Search results for "ERAS"
showing 10 items of 4431 documents
Virtual university–a vehicle for development, cooperation and internationalisation in teaching and learning
2005
The paper discusses the approaches of virtual university strategies and developments in Europe. The discussion is partly based on the work done in the Activity 5 in the EU Thematic Network E4 and partly to the experiences gained through the activities of EUNITE virtual university network of six European universities. Based on our experience we see, that e-learning and virtual university approach can be used for renewal of teaching and learning, both on and off campus. Just three years ago, universities seemed mainly to aim only to develop on campus teaching and learning through ICT. Lately, the use of e-learning as a tool for international cooperation and for virtual mobility (Virtual Erasm…
Sortase A: An ideal target for anti-virulence drug development
2014
Sortase A is a membrane enzyme responsible for the anchoring of surface-exposed proteins to the cell wall envelope of Gram-positive bacteria. As a well-studied member of the sortase subfamily catalysing the cell wall anchoring of important virulence factors to the surface of staphylococci, enterococci and streptococci, sortase A plays a critical role in Gram-positive bacterial pathogenesis. It is thus considered a promising target for the development of new anti-infective drugs that aim to interfere with important Gram-positive virulence mechanisms, such as adhesion to host tissues, evasion of host defences, and bio fi lm formation. The additional properties of sortase A as an enzyme that i…
Transcriptional Upregulation of Genes Related to Virulence Activation in Entamoeba histolytica
2007
Background To understand the molecular basis of virulence variability in Entamoeba histolytica , this study presents results about differential gene expression induced by E. histolytica trophozoites in liver of hamsters in order to produce experimental amebic liver abscess (ALA) and consequently reactivate its virulence. Methods Amebic cultures were studied before (BALA) and after (AALA) inoculation in hamster peritoneal cavity. Markers of pathogenicity such as the rate of erythrophagocytosis, hemolytic activity, and cytotoxic effects on MDCK cell monolayers were evaluated in order to correlate these phenotypic characteristics to differential gene expression between virulent and non-virulen…
Cordycepin analogues of 2',5'-oligoadenylate inhibit human immunodeficiency virus infection via inhibition of reverse transcriptase.
1991
Analogues of 2',5'-oligoadenylates (2-5A), the cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) core trimer (Co3) and its 5'-monophosphate derivative (pCo3), were shown to display pronounced anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity in vitro. Treatment of HIV-1 infected H9 cells with 1 microM Co3 or pCo3 resulted in an almost 100% inhibition of virus production. The compounds were encapsulated in liposomes targeted by antibodies specific for the T-cell receptor molecule CD3. Substitution of one or two cordycepin units in Co3 or pCo3 decreased the antiviral activity of the compounds. pCo3 did not stimulate 2-5A-dependent ribonuclease L activity and displayed no effect on the amount of cellular…
Visual Control of a Robotic Hand
2004
The paper deals with the design and implementation of a visual control of a robotic system composed of a dexterous hand and stereo cameras. The aim of the proposed system is to reproduce the movements of a human hand in order to learn complex manipulation tasks. A novelty algorithm for a robust and fast fingertips localization and tracking is presented. Moreover, a simulator is integrated in the system to give useful feedbacks to the users during operations, and provide robust testing framework for real experiments (see video).
Vitamin A deficiency alters the structure and collagen IV composition of rat renal basement membranes.
2005
Retinoids can modulate the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins with variable results depending on other contributing factors. Because changes in these proteins may alter the composition and impair the function of specialized ECM structures such as basement membranes (BMs), we studied the effects of vitamin A deficiency on renal BMs during the growing period. Newborn male rats were fed a vitamin A-deficient (VAD) diet for 50 d. The ultrastructure of renal BMs was analyzed by electron microscopy. Total collagen IV, the different alpha(IV) chains, matrix degrading metalloproteinases (MMP), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) were quantified by immunocytochemistry a…
When the nose must remain responsive: glutathione conjugation of the mammary pheromone in the newborn rabbit
2014
In insects, xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes were demonstrated to regulate pheromones inactivation, clearing them from the olfactory periphery and keeping receptors ready for stimulation renewal. Here, we investigate whether similar processes could occur in mammals, focusing on the pheromonal communication between female rabbits and their newborns. Lactating rabbits emit in their milk a volatile aldehyde, 2-methylbut-2-enal, that elicits searching-grasping in neonates; called the mammary pheromone (MP), it is critical for pups which are constrained to find nipples within the 5 min of daily nursing. For newborns, it is thus essential to remain sensitive to this odorant during the whole nursin…
Hypoxia Positively Regulates the Expression of pH-Sensing G-Protein–Coupled Receptor OGR1 (GPR68)
2016
Background & Aims: A novel family of proton-sensing G-proteinâcoupled receptors, including ovarian cancer G-proteinâcoupled receptor 1 (OGR1) (GPR68) has been identified to play a role in pH homeostasis. Hypoxia is known to change tissue pH as a result of anaerobic glucose metabolism through the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. We investigated how hypoxia regulates the expression of OGR1 in the intestinal mucosa and associated cells. Methods: OGR1 expression in murine tumors, human colonic tissue, and myeloid cells was determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The influence of hypoxia on OGR1 expression was studied in monocytes/macrophages and…
Anti-inflammatory Function of High-Density Lipoproteins via Autophagy of IκB Kinase
2015
Background & Aims: Plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are frequently found decreased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, and because HDL exerts anti-inflammatory activities, we investigated whether HDL and its major protein component apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) modulate mucosal inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The human intestinal epithelial cell line T84 was used as the in vitro model for measuring the effects of HDL on the expression and secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM). Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-responsive promoter activity was studied by …