A general approach to obtain soft x-ray transparency for thin films grown on bulk substrates.

We present a general approach to thin bulk samples to transparency for experiments in the soft x-ray and extreme ultraviolet spectral range. The method relies on mechanical grinding followed by focused-ion-beam milling. It results in a uniformly thin area of high surface quality, suitable for nanoscale imaging in transmission.

Field-free deterministic ultrafast creation of magnetic skyrmions by spin-orbit torques.

Magnetic skyrmions are stabilized by a combination of external magnetic fields, stray field energies, higher-order exchange interactions and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). The last favours homochiral skyrmions, whose motion is driven by spin-orbit torques and is deterministic, which makes systems with a large DMI relevant for applications. Asymmetric multilayers of non-magnetic heavy metals with strong spin-orbit interactions and transition-metal ferromagnetic layers provide a large and tunable DMI.

Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated Upregulation of CXCL16 in Psoriasis Orchestrates Neutrophil Activation.

Innate immune processes are central in the development of the chronic inflammatory skin disease psoriasis. Studying stimulation of keratinocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells by type I interferons or ligation of Toll-like receptors 1/2, 2/6, or 7, but not 7/8, resulted in enhanced surface expression and secretion of CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL) 16. The corresponding CXC chemokine receptor 6 was expressed on neutrophils whose recruitment into skin is important, especially in early psoriatic disease.

Milk Vending Does Not Improve College Students' Milk and Calcium Intakes.

In the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, overall diet quality decreases, including a reduction in both dairy and calcium consumption. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the impact of milk vending on milk and calcium intakes in college students. Participants were 124 college students living in dorms at a large public university (Fall 2012).

[Still's disease in children and adults].

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is characterized by fever, arthritis, and other signs of systemic inflammation. Historically, sJIA was named Still's disease after George Frederic Still, who first reported patients. Individuals who manifest after the 16 birthday are diagnosed with adult onset Still's disease (AOSD).

Generating circularly polarized radiation in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range at the free-electron laser FLASH.

A new device for polarization control at the free electron laser facility FLASH1 at DESY has been commissioned for user operation. The polarizer is based on phase retardation upon reflection off metallic mirrors. Its performance is characterized in three independent measurements and confirms the theoretical predictions of efficient and broadband generation of circularly polarized radiation in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range from 35 eV to 90 eV.

Regression of apoptosis-resistant colorectal tumors by induction of necroptosis in mice.

Cancer cells often acquire capabilities to evade cell death induced by current chemotherapeutic treatment approaches. Caspase-8, a central initiator of death receptor-mediated apoptosis, for example, is frequently inactivated in human cancers via multiple mechanisms such as mutation. Here, we show an approach to overcome cell death resistance in -deficient colorectal cancer (CRC) by induction of necroptosis.

[Still's disease in children and adults].

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is characterized by fever, arthritis, and other signs of systemic inflammation. Historically, sJIA was named Still's disease after George Frederic Still, who first reported patients. Individuals who manifest after the 16 birthday are diagnosed with adult onset Still's disease (AOSD).

Activation of Epithelial Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 by Interleukin 28 Controls Mucosal Healing in Mice With Colitis and Is Increased in Mucosa of Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background & Aims: We investigated the roles of interleukin 28A (also called IL28A or interferon λ2) in intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) activation, studying its effects in mouse models of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and intestinal mucosal healing.

Methods: Colitis was induced in C57BL/6JCrl mice (controls), mice with IEC-specific disruption of Stat1 (Stat1IEC-KO), mice with disruption of the interferon λ receptor 1 gene (Il28ra), and mice with disruption of the interferon regulatory factor 3 gene (Irf3), with or without disruption of Irf7 (Irf7). We used high-resolution mini-endoscopy and in vivo imaging methods to assess colitis progression.

Quantification of silver nanoparticle uptake and distribution within individual human macrophages by FIB/SEM slice and view.

Background: Quantification of nanoparticle (NP) uptake in cells or tissues is very important for safety assessment. Often, electron microscopy based approaches are used for this purpose, which allow imaging at very high resolution. However, precise quantification of NP numbers in cells and tissues remains challenging.

Multi-color imaging of magnetic Co/Pt heterostructures.

We present an element specific and spatially resolved view of magnetic domains in Co/Pt heterostructures in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. Resonant small-angle scattering and coherent imaging with Fourier-transform holography reveal nanoscale magnetic domain networks via magnetic dichroism of Co at the M edges as well as via strong dichroic signals at the O and N edges of Pt. We demonstrate for the first time simultaneous, two-color coherent imaging at a free-electron laser facility paving the way for a direct real space access to ultrafast magnetization dynamics in complex multicomponent material systems.

Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) rs1937 and AP endonuclease 1 (APE1) rs1130409 alleles are associated with reduced cognitive performance.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage is intimately connected to ageing and neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). A particular culprit in this context is oxidative stress, which is a result of increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to hyperactive or dysfunctional mitochondria and/or reduced DNA repair capacity. Base excision repair (BER) is the major pathway for repairing oxidative damage events in chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA.

Methods and design of a 10-week multi-component family meals intervention: a two group quasi-experimental effectiveness trial.

Background: Given the ongoing childhood obesity public health crisis and potential protective effect of family meals, there is need for additional family meals research, specifically experimental studies with expanded health outcomes that focus on the at-risk populations in highest need of intervention. Future research, specifically intervention work, would also benefit from an expansion of the target age range to include younger children, who are laying the foundation of their eating patterns and capable of participating in family meal preparations. The purpose of this paper is to address this research gap by presenting the objectives and research methods of a 10-week multi-component family meals intervention study aimed at eliciting positive changes in child diet and weight status.

Securing a Stop to the Summer Setback: Policy Considerations in the Future Expansion of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children.

The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) has been proposed as a solution to address the problem of child food security during the summer. Initial SEBTC findings from a demonstration project show promise and the federal government has approved substantial funding for its continuation. This report reviews empirical assessments of SEBTC and Electronic Benefits Transfer research, and presents policy considerations in the program's future expansion.

The pseudokinase MLKL mediates programmed hepatocellular necrosis independently of RIPK3 during hepatitis.

Although necrosis and necroinflammation are central features of many liver diseases, the role of programmed necrosis in the context of inflammation-dependent hepatocellular death remains to be fully determined. Here, we have demonstrated that the pseudokinase mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), which plays a key role in the execution of receptor-interacting protein (RIP) kinase-dependent necroptosis, is upregulated and activated in human autoimmune hepatitis and in a murine model of inflammation-dependent hepatitis. Using genetic and pharmacologic approaches, we determined that hepatocellular necrosis in experimental hepatitis is driven by an MLKL-dependent pathway that occurs independently of RIPK3.

Camp NERF: methods of a theory-based nutrition education recreation and fitness program aimed at preventing unhealthy weight gain in underserved elementary children during summer months.

Background: The number of obese children in the US remains high, which is problematic due to the mental, physical, and academic effects of obesity on child health. Data indicate that school-age children, particularly underserved children, experience unhealthy gains in BMI at a rate nearly twice as fast during the summer months. Few efforts have been directed at implementing evidence-based programming to prevent excess weight gain during the summer recess.

Significance of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) for tumorigenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): possible marker of tumor progression and neovascularization?

Objectives: Angiogenesis and neovascularisation plays a crucial role for tumorigenesis and tumor progression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The aim of our study was to investigate the neovascularization capacity by endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in tumor patient as a possible predictor for tumor progression and tumor stage.

Materials And Methods: Therefore, we investigated the cell number and biologic activity by cell migration and colony-forming ability of EPC.

Type I interferon causes thrombotic microangiopathy by a dose-dependent toxic effect on the microvasculature.

Many drugs have been reported to cause thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), yet evidence supporting a direct association is often weak. In particular, TMA has been reported in association with recombinant type I interferon (IFN) therapies, with recent concern regarding the use of IFN in multiple sclerosis patients. However, a causal association has yet to be demonstrated.

[Involvement of mucous membranes in autoimmune bullous diseases].

Autoimmune bullous diseases are characterized by intraepidermal or subepidermal autoantibody deposition that leads to blisters and secondary erosion. Mucous membranes are frequently affected in pemphigus vulgaris and always involved in cicatricial and mucosal pemphigoid. Mucosal lesions are detected less frequently in patients with bullous pemphigoid or epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Familial chilblain lupus due to a gain-of-function mutation in STING.

Objectives: Familial chilblain lupus is a monogenic form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus caused by loss-of-function mutations in the nucleases TREX1 or SAMHD1. In a family without TREX1 or SAMHD1 mutation, we sought to determine the causative gene and the underlying disease pathology.

Methods: Exome sequencing was used for disease gene identification.