Functional reprogramming of epithelial adhesins: the role of conserved and variable structural motifs in ligand binding.

For host-cell interaction, the human fungal pathogen harbors a large family of more than 20 cell wall-attached epithelial adhesins (Epas). Epa family members are lectins with binding pockets containing several conserved and variable structural hot spots, which were implicated in mediating functional diversity. In this study, we have performed an elaborate structure-based mutational analysis of numerous Epa paralogs to generally determine the role of diverse structural hot spots in conferring host cell binding and ligand binding specificity.

Development and Testing of a Personalized Web-Based Diet and Physical Activity Intervention Based on Motivational Interviewing and the Self-Determination Theory: Protocol for the MyLifestyleCoach Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Unhealthy dietary patterns and insufficient physical activity (PA) are associated with negative health outcomes, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer, overweight, and obesity. This makes the promotion of healthy dietary and PA behaviors a public health priority.

Objective: This paper describes the development, design, and evaluation protocol of a Web-based computer-tailored (CT) dietary and PA promotion intervention, MyLifestyleCoach.

Motivational interviewing and self-determination theory in a web-based computer tailored physical activity intervention: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study explores whether a web-based physical activity (PA) intervention grounded in self-determination theory (SDT) and motivational interviewing (MI) is more effective and better appreciated than a traditional web-based PA intervention.

Design: A randomized controlled trial was conducted, comparing (1) I Move; a web-based PA intervention based on SDT and MI, (2) Active Plus; a traditional web-based PA intervention and (3) a waiting list control condition.

Main Outcome Measures: Weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous PA and weekly days with ≥30 min PA were measured through self-report at baseline and at 3 and 6 months from baseline.

Exploring the working mechanisms of a web-based physical activity intervention, based on self-determination theory and motivational interviewing.

The aim of this study was to compare a web-based computer tailored physical activity intervention based on self-determination theory and motivational interviewing (I Move) to a traditional web-based computer tailored physical activity intervention (Active Plus) with regard to their basic psychological need supporting capabilities. We also aimed to assess the extent to whether self-determination constructs played a stronger mediating role in the effects of I Move than in the effects of Active Plus. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 3089 participants (age 44.

Long term effects of self-determination theory and motivational interviewing in a web-based physical activity intervention: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Our main objective in the current study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness (12 months from baseline) of I Move (a web-based computer tailored physical activity intervention, based on self-determination theory and motivational interviewing). To this end, we compared I Move to a web-based computer tailored physical activity intervention based on traditional health behavior theories (Active Plus), and to a no-intervention control group. As a secondary objective, the present study aimed to identify participant characteristics that moderate the long term effects of I Move and Active Plus.

Parapoxvirus (PPV) of red deer reveals subclinical infection and confirms a unique species.

Parapoxvirus (PPV) infections are of worldwide importance, particularly in sheep and goat herds. Owing to the zoonotic potential of all PPV species, they are a permanent threat to human health as well. The virus is also known to affect wildlife, as reported for pinnipeds, red deer and several other wild ruminants.

Profiling physical activity motivation based on self-determination theory: a cluster analysis approach.

Background: In order to promote physical activity uptake and maintenance in individuals who do not comply with physical activity guidelines, it is important to increase our understanding of physical activity motivation among this group. The present study aimed to examine motivational profiles in a large sample of adults who do not comply with physical activity guidelines.

Methods: The sample for this study consisted of 2473 individuals (31.

I Move: systematic development of a web-based computer tailored physical activity intervention, based on motivational interviewing and self-determination theory.

Background: This article describes the systematic development of the I Move intervention: a web-based computer tailored physical activity promotion intervention, aimed at increasing and maintaining physical activity among adults. This intervention is based on the theoretical insights and practical applications of self-determination theory and motivational interviewing.

Methods/design: Since developing interventions in a systemically planned way increases the likelihood of effectiveness, we used the Intervention Mapping protocol to develop the I Move intervention.

Motivational interviewing in a Web-based physical activity intervention with an avatar: randomized controlled trial.

Background: Developing Web-based physical activity (PA) interventions based on motivational interviewing (MI) could increase the availability and reach of MI techniques for PA promotion. Integrating an avatar in such an intervention could lead to more positive appreciation and higher efficacy of the intervention, compared to an intervention that is purely text-based.

Objective: The present study aims to determine whether a Web-based PA intervention based on MI with an avatar results in more positive appreciation and higher effectiveness of the intervention, when compared to an intervention that is purely text-based.

Comparative and retrospective molecular analysis of Parapoxvirus (PPV) isolates.

Species members of the genus Parapoxvirus (PPV) within the family Poxviridae cause contagious pustular dermatitis in small ruminants (Orf virus, ORFV) and mostly mild localized inflammation in cattle (bovine papular stomatitis virus, BPSV and pseudocowpox virus, PCPV). All PPVs are known to be zoonotic, leading to circumscribed skin lesions in humans, historically known as milker's nodules. Human PPV isolates are often ill defined concerning their allocation to an animal origin.

Motivational interviewing in a web-based physical activity intervention: questions and reflections.

The purpose of this study was to identify which question/reflection format leads to the most favorable results in terms of effect on autonomous motivation and appreciation for the intervention in a web-based computer-tailored physical activity (PA) intervention, based on principles from self-determination theory (SDT) and motivational interviewing (MI). For this purpose, a randomized trial was conducted among 465 Dutch adults, comparing three web-based computer-tailored MI/SDT PA interventions, including (i) exclusively open-ended questions (without skillful reflections), (ii) exclusively multiple choice questions (with skillful reflections) and (iii) including both question types (with skillful reflections). Measurements included motivation-related determinants of PA and process variables, measured at baseline, directly following the intervention and 1-month post-intervention.

Neighborhood walkability and walking behavior: the moderating role of action orientation.

Background: In promoting physical activity, it is important to gain insight into environmental factors that facilitate or hinder physical activity and factors that may influence this environment-behavior relationship. As the personality factor of action orientation reflects an individual's capacity to regulate behavior it may act as a moderator in the environment-behavior relationship. The current study addressed the relationship between neighborhood walkability and walking behavior and the influence of action orientation on this relationship.

A systematic review of the effectiveness of revascularization of the ulcerated foot in patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease.

In several large recent observational studies, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was present in up to 50% of the patients with a diabetic foot ulcer and was an independent risk factor for amputation. The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot therefore established a multidisciplinary working group to evaluate the effectiveness of revascularization of the ulcerated foot in patients with diabetes and PAD. A systematic search was performed for therapies to revascularize the ulcerated foot in patients with diabetes and PAD from 1980-June 2010.

Characterization of immunostimulatory components of orf virus (parapoxvirus ovis).

Inactivated orf virus (ORFV, parapoxvirus ovis) induces antiviral activity in animal models of acute and chronic viral infections and exerts strong effects on human immune cells. ORFV activates antigen presenting cells (APC) via CD14 and, probably, Toll-like receptor signalling, and triggers the release of IFN-γ that has been identified as the key mediator of the antiviral activity. After delineating virus proteins as being the most likely active constituent, we aimed to characterize the ORFV proteins responsible for the therapeutic effect.

[Diabetic foot: new insights into pathophysiology and treatment].

A foot ulcer is a complication that is difficult to treat in people with diabetes mellitus. Over the past few years, both clinicians and scientists have been showing more interest in this condition. A number of factors are involved in the development and maintenance of a diabetic foot ulcer, including: polyneuropathy, mechanical overload, peripheral arterial disease and infection.

On the neural networks of empathy: A principal component analysis of an fMRI study.

Background: Human emotional expressions serve an important communicatory role allowing the rapid transmission of valence information among individuals. We aimed at exploring the neural networks mediating the recognition of and empathy with human facial expressions of emotion.

Methods: A principal component analysis was applied to event-related functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) data of 14 right-handed healthy volunteers (29 +/- 6 years).

Valuating other people's emotional face expression: a combined functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography study.

Reading the facial expression of other people is a fundamental skill for social interaction. Human facial expressions of emotions are readily recognized but may also evoke the same experiential emotional state in the observer. We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging and multi-channel electroencephalography to determine in 14 right-handed healthy volunteers (29+/-6 years) which brain structures mediate the perception of such a shared experiential emotional state.

Comparative quantification of the in vitro activity of veterinary fluoroquinolones.

The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the veterinary fluoroquinolones against a panel of recently isolated porcine and bovine bacterial pathogens. The study used enrofloxacin as a benchmark against which other agents were compared, being the most common fluoroquinolone used in treatment of bovine and porcine infections. The activity of ciprofloxacin was also assessed as it is the main metabolite of enrofloxacin in cattle.

Molecular mechanisms of decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolones in avian Salmonella serovars and their mutants selected during the determination of mutant prevention concentrations.

Objectives: Salmonella enterica isolates of six serovars and mutants obtained during determination of mutant prevention concentrations (MPCs) were investigated for mechanisms of decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolones.

Methods: The quinolone resistance determining regions (QRDRs) of gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE genes were sequenced. MIC values were determined in the presence/absence of the efflux pump inhibitors carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (CCCP) or Phe-Arg-beta-naphthylamide (PA beta N).

Identification of the plasmid-borne quinolone resistance gene qnrS in Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis.

Objectives: A Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis isolate of avian origin was investigated for the presence of the gene qnrS, its transferability and its association with other resistance genes.

Methods: The Salmonella Infantis isolate was investigated for its susceptibility to antimicrobial agents and its plasmid content. Hybridization experiments and PCR assays were performed to identify the resistance genes while transformation and conjugation studies were conducted to show their transferability.

Comparative analysis of genome sequences of three isolates of Orf virus reveals unexpected sequence variation.

Orf virus (ORFV) is the type species of the Parapoxvirus genus. Here, we present the genomic sequence of the most well studied ORFV isolate, strain NZ2. The NZ2 genome is 138 kbp and contains 132 putative genes, 88 of which are present in all analyzed chordopoxviruses.

Immunomodulatory effects of inactivated parapoxvirus ovis (ORF virus) on human peripheral immune cells: induction of cytokine secretion in monocytes and Th1-like cells.

Inactivated parapoxvirus ovis (Orf virus; PPVO) recently displayed strong immunostimulating and modulating capacities in several animal models for acute and chronic virus infections through the induction of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) as a key mediator of antiviral activity. The data presented in this work demonstrate that inactivated PPVO has strong effects on cytokine secretion by human immune cells, including the upregulation of inflammatory and Th1-related cytokines (IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-8, IL-12, and IL-18) as well as anti-inflammatory and Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist [IL-1ra]). Studies on the mechanism of action revealed virus particles to be the effective components of the preparation.

Regulation of the expression of mouse TAP-associated glycoprotein (tapasin) by cytokines.

The expression of antigen presenting MHC class I molecules can be enhanced through cytokines, e.g. upon infection with bacteria or viruses, either directly by enhancing class I gene transcription or by increasing the amounts of accessory proteins of the loading complex.

Expression of a VEGF-like protein from Parapoxvirus ovis in the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

We report on the expression of a VEGF-like protein encoded by Parapoxvirus ovis in the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We show that a lysine residue at amino acid position 2 (K2) is an important determinant for the stability of this protein in S. cerevisiae.