Association Between Low Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin and Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Is Mediated by Increased Visceral and Liver Fat: Results From Observational and Mendelian Randomization Analyses.

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations among sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), liver fat content, and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, 5,690 women (53%) and men (47%) without preexisting diabetes were included and followed for incident T2D. SHBG concentrations were measured in all participants, VAT was measured using MRI, and liver fat content was measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a random subset of 1,822 participants.

Mutation-based clustering and classification analysis reveals distinctive age groups and age-related biomarkers for glioma.

Background: Malignant brain tumor diseases exhibit differences within molecular features depending on the patient's age.

Methods: In this work, we use gene mutation data from public resources to explore age specifics about glioma. We use both an explainable clustering as well as classification approach to find and interpret age-based differences in brain tumor diseases.

Is there a need for liver enzyme monitoring in people using gender-affirming hormone therapy?

Context: Individuals with gender dysphoria can receive gender-affirming hormone therapy. Different guidelines mention a severe risk of liver injury within the first months after the start of treatment with anabolic androgenic steroids, anti-androgens, and oral contraceptives, which is potentially fatal.

Objective: The incidence of liver injury in a transgender population using gender-affirming hormone therapy.

H-Aggregation Effects between π-Conjugated Chromophores in Cofacial Dimers and Trimers: Comparison of Theory and Single-Molecule Experiment.

Excited-state interchromophoric couplings in π-conjugated polymers present a daunting challenge to study as their spectroscopic signatures are difficult to separate from structure-dependent intrachromophoric spectral characteristics. Using custom-designed molecular model systems in combination with single-molecule spectroscopy, a controlled coupling of the excited states between cofacially arranged π-conjugated oligomers is shown to be possible. Multiscale molecular dynamics simulations allow us to generate a representative ensemble of molecular structures of the model molecule embedded in a polymer matrix and examine the connection between structural fluctuations of the molecule with theoretically predicted and measured spectral signatures.

Switching between H- and J-type electronic coupling in single conjugated polymer aggregates.

The aggregation of conjugated polymers and electronic coupling of chromophores play a central role in the fundamental understanding of light and charge generation processes. Here we report that the predominant coupling in isolated aggregates of conjugated polymers can be switched reversibly between H-type and J-type coupling by partially swelling and drying the aggregates. Aggregation is identified by shifts in photoluminescence energy, changes in vibronic peak ratio, and photoluminescence lifetime.