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Background: Increased glucagon levels are now recognized as a pathophysiological adaptation to counteract overnutrition in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to elucidate the role of glucagon in peripheral nerve function in patients with T2D with different body mass indices (BMIs). Methods: We consecutively enrolled 174 individuals with T2D and obesity (T2D/OB, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2), and 480 individuals with T2D and nonobesity (T2D/non-OB, BMI < 28 kg/m2), all of whom underwent oral glucose tolerance tests to determine the area under the curve for glucagon (AUCgla). Electromyography was utilized to assess overall composite Z-scores for latency, amplitude, and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) across all peripheral nerves, specifically examining the median, ulnar, common peroneal, posterior tibial, superficial peroneal, and sural nerves. Results: In the T2D/OB group, the AUCgla exhibited a significant correlation with the latency, amplitude and NCV of each peripheral nerve, as well as with the overall composite Z-scores for latency (r = –0.283, p < 0.001), amplitude (r = 0.295, p < 0.001), and NCV (r = 0.362, p < 0.001). In contrast, the T2D/non-OB group did not exhibit obvious correlations between the AUCgla and the overall composite Z-scores for latency (r = –0.088, p = 0.056), amplitude (r = 0.054, p = 0.251), and NCV (r = 0.116, p = 0.012). Furthermore, multivariate linear regression analyses indicated that elevated AUCgla was independently associated with a lower overall composite Z-score for latency (β = –0.304, t = –3.391, p = 0.001), as well as higher overall composite Z-scores for amplitude (β = 0.256, t = 2.630, p = 0.010) and NCV (β = 0.286, t = 3.503, p = 0.001), after adjusting for other clinical covariates within the T2D/OB group. Conclusion: Increased glucagon levels may be a potential protective factor against peripheral nerve compromise in patients with T2D and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce the power-partible reduction for holonomic (or, P-recursive) sequences and apply it to obtain a series of congruences for Apéry numbers A k . In particular, we prove that, for any r ∈ ℕ , there exists an integer c ̃ r such that ∑ k = 0 p − 1 (2 k + 1) 2 r + 1 A k ≡ c ̃ r p (mod p 3) holds for any prime p > 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four isocoumarin derivatives (1–4) and five phenols (5–9) were obtained from the endophytic fungus Pezicula neosporulosa VDB39, which was isolated from the branches of Vaccinium dunalianum Wight (Ericaceae). Compound 1 is a new derivative of isocoumarin. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Single X-ray crystallography confirmed the absolute configuration of compound 1. Additionally, the antiphytopathogenic fungi activity of isocoumarin derivatives (1–4) was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Glioma is the most common primary intracranial tumors. Although great achievements have been made in the treatment, the efficacy is still unsatisfactory, which imposes a hefty burden on patients and society. Therefore, the exploration of new and effective anti-glioma drugs is urgent. Methods: Human glioma cell lines U251 and LN229 were included in the study. Cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), plate clone formation assay, EdU incorporation assay and xCELLigence real-time cell analyzer. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry. Then, transwell assay was used for assessing the migration. Moreover, tumor xenograft model was established to examine the effect of scutellarin (SCU) and lidocaine on the growth of glioma in vivo. Lastly, western blot was performed to detect the protein level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Results: In present study, we found that SCU and lidocaine suppressed the proliferation and migration, and induced the apoptosis of human glioma cell lines, including U251 and LN229 cells, in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Moreover, the combination of SCU and lidocaine further restrained the proliferation and migration ability of U251 and LN229 cells, while induced their apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, SCU and lidocaine also inhibited the growth of glioma in vivo, and the effect of the combination was better. Above all, the toxicity of SCU and its combination with lidocaine was low to normal astrocytes and neurons. Mechanistically, the effect of SCU and its combination with lidocaine on glioma cells was partially associated with the repression of EGFR signaling. Conclusions: Scutellarin and lidocaine exerted a synergistic effect on suppressing the proliferation and migration and inducing the apoptosis of glioma cells, which was partly associated with the repression of EGFR signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The first multi-color photometric observations and low-resolution spectra of the Algol-type short-period eclipsing binary systems IWUMa and V367 Gem are presented here. The stellar atmospheric parameters of the primary stars were derived through spectral analysis. Ground-based and TESS-based light curves were analyzed. Methods: ULySS software was employed to obtain atmospheric parameters by fitting full spectra with model spectra. Wilson–Devinney code was used to analyze the light curves. Results: The photometric solutions suggest that IW UMa and V367 Gem are both typical Algol systems in a semidetached configuration, with secondary stars filling their Roche lobes. The mass ratios of IW UMa and V367 Gem are 0.145 (3) and 0.478 (15), respectively. A third light was detected in the light curve analysis of V367 Gem with a luminosity contribution of L 3 / L total = 44.38 %. Using O − C analysis, we found that the period of IW UMa is likely increasing over the long term, superposed with cyclic variation. The period of V367 Gem is decreasing at a rate of d P / d t = − 7.40 (± 0.43) × 1 0 − 8 d ⋅ y r − 1 on a long time scale. Discussion: The period decrease of V367 Gem may be due to the mass and angular momentum loss from the system. Additionally, a probable cyclic variation has been identified for the period of V367 Gem, which may be caused by the third body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of diacylglycerol (DAG) edible oil intervention in patients with chronic metabolic syndrome complicated by asymptomatic hyperuricemia through a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: A multicenter, double-blind, and randomized controlled trial involving 176 patients was designed. All patients with chronic metabolic syndrome complicated by asymptomatic hyperuricemia who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria will be included in the study and will be randomized to either group A or group B. Group A will receive DAG-rich oil (≥ 80%) and group B will receive conventional cooking oil (triacylglycerol (TAG)-rich oil) for 12 weeks. Serum uric acid level is the primary outcome. Fasting blood glucose, 2 h postprandial blood glucose, fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, and average carotid intima-media thickness will be evaluated as the secondary outcomes. Blood routine, urine routine, liver enzymes, and electrocardiogram will be tested to assess the safety. The sample size for each group was calculated to be 88 cases. Discussion: We will evaluate the efficacy and safety of DAG oil compared with conventional TAG oil in patients with chronic metabolic syndrome with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. The dietary oil with superior efficacy and better safety will be recommended for reference use. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400085336. Registered on June 5, 2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Room-temperature spin-coatable polyoxometalate-based composites are explored for low cost electrochromic capacitive films. A transparent stable K6P2W18O64–polyvinyl alcohol (P2W18–PVA) solution suitable for both rigid and flexible substrates was developed. Electrodeposition of HKUST-1 particles was employed to create pore structures in the film leading to facile ion transportation. The excellent EC performance of P2W18 was fully expressed in this thin film with a thickness of 500 nm. The state-of-the-art record of 95% optical contrast and 1600 stable EC cycles were achieved. An electrochromic energy storage device with a capacity of 7.89 mF cm−2 was realized with MnO2 as the counter electrode. This strategy for the preparation of highly stable and transparent POM coatings at room temperature is a general and simple solution that is not limited to the preparation of electrochromic films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]