Search results for "Biological Phenomena"
showing 10 items of 102 documents
Employing fuzzy logic in the diagnosis of a clinical case
2010
Fuzzy logic is a logical calculus which operates with many truth values (while classical logic works with the two values of true and false). Since fuzzy logic considers the truth of scientific statements like something softened, it is fruitfully applied to the study of biological phenomena, biology is indeed considered the field of complexity, uncertainty and vagueness. In this paper fuzzy logic is successfully applied to the clinical diagnosis of a patient who suffers from different diseases bound by a complex causal chain. In this work it is presented a mathematical foundation of fuzzy logic (with connectives and inference rules) and then the application of fuzzy reasoning to the study of…
Pruritus precipitated by hydroxyethyl starch: a review.
2005
Summary Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is widely used for fluid management in broad populations of patients, particularly in the surgery and intensive care settings. Pruritus, often manifested as pruritic crises, is increasingly being recognized as a common major adverse effect of HES administration. This iatrogenic form of pruritus is frequently severe and protracted with a serious negative impact on patient quality of life, including sleep disturbance, disruption of daily routine and mental distress. Such pruritus is generally refractory to available therapies and can persist for up to 12–24 months. All currently clinically available HES solutions entail the risk of pruritus, including those o…
Signaling through BMPR-IA regulates quiescence and long-term activity of neural stem cells in the adult hippocampus.
2010
SummaryNeural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult hippocampus divide infrequently, and the molecules that modulate their quiescence are largely unknown. Here, we show that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is active in hippocampal NSCs, downstream of BMPR-IA. BMPs reversibly diminish proliferation of cultured NSCs while maintaining their undifferentiated state. In vivo, acute blockade of BMP signaling in the hippocampus by intracerebral infusion of Noggin first recruits quiescent NSCs into the cycle and increases neurogenesis; subsequently, it leads to decreased stem cell division and depletion of precursors and newborn neurons. Consistently, selective ablation of Bmpr1a in hippocampal …
Correlates and importance of neglect-like symptoms in complex regional pain syndrome
2018
Neglect-like symptoms (NLS) are frequently observed in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The clinical meaning of NLS, however, is largely unknown. Therefore, this study sets out to assess the importance of NLS for patient outcome and to explore their clinical correlates. We assessed NLS in a group of 53 patients with CRPS and compared the results to 28 healthy volunteers. To define the origin of the NLS reports, we tested the subjective visual midline, performed a limb-laterality recognition test, and quantitative sensory testing. In addition, psychological and pain assessment scales were completed. Tests were analyzed with univariate and multivariate approaches. After 6 months, patien…
Elucidating geological and biological processes underlying the diversification of Sulawesi tarsiers.
2009
Because of their exceptionally long independent evolution, a range diminution of their Eocene relatives, and a remarkable subsequent diversification in Southeast Asia, tarsiers are of particular importance to evolutionary primatologists. Little is known, however, on the processes shaping the radiation of these small enigmatic primates—especially on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, their center of endemism. Geological reconstructions and progress in applying DNA sequence information to divergence dating now provide us with the tools and background to comprehend tarsier dispersal. Here, we describe effects of plate-tectonic movements, Pleistocene sea level changes, and hybridization on the…
IAP proteins as targets for drug development in oncology.
2013
The inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) constitute a family of proteins involved in the regulation of various cellular processes, including cell death, immune and inflammatory responses, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and cell motility. There is accumulating evidence supporting IAP-targeting in tumors: IAPs regulate various cellular processes that contribute to tumor development, such as cell death, cell proliferation, and cell migration; their expression is increased in a number of human tumor samples, and IAP overexpression has been correlated with tumor growth, and poor prognosis or low response to treatment; and IAP expression can be rapidly induced in response to chemotherapy or …
IAPs: more than just inhibitors of apoptosis proteins.
2008
Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are a conserved family of proteins identified in species ranging from virus, yeasts, nematodes, fishes, flies and mammals. The common structural feature is the presence of at least one Baculovirus IAP Repeat (BIR) domain. Hence, IAPs are also known as BIR-containing proteins (BIRCs). Most of them display anti-apoptotic properties when overexpressed. In drosophila, IAPs are sufficient and necessary to promote cell survival through a direct regulation of apoptotic proteases called caspases. In mammals, BIRC4/XIAP, the most studied IAP member can directly inhibit the activity of caspase-3, 7 and 9. However, this activity is not conserved in other IAPs an…
Regulation of Apoptosis by Inhibitors of Apoptosis (IAPs).
2013
Abstract Inhibitors of Apoptosis (IAPs) are a family of proteins with various biological functions including regulation of innate immunity and inflammation, cell proliferation, cell migration and apoptosis. They are characterized by the presence of at least one N-terminal baculoviral IAP repeat (BIR) domain involved in protein-protein interaction. Most of them also contain a C-terminal RING domain conferring an E3-ubiquitin ligase activity. In drosophila, IAPs are essential to ensure cell survival, preventing the uncontrolled activation of the apoptotic protease caspases. In mammals, IAPs can also regulate apoptosis through controlling caspase activity and caspase-activating platform format…
Changes in biomechanics of skiing at maximal velocity caused by simulated 20 km skiing race using V2 skating technique
2018
This study investigated how the fatigue caused by a 20-km simulated skating cross-country skiing race on snow affects the final spurt performance from a biomechanical perspective. Subjects performed a 100-m maximal skiing trial before and at the end of the simulated race. Cycle characteristics, ground reaction forces from skis and poles, and muscle activity from eight muscles were recorded during each trial. Results showed that subjects were in a fatigued state after the simulated race manifested by 11.6% lower skiing speed (P<.01). The lower skiing speed was related to an 8.0% decrease in cycle rate (P<.01), whereas cycle length was slightly decreased (tendency). In temporal patterns, rela…
A DNA‐Encoded FRET Biosensor for Visualizing the Tension across Paxillin in Living Cells upon Shear Stress
2022
Paxillin is a potential participant in the direct intracellular force transmission which is considered as the foundation of cells sensing and responding to extracellular environment. However, the detection of tension across paxillin has not been achieved due to lacking microsized tools. Herein, a paxillin tension sensor (PaxTs) based on Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) technique was constructed. PaxTs can be expressed and assembled to FA sites spontaneously to visualize the tension across paxillin with FRET efficiency of ~62.4% in living cells. The tension across paxillin was found to decrease upon shear stress, in which the membrane fluidity and contractility of actin acted as…