Our Neighbor the Beaver: Anthropomorphism to Facilitate Environmental Mediation in Rural France.

Unlabelled: The European Beaver came close to extinction in France at the beginning of the twentieth century. It has since been reintroduced across the country but its gradual expansion has caused conflicts linked to its behavior, exacerbated by strict enforcement of laws against poaching or the destruction of beaver dams. We conducted field research in 2021 in three municipalities, two in the Loire basin and one in the Seine basin.

Ketamine exerts its sustained antidepressant effects via cell-type-specific regulation of Kcnq2.

A single sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine produces a rapid and sustained antidepressant response, yet the molecular mechanisms responsible for this remain unclear. Here, we identified cell-type-specific transcriptional signatures associated with a sustained ketamine response in mice. Most interestingly, we identified the Kcnq2 gene as an important downstream regulator of ketamine action in glutamatergic neurons of the ventral hippocampus.

Pulsed field ablation prevents chronic atrial fibrotic changes and restrictive mechanics after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Pulsed field ablation (PFA), a non-thermal ablative modality, may show different effects on the myocardial tissue compared to thermal ablation. Thus, this study aimed to compare the left atrial (LA) structural and mechanical characteristics after PFA vs. thermal ablation.

Pulsed field ablation selectively spares the oesophagus during pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Extra-atrial injury can cause complications after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has generated preclinical data suggesting that it selectively targets the myocardium. We sought to characterize extra-atrial injuries after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) between PFA and thermal ablation methods.

miR-323a regulates ERBB4 and is involved in depression.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and debilitating illness whose etiology remains unclear. Small RNA molecules, such as micro RNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in MDD, where they display differential expression in the brain and the periphery. In this study, we quantified miRNA expression by small RNA sequencing in the anterior cingulate cortex and habenula of individuals with MDD and psychiatrically-healthy controls.

Ostial dimensional changes after pulmonary vein isolation: Pulsed field ablation vs radiofrequency ablation.

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis is an important potential complication of PV isolation using thermal modalities such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is an alternative energy that causes nonthermal myocardial cell death.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of PFA vs RFA on the incidence and severity of PV narrowing or stenosis.

The Role of mA/m-RNA Methylation in Stress Response Regulation.

N-methyladenosine (mA) and N,2'-O-dimethyladenosine (mAm) are abundant mRNA modifications that regulate transcript processing and translation. The role of both, here termed mA/m, in the stress response in the adult brain in vivo is currently unknown. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the stress epitranscriptome using mA/m-seq, global and gene-specific mA/m measurements.

A Model for Developing Clinical Analytics Capacity: Closing the Loops on Outcomes to Optimize Quality.

Closed Loop Analytics© is receiving growing interest in healthcare as a term referring to information technology, local data and clinical analytics working together to generate evidence for improvement. The Closed Loop Analytics model consists of three loops corresponding to the decision-making levels of an organization and the associated data within each loop - Patients, Protocols, and Populations. The authors propose that each of these levels should utilize the same ecosystem of electronic health record (EHR) and enterprise data warehouse (EDW) enabled data, in a closed-loop fashion, with that data being repackaged and delivered to suit the analytic and decision support needs of each level, in support of better outcomes.

Psychosocial distress and desire for support among inpatients with skin cancer.

Background: Regular assessment of psychosocial distress is an important component of adequate psycho-oncological and social support in cancer patients. To date, relevant studies on skin cancer patients have primarily included individuals with melanoma.

Objectives: (1) Does the need for psychosocial support vary with the type of skin cancer? (2) Do mentally distressed patients desire support? (3) From the various individuals in the treatment team, whom do patients choose as potential contact person?

Patients Und Methods: Inpatients with skin cancer were asked to self-assess their psychosocial situation using the Hornheide questionnaire.

Psychosocial burden and desire for support in outpatients with skin cancer.

Background: An important basis for adequate psycho-oncological and psychosocial care of cancer patients is the regular assessment of their psychosocial distress and thus their need for care. For this purpose, there are numerous questionnaires available. The objective of the present study was to assess whether distressed patients require professional support and which screening instrument outpatients with skin cancer prefer.

Regulated intramembrane proteolysis and degradation of murine epithelial cell adhesion molecule mEpCAM.

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which is highly and frequently expressed in carcinomas and (cancer-)stem cells, and which plays an important role in the regulation of stem cell pluripotency. We show here that murine EpCAM (mEpCAM) is subject to regulated intramembrane proteolysis in various cells including embryonic stem cells and teratocarcinomas. As shown with ectopically expressed EpCAM variants, cleavages occur at α-, β-, γ-, and ε-sites to generate soluble ectodomains, soluble Aβ-like-, and intracellular fragments termed mEpEX, mEp-β, and mEpICD, respectively.

Catheter ablation of scar-related atypical atrial flutter.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of isthmus location of atypical atrial flutters/atrial tachycardias (ATs) on outcomes of catheter ablation. Atrial tachycardias are clinically challenging arrhythmias that can occur in the presence of atrial scar--often due to either cardiac surgery or prior ablation for atrial fibrillation. We previously demonstrated a catheter ablation approach employing rapid multielectrode activation mapping with targeted entrainment manoeuvrs.

Rapid and non-enzymatic in vitro retrieval of tumour cells from surgical specimens.

The study of tumourigenesis commonly involves the use of established cell lines or single cell suspensions of primary tumours. Standard methods for the generation of short-term tumour cell cultures include the disintegration of tissue based on enzymatic and mechanical stress. Here, we describe a simple and rapid method for the preparation of single cells from primary carcinomas, which is independent of enzymatic treatment and feeder cells.

Areas with complex fractionated atrial electrograms recorded after pulmonary vein isolation represent normal voltage and conduction velocity in sinus rhythm.

Aims: Although complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) are purported to represent critical sites for atrial fibrillation (AF) perpetuation, the mechanism and the significance of CFAE in the genesis of AF remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the relationship between CFAE and areas of abnormal atrial tissue defined by low-voltage electrograms (LVE) and signal average of the P-wave (SAPW).

Methods And Results: Complex fractionated atrial electrogram maps were obtained after pulmonary vein isolation in 15 patients with persistent AF.

MMP7 is a target of the tumour-associated antigen EpCAM.

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a single-transmembrane protein, which is involved in numerous cellular processes including cell adhesion, proliferation, maintenance of stemness of embryonic cells and progenitors, migration and invasion. Activation of signal transduction by EpCAM is warranted by regulated intramembrane proteolysis and nuclear translocation of the intracellular domain EpICD. Here, we describe matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) as a target gene of EpCAM signalling viaEpICD nuclear translocation.

Acute electrical isolation is a necessary but insufficient endpoint for achieving durable PV isolation: the importance of closing the visual gap.

Aims: Temporary, ablation-mediated effects such as oedema may cause reversible pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. To investigate this, point-by-point circumferential ablation was performed to achieve acute electrical PV isolation with an incomplete circumferential ablation line. Then, the impact of this intentional 'visual gap' (ViG) on the conduction properties of the ablation lesion set was assessed with adenosine and pacing manoeuvres.

EpCAM regulates cell cycle progression via control of cyclin D1 expression.

The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is an integral transmembrane protein that is frequently overexpressed in embryonic stem cells, tissue progenitors, carcinomas and cancer-initiating cells. In cancer cells, expression of EpCAM is associated with enhanced proliferation and upregulation of target genes including c-myc. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the observed EpCAM-dependent cell proliferation remained unexplored.

Long-term follow-up of renal function and blood pressure after selective renal arterial embolization.

Purpose: Renal arterial embolization is a minimally invasive alternative to the surgical treatment of certain renal diseases. The authors aimed to determine the safety of the procedure with respect to renal function and blood pressure control.

Materials And Methods: This study was a retrospective review of the charts of patients who underwent therapeutic renal arterial embolization between January 1998 and December 2007.

Transketolase-like protein 1 confers resistance to serum withdrawal in vitro.

Transketolase-like protein 1 (TKTL1) is a member of the family of transketolase enzymes of which the founder member transketolase (TKT) is known to play a central role in the non-oxidative part of the pentose phosphate pathway. According to several publications TKTL1 is the only family member, whose expression is substantially de-regulated in a variety of solid tumours. Over-expression of TKTL1 correlates with poor prognosis of cancer patients and TKTL1 itself represents a potential therapeutic target owing to its possible involvement in the regulation of the proliferation and metabolism of cancer cells.

Association of ABO(H) and I blood group system development with von Willebrand factor and Factor VIII plasma levels in children and adolescents.

Background: The modulation of Factor (F)VIII activity (FVIII : C), von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF : Ag), and von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor (VWF : RCo) by the ABO(H) blood group is well established in adults. Expression of ABH antigens on N-linked glycans of VWF protects plasma VWF from proteolysis and clearance. Protection by H antigens is less effective than by AB antigens, resulting in approximately 25% lower VWF plasma levels in adults with blood group O compared to non-O.

Initial activation of EpCAM cleavage via cell-to-cell contact.

Background: Epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which is frequently over-expressed in simple epithelia, progenitors, embryonic and tissue stem cells, carcinoma and cancer-initiating cells. Besides functioning as a homophilic adhesion protein, EpCAM is an oncogenic receptor that requires regulated intramembrane proteolysis for activation of its signal transduction capacity. Upon cleavage, the extracellular domain EpEX is released as a soluble ligand while the intracellular domain EpICD translocates into the cytoplasm and eventually into the nucleus in combination with four-and-a-half LIM domains protein 2 (FHL2) and beta-catenin, and drives cell proliferation.

Fossorial but widespread: the phylogeography of the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), and the role of the Po Valley as a major source of genetic variability.

Pelobates fuscus is a fossorial amphibian that inhabits much of the European plain areas. To unveil traces of expansion and contraction events of the species' range, we sequenced 702 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. To infer the population history we applied phylogeographical methods, such as nested clade phylogeographical analysis (NCPA), and used summary statistics to analyse population structure under a neutral model of evolution.