Right ventricular postsystolic shortening: Resolution after opening a totally occluded right coronary artery

Acute myocardial ischemia induces reduced systolic shortening and causes postsystolic shortening (PSS). Right ventricular (RV) PSS in coronary artery disease has been less studied. We present here the case of a 51-year-old woman admitted with a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and significant PSS in the RV free-wall segments on two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, suggesting ongoing ischemia. A cardiac CT demonstrated occluded proximal right coronary artery with a low-attenuated/soft plaque, confirmed by coronary angiography which was treated by percutaneous coronary intervention. At 3-week follow-up, there was complete resolution of the RV-PSS, with a more synchronized pattern of maximum myocardial shortening at systole.publishedVersio

Investigating the Disordered and Membrane-Active Peptide A-Cage-C Using Conformational Ensembles

The driving forces and conformational pathways leading to amphitropic protein-membrane binding and in some cases also to protein misfolding and aggregation is the subject of intensive research. In this study, a chimeric polypeptide, A-Cage-C, derived from α-Lactalbumin is investigated with the aim of elucidating conformational changes promoting interaction with bilayers. From previous studies, it is known that A-Cage-C causes membrane leakages associated with the sporadic formation of amorphous aggregates on solid-supported bilayers. Here we express and purify double-labelled A-Cage-C and prepare partially deuterated bicelles as a membrane mimicking system. We investigate A-Cage-C in the presence and absence of these bicelles at non-binding (pH 7.0) and binding (pH 4.5) conditions. Using in silico analyses, NMR, conformational clustering, and Molecular Dynamics, we provide tentative insights into the conformations of bound and unbound A-Cage-C. The conformation of each state is dynamic and samples a large amount of overlapping conformational space. We identify one of the clusters as likely representing the binding conformation and conclude tentatively that the unfolding around the central W23 segment and its reorientation may be necessary for full intercalation at binding conditions (pH 4.5). We also see evidence for an overall elongation of A-Cage-C in the presence of model bilayers.publishedVersio

Ca(2+)-mediated activation of ERK in hepatocytes by norepinephrine and prostaglandin F(2α): role of calmodulin and src kinases

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that several agents that stimulate heptahelical G-protein coupled receptors activate the extracellular signal regulated kinases ERK1 (p44(mapk)) and ERK2 (p42(mapk)) in hepatocytes. The molecular pathways that convey their signals to ERK1/2 are only partially clarified. In the present study we have explored the role of Ca(2+) and Ca(2+)-dependent steps leading to ERK1/2 activation induced by norepinephrine and prostaglandin (PG)F(2α). RESULTS: Pretreatment of the cells with the Ca(2+) chelators BAPTA-AM or EGTA, as well as the Ca(2+) influx inhibitor gadolinium, resulted in a partial decrease of the ERK response. Furthermore, the calmodulin antagonists W-7, trifluoperazine, and J-8 markedly decreased ERK activation. Pretreatment with KN-93, an inhibitor of the multifunctional Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, had no effect on ERK activation. The Src kinase inhibitors PP1 and PP2 partially diminished the ERK responses elicited by both norepinephrine and PGF(2α). CONCLUSION: The present data indicate that Ca(2+) is involved in ERK activation induced by hormones acting on G protein-coupled receptors in hepatocytes, and suggest that calmodulin and Src kinases might play a role in these signaling pathways

Capabilities for Innovation: The Nordic Model and Employee Participation

Technological developments combined with increasing levels of competition related to the ongoing globalization imply that firms find themselves in dynamic, changing environments that call for dynamic capabilities. This challenges the internal human and organizational resources of firms in general and in particular their ability to develop firm-specific innovative capabilities through employee participation and creation of innovative workplaces. In this article, we argue that national institutional conditions can play an enhancing or hampering role in this. Especially the norms and values governing relations between employers and employees are expected to be of vital importance. This article will follow a resource-based perspective on developing dynamic capabilities in order to test the importance of enhancing human and organizational capabilities for innovation in firms. In particular, the article will focus on some of the important institutional conditions in Danish firms derived from the Nordic model, such as the formal and informal relations of cooperation between employers and employees in firms and their function in building capabilities for innovation. The foundation of the empirical analysis is a survey that collected information from 601 firms belonging to the private urban sector in Denmark. The survey was carried out in late 2010

Globalization and Job Insecurity in Danish Firms: A Multilevel Study

Globalization is on the agenda as a cause of job insecurity, but knowledge regarding the relationship between globalization, management practices, and employee job insecurity is in fact limited. This study aims to investigate this multilevel association, defining globalization by the interrelated aspects of competition, liberalization, and technological innovation, and management by offensive practices such as external collaboration, organizational change, numerical flexibility, and work intensification. Questionnaire data were collected in 2010 from 3392 employees of 569 Danish companies and analyzed with multilevel modeling. The results show that international collaboration and numerical flexibility are associated with higher job insecurity. The level of job insecurity varies with occupational position, age group, and company size. Because globalization and the management of globalization are associated with employee job insecurity, companies should react in a timely way to globalization pressures: for example, by involving employees, communicating clearly, and supporting employees with lower education

Capabilities for Innovation: The Nordic Model and Employee Participation

Technological developments combined with increasing levels of competition related to the ongoing globalization imply that firms find themselves in dynamic, changing environments that call for dynamic capabilities. This challenges the internal human and organizational resources of firms in general and in particular their ability to develop firm-specific innovative capabilities through employee participation and creation of innovative workplaces. In this article, we argue that national institutional conditions can play an enhancing or hampering role in this. Especially the norms and values governing relations between employers and employees are expected to be of vital importance. This article will follow a resource-based perspective on developing dynamic capabilities in order to test the importance of enhancing human and organizational capabilities for innovation in firms. In particular, the article will focus on some of the important institutional conditions in Danish firms derived from the Nordic model, such as the formal and informal relations of cooperation between employers and employees in firms and their function in building capabilities for innovation. The foundation of the empirical analysis is a survey that collected information from 601 firms belonging to the private urban sector in Denmark. The survey was carried out in late 2010

Interobserver agreement and prognostic impact for MRI–based 2018 FIGO staging parameters in uterine cervical cancer

Objectives To evaluate the interobserver agreement for MRI–based 2018 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging parameters in patients with cervical cancer and assess the prognostic value of these MRI parameters in relation to other clinicopathological markers. Methods This retrospective study included 416 women with histologically confirmed cervical cancer who underwent pretreatment pelvic MRI from May 2002 to December 2017. Three radiologists independently recorded MRI–derived staging parameters incorporated in the 2018 FIGO staging system. Kappa coefficients (κ) for interobserver agreement were calculated. The predictive and prognostic values of the MRI parameters were explored using ROC analyses and Kaplan–Meier with log-rank tests, and analyzed in relation to clinicopathological patient characteristics. Results Overall agreement was substantial for the staging parameters: tumor size > 2 cm (κ = 0.80), tumor size > 4 cm (κ = 0.76), tumor size categories (≤ 2 cm; > 2 and ≤ 4 cm; > 4 cm) (κ = 0.78), parametrial invasion (κ = 0.63), vaginal invasion (κ = 0.61), and enlarged lymph nodes (κ = 0.63). Higher MRI–derived tumor size category (≤ 2 cm; > 2 and ≤ 4 cm; > 4 cm) was associated with a stepwise reduction in survival (p ≤ 0.001 for all). Tumor size > 4 cm and parametrial invasion at MRI were associated with aggressive clinicopathological features, and the incorporation of these MRI–based staging parameters improved risk stratification when compared to corresponding clinical assessments alone. Conclusion The interobserver agreement for central MRI–derived 2018 FIGO staging parameters was substantial. MRI improved the identification of patients with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor survival, demonstrating the potential impact of MRI enabling better prognostication and treatment tailoring in cervical cancer.publishedVersio