Interplay of Collective Electrostatic Effects and Level Alignment Dictates the Tunneling Rates across Halogenated Aromatic Monolayer Junctions.

Predictions about the electrical conductance across molecular junctions based on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are often made from the SAM precursor properties. Collective electrostatic effects, however, in a densely packed SAM can override these predictions. We studied, experimentally and theoretically, molecular tunneling junctions based on thiolate SAMs with an aromatic biphenyl backbone and variable, highly polarizable halogen termini X (S-(CH)X; X = H, F, Cl, Br, or I).

Erratum to: Measurement of the boson polarisation in events from collisions at in the lepton + jets channel with ATLAS.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-017-4819-4.].

Novel 3D analysis using optical tissue clearing documents the evolution of murine rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.

Recent developments in optical tissue clearing have been difficult to apply for the morphometric analysis of organs with high cellular content and small functional structures, such as the kidney. Here, we establish combinations of genetic and immuno-labelling for single cell identification, tissue clearing and subsequent de-clarification for histoimmunopathology and transmission electron microscopy. Using advanced light microscopy and computational analyses, we investigated a murine model of crescentic nephritis, an inflammatory kidney disease typified by immune-mediated damage to glomeruli leading to the formation of hypercellular lesions and the rapid loss of kidney function induced by nephrotoxic serum.

Determination of contrast-detail curves in mammography image quality assessment by a parametric model observer.

A novel approach is proposed for the determination of contrast-detail curves in mammography image quality assessment. The approach is compared with current practice using virtual mammography. A binary parametric model observer is applied to images of the CDMAM phantom.

Anaerobic Glycolysis Maintains the Glomerular Filtration Barrier Independent of Mitochondrial Metabolism and Dynamics.

The cellular responses induced by mitochondrial dysfunction remain elusive. Intrigued by the lack of almost any glomerular phenotype in patients with profound renal ischemia, we comprehensively investigated the primary sources of energy of glomerular podocytes. Combining functional measurements of oxygen consumption rates, glomerular metabolite analysis, and determination of mitochondrial density of podocytes in vivo, we demonstrate that anaerobic glycolysis and fermentation of glucose to lactate represent the key energy source of podocytes.

Outcomes of combining a trifocal and a low-addition bifocal intraocular lens in patients seeking spectacle independence at all distances.

Purpose: To assess the visual and refractive outcomes and patient satisfaction after cataract surgery in patients with a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) with a low addition (add) power (+2.75 diopters [D]) (Tecnis ZKB00) in the dominant eye and a diffractive trifocal IOL (AT LISA tri 839MP) in the nondominant eye.

Setting: Augenärzte Gerl, Kretz, and Kollegen, Head Office, Ahaus, Germany.

Secretome of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes skeletal muscle regeneration through synergistic action of extracellular vesicle cargo and soluble proteins.

Background: The mechanisms underpinning the regenerative capabilities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were originally thought to reside in their ability to recognise damaged tissue and to differentiate into specific cell types that would replace defective cells. However, recent work has shown that molecules produced by MSCs (secretome), particularly those packaged in extracellular vesicles (EVs), rather than the cells themselves are responsible for tissue repair.

Methods: Here we have produced a secretome from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) that is free of exogenous molecules by incubation within a saline solution.

TRAILblazing Strategies for Cancer Treatment.

In the late 1990s, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the TNF-family, started receiving much attention for its potential in cancer therapy, due to its capacity to induce apoptosis selectively in tumour cells in vivo. TRAIL binds to its membrane-bound death receptors TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5) inducing the formation of a death-inducing signalling complex (DISC) thereby activating the apoptotic cascade. The ability of TRAIL to also induce apoptosis independently of p53 makes TRAIL a promising anticancer agent, especially in p53-mutated tumour entities.

Compression of morbidity in a progeroid mouse model through the attenuation of myostatin/activin signalling.

Background: One of the principles underpinning our understanding of ageing is that DNA damage induces a stress response that shifts cellular resources from growth towards maintenance. A contrasting and seemingly irreconcilable view is that prompting growth of, for example, skeletal muscle confers systemic benefit.

Methods: To investigate the robustness of these axioms, we induced muscle growth in a murine progeroid model through the use of activin receptor IIB ligand trap that dampens myostatin/activin signalling.

The Effect of Cytochalasans on the Actin Cytoskeleton of Eukaryotic Cells and Preliminary Structure⁻Activity Relationships.

In our ongoing search for new bioactive fungal metabolites, two new cytochalasans were isolated from stromata of the hypoxylaceous ascomycete . Their structures were elucidated via high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Together with 23 additional cytochalasans isolated from ascomata and mycelial cultures of different Ascomycota, they were tested on their ability to disrupt the actin cytoskeleton of mammal cells in a preliminary structure⁻activity relationship study.

The long non-coding RNA LINC00941 and SPRR5 are novel regulators of human epidermal homeostasis.

Several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as regulators of cellular homeostasis; however, few of these molecules were functionally characterized in a mature human tissue environment. Here, we report that the lncRNA LINC00941 is a crucial regulator of human epidermal homeostasis. LINC00941 is enriched in progenitor keratinocytes and acts as a repressor of keratinocyte differentiation.

Electron Transport in Nanoporous Graphene: Probing the Talbot Effect.

Electrons in graphene can show diffraction and interference phenomena fully analogous to light thanks to their Dirac-like energy dispersion. However, it is not clear how this optical analogy persists in nanostructured graphene, for example, with pores. Nanoporous graphene (NPG) consisting of linked graphene nanoribbons has recently been fabricated using molecular precursors and bottom-up assembly (Moreno et al.

DNA Methyltransferase 1 Controls Nephron Progenitor Cell Renewal and Differentiation.

Background: Nephron number is a major determinant of long-term renal function and cardiovascular risk. Observational studies suggest that maternal nutritional and metabolic factors during gestation contribute to the high variability of nephron endowment. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have been unclear.

Cell cycle-dependent and -independent telomere shortening accompanies murine brain aging.

Replication-based telomere shortening during lifetime is species- and tissue-specific, however, its impact on healthy aging is unclear. In particular, the contribution of telomere truncation to the aging process of the CNS, where replicative senescence alone fails to explain organ aging due to low to absent mitotic activity of intrinsic populations, is undefined. Here, we assessed changes in relative telomere length in non-replicative and replicative neural brain populations and telomerase activity as a function of aging in C57BL/6 mice.

Cytochalasans Act as Inhibitors of Biofilm Formation of Staphylococcus Aureus.

During the course of our ongoing work to discover new inhibitors of biofilm formation of from fungal sources, we observed biofilm inhibition by cytochalasans isolated from cultures of the ascomycete for the first time. Two new compounds were purified by a bioassay-guided fractionation procedure; their structures were elucidated subsequently by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). This unexpected finding prompted us to test further cytochalasans from other fungi and from commercial sources for comparison.

Splicing and Chromatin Factors Jointly Regulate Epidermal Differentiation.

Epidermal homeostasis requires balanced progenitor cell proliferation and loss of differentiated cells from the epidermal surface. During this process, cells undergo major changes in their transcriptional programs to accommodate new cellular functions. We found that transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms underlying these changes jointly control genes involved in cell adhesion, a key process in epidermal maintenance.

The Emerging Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

The family of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) has critical functions in cell cycle regulation and controlling of transcriptional elongation. Moreover, dysregulated CDKs have been linked to cancer initiation and progression. Pharmacological CDK inhibition has recently emerged as a novel and promising approach in cancer therapy.

Dietary Diversity in Cambodian Garment Workers: The Role of Free Lunch Provision.

The objective of this paper is to compare food consumption by Cambodian garment workers with and without access to a free model lunch provision through a factory-based canteen. Data from an exploratory randomised controlled trial were analysed. In total, 223 female Cambodian garment workers were allocated to an intervention arm (six-month lunch provision) or a control arm.

Modeling sphere dynamics in blood vessels for SIRT pre-planning - To fathom the potential and limitations.

For selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) the calculation of the 3D distribution of spheres based on individual blood flow properties is still an open and relevant research question. The purpose of this work is to develop and analyze a new treatment planning method for SIRT to calculate the absorbed dose distribution. For this intention, flow dynamics of the SIRT-spheres inside the blood vessels was simulated.

[Clinical Evaluation of a Novel Intraocular Lens with Enhanced Depth of Focus (EDOF) to Increase Visual Acuity for Intermediate Distances].

Background: Modern intraocular lens surgery has made great progress over the last few years towards creating independency of spectacles in daily life. Especially in the areas of distant and near visual acuity, optimisation has been possible. Nevertheless, with new media and requirements in professional life, there is an increasing need for optimisation of the intermediate range.

[Glaucoma in inpatient care in Germany in 2015].

Aim: Analysis of structural characteristics of inpatient treatment of glaucoma in clinical units run by affiliated physicians and those run by hospital physicians in Germany are described. The frequency and distribution of glaucoma diagnoses as the main and secondary diagnosis at different departments and glaucoma diagnoses, number of cases, surgeries and procedures and patient characteristics of the four glaucoma-specific diagnosis-related groups (DRG) are presented.

Method: Secondary data analysis using the G‑DRG browser from 2015/2016 provided by the German Institute for Remuneration Systems in Hospitals.

Maybe Next Month? Temperature Shocks and Dynamic Adjustments in Birth Rates.

We estimate the effects of temperature shocks on birth rates in the United States between 1931 and 2010. We find that days with a mean temperature above 80°F cause a large decline in birth rates 8 to 10 months later. Unlike prior studies, we demonstrate that the initial decline is followed by a partial rebound in births over the next few months, implying that populations mitigate some of the fertility cost by shifting conception month.

The Transcription Factor ETV1 Induces Atrial Remodeling and Arrhythmia.

Rationale: Structural and electrophysiological remodeling of the atria are recognized consequences of sustained atrial arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation. The identification of underlying key molecules and signaling pathways has been challenging because of the changing cell type composition during structural remodeling of the atria.

Objective: Thus, the aims of our study were (1) to search for transcription factors and downstream target genes, which are involved in atrial structural remodeling, (2) to characterize the significance of the transcription factor ETV1 (E twenty-six variant 1) in atrial remodeling and arrhythmia, and (3) to identify ETV1-dependent gene regulatory networks in atrial cardiac myocytes.

Cilia-localized LKB1 regulates chemokine signaling, macrophage recruitment, and tissue homeostasis in the kidney.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and other renal ciliopathies are characterized by cysts, inflammation, and fibrosis. Cilia function as signaling centers, but a molecular link to inflammation in the kidney has not been established. Here, we show that cilia in renal epithelia activate chemokine signaling to recruit inflammatory cells.

A Multi-layered Quantitative In Vivo Expression Atlas of the Podocyte Unravels Kidney Disease Candidate Genes.

Damage to and loss of glomerular podocytes has been identified as the culprit lesion in progressive kidney diseases. Here, we combine mass spectrometry-based proteomics with mRNA sequencing, bioinformatics, and hypothesis-driven studies to provide a comprehensive and quantitative map of mammalian podocytes that identifies unanticipated signaling pathways. Comparison of the in vivo datasets with proteomics data from podocyte cell cultures showed a limited value of available cell culture models.