SHROOM3 is downstream of the planar cell polarity pathway and loss-of-function results in congenital heart defects.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, and the leading cause of death due to birth defects, yet causative molecular mechanisms remain mostly unknown. We previously implicated a novel CHD candidate gene, SHROOM3, in a patient with CHD. Using a Shroom3 gene trap knockout mouse (Shroom3) we demonstrate that SHROOM3 is downstream of the noncanonical Wnt planar cell polarity signaling pathway (PCP) and loss-of-function causes cardiac defects.

Service quality measurement: appointment systems in U.K. GP practices.

Purpose: A recurring problem in the service quality literature is measurement--knowing which quality aspects should be measured and in what ways. This article aims to assess service quality measurement by focusing on general practice appointment systems.

Design/methodology/approach: The authors use a case study, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews with stakeholders as well as data regarding appointment systems' temporal aspects.