An essential role for type IIA procollagen in heart development

Conference Theme: The Cardiovascular Syste

Effect of Kinesio taping on Y-balance test performance and the associated leg muscle activation patterns in children with developmental coordination disorder : a randomized controlled trial

202208 bcfcAccepted ManuscriptRGCPublishe

Patient-clinician communication and needs identification for outpatients with schizophrenia in Hong Kong: Role of the 2-COM instrument

Objectives: To assess perceived needs of schizophrenic outpatients in Hong Kong, and the effectiveness of clinicians in identifying those needs; and to explore the use of a self-rated instrument to enhance needs identification. Participants and Methods: The two-way communication checklist was completed by 70 outpatients before consultation. Their clinicians were either given the checklist during the consultation (2-COM group, n = 36), or were unaware of the patients' answers and independently completed the checklist (needs awareness group, n = 34). A standard care group (n = 35) was included for comparison. Consultation time and patient satisfaction were also recorded. Results: The major concern of patients was information about their illness and treatment (59%). In the needs awareness group, under-recognition of patients' needs by clinicians was observed in various domains. Consultation time (mean, 5.6 minutes) correlated with the number of needs identified by clinicians. The 2-COM group showed a trend towards higher satisfaction compared to the standard care group, although this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Clinicians may under-identify problems perceived by patients due to time constraints and other factors. The use of a structured questionnaire may facilitate effective needs identification in a busy outpatient clinic. © 2008 Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Procollagen IIA regulates BMP/TGFb signaling in patterning the heart and its major vessels

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and transforming growth factors (TGFbs) play critical roles in the morphogenesis of the cardiovascular system. The level of signaling activity by BMPs/TGFbs perceived by the cells can be modulated by proteins which bind and sequester these morphogenetic factors in the extracellular space. Type II collagen is a wellknown structural component in the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) which is synthesized as a procollagen precursor, type IIB, by mature chondrocytes. Type IIA procollagen (IIA), an isoform of type II procollagen, is found preferentially in non-chondrogenic tissues such as the heart in early mouse and human embryos. IIA procollagen has been proposed to function as an antagonist of BMP/TGFb signaling in view of its ability to bind BMP/TGFb in in vitro assays and because ectopic expression of IIA can induce a secondary axis in Xenopus embryos. Mice that lack IIA die perinatally and displayed cardiac defects similar to those associated with human complex congenital heart diseases. IIAK/K newborns displayed interventricular septal defects, incomplete transposition of great arteries and double-outlet right ventricle. During development IIAK/K mutants exhibited incomplete heart looping and endocardial cushion defects. Early vascular symmetry was lost and patterning and remodelling of the branchial arch arteries were abnormal, suggesting that IIA may play an important role in maintaining left–right asymmetry. Several molecular indicators of BMP/TGFb signaling were reduced in the IIAK/K mutant heart. Our findings suggest IIA procollagen has a morphogenetic role, and regulates the patterning of the heart and major vessels by facilitating BMP/TGFb signaling. Supported by RGC7275/00M.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Type IIA procollagen: A positive regulator of nodal signaling during embryogenesis

Platform Presentations: T0