| 1. |
- Boelt, Sanne Grundvad, et al.
(author)
-
Mapping the Ca2 + induced structural change in calreticulin
- 2016
-
In: Journal of Proteomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1874-3919. ; 142, s. 138-148
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Calreticulin is a highly conserved multifunctional protein implicated in many different biological systems and has therefore been the subject of intensive research. It is primarily present in the endoplasmatic reticulum where its main functions are to regulate Ca2 + homeostasis, act as a chaperone and stabilize the MHC class I peptide-loading complex. Although several high-resolution structures of calreticulin exist, these only cover three-quarters of the entire protein leaving the extended structures unsolved. Additionally, the structure of calreticulin is influenced by the presence of Ca2 +. The conformational changes induced by Ca2 + have not been determined yet as they are hard to study with traditional approaches. Here, we investigated the Ca2 +-induced conformational changes with a combination of chemical cross-linking, mass spectrometry, bioinformatics analysis and modelling in Rosetta. Using a bifunctional linker, we found a large Ca2 +-induced change to the cross-linking pattern in calreticulin. Our results are consistent with a high flexibility in the P-loop, a stabilization of the acidic C-terminal and a relatively close interaction of the P-loop and the acidic C-terminal. Biological significance The function of calreticulin, an endoplasmatic reticulin chaperone, is affected by fluctuations in Ca2 + concentration, but the structural mechanism is unknown. The present work suggests that Ca2 +-dependent regulation is caused by different conformations of a long proline-rich loop that changes the accessibility to the peptide/lectin-binding site. Our results indicate that the binding of Ca2 + to calreticulin may thus not only just be a question of Ca2 + storage but is likely to have an impact on the chaperone activity.
|
|
| 2. |
- Engelmann, Petra, et al.
(author)
-
Needs of multimorbid heart failure patients and their carers : a qualitative interview study and the creation of personas as a basis for a blended collaborative care intervention
- 2023
-
In: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2297-055X. ; 10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Involving patients and carers in the development of blended collaborative care (BCC) interventions for multimorbid heart failure (HF) patients is recommended but rarely practised, and research on the patient perspective is scarce. The aim of this study is to investigate patients' and carers' care-related needs and preferences to better customize a novel international BCC intervention.Methods: A qualitative study design using framework analysis was employed. The study was performed in accordance with the EQUATOR standards for reporting qualitative research (SRQR). Patients aged at least 65 years with HF and at least two other physical diseases as well as their carers completed semistructured interviews in Germany, Italy, and Denmark. Based on these interviews, personas (prototype profiles of patients and carers) were created.Results: Data from interviews with 25 patients and 17 carers were analysed. Initially, seven country-specific personas were identified, which were iteratively narrowed down to a final set of 3 personas: (a) the one who needs and wants support, (b) the one who has accepted their situation with HF and reaches out when necessary, and (c) the one who feels neglected by the health care system. Carers identifying with the last persona showed high levels of psychological stress and a high need for support.Discussion: This is the first international qualitative study on patients' and carers' needs regarding a BCC intervention using the creation of personas. Across three European countries, data from interviews were used to develop three contrasting personas. Instead of providing "one size fits all" interventions, the results indicate that BCC interventions should offer different approaches based on the needs of individual patients and carers. The personas will serve as a basis for the development of a novel BCC intervention as part of the EU project ESCAPE (Evaluation of a patient-centred biopSychosocial blended collaborative CAre Pathway for the treatment of multimorbid Elderly patients).
|
|
| 3. |
- Gostoli, Sara, et al.
(author)
-
Healthcare needs in elderly patients with chronic heart failure in view of a personalized blended collaborative care intervention: a cross sectional study
- 2024
-
In: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. - : FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. - 2297-055X. ; 11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction Few studies explored healthcare needs of elderly heart failure (HF) patients with comorbidities in view of a personalized intervention conducted by Care Managers (CM) in the framework of Blended Collaborative Care (BCC). The aims of the present study were to: (1) identify perceived healthcare needs/preferences in elderly patients with HF prior to a CM intervention; (2) investigate possible associations between healthcare needs/preferences, sociodemographic variables (age; sex) and number of comorbidities.Method Patients aged 65 years or more affected by HF with at least 2 medical comorbidities were enrolled in the study. They were assessed by structured interviewing with colored cue cards that represented six main topics including education, individual tailoring of treatment, monitoring, support, coordination, and communication, related to healthcare needs and preferences.Results Thirty-three patients (Italy = 21, Denmark = 7, Germany = 5; mean age = 75.2 +/- 7.7 years; males 63.6%) were enrolled from June 2021 to February 2022. Major identified needs included: HF information (education), patients' involvement in treatment-related management (individual tailoring of treatment), regular checks of HF symptoms (monitoring), general practitioner update by a CM about progression of symptoms and health behaviors (coordination), and telephone contacts with the CM (communication). Regarding communication modalities with a CM, males preferred phone calls (chi 2 = 6.291, p = 0.043) and mobile messaging services (chi 2 = 9.647, p = 0.008), whereas females preferred in-person meetings and a patient dashboard. No differences in needs and preferences according to age and number of comorbidities were found.Discussion The findings highlight specific healthcare needs and preferences in older HF multimorbid patients, allowing a more personalized intervention delivered by CM in the framework of BCC.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Parducci, Laura, et al.
(author)
-
Glacial Survival of Boreal Trees in Northern Scandinavia
- 2012
-
In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 335:6072, s. 1083-1086
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is commonly believed that trees were absent in Scandinavia during the last glaciation and first recolonized the Scandinavian Peninsula with the retreat of its ice sheet some 9000 years ago. Here, we show the presence of a rare mitochondrial DNA haplotype of spruce that appears unique to Scandinavia and with its highest frequency to the west-an area believed to sustain ice-free refugia during most of the last ice age. We further show the survival of DNA from this haplotype in lake sediments and pollen of Trondelag in central Norway dating back similar to 10,300 years and chloroplast DNA of pine and spruce in lake sediments adjacent to the ice-free Andoya refugium in northwestern Norway as early as similar to 22,000 and 17,700 years ago, respectively. Our findings imply that conifer trees survived in ice-free refugia of Scandinavia during the last glaciation, challenging current views on survival and spread of trees as a response to climate changes.
|
|
