bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telemonitoring for chronic heart failure: the views of patients and healthcare professionals – a qualitative study
Authors: Fairbrother Peter , Ure Jenny , Hanley Janet , McCloughan Lucy , Denvir Martin , Sheikh Aziz , McKinstry Brian ,   The Telescot programme team
Published: March 2013

Aims and objectives

To understand the views of patients and professionals on the acceptability and perceived usefulness of telemonitoring in the management of chronic heart failure in the context of day‐to‐day care provision.

Background

There is an increasing interest in the potential for telemonitoring to support the home‐based management of patients with chronic heart failure. However, little is known about the views of patients and professionals on the use of telemonitoring in this context. A chronic heart failure telemonitoring service was set‐up by NHS Lothian, Scotland, to evaluate the intervention.

Design

A qualitative design was adopted to explore the views of patients and professionals participating in the service.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 18 patients (61% male, mean age 75 years) and five professionals participating at different time points in this new service. Interviews were audio recorded, coded and thematically analysed using the Framework approach.

Results

Five main themes were identified: ‘information, support and reassurance’; ‘compliance and dependence’; ‘changes and challenges’; ‘determining the criteria for patient applicability to telemonitoring’; and ‘continuity of care’.

Conclusion

Patients and professionals considered telemonitoring useful in the management of chronic heart failure, although with some caveats. Telemonitoring was popular with patients because they felt reassurance arising from what was perceived as continuous practitioner surveillance. Professionals expressed concern regarding perceived patient dependence on practitioner support. Increased workload was also a concern. Both groups acknowledged the need for improved technology and changes to service provision in order to better meet the intended objectives of the service.

Relevance to clinical practice

Although popular with patients, professionals emphasised the importance of case selection and adequate training and support, both for patients and themselves, in order to maximise the expected benefits of the service, particularly with regard to enabling self‐management.
Integrating illness concerns into cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease and co‐occurring anxiety
Authors: Reigada Laura C. , Benkov Keith J. , Bruzzese Jean‐Marie , Hoogendoorn Claire , Szigethy Eva , Briggie Alexis , Walder Deborah J. , Warner Carrie Masia
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To examine the feasibility and preliminary benefits of an integrative cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease and anxiety.

Design and Methods

Nine adolescents participated in a CBT program at their gastroenterologist's office. Structured diagnostic interviews, self‐report measures of anxiety and pain, and physician‐rated disease severity were collected pretreatment and post‐treatment.

Results

Postintervention, 88% of adolescents were treatment responders, and 50% no longer met criteria for their principal anxiety disorder. Decreases were demonstrated in anxiety, pain, and disease severity.

Practice Implications

Anxiety screening and a mental health referral to professionals familiar with medical management issues is important.
GoodbyeGillick? Identifying and resolving problems with the concept of child competence
Authors: Cave Emma
Published: March 2013

The landmark decision ofGillick v West Norfolk Area Health Authoritywas a victory for advocates of adolescent autonomy. It established a test by which the court could measure children's competence with a view to them authorising medical treatment. However, application of the test by clinicians reveals a number of ambiguities which are compounded by subsequent interpretation ofGillickin the law courts. What must be understood by minors in order for them to be deemed competent? At what point in the consent process should competence be assessed? Does competence confer on minors the authority to refuse as well as to accept medical treatment? These are questions which vex clinicians, minors and their families. A growing number of commentators favour application of parts of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to minors. In this paper, the limitations of this approach are exposed and more radical reform is proposed.
Form and Global Consciousness in the Victorian Period
Authors: Çelikkol Ayşe
Published: March 2013

The increased visibility of globalization in the late twentieth and early twenty‐first centuries has led scholars in various disciplines from sociology to economics to discuss its impact, scope, and history. Literary criticism is no exception. This essay focuses on Victorian studies, in which the effort to historicize globalization has produced new readings of familiar texts. Recently, scholars of Victorian literature have been unearthing unlikely circuits of cross‐cultural interaction, tracing cosmopolitan sentiment, and shedding light on the ideology of the capitalist world system. This essay explores how formal analysis sheds light on the history of globalization.
Phylogeography and adaptation genetics of stickleback from theHaidaGwaii archipelago revealed using genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping
Authors: Deagle Bruce E. , Jones Felicity C. , Absher Devin M. , Kingsley David M. , Reimchen Thomas E.
Published: March 2013

Threespine stickleback populations are model systems for studying adaptive evolution and the underlying genetics. In lakes on theHaidaGwaii archipelago (off westernCanada), stickleback have undergone a remarkable local radiation and show phenotypic diversity matching that seen throughout the species distribution. To provide a historical context for this radiation, we surveyed genetic variation at >1000 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in stickleback from over 100 populations.SNPs included markers evenly distributed throughout genome and candidateSNPs tagging adaptive genomic regions. Based on evenly distributedSNPs, the phylogeographic pattern differs substantially from the disjunct pattern previously observed between two highly divergent mtDNAlineages. TheSNPtree instead shows extensive within watershed population clustering and different watersheds separated by short branches deep in the tree. These data are consistent with separate colonizations of most watersheds, despite underlying genetic connections between some independent drainages. This supports previous suppositions that morphological diversity observed between watersheds has been shaped independently, with populations exhibiting complete loss of lateral plates and giant size each occurring in several distinct clades. Throughout the archipelago, we see repeated selection ofSNPs tagging candidate freshwater adaptive variants at several genomic regions differentiated between marine–freshwater populations on a global scale (e.g.EDA,Na/KATPase). In estuarine sites, both marine and freshwater allelic variants were commonly detected. We also found typically marine alleles present in a few freshwater lakes, especially those with completely plated morphology. These results provide a general model for postglacial colonization of freshwater habitat by sticklebacks and illustrate the tremendous potential of genome‐wideSNPdata sets hold for resolving patterns and processes underlying recent adaptive divergences.
TGBp3 triggers the unfolded protein response and SKP1‐dependent programmed cell death
Authors: YE Chang‐Ming , Chen Shaorong , Payton Mark , Dickman Martin B. , Verchot Jeanmarie
Published: March 2013

The Potato virus X (PVX) triple gene block protein 3 (TGBp3), an 8‐kDa membrane binding protein, aids virus movement and induces the unfolded protein response (UPR) during PVX infection. TGBp3 was expressed from the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) genome (TMV‐p3), and we noted the up‐regulation of SKP1 and several endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐resident chaperones, including the ER luminal binding protein (BiP), protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), calreticulin (CRT) and calmodulin (CAM). Local lesions were seen on leaves inoculated with TMV‐p3, but not TMV or PVX. Such lesions were the result of TGBp3‐elicited programmed cell death (PCD), as shown by an increase in reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation and induction of SKP1 expression. UPR‐related gene expression occurred within 8 h of TMV‐p3 inoculation and declined before the onset of PCD. TGBp3‐mediated cell death was suppressed in plants that overexpressed BiP, indicating that UPR induction by TGBp3 is a pro‐survival mechanism. Anti‐apoptotic genes Bcl‐xl, CED‐9 and Op‐IAP were expressed in transgenic plants and suppressed N gene‐mediated resistance to TMV, but failed to alleviate TGBp3‐induced PCD. However, TGBp3‐mediated cell death was reduced in SKP1‐silenced Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The combined data suggest that TGBp3 triggers the UPR and elicits PCD in plants.
Renal transplantation in Nepal: Beginning of a new era!
Authors: Shah Dibya S , Shrestha Shailendra , Kafle Mukunda P
Published: March 2013

Aim

To assess the first year outcomes in terms of patient survival rate, graft survival rate and secondary outcomes after starting the first live related renal transplant in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was done of the first 70 renal transplants, who have completed a minimum of 1 year of follow up. All recipients were on Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate Mofetil, and corticosteroids.

Results

Patient and graft survival rate at the end of one year was 94.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 86.2–97.8). Mean serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 year was 115 ± 25 μmol/L (range 63–192) and 66 ± 15 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (range 37–102) respectively. Twenty‐two episodes of biopsy proven acute rejection occurred in 18 recipients (25.7%). Three patients (4.2%) had acute tubular necrosis; however, only one (1.4%) had delayed graft function. One patient, with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis had recurrence of native kidney disease. Thirty‐two episodes of urinary tract infection were observed in 22 recipients (31.4%), and Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated organism, 17 (53.1%) out of 32 episodes. New onset diabetes mellitus after transplant occurred in 16 recipients (22.8%).

Conclusion

One‐year patient survival, graft survival and secondary outcomes of our kidney transplant recipients, with our limited facilities, were within acceptable limits.
Exploiting plant virus‐derived components to achieve in planta expression and for templates for synthetic biology applications
Authors: Saunders Keith , Lomonossoff George P.
Published: March 2013

This review discusses the varying roles that have been played by many plant‐viral regulatory sequences and proteins in the creation of plant‐based expression systems and virus particles for use in nanotechnology. Essentially, there are two ways of expressing an exogenous protein: the creation of transgenic plants possessing a stably integrated gene construction, or the transient expression of the desired gene following the infiltration of the gene construct. Both depend on disarmed strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to deliver the created gene construction into cell nuclei, usually through the deployment of virus‐derived components. The importance of efficient mRNA translation in the latter process is highlighted. Plant viruses replicate to sustain an infection to promote their survival. The major product of this, the virus particle, is finding increasing roles in the emerging field of bionanotechnology. One of the major products of plant‐viral expression is the virus‐like particle (VLP). These are increasingly playing a role in vaccine development. Similarly, many VLPs are suitable for the investigation of the many facets of the emerging field of synthetic biology, which encompasses the design and construction of new biological functions and systems not found in nature. Genetic and chemical modifications to plant‐generated VLPs serve as ideal starter templates for many downstream synthetic biology applications.

Contents

Summary
16

I.
Transgenic gene expression
16

II.
Transient gene expression
18

III.
Exploitation of viral shells as templates for synthetic biological applications
20

IV.
Conclusion and future prospects
23

Acknowledgements
24

References
24
Patient Specific Simulation of Body Surface ECG using the Finite Element Method
Authors: OKADA JUN‐ICHI , SASAKI TERUYOSHI , WASHIO TAKUMI , YAMASHITA HIROSHI , KARIYA TARO , IMAI YASUSHI , NAKAGAWA MACHIKO , KADOOKA YOSHIMASA , NAGAI RYOZO , HISADA TOSHIAKI , SUGIURA SEIRYO
Published: March 2013

Background

Recent studies, supported by advances in computer science, have successfully simulated the excitation and repolarization processes of the heart, based on detailed cell models of electrophysiology and implemented with realistic morphology.

Methods

In this study, we extend these approaches to simulate the body surface electrocardiogram (ECG) of specific individuals. Patient‐specific finite element models of the heart and torso are created for four patients with various heart diseases, based on clinical data including computer tomography, while the parallel multi‐grid method is used to solve the dynamic bi‐domain problem. Personalization procedures include demarcation of nonexcitable tissue, allocation of the failing myocyte model of electrophysiology, and modification of the excitation sequence. In particular, the adjustment of QRS morphology requires iterative computations, facilitated by the simultaneous visualization of the propagation of excitation in the heart, average QRS vector in the torso, and 12‐lead ECG.

Results

In all four cases we obtained reasonable agreement between the simulated and actual ECGs. Furthermore, we also simulated the ECGs of three of the patients under bi‐ventricular pacing, and once again successfully reproduced the actual ECG morphologies. Since no further adjustments were made to the heart models in the pacing simulations, the good agreement provides strong support for the validity of the models.

Conclusions

These results not only help us understand the cellular basis of the body surface ECG, but also open the possibility of heart simulation for clinical applications.
Response to Patient‐Initiated Plant Extract Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Strickland Nicole , Patel Gopal , Agim Nnenna G.
Published: March 2013

Ethnomedical practices are increasing in all parts of the world, including many urban centers. We describe a unique case of a 7‐year‐old girl with atopic dermatitis who was responsive to parent‐initiated treatment with the extract of a plant from the Chenopodium genus. A brief discussion raises awareness of such practices to the practicing dermatologist.
Follow‐up of the patients after stem cell transplantation for pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bergmane Inta , Lacis Aris , Lubaua Inguna , Jakobsons Eriks , Erglis Andrejs
Published: March 2013

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious problem in pediatric cardiology. Despite the relatively low incidence, the mortality is high. The conservative therapy does not improve the prognosis, and possibilities of heart transplantation are limited. There are multiple trials of use of stem cells for ischemic heart disease in the adult population. This allows us to believe that the method has perspectives in pediatric cardiology. We performed the cell therapy for seven patients, six of them had complete one yr follow‐up after procedure. Five to 30 milliliters of bone marrow was aspirated from the iliac crest and 17 to 122 million BMCs were isolated. The average basal EF was 33.5%. We observed increasing of EF up to 54% (=9.54, p=0.00154) in a 6‐month period and up to 54.5% (=10.82, p= 0.00315) after one yr. The changes of LVEDV also were observed. The LVEDV decreased in average per 13.05%. There were no observed side effects or heart rhythm disorders. Intramyocardial administration of bone marrow‐derived progenitor cells proved to be a technically feasible and safe method. Up until now, the results obtained have been promising and we suppose that bone marrow‐derived progenitor cell intramyocardial transplantation can be used.
Salivary flow rates among women diagnosed with benign and malignant tumors
Authors: Napeñas Joel J. , Miles Leslie , Guajardo‐Streckfus Cynthia , Streckfus Charles F.
Published: March 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare salivary flow rates (SWS) among patients diagnosed with benign and varying malignant solid tumors with the comparison group, prior to the initiation of any treatment. An evaluation of the results found that mean baseline SWS flow rates were higher for healthy patients (1.55 ml/min) when compared to patients diagnosed with benign tumors (1.13 ml/min), breast cancer (1.09 ml/min), and reproductive carcinomas (0.94 ml/min). The overall model (F = 7.76; p < .001) and the Dunnett's post hoc analyses were statistically significant at the p < .001 level. Additionally, medications, race, and season of the year had significant effects on mean SWS flow rates. The results suggest that salivary secretion is lower among both benign and malignant tumor subjects prior to the initiation of treatment. Salivary evaluations of subjects prior to treatment may be useful in identifying individuals at risk for oral complications during chemotherapy.
The Impact of Transvenous Cardiac Devices on Vascular Access Patency in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Tan Chieh Suai , Jie Cui , Joe Jennifer , Irani Zubin D. , Ganguli Suvranu , Kalva Sanjeeva Prasad , Wicky Stephan , Wu Steven
Published: March 2013

Creating a vascular access in the presence of a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) in a patient with or approaching end‐stage renal disease can be challenging. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of a CIED on the outcomes of vascular access creation in hemodialysis patients and determine their effects on vascular access patency. This is a single‐center retrospective review of hemodialysis patients who underwent vascular access creation after CIED placement. Outcomes of vascular access creation and need for endovascular interventions were compared between patients with vascular access created ipsilateral and contralateral to the site of CIED. Comparing patients with arteriovenous (AV) access created ipsilateral to CIED placement (n = 19) versus the contralateral side (n = 17), the primary failure rate was 78.9% versus 35.3% (p = 0.02). For AV accesses that were matured, the median primary patency durations for AV accesses created ipsilateral to the CIED was 11.2 months compared to 7.8 months for AV accesses created contralateral to the CIED (p = 1.00). AV accesses created ipsilateral to a CIED have a higher primary failure rate compared with the contralateral arm and should be avoided as much as possible.
Coronary‐Subclavian Steal Syndrome in a Hemodialysis Patient, a Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Tan Chieh Suai , Fintelmann Florian , Joe Jennifer , Ganguli Suvranu , Wu Steven
Published: March 2013

Dialysis vascular access associated coronary‐subclavian steal or hypoperfusion syndrome is an uncommon but potentially life threatening condition. Awareness of this syndrome is important in the management of vascular access in hemodialysis patients. We report a case of dialysis vascular access associated coronary‐subclavian steal syndrome and review the literature on its pathogenesis and therapeutic implications.
Investigating a socially anxious‐impulsive subgroup of adolescents: A prospective community study
Authors: Tillfors Maria , Van Zalk Nejra , Kerr Margaret
Published: March 2013

Previous research has identified a subgroup of socially anxious adults who are both anxious and impulsive. To date, however, this subgroup has not been identified in adolescence. Therefore, in this study we aimed to identify this subgroup in a sample of adolescents. In addition, we hypothesized that this subgroup would be higher on problem behaviors, and that these processes would be moderated by gender. We used longitudinal data from 714 adolescents who were in the 7th and 8th grades at Time 1. They were followed annually for three years. Cluster analyses identified an anxious‐inhibited subgroup as well as an anxious‐impulsive subgroup in early adolescence (Time 1). The socially anxious‐impulsive adolescent boys were generally higher on both intoxication frequency and delinquency compared with all other adolescents in all clusters at each time point. Findings suggest that social anxiety subgroups may differ on problem behavior, and that early detection of an anxious‐impulsive subgroup may be important to prevent maladjustment, especially for adolescent boys.
Estimating phosphorus delivery from land to water in headwater catchments using a fuzzy decision tree approach
Authors: Scholefield P. , Heathwaite A. L. , Brazier R. E. , Page T. , Schärer M. , Beven K. , Hodgkinson R. , Withers P. , Walling D. , Haygarth P. M.
Published: March 2013

The pathway that delivers mobilized phosphorus (P) from source to surface water is conceptually complex. Firstly, P mobilization itself, either through mechanical disturbance of the soil or through chemical dissolution or weathering, is difficult to measure in situ; secondly, the annual flow‐weighted mean concentration of P is a difficult metric to gather. Summarizing these pathway processes as the ratio of the delivered P to the mobilized fraction of P assists in the quantification and assessment of the P transfer continuum. The proportion of this mobilized P that is subsequently delivered to the watercourse is also difficult to quantify. A range of P models already exist that aim to predict P mobilization and delivery. Reasonable estimates can be made for the outputs of P from a plot or small catchment over a series of events. Current models mainly rely on empirical data or expert judgment to derive appropriate coefficients of P transfer and delivery. This paper describes the research designed to evaluate the range of delivery coefficients from headwater catchments that might be anticipated for different land‐use regions across the UK. These coefficients were evaluated within a fuzzy decision tree framework. The delivery coefficients used in this study covered a broad range of possible values from all available data describing P fluxes from headwater catchments in the UK. The results of this work indicate that delivery coefficients are a useful way of summarizing the mobilization behaviour of a headwater catchment. Mean delivery coefficients above unity were present in four of 18 catchments, indicating higher than average delivery, probably due to intensive agricultural management practices. This first use of a fuzzy or uncertain approach to model P delivery in the UK has generated potentially promising results, and a methodology has been developed for producing delivery coefficients using sparse data, which may be applicable to other headwater catchments.
Identification and quantification of organic phosphorus forms in soils from fertility experiments
Authors: Ahlgren J. , Djodjic F. , Börjesson G. , Mattsson L.
Published: March 2013

The effects of soil type, crop rotation, fertilizer type and application rate on the composition of organic phosphorus (P) compounds in soils from four sites in a Swedish long‐term fertilizer experiment were investigated with 31P‐NMR. Soil textures investigated were loamy sand, sandy loam, silty clay loam and clay. Phosphorus has been added to the soils since the 1950s and 1960s at four different rates in the form of either mineral fertilizer or a combination of manure and mineral fertilizer. Results show that in soils receiving no P addition, most of the soil P was present in the form of phosphate monoesters (60–70%, depending on soil type). However, a P addition equivalent to the amount of P removed annually by harvest altered this relationship so that the soils were dominated by orthophosphate instead. This trend became more obvious with increasing P addition. At the greatest P application rate, orthophosphate comprised 70% or more of the total extracted P in all the soils. These changes in the soil were due entirely to increase in orthophosphate, because the amounts of monoesters did not change with increasing P additions. This was true both for mineral fertilizer and the combination of manure and mineral fertilizer P. Soil type and crop rotation did not influence the results. The results indicate that there is no apparent build‐up of organic P in the soils, but that P addition mainly affects the orthophosphate amounts in the soils regardless of form or amount of fertilizer.
Influences of Cognitive Control on Numerical Cognition—Adaptation by Binding for Implicit Learning
Authors: Moeller Korbinian , Klein Elise , Nuerk Hans‐Christoph
Published: March 2013

Recently, an associative learning account of cognitive control has been suggested (Verguts & Notebaert, 2009). In this so‐called adaptation by binding theory, Hebbian learning of stimulus–stimulus and stimulus–response associations is assumed to drive the adaptation of human behavior. In this study, we evaluated the validity of the adaptation‐by‐binding account for the case of implicit learning of regularities within a stimulus set (i.e., the frequency of specific unit digit combinations in a two‐digit number magnitude comparison task) and their association with a particular response. Our data indicated that participants indeed learned these regularities and adapted their behavior accordingly. In particular, influences of cognitive control were even able to override the numerical distance effect—one of the most robust effects in numerical cognition research. Thus, the general cognitive processes involved in two‐digit number magnitude comparison seem much more complex than previously assumed. Multi‐digit number magnitude comparison may not be automatic and inflexible but influenced by processes of cognitive control being highly adaptive to stimulus set properties and task demands on multiple levels.
Transmission Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy allows simultaneous assessment of cutin and cell‐wall polysaccharides of Arabidopsis petals
Authors: Mazurek Sylwester , Mucciolo Antonio , Humbel Bruno M. , Nawrath Christiane
Published: March 2013

A procedure for the simultaneous analysis of cell‐wall polysaccharides, amides and aliphatic polyesters by transmission Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR) has been established for Arabidopsis petals. The combination of FTIR imaging with spectra derivatization revealed that petals, in contrast to other organs, have a characteristic chemical zoning with high amount of aliphatic compounds and esters in the lamina and of polysaccharides in the stalk of the petal. The hinge region of petals was particular rich in amides as well as in vibrations potentially associated with hemicellulose. In addition, a number of other distribution patterns have been identified. Analyses of mutants in cutin deposition confirmed that vibrations of aliphatic compounds and esters present in the lamina were largely associated with the cuticular polyester. Calculation of spectrotypes, including the standard deviation of intensities, allowed detailed comparison of the spectral features of various mutants. The spectrotypes not only revealed differences in the amount of polyesters in cutin mutants, but also changes in other compound classes. For example, in addition to the expected strong deficiencies in polyester content, the long‐chain acyl CoA synthase 2 mutant showed increased intensities of vibrations in a wavelength range that is typical for polysaccharides. Identical spectral features were observed in quasimodo2, a cell‐wall mutant of Arabidopsis with a defect in pectin formation that exhibits increased cellulose synthase activity. FTIR thus proved to be a convenient method for the identification and characterization of mutants affected in the deposition of cutin in petals.
Lyme nephritis
Authors: Littman Meryl P.
Published: March 2013

Objective

To review what is known and highlight knowledge gaps regardingLyme nephritis (LN).

Data Sources

Publications identified via PubMed using the keywords “Borrelia burgdorferi,” “Borreliosis,” “glomerulonephritis,” “protein‐losing nephropathy,” “autoimmunity,” and “retriever,” and as generated by investigators working in the fields ofBorreliosis and immune‐mediated glomerulonephritis.

Human Data Synthesis

Postborrelial immune‐mediated glomerulonephritis was described recently in 6 people; 3 responded to antimicrobials/steroids, 1 to antimicrobials/angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/warfarin, 1 required hemodialysis but became hemodialysis independent after 5 months and treatment with antimicrobials, steroids, plasmapheresis, immunoglobulin, and 1 did not respond to steroids and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor and still requires hemodialysis.

Veterinary Data Synthesis

Lyme nephritis is seen in <1–2% ofLyme seropositive dogs, with an average onset at 5–6 years. Labrador and Golden Retrievers are predisposed to this condition. Prior or concurrent lameness is described in 9–28% cases. Historical presentations include acute progressive protein‐losing nephropathy with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, tubular necrosis/regeneration, and interstitial nephritis, but possibly milder forms exist. Complications include thromboembolic events, hypertension, effusive disease, and oliguric/anuric renal failure. Diagnostic tests help stage disease and rule out other causes. Renal biopsy is advocated early, when intervention may help, and to prove if immune‐complex disease exists. Treatment includes standard therapy for protein‐losing nephropathy, long‐term antimicrobials, and perhaps immunosuppressive therapy.

Conclusions

There is no experimental model ofLNto study predisposing factors, pathogenesis, onset, progression, treatment, or prevention. There are no predictive tests to identify the few individuals at highest risk, therefore all seropositive dogs should be screened and monitored for proteinuria.Lyme nephritis mimics other forms of protein‐losing nephropathy and sometimesLeptospirosis. Renal biopsy helps show if immune‐complex disease exists, but may not proveLNspecifically. More studies are warranted on dogs withLyme‐specific immune‐complex deposition to evaluate risk factors, understand pathogenesis, variability of expression, and to validate treatment and prevention protocols.
Timing and distribution of protein ingestion during prolonged recovery from resistance exercise alters myofibrillar protein synthesis
Authors: Areta José L. , Burke Louise M. , Ross Megan L. , Camera Donny M. , West Daniel W. D. , Broad Elizabeth M. , Jeacocke Nikki A. , Moore Daniel R. , Stellingwerff Trent , Phillips Stuart M. , Hawley John A. , Coffey Vernon G.
Published: March 2013

Key points

A single bolus of ∼20 g of protein after a bout of resistance exercise provides a maximal anabolic stimulus during the early post‐exercise recovery period (∼5 h), but the effect of various protein feeding strategies on skeletal muscle protein synthesis during an extended recovery period (12 h) is unknown.

We compared three different patterns of ingestion of 80 g of protein during 12 h recovery after resistance exercise and the associated anabolic response in human skeletal muscle. Protein was ingested in 10, 20 or 40 g feedings using a pulsed, intermediate or bolus ingestion regimen, respectively.

Our results indicate that repeated ingestion of 20 g of protein was superior for stimulating muscle protein synthesis during the 12 h experimental period.

The three dietary treatments induced differential phosphorylation of signalling proteins and changes in mRNA abundance.

This study shows that the distribution of protein intake is an important variable to promote attainment and maintenance of peak muscle mass.

Abstract  Quantity and timing of protein ingestion are major factors regulating myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS). However, the effect of specific ingestion patterns on MPS throughout a 12 h period is unknown. We determined how different distributions of protein feeding during 12 h recovery after resistance exercise affects anabolic responses in skeletal muscle. Twenty‐four healthy trained males were assigned to three groups (n= 8/group) and undertook a bout of resistance exercise followed by ingestion of 80 g of whey protein throughout 12 h recovery in one of the following protocols: 8 × 10 g every 1.5 h (PULSE); 4 × 20 g every 3 h (intermediate: INT); or 2 × 40 g every 6 h (BOLUS). Muscle biopsies were obtained at rest and after 1, 4, 6, 7 and 12 h post exercise. Resting and post‐exercise MPS (l‐[ring‐13C6] phenylalanine), and muscle mRNA abundance and cell signalling were assessed. All ingestion protocols increased MPS above rest throughout 1–12 h recovery (88–148%, P < 0.02), but INT elicited greater MPS than PULSE and BOLUS (31–48%, P < 0.02). In general signalling showed a BOLUS>INT>PULSE hierarchy in magnitude of phosphorylation. MuRF‐1 and SLC38A2 mRNA were differentially expressed with BOLUS. In conclusion, 20 g of whey protein consumed every 3 h was superior to either PULSE or BOLUS feeding patterns for stimulating MPS throughout the day. This study provides novel information on the effect of modulating the distribution of protein intake on anabolic responses in skeletal muscle and has the potential to maximize outcomes of resistance training for attaining peak muscle mass.
The Small GTPase ARF6 Stimulates β-Catenin Transcriptional Activity During WNT5A-Mediated Melanoma Invasion and Metastasis
Authors: Grossmann Allie H. , Yoo Jae Hyuk , Clancy James , Sorensen Lise K. , Sedgwick Alanna , Tong Zongzhong , Ostanin Kirill , Rogers Aaron , Grossmann Kenneth F. , Tripp Sheryl R. , Thomas Kirk R. , D’Souza-Schorey Crislyn , Odelberg Shannon J. , Li Dean Y.
Published: March 2013

WNT5A activates ARF6 to liberate β-catenin from adherens junctions, thereby increasing the amount that can mediate gene transcription.
Mastering Meiosis
Authors: Hurtley Stella M.
Published: March 2013

Two kinases mediate a partner-changing interlude that prevents chromosome segregation errors in yeast meiosis.
Unable to Filter the Signal
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: March 2013

The Fragile X mental retardation protein interacts with a specific type of potassium channel to enhance the channel’s calcium sensitivity and limit action potential firing.
Atypical GLI Activation
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: March 2013

An atypical protein kinase C promotes growth of basal cell carcinoma cells by stimulating activation of the transcription factor GLI1.
Mechanism of Action of Efinaconazole, a Novel Triazole Antifungal Agent
Authors: Tatsumi Yoshiyuki , Nagashima Maria , Shibanushi Toshiyuki , Iwata Atsushi , Kangawa Yumi , Inui Fumie , Siu William J. Jo , Pillai Radhakrishnan , Nishiyama Yayoi
Published: March 2013

The mechanism of action of efinaconazole, a new triazole antifungal, was investigated with
Trichophyton mentagrophytes
and
Candida albicans
. Efinaconazole dose-dependently decreased ergosterol production and accumulated 4,4-dimethylsterols and 4α-methylsterols at concentrations below its MICs. Efinaconazole induced morphological and ultrastructural changes in
T. mentagrophytes
hyphae that became more prominent with increasing drug concentrations. In conclusion, the primary mechanism of action of efinaconazole is blockage of ergosterol biosynthesis, presumably through sterol 14α-demethylase inhibition, leading to secondary degenerative changes.
Perturbation of Staphylococcus aureus Gene Expression by the Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase Inhibitor AFN-1252
Authors: Parsons Joshua B. , Kukula Maciej , Jackson Pamela , Pulse Mark , Simecka Jerry W. , Valtierra David , Weiss William J. , Kaplan Nachum , Rock Charles O.
Published: March 2013

This study examines the alteration in
Staphylococcus aureus
gene expression following treatment with the type 2 fatty acid synthesis inhibitor AFN-1252. An Affymetrix array study showed that AFN-1252 rapidly increased the expression of fatty acid synthetic genes and repressed the expression of virulence genes controlled by the SaeRS 2-component regulator in exponentially growing cells. AFN-1252 did not alter virulence mRNA levels in a
saeR
deletion strain or in strain Newman expressing a constitutively active SaeS kinase. AFN-1252 caused a more pronounced increase in
fabH
mRNA levels in cells entering stationary phase, whereas the depression of virulence factor transcription was attenuated. The effect of AFN-1252 on gene expression
in vivo
was determined using a mouse subcutaneous granuloma infection model. AFN-1252 was therapeutically effective, and the exposure (area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 48 h [AUC
0–48
]) of AFN-1252 in the pouch fluid was comparable to the plasma levels in orally dosed animals. The inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis by AFN-1252 in the infected pouches was signified by the substantial and sustained increase in
fabH
mRNA levels in pouch-associated bacteria, whereas depression of virulence factor mRNA levels in the AFN-1252-treated pouch bacteria was not as evident as it was in exponentially growing cells
in vitro
. The trends in
fabH
and virulence factor gene expression in the animal were similar to those in slower-growing bacteria
in vitro
. These data indicate that the effects of AFN-1252 on virulence factor gene expression depend on the physiological state of the bacteria.
Murine Vaginal Colonization Model for Investigating Asymptomatic Mucosal Carriage of Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Watson Michael E. , Nielsen Hailyn V. , Hultgren Scott J. , Caparon Michael G.
Published: March 2013

While many virulence factors promoting
Streptococcus pyogenes
invasive disease have been described, specific streptococcal factors and host properties influencing asymptomatic mucosal carriage remain uncertain. To address the need for a refined model of prolonged
S. pyogenes
asymptomatic mucosal colonization, we have adapted a preestrogenized murine vaginal colonization model for
S. pyogenes
. In this model, derivatives of strains HSC5, SF370, JRS4, NZ131, and MEW123 established a reproducible, asymptomatic colonization of the vaginal mucosa over a period of typically 3 to 4 weeks' duration at a relatively high colonization efficiency. Prior treatment with estradiol prolonged streptococcal colonization and was associated with reduced inflammation in the colonized vaginal epithelium as well as a decreased leukocyte presence in vaginal fluid compared to the levels of inflammation and leukocyte presence in non-estradiol-treated control mice. The utility of our model for investigating
S. pyogenes
factors contributing to mucosal carriage was verified, as a mutant with a mutation in the transcriptional regulator catabolite control protein A (CcpA) demonstrated significant impairment in vaginal colonization. An assessment of
in vivo
transcriptional activity in the CcpA
−
strain for several known CcpA-regulated genes identified significantly elevated transcription of lactate oxidase (
lctO
) correlating with excessive generation of hydrogen peroxide to self-lethal levels. Deletion of
lctO
did not impair colonization, but deletion of
lctO
in a CcpA
−
strain prolonged carriage, exceeding even that of the wild-type strain. Thus, while LctO is not essential for vaginal colonization, its dysregulation is deleterious, highlighting the critical role of CcpA in promoting mucosal colonization. The vaginal colonization model should prove effective for future analyses of
S. pyogenes
mucosal colonization.
AhrC and Eep Are Biofilm Infection-Associated Virulence Factors in Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Frank Kristi L. , Guiton Pascale S. , Barnes Aaron M. T. , Manias Dawn A. , Chuang-Smith Olivia N. , Kohler Petra L. , Spaulding Adam R. , Hultgren Scott J. , Schlievert Patrick M. , Dunny Gary M.
Published: March 2013

Enterococcus faecalis
is part of the human intestinal microbiome and is a prominent cause of health care-associated infections. The pathogenesis of many
E. faecalis
infections, including endocarditis and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), is related to the ability of clinical isolates to form biofilms. To identify chromosomal genetic determinants responsible for
E. faecalis
biofilm-mediated infection, we used a rabbit model of endocarditis to test strains with transposon insertions or in-frame deletions in biofilm-associated loci:
ahrC
,
argR
,
atlA
,
opuBC
,
pyrC
,
recN
, and
sepF
. Only the
ahrC
mutant was significantly attenuated in endocarditis. We demonstrate that the transcriptional regulator AhrC and the protease Eep, which we showed previously to be an endocarditis virulence factor, are also required for full virulence in murine CAUTI. Therefore, AhrC and Eep can be classified as enterococcal biofilm-associated virulence factors. Loss of
ahrC
caused defects in early attachment and accumulation of biofilm biomass. Characterization of
ahrC
transcription revealed that the temporal expression of this locus observed in wild-type cells promotes initiation of early biofilm formation and the establishment of endocarditis. This is the first report of AhrC serving as a virulence factor in any bacterial species.
Toll-Like Receptor 6 Plays an Important Role in Host Innate Resistance to Brucella abortus Infection in Mice
Authors: de Almeida Leonardo A. , Macedo Gilson C. , Marinho Fábio A. V. , Gomes Marco T. R. , Corsetti Patrícia P. , Silva Aristóbolo M. , Cassataro Juliana , Giambartolomei Guillermo H. , Oliveira Sergio C.
Published: March 2013

Brucella abortus
is recognized by several Toll-like receptor (TLR)-associated pathways triggering proinflammatory responses that affect both the nature and intensity of the immune response. Previously, we demonstrated that
B. abortus
-mediated dendritic cell (DC) maturation and control of infection are dependent on the adaptor molecule MyD88. However, the involvement of all TLRs in response to
B. abortus
infection is not completely understood. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the requirement for TLR6 in host resistance to
B. abortus
. Here, we demonstrated that TLR6 is an important component for triggering an innate immune response against
B. abortus
. An
in vitro
luciferase assay indicated that TLR6 cooperates with TLR2 to sense
Brucella
and further activates NF-κB signaling. However,
in vivo
analysis showed that TLR6, not TLR2, is required for the efficient control of
B. abortus
infection. Additionally,
B. abortus
-infected dendritic cells require TLR6 to induce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-12 (IL-12). Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is impaired in TLR2, TLR6, and TLR2/6 knockout (KO) DCs when infected with
B. abortus
, which may account for the lower proinflammatory cytokine production observed in TLR6 KO mouse dendritic cells. In summary, the results presented here indicate that TLR6 is required to trigger innate immune responses against
B. abortus
in vivo
and is required for the full activation of DCs to induce robust proinflammatory cytokine production.
Site occupancy and spatial co-occurrence of boreal small mammals are favoured by late-decay woody debris
Authors: Fauteux Dominique , Mazerolle Marc J. , Imbeau Louis , Drapeau Pierre
Published: March 2013

Dwindling stocks of decaying coarse woody debris (CWD), as a result of forest management and growing interest for biofuels, may jeopardize the persistence of a broad spectrum of organisms such as small mammals. In this study, we quantified the effects of CWD in late-decay stages on the occupancy dynamics of small mammals in managed and unmanaged boreal forests. Probabilities of initial site occupancy, colonization, local extinction, and co-occurrence were modelled for five boreal small mammal species. Southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi Vigor) and southern bog lemmings (Synaptomys cooperi Baird) were more likely to occupy sites with high volumes of late-decay CWD early in the summer. The probability of local extinction for deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus Wagner) slightly decreased with an increasing volume of late-decay CWD in harvested sites. Southern red-backed voles and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus Ord) co-occurred more often in old, uncut forests, as well as harvested sites with high volumes of late-decay CWD. These results suggest that cover provided by late-decay CWD benefited two small rodent species during early reproduction and increased persistence of deer mice later in the summer. Finally, we found that in addition to high live-tree basal areas, high late-decay CWD volume also favours local diversity of small mammals.
Involvement of the phosphatidylinositol kinase pathway in augmentation of ATP-sensitive K+ channel currents by hypo-osmotic stress in rat ventricular myocytes
Authors: Mitsuyama Hirofumi , Yokoshiki Hisashi , Irie Yuki , Watanabe Masaya , Mizukami Kazuya , Tsutsui Hiroyuki
Published: March 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of increase in the efficacy of ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) openings by hypo-osmotic stress. The whole-cell KATP currents (IK,ATP) stimulated by 100 μmol/L pinacidil, a K+ channel opening drug, were significantly augmented during hypo-osmotic stress (189 mOsmol/L) compared with normal conditions (303 mOsmol/L). The EC50 and Emax value for pinacidil-activated IK,ATP (measured at 0 mV) was 154 μmol/L and 844 pA, respectively, in normal solution and 16.6 μmol/L and 1266 pA, respectively, in hypo-osmotic solution. Augmentation of IK,ATP during hypo-osmotic stress was attenuated by wortmannin (50 μmol/L), an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3- and 4-kinases, but not by (i) phalloidin (30 μmol/L), an actin filament stabilizer, (ii) the absence of Ca2+ from the internal and external solutions, and (iii) the presence of creatine phosphate (3 mmol/L), which affects creatine kinase regulation of the KATP channels. In the single-channel recordings, an inside-out patch was made after approximately 5 min exposure of the myocyte to hypo-osmotic solution. However, the IC50 value for ATP under such conditions was not different from that obtained in normal osmotic solution. In conclusion, hypo-osmotic stress could augment cardiac IK,ATP through intracellular mechanisms involving the phosphatidylinositol kinase pathway.
REPRESENTATION OF LEFT CENTRALIZERS FOR ACTIONS OF LOCALLY COMPACT QUANTUM GROUPS
Authors: KALANTAR MEHRDAD
Published: March 2013

We generalize the representation theorem of Junge, Neufang and Ruan in [A representation theorem for locally compact quantum groups, Internat. J. Math.20(3) (2009) 377–400], and some of the important results which were used in its proof, to the case of actions of locally compact quantum groups on von Neumann algebras.
DUALITY OF MEMRISTOR CIRCUITS
Authors: ITOH MAKOTO , CHUA LEON O.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we show that the dynamics of any memristor circuits can be simulated by a corresponding "dual" nonlinear RLC circuit where the memristor is substituted by a nonlinear resistor. They are in one-to-one correspondence, that is, they are duals of each other. We also propose a method for synchronizing these dual dynamic nonlinear circuits. We next define memory elements which can be characterized by charge and flux. The memory-element circuits can also be simulated by their corresponding dual nonlinear RLC circuits. We then define 2-terminal elements which are characterized by complementary pair of signals, and study them from the view point of one-to-one correspondence. We finally show an example of 2-terminal elements such that the terminal voltage and current are identical, and their time-derivatives of any order are also identical, however, their time-integrals are different. That is, these 2-terminal elements are in one-to-one correspondence except for the time-integral signals.