The ratio of Wnt signaling activity to Sox2 transcription factor levels predicts neuromesodermal fate potential.

Neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) are a vertebrate cell type that contribute descendants to both the spinal cord and the mesoderm. The undifferentiated bipotential NMP state is maintained when both Wnt signaling is active and Sox2 is present. We used transgenic reporter lines to live-image both Wnt activity and Sox2 levels in NMPs and observed a unique cellular ratio in NMPs compared to NMP-derived mesoderm or neural tissue.

Superstable lipid vacuoles endow cartilage with its shape and biomechanics.

Conventionally, the size, shape, and biomechanics of cartilages are determined by their voluminous extracellular matrix. By contrast, we found that multiple murine cartilages consist of lipid-filled cells called lipochondrocytes. Despite resembling adipocytes, lipochondrocytes were molecularly distinct and produced lipids exclusively through de novo lipogenesis.

Increasing incidence of mycotoxicosis in South-Eastern Germany: a comprehensive analysis of mushroom poisonings at a University Medical Center.

Background: Mushrooms, an integral component of human diets, range from esteemed delicacies to potentially lethal toxins. The risk of severe poisoning from misidentified species, poses a significant challenge. For clinicians, recognizing mushroom poisoning amidst nonspecific symptoms and determining the specific mushroom ingested are critical yet complex tasks.

Upstream targeting for the prevention of atrial fibrillation: Targeting Risk Interventions and Metformin for Atrial Fibrillation (TRIM-AF)-rationale and study design.

Background: Despite advances in ablation and other therapies for AF, progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a significant clinical problem, associated with worse prognosis and worse treatment outcomes. Upstream therapies targeting inflammatory or antifibrotic mechanisms have been disappointing in preventing AF progression, but more recently genetic and genomic studies in AF suggest novel cellular and metabolic stress targets, supporting prior studies of lifestyle and risk factor modification (LRFM) for AF. However, while obesity is a significant risk factor, weight loss and risk factor modification have not been successfully applied in a US population with AF.

Perioperative management of patients with mediastinal mass syndrome.

Purpose Of The Review: The mediastinal mass syndrome (MMS) can occur after induction of anesthesia, intraoperatively or even days after the surgical procedure. The focus of this review is on the management of pediatric and adult patients with a significant mediastinal mass.

Recent Findings: The age distribution of patients with mediastinal lesions suggests a bimodal shape, with an increased incidence among children under 10 years old and adults aged 60-70 years old.

Validity and feasibility of four standardized aerobic fitness tests in patients with depression: A cross-sectional study.

The objective of this study was to examine the validity and feasibility of four standardized aerobic fitness tests to either measure V˙ Opeak or to estimate V˙ Omax (e V˙ Omax) in patients with major depression disorder (MDD). To this end, all subjects (n = 43) performed one maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test with gas exchange measurement (CPET) on a bicycle ergometer. Additionally, three submaximal tests (Åstrand-Rhyming bicycle ergometer test [ART], Physical work capacity test [PWC], and 6-min walk test [6MWT]) were performed within two weeks in counterbalanced order.

Cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins regulate germ cell proliferation and sex determination in zebrafish.

Cellular retinoic acid (RA)-binding proteins (Crabps) solubilize intracellular RA and transport it to its nuclear receptors or cytoplasmic degradation enzymes. Despite their extreme conservation across chordates, genetic studies of Crabp function have revealed few essential functions. We have generated loss-of-function mutations in all four zebrafish Crabps and find essential roles for Crabp2 proteins in gonad development and sex determination.

Evolution equations for open systems and collective variables: Which equation would you like to solve by molecular dynamics simulation?

In molecular dynamics simulations, the Langevin equation is frequently used to model the dynamics of collective variables and of systems coupled to baths. Often, external forces are added to the Langevin equation (e.g.

Blue light stimulation of the blind spot in human: from melanopsin to clinically relevant biomarkers of myopia.

The protective effects of time spent outdoors emphasize the major role of daylight in myopia. Based on the pathophysiology of myopia, the impact of blue light stimulation on the signaling cascade, from melanopsin at the blind spot to clinically relevant biomarkers for myopia, was investigated. Parameters and site of light stimulation are mainly defined by the photopigment melanopsin, that is sensitive to blue light with a peak wavelength of 480 nm and localized on the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGC) whose axons converge to the optic disc, corresponding to the physiological blind spot.

Zebrafish Optical Development Requires Regulated Water Permeability by Aquaporin 0.

Purpose: Optical development of the zebrafish eye relies on the movement of the highly refractive lens nucleus from an anterior to a central location in the optical axis during development. We have shown that this mechanism in turn depends on the function of Aquaporin 0a (Aqp0a), a multifunctional and extremely abundant protein in lens fiber cell membranes. Here, we probe the specific cellular functions necessary for rescuing lens nucleus centralization defects in aqp0a-/- null mutants by stable overexpression of an Aqp0 orthologue from a killifish, MIPfun.

Minimally-invasive tracheostomy (MIT): A care bundle for safety improvement in high-risk critically ill patients.

Background: Detailed reports are scarce on minimally-invasive tracheostomy (MIT) techniques for critically ill patients with challenging anatomy or complex coagulopathies. In such high-risk patients, conventional percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) may lead to severe complications.

Methods: Aiming to broaden the scope of MIT for patients previously excluded due to high risks, we developed a new care bundle (MIT technique), specifically designed for intensive care specialists.

Structural transition in the single layer growth of diindenoperylene on silica.

When forming a film on a substrate, rod shaped organic molecules can order in lying-down or standing-up phases. We have studied the growth of diindenoperylene films on amorphous silicon dioxide by means of molecular dynamics simulations and analyzed the film structure. The vapor deposition process was emulated by depositing single molecules at a fixed rate on the substrate.

New Insights Into Application Relevant Properties of Cu-Doped Brushite Cements.

Doping of brushite cements with metal ions can entail many positive effects on biological and physicochemical properties. Cu ions are known to exhibit antibacterial properties and can additionally have different positive effects on cells as trace elements, whereas high Cu concentrations are cytotoxic. For therapeutical applications of bone cement, a combination of good biocompatibility and sufficient mechanical properties is required.

Beliefs, preferences, and acceptance of personal protective equipment for a shock room team in a tertiary care center.

Background: During coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic a standard usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare was mandatory, while actually the usage of PPE is currently decreasing. This raises the question about the further use of PPE in the clinical setting because healthcare workers (HCW) are at greater risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 than the general population. The primary objective of this study is to determine the proportion of shock room team members approving the further use of PPE including a FFP2 respirator in simulation training and reality.

Cohesin composition and dosage independently affect early development in zebrafish.

Cohesin, a chromatin-associated protein complex with four core subunits (Smc1a, Smc3, Rad21 and either Stag1 or 2), has a central role in cell proliferation and gene expression in metazoans. Human developmental disorders termed 'cohesinopathies' are characterized by germline variants of cohesin or its regulators that do not entirely eliminate cohesin function. However, it is not clear whether mutations in individual cohesin subunits have independent developmental consequences.

Personality Traits and Insurance Demand.

Personality traits drive people's financial decisions and hence affect their lives. Yet, we know little about the relationship between personality traits and insurance decisions. Do Risk-Taking, the Big Five and Locus of Control predict a variety of personal insurance decisions? Using a sample of 14,624 German adults with the goal of identifying associations between personality and insurance demand, we found that personality traits predict demand for various insurance types.

Increase in choroidal thickness after blue light stimulation of the blind spot in young adults.

Background: Blue light activates melanopsin, a photopigment that is expressed in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). The axons of ipRGCs converge on the optic disc, which corresponds to the physiological blind spot in the visual field. Thus, a blue light stimulus aligned with the blind spot captures the ipRGCs axons at the optic disc.

MRI radiomics captures early treatment response in patient-derived organoid endometrial cancer mouse models.

Background: Radiomics can capture microscale information in medical images beyond what is visible to the naked human eye. Using a clinically relevant mouse model for endometrial cancer, the objective of this study was to develop and validate a radiomic signature () predicting response to standard chemotherapy.

Methods: Mice orthotopically implanted with a patient-derived grade 3 endometrioid endometrial cancer organoid model (O-PDX) were allocated to chemotherapy (combined paclitaxel/carboplatin, n=11) or saline/control (n=13).

Cardiovascular risk of veterans' football: An observational cohort study with follow-up.

Background: The cardiac stress for veteran football players during match is considerable. In this specific elderly population, the kinetics of exercise-induced cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and B-Type natriuretic peptide (BNP) could potentially be related to cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and cardiovascular disease and are therefore be investigated for their usefulness as an complement to established screening measures.

Methods: cTnI and BNP was measured in 112 veteran football players (age: 51 ± 10 years) within 30 minutes pre- and post-match.

Tracer dynamics in polymer networks: Generalized Langevin description.

Tracer diffusion in polymer networks and hydrogels is relevant in biology and technology, while it also constitutes an interesting model process for the dynamics of molecules in fluctuating, heterogeneous soft matter. Here, we systematically study the time-dependent dynamics and (non-Markovian) memory effects of tracers in polymer networks based on (Markovian) implicit-solvent Langevin simulations. In particular, we consider spherical tracer solutes at high dilution in regular, tetrafunctional bead-spring polymer networks and control the tracer-network Lennard-Jones (LJ) interactions and the polymer density.

Impact of Differential Rates of Disease Progression in Amyloid-Positive Early Alzheimer's Disease: Findings from a Longitudinal Cohort Analysis.

Background: There is limited literature regarding the impact of differential rates of disease progression on longitudinal outcomes in individuals with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and confirmed brain amyloid pathology.

Objectives: To describe the underlying characteristics and long-term outcomes associated with different rates of disease progression among amyloid-positive individuals with early symptomatic AD.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Potential Implications of Slowing Disease Progression in Amyloid-Positive Early Alzheimer's Disease: Estimates from Real-World Data.

Background: Emerging therapies have shown promising results for slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the potential impact of these therapies on real-world outcomes remains to be explored.

Objective: To examine the impact of slowing AD progression on functional abilities and behavioral symptoms.

Mechanisms of limitation of oxygen delivery during veno-venous extracorporal membrane oxygenation.

Delivery of oxygen to the mitochondrium is a process involving multiple steps. We here present the integration of the mechanisms of oxygen delivery (DO) during veno-venous (V-V) extracorporal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) into a holistic physiological model. The final steps of oxygen transport in this model are the convective transport of oxygen bound to hemoglobin in the arterial blood and the diffusion to the mitochondrium from the microcirculation.