ADAMTS4-Specific MR Peptide Probe for the Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden in a Mouse Model.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of multiple cardiovascular pathologies. The present-day clinical imaging modalities do not offer sufficient information on plaque composition or rupture risk. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 (ADAMTS4) is a strongly upregulated proteoglycan-cleaving enzyme that is specific to cardiovascular diseases, inter alia, atherosclerosis.

AAV vector-derived elements integrate into Cas9-generated double-strand breaks and disrupt gene transcription.

We previously developed an adeno-associated virus (AAV) Cas9 gene therapy for Angelman syndrome that integrated into the genome and prematurely terminated Ube3a-ATS. Here, we assessed the performance of 3 additional AAV vectors containing S. aureus Cas9 in vitro and in vivo, and 25 vectors containing N.

Multimodal analytical tools for the molecular and elemental characterisation of lesions in brain tissue of multiple sclerosis patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a prevalent immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system inducing a widespread degradation of myelin and resulting in neurological deficits. Recent advances in molecular and atomic imaging provide the means to probe the microenvironment in affected brain tissues at an unprecedented level of detail and may provide new insights. This study showcases state-of-the-art spectroscopic and mass spectrometric techniques to compare distributions of molecular and atomic entities in MS lesions and surrounding brain tissues.

Full thermoelectric characterization of a single molecule.

Molecules are predicted to be chemically tunable towards high thermoelectric efficiencies and they could outperform existing materials in the field of energy conversion. However, their capabilities at the more technologically relevant temperature of 300 K are yet to be demonstrated. A possible reason could be the lack of a comprehensive technique able to measure the thermal and (thermo)electrical properties, including the role of phonon conduction.

Molecular electronic refrigeration against parallel phonon heat leakage channels.

Due to their structured density of states, molecular junctions provide rich resources to filter and control the flow of electrons and phonons. Here we compute the out of equilibrium current-voltage characteristics and dissipated heat of some recently synthesized oligophenylenes (OPE3) using the Density Functional based Tight-Binding (DFTB) method within Non-Equilibrium Green's Function Theory (NEGF). We analyze the Peltier cooling power for these molecular junctions as function of a bias voltage and investigate the parameters that lead to optimal cooling performance.

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in epilepsy patients enhances cooperative behavior in the prisoner's dilemma task.

The vagus nerve constitutes a key link between the autonomic and the central nervous system. Previous studies provide evidence for the impact of vagal activity on distinct cognitive processes including functions related to social cognition. Recent studies in animals and humans show that vagus nerve stimulation is associated with enhanced reward-seeking and dopamine-release in the brain.

P∩N Bridged Cu(I) Dimers Featuring Both TADF and Phosphorescence. From Overview towards Detailed Case Study of the Excited Singlet and Triplet States.

We present an overview over eight brightly luminescent Cu(I) dimers of the type CuX(P∩N) with X = Cl, Br, I and P∩N = 2-diphenylphosphino-pyridine (PhPpy), 2-diphenylphosphino-pyrimidine (PhPpym), 1-diphenylphosphino-isoquinoline (PhPiqn) including three new crystal structures (CuBr(PhPpy) , CuI(PhPpym)  and CuI(PhPiqn) ). However, we mainly focus on their photo-luminescence properties. All compounds exhibit combined thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and phosphorescence at ambient temperature.

Atmospheric Pressure MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging Using In-Line Plasma Induced Postionization.

Atmospheric pressure ionization methods confer a number of advantages over more traditional vacuum based techniques, in particular ease of hyphenation to a range of mass spectrometers. For atmospheric pressure matrix assisted desorption/ionization (AP-MALDI), several ion sources, operating in a range of geometries have been reported. Most of these platforms have, to date, generally demonstrated relatively low ion yields and/or poor ion transmission compared to vacuum sources.

Electronic conductance and thermopower of single-molecule junctions of oligo(phenyleneethynylene) derivatives.

We report the synthesis and the single-molecule transport properties of three new oligo(phenyleneethynylene) (OPE3) derivatives possessing terminal dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene (DHBT) anchoring groups and various core substituents (phenylene, 2,5-dimethoxyphenylene and 9,10-anthracenyl). Their electronic conductance and their Seebeck coefficient have been determined using scanning tunneling microscopy-based break junction (STM-BJ) experiments between gold electrodes. The transport properties of the molecular junctions have been modelled using DFT-based computational methods which reveal a specific binding of the sulfur atom of the DHBT anchor to the electrodes.

Machine learning enables detection of early-stage colorectal cancer by whole-genome sequencing of plasma cell-free DNA.

Background: Blood-based methods using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are under development as an alternative to existing screening tests. However, early-stage detection of cancer using tumor-derived cfDNA has proven challenging because of the small proportion of cfDNA derived from tumor tissue in early-stage disease. A machine learning approach to discover signatures in cfDNA, potentially reflective of both tumor and non-tumor contributions, may represent a promising direction for the early detection of cancer.

Mass Spectrometry Imaging of the Spatial and Temporal Localization of Alkaloids in Nightshades.

Alkaloids are common secondary metabolites found also in plants of the large family of Solanaceae, and they contribute frequently to the economic importance of these plants as food, spices, drugs, or pharmaceuticals. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging was applied to visualize the spatial localization of the main steroidal alkaloids in diverse plant tissues of , , and . Among others, the basic aglycons, tomatidenol, tomatidine, solasodine, and soladulcine, along with their corresponding glycoalkaloids, were identified with distinct distributions within plant tissue structures and plant parts and with respect to the degree of ripeness.

Molecular Background of Pi Deficiency-Induced Root Hair Growth in - A Fasciclin-Like Arabinogalactan Protein Is Involved.

Formation of longer root hairs under limiting phosphate (P) conditions can increase the inorganic P (Pi) uptake. Here, regulatory candidate genes for Pi deficiency-induced root hair growth were identified by comparison of massive analysis of cDNA ends (MACE) provided expression profiles of two cultivars (cv.) differing in their root hair response to Pi deficiency: cv.

Confirmatory versus explorative endpoint analysis: Decision-making on the basis of evidence available from market authorization and early benefit assessment for oncology drugs.

The early benefit assessment of pharmaceuticals in Germany and their preceding market authorization pursue different objectives. This is reflected by the inclusion of varying confirmatory endpoints within the evaluation of oncology drugs in early benefit assessment versus market authorization, with both relying on the same evidence. Data from assessments up to July 2015 are used to estimate the impact of explorative in comparison to confirmatory endpoints on market authorization and early benefit assessment by contrasting the benefit-risk ratio of EMA and the benefit-harm balance of the HTA jurisdiction.

Molybdenum Oxide Nitrides of the Mo(O,N,□) Type: On the Way to MoO.

Blue-colored molybdenum oxide nitrides of the Mo(O,N,□) type were synthesized by direct nitridation of commercially available molybdenum trioxide with a mixture of gaseous ammonia and oxygen. Chemical composition, crystal structure, and stability of the obtained and hitherto unknown compounds are studied extensively. The average oxidation state of +5 for molybdenum is proven by Mo K near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy; the magnetic behavior is in agreement with compounds exhibiting MoO units.

Educational and Psychosocial Support Needs in Lynch Syndrome: Implementation and Assessment of an Educational Workshop and Support Group.

Few reports of educational and counseling support resources exist for Lynch syndrome (LS), a disorder requiring multi-organ cancer screening and specialized medical care throughout adult life. Here we describe the development and efficacy of two resources designed to address this need, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Clinical Genetics Service annual Lynch Syndrome Educational Workshop (LSEW), and a quarterly Lynch Syndrome Patient Advocacy Network (LSPAN) support group. The LSEW and LSPAN were implemented beginning in 2012.

A ZrNiAl related high-pressure modification of CeRuSn.

Monoclinic CeRuSn with its own structure type transforms to a high-pressure modification at 11.5 GPa and 1470 K (1000 t press, Walker type module). The structure of the high-pressure phase was refined from X-ray single crystal diffractometer data at room temperature.

Proteins of Unknown Biochemical Function: A Persistent Problem and a Roadmap to Help Overcome It.

The number of sequenced genomes is rapidly increasing, but functional annotation of the genes in these genomes lags far behind. Even in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), only approximately 40% of enzyme- and transporter-encoding genes have credible functional annotations, and this number is even lower in nonmodel plants. Functional characterization of unknown genes is a challenge, but various databases (e.

Novel high-performance metagenome β-galactosidases for lactose hydrolysis in the dairy industry.

The industrially utilised β-galactosidases from Kluyveromyces spp. and Aspergillus spp. feature undesirable kinetic properties in praxis, such as an unsatisfactory lactose affinity (KM) and product inhibition (KI) by galactose.

New quaternary arsenide oxides with square planar coordination of gold(I) - structure, (197)Au Mössbauer spectroscopic, XANES and XPS characterization of Nd10Au3As8O10 and Sm10Au3As8O10.

The quaternary gold(I) arsenide oxides Nd10Au3As8O10 and Sm10Au3As8O10 were synthesized in sealed quartz ampoules from the rare earth (RE) elements, their appropriate sesquioxides, arsenic, arsenic(III) oxide and finely dispersed gold at maximum annealing temperatures of 1223 K. Both structures were refined from X-ray single crystal diffractometer data at room temperature and at 90 K. Nd10Au3As8O10 and Sm10Au3As8O10 crystallize with a new structure type that derives from the BaAl4 structure through distortions and formation of ordered vacancies.

Apicidin F: characterization and genetic manipulation of a new secondary metabolite gene cluster in the rice pathogen Fusarium fujikuroi.

The fungus F. fujikuroi is well known for its production of gibberellins causing the 'bakanae' disease of rice. Besides these plant hormones, it is able to produce other secondary metabolites (SMs), such as pigments and mycotoxins.

Ferromagnetic ordering in the layer-structured Pd(HS(2)O(7))(2).

The reaction of (NO2 )(CF3 SO3 ) and elemental palladium in oleum (65 % SO3 ) leads to violet single crystals of Pd(HS2 O7 )2 (monoclinic, P21 /c, Z=2, a=927.80(9), b=682.58(7), c=920.

Phosphide oxides RE2AuP2O (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd): synthesis, structure, chemical bonding, magnetism, and 31P and 139La solid state NMR.

Polycrystalline samples of the phosphide oxides RE(2)AuP(2)O (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) were obtained from mixtures of the rare earth elements, binary rare earth oxides, gold powder, and red phosphorus in sealed silica tubes. Small single crystals were grown in NaCl/KCl fluxes. The samples were studied by powder X-ray diffraction, and the structures were refined from single crystal diffractometer data: La(2)AuP(2)O type, space group C2/m, a = 1515.

Separation of N2O and CO2 using room-temperature ionic liquid [bmim][BF4].

We have developed a ternary equation of state (EOS) model for the N(2)O/CO(2)/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF(4)]) system in order to understand separation of these gases using room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). The present model is based on a generic RK (Redlich-Kwong) EOS, with empirical interaction parameters for each binary system. The interaction parameters have been determined using our measured VLE (vapor-liquid equilibrium) data for N(2)O/[bmim][BF(4)] and CO(2)/[bmim][BF(4)] and literature data for N(2)O/CO(2).

Diffusion tensor imaging of the corpus callosum differentiates corticobasal syndrome from Parkinson's disease.

Differential diagnosis between patients with Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) may be confusing, particularly in early disease stages. However, in contrast to PD, CBS shows a widespread cortical atrophy that suggests an involvement of the corpus callosum (CC). To test this hypothesis, we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with a 1.

TACOA: taxonomic classification of environmental genomic fragments using a kernelized nearest neighbor approach.

Background: Metagenomics, or the sequencing and analysis of collective genomes (metagenomes) of microorganisms isolated from an environment, promises direct access to the "unculturable majority". This emerging field offers the potential to lay solid basis on our understanding of the entire living world. However, the taxonomic classification is an essential task in the analysis of metagenomics data sets that it is still far from being solved.