Neutrophilic, microaerobic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) from marine and freshwater environments are known to generate twisted ribbon-like organo-mineral stalks. These structures, which are extracellularly precipitated, are susceptible to chemical influences in the environment once synthesized. In this paper, we characterize the minerals associated with freshwater FeOB stalks in order to evaluate key organo-mineral mechanisms involved in biomineral formation. Micro-Raman spectroscopy and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that FeOB isolated from drinking water wells in Sweden produced stalks with ferrihydrite, lepidocrocite and goethite as main mineral components. Based on our observations made by micro-Raman Spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscope combined with electron energy-loss spectroscopy, we propose a model that describes the crystal-growth mechanism, the Fe-oxidation state, and the mineralogical state of the stalks, as well as the biogenic contribution to these features. Our study suggests that the main crystal-growth mechanism in stalks includes nanoparticle aggregation and dissolution/re-precipitation reactions, which are dominant near the organic exopolymeric material produced by the microorganism and in the peripheral region of the stalk, respectively.Background The objective of this study was to establish if renal transplant outcomes (graft and patient survival) for young adults in England were worse than for other age groups. Methods Outcomes for all renal transplant recipients in England (n = 26 874) were collected from Hospital Episode Statistics and the Office for National Statistics databases over 12 years. Graft and patient outcomes, follow-up and admissions were studied for all patients, stratified by age bands. Results Young adults (14-23 years) had substantially greater likelihood [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-1.19; P less then 0.001] of kidney transplant failure than any other age band. They had a higher non-attendance rate for clinic appointments (1.6 versus 1.2/year; P less then 0.001) and more emergency admissions post-transplantation (25% of young adults on average are admitted each year, compared with 15-20% of 34- to 43-year olds). Taking into account deprivation, ethnicity, transplant type and transplant centre, in the 14- to 23-year group, return to dialysis remained significantly worse than all other age bands (HR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.26-1.57). For the whole cohort, increasing deprivation related to poorer outcomes and black ethnicity was associated with poorer outcomes. However, neither ethnicity nor deprivation was over-represented in the young adult cohort. Conclusions Young adults who receive a kidney transplant have a significant increased likelihood of a return to dialysis in the first 10 years post-transplant when compared with those aged 34-43 years in multivariable analysis.Objective Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has become state of the art for the quantitative analysis of steroid hormones. Although method comparisons show that aldosterone measurement using LC-MS/MS yields considerably lower levels than immunoassays (IAs), method-specific cutoff values for primary aldosteronism (PA) are largely missing. Objective of this study was to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of proposed LC-MS/MS-specific cutoff values for the saline infusion test (SIT). Design and Methods From 2016 to 2019, 104 consecutive patients suspected of PA underwent the SIT and captopril challenge test in the tertiary medical center at the university hospital of Leipzig, Germany. Patients with positive case confirmation underwent adrenal imaging and adrenal venous sampling for subtype classification. Results Overall, proposed assay-specific PACLC-MS/MS cutoff values for the SIT achieved higher diagnostic accuracy than established PACIA values with a sensitivity and specificity of 87.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 71.0 – 96.5) and 97% (95% CI 89.6 – 99.6) for a cutoff of 120 pmol/L and 93.8% (95% CI 79.2 – 99.2) and 92.5% (95% CI 83.4 – 97.5) for a cutoff of 94 pmol/L. The most accurate post-SIT PACLC-MS/MS cutoff value in this study was 83 pmol/L, yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 96.9% (95% CI 83.8 – 99.9) and 92.5% (95% CI 83.4 – 97.5), respectively. Conclusions The present data confirm the need for the implication of lower method-specific aldosterone cutoff values for the diagnosis of PA with LC-MS/MS based aldosterone measurement.In recent years immunotherapy has provided new hope for cancer patients. However, some patients eventually relapse. read more Immunological responses are thought to underlie the long-term effects of conventional or targeted therapies. Whether this influence emerges from direct effects on cancer cells through immunogenic cell death (ICD) or by modulating the immune environment requires further clarification. ICD-related molecular mechanisms are also shared by cell-intrinsic defense responses that combat foreign intrusions. Indeed, we could potentially mimic and harness these processes to improve cancer immunogenicity. In addition, the microbiome is materializing as a missing factor in the cancer-immune therapy axis. The emerging idea of manipulating the gut microbiota to improve responses to anticancer therapy is becoming increasingly popular, but further clinical authentication is needed.Cells can communicate through extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion and uptake. Exosomes are lipid bilayer-enclosed EVs of 30-150 nm in diameter, which can transfer RNA, functional proteins, lipids, and metabolites to recipient cells in vivo. Most cell types, including immune cells, can secrete and uptake exosomes. Biogenesis, secretion, and uptake of immune cell-derived exosomes are regulated by intracellular proteins and extracellular stimuli. Immune cell-derived exosomes can mediate crosstalk between innate and adaptive immunity and regulate cancer progression and metastasis. The dichotomous roles of immune cell-derived exosomes towards tumor cells can induce suppressive or active immune responses. Hence, immune cell-secreted exosomes may have applications in cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy and could potentially be developed for vaccination and chemotherapy drug transportation.