Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Open Access LMU ( Ludwig-Maximilians-Univ. München)Not a member yet
40914 research outputs found
Sort by
Polyoxometalates‐Mediated Selectivity in Pt Single‐Atoms on Ceria for Environmental Catalysis
Full text linkOptimizing the reactivity and selectivity of single-atom catalysts (SACs) remains a crucial yet challenging issue in heterogeneous catalysis. This study demonstrates selective catalysis facilitated by a polyoxometalates-mediated electronic interaction (PMEI) in a Pt single-atom catalyst supported on CeO2 modified with Keggin-type phosphotungstate acid (HPW), labeled as Pt1/CeO2-HPW. The PMEI effect originates from the unique arrangement of isolated Pt atoms and HPW clusters on the CeO2 support. Electrons are transferred from the ceria support to the electrophilic tungsten in HPW clusters, and subsequently, Pt atoms donate electrons to the now electron-deficient ceria. This phenomenon enhances the positive charge of Pt atoms, moderating O2 activation and limiting lattice oxygen mobility compared to the conventional Pt1/CeO2 catalyst. The resulting electronic structure of Pt combined with the strong and local acidic environment of HPW on Pt1/CeO2-HPW leads to improved efficiency and N2 selectivity in the degradation of NH3 and NO, as well as increased CO2 yield when inputting volatile organic compounds. This study sheds the light on the design of SACs with balanced reactivity and selectivity for environmental catalysis
Editorial: Innovative approaches to catalyze preclinical and clinical research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related disorders
Full text linkEarly comorbidities and diagnostic challenges in people with multiple sclerosis with possible impact on disease management
Full text linkBackground : Comorbidities in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) can affect disease course and quality of life.
Objectives : To investigate comorbidities in the five years after diagnosis, timing of comorbidity occurrence, age and sex effects, and differences between multiple sclerosis (MS) and other chronic autoimmune diseases (AIDs).
Methods : In this retrospective cohort study, we systematically assessed differences in diagnosis frequencies in newly diagnosed PwMS (n = 9,880) compared to matched controls (noAID, n = 29,640) and individuals with other AIDs (psoriasis, n = 29,640; Crohn's disease, n = 9,880).
Results : Some comorbidities of PwMS are similarly frequent in other AIDs, while others, such as depression, are more prevalent in PwMS (odds ratio (OR) vs noAID = 2.03(1.94–2.13)). We found that personality disorders are more frequently recorded in PwMS before (OR = 1.34(1.21–1.49)) and after MS diagnosis (OR = 1.32(1.16–1.5)), especially in women (OR = 1.39(1.2–1.6)). PwMS are more frequently diagnosed with Lyme disease (OR = 1.98(1.69–2.33)), which was predominantly recorded by general practitioners after presentation with neurological symptoms. We observed lower acute tonsillitis frequencies in PwMS (OR = 0.8(0.75–0.85)).
Conclusions : Our results suggest that PwMS might have a generally increased risk for specific personality disorders. More frequent Lyme disease recordings for PwMS suggest misdiagnoses of MS symptoms. Lower tonsillitis frequencies suggest a link between MS and protection from specific infections
Subphenotypes of body composition and their association with cardiometabolic risk - Magnetic resonance imaging in a population-based sample
Full text linkBackground: For characterizing health states, fat distribution is more informative than overall body size. We used population-based whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify distinct body composition subphenotypes and characterize associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Methods: Bone marrow, visceral, subcutaneous, cardiac, renal, hepatic, skeletal muscle and pancreatic adipose tissue were measured by MRI in n = 299 individuals from the population-based KORA cohort. Body composition subphenotypes were identified by data-driven k-means clustering. CVD risk was calculated by established scores.
Results: We identified five body composition subphenotypes, which differed substantially in CVD risk factor distribution and CVD risk. Compared to reference subphenotype I with favorable risk profile, two high-risk phenotypes, III&V, had a 3.8-fold increased CVD risk. High-risk subphenotype III had increased bone marrow and skeletal muscle fat (26.3 % vs 11.4 % in subphenotype I), indicating ageing effects, whereas subphenotype V showed overall high fat contents, and particularly elevated pancreatic fat (25.0 % vs 3.7 % in subphenotype I), indicating metabolic impairment. Subphenotype II had a 2.7-fold increased CVD risk, and an unfavorable fat distribution, probably smoking-related, while BMI was only slightly elevated. Subphenotype IV had a 2.8-fold increased CVD risk with comparably young individuals, who showed high blood pressure and hepatic fat (17.7 % vs 3.0 % in subphenotype I).
Conclusions: Whole-body MRI can identify distinct body composition subphenotypes associated with different degrees of cardiometabolic risk. Body composition profiling may enable a more comprehensive risk assessment than individual fat compartments, with potential benefits for individualized prevention
Establishment and behavioural characterization of a novel constitutive P2X7 receptor knockout mouse line
No full textThe P2X7 receptor is an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-gated ion channel expressed in different cell types of the brain. Polymorphisms in the P2RX7 gene have repeatedly been associated with psychiatric disorders including major depression. Depression is a stress-related disorder in which a dysregulation of the immune system has attracted increasing attention as a potential disease mechanism. The well-documented role of P2X7 in inflammatory conditions advocates its involvement in immune system dysregulation and depression genesis. However, understanding its exact role requires further research using appropriate animal models. Unfortunately, some of the most widely used P2X7 knockout mouse models are limited in their utility by the continuous expression of certain P2rx7 splice variants or even activation of de novo transcripts. To overcome this limitation, we generated a novel constitutive and complete P2X7 KO mouse line. These KO mice lack all known murine splice variants and protein expression resulting in a loss-of-function as confirmed by calcium imaging and by the inability of P2X7-deficient peritoneal macrophages to mount an appropriate interleukin (IL)-1β response. Comprehensive characterization using a battery of tests assessing locomotion, anxiety- and depression-related as well as social behaviour revealed differences in locomotor and exploratory behaviours. P2X7 KO mice showed slightly increased locomotor activity and reduced anxiety-related behaviour at baseline. Under conditions of chronic stress exposure, genotype-dependent differences largely dissolved while P2X7 deficiency promoted enhanced stress resilience with regard to social behaviour. Taken together, our findings add further evidence for an involvement of the P2X7 in shaping different behavioural responses and their modulation by stressful environments. This novel loss-of-function model will contribute to a better understanding of P2X7 in stress-associated behaviours in basic and translational neuropsychiatric research
Exploring E-Cigarette Use Among Indonesian Youth: Prevalence, Determinants and Policy Implications
No full textThe growing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among Indonesian youth presents a new public health challenge in a country with one of the highest tobacco burdens globally. While tobacco control regulations have been implemented, e-cigarettes remain largely unregulated, raising concerns about their health impacts and youth appeal. This study explores the prevalence, determinants and perceptions of e-cigarette use among high school and university students in Indonesia, providing critical insights to inform effective policymaking. A cross-sectional online-based survey was conducted in 2019 among 158 students aged 15–30 years across 17 provinces in Indonesia. Data on tobacco use behaviours, socioeconomic background, social influences and health perceptions were collected. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses identified key determinants of e-cigarette use. Among the participants, 36.2% reported ever smoking, and 65.2% of these had tried e-cigarettes. Key determinants of e-cigarette use included male gender, urban residency, peer smoking and social acceptance of smoking (all p < 0.05). Notably, participants commonly perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than combustible cigarettes and helpful for smoking cessation, despite conflicting scientific evidence. Overall, e-cigarette use is prevalent among Indonesian youth, driven by social and environmental factors, as well as misconceptions about safety. Strengthened regulations and targeted public health campaigns are essential to mitigate the health risks posed by e-cigarettes and enhance tobacco control efforts
Artificial Intelligence in Journalism from a Global Perspective: Past, Present, and Future
Full text linkThis edited volume comprehensively examines the interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) and journalism, a phenomenon that is profoundly reshaping the news media landscape. Through a collection of international scholarly contributions, this book particularly takes a global perspective on the complex interplay between technological innovation and journalistic practices and ethics. With contributions by well-known scholars from five continents, this volume offers a timely analysis of the transformative impact, challenges, and opportunities of AI in journalism
Phenotype-based clusters, inflammation and cardiometabolic complications in older people before the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes: KORA F4/FF4 cohort study
Full text linkEffect of periodontal therapy on lung function: a twelve-month follow-up intervention study
Full text linkSpatial and Temporal Scales of Riming Events in Nonconvective Clouds Derived From Long‐Term Cloud Radar Observations in Germany
Full text linkDespite the relevancy of riming for precipitation formation, our observational knowledge of spatiotemporal scales of riming in clouds is poor. We use long-term cloud radar observations to statistically investigate the horizontal and vertical dimensions as well as the typical duration of riming events. We extend a recent retrieval for rime mass fraction into an algorithm that can separate the data into individual riming events and estimate the spatial dimensions using horizontal wind profiles. For 2,500 riming events, we find an average horizontal extent of the riming regions of 13 km and a duration of 18 min. Vertical profiles indicate that the majority of rime mass is built within the uppermost 250 m of the region where the radar can detect riming. Similar to previous studies, the riming events are almost exclusively detected between 0°C and −15°C. To further examine the correlation between riming and thermodynamic profiles, we derived liquid water content from radiosonde data. We find that strong riming usually starts close to the level where the liquid water path exceeds 0.2 kg m−2. By defining a control group of nonriming events, we also find significantly enhanced liquid water below the −15°C isotherm for the riming cases. However, the existence of the 0.2 kg m−2 level in ice clouds alone is not indicative of strong riming. We find this level to be four times more likely than strong riming events. We expect our multiyear statistical riming characteristics to be valuable for the future development of riming retrievals and model validation