Cell cycle arrest and cell death correlate with the extent of ischaemia and reperfusion injury in patients following kidney transplantation - results of an observational pilot study.

A prolonged cold ischaemia time (CIT) is suspected to be associated with an increased ischaemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) resulting in an increased damage to the graft. In total, 91 patients were evaluated for a delayed graft function within 7 days after kidney transplantation (48 deceased, 43 living donors). Blood and urine samples were collected before, immediately after the operation, and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days later.

[Everyday competencies and learning processes in old age. Results and perspectives of the PIAAC extension study "Competencies in later life"].

This article deals with the study "Competencies in later life" (CiLL), a parallel study to the German program for the international assessment of adult competencies (PIAAC) survey which assesses the level and distribution of skills of the adult population in a representative study. Assuming the growing importance of learning and education in a society challenged by demographic changes, the first section of the paper outlines the qualitative research of learning activities of focus groups in the daily life of elderly people. The second section of the paper presents the survey design and exemplary findings of the quantitative CiLL study.

Long-distance remote comparison of ultrastable optical frequencies with 10(-15) instability in fractions of a second.

We demonstrate a fully optical, long-distance remote comparison of independent ultrastable optical frequencies reaching a short term stability that is superior to any reported remote comparison of optical frequencies. We use two ultrastable lasers, which are separated by a geographical distance of more than 50 km, and compare them via a 73 km long phase-stabilized fiber in a commercial telecommunication network. The remote characterization spans more than one optical octave and reaches a fractional frequency instability between the independent ultrastable laser systems of 3 x 10 (-15) in 0.

Phase-coherent frequency comparison of optical clocks using a telecommunication fiber link.

We have explored the performance of 2 "dark fibers" of a commercial telecommunication fiber link for a remote comparison of optical clocks. These fibers establish a network in Germany that will eventually link optical frequency standards at PTB with those at the Institute of Quantum Optics (IQ) at the Leibniz University of Hanover, and the Max Planck Institutes in Erlangen (MPL) and Garching (MPQ). We demonstrate for the first time that within several minutes a phase coherent comparison of clock lasers at the few 10(-15) level can also be accomplished when the lasers are more than 100 km apart.

Correction of tetralogy of Fallot and of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect in adults.

Background: Early correction is regarded as the treatment of choice for patients with tetralogy of Fallot or pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect. Nevertheless, some of these patients reach adulthood without early correction. This study sought to assess risk factors for operative mortality and determine the benefit of total correction in adolescent and adult patients.