Search results for "Models"
showing 10 items of 8211 documents
Neuronal network characteristics in the cat superior colliculus
1977
The system theoretical description of the superficial layers of neurons in the cat's superior colliculus is based on homogeneous linear space-time filters. The most important neurophysiological findings on the superior colliculus are simulated on the digital computer by generating suitable coupling functions and matching the space and time parameters. It is shown that the neurophysiological measurements can be interpreted by varying a few system parameters. The curves of velocity dependent responses, direction specificity and the effects of the colliculus specific surround are examined in particular. Computer simulation shows that such a surround can evaluate small moving stimuli differentl…
Parameters analysis of FitzHugh-Nagumo model for a reliable simulation
2014
International audience; Derived from the pioneer ionic Hodgkin-Huxley model and due to its simplicity and richness from a point view of nonlinear dynamics, the FitzHugh-Nagumo model has been one of the most successful neuron / cardiac cell model. It exists many variations of the original FHN model. Though these FHN type models help to enrich the dynamics of the FHN model. The parameters used in these models are often in biased conditions. The related results would be questionable. So, in this study, the aim is to find the parameter thresholds for one of the commonly used FHN model in order to pride a better simulation environment. The results showed at first that inappropriate time step and…
Mildronate and its neuroregulatory mechanisms: targeting the mitochondria, neuroinflammation, and protein expression.
2013
This review for the first time summarizes the data obtained in the neuropharmacological studies of mildronate, a drug previously known as a cardioprotective agent. In different animal models of neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases, we demonstrated its neuroprotecting activity. By the use of immunohistochemical methods and Western blot analysis, as well as some selected behavioral tests, the new mechanisms of mildronate have been demonstrated: a regulatory effect on mitochondrial processes and on the expression of nerve cell proteins, which are involved in cell survival, functioning, and inflammation processes. Particular attention is paid to the capability of mildronate to stimulate…
Predictive Toxicology of Cobalt Nanoparticles and Ions: Comparative In Vitro Study of Different Cellular Models Using Methods of Knowledge Discovery …
2011
The toxicological effects of cobalt nanoparticles (Co-NPs) aggregates were examined and compared with those of cobalt ions (Co-ions) using six different cell lines representing lung, liver, kidney, intestine, and the immune system. Dose-response curves were studied in the concentration range of 0.05-1.0 mM, employing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test, neutral red, and Alamar blue as end point assays following exposures for 48 and 72 h. Data analysis and predictive modeling of the obtained data sets were executed by employing a decision tree model (J48), where training and validation were carried out by an iterative process. It was established, as expected, th…
Non-eosinophilic Airway Hyper-reactivity in Mice, Induced by IFN-γProducing CD4+and CD8+Lung T cells, is Responsive to Steroid Treatment
2014
Non-eosinophilic asthma is characterized by infiltration of neutrophils into the lung and variable responsiveness to glucocorticoids. The pathophysiological mechanisms have not been characterized in detail. Here, we present an experimental asthma model in mice associated with non-eosinophilic airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). For this, BALB/c mice were sensitized by biolistic DNA immunization with a plasmid encoding the model antigen β-galactosidase (pFascin-βGal mice). For comparison, eosinophilic airway inflammation was induced by subcutaneous injection of βGal protein (βGal mice). Intranasal challenge of mice in both groups induced AHR to a comparable extent as w…
Food plant diversity as broad-scale determinant of avian frugivore richness.
2007
The causes of variation in animal species richness at large spatial scales are intensively debated. Here, we examine whether the diversity of food plants, contemporary climate and energy, or habitat heterogeneity determine species richness patterns of avian frugivores across sub-Saharan Africa. Path models indicate that species richness of Ficus (their fruits being one of the major food resources for frugivores in the tropics) has the strongest direct effect on richness of avian frugivores, whereas the influences of variables related to water–energy and habitat heterogeneity are mainly indirect. The importance of Ficus richness for richness of avian frugivores diminishes with decreasing sp…
Enriched Environments for Rodents and their Interaction with Nicotine Administration
2012
An active lifestyle throughout the life cycle seems to delay cognitive aging and dementia and has also been evaluated as an intervention against addiction to cocaine and other drugs of abuse. In epidemiological studies with humans, it has proved difficult to separate the cognitive, social and physical components from other variables that influence lifestyle. Studies in animal models are useful for evaluating the impact of each of these factors and for uncovering the underlying mechanisms of the benefits of complex environments. Preclinical studies have employed the Environmental Enrichment paradigm (EE) which has been proposed as a preclinical model of positive life experiences in humans. E…
Individual Differences in Novelty-Seeking and Behavioral Responses to Nicotine: A Review of Animal Studies
2010
Individual differences in the behavioral responses to a novel environment have been proposed as a research tool to predict responsiveness to other behavioral tasks, response to certain events and individual vulnerability to nicotine addiction. In rats and mice, novelty seeking (defined as enhanced specific exploration of novel situations) is a complex behavior confirmed by a large body of neurochemical, endocrinological and behavioral data. We review the main standardized procedures employed to measure the novelty seeking trait in rodents and the ontogeny of this behavior throughout the life-span taking into account that novelty seeking can be permanently modified as a consequence of partic…
An Aqueous Extract of Ilex paraguariensis Reduces Carrageenan-Induced Edema and Inhibits the Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Inducible Nitric Oxid…
2014
Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a highly popular herbal beverage in South America due to its high content of caffeine. Its hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties are of increasing interest in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders and for weight control. In the present study, we show for the first time both the local and systemic anti-inflammatory effects of an aqueous extract of mate in three classic in vivo models, namely acute and chronic 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-induced mouse ear edema and acute carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema. Caffeine, rutin, chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicafeoyl quinic acid, and 4,5-dicafeoyl quinic acid, accompanied by a complex mixture of other simple …
Combining poly(dimethyldiphenylsiloxane) and nitrile phases for improving the separation and quantitation of benzalkonium chloride homologues: In-tub…
2013
The retention and separation of four homologues of benzalkonium chloride (alkyl (C12, C14, C16, C18) dimethylbenzylammonium chloride) have been studied in poly(dimethyldiphenylsiloxane) (TRB) and nitrile capillary phases, respectively. Under the optimized conditions (50% acetonitrile in processed samples, 35% of diphenyl content of the TRB, capillary length 43 cm and water:methanol 60:40 as replacing solvent), the extraction efficiency was similar for all the homologues with satisfactory reproducibility and independently of the amount and proportion of homologues. Industrial samples with high viscosity or with complex composition and washes waters have been analyzed without previous treatme…