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Explanation of the figure:

The four figures show a 1:1 pixel view of the horizontal SD OCT measurements of retinal layer thickness. The four figures show a 1: 1 pixel view of the horizontal SD OCT measurements of retinal layer thickness. The images show the macular B-scan with colored lines delineating each retinal layer. The foveal retinal layer thickness is significantly thicker and the foveal depression is absent in preterm children compared to term children.

Acute kidney injury is a frequent and harmful disease. Currently, preventive and therapeutic strategies are lacking. Interestingly, specific diets have shown an amazing potential to prevent acute kidney injury in rodents. However, translation to the clinic is still lagging behind, since the optimal diet for humans and the molecular mechanisms mediating diet-induced stress-resistance are unknown. In the project at hand, we will compare the efficacy of five dietary regimens in two rodent models of acute kidney injury.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is an important immunomodulatory drug target and a potent metabolic regulator. GR is a nuclear hormone receptor that regulates genes in response to steroids such as dexamethasone. However, its mechanisms of action are unknown, and patients on glucocorticoid treatment suffer side effects.
By analyzing the protein complexes that bind to GR in metabolic and immune cells, we have identified novel interaction partners of GR. We hope to elucidate molecular mechanisms employed by GR to control metabolic enzymes or inflammatory responses.

The only promising therapy for patients with end stage liver disease is liver transplantation. Complications of the biliary tract are common problems. Contrary to earlier assumptions, the biliary tract is not "sterile", but physiologically colonized with a variety of microbes. However, the significance of this colonization, whether beneficial or pathological, remains unclear.

Cognitive impairment after chemotherapy is among the most frequent adverse events of cancer therapy, the development of which is still largely not understood. Induced pluripotent stem cells of breast cancer patients suffering from cognitive deficits after chemotherapy are differentiated into different brain cells and the influence of chemotherapy on these cells evaluated. Thereby, the underlying pathomechanisms of memory impairment after chemotherapy can be investigated in a human patient-specific disease model.

Ischemic conditioning means the generation of cardioprotective effects by induction of transient ischemia. For example, this can be achieved by cycles of inflation/deflation of a blood pressure cuff. Whereas previous studies showed a reduction of myocardial damage after acute myocardial infarction, data showing improved clinical outcome with ischemic conditioning are scarce. The protective effect of ischemic conditioning might be enhanced in high-risk patients compared to lower risk patients.