Griffith University

About: Griffith University is a education organization based out in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 13830 authors who have published 49318 publications receiving 1420865 citations.

Mutations in Cardiac T-Box Factor Gene TBX20 Are Associated with Diverse Cardiac Pathologies, Including Defects of Septation and Valvulogenesis and Cardiomyopathy

Abstract: The T-box family transcription factor gene TBX20 acts in a conserved regulatory network, guiding heart formation and patterning in diverse species. Mouse Tbx20 is expressed in cardiac progenitor cells, differentiating cardiomyocytes, and developing valvular tissue, and its deletion or RNA interference–mediated knockdown is catastrophic for heart development. TBX20 interacts physically, functionally, and genetically with other cardiac transcription factors, including NKX2-5, GATA4, and TBX5, mutations of which cause congenital heart disease (CHD). Here, we report nonsense (Q195X) and missense (I152M) germline mutations within the T-box DNA-binding domain of human TBX20 that were associated with a family history of CHD and a complex spectrum of developmental anomalies, including defects in septation, chamber growth, and valvulogenesis. Biophysical characterization of wild-type and mutant proteins indicated how the missense mutation disrupts the structure and function of the TBX20 T-box. Dilated cardiomyopathy was a feature of the TBX20 mutant phenotype in humans and mice, suggesting that mutations in developmental transcription factors can provide a sensitized template for adult-onset heart disease. Our findings are the first to link TBX20 mutations to human pathology. They provide insights into how mutation of different genes in an interactive regulatory circuit lead to diverse clinical phenotypes, with implications for diagnosis, genetic screening, and patient follow-up.

Exploring Origins of Involvement: Understanding the Relationship Between Consumer Motives and Involvement with Professional Sport Teams

Abstract: Although the involvement construct has received wide spread theoretical and empirical attention over the past 30 years, its application to a subset of leisure such as spectator sport has gone largely ignored. The present research examines both the multidimensionality of the involvement construct and its origins in sport spectator research. A team sport involvement (TSI) model is introduced that accounts for antecedents of motivation, arousal, and interest related to a professional sport team. A series of focus groups and a pilot test were used to develop and refine the Sport Interest Inventory (SII) that measures 18 distinct antecedents of involvement. The SII was next administered to a random sample of season ticket holders and single game attendees of a sport team (N = 1,600). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the psychometric properties of the SII and structural equation modeling analysis supported the TSI model revealing that nine antecedents represented four higher order facets of involvement: A...

Common method bias in applied settings: The dilemma of researching in organizations:

Abstract: Authors are experiencing increasing competition for their articles to be published. One way of ensuring their work is given the best chance of being published is to underpin their research with rig...

A brand orientation typology for SMEs: a case research approach

Abstract: Purpose – This research paper aims to discuss the role of branding strategy in small and medium size enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach – The literature on traditional brand management and strategic branding are first reviewed. Four critical constructs are identified, namely brand distinctiveness, brand orientation, brand‐marketing performance and brand barriers. The literature, in combination with (eight) case research interviews, has been synthesised to develop a new theory of SME branding.Findings – The paper reveals that the theory identifies the ladder of SME brand orientation, moving from minimal brand orientation, to embryonic brand orientation to integrated brand orientation. Further, it is suggested that most SMEs will be on the lower steps of the ladder. A model of the brand strategy process has been formulated, specifying links between brand barriers, brand distinctiveness, brand orientation and brand‐marketing performance. The study puts forward some propositions about the pre‐cond...