Mice with targeted disruption of the fatty acid transport protein 4 (Fatp 4, Slc27a4) gene show features of lethal restrictive dermopathy

The fatty acid transport protein family is a group of evolutionarily conserved proteins that are involved in the cellular uptake and metabolism of long and very long chain fatty acids. However, little is known about their respective physiological roles. To analyze the functional significance of fatty acid transport protein 4 (Fatp4, Slc27a4), we generated mice with a targeted disruption of the Fatp4 gene. Fatp4-null mice displayed features of a neonatally lethal restrictive dermopathy. Their skin was characterized by hyperproliferative hyperkeratosis with a disturbed epidermal barrier, a flat dermal–epidermal junction, a reduced number of pilo-sebaceous structures, and a compact dermis. The rigid skin consistency resulted in an altered body shape with facial dysmorphia, generalized joint flexion contractures, and impaired movement including suckling and breathing deficiencies. Lipid analysis demonstrated a disturbed fatty acid composition of epidermal ceramides, in particular a decrease in the C26:0 and C26:0-OH fatty acid substitutes. These findings reveal a previously unknown, essential function of Fatp4 in the formation of the epidermal barrier

Assessment of the anionic composition of the soil with the influence of eartworms activity

We established by capillary electrophoresis method that earthworms increase the chloride ion content and reduce the content of sulfate, nitrate and phosphate ions in experimental mesocosm soils. With increasing depth, the concentration of all anions decreases

The Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort (SKSC), a longitudinal, multi-centric, observational cohort to study course and causes of kidney stone disease in Switzerland

Kidney stone disease has a high prevalence worldwide of approximately 10 % of the population and is characterized by a high recurrence rate Kidney stone disease results from a combination of genetic, environmental, and life-style risk factors, and the dissection of these factors is complex. The Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort (SKSC) is an investigator-initiated prospective, multi-centric longitudinal, observational study in patients with kidney stones followed with regular visits over a period of 3 years after inclusion. Ongoing follow-ups by biannual telephone interviews will provide long-term outcome data up to 10 years. SKSC comprises 782 adult patients (age > 18 yrs) with either recurrent stones or a single stone event with at least one risk factor for recurrence. In addition, a control cohort of 207 individuals without kidney stone history and absence of kidney stones on a low-dose CT-scan at enrolment has also been recruited. SKSC includes extensive collections of clinical data, biochemical data in blood and 24 hr urine samples, and genetic data. Biosamples are stored at a dedicated biobank. Information on diet and dietary habits were collected through food frequency questionnaires and standardized recall interviews by trained dieticians with the Globodiet software. SKSC provides an unique opportunity and resource to further study cause and course of kidney disease in a large population with data and samples collected of a homogenous collective of patients throughout the whole Swiss population

Differences in the food consumption between kidney stone formers and non-formers in the Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort.

OBJECTIVE Diet has a major influence on the formation and management of kidney stones. However, kidney stone formers' diet is difficult to capture in a large population. Our objective was to describe the dietary intake of kidney stone formers in Switzerland and to compare it to non-stone formers. METHODS We used data from the Swiss Kidney Stone Cohort (n=261), a multicentric cohort of recurrent or incident kidney stone formers with additional risk factors, and a control group of CT-scan proven non-stone formers (n=197). Dieticians conducted two consecutive 24-h dietary recalls, using structured interviews and validated software (GloboDiet). We took the mean consumption per participant of the two 24-h dietary recalls to describe the dietary intake and used two-part models to compare the two groups. RESULTS The dietary intake was overall similar between stone and non-stone formers. However, we identified that kidney stone formers had a higher probability of consuming cakes and biscuits (odds ratio, OR[95% CI] =1.56[1.03; 2.37]) and soft drinks (OR=1.66[1.08; 2.55]). Kidney stone formers had a lower probability of consuming nuts and seeds (OR =0.53[0.35; 0.82]), fresh cheese (OR=0.54[0.30; 0.96]), teas (OR=0.50[0.3; 0.84]), and alcoholic beverages (OR=0.35[0.23; 0.54]), especially wine (OR=0.42[0.27; 0.65]). Furthermore, among consumers, stone formers reported smaller quantities of vegetables (β coeff[95% CI]= - 0.23[- 0.41; - 0.06]), coffee (β coeff= - 0.21[- 0.37; - 0.05]), teas (β coeff= - 0.52[- 0.92; - 0.11]) and alcoholic beverages (β coeff= - 0.34[- 0.63; - 0.06]). CONCLUSION Stone formers reported lower intakes of vegetables, tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, more specifically wine, but reported drinking more frequently soft drinks than non-stone formers. For the other food groups, stone formers and non-formers reported similar dietary intakes. Further research is needed to better understand the links between diet and kidney stone formation and develop dietary recommendations adapted to the local settings and cultural habits

Physical vapor deposition of Li7La3Zr2O12Li_7La_3Zr_2O_{12} for all-solid-state Li ion batteries

The liquid solvents used as electrolytes in conventional Li ion batteries limit the operating temperature range and cause safety problems due to insufficient electrochemical stability. With purpose to avoid these disadvantages solid electrolytes, like lithium conducting oxides, sulfides or phosphates can be used. A promising oxide is the garnet-like Li7La3Zr2O12 that shows one of the highest total Li ion conductivities (about 10-4 S cm-1 at room temperature) in this class of materials. It also enables a wide application range due to its thermal stability and chemical resistance against possible electrode materials, e.g. metallic Lithium.In order to compensate the lower Li ion conductivity compared to liquid electrolytes current work is focused on thin electrolyte layers. Hence, main research aspect of the presented work is the thin film processing of Li7La3Zr2O12 with physical vapor deposition methods, especially RF magnetron sputtering. The growth conditions are optimized with regard to synthesize stoichiometric, crack-free and smooth thin films. Deposition is followed by thermal treatment of the as-grown samples to improve the crystallinity which should in turn improve the Li ion conductivity. The composition, structure and the electrochemical behavior of the resulting thin films are analyzed in order to deposit all-solid-state thin film batteries

Physical Vapor Deposition of Li7La3Zr2O12Li_7La_3Zr_2O_{12} for all-solid-state thin film Li batteries

The liquid solvents used as electrolytes in conventional Li ion batteries limit the operating temperature range and cause safety problems due to insufficient electrochemical stability. With purpose to avoid these disadvantages solid electrolytes, like lithium conducting oxides, sulfides or phosphates can be used. A promising oxide is the garnet-like Li7La3Zr2O12 that shows one of the highest total Li ion conductivities (about 10-4 S cm-1 at room temperature) in this class of materials. It also enables a wide application range due to its thermal stability and chemical resistance against possible electrode materials, e.g. metallic Lithium.In order to compensate the lower Li ion conductivity compared to liquid electrolytes current work is focused on thin electrolyte layers. Hence, main research aspect of the presented work is the thin film processing of Li7La3Zr2O12 with physical vapor deposition methods, especially RF magnetron sputtering. The growth conditions are optimized with regard to synthesize stoichiometric, crack-free and smooth thin films. Deposition is followed by thermal treatment of the as-grown samples to improve the crystallinity which should in turn improve the Li ion conductivity. The composition, structure and the electrochemical behavior of the resulting thin films are analyzed in order to deposit all-solid-state thin film batteries