Obese Hypertensive Men Have Fasting Serum Concentrations of Leptin Similar to Those of Obese Normotensive Men.

Background: Leptin is a hormone which is secreted by the adipocytes. In the circulation, leptin levels are directly proportional to the body fat percentage. Studies have shown that higher leptin levels are associated with an increased risk of hypertension after adjusting for body mass index (BMI).

Entanglement-Enabled Advantage for Learning a Bosonic Random Displacement Channel.

We show that quantum entanglement can provide an exponential advantage in learning properties of a bosonic continuous-variable (CV) system. The task we consider is estimating a probabilistic mixture of displacement operators acting on n bosonic modes, called a random displacement channel. We prove that if the n modes are not entangled with an ancillary quantum memory, then the channel must be sampled a number of times exponential in n in order to estimate its characteristic function to reasonable precision; this lower bound on sample complexity applies even if the channel inputs and measurements performed on channel outputs are chosen adaptively or have unrestricted energy.

A simple and robust method for laboratory-scale preparation of butter.

The aim of this study was to develop a small-scale model system resembling the micro- and meso-structure of butter, namely having a water droplet size distribution and water content close to that of commercially produced butter. Although it is possible to churn cream on a small scale, matching the microstructure of butter is a challenge. A 2-step churning process was introduced with the application of a kitchen mixer.

Kidney fat by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease.

Background And Hypothesis: The kidneys may be susceptible to ectopic fat and its lipotoxic effects, disposing them to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in type 2 diabetes (T2D). We investigated whether the kidney parenchyma fat content and kidney sinus fat volume would be higher in persons with T2D and CKD.

Methods: Cross-sectional study including 29 controls, 27 persons with T2D and no CKD, and 48 persons with T2D and early CKD (urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥ 30 mg/g).

Comparing the lipid self-assembly behaviour and fatty acid composition of plant-based drinks to bovine milk during digestion.

In this study, a static in-vitro digestion model was coupled with synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to compare the lipid self-assembly behaviour of plant-based drinks and bovine milk during digestion. The diffraction profiles were combined with principal component analysis (PCA) of the fatty acid (FA) composition during digestion. Half of the plant-based drinks were found to form an inverse micellar cubic phase which is substantially different from the inverse hexagonal and bicontinuous cubic phases determined in bovine milk during digestion.

Task-Based Eating and Drinking Interventions in Animal Models: A Narrative Review of Functional Improvements and Neuromuscular Adaptations in Age-Related Dysphagia.

Background/objectives: Age-related dysphagia involves sarcopenia and nervous system changes affecting ingestion. The ACT-ING program, a novel task-based occupational therapy intervention, has been developed to improve strength, endurance, and ingestive skills using real-world eating and drinking tasks for older adults with age-related dysphagia. This narrative review evaluates the outcomes and neuromuscular adaptations of task-based eating and drinking interventions in aging animal models to inform potential refinements of the ACT-ING program and interpret results from an ongoing proof-of-concept study.

Continuous-variable quantum passive optical network.

To establish a scalable and secure quantum network, a critical milestone is advancing from basic point-to-point quantum key distribution (QKD) systems to the development of inherently multi-user protocols designed to maximize network capacity. Here, we propose a quantum passive optical network (QPON) protocol based on continuous-variable (CV) systems, particularly the quadrature of the coherent state, which enables deterministic, simultaneous, and high-rate secret key generation among all network users. We implement two protocols with different trust levels assigned to the network users and experimentally demonstrate key generation in a quantum access network with 8 users, each with an 11 km span of access link.

Structural and physical-chemical properties of milk fat globules fractionated by a series of silicon carbide membranes.

Driven by the acknowledged health and functional properties of milk fat globules (MFGs), there is a growing interest to develop gentle methodologies for separation of fat from milk. In this study, separation of fat from raw milk and fractionation in streams containing MFGs of different size was achieved using a series of two silicon carbide ceramic membranes. A first step consisting of a 1.

single-droplet analysis of emulsified fat using confocal Raman microscopy: insights into crystal network formation within spatial resolution.

Fat crystallization is one of the predominant factors influencing the structure and properties of fat-containing emulsions. In the present study, the role of emulsifiers on fat crystallization dynamics within droplet multiphase systems was evaluated single-droplet analysis, taking advantage of the non-destructive properties of confocal Raman microscopy. Palm oil droplets dispersed in water were used as a model system, due to palm oil's well-known crystallization properties.

Long-distance continuous-variable quantum key distribution over 100-km fiber with local local oscillator.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables two remote parties to share encryption keys with security based on the laws of physics. Continuous-variable (CV) QKD with coherent states and coherent detection integrates well with existing telecommunication networks. Thus far, long-distance CV-QKD has only been demonstrated using a highly complex scheme where the local oscillator is transmitted, opening security loopholes for eavesdroppers and limiting potential applications.

Charge Stability and Charge-State-Based Spin Readout of Shallow Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond.

Spin-based applications of the negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamonds require an efficient spin readout. One approach is the spin-to-charge conversion (SCC), relying on mapping the spin states onto the neutral (NV) and negative (NV) charge states followed by a subsequent charge readout. With high charge-state stability, SCC enables extended measurement times, increasing precision and minimizing noise in the readout compared to the commonly used fluorescence detection.

How a group-based occupational therapy program works in woman with fibromyalgia: A process evaluation of the ADAPT program.

Background: The ADAPT Program have improved activities of daily living (ADL) in women with fibromyalgia. To understand the functioning of the program, it is relevant to evaluate how program theory components are linked to outcomes (mechanisms) and how the randomised controlled trial (RCT) context, influenced delivery and outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate ADAPT in terms of dose, mechanisms of change and contextual factors.

Evaluation of the effects of ezetimibe on albuminuria and kidney fat in individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Aim: To investigate the effects of ezetimibe on the urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and kidney parenchyma fat content (kidney-PF) in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and early chronic kidney disease.

Materials And Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ezetimibe 10 mg once daily for 16 weeks in individuals with T2D and a UACR of 30 mg/g or higher was conducted. Kidney-PF was assessed with magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Fully guided and phase locked Ti:PPLN waveguide squeezing for applications in quantum sensing.

This work reports a fully guided setup for single-mode squeezing on integrated titanium-indiffused periodically poled nonlinear resonators. A continuous-wave laser beam is delivered and the squeezed field is collected by single-mode fibers; up to -3.17(9) dB of useful squeezing is available in fibers.

Confocal Raman microscopy to evaluate anisotropic structures and hydration development. Methodological considerations.

Confocal Raman microscopy is a promising technique to study structural complexity of multi-phase foods and soft materials. This technique overcomes the limitations of traditional microscopic techniques, such as the inability to identify water regions or to map the composition of various phases , without sample disruption or the addition of specific dyes. The objective of this work was to carry out a systematic study on a well-understood model food, pizza cheese, establishing a methodology for data acquisition and handling for confocal Raman microscopy studies of anisotropic protein structures.

Deterministic Quantum Phase Estimation beyond N00N States.

The modern scientific method is critically dependent on precision measurements of physical parameters. A classic example is the measurement of the optical phase enabled by optical interferometry, where the error on the measured phase is conventionally bounded by the so-called Heisenberg limit. To achieve phase estimation at the Heisenberg limit, it has been common to consider protocols based on highly complex N00N states of light.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging: A robust tool to test pathogenesis and pathophysiology behind nephropathy in humans.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major population disease. In diabetes as well as hypertension, kidney disease is one of the most serious complications. Recent research has demonstrated that chronic hypoxia is a key actor in the pathogenesis of CKD.

Kidney oxygenation, perfusion and blood flow in people with and without type 1 diabetes.

Background: We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study kidney energetics in persons with and without type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 15 persons with T1D and albuminuria and 15 non-diabetic controls (CONs) underwent multiparametric MRI (3 Tesla Philips Scanner) to quantify renal cortical and medullary oxygenation (R*, higher values correspond to higher deoxyhaemoglobin concentration), renal perfusion (arterial spin labelling) and renal artery blood flow (phase contrast). Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, plasma haemoglobin, body mass index and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

GLP-1 Promotes Cortical and Medullary Perfusion in the Human Kidney and Maintains Renal Oxygenation During NaCl Loading.

Background GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists exert beneficial long-term effects on cardiovascular and renal outcomes. In humans, the natriuretic effect of GLP-1 depends on GLP-1 receptor interaction, is accompanied by suppression of angiotensin II, and is independent of changes in renal plasma flow. In rodents, angiotensin II constricts vasa recta and lowers medullary perfusion.

Quality of ADL task performance in persons with schizophrenia: Looking beyond independence.

Background: Persons with schizophrenia may experience decreased ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) indicated by need for assistance in everyday life. Others are independent, but their quality of ADL task performance in terms of effort and efficiency may still be impacted.

Aims/objectives: The overall purpose of this study was to explore the quality of ADL task performance in subgroups with schizophrenia (independent/needing assistance).

Corrigendum: Recurrent multifocal adult rhabdomyoma in an elderly woman diagnosed with Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome: A case report.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.