Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis for diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and is associated with considerable morbidity and high mortality. There is increasing evidence to suggest that dysregulation of the epigenome is involved in diabetic nephropathy. We assessed whether epigenetic modification of DNA methylation is associated with diabetic nephropathy in a case-control study of 192 Irish patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Cases had T1D and nephropathy whereas controls had T1D but no evidence of renal disease. METHODS: We performed DNA methylation profiling in bisulphite converted DNA from cases and controls using the recently developed Illumina Infinium(R) HumanMethylation27 BeadChip, that enables the direct investigation of 27,578 individual cytosines at CpG loci throughout the genome, which are focused on the promoter regions of 14,495 genes. RESULTS: Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) analysis indicated that significant components of DNA methylation variation correlated with patient age, time to onset of diabetic nephropathy, and sex. Adjusting for confounding factors using multivariate Cox-regression analyses, and with a false discovery rate (FDR) of 0.05, we observed 19 CpG sites that demonstrated correlations with time to development of diabetic nephropathy. Of note, this included one CpG site located 18 bp upstream of the transcription start site of UNC13B, a gene in which the first intronic SNP rs13293564 has recently been reported to be associated with diabetic nephropathy. CONCLUSION: This high throughput platform was able to successfully interrogate the methylation state of individual cytosines and identified 19 prospective CpG sites associated with risk of diabetic nephropathy. These differences in DNA methylation are worthy of further follow-up in replication studies using larger cohorts of diabetic patients with and without nephropathy

Metabolic effects of diets differing in glycaemic index depend on age and endogenous GIP

Aims/hypothesis High- vs low-glycaemic index (GI) diets unfavourably affect body fat mass and metabolic markers in rodents. Different effects of these diets could be age-dependent, as well as mediated, in part, by carbohydrate-induced stimulation of glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide (GIP) signalling. Methods Young-adult (16 weeks) and aged (44 weeks) male wild-type (C57BL/6J) and GIP-receptor knockout (Gipr −/− ) mice were exposed to otherwise identical high-carbohydrate diets differing only in GI (20–26 weeks of intervention, n = 8–10 per group). Diet-induced changes in body fat distribution, liver fat, locomotor activity, markers of insulin sensitivity and substrate oxidation were investigated, as well as changes in the gene expression of anorexigenic and orexigenic hypothalamic factors related to food intake. Results Body weight significantly increased in young-adult high- vs low-GI fed mice (two-way ANOVA, p < 0.001), regardless of the Gipr genotype. The high-GI diet in young-adult mice also led to significantly increased fat mass and changes in metabolic markers that indicate reduced insulin sensitivity. Even though body fat mass also slightly increased in high- vs low-GI fed aged wild-type mice (p < 0.05), there were no significant changes in body weight and estimated insulin sensitivity in these animals. However, aged Gipr −/− vs wild-type mice on high-GI diet showed significantly lower cumulative net energy intake, increased locomotor activity and improved markers of insulin sensitivity. Conclusions/interpretation The metabolic benefits of a low-GI diet appear to be more pronounced in younger animals, regardless of the Gipr genotype. Inactivation of GIP signalling in aged animals on a high-GI diet, however, could be beneficial

A Multi-Site Analysis of the Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States, before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic profoundly affected food systems including food security. Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted food security is important to provide support and identify long-term impacts and needs. Objective: The National Food Access and COVID research Team (NFACT) was formed to assess food security over different US study sites throughout the pandemic, using common instruments and measurements. This study presents results from 18 study sites across 15 states and nationally over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A validated survey instrument was developed and implemented in whole or part through an online survey of adults across the sites throughout the first year of the pandemic, representing 22 separate surveys. Sampling methods for each study site were convenience, representative, or high-risk targeted. Food security was measured using the USDA 6-item module. Food security prevalence was analyzed using ANOVA by sampling method to assess statistically significant differences. Results: Respondents (n = 27,168) indicate higher prevalence of food insecurity (low or very low food security) since the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with before the pandemic. In nearly all study sites, there is a higher prevalence of food insecurity among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), households with children, and those with job disruptions. The findings demonstrate lingering food insecurity, with high prevalence over time in sites with repeat cross-sectional surveys. There are no statistically significant differences between convenience and representative surveys, but a statistically higher prevalence of food insecurity among high-risk compared with convenience surveys. Conclusions: This comprehensive study demonstrates a higher prevalence of food insecurity in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. These impacts were prevalent for certain demographic groups, and most pronounced for surveys targeting high-risk populations. Results especially document the continued high levels of food insecurity, as well as the variability in estimates due to the survey implementation method

Food Insecurity Prevalence Across Diverse Sites During COVID-19: A Year of Comprehensive Data

Key Findings NFACT includes 18 study sites in 15 states as well as a national poll, collectively representing a sample size of more than 26,000 people. Some sites have implemented multiple survey rounds, here we report results from 22 separate surveys conducted during the year since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. 18 out of 19 surveys in 14 sites with data for before and since the pandemic began found an increase in food insecurity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as compared to before the pandemic. In nearly all surveys (18/19) that measured food insecurity both before and during the pandemic, more Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) were classified as food insecure during the pandemic as compared to before it began. Prevalence of food insecurity for BIPOC respondents was higher than the overall population in the majority of surveys (19/20) sampling a general population. In almost all surveys (21/22), the prevalence of food insecurity for households with children was higher than the overall prevalence of food insecurity. Food insecurity prevalence was higher for households experiencing a negative job impact during the pandemic (i.e. job loss, furlough, reduction in hours) in nearly all surveys and study sites (21/22). Food insecurity prevalence in most sites was significantly higher before COVID-19 than estimates from that time period. Reporting a percent change between pre and during COVID-19 prevalence may provide additional information about the rate of change in food insecurity since the start of the pandemic, which absolute prevalence of food insecurity may not capture. Results highlight consistent trends in food insecurity outcomes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, across diverse study sites, methodological approaches, and time

The Siblings With Ischemic Stroke Study (SWISS) Protocol

BACKGROUND: Family history and twins studies suggest an inherited component to ischemic stroke risk. Candidate gene association studies have been performed but have limited capacity to identify novel risk factor genes. The Siblings With Ischemic Stroke Study (SWISS) aims to conduct a genome-wide scan in sibling pairs concordant or discordant for ischemic stroke to identify novel genetic risk factors through linkage analysis. METHODS: Screening at multiple clinical centers identifies patients (probands) with radiographically confirmed ischemic stroke and a family history of at least 1 living full sibling with stroke. After giving informed consent, without violating privacy among other family members, the proband invites siblings concordant and discordant for stroke to participate. Siblings then contact the study coordinating center. The diagnosis of ischemic stroke in potentially concordant siblings is confirmed by systematic centralized review of medical records. The stroke-free status of potentially discordant siblings is confirmed by validated structured telephone interview. Blood samples for DNA analysis are taken from concordant sibling pairs and, if applicable, from 1 discordant sibling. Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines are created, and a scan of the human genome is planned. DISCUSSION: Conducting adequately powered genomics studies of stroke in humans is challenging because of the heterogeneity of the stroke phenotype and the difficulty of obtaining DNA samples from clinically well-characterized members of a cohort of stroke pedigrees. The multicentered design of this study is intended to efficiently assemble a cohort of ischemic stroke pedigrees without invoking community consent or using cold-calling of pedigree members

Badania miałkości popiołu lotnego z kotłów energetycznych w celu ich wykorzystania w przemyśle cementowym

In relation to the new emission restrictions for power units a combined firing of coal and biomass is widely used in power boilers. The new fuel entails new boiler operation conditions suggesting that there should be performed a new research including the detailed analysis of the combustion by-products. One of the combustion by-products is fly ash, which can be successfully applied in building materials like concrete. The classification of fly ash according to the parameters like fineness allows to use the fly ash as a partial substitution of cement in different types of concrete. This paper presents an analysis of the fly ash fineness determined by the wet sieving method. The obtained results demonstrate the changes of fly ash fineness in a separate sections of an Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP), what lead to a conclusion that not all of the collected fly ash fulfil the requirements of the standard BS EN 450-1 + A1: 2007. Addition of fly ash in cement influences composition, chemical and physical parameters of concrete, what makes this combustion by-product valuable. Furthermore, its usage is beneficial from the point of view of CO2 emission and utilisation of combustion residues.W związku z nowymi obostrzeniami z zakresu emisji substancji szkodliwych dla bloków energetycznych coraz powszechniej stosuje się współspalanie węgla z biomasą w kotłach energetycznych. Nowy typ paliwa powoduje zmiany w warunkach pracy kotła, co wymusza przeprowadzenie nowych badań dotyczących między innymi produktów procesu spalania. Jednym z nich jest popiół lotny, który może być wykorzystany w produkcji cementu. Klasyfikacja popiołu lotnego według parametrów takich jak miałkość pozwala na częściową substytucję popiołu lotnego w cemencie. Artykuł ten dotyczy badań miałkości popiołu lotnego metodą na mokro. Na podstawie otrzymanych wyników przedstawiono zmiany miałkości popiołu w poszczególnych sekcjach elektrofiltra ESP, co świadczy o tym, że nie każdy zgromadzony popiół spełnia wymagania normy BS EN 450-1 + A1: 2007. Dodatek popiołu lotnego do cementu wpływa na jego skład i właściwości, co czyni ten odpad pożądanym składnikiem. Ponadto, jego użycie w produkcji cementu jest korzystne z perspektywy emisji CO2 i utylizacji odpadów procesu spalania

Energy clusters in achieving the energy self-sufficiency of communes

Rynek energii w Polsce sukcesywnie ewoluuje w kierunku promowania i intensywnego rozwoju energetyki obywatelskiej przekładającego się na różnego rodzaju inicjatywy i działania o zasięgu regionalnym i lokalnym. Jednym z takich działań jest dążenie do szeroko rozumianego stworzenia właściwych warunków do budowy samowystarczalności energetycznej na poziomie gmin. Cel ten ma charakter perspektywiczny i może być ciekawą alternatywą dla energetyki zawodowej w obszarze poprawy bezpieczeństwa energetycznego i tworzenia zasobów wytwórczych bazujących na lokalnej strukturze energy-mix. Równolegle tworzone są regulacje, mechanizmy i narzędzia wspierające realizację tych celów. W artykule opisany został przykładowy model postępowania, który wpisuje się w realizację celu uzyskania samowystarczalności energetycznej jednej z gmin rolniczych. Koncepcja ta dotyczy budowy klastra energii na podstawie partnerstwa publiczno-prywatnego. W ramach inicjatyw klastrowych możliwe staje się stworzenie lokalnych obszarów samowystarczalności energetycznej, gwarantującej uczestnikom klastra osiąganie korzyści na poziomie zarówno partykularnym, jak i zbiorowym. Na poziomie indywidualnych korzyści odbiorcy mogą uzyskać tańszą energię elektryczną i ciepło, a wytwórcy korzystniejsze względem rynkowych ceny sprzedaży energii. W ramach dodatkowych korzyści uzyskuje się pobudzenie gospodarki na poziomie lokalnym i regionalnym, wzrost konkurencyjności oraz poprawę bezpieczeństwa dostaw mediów. W artykule przedstawiono także wyniki analiz bilansu energetycznego gminy wraz z rekomendacją w zakresie technologii gwarantujących uzyskanie samowystarczalności energetycznej. Dla wybranej technologii zilustrowany został proces realizacji inwestycji w źródło wytwórcze wraz z oceną przychodowo-kosztową, modelem finansowania i bilansem korzyści po stronie uczestników klastra. Dowiedziona została tym samym teza, że klastry energii mogą być skutecznym narzędziem realizacji celu samowystarczalności energetycznej gmin.The energy market in Poland is gradually evolving in the direction of the promotion and intensive development of the civil energy sector, what translates into various regional and local initiatives and activities. One of such activities is the widely understood provision of appropriate conditions for achieving energy self-sufficiency at the commune level. This goal is of a forward-looking nature and can be an interesting alternative for the professional power industry in the area of improving energy security and creating production resources based on the local energy-mix structure. At the same time, regulations, mechanisms and tools are being developed to support these objectives. The paper describes an exemplary model of proceeding, which takes part in the process of achieving energy self-sufficiency in one of the agricultural communes. This concept concerns the construction of an energy cluster based on a public-private partnership. In terms of cluster initiatives, it is becoming possible to create local areas of energy self-sufficiency, which ensure benefits gained by the cluster participants at both the individual and collective level. As regards the individual level, customers can purchase less expensive electricity and heat, while the energy producers sell it more profitably in comparison with the market prices. Additional benefits include enhancing the economy at the local and regional level, increasing competitiveness and improving the security of media supplies. The paper also presents the results of the analyses of the commune’s energy balance, together with a recommendation in the field of technologies guaranteeing energy self-sufficiency. For a selected technology, the process of investing in the generation source has been illustrated, along with the income and cost assessment, financing model and the balance of benefits from the perspective of the cluster’s participants. Thus, the thesis that energy clusters can be an effective tool for achieving the energy self-sufficiency of communes has been proven