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Chemical compatibility and cation interdiffusion between the double perovskite cobaltites RBaCo2O6−δ (R = Gd, Pr) and proton-conducting electrolyte BaZr0.8Y0.2O3−δ were studied. Chemical interaction was found to occur already at 1100 °C as a result of the partial dissolution of RBaCo2O6−δ (R = Gd, Pr) in BaZr0.8Y0.2O3−δ. Analysis of the element distribution along the cross sections of diffusion couples RBaCo2O6−δ(R = Gd, Pr)|BaZr0.8Y0.2O3−δ showed strong interdiffusion of cations, with cobalt being the most mobile one. Its diffusion depth in the electrolyte reaches up to several hundreds of micrometers. The addition of NiO as a sintering aid to BaZr0.8Y0.2O3−δ promotes cation diffusion especially through the grain boundary mechanism, increasing the diffusion depth of Co. The possible implications of cation interdiffusion on the performance of proton-conducting SOFCs are discussed based on the results obtained.

Transient receptor potential channel subfamily C, member 6 (TRPC6), a non-selective cation channel that controls influx of Ca 2+ and other monovalent cations into cells, is widely expressed in the kidney. TRPC6 gene variations have been linked to chronic kidney disease but its role in acute kidney injury (AKI) is unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the putative role of TRPC6 channels in AKI. We used Trpc6 −/− mice and pharmacological blockade (SH045 and BI-749327), to evaluate short-term AKI outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that neither Trpc6 deficiency nor pharmacological inhibition of TRPC6 influences the short-term outcomes of AKI. Serum markers, renal expression of epithelial damage markers, tubular injury, and renal inflammatory response assessed by the histological analysis were similar in wild-type mice compared to Trpc6 −/− mice as well as in vehicle-treated versus SH045- or BI-749327-treated mice. In addition, we also found no effect of TRPC6 modulation on renal arterial myogenic tone by using blockers to perfuse isolated kidneys. Therefore, we conclude that TRPC6 does not play a role in the acute phase of AKI. Our results may have clinical implications for safety and health of humans with TRPC6 gene variations, with respect to mutated TRPC6 channels in the response of the kidney to acute ischemic stimuli.

Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality among older adults. Mecklenburg-West Pomerania has the highest CKD prevalence in Germany and Europe, however, its impact on frailty prevention strategies in primary care remains poorly understood. The SHIP-AGE/MV-FIT study aims to investigate the role of CKD in frailty incidence. Methods. The SHIP-AGE/MV-FIT cohort is a prospective, longitudinal, population-based observational study targeting individuals ≥ 65 years with mGFR >30 mL/min. The cohort will consist of approximately 820 elderly participants who will be monitored over a three-year period. They will undergo a comprehensive, multi-factorial geriatric assessment, along with a structured monitoring and management program aimed at preventing frailty. The program incorporates evidence-based, multi-component care, including physical activity, medication review, nutritional optimization, and fall prevention strategies. Discussion. SHIP-AGE/MV-FIT will clarify CKD’s role in frailty progression and identify mechanisms underlying frailty and pre-frailty. Additionally, the study aims to implement and evaluate multi-component healthcare strategies for frailty and fall prevention, assess patient adherence and quality of life, and explore elderly individuals’ experiences with primary care interventions. By integrating SHIP-AGE data with findings from the SHIP (Study of Health in Pomerania) cohorts in our region, this research will contribute to evidence-based strategies for maintaining health, independence, and well-being in aging populations, particularly in rural primary care settings, such as Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.

Mixed conducting cobaltites PrBaCo2−xFexO6−δ (x = 0–0.6) with a double perovskite structure are promising materials for ceramic semi-permeable membranes for oxygen separation and purification due to their fast oxygen exchange and diffusion capability. Here, we report the results of the detailed study of an interplay between the defect chemistry, oxygen nonstoichiometry and oxygen transport in these materials as a function of iron doping. We show that doping leads to a systematic variation of both the thermodynamics of defect formation reactions and oxygen transport properties. Thus, iron doping can be used to optimize the performance of mixed conducting oxygen-permeable double perovskite membrane materials.

Differential scanning calorimetry studies of the complex oxide YBaCo2O6-δ (YBC), combined with the literature data, allowed outlining the phase behavior of YBC depending on the oxygen content and temperature between 298 K and 773 K. The oxygen nonstoichiometry of single-phase tetragonal YBC was measured at different temperatures and oxygen partial pressures by both thermogravimetric and flow reactor methods. The defect structure of YBC was analyzed. As a result, the thermodynamic functions (∆Hi○, ∆Si○) of the defect reactions in YBC were determined. Experimental data on the oxygen content and those calculated based on the theoretical model were shown to be in good agreement. Standard enthalpies of formation at 298.15 K (∆Hf○) were obtained for YBC depending on its oxygen content using solution calorimetry. It was found that ∆Hf○ = f(6-δ) function is linear in the range of (6-δ) from 5.018 to 5.406 and that its slope is close to the value of the enthalpy of the quasichemical reaction describing oxygen exchange between the oxide and ambient atmosphere, which confirms the reliability of the suggested defect structure model.

The differential scanning calorimetry study showed that the double perovskite HoBaCo2O6-δ (HBC), depending on its oxygen content, undergoes three phase transitions in the temperature range 298–773 K. Their origin was tentatively explained using the relevant literature data. For the single-phase tetragonal HBC, the oxygen nonstoichiometry dependences on the oxygen partial pressure were investigated by thermogravimetric and flow reactor methods in the intermediate-temperature range of 573–773 K. The proposed defect structure of HBC was successfully verified using the obtained data on its oxygen nonstoichiometry combined with those reported earlier. As a result, the values of the thermodynamic parameters (∆Hi∘, ∆Si∘) of the defect reactions proceeding in HBC were determined. The defect structure of HBC was shown to be similar to that of YBaCo2O6-δ (YBC) likely due to similar ionic radii of Ho3+ and Y3+.

BaZr0.9Y0.1O3-δ (BZY10), a promising proton conducting material, exhibits p-type conduction under oxidative conditions. Holes in BZY10 are of the small polaron type. However, there is no clear understanding at which places in the lattice they are localized. The main objectives of this work were, therefore, to discuss the nature of electronic defects in BZY10 on the basis of the combined measurements of the thermo-EMF and conductivity. Total electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of BZY10 were simultaneously studied depending on partial pressures of oxygen (pO2), water (pH2O) and temperature (T). The model equation for total conductivity and Seebeck coefficient derived on the basis of the proposed defect chemical approach was successfully fitted to the experimental data. Transference numbers of all the charge carriers in BZY10 were calculated. The heat of transport of oxide ions was found to be about one half the activation energy of their mobility, while that of protons was almost equal to the activation energy of their mobility. The results of the Seebeck coefficient modeling indicate that cation impurities, rather than oxygen sites, should be considered as a place of hole localization.

The purpose of this research is to review peer-reviewed articles on the effects of e-learning on the academic performance of university students. The SCOPUS database was searched for peer-reviewed articles. The data obtained were analyzed using the content analysis method. Twenty-seven articles were found in journals indexed in the SCOPUS database and considered suitable for this study. Two researchers used the content analysis method to determine the effects of the articles reviewed. The results showed that studies in this area have increased in intensity in recent years. These studies were generally conducted over five years. It was found that quantitative methods were predominantly chosen. Researchers published most articles in 2021 and 2022. Most of the studies reviewed used a quantitative design, and only seven articles chose an experimental research design. Most studies were conducted in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Spain, India, Iran, and Turkey. The results show that different measurement instruments or tools were used to measure students' academic achievement. The impact of the peer-reviewed articles on the impact of e-learning on college students' academic achievement was examined in four categories. These categories are detailed in the results. Finally, pedagogical conclusions are drawn in light of the results obtained.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by persistent inflammation and tubulointerstitial fibrosis leading to end‐stage renal disease. Transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) channel inhibition mitigates tubular injury and renal fibrosis in murine models of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and 2‐month chronic post–ischemia‐reperfusion injury (2m post‐I/R). Through integrated analysis of single‐cell‐RNA‐sequencing (scRNA‐Seq) data from UUO mice treated with the selective TRPC6 inhibitor SH045, here the renoprotective cell composition and cell type‐specific transcriptional programs are defined. We explored translational aspects by conducting an in‐depth scRNA‐Seq analysis of kidney samples from patients with CKD. These results reveal global transcriptional shifts with a dramatic diversification of inflammatory cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Notably, a distinct subpopulation of novel endothelial cells is delineated, which is termed ECRIN, that regulate inflammatory networks implicating VEGF and GAS signaling pathways. The data also indicates that inhibition of TRPC6 channels triggers a Prnp transcription factor regulatory network, which contributes to the alleviation of renal fibrosis. The key findings are supported at the protein level by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. We observed similar patterns in the chronic 2m postI/R injury model. These findings provide novel insights into the potential therapeutic benefits of TRPC6 inhibition in CKD. Single‐cell transcriptomics reveals how TRPC6 inhibition alters renal cell composition and gene expression in CKD. The study uncovers a novel endothelial subpopulation (ECRIN), highlights key inflammatory and fibrotic pathways, and identifies a Prnp‐driven network linked to fibrosis resolution, offering mechanistic insight into TRPC6 as a potential therapeutic target in CKD.

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, especially in obese individuals in which the quantity of renal and visceral PVAT is markedly increased. The control of arterial tone by PVAT has emerged as a relatively new field of experimental hypertension research. The discovery of this prototype of vasoregulation has been mostly inferred from data obtained using wire myography. Currently, there is a major discussion on distinguishing between biological vs. technical replicates in biomedical studies, which resulted in numerous guidelines being published on planning studies and publishing data by societies, journals, and associations. Experimental study designs are determined depending on how the experimentator distinguishes between biological vs. technical replicates. These definitions determine the ultimate standards required for making submissions to certain journals. In this article, we examine possible outcomes of different experimental study designs on PVAT control of arterial tone using isolated arteries. Based on experimental data, we determine the sample size and power of statistical analyses for such experiments. We discuss whether -values should correspond to the number of arterial rings and analyze the resulting effects if those numbers are averaged to provide a single -value per animal, or whether the hierarchical statistical method represents an alternative for analyzing such kind of data. Our analyses show that that the data (logEC ) from (+) PVAT to (-) PVAT arteries are clustered. Intraclass correlation (ICC) was 31.4%. Moreover, it appeared that the hierarchical approach was better than regular statistical tests as the analyses revealed by a better goodness of fit (v -2LL test). Based on our results, we propose to use at least three independent arterial rings from each from three animals or at least seven arterial rings from each from two animals for each group, i.e., (+) PVAT vs. (-) PVAT. Finally, we discuss a clinical situation where distinguishing between biological vs. technical replicates can lead to absurd situations in clinical decision makings. We conclude that discrimination between biological vs. technical replicates is helpful in experimental studies but is difficult to implement in everyday's clinical practice.