82 research outputs found
Improved diastolic function in type 2 diabetes after a six month liraglutide treatment
No full textAbstractAimsTo investigate whether liraglutide improves diastolic function in type 2 diabetes.MethodsThirty-seven patients with type 2 diabetes who began liraglutide therapy between June 2013 and May 2014 were enrolled in this observational, prospective study. 26 patients received liraglutide therapy for at least 6months. The remaining 11 patients withdrew from liraglutide therapy during the first month, were started on other hypoglycaemic therapies and formed the control group. Anthropometric, metabolic and echocardiographic parameters including pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging were evaluated at baseline and at 6months.ResultsIn the liraglutide group the early diastolic mitral annulus velocity on the lateral (e-lat) and medial (e-med) sides of the mitral annulus increased from 9.2±3.4 to 11.6±4.7cm/s (p<0.001) and from 6.9±1.7 to 8.4±2.6cm/s (p<0.003), respectively. The ratio of early-to-late velocities on the lateral and medial sides of the mitral annulus increased from 0.7±0.3 to 0.9±0.4 (p<0.001) and from 0.5±0.1 to 0.6±0.1 (p<0.02), respectively. The ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic myocardial relaxation velocity decreased from 10.7±4.3 to 8.5±2.5 (p<0.005). No improvements in diastolic function was detected in the control group. Glucose control improved similarly in both groups: HA1bc −1.5% (−17mmol/mol) vs −1.3% (−14mmol/mol), p=0.67.ConclusionsIn patients with type 2 diabetes, 6months liraglutide treatment was associated with a significant improvement in diastolic function
Protein crystal screening and characterization for serial femtosecond nanocrystallography
No full textGet it at UQ Library| Export | Download | Add to List | More... Scientific Reports Volume 6, 3 May 2016, Article number 25345 Open Access Protein crystal screening and characterization for serial femtosecond nanocrystallography (Article) Darmanin, C.a , Strachan, J.a, Adda, C.G.b, Ve, T.cd, Kobe, B.c, Abbey, B.ae a ARC Centre of Advanced Molecular Imaging, Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia b Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia c School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Division of Chemistry and Structural Biology, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia View additional affiliations View references (19) Abstract The recent development of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) has spurred the development of serial femtosecond nanocrystallography (SFX) which, for the first time, is enabling structure retrieval from sub-micron protein crystals. Although there are already a growing number of structures published using SFX, the technology is still very new and presents a number of unique challenges as well as opportunities for structural biologists. One of the biggest barriers to the success of SFX experiments is the preparation and selection of suitable protein crystal samples. Here we outline a protocol for preparing and screening for suitable XFEL targets
Predicting the perceived quality of a First Person Shooter: The Quake IV G-model
No full textElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
Interaction of the molecular chaperone alphaB-crystallin with alpha-synuclein: effects on amyloid fibril formation and chaperone activity
No full textα-Synuclein is a pre-synaptic protein, the function of which is not completely understood, but its pathological form is involved in neurodegenerative diseases. In vitro, α-synuclein spontaneously forms amyloid fibrils. Here, we report that αB-crystallin, a molecular chaperone found in Lewy bodies that are characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD), is a potent in vitro inhibitor of α-synuclein fibrillization, both of wild-type and the two mutant forms (A30P and A53T) that cause familial, early onset PD. In doing so, large irregular aggregates of α-synuclein and αB-crystallin are formed implying that αB-crystallin redirects α-synuclein from a fibril-formation pathway towards an amorphous aggregation pathway, thus reducing the amount of physiologically stable amyloid deposits in favor of easily degradable amorphous aggregates. α-Synuclein acts as a molecular chaperone to prevent the stress-induced, amorphous aggregation of target proteins. Compared to wild-type α-synuclein, both mutant forms have decreased chaperone activity in vitro against the aggregation of reduced insulin at 37 °C and the thermally induced aggregation of βL-crystallin at 60 °C. Wild-type α-synuclein abrogates the chaperone activity of αB-crystallin to prevent the precipitation of reduced insulin. Interaction between these two chaperones and formation of a complex are also indicated by NMR spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry. In summary, α-synuclein and αB-crystallin interact readily with each other and affect each other's properties, in particular α-synuclein fibril formation and αB-crystallin chaperone action.Agata Rekas, Christopher G. Adda, J. Andrew Aquilina, Kevin J. Barnham, Margaret Sunde, Denise Galatis, Nicholas A. Williamson, Colin L. Masters, Robin F. Anders, Carol V. Robinson, Roberto Cappai and John A. Carverhttp://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/622890/description#descriptio
Public-Place Smoking Laws and Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)
No full textPublic-place smoking restrictions are the most important non-price tobacco control measures worldwide, yet surprisingly little is known about their effects on exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). We study these laws in Canada using data with questions about respondents’ ETS exposure in public and private places. In fixed-effects models we find these laws had no effects on smoking but induced large and statistically significant reductions in public-place ETS exposure, especially in bars and restaurants. We do not find significant evidence of ETS displacement to private homes. Our results indicate wide latitude for health improvements from banning smoking in public places.
Joint-liability borrowing decisions under risk: Empirical evidence from rural microfinance in Ethiopia
No full textThis paper investigates borrowing decisions of rural households from a microfinance in Tigray, Ethiopia using household panel data on 5 years and a dynamic panel probit model. The theoretical model takes two types of risk involved in joint-liability lending explicitly into account: risk of partner failure and the risk of losing future access to credit. Empirical results show that these risks are important in explaining borrowing decisions. Another finding is that the probability of repeat-borrowing is higher than the probability of new participation, with possible implications that perceived joint-liability threats deter participation and easing stringent punishments might help poor households’ access to credit.Microfinance, risk, dynamic panel probit, Financial Economics,
Proceedings Transborder Library Forum 2007 : bridging the digital divide : crossing all borders = Memorias Foro Transfronterizo de Bibliotecas 2007 : cerrando la brecha digital : cruzando todas las fronteras
No full textIt is with great pleasure that we present this edition of the Proceedings of the Transborder Library Forum (Foro). The 2007 Transborder Library Forum was held at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona in February, 2007. We are pleased that there will be both a print edition and an online edition. Editing has been kept to a minimum to preserve the intent of the author in the language the paper was presented. The theme for the 2007 Foro was Bridging the Digital Divide. Topics ranged from international copyright issues to getting information to students in widely dispersed communities with little or no infrastructure except the Internet. While most attendees and speakers were from the USA and Mexico, we also had some from Uganda, Kenya, Hungary, and the West Indies
Inheritances, Health and Death
No full textWe examine how wealth shocks, in the form of inheritances, affect the mortality rates, health status and health behaviors of older adults, using data from eight waves of the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS). Our main finding is that bequests do not have substantial effects on health, although some improvements in quality-of-life are possible. This absence occurs despite increases in out-of-pocket (OOP) spending on health care and in the utilization of medical services, especially discretionary and non-lifesaving types such as dental care. Nor can we find a convincing indication of changes in lifestyles that offset the benefits of increased medical care. Inheritances are associated with higher alcohol consumption, but with no change in smoking or exercise and a possible decrease in obesity.
The politico-religious usage of the queen's chapel, 1623-1688
No full textAfter setting its foundation within the context of prevailing domestic and international religious and political developments, the chief occupants of the Queen's Chapel under Henrietta Maria are revealed to be Oratorians. Their efforts and those of others associated with the Queen’s Chapel, such as Benedictines, Franciscans and Jesuits, are associated with different perspectives on ways to advance/restore Roman Catholicism, through conversions, the advocacy of religious liberty, the suspension of Penal Laws, or re-Unification with the Church of England. International structures of authority influencing these orders as they operated at the Queen’s Chapel are explored, ranging from internal structures of the catholic Church to foreign Embassies and secular diplomacy. Deploying primary research undertaken across Europe, this thesis argues that the revival of the Queen’s Chapel at the Restoration was more than a technicality in a Treaty; rather it reflected Charles II’s Catholicity, and ought to be seen in the context of other such manifestations typified by Bellings's Missions, the Secret Treaty of Dover, Acts of Indulgence and other actions. The choice, practice and actions of Benedictines, Jesuits, Arabadoes, and Queen’s Chapel attachments to the Chapel then take on a new significance. The Chapel is examined as a platform for calculated politico-religious sallies by book and sermon in preparation for, and defence of actions both of Charles II and his brother in favour of Catholicism. Chaplaincies and Devotions are examined, including the important ministry of Saint Claude de La Colombiere, whose legacy can be identified in the subsequent actions of James II. The study analyses the Chapel's architecture, music, and liturgy, as expressions of its politico-religious usage. The continuance of the Dowager Queen's Chapel following the "Old Pretender" hiatus and James II's exile in 1688 challenges the universality of "the Glorious Revolution", revealing thereby the international heritage of the Queen's Chapel
Persistent inequality when learning requires a minimal standard of living
No full textThis paper studies the persistence of wealth and utility inequality in a dynamicmodel of skill acquisition with complete credit markets and rational, perfectly altruistic,dynastic utility-maximization, when efficient learning requires a minimal standardof living. The main result is that, if the minimal standard of living is not triviallysmall, at any stationary equilibrium without intergenerational mobility there are?poor?, unskilled and ?rich?, skilled dynasties. Members of rich dynasties inherit morefrom their parents than members of poor dynasties. The former in general acquireskill, while the latter remain unskilled, and - most importantly - members of rich familiesalso enjoy strictly higher utility than members of poor dynasties. This paper studies the persistence of wealth and utility inequality in a dynamicmodel of skill acquisition with complete credit markets and rational, perfectly altruistic,dynastic utility-maximization, when efficient learning requires a minimal standardof living. The main result is that, if the minimal standard of living is not triviallysmall, at any stationary equilibrium without intergenerational mobility there are?poor?, unskilled and ?rich?, skilled dynasties. Members of rich dynasties inherit morefrom their parents than members of poor dynasties. The former in general acquireskill, while the latter remain unskilled, and - most importantly - members of rich familiesalso enjoy strictly higher utility than members of poor dynasties
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