mitochondrial relationships in muscle predicate function.

Oxygen's final frontier: novel capillary-mitochondrial relationships in muscle predicate function.

Dose-effect Relationship of Kidney Function After Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy for Primary Renal Cell Carcinoma: Trog 15.03 Fastrack Ii

BackgroundStereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) is a novel option to treat primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, a high radiation dose may be received by the treated kidney, which may affect its function post-treatment. This study investigates the dose-effect relationship of kidney SABR with posttreatment renal function. MethodsThis was a prespecified secondary endpoint of the multicenter FASTRACK II clinical trial (NCT02613819). Patients received either 26 Gy in a single fraction (SF) for tumors with a maximal diameter of 4 cm or less, or 42 Gy in three fractions (multi-fraction (MF)) for larger tumors. To determine renal function change, 99mTc-DMSA SPECT/CT scans were acquired, and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated at baseline, 12-, and 24-months post-treatment. Imaging datasets were rigidly registered to the planning CT where kidneys were segmented to calculate dose-response curves. ResultsFrom 71 enrolled patients, data from 36 (51%) and 26 (37%) patients were included in this study based on availability of post-treatment data at 12- and 24-months, respectively. The ipsilateral kidney GFR decreased from baseline by 42% and 39% in the SF cohort, and by 45% and 62% in the MF cohort, at 12- and 24-months respectively (p-values < 0.03). The loss in renal function was 3.6±0.8% and 4.5±1.0% in the SF cohort, and 1.7±0.1% and 1.7±0.2% in the MF cohort, at 12- and 24-months respectively. The major loss in renal function occurred in high-dose regions, where dose-response curves converged to a plateau. ConclusionsFor the first time in a multicenter study, the dose-effect relationship at 12- and 24-months post-SABR treatment for primary RCC was quantified. Kidney function reduces linearly with dose up to 100 Gy BED3.

Pulmonary function and body composition parameters of children with cystic fibrosis from a hight complexity institution between 2015 and 2018

BackgroundAn adequate nutritional status in patients with cystic fibrosis correlates with higher survival and better pulmonary function. Body mass index (BMI) is an anthropometric indicator with independent association with pulmonary function, and it can hide alterations of nutritional status in cystic fibrosis. ObjectiveTo determine the relationship of lung function with BMI and body composition parameters in children with cystic fibrosis in a Hight Complexity institution between 2015 and 2018. Materials and methodsIt was an observational study with analytical, cross-sectional, and retrospective scope, including 33 patients between 5 and 17 years old. Spearman's test was applied to evaluate correlation of FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in first second) with BMI and five body composition parameters by bioelectrical impedance using InbodyS10 equipment. Statistical significance was considered with p < 0.05. ResultsPositive correlation was obtained between FEV1 and appendicular skeletal muscle mass between lung function and percentage of fat-free mass (p = 0.006) and phase angle (p = 0.001). Percent fat mass had a negative correlation with FEV1 (p = 0.007). BMI and fat free mass index did not correlate with lung function (p = 0.085). ConclusionsAppendicular skeletal muscle mass correlated better than BMI with lung function in children with cystic fibrosis. It is recommended to perform anthropometric follow-up by BMI complemented with body composition study in children with cystic fibrosis. Analyses with larger populations are required to standardize its use.

Intracellular lipase and regulation of the lipid droplet.

Lipid droplets are increasingly recognized as distinct intracellular organelles that have functions exclusive to the storage of energetic lipids. Lipid droplets modulate macrophage inflammatory phenotype, control the availability of energy for muscle function, store excess lipid, sequester toxic lipids, modulate mitochondrial activity, and allow transfer of fatty acids between tissues. There have been several major advances in our understanding of the formation, dissolution, and function of this organelle during the past two years. These include new information on movement and partition of amphipathic proteins between the cytosol and lipid droplet surface, molecular determinants of lipid droplet formation, and pathways leading to lipid droplet hydrophobic lipid formation. Rapid advances in mitochondrial biology have also begun to define differences in their function and partnering with lipid droplets to modulate lipid storage versus oxidation. This relationship of lipid droplets biology and cellular function provides new understanding of an important cellular organelle that influences muscle function, adipose lipid storage, and diseases of lipotoxicity.

Принципы преобразования механизма государственных закупок и их применение в Российской Федерации

The research is devoted to the identification, identification and study of the principles of transformation of the public procurement mechanism in modern Russian practice under the influence of current public demands and systemwide challenges. The empirical base of the study is based on the previously obtained results of the study of the functioning of the sphere of public procurement, implemented on the basis of the federal law No. 44-FZ "On the Contract System in the Field of procurement of goods, Works, services for State and Municipal Needs", their place in the state economic Mechanism and quantitative indicators of their impact on achieving the goals of state economic policy. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the differentiation and characterization of various groups of framework restrictions that affect the functioning and transformation of the mechanism of public procurement, as well as determining the directions of functional relationships between these groups. A component of the scientific novelty of the study is also the formulation of the rules (principles) recommended by the author for the transformation of the public procurement mechanism with their subject-descriptive justification and the formation of a systematic representation of their application in relation to the process of sequential transformation of the public procurement mechanism. The scientific contribution of the author to the study of the processes of improvement of the modern sphere of public procurement consists in the application of the method of formal logic in relation to the identification of objective grounds for the constant transformation of the mechanism of public procurement and its sequential transition from one state to another. The result of the study was the author's recommendations on the practical application of the principles of transformation of the public procurement mechanism in order to improve the scope of public procurement activities and increase the effectiveness in achieving the goals of state economic policy through public procurement.

De novo GRIN variants in M3 helix associated with neurological disorders control channel gating of NMDA receptor

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are members of the glutamate receptor family and participate in excitatory postsynaptic transmission throughout the central nervous system. Genetic variants in GRIN genes encoding NMDAR subunits are associated with a spectrum of neurological disorders. The M3 transmembrane helices of the NMDAR couple directly to the agonist-binding domains and form a helical bundle crossing in the closed receptors that occludes the pore. The M3 functions as a transduction element whose conformational change couples ligand binding to opening of an ion conducting pore. In this study, we report the functional consequences of 48 de novo missense variants in GRIN1, GRIN2A, and GRIN2B that alter residues in the M3 transmembrane helix. These de novo variants were identified in children with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders including epilepsy, developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. All 48 variants in M3 for which comprehensive testing was completed produce a gain-of-function (28/48) compared to loss-of-function (9/48); 11 variants had an indeterminant phenotype. This supports the idea that a key structural feature of the M3 gate exists to stabilize the closed state so that agonist binding can drive channel opening. Given that most M3 variants enhance channel gating, we assessed the potency of FDA-approved NMDAR channel blockers on these variant receptors. These data provide new insight into the structure–function relationship of the NMDAR gate, and suggest that variants within the M3 transmembrane helix produce a gain-of-function.

Analysis method of explosive electromagnetic radiation energy

AbstractThe energy of electromagnetic radiation from explosions is coupled to electronic equipment circuits, disrupting the initiation sequence or causing failure in an increasing number of cases, which seriously affects the stability of weapon systems. There is a significant difference between the characteristics of the explosive electromagnetic radiation signals and modulated electromagnetic signals. The electric field intensity and signal power cannot directly represent the magnitude of the explosive electromagnetic radiation energy, and traditional electromagnetic signal analysis methods are unsuitable for explosion electromagnetic signal analysis. To solve this problem, the mechanism of explosive electromagnetic radiation was first analyzed. Through verification experiments of the explosion electromagnetic intensity and temperature, it was concluded that there is a strong correlation between the explosion plasma temperature and electromagnetic intensity. The temperature of the explosive plasma is derived based on the measured surface temperature of the explosive fireball, a functional relationship is established between the energy of the explosive plasma and the temperature of the plasma, and plasma energy is introduced as a parameter for electric field intensity correction. The interference signal analysis method based on eye diagram is used to calibrate the electromagnetic radiation damage ability, achieving quantitative analysis of the interference degree of electromagnetic radiation energy on the signal, and providing a new approach for the analysis of explosive electromagnetic radiation energy.

Multi-Trophic Species Diversity Contributes to the Restoration of Soil Multifunctionality in Degraded Karst Forests through Cascading Effects

The biodiversity–ecosystem function (BEF) relationship is the basis for studying the restoration of degraded ecosystems, and the simultaneous assessment of multi-trophic-level biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality relationship is more conducive to unravelling the restoration mechanism of degraded ecosystems, especially for degraded forest ecosystems with harsh habitats and infertile soils such as karst. In this study, we evaluated the biodiversity and soil multifunctionality (SMF) of degraded karst forests (scrub, SB; secondary growth forests, SG; old-growth forests, OG) in the Maolan National Nature Reserve, China, using 30 sample plots. Biodiversity and soil multifunctionality (SMF) at three trophic levels (plant–soil fauna–soil microorganisms), were assessed through vegetation surveys and soil sampling. One-way ANOVA showed that SMF increased with natural restoration, but multi-trophic level biodiversity showed different trends. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between plant species diversity and SMF (p &lt; 0.001), whereas soil fauna and soil microorganisms were negatively correlated with SMF. Structural equation modeling revealed a cascading effect of the multi-trophic level on the stimulation of the SMF during restoration. Only soil microorganisms exhibited a direct driving effect on SMF (p &lt; 0.001), whereas plants indirectly influenced soil microorganisms through soil fauna, which subsequently affected the SMF. Although we observed the negative effects of increased plant diversity on soil fauna and soil microbial diversity in terms of quantitative relationships, the increase in soil fauna species and the evenness of soil microbial function still contributed to SMF restoration. This study revealed the cascading effects of multi-trophic diversity in promoting SMF restoration and emphasized that soil microbes are key to unraveling restoration mechanisms and processes, whereas soil fauna is an important intermediate link.

Language and executive function relationships in the real world: insights from deafness

Abstract Executive functions (EFs) in both regulatory and meta-cognitive contexts are important for a wide variety of children’s daily activities, including play and learning. Despite the growing literature supporting the relationship between EF and language, few studies have focused on these links during everyday behaviours. Data were collected on 208 children from 6 to 12 years old of whom 89 were deaf children (55% female; M = 8;8; SD = 1;9) and 119 were typically hearing children (56% female, M = 8;9; SD = 1;5). Parents completed two inventories: to assess EFs and language proficiency. Parents of deaf children reported greater difficulties with EFs in daily activities than those of hearing children. Correlation analysis between EFs and language showed significant levels only in the deaf group, especially in relation to meta-cognitive EFs. The results are discussed in terms of the role of early parent–child interaction and the relevance of EFs for everyday conversational situations.

A fuzzy interval optimization approach for p-hub median problem under uncertain information.

Stochastic and robust optimization approaches often result in sub-optimal solutions for the uncertain p-hub median problem when continuous design parameters are discretized to form different environmental scenarios. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a triangular fuzzy number model for the Non-Strict Uncapacitated Multi-Allocation p-hub Median Problem. To enhance the quality and the speed of optimization, a novel optimization approach, combining the triangular fuzzy number evaluation index with the Genetic-Tabu Search algorithm, is proposed. During the iterations of the Genetic-Tabu Search algorithm for finding the optimal solution, the fitness of fuzzy hub schemes is calculated by considering the relative positional relationships of triangular fuzzy number membership functions. This approach directly addresses the triangular fuzzy number model and ensures the integrity of information in the p-hub problem as much as possible. It is verified by the classic Civil Aeronautics Board and several self-constructed data sets. The results indicate that, compared to the traditional Genetic Algorithm and Tabu Search algorithm, the Genetic-Tabu Search algorithm reduces average computation time by 49.05% and 40.93%, respectively. Compared to traditional random, robust, and real-number-based optimization approaches, the proposed optimization approach reduces the total cost in uncertain environments by 1.47%, 2.80%, and 8.85%, respectively.

Health literacy mediates the relationships of cognitive and physical functions with health-related quality of life in older adults.

Declining cognitive function (CF) and physical function (PF) relate to poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults. As health literacy (HL) facilitates health information utilization, it may mediate links between functionality and HRQoL appraisals. This study examined HL as an intermediary between joint CF and PF contributions and HRQoL in Hong Kong older adults. 490 older adults aged 50-80 years completed assessments from March to July 2021. Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire Short Form 12 questions (HLS-SF12), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Senior Fitness Test (SFT) and 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-12v2) were used to assess HL, CF, PF and HRQoL, respectively. Path analysis tested a model with HL mediating CF/PF predictors and HRQoL outcome. Results for direct effects indicated that CF significantly associated with PF (β = 0.115, SE = 0.012, p < 0.001), PF significantly connected to HL (β = 0.101, SE = 0.022, p < 0.001), and HL significantly related to HRQoL (β = 0.457, SE = 0.049, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, PF significantly linked to HRQoL directly (β = 0.156, SE = 0.025, p < 0.001) as well as indirectly (β = 0.046, 95% CI [0.028, 0.067]). Significant mediating effect of HL was found on the relationship of PF and HRQoL. Findings confirm CF and PF joint impacts on HL and HRQoL in older adults, elucidating HL's mediating role in translating functionality levels into HRQoL. Fostering enduring health knowledge access may thus buffer effects of age-related declines on well-being. Results can inform interventions leveraging this pathway to promote resilient trajectories.

Chrysanthemum as a remarkable edible flower resource with anti‐glycation effects: Representative variety differences, phenolic compositions, and the interaction mechanism

AbstractVarious edible chrysanthemum flowers possess different anti‐glycation effects due to various compositions; however, the interaction mechanism is unclear. Our study aimed to compare the anti‐glycation effects of different edible chrysanthemum flowers and investigate the effect of phenolic compounds among them. The bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐glucose model was used for evaluating anti‐glycation effects of various chrysanthemums flowers, and C. HBJ, C. TJ, and C. JSHJ showed better anti‐glycation effects compare to aminoguanidine. Seventeen phenolic compounds were detected, and characteristic compounds were identified via omics analysis. The interactions between BSA and different phenolic acids were analyzed by molecular docking, and the anti‐glycation model was used for further verification. In this way, apigetrin, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, quercetin‐3β‐d‐glucoside, and afzelin were identified. They were proved to affect the secondary structure of proteins due to excellent hydrophobic interactions. Our results identified the chrysanthemum species with the most promising anti‐glycation effect as well as their representative phenolic compounds. The binding of phenolic compounds and BSA due to hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds might contribute to their anti‐glycation activities. Overall, our research is helpful for designing edible flower products with anti‐glycation functions and providing a better understanding of the structure–function relationship.

Analysis of Dynamic Mechanical Properties and Energy Consumption of Fractured Sandstone under Dynamic–Static Combination Conditions

Under dynamic loads, such as blasting, excavation, or quarrying, rocks with fissures are the first to sustain damage, leading to instability in the engineering rock mass. To investigate the kinetic properties of fractured rocks, fractured coal mine sandstone specimens underwent impact compression tests using a dynamic–static combination SHPB (split Hopkinson pressure bar) test device at different loading rates under combined dynamic and static conditions. The damage characteristics of the specimens were analyzed from an energy point of view. The results show that under the dynamic and static combined condition, when five impact loading air pressures are used for loading at different impact rates, the trends of the dynamic stress–strain curves of prefabricated fissured rock samples under various impact pressures were discovered to be similar and were mainly categorized into three main stages of elasticity, yield, and destruction; the specimen’s dynamic compressive strength increases according to a power function relationship; as the average strain rate increases, the dynamic strain increases linearly and the dynamic modulus of elasticity increases in a quadratic relationship, all of which show a significant strain rate effect. The incident energy is a power function of the loading rate. The reflected, transmitted, and absorbed energies by the sample increase with the incident energy. The degree of the sandstone specimen fragmentation gradually grows with increasing impact loading rate and incident energy, as evidenced by a decrease in the scale of the fragments. The absorbed energy in the sample is mainly used for the deformation damage of the rock, and the more intense the fragmentation of the specimen, the more absorbed energy is required.

Study of Morphofunctional Relationships Between Adrenal Pathology and Hypothyroidism and Iodine Deficiency (Review)

Hormones that produce the adrenal glands affect most of the functional and metabolic processes in the human body, and also ensure its stability under stress. Since the adrenal glands are a stress-sensitive organ in the endocrine regulation system of all body functions, the development of adaptation mechanisms under the conditions of stress factor action can be characterized by their morphological state. However, thyroid diseases associated with a persistent lack of hormones are the cause of impaired homeostasis, metabolism and oxygen exchange. Since the adrenal glands belong to the vital target organs of the thyroid gland, of particular interest is the study of their functional relationships in normal and pathological conditions.

Thermal regulation of dormancy in Echinochloa crus‐galli (L.) P. Beauv. seeds: Development of a model to predict the temporal ‘window’ of emergence in the field

AbstractPredicting weed emergence is of vital importance for weed management, since the seedling stage is the most effective plant stage for the application of control practices. In weeds species whose seeds present dormancy, as in Echinochloa crus‐galli, predicting emergence requires understanding how the environment regulates seed dormancy level. In the present work we studied the environmental regulation of dormancy in E. crus‐galli seeds. For this, E. crus‐galli seeds were stored under different conditions: (i) moist at 5, 10 and 15°C (stratification) and (ii) dry at 15 and 25°C (dry after‐ripening) for 80 days. During storage the seeds were tested for germination at regular intervals under a wide thermal range (10–30°C). The results showed that the changes in dormancy level were associated with a widening of the thermal range permissive for seed germination, which was mainly explained by a decrease in its lower limit temperature (Tl). This decrease in Tl was higher when the seeds were stratified at 10°C than at 5 and 15°C. Seeds exposed to dry after‐ripening showed an extremely low rate of dormancy release. Obtained results were used to establish functional relationships able to predict the temporal ‘window’ of field emergence of E. crus‐galli as a function of soil temperature.

OPTIMIZATION ISSUES OF OIL-CONTAMINATED SITE BIOTECHNOLOGICAL CLEANING

The well-known two-factor regression model of the dependence of the rate of oil degradation in soil on factors such as the initial oil concentration and exposure time is analyzed. The functional relationship between these two factors is considered. Two optimization problems have been compiled to calculate the maximum value of the integral estimate of the rate of oil degradation on a variety of contaminated land plots. According to the solution of the first optimization problem, the maximum of this indicator is achieved in the presence of a linear increasing dependence of the initial concentration on the exposure time. The solution to the second problem showed the possibility of some displacement of the solution to the first problem along the ordinate.

An analytical method for free vibrations of the fuel rod with non-uniform mass of small modular reactor

The intricate internal structure of fuel rods results in a non-uniform mass distribution, making it imperative to employ analytical methods for accurate assessment. The study utilizes Euler beam theory to derive the transverse vibration equation for beams with varying mass distribution. The approach involves transforming the non-uniform mass beam into a multi-segment beam with concentrated mass points. Modal function relationships between adjacent uniform segments are established based on continuous conditions at connection points. This transformation leads to the conversion of the variable coefficient differential equation into a nonlinear matrix equation. The Newton-Raphson method is then applied to calculate the characteristic equation and mode shapes, essential for determining natural frequencies. To validate precision, the results obtained are compared with those derived from the finite element method. Furthermore, the developed method is employed to assess the impact of gas plenum location and length on the natural frequency of fuel rods. The proposed methodology serves as a rapid design tool, particularly beneficial during the design phase of fuel rods with non-uniform mass distribution, aiding in configuring structural aspects effectively.

Disentangling the effect of growth from development in size-related trait scaling relationships.

In plant ecology, the terms growth and development are often used interchangeably. Yet these constitute two distinct processes. Plant architectural traits (e.g. number of successive forks) can estimate development stages. Here, we show the importance of including the effect of development stages to better understand size-related trait scaling relationships (i.e. between height and stem diameter). We focused on one common savanna woody species (Senegalia nigrescens) from the Greater Kruger Area, South Africa. We sampled 406 individuals that experience different exposure to herbivory, from which we collected four traits: plant height, basal stem diameter, number of successive forks (proxy for development stage), and resprouting. We analysed trait relationships (using standardized major axis regression) between height and stem diameter, accounting for the effect of ontogeny, exposure to herbivory, and resprouting. The number of successive forks affects the scaling relationship between height and stem diameter, with the slope and strength of the relationship declining in more developed individuals. Herbivory exposure and resprouting do not affect the overall height-diameter relationship. However, when height and stem diameter were regressed separately against number of successive forks, herbivory exposure and resprouting had an effect. For example, resprouting individuals allocate more biomass to both primary and secondary growth than non-resprouting plants in more disturbed conditions. We stress the need to include traits related to ontogeny so as to disentangle the effect of biomass allocation to primary and secondary growth from that of development in plant functional relationships.

Modeling Landscape Influence on Stream Baseflows for Watershed Conservation

Instream flows are vital to the ecology of riverine and riparian systems. The influence of watershed characteristics on these systems is helpful in developing landscape policies to maintain these flows. Watershed characteristics like precipitation, forest cover, impervious cover, soil drainage, and slope affect baseflows. Spatial analysis using GIS and nonlinear regression analysis is used to analyze spatial and temporal information from gauged watersheds in Massachusetts to quantify the relationship between baseflows and watershed metrics. The marginal functions of landscape factors that reflect changes in baseflow are quantified. This information is then applied to watershed policy toward improving base flows. The interactions of three fixed attributes, soil drainage, rainfall incidence, and slope, are analyzed for the manageable landscape attributes of impervious and forest cover. Developing watershed policy to protect baseflows involves evaluating the complex interactions and functional relationships between these landscape factors and their use in watershed conservation planning.