Although electrostatic catalysis can enhance the kinetics and selectivity of reactions to produce greener synthetic processes, the highly directional nature of electrostatic interactions has limited widespread application. In this study, the influence of oriented electric fields (OEF) on radical addition and atom abstraction reactions are systematically explored with ion-trap mass spectrometry using structurally diverse distonic radical ions that maintain spatially separated charge and radical moieties. When installed on rigid molecular scaffolds, charged functional groups lock the magnitude and orientation of the internal electric field with respect to the radical site, creating an OEF which tunes the reactivity across the set of gas-phase carbon-centred radical reactions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Findings regarding the effects of vitamin D supplementation on diabetes risk are inconclusive. Because inflammation and vitamin D levels are interconnected, we hypothesized that higher inflammation levels moderate the effects of vitamin D deficiency on diabetes risk.
Design, Setting, Participants, And Measurements: UK Biobank participants without pre-existing diabetes at baseline were included (N = 336,500).
World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg
December 2024
Background: Biomarkers for sarcopenia are lacking. We examined the diagnostic power of serum creatinine to cystatin C ratio for identifying low magnetic resonance imaging-muscle volume and low grip strength in a large observational study of UK Biobank older adults.
Methods: Serum creatinine and cystatin C were measured via immunoassays (Beckman Coulter AU5800 and Siemens Advia 1800, respectively) and grip strength by hydraulic hand dynamometer at baseline visit (2008-2010).
For efficient, cost-effective and personalized healthcare, biomarkers that capture aspects of functional, biological aging, thus predicting disease risk and lifespan more accurately and reliably than chronological age, are essential. We developed an imaging-based chromatin and epigenetic age (ImAge) that captures intrinsic age-related trajectories of the spatial organization of chromatin and epigenetic marks in single nuclei, in mice. We show that such trajectories readily emerge as principal changes in each individual dataset without regression on chronological age, and that ImAge can be computed using several epigenetic marks and DNA labeling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe sustainable cultivation of canola is under threat from clubroot disease (). The pathogen's resting spores can survive in the soil for extended periods, complicating disease management. Therefore, effective clubroot control requires a combination of tactics that provide multiple layers of protection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Immobilization after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the standard treatment for preventing access-related complications. However, the length of bed rest varies, and possible complications and patient experience remain unexplored.
Objective: In this pilot study, our aim was to investigate safety and efficacy after bed rest after TAVR.
The physical characteristics of brown adipose tissue (BAT) are defined by the presence of multilocular lipid droplets (LDs) within the brown adipocytes and a high abundance of iron-containing mitochondria, which give it its characteristic color. Normal mitochondrial function is, in part, regulated by organelle-to-organelle contacts. For example, the contact sites that mediate mitochondria-LD interactions are thought to have various physiological roles, such as the synthesis and metabolism of lipids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: To compare the real-world effectiveness of a third dose of mRNA-1273 versus a third dose of BNT162b2 against breakthrough COVID-19 hospitalizations among adults aged ≥ 65 years who completed a primary series of an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine (regardless of which primary series was received).
Materials And Methods: This observational comparative vaccine effectiveness (VE) study was conducted using administrative claims data from the US HealthVerity database (September 22, 2021, to August 31, 2022). A third dose of mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 was assessed for preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations and medically attended COVID-19 among adults aged ≥ 65 years.
Introduction: Recent data have shown elevated infection rates in several subpopulations at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19, including immunocompromised (IC) individuals. Previous research suggests that IC persons have reduced risks of hospitalization and medically attended COVID-19 with two doses of mRNA-1273 (SpikeVax; Moderna) compared to two doses of BNT162b2 (Comirnaty; Pfizer/BioNTech). The main objective of this retrospective cohort study was to compare real-world effectiveness of third doses of mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 at multiple time points on occurrence of COVID-19 hospitalization and medically attended COVID-19 among IC adults in the United States (US).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe kidney filters nutrient waste and bodily fluids from the bloodstream, in addition to secondary functions of metabolism and hormone secretion, requiring an astonishing amount of energy to maintain its functions. In kidney cells, mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and help maintain kidney function. Due to aging, the efficiency of kidney functions begins to decrease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWithin recent years, there has been an increased interest towards organic photovoltaics (OPVs), especially with their significant device performance reaching beyond 19% since 2022. With these advances in the device performance of laboratory-scaled OPVs, there has also been more attention directed towards using printing and coating methods that are compatible with large-scale fabrication. Though large-area (>100 cm) OPVs have reached an efficiency of 15%, this is still behind that of laboratory-scale OPVs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe physical characteristics of brown adipose tissue (BAT) are defined by the presence of multilocular lipid droplets (LD) within the brown adipocytes and a high abundance of iron-containing mitochondria, which give it its characteristic color. Normal mitochondrial function is, in part, regulated by organelle-to-organelle contacts. Particularly, the contact sites that mediate mitochondria-LD interactions are thought to have various physiological roles, such as the synthesis and metabolism of lipids.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A systematic review of the literature was performed to summarize cannabis use among adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special focus was given to the prevalence of cannabis use during COVID-19, as well as factors that may explain changes in cannabis consumption patterns.
Methods: The protocol of this systematic review was registered.
J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle
June 2024
Background: Telomere attrition may share common biological mechanisms with bone and muscle loss with aging. Here, we investigated the association between these hallmarks of aging using data from UK Biobank, a large observational study.
Methods: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL as T/S ratio) was measured using a multiplex qPCR assay at baseline (2006-2010).
Many individuals do not participate in resistance exercise, with perceived lack of time being a key barrier. Minimal dose strategies, which generally reduce weekly exercise volumes to less than recommended guidelines, might improve muscle strength with minimal time investment. However, minimal dose strategies and their effects on muscle strength are still unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The pandemic has disproportionately impacted rural communities with a higher burden of chronic disease and COVID-19 infection. West Virginia is a rural state with a high rate of diabetes, hypertension, and COPD, which are known risk factors for severe COVID-19 and long COVID. Yet, there is a significant hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccination uptake in the state.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomed Instrum Technol
November 2023
Saturated steam (SS) is used for sterilizing many medical devices. Exposure to SS for appropriate temperature/time combinations creates a microbicidal environment that renders product sterile. Superheated steam (SHS) has been heated beyond its saturation point and is less microbicidal, compromising process efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol
November 2023
With sparse treatment options, cardiac disease remains a significant cause of death among humans. As a person ages, mitochondria breakdown and the heart becomes less efficient. Heart failure is linked to many mitochondria-associated processes, including endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial bioenergetics, insulin signaling, autophagy, and oxidative stress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTelomere shortening is a biological aging hallmark. The effect of short telomere length may be targeted by increased physical activity to reduce the risk of multiple aging-related diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD). The objective was to assess the moderation effect of accelerometer-based physical activity (aPA) on the association between shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) relatively in the population sample and incident CHD.
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