Human CD16+ monocytes promote a pro-atherosclerotic endothelial cell phenotype via CX3CR1-CX3CL1 interaction.

Aims: Monocytes are central for atherosclerotic vascular inflammation. The human non-classical, patrolling subtype, which expresses high levels of CD16 and fractalkine receptor CX3CR1, strongly associates with cardiovascular events. This is most marked in renal failure, a condition with excess atherosclerosis morbidity.

Cellular and synaptic adaptations of neural circuits processing skylight polarization in the fly.

Specialized ommatidia harboring polarization-sensitive photoreceptors exist in the 'dorsal rim area' (DRA) of virtually all insects. Although downstream elements have been described both anatomically and physiologically throughout the optic lobes and the central brain of different species, little is known about their cellular and synaptic adaptations and how these shape their functional role in polarization vision. We have previously shown that in the DRA of Drosophila melanogaster, two distinct types of modality-specific 'distal medulla' cell types (Dm-DRA1 and Dm-DRA2) are post-synaptic to long visual fiber photoreceptors R7 and R8, respectively.

A Comprehensive Cohort Analysis Comparing Growth and GH Therapy Response in IGF1R Mutation Carriers and SGA Children.

Context: IGF1 receptor mutations (IGF1RM) are rare; however, patients exhibit pronounced growth retardation without catch-up. Although several case reports exist, a comprehensive statistical analysis investigating growth profile and benefit of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment is still missing.

Objective And Methods: Here, we compared IGF1RM carriers (n = 23) retrospectively regarding birth parameters, growth response to rhGH therapy, near final height, and glucose/insulin homeostasis to treated children born small for gestational age (SGA) (n = 34).

Increased Proangiogenic Activity of Mobilized CD34+ Progenitor Cells of Patients With Acute ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Role of Differential MicroRNA-378 Expression.

Objective: Proangiogenic effects of mobilized bone marrow-derived stem/progenitor cells are essential for cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. MicroRNAs (miRNA/miR) are key regulators of angiogenesis. We investigated the differential regulation of angio-miRs, that is, miRNAs regulating neovascularization, in mobilized CD34 progenitor cells obtained from patients with an acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as compared with those with stable coronary artery disease or healthy subjects.

A kidney-shaped polycystic mass on the back of a hemodialysis patient.

Multicystic back masses can be of infectious, metastatic, or local pre- or malignant origin. We present a case of a rapidly evolving mass in a hemodialysis patient with severe "chronic kidney disease-associated mineral bone disease" (CKD-MBD), that also highlights limitations of chest x-ray for diagnosis of bone disease.