Proximal Function Research Articles

Dynamic Mixed Data Analysis and Visualization

One of the consequences of the big data revolution is that data are more heterogeneous than ever. A new challenge appears when mixed-type data sets evolve over time and we are interested in the comparison among individuals. In this work, we propose a new protocol that integrates robust distances and visualization techniques for dynamic mixed data. In particular, given a time , we start by measuring the proximity of n individuals in heterogeneous data by means of a robustified version of Gower’s metric (proposed by the authors in a previous work) yielding to a collection of distance matrices . To monitor the evolution of distances and outlier detection over time, we propose several graphical tools: First, we track the evolution of pairwise distances via line graphs; second, a dynamic box plot is obtained to identify individuals which showed minimum or maximum disparities; third, to visualize individuals that are systematically far from the others and detect potential outliers, we use the proximity plots, which are line graphs based on a proximity function computed on ; fourth, the evolution of the inter-distances between individuals is analyzed via dynamic multiple multidimensional scaling maps. These visualization tools were implemented in the Shinny application in R, and the methodology is illustrated on a real data set related to COVID-19 healthcare, policy and restriction measures about the 2020–2021 COVID-19 pandemic across EU Member States.

Crystallization order effects on inclusion assemblages in magmatic accessory minerals and implications for the detrital record

Mineral inclusion assemblages in zircon are almost certainly a complex function of crystallization sequence, magma chemistry, and physical proximity to other crystallizing phases. While the latter may be largely random, the former two factors should have more systematic controls. To better constrain the effects of crystallization sequence, we investigated a suite of granitoids from the Cretaceous arc of southern California and from the Miocene Colorado River Extensional Corridor, ranging from tonalites to leucogranites. In particular we examined inclusions in a variety of accessory minerals to elucidate crystallization order effects. Apatite is almost universally overrepresented as an inclusion in the studied minerals relative to its volumetric abundance in the rock as a whole. Where crystallization order can be inferred, earlier phases usually either have a higher proportion of apatite inclusions (11 out of 20 cases) or show no significant differences in apatite content from later phases (7 cases). An increase in the proportion of apatite with progressive crystallization is observed in four out of the 20 samples with clear crystallization orders (two rocks out of the 20 contain both an increasing and a decreasing case among different mineral pairs and are included in both groups). We interpret these observations as showing the widespread early crystallization of apatite inclusions – likely by pileup of the slow-diffusing phosphorus complex along growing mineral grains. The lower apatite contents in late-crystallizing modal phases are also reflected in the very low apatite contents within late-crystallizing zircon from some studied mafic-intermediate units, contrary to earlier suggestions that apatite decreases as a proportion of the inclusion assemblage with increasing whole rock silica. Plagioclase inclusions in zircon are on average more albitic than matrix plagioclase. In some samples, sequences of plagioclase crystallization can be identified by albite content among 1) magmatic cores of matrix grains, 2) inclusions in mafic accessory minerals, 3) inclusions in zircon, and 4) post-magmatic alteration veins and exsolution lamellae. However, the relative proportions of quartz, K-feldspar, and plagioclase inclusions do not systematically vary in accessory minerals with crystallization order, suggesting other origins of the often-recognized modal shifts toward more quartz- and K-feldspar-rich inclusion assemblage compared to the matrix. Unlike Himalayan leucogranites, when muscovite is present in the matrix in our sample suite, it is a rare inclusion phase in later-crystallizing accessories and may, in some cases, even be absent in zircon even when present in other phases. It is possible to mistake non-magmatic inclusions in detrital grains for primary magmatic inclusions, and examination of internal host grain texture and geochronology (when applicable) is especially important in a detrital setting. These results should allow an improved framework for interpreting inclusion assemblages in detrital magmatic minerals and in interpreting the phase petrology of the host igneous rock. Given the remaining ambiguities in linking a number of observations (i.e., apatite contents, position on the quartz-alkali feldspar-plagioclase ternary, and the ratio of felsic to mafic silicate phases) to specific magmatic provenance, the identification of rare but petrologically significant inclusion phases such as muscovite, halides, Mn and Nb minerals, sulfides, or baddeleyite, may be more helpful in pointing to either highly evolved or more mafic provenances.

Yet Another Non-Unique Human Behaviour: Leave-Taking in Wild Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus).

Simple SummaryAlthough greeting is well-studied across animal species, its counterpart, leave taking, is little studied in nonhumans. Here, we review the previous limitations of leave-taking research and use this to develop a new method for studying leave taking in nonhumans. Using videos of chacma baboons in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, we compared behaviours at the end of social departures to nonsocial departures. We found that shifting orientation towards the direction of parting was significantly more likely in social departures compared to nonsocial departures. As the first evidence of leave taking in a wild nonhuman species, we suggest that leave taking is not uniquely human as previously argued, and that our method could be used to further explore the presence of leave taking in other nonhuman species.Leave taking is a common, possibly universal, feature of human social behaviour that has undergone very little empirical research. Although the importance remains unknown, it has been suggested to play an important role in managing separations, mitigating the risk, and increasing social bonding beyond the interaction itself. In nonhuman species, the literature is virtually absent, but identifying leave taking beyond humans may provide unique insights into the evolutionary history of this behaviour and shed light onto its proximate and ultimate function(s). Methods to study leave taking are not well-established, and the variation in definitions, measures, and control variables presented in past studies poses additional challenges. Baboons are a valuable model for investigating human behavioural evolution: as a flexible, highly adaptable, and social primate whose radiation is, similarly to humans, associated with the emergence of the African savannah biome. Using the framework and definition proposed by Baehren, we investigated the presence of leave taking in a wild, generalist primate and tested a range of candidate behaviours on prerecorded video footage: (1) self-scratching, (2) eye gaze, and (3) orientation in the direction of parting. Using multivariate analysis, controlling for interaction duration and individual variation, our results show that orientation in the direction of parting occurs predominantly before social separation events. These results indicate evidence of leave taking in a wild nonhuman population and contrast with previous ideas that this is a uniquely human behaviour. The presence of leave taking in baboons suggests a deep evolutionary history of this behaviour, warranting further investigation into its function and presence across other nonhuman primate species.

Early switching of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in HIV-infected patients with TDF-induced nephrotoxicity: a prospective study

Background: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) can induce proximal renal tubulopathy (PRT) and necessitate changes in treatment regimen. This prospective study aimed to compare tubular function recovery following early switching versus late switching of TDF in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with TDF-induced PRT. Methods: For this prospective study, conducted during 2017–2019, we enrolled HIV-1-infected, virologically suppressed adults undergoing TDF-containing combination antiretroviral therapy. Patients were separated into a late-switching group (LSG) and an early-switching group (ESG). The LSG included patients having an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decrease ≥25% from the pretreatment level or Fanconi syndrome. The ESG included patients having ≥2 of the following indicators of PRT: fractional excretion of phosphate (FEUP) ≥10%, low tubular maximum reabsorption of phosphate (TmP)/GFR, or uricosuria; fractional uric acid excretion ≥10%; urine protein–creatinine index (UPCI) ≥500 mg/g creatinine, normoglycemic glycosuria, or decrease in eGFR of 15%–24%. Recovery of proximal tubular function at 6 and 12 months after TDF discontinuation was assessed. Complete recovery was defined as normalization of all abnormal tubular markers. Results: Thirty-three HIV-infected patients were enrolled (70% male). Except for tubular function markers, baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. The proportion of patients having complete recovery was significantly higher in the ESG (p = 0.007, log-rank test). FEUP improved significantly in the ESG after TDF discontinuation; improvements of eGFR and UPCI were greater in the LSG. An eGFR change of 10% from baseline was the only independent predictor of failure to achieve complete recovery after switching. After median follow-up of 2.25 years post-trial, sustained recovery of eGFR within 5% of pre-TDF eGFR was achieved only in the ESG. Conclusions: Early-switching of TDF in HIV patients with PRT may allow complete recovery of proximal renal tubular function.

Population and habitat connectivity of Grevy's zebra Equus grevyi, a threatened large herbivore in degraded rangelands

Land degradation, competition with livestock, infrastructure development, and climate change have reduced habitat availability and reduced population connectivity for many wildlife species. Large herbivores are particularly vulnerable, and approximately 90 % of global large herbivore diversity is in Africa. The endangered Grevy's zebra illustrates the decline and fragmentation of large mammalian herbivore populations, with extensive population loss across their range in northern Kenya and Ethiopia. A better understanding of the factors influencing population connectivity and movement patterns of Grevy's zebra, highlighted in national strategies, offers valuable insights for other threatened species.Using location and movement data for Grevy's zebra from GPS collars deployed between 2010 and 2017, seasonally-explicit landscape resistance was modelled as a function of water availability, vegetation, cattle density, topography and proximity to roads and settlements. Maximum entropy models identified habitat suitability during wet and dry seasons respectively. Population connectivity analyses using least-cost paths and circuit theory determined landscape resistance to movement and highlighted linkage pathways. Movement was modelled over a range of distances, using GPS data.Grevy's zebra reliance on water was confirmed, with an apparent trade-off between habitat suitability and proximity to people. Connectivity models highlighted potentially isolated populations, with reduced seasonal connectivity being most apparent between north to south distribution areas. These results can inform sustainable land management planning in northern Kenya and offer support for Grevy's zebra conservation actions. These results also provide insights that can be applied to other large herbivores occurring in this region and in arid or degraded environments elsewhere.

Variance reduction on general adaptive stochastic mirror descent

In this work, we investigate the idea of variance reduction by studying its properties with general adaptive mirror descent algorithms in nonsmooth nonconvex finite-sum optimization problems. We propose a simple yet generalized framework for variance reduced adaptive mirror descent algorithms named SVRAMD and provide its convergence analysis in both the nonsmooth nonconvex problem and the P-L conditioned problem. We prove that variance reduction reduces the SFO complexity of adaptive mirror descent algorithms and thus accelerates their convergence. In particular, our general theory implies that variance reduction can be applied to algorithms using time-varying step sizes and self-adaptive algorithms such as AdaGrad and RMSProp. Moreover, the convergence rates of SVRAMD recover the best existing rates of non-adaptive variance reduced mirror descent algorithms without complicated algorithmic components. Extensive experiments in deep learning validate our theoretical findings.

Research on the proximity functions of microdosimetry of low energy electrons in liquid water based on different Monte Carlo codes

PurposeThe proximity function is an important index in microdosimetry for describing the spatial distribution of energy, which is closely related to the biological effects of organs or tissues in the target area. In this work, the impact of parameters, such as physic models, cut-off energy, and initial energy, on the proximity function are quantitated and compared. MethodsAccording to the track structure (TS) and condensed history (CH) low-energy electromagnetic models, this paper chooses a variety of Monte Carlo (Monte Carlo, MC) codes (Geant4-DNA, PHITS, and Penelope) to simulate the track structure of low-energy electrons in liquid water and evaluates the influence of the electron initial energy, cut-off energy, energy spectrum, and physical model factors on the differential proximity function. ResultsThe results show that the initial energy of electrons in the low-energy part (especially less than 1 keV) has a greater impact on the differential proximity function, and the choice of cut-off energy has a greater impact on the differential proximity function corresponding to small radius sites (generally less than 10 nm). The difference in the electronic energy spectrum has little effect on the result, and the proximity functions of different physics models show better consistency under large radius sites. ConclusionsThis work comprehensively compares the differential proximity functions under different codes by setting a variety of simulation conditions and has basic guiding significance for helping users simulate and analyze the deposition characteristics of microscale electrons according to the selection of an appropriate methodology and cut-off energy.

Drug-induced Fanconi syndrome in patients with kidney allograft transplantation

BackgroundPatients after kidney transplantation need to take long-term immunosuppressive and other drugs. Some of these drug side effects are easily confused with the symptoms of Fanconi syndrome, resulting in misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis, and causing serious consequences to patients. Therefore, improving awareness, early diagnosis and treatment of Fanconi syndrome after kidney transplantation is critical.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed 1728 cases of allogeneic kidney transplant patients admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from July 2016 to January 2021. Two patients with Fanconi syndrome secondary to drugs, adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and tacrolimus, were screened. We summarized the diagnostic process, clinical data, and prognosis.ResultsThe onset of Fanconi syndrome secondary to ADV after renal transplantation was insidious, and the condition developed after long-term medication (>10 years). It mainly manifested as bone pain, osteomalacia, and scoliosis in the late stage and was accompanied by obvious proximal renal tubular damage (severe hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypouricemia, glycosuria, protein urine, acidosis, etc.) and renal function damage (increased creatinine and azotemia). The pathological findings included mitochondrial swelling and deformity in renal tubular epithelial cells. The above symptoms and signs were relieved after drug withdrawal, but the scoliosis was difficult to rectify. Fanconi syndrome secondary to tacrolimus has a single manifestation, increased creatinine, which can be easily confused with tacrolimus nephrotoxicity. However, it is often ineffective to reduce the dose of tacrolomus, and proximal renal failure can be found in the later stage of disease development. There was no abnormality in the bone metabolism index and imageological examination findings. The creatinine level decreased rapidly, the proximal renal tubule function returned to normal, and no severe electrolyte imbalance or urinary component loss occurred when the immunosuppression was changed from tacrolimus to cyclosporine A.ConclusionsFor the first time, drug-induced Fanconi syndrome after kidney transplantation was reported. These results confirmed that the long-term use of ADV or tacrolimus after kidney transplantation may have serious consequences, some of which are irreversible. Greater understanding of Fanconi syndrome after kidney transplantation is necessary in order to avoid incorrect and missed diagnosis.

Analysis of Consumer Aspirations on Chinese Films among Chinese Malaysians

Chinese films have the potential to play a key role in the Belt and Road Initiative. Although Chinese Malaysians contributed to the development of China’s film industry, the consumption incentives of Chinese Malaysians for Chinese films are worth mentioning. Furthermore, Chinese Malaysians’ purchasing behaviour towards Chinese films is affected by a combination of consuming factors. However, the function of linguistic proximity in the link between consuming incentive and purchasing behaviour is unexplored. This study focused on Chinese Malaysian students from three universities in Selangor and applied online questionnaires in quantitative research methods. Data were collected from 165 Chinese Malaysians. Results show that Chinese Malaysians are mostly motivated to watch Chinese films by the sense of belonging and vitality. Furthermore, linguistic proximity significantly influences the association between Chinese Malaysians’ motive for belonging and their purchasing behaviour for Chinese films. Moreover, the Chinese Malaysians consume Chinese films with linguistic proximity acting as a moderator in this relationship.

On proximity functions and symmetrical topogenous structures

On proximity functions and symmetrical topogenous structures

Full-scale validation of CFD simulations of buoyancy-driven ventilation in a three-story office building

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is frequently used to support the design of naturally ventilated buildings; however, the model accuracy should be thoroughly assessed, ideally through validation with full-scale measurements. The present study aims to (1) validate transient CFD simulations with uncertainty quantification (UQ) for buoyancy-driven natural ventilation against full-scale experiments in an operational atrium building, and (2) quantify the sensitivity of the CFD results to the thermal boundary conditions. The UQ and sensitivity analysis consider uncertainties in the initial and boundary conditions for the temperatures. Considering the volume-averaged air temperature on each floor, the predictions and measurements agree well with discrepancies less than 0.3 °C. When considering the temperature averaged over smaller zones on each floor, two trends can be observed. First, in zones not adjacent to windows, the discrepancies between the CFD and measurements can be explained by uncertainty in the boundary conditions and the measurements. Second, in zones adjacent to windows, higher discrepancies are observed due to oscillations in the inflow jets just downstream of the windows, and due to geometrical simplifications in the CFD model. The sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the boundary conditions for the thermal mass surface temperature and the outdoor temperature have a dominant effect on the indoor air temperature predictions, with their relative importance varying as a function of proximity to the windows.

Calculation of the Absorbed Electron Energy 3D Distribution by the Monte Carlo Method, Presentation of the Proximity Function by Three Parameters α, β, η and Comparison with the Experiment.

The paper presents a program for simulating electron scattering in layered materials ProxyFn. Calculations show that the absorbed energy density is three-dimensional, while the contribution of the forward-scattered electrons is better described by a power function rather than the commonly used Gaussian. It is shown that for the practical correction of the proximity effect, it is possible, nevertheless, to use the classical two-dimensional proximity function containing three parameters: α, β, η. A method for determining the parameters α, β, η from three-dimensional calculations based on MC simulation and development consideration is proposed. A good agreement of the obtained parameters and experimental data for various substrates and electron energies is shown. Thus, a method for calculating the parameters of the classical proximity function for arbitrary layered substrates based on the Monte Carlo simulation has been developed.

Fault diagnosis of SKF-6205 bearing with modified empirical mode decomposition

Rolling element bearings are broadly used in the rotating machines to support static and dynamic loads. In this research, the advance signal processing techniques are use for processing of bearing fault signals. Experimental validation with genuine vibration signals calculated from bearings with seeded defects on bearing elements. The model-based fault diagnosis method has attempted to diagnose incipient fault detection and classification of bearing with data driven approach. Feature extraction technique has been developed with hybrid signal processing technique based on the band pass filter nature of Empirical mode decomposition (EMD), the resonant frequency bands have owed in specific mono component signals called Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs). Synchronized resonant frequency band (SRFB) is obtained on based of orthogonal real wavelet using spectral kurtosis. Biorthogonal 5.5 wavelet, a real wavelet has been selected as a suitable wavelet for WPT based on “Maximum Relative Wavelet Energy” and “Maximum Energy-to-Shannon entropy ratio”. Three, Feature extraction techniques like continuous wavelet transform (CWT), wavelet packet transform (WPT) and modified Hilbert Huang Transforms (HHT) are compared on bases of their classification accuracy with different classification algorithm and filters. Various supervised classifiers have been compared through a common platform of Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) and concluded the k- nearest neighbour (KNN) as an effective available classifier for rolling element bearing. Further, asymmetric proximity function based KNN (APF-KNN) has out performs with modified feature selection criteria. Feature extraction through modified HHT and APFKNN has been future as a most effectual fault classification method. For testing any unknown data, simplified method has been demonstrated, which make the proposed data driven approach more realistic, faster and automated.

Blockade of Organic Anion Transport in Humans After Treatment With the Drug Probenecid Leads to Major Metabolic Alterations in Plasma and Urine.

Probenecid is used to treat gout and hyperuricemia as well as increase plasma levels of antiviral drugs and antibiotics. In vivo, probenecid mainly inhibits the renal SLC22 organic anion transporters OAT1 (SLC22A6), OAT3 (SLC22A8), and URAT1 (SLC22A12). To understand the endogenous role of these transporters in humans, we administered probenecid to 20 healthy participants and metabolically profiled the plasma and urine before and after dosage. Hundreds of metabolites were significantly altered, indicating numerous drug-metabolite interactions. We focused on potential OAT1 substrates by identifying 97 metabolites that were significantly elevated in the plasma and decreased in the urine, indicating OAT-mediated clearance. These included signaling molecules, antioxidants, and gut microbiome products. In contrast, urate was the only metabolite significantly decreased in the plasma and elevated in the urine, consistent with an effect on renal reuptake by URAT1. Additional support comes from metabolomics analyses of our Oat1 and Oat3 knockout mice, where over 50% of the metabolites that were likely OAT substrates in humans were elevated in the serum of the mice. Fifteen of these compounds were elevated in both knockout mice, whereas six were exclusive to the Oat1 knockout and 4 to the Oat3 knockout. These may be endogenous biomarkers of OAT function. We also propose a probenecid stress test to evaluate kidney proximal tubule organic anion transport function in kidney disease. Consistent with the Remote Sensing and Signaling Theory, the profound changes in metabolite levels following probenecid treatment support the view that SLC22 transporters are hubs in the regulation of systemic human metabolism.

The (Re)socialization of participatory political culture: Immigrants’ political participation between their contemporary country and their ancestral country

We study the reproduction and change of participatory political culture by examining how immigrants' political engagement develops in the cross-pressure between their country of residence and their ancestral country. To explain patterns of political (re)socialization, we suggest a mechanism of proximity-conditioned social diffusion, which stipulates that immigrants' retention and adoption of a given participatory culture is a function of spatial and temporal proximity to native bearers of this culture, from which diffusion occurs. Analyzing the political participation of thousands of first and second generation immigrants in the European Social Survey (2002–2018), we find that immigrants come to adopt the participatory culture of their new country and lose that of their ancestral country through a symmetrical temporal process: having stayed longer in the destination country—either being a second generation immigrant or a first generation immigrant, who lived there longer—they adopt this participatory culture more strongly, while at the same time loosening their connection to the culture of the ancestral country. Spatial proximity to natives also conditions immigrants' adoption of the prevailing culture of the destination country as immigrants’ participatory inclinations resemble that of natives in their residential regions within the destination country.

A PRIMAL-DUAL IPMS FOR SDO PROBLEM BASED ON A NEW KERNEL FUNCTION WITH A LOGARITHMIC BARRIER TERM

In this paper, we consider primal-dual Interior Point Method $(IPMs)$ for semidefinite optimization problem $(SDO)$ problems, based on a new kernel function with a logarithmic barrier term, which play an important role for generating a new design of primaldual (IPM) algorithms. New search directions and proximity functions are proposed, based on this kernel function.We proved that our algorithm has $\mathbf{O}\left( qsn^{\frac{sq+1}{2sq}}\log \left( \frac{n}{\epsilon }\right) \right) $ iteration bound for large-update methods and $\mathbf{O}\left(q^{2}s^{2}\sqrt{n}\log \left( \frac{n}{\epsilon }\right) \right) $ iteration bound for small-update methods. Finally, for its numerical tests, some strategies are used and indicate that the algorithm is efficient.

Evaluation of proximal tubule functions in children with COVID-19: a prospective analytical study.

BackgroundThere are limited numbers of studies focusing on renal effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and proximal tubular dysfunction in children with COVID-19 infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functions of the proximal tubule in hospitalized children with confirmed acute COVID-19.MethodsThe children who were hospitalized for confirmed COVID-19 were included in this prospective descriptive analysis. The presence of at least two of the following four abnormalities was used to diagnose proximal tubule injury: abnormal tubular reabsorption of phosphate, normoglycemic glycosuria, hyperuricosuria, and proteinuria.ResultsA total of 115 patients were included in the study. About a third of the individuals had elevated blood creatinine levels or proteinuria. In addition, abnormal renal tubular phosphate loss measured by renal tubular phosphate loss was found in 10 (8.7%) patients, as was hyperuricosuria in 28.6%. As a result, total proximal tubular dysfunction was found in 24 (20.9%) patients.ConclusionsOne in every five children with acute COVID-19 infections had proximal tubular dysfunction, according to our data. Although, the rate of proximal tubular dysfunction was lower than in adults, it should be noted. The recovery of proximal tubular function in children with COVID-19 should be followed.

Engineering Laboratory Experiments – a Typology

With the introduction of large commercial industrial laboratories at the end of the nineteenth century, many types of experiments were institutionalized that do not aim at testing hypotheses. This paper builds a typology of experiments in techno-science, by analysing more than two hundred and fifty real-life technical projects. This resulted in four testing types (tests of hypotheses, of designs, of means-end knowledge, and of models or software), three determining types (developing working principles, preferred actions, and determining values of variables or relationships between variables) and one trial-and-error type of pure exploration. The typology is developed by working back and forth between thick descriptions of the experiments including their goals, and the development of six criteria of differentiation, to wit: determining versus testing; measurement scales of (in)dependent variables; intrinsic versus instrumental value of the outcomes; proximate function of the outcome; distant role of the outcome in the embedded project; the descriptive or normative character of the proximate or distant outcomes. The typology opens up inspiring methodological and philosophical research questions.

Uric Acid and Genetic Polymorphisms in the SLC2A9 and Xanthine Oxidase Genes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Jordan: A Cross‐sectional Study

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is rapidly increasing in prevalence. T2DM is defined by elevated blood glucose levels that occur as a result of cellular resistance to insulin action. Prediabetes, or poor glucose tolerance, is a pre‐diabetes condition. Prediabetes is reversible, and active intervention programs involving dietary and lifestyle changes may help prevent prediabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes. A few studies found a favorable correlation between increased serum uric acid levels and type 2 diabetes, whereas others found no correlation or even a negative correlation. Jordan never put the aforementioned relationship under investigation. Our research focuses on comparing the serum uric acid levels in Jordan's non‐diabetic, prediabetic, and diabetic population groups (study IRB# 313/2020). Increased uric acid levels could be due to increased urate synthesis or decreased urate excretion. In humans, xanthine oxidase, a cytoplasmic enzyme, catalyzes the final two steps of purine breakdown. The oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then to uric acid is catalyzed by xanthine oxidase. The SLC2A9 gene encodes a membrane protein that is expressed in proximal renal tubular cells and functions in the excretion of urate. Numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the xanthine oxidase and SLC2A9 genes may affect the degree of expression or activity of their protein products. The connection between certain SNPs in the xanthine oxidase or SLC2A9 genes and T2DM has not been investigated in Jordan. Therefore, we aimed to study certain SNPs of the aforementioned genes in our study population and correlate the genetic analysis with the uric acid levels and the disease progression. Our results reveal the correlation between serum uric acid levels and T2DM and demonstrates if serum urate levels and SNPs affecting its synthesis or excretion may serve as early indicators of type 2 diabetes in Jordan.

Drosophila melanogaster: a simple genetic model of kidney structure, function and disease.

Although the genetic basis of many kidney diseases is being rapidly elucidated, their experimental study remains problematic owing to the lack of suitable models. The fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster provides a rapid, ethical and cost-effective model system of the kidney. The unique advantages of D. melanogaster include ease and low cost of maintenance, comprehensive availability of genetic mutants and powerful transgenic technologies, and less onerous regulation, as compared with mammalian systems. Renal and excretory functions in D. melanogaster reside in three main tissues - the transporting renal (Malpighian) tubules, the reabsorptive hindgut and the endocytic nephrocytes. Tubules contain multiple cell types and regions and generate a primary urine by transcellular transport rather than filtration, which is then subjected to selective reabsorption in the hindgut. By contrast, the nephrocytes are specialized for uptake of macromolecules and equipped with a filtering slit diaphragm resembling that of podocytes. Many genes with key roles in the human kidney have D. melanogaster orthologues that are enriched and functionally relevant in fly renal tissues. This similarity has allowed investigations of epithelial transport, kidney stone formation and podocyte and proximal tubule function. Furthermore, a range of unique quantitative phenotypes are available to measure function in both wild type and disease-modelling flies.