[People] Photograph of Two Young Children Wearing Hats

Young girl and boy wearing hats.https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/hidalgohist_aa/1170/thumbnail.jp

Adipocyte/progenitor communication axis controls beige adipogenesis.

The unique capacity of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) to brown has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for treating obesity and its adverse complications. Both white and beige adipose arise from a subpopulation of perivascular adipocyte progenitor cells (APC) expressing SM22 (Smooth Muscle Protein 22-Alpha). However, the early signaling events controlling ACP differentiation to beige adipocytes are still unknown. To uncover the stromal cells heterogeneity during beige adipogenesis, we performed a single cell RNA-sequencing of iWAT under control condition, treatment with β3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) agonist or exposure to cold. ScRNA-seq revealed the landscape of APCs undergoing beige adipogenesis. We identified a distinct subpopulation of APCs that accumulate in response to the stimulations but only cold induced their differentiation to beige adipocytes. Further investigation using RNA-seq of sorted APCs and lineage tracing mice models demonstrate that under cold challenge, beige adipocyte recruitment is a multi-step signaling process involving paracrine communication between mature adipocytes and vascular progenitors. This process involves: (1) ADRB3 activation of adipocytes, followed by (2) lipids release by mature adipocytes (3) that induce a metabolic switch and ADRB1 expression in SM22+ APCs. Activation of ADRB1 by catecholamine released under cold exposure promotes primed APCs differentiation to beige adipocytes. Altogether, our data reveal existence of a necessary adipocyte/APC communication axis for beige adipogenesis

Preserving equity: multi-objective connected and automated vehicle (CAV) lane deployment in mixed traffic

This paper investigates deploying connected and automated vehicle (CAV) lanes in transportation networks with a focus on measuring and preserving equity among travelers. A new metric is proposed to characterize equity based on (1) generalized travel cost per unit origin-destination (OD) distance for travelers on each OD pair and using each vehicle type and (2) maximum deviation of the standardized unit generalized travel cost from system average. A bi-level bi-objective program is developed to simultaneously minimize system travel cost and inequity while deploying CAV lanes. A solution algorithm that combines non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II and variable neighborhood search is designed. Through extensive numerical experiments, we find (1) inequity is more prominent when travel demand is high; (2) human-driven vehicle travelers become more disadvantageous with lower CAV price and higher CAV automation; and (3) subsidy is effective in mitigating inequity, but a fee for using CAV lanes is less promising

[Mercedes] Photograph of American Rio Grande Land And Irrigation Co. Building

American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Co. Building.https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/hidalgohist_aa/1468/thumbnail.jp

Large-scale multi-omics analyses in Hispanic/Latino populations identify genes for cardiometabolic traits

Here, we present a multi-omics study of type 2 diabetes and quantitative blood lipid and lipoprotein traits conducted to date in Hispanic/Latino populations (nmax = 63,184). We conduct a meta-analysis of 16 type 2 diabetes and 19 lipid trait GWAS, identifying 20 genome-wide significant loci for type 2 diabetes, including one novel locus and novel signals at two known loci, based on fine-mapping. We also identify sixty-one genome-wide significant loci across the lipid/lipoprotein traits, including nine novel loci, and novel signals at 19 known loci through fine-mapping. Next, we analyze genetically regulated expression, perform Mendelian randomization, and analyze association with transcriptomic and proteomic measure using multi-omics data from a Hispanic/Latino population. Using this approach, we identify genes linked to type 2 diabetes and lipid/lipoprotein traits, including TMEM205 and NEDD9 for HDL cholesterol, TREH for triglycerides, and ANXA4 for type 2 diabetes

On the determinant of Up on Mk(p,χ)

In this work, for p a prime, we compute the absolute value of the determinant of the UpUp-operator on the vector space Mk(p,χ)Mk(p,χ) of holomorphic modular forms of weight k and level Γ0(p)Γ0(p) with character χχ. As an implication, we confirm a number of conjectures of the second author

[Mercedes] Photograph of Offices and Buildings of A.R.G.L.& I. Co.

Offices and Buildings of A.R.G.L. & I. Co., in Mercedes, Texas.https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/hidalgohist_aa/1374/thumbnail.jp

Gout Versus Pseudogout in the Medically Underserved Rio Grande Valley

Background Gout and pseudogout are inflammatory joint conditions, with gout being one of the most prevalent etiologies of chronic inflammatory arthritis in the United States. The patient population in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has a distinct demographic profile that warrants the exploration of various health conditions. The primary objective of this study was to expand the knowledge of orthopedics and determine if there were demographic disparities between gout and pseudogout in this community. We hypothesized that there would be demographic disparities between gout and pseudogout depending on age, sex, and ethnicity. Methods This was a retrospective chart review, and data was gathered from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) UTHealth electronic database from January 1, 2017, to January 1, 2024. We collected and analyzed medical charts of individuals who were diagnosed with gout or pseudogout using the International Classification of Diseases version 10 (ICD-10) diagnosis codes M10 for gout and M11.2 for pseudogout. Patients’ characteristics were described by gout status using frequency (n) and percentage (%) for categorical variables. Results Individuals in age groups 40-65 years and greater than or equal to 65 years compared to patients aged less than 40 years old had significantly higher odds of having gout versus no gout. Women compared to men had 88% lower odds of having gout compared to no gout (odds ratio {OR}=0.12; 95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.08, 0.17; p Conclusion Individuals of various demographics in the underserved RGV community, and possibly demographically similar communities, may be at increased risk for gout or pseudogout. This warrants further research on these conditions in this region to further improve the knowledge and possibly prevent the numerous effects of these conditions on an individual’s quality of life

[Brownsville] Photograph of Manuel, Hixter, and Carlos

Peavey’s scouts, Manuel, Hixter, and Carlos, on horses.https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/hidalgohist_aa/1311/thumbnail.jp

[Brownsville] Photograph of Federal Building and Post Office

Federal building and post office in Brownsville, Texas.https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/hidalgohist_aa/1384/thumbnail.jp