Association of the TTN, PDK4, and RNF207 mutations with dilated cardiomyopathy in Dobermanns from the United Kingdom.

A missense mutation in the titin gene (TTN) and a splice-site mutation in the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 gene (PDK4) have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dobermanns from the United States. Additionally, a missense mutation in the gene RNF207 has been reported in association with DCM from a European Dobermann cohort. Based on this we examined the association of these variants with DCM in United Kingdom (UK) Dobermanns.

Strategies to improve participation in exercise programmes during chemotherapy: a modified nominal group technique.

Purpose: Exercise can help people manage many of the side effects of chemotherapy treatment. Clear guidelines exist outlining the benefits of exercise during chemotherapy and recommended dosage; however, achieving these guidelines remains problematic. The purpose of this study is to reach an agreement on suitable strategies to improve recruitment, adherence, and retention rates to exercise programmes during chemotherapy with the involvement of key stakeholders.

Identification of novel genetic variants associated with feline cardiomyopathy using targeted next-generation sequencing.

Cardiomyopathies are the most common heritable heart diseases in cats and humans. This study aimed to identify novel genetic variants in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) using a targeted panel of genes associated with human cardiomyopathy. Cats were phenotyped for HCM/RCM by echocardiography ± necropsy.

Understanding how intermediaries connect adults to community-based physical activity: A qualitative study.

Intermediaries facilitate connections to community-based services and supports, including physical activity and exercise groups, and are an emerging method to promote physical activity participation. However, their processes when establishing connections to community-based physical activities are unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the processes, practices, and procedures of Irish intermediaries when connecting people to community-based physical activity.