An Intense Wave/Particle Event in the Auroral Ionosphere

An intense burst of VLF waves, at frequencies just above the local proton gyrofrequency, was observed shortly after each of two intense bursts of field‐aligned suprathermal electrons (E \u3c 250eV) by instruments carried on a sounding rocket flown in diffuse aurora. If the two phenomena are associated with each other, the implication is that the electron acceleration occurred nearby, in a relatively small volume

Tissue transglutaminase induction in the pressure-overloaded myocardium regulates matrix remodelling

Aims Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is induced in injured and remodelling tissues, and modulates cellular phenotype, while contributing to matrix cross-linking. Our study tested the hypothesis that tTG may be expressed in the pressure-overloaded myocardium, and may regulate cardiac function, myocardial fibrosis and chamber remodelling. Methods and results In order to test the hypothesis, wild-type and tTG null mice were subjected to pressure overload induced through transverse aortic constriction. Moreover, we used isolated cardiac fibroblasts and macrophages to dissect the mechanisms of tTG-mediated actions. tTG expression was upregulated in the pressure-overloaded mouse heart and was localized in cardiomyocytes, interstitial cells, and in the extracellular matrix. In contrast, expression of transglutaminases 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and FXIII was not induced in the remodelling myocardium. In vitro, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 stimulated tTG synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts and in macrophages through distinct signalling pathways. tTG null mice had increased mortality and enhanced ventricular dilation following pressure overload, but were protected from diastolic dysfunction. tTG loss was associated with a hypercellular cardiac interstitium, reduced collagen cross-linking, and with accentuated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 activity in the pressure-overloaded myocardium. In vitro, tTG did not modulate TGF-beta-mediated responses in cardiac fibroblasts; however, tTG loss was associated with accentuated proliferative activity. Moreover, when bound to the matrix, recombinant tTG induced synthesis of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 through transamidase-independent actions. Conclusions Following pressure overload, endogenous tTG mediates matrix cross-linking, while protecting the remodelling myocardium from dilation by exerting matrix-preserving actions

ICT – the new frontier? Pushing the boundaries of careers practice

Much progress has been made in integrating information and communications technology ICT into careers practice, but there is still room for improvement. An international lens is adopted to examine some key elements that contribute to the successful integration of information communications technology (ICT) into careers practice. We start by exploring the role of policy, using the UK as a case study. Next, the perceptions that Finnish career practitioners have of ICT are reviewed using research findings into the different ways they think about social media and its purpose in career services. Finally, lessons learned from the design and integration of online services within career development programming in Canada are discussed that ensure accessibility both to practitioners and their clients.peerReviewe

Overlap of genetic risk between interstitial lung abnormalities and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Rationale Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are associated with the highest genetic risk locus for IPF; however, the extent to which there is additional overlap with IPF, or unique associations among those with ILA is not known. Objectives To perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of ILA. Methods: ILA and the subpleural-predominant subtype were assessed on chest computed tomography (CT) scans in the AGES, COPDGene, Framingham Heart, ECLIPSE, MESA, and SPIROMICS studies. We performed a GWAS of ILA in each cohort and combined the results using a meta-analysis. We assessed for overlapping associations in independent GWASs of IPF. Measurements and Main Results Genome-wide genotyping data were available in 1,699 ILA cases and 10,274 controls. The MUC5B promoter variant rs35705950 was significantly associated with both ILA (p=2.6x10-27) and subpleural ILA (p=1.6x10-29). We discovered novel genome-wide associations near IPO11 (rs6886640, p=3.8x10-8 ) and FCF1P3 (rs73199442, p=4.8x10-8 ) with ILA, and HTRE1 (rs7744971, p=4.2x10-8 ) with subpleural-predominant ILA. These novel associations were not associated with IPF. Of 12 previously reported IPF GWAS loci, 5 (DPP9, DSP, FAM13A, IVD, and MUC5B) were significantly associated (p<0.05/12) with ILA. Conclusions In a GWAS of ILA in six studies, we confirmed the association with a MUC5B promoter variant and found strong evidence for an effect of previously described IPF loci; however, novel ILA associations were not associated with IPF. These findings highlight common and suggest distinct genetically-driven biologic pathways between ILA and IPF