Biochemical properties and effects of NopM, a rhizobial E3 ubiquitin ligase.

Nodulation outer protein M (NopM) is an IpaH family type three (T3) effector secreted by the nitrogen-fixing nodule bacterium sp. strain NGR234. Previous work indicated that NopM is an E3 ubiquitin ligase required for an optimal symbiosis between NGR234 and the host legume Here, we continued to analyze the function of NopM.

Differential Suppression of Innate Immune Responses by Transiently Expressed Type III Effectors.

The plant pathogen injects about 30 different virulence proteins, so-called effectors, via a type III secretion system into plant cells to promote disease. Although some of these effectors are known to suppress either pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) or effector-triggered immunity (ETI), the mode of action of most of them remains unknown. Here, we used transient expression in , to test the abilities of type III effectors of pv.

A large-scale peer teaching programme - acceptance and benefit.

Introduction: The involvement of students in the embodiment of university teaching through peer-assisted learning formats is commonly applied. Publications on this topic exclusively focus on strictly defined situations within the curriculum and selected target groups. This study, in contrast, presents and evaluates a large-scale structured and quality-assured peer teaching programme, which offers diverse and targeted courses throughout the preclinical part of the medical curriculum.

Long-term evaluation of opioid treatment in fibromyalgia.

Objectives: In a 12-month observational study, we evaluated the effect of opioid use on the outcomes in 1700 adult patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods: Data were evaluated using propensity score matching after patients were divided into cohorts based on their baseline medication use: (1) taking an opioid (concurrent use of tramadol was permitted); (2) taking tramadol (but no opioids); and (3) not taking opioids or tramadol. Changes in outcomes were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory for severity and pain-related interference (BPI-S, BPI-I), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Patient Health Questionnaire for depression (PHQ-8), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and economic factors.

The Pseudomonas type III effector HopQ1 activates cytokinin signaling and interferes with plant innate immunity.

We characterized the molecular function of the Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pto) effector HopQ1. In silico studies suggest that HopQ1 might possess nucleoside hydrolase activity based on the presence of a characteristic aspartate motif.

The immunity regulator BAK1 contributes to resistance against diverse RNA viruses.

The plant's innate immune system detects potential biotic threats through recognition of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) or danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRR). A central regulator of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) is the BRI1-associated kinase 1 (BAK1), which undergoes complex formation with PRR upon ligand binding. Although viral patterns inducing PTI are well known from animal systems, nothing similar has been reported for plants.

Longitudinal observation of treatment patterns and outcomes for patients with fibromyalgia: 12-month findings from the reflections study.

Objective: To describe 12-month treatment patterns and outcomes for patients starting a new medication for fibromyalgia in routine clinical practice.

Design And Outcome Measures: Data from 1,700 patients were collected at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Repeated measures and Poisson regression models controlling for demographic, clinical, and baseline outcomes were used to assess changes in health outcomes (Brief Pain Inventory severity and interference, Sheehan Disability Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), satisfaction, and economic factors for patients who initiated on pregabalin (214, 12.

Hypermobility and musculoskeletal pain in children: a systematic review.

Objective: To examine the evidence of an association between hypermobility and musculoskeletal pain in children.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using the databases PubMed, EMBASE, NHS Evidence, and Medline. Inclusion criteria were observational studies investigating hypermobility and musculoskeletal pain in children.

Functional analysis of NopM, a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase (NEL) domain effector of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234.

Type 3 effector proteins secreted via the bacterial type 3 secretion system (T3SS) are not only virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria, but also influence symbiotic interactions between nitrogen-fixing nodule bacteria (rhizobia) and leguminous host plants. In this study, we characterized NopM (nodulation outer protein M) of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234, which shows sequence similarities with novel E3 ubiquitin ligase (NEL) domain effectors from the human pathogens Shigella flexneri and Salomonella enterica.

Duloxetine versus placebo in the treatment of major depressive disorder and associated painful physical symptoms: a replication study.

Objective: Painful physical symptoms are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and can negatively affect patient outcomes. Duloxetine has demonstrated efficacy in treating MDD and other certain painful conditions; this study specifically evaluated patients with both MDD and MDD-associated pain.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial enrolled adult outpatients with MDD (DSM-IV-TR criteria; Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] total score ≥20) and at least moderate pain (Brief Pain Inventory, Short Form [BPI] average pain rating ≥3).

Hierarchy and roles of pathogen-associated molecular pattern-induced responses in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Our current understanding of pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity signaling pathways in plants is limited due to the redundancy of several components or the lethality of mutants in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). To overcome this, we used a virus-induced gene silencing-based approach in combination with pharmacological studies to decipher links between early PAMP-triggered immunity events and their roles in immunity following PAMP perception in Nicotiana benthamiana. Two different calcium influx inhibitors suppressed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst: activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and PAMP-induced gene expression.

The long and winding road: virulence effector proteins of plant pathogenic bacteria.

Plant pathogenic bacteria inject about 30 virulence effector proteins into the host cell using a specialized secretion apparatus. Bacteria which are unable to do this elicit host immunity and cannot grow inside living plant tissue. Thus, the primary function of the effectors is to suppress host immunity.

Bacterial virulence effectors and their activities.

The major virulence strategy for plant pathogenic bacteria is deployment of effector molecules within the host cytoplasm. Each bacterial strain possesses a set of 20-30 effectors which have overlapping activities, are functionally interchangeable, and diverge in composition between strains. Effectors target host molecules to suppress immunity.

AvrPtoB targets the LysM receptor kinase CERK1 to promote bacterial virulence on plants.

Plant innate immunity relies on a set of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that respond to ligands known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). To overcome such immunity, phytopathogenic bacteria deliver virulence molecules called effector proteins into the plant cell that collectively promote pathogenesis. The vast majority of PRRs controlling PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and the mechanisms used by specific effectors to suppress these pathways are mostly unknown.

The receptor-like kinase SERK3/BAK1 is a central regulator of innate immunity in plants.

In pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI), plant cell surface receptors sense potential microbial pathogens by recognizing elicitors called PAMPs. Although diverse PAMPs trigger PTI through distinct receptors, the resulting intracellular responses overlap extensively. Despite this, a common component(s) linking signal perception with transduction remains unknown.

Factor structure and concurrent validity of the Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale for Cancer (SLDS-C).

The Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale for Cancer (SLDS-C) is a brief self-report measure of quality of life that uses a familiar and easily understood graphic response format of smiling and frowning faces. This article explores the factor structure and further examines the validity of the SLDS-C compared with another cancer specific quality-of-life measure, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale-General (FACT-G), in a sample of patients with a variety of cancer diagnoses. A self-administered questionnaire containing the SLDS-C and the FACT-G was completed by 352 adult cancer survivors who were at various points post diagnosis.

Early events in the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas syringae on Nicotiana benthamiana.

Conserved microbial molecules known as PAMPs (pathogen-associated molecular patterns) elicit defence responses in plants through extracellular receptor proteins. One important PAMP is the flagellin protein derived from motile bacteria. We show here that the solanaceous species Nicotiana benthamiana perceives the flagellin proteins of both pathogenic and non-host species of Pseudomonas syringae.

Use of complementary therapies during chemotherapy: influence of patients' satisfaction with treatment decision making and the treating oncologist.

The relationship between the use of complementary therapy (CT) and satisfaction with medical treatment decision making and with the treating oncologist was evaluated in a sample of 166 women who were undergoing an initial course of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. At the beginning of chemotherapy, 39% indicated already trying CT and an additional 13% reported planning to try CT. These women mentioned a variety of vitamin, nutritional, herbal, physical, mental, and spiritual approaches.

Exercise use as complementary therapy among breast and prostate cancer survivors receiving active treatment: examination of exercise intention.

Background: Exercise is associated with an improved quality of life among cancer survivors. Previous research has highlighted the utility of the theory of planned behavior in understanding cancer survivors' intention to exercise. The purpose of this study was to extend the research on the theory of planned behavior in relation to exercise intention in breast cancer survivors and to provide preliminary evidence supporting its application with prostate cancer survivors during treatment.

Patient-physician communication regarding use of complementary therapies during cancer treatment.

It is estimated that as many as 80% of adult cancer patients use at least one form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) during or after conventional treatment. Studies of physician-patient communication about the use of CAM have concluded that patients frequently do not tell their oncologists about their use of CAM and physicians consistently underestimate the numbers of their patients using CAM. The purpose of this multi-site study was to assess newly diagnosed cancer patients' and oncologists' communication practices with regard to complementary therapies.

Use of complementary therapies among breast and prostate cancer patients during treatment: a multisite study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the use of complementary therapies (CT) among breast and prostate cancer patients during active cancer treatment. The authors compared use and beliefs about the role of CT in cancer recovery.

Methods: A self-report survey was completed by 126 breast cancer patients and 82 prostate cancer patients as part of a multisite research project.

Long-term breast cancer survivors' use of complementary therapies: perceived impact on recovery and prevention of recurrence.

Objective: Many cancer survivors use some form of complementary therapy (CT); this is particularly true for women with breast cancer. The majority of reports on CT use in women with breast cancer have focused on CT use during cancer treatment or within a year or two of treatment completion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate longer-term breast cancer survivors' (average, 8.

Oncology professionals' communication with cancer patients about complementary therapy: a survey.

Objective: To compare the communication practices of three groups of oncology professionals with regard to discussion of complementary therapies with cancer patients.

Design: A mail survey was completed by a randomly selected, nationwide sample of oncology physicians, oncology nurses, and oncology social workers in the United States.

Main Outcome Measures: Respondents indicated how often they initiated discussion of complementary therapies, their comfort level discussing this subject, and the perceived impact on the patient-professional relationship.

Validation of a modified Rotterdam Symptom Checklist for use with cancer patients in the United States.

The Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) is a well-known instrument for the assessment of symptom-related distress among cancer patients. Despite its broad application, the utility of the RSCL with patients of some cancers is hindered by the omission of several important physical symptoms and methodological limitations of previous validation studies. The aims of the present study were to modify the RSCL through the addition of several physical symptoms and to subsequently validate the modified version of the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL-M) with a heterogeneous sample of cancer patients from the United States.