Functional Complexity of the Axonal Growth Cone: A Proteomic Analysis

The growth cone, the tip of the emerging neurite, plays a crucial role in establishing the wiring of the developing nervous system. We performed an extensive proteomic analysis of axonal growth cones isolated from the brains of fetal Sprague-Dawley rats. Approximately 2000 proteins were identified at ≥99% confidence level. Using informatics, including functional annotation cluster and KEGG pathway analysis, we found great diversity of proteins involved in axonal pathfinding, cytoskeletal remodeling, vesicular traffic and carbohydrate metabolism, as expected. We also found a large and complex array of proteins involved in translation, protein folding, posttranslational processing, and proteasome/ubiquitination-dependent degradation. Immunofluorescence studies performed on hippocampal neurons in culture confirmed the presence in the axonal growth cone of proteins representative of these processes. These analyses also provide evidence for rough endoplasmic reticulum and reveal a reticular structure equipped with Golgi-like functions in the axonal growth cone. Furthermore, Western blot revealed the growth cone enrichment, relative to fetal brain homogenate, of some of the proteins involved in protein synthesis, folding and catabolism. Our study provides a resource for further research and amplifies the relatively recently developed concept that the axonal growth cone is equipped with proteins capable of performing a highly diverse range of functions

Outcome-Focused Dance Movement Therapy Assessment Enhanced by iPad App MARA (Dunphy 2018a)

Healthcare and human services are increasingly required to demonstrate effectiveness and efficiency of their programs, with assessment and evaluation processes more regularly part of activity cycles. New approaches to service delivery, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) scheme in Australia, require outcome-focused reporting that is responsive to the perspectives of clients. Eco-systematic approaches to service delivery and assessment consider the client as part of an interconnected web of stakeholders who all have responsibility for and contribute to their development and progress. These imperatives provide challenges for modalities for which there are not well-established assessment approaches. Dance movement therapists face particular difficulties in this respect, as they have few assessment tools that are practical for regular use. Existing dance movement therapy (DMT) assessment approaches largely do not yet prioritize input from clients. This article addresses these challenges in reporting a trial of iPad app MARA (Movement Assessment and Reporting App) developed for assessment in DMT. MARA is applied in a program for adults with intellectual disability (ID) over 16 weeks. Assessment data is gathered utilizing the app's features: two researcher-therapists undertake quantitative scoring that MARA aggregates into graphs, substantiated by qualitative note-taking, photos, and videos; and clients provide feedback about their progress stimulated by viewing photos and videos. A sample graph generated by MARA and supporting notes and a report drawn from data are provided. Responses to reports from program stakeholders (12 participants, 12 families, 11 center staff) gathered through interviews and focus groups are discussed, and researcher-therapists' reflections are detailed. The benefits of using MARA reported by researcher-therapists include strengthened capacity to focus on participant outcomes, assess efficiently, plan and make decisions for the program, and communicate participants' progress to stakeholders. Family members perceive reports drawn from data gathered in MARA to be useful in enabling better understanding of the DMT program and participant outcomes and potentially to support NDIS service planning. Managers perceive the potential value of data in these reports for quality control and resource decisions, while other staff confirm the therapists' perspective that reports offer the possibility of improved communication and collaboration between center staff

Die Movement Assessment and Reporting App (MARA) in der Musiktherapie

Under the present demands for digitalization, it seems timely for creative arts therapies (CATs) to create a state-of-the-art, reliable and easy-to-use digital assessment and documentation tool. This study examines the suitability of Movement Assessment and Reporting App (MARA) and its according outcomes framework, originally developed, and used by dance movement therapists (DMTs), for music therapy (MT). We tested the hypothesis that MARA, its underlying outcomes framework, with the domains: 'physical', 'cultural', 'emotional', 'cognitive', 'social', and 'integration', are meaningful for MT assessments. For the current study the following questions were defined: Is MARA suitable as a documentation and evaluation tool for other CATs taking the example of MT? What are possible difficulties occurring for music therapists (MTs) using MARA? What changes need to be made to make MARA's outcomes framework supportive for MTs? In an exploratory pilot study, five MTs completed an extensive assessment of two clients with autism spectrum disorder, testing MARA and the outcomes framework with a questionnaire developed by the research team. Results suggest that MARA as well as the outcomes framework can be transferred to MT, with a few adaptations particularly in the items of the 'physical' domain. Findings were compared to existing MT assessment tools, such as MAKS, IMCAP-ND, MATADOC, IAPs, AQR and the Creative Music Therapy Evaluation Scales. Adaptation suggestions for MARA and the outcomes framework for MTs are discussed. Technology offered and used by MARA was considered as a potential for the future use in clinical and research work. Through the use of (technology-based) assessment and evaluation tools therapists can enrich the communication with other health disciplines and make the benefits of MT more accessible, to offer the best support for every individual client.Unter den gegebenen Anforderungen und Wünschen nach Digitalisierung im Feld der klinischen Psychologie und Therapiewissenschaften, erscheint es ratsam für die künstlerischen Therapien (CATs) ein zeitgemässes, reliables und benutzerfreundliches Dokumentations- und Evaluationsmessinstrument zu entwickeln. Diese Studie untersucht, ob Movement Assessment and Reporting App (MARA), deren unterliegendes outcomes framework mit den Domänen: 'physical' (körperlich), 'cultural' (kulturell), 'emotional' (emotional), 'cognitive' (kognitiv), 'social' (sozial), und 'integration' (integrativ), welches ursprünglich für die Tanz- und Bewegungstherapie (DMT) entwickelt wurde, auch für Erhebungen und Dokumentationen in der Musiktherapie (MT) genutzt werden kann. Eignet sich MARA als Dokumentations- und Evaluationsmessinstrument für weitere CATs, hier die MT? Welche Schwierigkeiten könnten sich in der Verwendung von MARA für Musiktherapeutinnen und -therapeuten (MTs) zeigen? Welche Anpassungen müssten an MARAs outcomes framework vorgenommen werden, um dieses gewinnbringend und unterstützend in der MT einsetzen zu können? Fünf MTs nahmen an dieser Pilotstudie teil. Sie beantworteten einen ausführlichen Fragebogen zu Patientenvideos mit Klienten des Autismus-Spektrums, mit MARA und dem outcomes framework. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass MARA und das outcomes framework in die MT sowie weitere CATs übertragen werden könnten. Notwendige Anpassungen für diese Übertragung sind insbesondere in der ersten Domäne ('physical') der körperlichen Merkmale nötig. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit bestehenden Messinstrumenten der MT, wie dem MAKS, IMCAP-ND, MATADOC, IAPs, EBQ und den Creative Music Therapy Evaluation Scales verglichen. Anpassungsvorschläge für MARA und das outcomes framework für die Verwendung in der MT werden im Artikel diskutiert. Die Technologie, welche MARA nutzt, enthält laut der Einschätzung der Studienteilnehmerinnen Potenzial für den Gebrauch im klinischen Alltag wie auch für Forschungszwecke. Durch die Verwendung von (Technologie gestützten) Dokumentations- und Evaluationsinstrumenten kann die Kommunikation von MTs mit weiteren Mitarbeitenden der Gesundheitsberufe vertieft und der Zugewinn durch die MT untermauert werden. Dadurch kann die beste Unterstützung für jede individuelle Klientin/ jeden individuellen Klienten gestärkt werden

Structural basis of nucleotide sugar transport across the Golgi membrane

Glycosylation is a fundamental cellular process that, in eukaryotes, occurs in the lumen of both the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum1. Nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs) are an essential component of the glycosylation pathway, providing the diverse range of substrates required for the glycosyltransferases2,3. NSTs are linked to several developmental and immune disorders in humans, and in pathogenic microbes they have an important role in virulence4,5,6,7,8. How NSTs recognize and transport activated monosaccharides, however, is currently unclear. Here we present the crystal structure of an NST, the GDP–mannose transporter Vrg4, in both the substrate-free and the bound states. A hitherto unobserved requirement of short-chain lipids in activating the transporter supports a model for regulation within the highly dynamic membranes of the Golgi apparatus. Our results provide a structural basis for understanding nucleotide sugar recognition, and provide insights into the transport and regulatory mechanism of this family of intracellular transporters