Search results for "models"

Enhanced prolylhydroxylase activity in the posterior annulus fibrosus of canine intervertebral discs following long-term running exercise

2010

The effect of long-term excercise on the intervertebral disc collagen concentration (hydroxyproline), collagen-synthesizing enzymes (prolyl-4-hydroxylase, PH, and galactosyl-hydroxylysyl glucosyltransferase, GGT) and hydroxypyridinium crosslinks was studied in ten female beagle dogs. The dogs were run on a treadmill for 1 year starting at the age of 15 weeks. The daily running distance was gradually increased to 40km, which distance the dogs ran for the final 15 weeks. Ten untrained dogs from the same breeding colony served as controls. The nucleus pulposus and anterior and posterior halves of the annulus fibrosus of C2-3, T10-12, L4-5 disc segments were analysed. Crosslinks were measured f…

Non-conventional forms of HLA-B27 are expressed in spondyloarthritis joints and gut tissue

2016

Objectives Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 (B27) is the strongest genetic factor associated with development of Ankylosing Spondylitis and other spondyloarthropathies (SpA), yet the role it plays in disease pathogenesis remains unclear. We investigated the expression of potentially pathogenic non-conventional heavy chain forms (NC) of B27 in synovial and intestinal tissues obtained from SpA patients. We also determined the presence of NC-B27 in joints, lymphoid and gastrointestinal tissue from B27 transgenic (TG1) rats with M.tuberculosis-induced SpA. Methods Expression of NC-B27 in human SpA joints and gut and in (21-3 × 283-2)F1 HLA-B27/Huβ2m rat tissue was determined by immunohistochem…

Aberrant glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan causes defective binding of laminin in the muscle of chicken muscular dystrophy.

2005

Dystroglycan is a central component of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex that links extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton in skeletal muscle. Although dystrophic chicken is well established as an animal model of human muscular dystrophy, the pathomechanism leading to muscular degeneration remains unknown. We show here that glycosylation and laminin-binding activity of alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG) are defective in dystrophic chicken. Extensive glycan structural analysis reveals that Galbeta1-3GalNAc and GalNAc residues are increased while Siaalpha2-3Gal structure is reduced in alpha-DG of dystrophic chicken. These results implicate aberrant glycosylation of alpha-DG in the pathogenesis of mus…

Kinematics of the patellofemoral joint. Investigations on a computer model with reference to patellar fractures.

1990

Patellofemoral kinematics were studied on a computer model. The articulating point of the patella moves from distal to proximal during flexion, until the quadriceps tendon starts to turn around the femur tendo-femoral gliding. The pattern of patellofemoral movement consists of a gliding and rolling component, the latter at its maximum at the beginning of flexion. The pathway of the instant centers of motion moves from dorsal to ventral during flexion. Stress analysis shows that the contact area is at all times the area of maximum bending stress. The distal part of the patella is the part with mechanical stress at all angles of flexion. The conclusions to be drawn for treatment are that frac…

Evaluation of efficacy and biocompatibility of a new absorbable synthetic substitute as a dural onlay graft in a large animal model.

2016

Numerous dura substitutes are commercially available, but no absorbable synthetic dura repair product has been used for both onlay and suture applications.The safety and effectiveness of a new absorbable synthetic substitute composed of Poly-L-lactide microfibers as onlay dural graft were evaluated.Physical properties and performance of the microfibrous synthetic dural substitute implanted as an onlay or suturable grafts were compared with these commercial products, including CODMAN ETHISORB™ Dura Patch and DuraGen™ Dural Graft Matrix, in a canine duraplasty model. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, macroscopic and microscopic observation at 30 and 90 days after implantation were invest…

Successful approaches to mental practice : A case study of four pianists

2019

Musicians often use mental practice for enhancing performance, but individuals may have different preferences and skills in their characteristic, individually successful ways of carrying out such practice. In this study, we focus on the approaches to mental practice of four pianists who, according to the ratings of a panel of expert judges, showed outstanding improvement in their performances following their mental practice of a new piece in at least one of the two conditions: silent reading of the score or reading the score while simultaneously listening to the music. The four pianists’ approaches to mental practice were studied through self-reports in post-task interviews that were compar…

Role of PRRs (TLR2 and Dectin-1) in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell differentiation: implications in protection against Candida albicans infec…

2020

Detection of infection by hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) is essential to replace myeloid cells consumed during the immune response. HSPCs express some functional pattern recognition receptors involved in the recognition of Candida albicans. In this context, our group has previously demonstrated that C. albicans yeasts induce proliferation and differentiation of HSPCs via TLR2 and Dectin-1. In the present PhD thesis, we used in vitro and ex vivo models of HSPC differentiation to investigate the functional consequences for mature myeloid cells of exposure of HSPCs to PAMPs or C. albicans yeasts. In vitro experiments show that murine HSPCs continuously exposed to TLR2 or TLR4 …

Narrative Constitution for Instructional Game Design : The Semiotic-Cognitive Model of Narrative

2016

“Stories from No-Man’s Land?” Situated language learning through the use of role models in the context of international Higher Education

2012

This article discusses the value of role models in the language acquisition process of international students following an English as Medium of Instruction (EMI) programme in the Netherlands. Narrative interpretations of qualitative data provide insights into the identity work involved in the use of role models and the impact that this work has on the participation of learners in the ir core learning community and other communities. The article compares the use of role models in the cases of three students. These learning experiences were recorded through Language Learning Histories (Murphey, Chen & Chen: 2004), semi -structured interviews and journal entries. Analysis is grounded in the th…

Comparison of different theory models and basis sets in the calculation of 13C NMR chemical shifts of natural products.

2004

The influence of the calculation method in mimicking experimental 13C NMR chemical shifts of 15 low-polarity natural products singularly containing 10–20 carbon atoms was investigated by employing different quantum chemistry approaches and basis sets, both in the preliminary geometry optimizations and in the following single-point 13C GIAO calculations of the NMR chemical shifts. The geometries of the involved species were optimized at the PM3, HF, B3LYP and mPW1PW91 levels whereas the 13C NMR parameters were determined at the HF, B3LYP and mPW1PW91 levels. Different combinations of basis sets were also tested. The consistency and efficiency of the considered combinations of geometry optimi…