Anti-PLA2R antibodies measured by ELISA predict long-term outcome in a prevalent population of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

Antibodies to the phospholipase A2 receptor 1 (PLA2R1) have been reported in 70% of cases of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). The genetic susceptibility of IMN has been accounted for by HLA DQA1 and PLA2R1 genes. Here we retrospectively quantified PLA2R antibodies by ELISA, and genotyped DQ alleles and PLA2R1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms for association with clinical criteria for disease activity at the time of first sample and with outcome over a median total follow-up of 90 months.

Frontotemporal dementia-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis syndrome locus on chromosome 16p12.1-q12.2: genetic, clinical and neuropathological analysis.

Numerous families exhibiting both frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been described, and although many of these have been shown to harbour a repeat expansion in C9ORF72, several C9ORF72-negative FTD-ALS families remain. We performed neuropathological and genetic analysis of a large European Australian kindred (Aus-12) with autosomal dominant inheritance of dementia and/or ALS. Affected Aus-12 members developed either ALS or dementia; some of those with dementia also had ALS and/or extrapyramidal features.

The impact of high density receptor clusters on VEGF signaling.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling is involved in the process of blood vessel development and maintenance. Signaling is initiated by binding of the bivalent VEGF ligand to the membrane-bound receptors (VEGFR), which in turn stimulates receptor dimerization. Herein, we discuss experimental evidence that VEGF receptors localize in caveloae and other regions of the plasma membrane, and for other receptors, it has been shown that receptor clustering has an impact on dimerization and thus also on signaling.

How social cognitive theory can help oncology-based health professionals promote physical activity among breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: The majority of post treatment breast cancer survivors do not engage in physical activity (PA) at the recommended level. The promotion of PA among this group has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life and health outcomes. To maximise effectiveness, programs should be theory-based and address key determinants of PA behaviour.

Glucose uptake and metabolism by red blood cells from fish with different extracellular glucose levels.

The aim of the present study was to assess whether mechanisms of glucose trafficking by red blood cells (RBCs) relate to species-specific extracellular glucose levels. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) and short-horned sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) had plasma glucose levels of 4, 4.1, 1.

Antiphospholipase A2 receptor antibody titer and subclass in idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

The phospholipase A(2) receptor (PLA(2)R) is the major target antigen in idiopathic membranous nephropathy. The technique for measuring antibodies against PLA(2)R and the relationship between antibody titer and clinical characteristics are not well established. Here, we measured anti-PLA(2)R (aPLA(2)R) antibody titer and subclass in a well defined cohort of 117 Caucasian patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy and nephrotic-range proteinuria using both indirect immunofluorescence testing (IIFT) and ELISA.

Move more for life: the protocol for a randomised efficacy trial of a tailored-print physical activity intervention for post-treatment breast cancer survivors.

Background: Due to early detection and advances in treatment, the number of women surviving breast cancer is increasing. Whilst there are many positive aspects of improved survival, breast cancer survival is associated with many long-term health and psychosocial sequelae. Engaging in regular physical activity post-diagnosis can reduce this burden.

Contrasting community versus population-based estimates of grazing and virus-induced mortality of phytoplankton.

In this study, grazing and virus-induced mortality of phytoplankton was investigated in a freshwater pond at the University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada, during September 2009. The modified dilution assay, which partitions phytoplankton mortality into virus and grazing-induced fractions, was used along with newly designed, taxon-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays that target psbA gene fragments to estimate growth and mortality rates for both the entire phytoplankton community and four distinct phytoplankton populations. Community mortality was estimated via fluorometric determination of chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations, whereas the relative mortality of individual phytoplankton populations was estimated via qPCR.

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of oral and injectable formulations of methadone after intravenous, oral, and intragastric administration in horses.

Objective: To characterize the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of oral and injectable formulations of methadone after IV, oral, and intragastric administration in horses.

Animals: 6 healthy adult horses.

Procedures: Horses received single doses (each 0.

Expression analysis of glycerol synthesis-related liver transcripts in rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) exposed to a controlled decrease in temperature.

Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) accumulate high glycerol levels to avoid freezing at subzero temperatures. Glyceroneogenesis is activated by low temperature and occurs in liver via a branch in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. In this study, carbohydrate and liver transcript levels of 21 genes potentially associated with glycerol production were assessed during a controlled warm to cold transition.

Osmotic pressure-adaptive responses in the eye tissues of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax).

Purpose: The rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), is a teleost fish, which avoids freezing by becoming virtually isosmotic with seawater. The effects that such massive changes in osmolarity have on both its visual system and its highly evolved and specialized circulation are not known. New knowledge about the osmotic adaptation of the rainbow smelt eye is highly relevant to the adaptation and survival of this species and to its ability to feed as a visual predator in the face of environmental pressures.

Efficacy of tailored-print interventions to promote physical activity: a systematic review of randomised trials.

Objective: Computer-tailored physical activity interventions are becoming increasingly popular. Recent reviews have comprehensively synthesised published research on computer-tailored interventions delivered via interactive technology (e.g.

Hospice placement reminded me that nursing is about caring.

I did not expect to learn much during my two weeks in the day hospice. Indeed, I was unsure what a nurse could do in such an environment. I had a vague impression that there would be arts and crafts, and people passing the time.

Idiopathic or iatrogenic membranous glomerulonephritis? A case of spironolactone-induced membranous glomerulonephritis.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults in the UK. In most cases, the aetiology remains unknown, although recent data suggested a clear mechanism of pathogenesis. In approximately a quarter of cases, however, a presumed cause is found, such as systemic lupus nephritis, malignancy, hepatitis B and various drugs.

Glycerol loss to water exceeds glycerol catabolism via glycerol kinase in freeze-resistant rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax).

Rainbow smelt accumulate high amounts of glycerol in winter. In smelt, there is a predictable profile of plasma glycerol levels that starts to increase in November (<5 μmol/ml), peaks in mid-February (>200 μmol/ml), and thereafter decreases to reach the initial levels in the beginning of May. The aim of this study was to investigate the respective role of the two main mechanisms that might be involved in glycerol clearance from mid-February: 1) breakdown of glycerol to glycerol-3-phosphate through the action of the glycerol kinase (GK) and 2) direct loss toward the environment.

Head pre-cooling improves symptoms of heat-sensitive multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: Damage to the central nervous system by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) leads to multiple symptoms, including weakness, ambulatory dysfunction, visual disturbances and fatigue. Heat can exacerbate the symptoms of MS whereas cooling can provide symptomatic relief. Since the head and neck areas are particularly sensitive to cold and cooling interventions, we investigated the effects of cooling the head and neck for 60 minutes on the symptoms of MS.

Quantification of virus genes provides evidence for seed-bank populations of phycodnaviruses in Lake Ontario, Canada.

Using quantitative PCR, the abundances of six phytoplankton viruses DNA polymerase (polB) gene fragments were estimated in water samples collected from Lake Ontario, Canada over 26 months. Four of the polB fragments were most related to marine prasinoviruses, while the other two were most closely related to cultivated chloroviruses. Two Prasinovirus-related genes reached peak abundances of >1000 copies ml(-1) and were considered 'high abundance', whereas the other two Prasinovirus-related genes peaked at abundances <1000 copies ml(-1) and were considered 'low abundance'.

Prevalence and management of anaemia in renal transplant recipients: data from ten European centres.

Background: Although it is a known predictor of mortality, there is a relative lack of recent information about anaemia in kidney transplant recipients. Thus, we now report data about the prevalence and management of post-transplant anaemia (PTA) in Europe 5 years after the TRansplant European Survey on Anemia Management (TRESAM) study.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study enrolling the largest number of patients to date, data were obtained from 5,834 patients followed at 10 outpatient transplant clinics in four European countries using the American Society of Transplantation anaemia guideline.

A systematic review of pharmacologic treatments of pain after spinal cord injury.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of published research on the pharmacologic treatment of pain after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Data Sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases were searched for articles published 1980 to June 2009 addressing the treatment of pain post SCI. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed for methodologic quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) assessment scale, whereas non-RCTs were assessed by using the Downs and Black (D&B) evaluation tool.

Starting out - Time is no barrier to forming a close nurse-patient relationship.

My first placement was on a surgical ward. One day I helped a nurse bed bath a patient. I had just come back from my day off and had never seen this patient before.

Seasonal changes in hepatic gene expression reveal modulation of multiple processes in rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax).

Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) are freeze-resistant fish that accumulate glycerol and produce an antifreeze protein during winter. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qPCR) and subtractive hybridization studies have previously revealed five genes in rainbow smelt liver to be differentially regulated in winter in comparison with the fall when water temperatures are warmer. In order to further define the suite of processes that are regulated seasonally, we undertook a large-scale analysis of gene expression by hybridization of smelt cDNA to the salmonid 16K cGRASP microarray.

Integrative cognitive-behavioral and spiritual counseling for rural dementia caregivers with depression.

Objective: Discuss initial evaluation of a program for training faith community nurses (FCNs) to conduct cognitive-behavioral and spiritual counseling (CBSC) for rural dementia caregivers (CGs), and present 2 case studies on the use of CBSC for treating depression in this population.

Study Design: Pre-post evaluation of the effectiveness of CBSC training and a case study analysis of the effectiveness of CBSC on CG problem improvement and depression.

Outcome Measures: For FCN training, we used the FCN Counseling Comfort Scale, FCN Counseling Efficacy Scale, and the FCN Counseling Workshop Satisfaction Survey.

Pharmacokinetics of the injectable formulation of methadone hydrochloride administered orally in horses.

Methadone hydrochloride is a synthetic mu-opioid receptor agonist with potent analgesic properties. Oral methadone has been successfully used in human medicine and may overcome some limitations of other analgesics in equine species for producing analgesia with minimal adverse effects. However, there are no studies describing the pharmacokinetics (PK) of oral opioids in horses.