2,601 research outputs found
Diffraction Phenomena in Time-Varying Metal-Based Metasurfaces
This paper presents an analytical framework for the analysis of time-varying metal-based metamaterials.
Specifically, we particularize the study to time-modulated metal-air interfaces embedded between two
different semi-infinite media that are illuminated by monochromatic plane waves of frequency Ï0. The
formulation is based on a Floquet-Bloch modal expansion, which takes into account the time periodicity
of the structure (Ts = 2Ï/Ïs) and integral-equation techniques. It allows us to extract the reflection and
transmission coefficients as well as to derive nontrivial features about the dynamic response and dispersion
curves of time-modulated metal-based screens. In addition, the proposed formulation has an associated
analytical equivalent circuit that gives a physical insight into the diffraction phenomenon. Similarities
and differences between space- and time-modulated metamaterials are discussed via the proposed circuit
model. Finally, some analytical results are presented to validate the present framework. Good agreement
is observed with numerical computations provided by a self-implemented finite-difference time-domain
(FDTD) method. Interestingly, the present results suggest that time-modulated metal-based screens can be
used as pulsed sources (when Ïs Ï0), beam formers (Ïs ⌠Ï0) to redirect energy in specific regions of
space, and analog samplers (Ïs Ï0).Spanish Government ID2020-112545RB-C54
RTI2018-102002-A-I00Junta de Andalucia B-TIC-402-UGR18
A-TIC-608- UGR20
PYC20-RE-012-UGR
P18.RT.4830Leonardo Grant of the BBVA FoundationBBVA Foundatio
Association of increased Visfatin/PBEF/NAMPT circulating concentrations and gene expression levels in peripheral blood cells with lipid metabolism and fatty liver in human morbid obesity
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is an
adipokine with physiological effects on the control of glucose homeostasis as
well as potentially involved in inflammation. The association of circulating
NAMPT concentrations with obesity has not been clearly established. The aim of
the present work was to evaluate the effect of obesity on circulating
concentrations and gene expression levels of NAMPT in human peripheral blood
cells (PBCs) as well as its involvement in inflammation, glucose and lipid
metabolism. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-four serum samples obtained from 14 lean
and 30 obese volunteers were used to analyse the circulating concentrations of
NAMPT. In addition, PBC, omental adipose tissue (OM) and liver biopsy samples
obtained from a subgroup of subjects were used to determine transcript levels of
NAMPT by Real-time PCR. Glucose and lipid profile as well as several inflammatory
factors and hepatic enzymes were analysed. NAMPT circulating concentrations
(P<0.01) and gene expression levels in PBC (P<0.05) were significantly increased
in obese patients as compared to lean subjects. Total-cholesterol (P=0.016),
HDL-cholesterol (P=0.036) and triglycerides (P=0.050) were significant and
independent determinants of circulating concentrations of NAMPT (P<0.01).
Moreover, a positive correlation (P<0.01) was found with the hepatic enzymes
alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and
gamma-glutamyltransferase after BMI adjustment. CONCLUSION: Our work shows that
NAMPT circulating concentrations and mRNA expression levels in PBC are increased
in obese patients and that plasma NAMPT levels are related to inflammation, lipid
metabolism and hepatic enzymes suggesting a potential involvement in fatty liver
disease and in the obesity-associated inflammatory stat
The obestatin receptor (GPR39) is expressed in human adipose tissue and is down-regulated in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus
The G protein-coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) has recently been identified
as the receptor for obestatin, a peptidic hormone involved in energy homeostasis.
However, the expression levels of this receptor in human adipose tissue in
obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain unknown.
Therefore, we evaluated the actual presence of GPR39 mRNA in human adipose tissue
and whether GPR39 expression levels are altered in obesity and obesity-associated
T2DM. DESIGN: Omental adipose tissue biopsies obtained from 15 women were used in
the study. Patients were classified as lean (body mass index 20.8 +/- 1.0
kg/m(2)), obese normoglycaemic (body mass index 48.4 +/- 2.1 kg/m(2)) and obese
T2DM patients (body mass index 52.6 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2)). Anthropometric measurements
and biochemical profiles were assessed for each subject. Real-time RT-PCR
analyses were performed to quantify transcript levels of GPR39 and adiponectin.
RESULTS: Obese T2DM patients exhibited significantly lower GPR39 expression
levels compared to lean (P = 0.016) and obese normoglycaemic subjects (P =
0.008), while no differences between lean and obese normoglycaemic patients were
observed. The mRNA expression levels of GPR39 were negatively correlated to
fasting glucose concentrations (r = -0.581, P = 0.023), while exhibiting a
positive correlation to adiponectin mRNA expression levels (r = 0.674, P =
0.006). CONCLUSION: GPR39 is expressed in human adipose tissue. The reduced
expression levels of GPR39 in omental adipose tissue observed in obese patients
with T2DM suggest an involvement of obestatin signalling in glucose homeostasis
and T2DM development
Expression of caveolin-1 in human adipose tissue is upregulated in obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus and related to inflammation
Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) plays important roles in many aspects of cellular
biology, including vesicular transport, cholesterol homeostasis and signal
transduction. The aim of the present study was to explore gene expression levels
of CAV-1 in human adipose tissue in obesity and obesity-associated type 2
diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to analyse its potential implication in the
inflammatory state associated with obesity. DESIGN AND METHODS: Visceral adipose
tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) obtained from 15 females were
used in the study. Patients were classified as lean (BMI 20.8 +/- 1.0 kg/m(2)) or
obese (BMI 50.5 +/- 2.6 kg/m(2)). The obese group was further subclassified as
normoglycaemic (NG) or patients with T2DM. Anthropometric measurements as well as
circulating metabolites, hormones and adipokines were determined. Real-time
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were performed to quantify transcript
levels of CAV-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1). RESULTS: The
presence of CAV-1 protein was detected in VAT and SAT by immunohistochemistry.
Both obese NG and with T2DM patients exhibited significantly higher CAV-1
expression levels in VAT and SAT compared with lean subjects (P < 0.05). No
differences between obese NG and T2DM patients were observed in VAT. However,
obese T2DM patients were found to have higher CAV-1 expression levels in SAT (P <
0.05) compared with obese NG patients. A significant correlation was found
between CAV-1 mRNA expression levels in VAT and different circulating
inflammatory markers such as sialic acid (SA) (P < 0.001) and fibrinogen (P <
0.001) as well as with MCP1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings
show for the first time the upregulation of mRNA CAV-1 expression levels in VAT
and SAT of obese NG and obese T2DM patients compared with lean controls,
suggesting a role for CAV-1 in obesity and T2DM development. The association with
different inflammatory markers further suggests an implication of CAV-1 in the
low-grade inflammation accompanying obesity
Increased circulating and visceral adipose tissue expression levels of YKL-40 in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes are related to inflammation: impact of conventional weight loss and gastric bypass
Context: Plasma YKL-40 is elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes. The potential role of visceral
adipose tissue (VAT) as a significant source of YKL-40 is unknown.
Objective: In the study circulating and expression levels of YKL-40 were examined in VAT analyzing
the contribution of adipocytes and stromovascular fraction cells (SVFCs).Wealso explored YKL-40âs
implication in insulin resistance and inflammation and the effect of weight loss on plasma YKL-40
concentrations.
PatientsandMethods: Samples obtained from 53 subjects were used in the study.Geneandprotein
expression levels of YKL-40 were analyzed in VAT as well as in both adipocytes and SVFCs. In
addition, circulating YKL-40 concentrations were measured before and after weight loss achieved
either by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n 26) or after a conventional dietetic program (n 20).
Results: Circulating concentrations and VAT expression of YKL-40 were increased in obese patients
with type 2 diabetes (P 0.01) as well as associated with variables of insulin resistance and inflammation.
No differences in YKL-40 expression levels between adipocytes and SVFCs were detected.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and homeostasis model assessment emerged (P
0.01) as independent factors predicting circulating YKL-40. Elevated levels of YKL-40 in obese
patients decreased after weight loss following a conventional hypocaloric diet (P 0.05) but not
via a surgery-induced negative energy balance mediated by the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Conclusions: The association of increased YKL-40 mRNA and protein levels in VAT with its circulating
concentrations indicates an important contribution of VAT in YKL-40 regulation. Furthermore,
our data suggest a relevant role of glucose metabolism and inflammation on YKL-40
regulation
Genetic polymorphisms located in TGFB1, AGTR1, and VEGFA genes are associated to chronic renal allograft dysfunction
Background: Persistent inflammation and fibrosis have been related to active progression of renal deterioration and reduced survival of kidney transplant. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in regions related to inflammatory and immune processes on the development of chronic renal allograft dysfunction (CRAD). Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 276 patients who received kidney transplant (KT). SNPs were genotyped via the SNPlex platform. Statistical analysis was performed with SNPstat and regression logistic analyses were adjusted by age and gender of recipients and donors, cold ischemia time and the number of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches. Results: From 276 patients with KT, 118 were non-CRAD and 158 were CRAD. Three SNPs showed significant associations with CRAD development: rs1800471 in transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), rs5186 in angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1), and rs699947 in vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). GC genotype of rs1800471 was associated with increased odds of CRAD compared to GG genotype (OR=2.65 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.09; 6.47), p=0.025), as well as AC and AA genotype of rs699947 assuming a dominant model (OR=1.80 (95% CI=1.02; 3.20), p=0.044). Besides, AC and CC genotypes of rs5186 were associated with reduced odds of CRAD assuming a dominant model (OR=0.56 (95% CI=0.33; 0.96), p=0.033). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that three genes related to immunity and inflammation (rs1800471, rs5186 and rs699947) are associated to susceptibility or protection to CRAD, and might have diagnostic utility in predicting the likelihood of developing CRAD.This work was supported by two Grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ref: PI08/0738 and PI11/00245) and from Junta de Castilla y LeĂłn (Ref: GRS 234/A/08). MAJs, AFR and MGF are supported by Grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CM10/00105, UIPY-1377/08 and CM09/00031, respectively.S
A personalized intervention to prevent depression in primary care: cost-effectiveness study nested into a clustered randomized trial
Background: Depression is viewed as a major and increasing public health issue, as it causes high distress in the people experiencing it and considerable financial costs to society. Efforts are being made to reduce this burden by preventing depression. A critical component of this strategy is the ability to assess the individual level and profile of risk for the development of major depression. This paper presents the cost-effectiveness of a personalized intervention based on the risk of developing depression carried out in primary care, compared with usual care. Methods: Cost-effectiveness analyses are nested within a multicentre, clustered, randomized controlled trial of a personalized intervention to prevent depression. The study was carried out in 70 primary care centres from seven cities in Spain. Two general practitioners (GPs) were randomly sampled from those prepared to participate in each centre (i.e. 140 GPs), and 3326 participants consented and were eligible to participate. The intervention included the GP communicating to the patient his/her individual risk for depression and personal risk factors and the construction by both GPs and patients of a psychosocial programme tailored to prevent depression. In addition, GPs carried out measures to activate and empower the patients, who also received a leaflet about preventing depression. GPs were trained in a 10- to 15-h workshop. Costs were measured from a societal and National Health care perspective. Qualityadjustedlife years were assessed using the EuroQOL five dimensions questionnaire. The time horizon was 18 months. Results: With a willingness-to-pay threshold of (sic)10, 000 ((sic)8568) the probability of cost-effectiveness oscillated from 83% (societal perspective) to 89% (health perspective). If the threshold was increased to (sic)30, 000 ((sic)25, 704), the probability of being considered cost-effective was 94% (societal perspective) and 96%, respectively (health perspective). The sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. Conclusions: Compared with usual care, an intervention based on personal predictors of risk of depression implemented by GPs is a cost-effective strategy to prevent depression. This type of personalized intervention in primary care should be further developed and evaluated
Plasma osteopontin levels and expression in adipose tissue are increased in obesity
Obesity acts as a cardiovascular risk factor by mechanisms that are not
fully understood. Osteopontin (OPN) is a proinflammatory mediator involved in
tissue remodeling that plays a role in atherosclerosis and diabetes. OBJECTIVE:
The aim of the present study was to compare the circulating concentrations of OPN
and its mRNA expression in omental adipose tissue of lean, overweight, and obese
individuals and to analyze the effect of weight loss. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
Plasma concentrations of OPN were measured in 77 volunteers. OPN mRNA expression
in omental adipose tissue obtained from 12 women was quantified by real-time PCR.
In addition, the concentrations of OPN in 12 obese men were measured before and
after weight loss following a dietetic program. SETTING: The study was conducted
at a University Hospital. RESULTS: Obese and overweight patients exhibited
significantly increased circulating OPN concentrations as compared with lean
subjects (obese 72.6 +/- 28.5, overweight 68.2 +/- 20.8, lean 42.7 +/- 27.9
ng/ml; P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between OPN
levels and body fat (r = 0.45; P < 0.0001). Obese individuals showed
significantly increased (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of OPN in omental adipose
tissue as compared with lean volunteers, which was further increased in obese
diabetic patients. Diet-induced weight loss significantly decreased OPN
concentrations from 64.7 +/- 22.1 to 36.6 +/- 20.1 ng/ml (P = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings represent the first observation that plasma OPN and
mRNA expression of OPN in omental adipose tissue are increased in
overweight/obese patients with the latter being further elevated in
obesity-associated diabetes. Moreover, weight loss reduces OPN concentrations,
which may contribute to the beneficial effects accompanying weight reduction.
Measurement of OPN might be useful for evaluating the outcomes of various
clinical interventions for obesity-related cardiovascular disease
- âŠ