Bottom-Up Evolution of Diamond-Graphite Hybrid Two-Dimensional Nanostructure: Underlying Picture and Electrochemical Activity.

The diamond-graphite hybrid thin film with low-dimensional nanostructure (e.g., nitrogen-included ultrananocrystalline diamond (N-UNCD) or the alike), has been employed in many impactful breakthrough applications. However, the detailed picture behind the bottom-up evolution of such intriguing carbon nanostructure is far from clarified yet. Here, the authors clarify it, through the concerted efforts of microscopic, physical, and electrochemical analyses for a series of samples synthesized by hot-filament chemical vapor deposition using methane-hydrogen precursor gas, based on the hydrogen-dependent surface reconstruction of nanodiamond and on the substrate-temperature-dependent variation of the growth species (atomic hydrogen and methyl radical) concentration near substrate. The clarified picture provides insights for a drastic enhancement in the electrochemical activities of the hybrid thin film, concerning the detection of important biomolecule, that is, ascorbic acid, uric acid, and dopamine: their limits of detections are 490, 35, and 25 nm, respectively, which are among the best of the all-carbon thin film electrodes in the literature. This work also enables a simple and effective way of strongly enhancing AA detection.

Surface Properties of CVD-Grown Graphene Transferred by Wet and Dry Transfer Processes.

Graphene, an atomically thin material, has unique electrical, mechanical, and optical properties that can enhance the performance of thin film-based flexible and transparent devices, including gas sensors. Graphene synthesized on a metallic catalyst must first be transferred onto a target substrate using wet or dry transfer processes; however, the graphene surface is susceptible to chemical modification and mechanical damage during the transfer. Defects on the graphene surface deteriorate its excellent intrinsic properties, thus reducing device performance. In this study, the surface properties of transferred graphene were investigated according to the transfer method (wet vs. dry) and characterized using atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. After the wet transfer process, the surface properties of graphene exhibited tendencies similar to the poly(methyl methacrylate) residue remaining after solvent etching. The dry-transferred graphene revealed a surface closer to that of pristine graphene, regardless of substrates. These results provide insight into the utilization of wet and dry transfer processes for various graphene applications.

Hydrogen Sulfide and the Kidney.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is constitutively synthesized in the kidney. Recent investigations suggest a role for H2S in the regulation of fundamental kidney physiological events including arterial blood flow, glomerular filtration, and electrolyte and water transport. Deficiency of H2S generation has been implicated in acute kidney injury brought on by ischemia, administration of nephrotoxic medications, and obstruction. A role for impaired H2S expression has been shown in chronic kidney injury seen with chronic heart failure, obesity, and diabetes. Deficient H2S generation by the kidney could contribute to blood pressure dysregulation in models of hypertension and preeclampsia. Aging induced chronic kidney impairment is associated with inadequate H2S generation in the kidney. The mechanistic pathways regulated by H2S include but not limited to transcription, mRNA translation, signaling, inflammation, and oxidative stress demonstrating the versatility of the gasotransmitter. In the aforementioned conditions amelioration of kidney injury has been reported by the administration of agents that provide H2S. In renal cancer H2S may participate as an injurious agent. Overall, research on H2S in the kidney is in its early stages, and it is becoming evident that it has a context-dependent nuanced role in various kidney pathologies. There is an urgent need for exploration of H2S in physiology and pathology of the kidney including its role in oxygen sensing and glomerulonephritis. H2S may prove to be a novel therapeutic agent in some kidney disease states.

Single-layer metamaterial bolometer for sensitive detection of low-power terahertz waves at room temperature.

This study demonstrates a metamaterial bolometer that can detect terahertz (THz) waves by measuring variations in electrical resistance. A metamaterial pattern for enhanced THz waves absorption and a composite material with a high temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) are incorporated into a single layer of the bolometer chip to realize a compact and highly sensitive device. To detect the temperature change caused by the absorption of the THz waves, a polydimethylsiloxane mixed with carbon black microparticles is used. The thermosensitive composite has TCR ranging from 1.88%/K to 3.11%/K at room temperature (22.2-23.8°C). In addition, a microscale metamaterial without a backside reflector is designed to enable the measurement of the resistance and to enhance the sensitivity of the bolometer. The proposed configuration effectively improves thermal response of the chip as well as the absorption of the THz waves. It was confirmed that the irradiated THz waves can be detected via the increment in the electrical resistance. The resistance change caused by the absorption of the THz waves is detectable in spite of the changes in resistance originating from the background thermal noise. The proposed metamaterial bolometer could be applied to detect chemical or biological molecules that have fingerprints in the THz band by measuring the variation of the resistance without using the complex and bulky THz time-domain spectroscopy system.

Hydrogen sulfide inhibits high glucose-induced NADPH oxidase 4 expression and matrix increase by recruiting inducible nitric oxide synthase in kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells.

High-glucose increases NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression, reactive oxygen species generation, and matrix protein synthesis by inhibiting AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in renal cells. Because hydrogen sulfide (H2S) inhibits high glucose-induced matrix protein increase by activating AMPK in renal cells, we examined whether H2S inhibits high glucose-induced expression of NOX4 and matrix protein and whether H2S and NO pathways are integrated. High glucose increased NOX4 expression and activity at 24 h in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, which was inhibited by sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a source of H2S. High glucose decreased AMPK phosphorylation and activity, which was restored by NaHS. Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, prevented NaHS inhibition of high glucose-induced NOX4 expression. NaHS inhibition of high glucose-induced NOX4 expression was abrogated by N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of NOS. NaHS unexpectedly augmented the expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) but not endothelial NOS. iNOS siRNA and 1400W, a selective iNOS inhibitor, abolished the ameliorative effects of NaHS on high glucose-induced NOX4 expression, reactive oxygen species generation, and, matrix laminin expression. Thus, H2S recruits iNOS to generate NO to inhibit high glucose-induced NOX4 expression, oxidative stress, and matrix protein accumulation in renal epithelial cells; the two gasotransmitters H2S and NO and their interaction may serve as therapeutic targets in diabetic kidney disease.

Graphene-based stretchable and transparent moisture barrier.

We propose an alumina-deposited double-layer graphene (2LG) as a transparent, scalable, and stretchable barrier against moisture; this barrier is indispensable for foldable or stretchable organic displays and electronics. Both the barrier property and stretchability were significantly enhanced through the introduction of 2LG between alumina and a polymeric substrate. 2LG with negligible polymeric residues was coated on the polymeric substrate via a scalable dry transfer method in a roll-to-roll manner; an alumina layer was deposited on the graphene via atomic layer deposition. The effect of the graphene layer on crack generation in the alumina layer was systematically studied under external strain using an in situ micro-tensile tester, and correlations between the deformation-induced defects and water vapor transmission rate were quantitatively analyzed. The enhanced stretchability of alumina-deposited 2LG originated from the interlayer sliding between the graphene layers, which resulted in the crack density of the alumina layer being reduced under external strain.

Carbon Textile Decorated with Pseudocapacitive VC/Vx Oy for High-Performance Flexible Supercapacitors.

It is demonstrated that, via V2 O5 coating by low temperature atomic layer deposition and subsequent pyrolysis, ubiquitous cotton textile can readily turn into high-surface-area carbon textile fully decorated with pseudocapacitive Vx Oy /VC widely usable as electrodes of high-performance supercapacitor. It is found that carbothermic reduction of V2 O5 (C + V2 O5 → C' + VC + CO/CO2 (g)) leads to chemical/mechanical activation of carbon textile, thereby producing high-surface-area conductive carbon textile. In addition, sequential phase transformation and carbide formation (V2 O5 → Vx Oy → VC) occurred by carbothermic reduction trigger decoration of the carbon textile with redox-active Vx Oy /VC. Thanks to the synergistic effect of electrical double layer and pseudocapacitance, the supercapacitors made of the hybrid carbon textile exhibit far better energy density (over 30-fold increase) with excellent cycling stability than the carbon textile simply undergone pyrolysis. The method can open up a promising and facile way to synthesize hybrid electrode materials for electrochemical energy storages possessing advantages of both electrical double layer and pseudocapacitive material.

Tadalafil Integrates Nitric Oxide-Hydrogen Sulfide Signaling to Inhibit High Glucose-induced Matrix Protein Synthesis in Podocytes.

Diabetes-induced kidney cell injury involves an increase in matrix protein expression that is only partly alleviated by current treatment, prompting a search for new modalities. We have previously shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) inhibits high glucose-induced protein synthesis in kidney podocytes. We tested whether tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction, ameliorates high glucose stimulation of matrix proteins by generating H2S in podocytes. Tadalafil abrogated high glucose stimulation of global protein synthesis and matrix protein laminin γ1. Tadalafil inhibited high glucose-induced activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 and laminin γ1 accumulation in an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent manner. Tadalafil increased AMPK phosphorylation by stimulating calcium-calmodulin kinase kinase ß. Tadalafil rapidly increased the expression and activity of the H2S-generating enzyme cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) by promoting its translation. dl-Propargylglycine, a CSE inhibitor, and siRNA against CSE inhibited tadalafil-induced AMPK phosphorylation and abrogated the tadalafil effect on high glucose stimulation of laminin γ1. In tadalafil-treated podocytes, we examined the interaction between H2S and nitric oxide (NO). N(ω)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one, inhibitors of NO synthase (NOS) and soluble guanylyl cyclase, respectively, abolished tadalafil induction of H2S and AMPK phosphorylation. Tadalafil rapidly augmented inducible NOS (iNOS) expression by increasing its mRNA, and siRNA for iNOS and 1400W, an iNOS blocker, inhibited tadalafil stimulation of CSE expression and AMPK phosphorylation. We conclude that tadalafil amelioration of high glucose stimulation of synthesis of proteins including matrix proteins in podocytes requires integration of the NO-H2S-AMPK axis leading to the inhibition of high glucose-induced mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 activity and mRNA translation.

Female Protection Against Diabetic Kidney Disease Is Regulated by Kidney-Specific AMPK Activity.

Reduced kidney AMPK activity is associated with nutrient stress-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) in male mice. In contrast, female mice resist nutrient stress-induced CKD. The role of kidney AMPK in sex-related organ protection against nutrient stress and metabolite changes was evaluated in diabetic kidney tubule-specific AMPKγ2KO (KTAMPKγ2ΚΟ) male and female mice. In wild-type (WT) males, diabetes increased albuminuria, urinary kidney injury molecule-1, hypertension, kidney p70S6K phosphorylation, and kidney matrix accumulation; these features were not exacerbated with KTAMPKγ2ΚΟ. Whereas WT females had protection against diabetes-induced kidney injury, KTAMPKγ2ΚΟ led to loss of female protection against kidney disease. The hormone 17ß-estradiol ameliorated high glucose-induced AMPK inactivation, p70S6K phosphorylation, and matrix protein accumulation in kidney tubule cells. The mechanism for female protection against diabetes-induced kidney injury is likely via an estrogen-AMPK pathway, as inhibition of AMPK led to loss of estrogen protection to glucose-induced mTORC1 activation and matrix production. RNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis identified a decrease in the degradation pathway of phenylalanine and tyrosine resulting in increased urinary phenylalanine and tyrosine levels in females. The metabolite levels correlated with loss of female protection. The findings provide new insights to explain evolutionary advantages to females during states of nutrient challenges.

Quinolinic acid links kidney injury to brain toxicity.

Kidney dysfunction often leads to neurological impairment, yet the complex kidney-brain relationship remains elusive. We employed spatial and bulk metabolomics to investigate a mouse model of rapid kidney failure induced by mouse double minute 2 ( Mdm2) conditional deletion in the kidney tubules to interrogate kidney and brain metabolism. Pathway enrichment analysis of focused plasma metabolomics panel pinpointed tryptophan metabolism as the most altered pathway with kidney failure. Spatial metabolomics showed toxic tryptophan metabolites in the kidneys and brains, revealing a novel connection between advanced kidney disease and accelerated kynurenine degradation. In particular, the excitotoxic metabolite quinolinic acid was localized in ependymal cells adjacent to the ventricle in the setting of kidney failure. These findings were associated with brain inflammation and cell death. A separate mouse model of acute kidney injury also had an increase in circulating toxic tryptophan metabolites along with altered brain inflammation. Patients with advanced CKD similarly demonstrated elevated plasma kynurenine metabolites and quinolinic acid was uniquely correlated with fatigue and reduced quality of life in humans. Overall, our study identifies the kynurenine pathway as a bridge between kidney decline, systemic inflammation, and brain toxicity, offering potential avenues for diagnosis and treatment of neurological issues in kidney disease.

Hydrogen sulfide inhibits high glucose-induced matrix protein synthesis by activating AMP-activated protein kinase in renal epithelial cells.

Hydrogen sulfide, a signaling gas, affects several cell functions. We hypothesized that hydrogen sulfide modulates high glucose (30 mm) stimulation of matrix protein synthesis in glomerular epithelial cells. High glucose stimulation of global protein synthesis, cellular hypertrophy, and matrix laminin and type IV collagen content was inhibited by sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), an H(2)S donor. High glucose activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1), shown by phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase and 4E-BP1, was inhibited by NaHS. High glucose stimulated mTORC1 to promote key events in the initiation and elongation phases of mRNA translation: binding of eIF4A to eIF4G, reduction in PDCD4 expression and inhibition of its binding to eIF4A, eEF2 kinase phosphorylation, and dephosphorylation of eEF2; these events were inhibited by NaHS. The role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, was examined. NaHS dose-dependently stimulated AMPK phosphorylation and restored AMPK phosphorylation reduced by high glucose. Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, abolished NaHS modulation of high glucose effect on events in mRNA translation as well as global and matrix protein synthesis. NaHS induction of AMPK phosphorylation was inhibited by siRNA for calmodulin kinase kinase ß, but not LKB1, upstream kinases for AMPK; STO-609, a calmodulin kinase kinase ß inhibitor, had the same effect. Renal cortical content of cystathionine ß-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase, hydrogen sulfide-generating enzymes, was significantly reduced in mice with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, coinciding with renal hypertrophy and matrix accumulation. Hydrogen sulfide is a newly identified modulator of protein synthesis in the kidney, and reduction in its generation may contribute to kidney injury in diabetes.

Full-color micro-LED display with photo-patternable and highly ambient-stable perovskite quantum dot/siloxane composite as color conversion layers.

In this paper, we successfully fabricated color conversion layers (CCLs) for full-color-mico-LED display using a perovskite quantum dot (PQD)/siloxane composite by ligand exchanged PQD with silane composite followed by surface activation by an addition of halide-anion containing salt. Due to this surface activation, it was possible to construct the PQD surface with a silane ligand using a non-polar organic solvent that does not damage the PQD. As a result, the ligand-exchanged PQD with a silane compound exhibited high dispersibility in the siloxane matrix and excellent atmospheric stability due to sol-gel condensation. Based on highly ambient stable PQD/siloxane composite based CCLs, full-color micro-LED display has a 1 mm pixel pitch, about 25.4 pixels per inch (PPI) resolution was achieved. In addition, due to the thin thickness of the black matrix to prevent blue light interference, the possibility of a flexible display that can be operated without damage even with a bending radius of 5 mm was demonstrated.

Role of endogenous adenine in kidney failure and mortality with diabetes.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and mortality, however, few mechanistic biomarkers are available for high risk patients, especially those without macroalbuminuria. Urine from participants with diabetes from Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC), Singapore Study of Macro-Angiopathy and Reactivity in Type 2 Diabetes (SMART2D), and the Pima Indian Study determined if urine adenine/creatinine ratio (UAdCR) could be a mechanistic biomarker for ESKD. ESKD and mortality were associated with the highest UAdCR tertile in CRIC (HR 1.57, 1.18, 2.10) and SMART2D (HR 1.77, 1.00, 3.12). ESKD was associated with the highest UAdCR tertile in patients without macroalbuminuria in CRIC (HR 2.36, 1.26, 4.39), SMART2D (HR 2.39, 1.08, 5.29), and Pima Indian study (HR 4.57, CI 1.37-13.34). Empagliflozin lowered UAdCR in non-macroalbuminuric participants. Spatial metabolomics localized adenine to kidney pathology and transcriptomics identified ribonucleoprotein biogenesis as a top pathway in proximal tubules of patients without macroalbuminuria, implicating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Adenine stimulated matrix in tubular cells via mTOR and stimulated mTOR in mouse kidneys. A specific inhibitor of adenine production was found to reduce kidney hypertrophy and kidney injury in diabetic mice. We propose that endogenous adenine may be a causative factor in DKD.

Endogenous adenine mediates kidney injury in diabetic models and predicts diabetic kidney disease in patients.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and mortality; however, few mechanistic biomarkers are available for high-risk patients, especially those without macroalbuminuria. Urine from participants with diabetes from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study, the Singapore Study of Macro-angiopathy and Micro-vascular Reactivity in Type 2 Diabetes (SMART2D), and the American Indian Study determined whether urine adenine/creatinine ratio (UAdCR) could be a mechanistic biomarker for ESKD. ESKD and mortality were associated with the highest UAdCR tertile in the CRIC study and SMART2D. ESKD was associated with the highest UAdCR tertile in patients without macroalbuminuria in the CRIC study, SMART2D, and the American Indian study. Empagliflozin lowered UAdCR in nonmacroalbuminuric participants. Spatial metabolomics localized adenine to kidney pathology, and single-cell transcriptomics identified ribonucleoprotein biogenesis as a top pathway in proximal tubules of patients without macroalbuminuria, implicating mTOR. Adenine stimulated matrix in tubular cells via mTOR and stimulated mTOR in mouse kidneys. A specific inhibitor of adenine production was found to reduce kidney hypertrophy and kidney injury in diabetic mice. We propose that endogenous adenine may be a causative factor in DKD.

α-Synuclein modulates neurite outgrowth by interacting with SPTBN1.

α-Synuclein is the major component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, the pathological hallmarks of surviving neuronal cells in Parkinson's disease patients. However, the physiological role played by α-synuclein remains unclear. In this study, spectrin beta non-erythrocyte 1 (SPTBN1) interacted with α-synuclein in phage display assays using a normalized human brain cDNA library. A direct interaction between α-synuclein and SPTBN1 was confirmed by GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. SPTBN1 and α-synuclein proteins colocalized in N2a neuronal cells. Transfection of SPTBN1 caused human SH-SY5Y dopaminergic neuron cells to inappropriately induce neurites, which extended from cell bodies. Cotransfection with α-synuclein reversed SPTBN1-induced excessive neurite branching in SH-SY5Y cells, and only a single neurite extended from each neuron. These results suggest that α-synuclein modulates neurite outgrowth by interacting with cytoskeletal proteins such as SPTBN1.

Improvement of wafer-level Cu-to-Cu bonding quality using wet chemical pretreatment.

We have evaluated the effect of wet chemical treatment on the interfacial bonding strength of Cu-to-Cu direct bonding. The oxide on a Cu-deposited wafer can be removed by a solution made of hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid (HF/H2SO4) or diluted hydrochloric acid (HCl/H2O), which can also improve the bonding quality of Cu-to-Cu bonds. Two 4-inch Cu-deposited wafers were bonded at 250 degrees C via the thermo-compression method. The interfacial adhesion energy of Cu-to-Cu bonding was quantitatively measured by the four-point bending method. After chemical pretreatment for 30 seconds with HF/H2SO4 and HCl:H2O solutions, the measured interfacial adhesion energies were 4.91 J/m2 and 5.51 J/m2, respectively. Microstructural examination of the Cu bonding interfaces showed that the interfacial bonding quality of Cu-to-Cu bonds improved under proper wet chemical etching conditions. Wafer-level cleaning by wet chemical treatment of the Cu surface was found to be a very effective way to improve the bonding quality of Cu bonds, even at bonding temperatures lower than 300 degrees C.

Human α-synuclein modulates vesicle trafficking through its interaction with prenylated Rab acceptor protein 1.

α-Synuclein has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Although it is highly conserved, its physiological function has not yet been elucidated in detail. In an effort to define the function of α-synuclein, interacting proteins were screened in phage display assays. Prenylated Rab acceptor protein 1 (PRA1) was identified as an interacting partner. A selective interaction between α-synuclein and PRA1 was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays. PRA1 and α-synuclein were colocalized in N2a neuronal cells. Cotransfection of α-synuclein and PRA1 caused vesicles to accumulate in the periphery of the cytosol in neuronal cells, suggesting that overexpression of α-synuclein hinders proper vesicle trafficking and recycling as a result of the interaction between α-synuclein and PRA1.

Elastic modulus of a silicon thin film fabricated by nanotransfer printing.

Transfer printing, a promising method for fabricating multi-scale structures on various substrates such as semiconductors and polymers, has been used to fabricate flexible devices with performance superior to that of conventional organic flexible devices. Although thin films might be expected to suffer damage during the transfer printing process, no reports of the degradation of mechanical properties during transfer printing have been published. The change in mechanical properties before and after transfer printing should be evaluated in terms of reliability and design for transfer printing to be successful. We propose a method of fabricating freestanding 200-nm-thick single-crystal silicon (SCS) thin-film specimens using transfer printing in order to investigate the mechanical properties of the transferred SCS thin-film specimens. The fabrication method combines several techniques such as semiconductor manufacturing, liftoff, and transfer printing processes. The core technology in this method is the fabrication of freestanding SCS thin-film structures suspended between two fixed ends. The mechanical properties of the freestanding SCS thin-film structures were measured using a microtensile machine capable of optical strain measurement. The test results provide insight into device design and reliability evaluation of flexible electronics fabricated by nanotransfer printing.

Ultrawideband electromagnetic metamaterial absorber utilizing coherent absorptions and surface plasmon polaritons based on double layer carbon metapatterns.

An ultrawideband electromagnetic metamaterial absorber is proposed that consists of double-layer metapatterns optimally designed by the genetic algorithm and printed using carbon paste. By setting the sheet resistance of the intermediate carbon metapattern to a half of that of the top one, it is possible to find an optimal intermediate metapattern that reflects and absorbs the EM wave simultaneously. By adding an absorption resonance via a constructive interference at the top metapattern induced by the reflection from the intermediate one, an ultrawideband absorption can be achieved without increasing the number of layers. Moreover, it is found that the metapatterns support the surface plasmon polaritons which can supply an additional absorption resonance as well as boost the absorption in a broad bandwidth. Based on the simulation, the [Formula: see text] absorption bandwidth is confirmed from 6.3 to 30.1 GHz of which the fractional bandwidth is 130.77[Formula: see text] for the normal incidence. The accuracy is verified via measurements well matched with the simulations. The proposed metamaterial absorber could not only break though the conventional concept that the number of layers should be increased to extend the bandwidth but also provide a powerful solution to realize a low-profile, lightweight, and low cost electromagnetic absorber.

Proximal tubular epithelial insulin receptor mediates high-fat diet-induced kidney injury.

The role of insulin receptor (IR) activated by hyperinsulinemia in obesity-induced kidney injury is not well understood. We hypothesized that activation of kidney proximal tubule epithelial IR contributes to obesity-induced kidney injury. We administered normal-fat diet (NFD) or high-fat diet (HFD) to control and kidney proximal tubule IR-knockout (KPTIRKO) mice for 4 months. Renal cortical IR expression was decreased by 60% in male and female KPTIRKO mice. Baseline serum glucose, serum creatinine, and the ratio of urinary albumin to creatinine (ACR) were similar in KPTIRKO mice compared to those of controls. On HFD, weight gain and increase in serum cholesterol were similar in control and KPTIRKO mice; blood glucose did not change. HFD increased the following parameters in the male control mice: renal cortical contents of phosphorylated IR and Akt, matrix proteins, urinary ACR, urinary kidney injury molecule-1-to-creatinine ratio, and systolic blood pressure. Renal cortical generation of hydrogen sulfide was reduced in HFD-fed male control mice. All of these parameters were ameliorated in male KPTIRKO mice. Interestingly, female mice were resistant to HFD-induced kidney injury in both genotypes. We conclude that HFD-induced kidney injury requires renal proximal tubule IR activation in male mice.