Orientador: Mary Anne Heidi Dolder / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T21:18:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Monteiro_JulianaCastro_D.pdf: 3195959 bytes, checksum: df90aa1ceb6206d4b8d1a040083df0c7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Este estudo investigou os efeitos da infusão de Heteropterys aphrodisiaca no músculo esquelético, tendão e osso de ratos submetidos ao treinamento de endurance. Ratos Wistar machos foram agrupados da seguinte maneira: CS-controle sedentário, HS-H. aphrodisiaca sedentário, CT-controle treinado, HT-H. aphrodisiaca treinado. O protocolo de treinamento consistiu de corrida em esteira motorizada, cinco vezes por semana, com aumento semanal de velocidade e duração. Os animais dos grupos controle receberam água, enquanto HS e HT receberam infusão de H. aphrodisiaca, diariamente, por gavagem durante 8 semanas, correspondente ao período de treinamento. O sangue foi coletado para dosagem de testosterona. O músculo extensor longo dos dedos (EDL), tendão calcanear e a tíbia foram congelados para análises histoquímicas, bioquímicas, biomecânicas e para Western Blot, ou preservados em fixador Karnovsky, sendo posteriormente processados para análises morfométricas e estereológicas utilizando microscopia de luz e eletrônica. O conteúdo de hidroxiprolina, a tensão máxima e o módulo de elasticidade aumentaram (p<0,05) nos tendões dos animais do grupo HT. A atividade da metalopeptidase-2 foi reduzida significativamente nos tendões dos animais do grupo HT. A região de compressão dos tendões dos animais do grupo HT apresentou intensa metacromasia, o que sugere aumento na concentração de glicosaminoglicanos nessa região tendão. Foi observada intensa birrefringência nas regiões de tensão e compressão dos tendões dos animais do grupo HT, o que pode indicar maior nível de organização dos feixes de colágeno. Os níveis de testosterona plasmáticos e a concentração de receptores de andrógeno no músculo esquelético aumentaram significativamente nos animais do grupo HS. A área média de secção transversa das fibras musculares dos animais do grupo HT foi semelhante à área das fibras dos animais sedentários, e aumentou significativamente quando comparados com os animais do grupo CT. A vascularização intramuscular e a densidade volumétrica de mitocôndria foram significativamente maiores nos animais do grupo HT. Nenhuma alteração foi observada nos tipos de fibras musculares para todos os grupos. Os animais do grupo HT mostraram significativo aumento de força e tensão no limite elástico durante o teste biomecânico da tíbia. O conteúdo de colágeno e os dados morfométricos da tíbia não foram alterados nos diferentes grupos. A força e tensão máxima, rigidez e módulo de elasticidade da tíbia foram semelhantes em todos os grupos experimentais. As microscopia eletrônica de varredura mostrou aumento de lacunas e canais de Havers nos ossos dos animais treinados, além disso, os ósteons estavam mais desorganizados quando comparados com os ossos dos animais sedentários. Essas alterações podem indicar que os ossos dos animais treinados estavam sendo remodelados. Portanto, com oito semanas de treinamento não foi possível verificar alterações nas medidas morfométricas, composição e nas propriedades mecânicas (rigidez e módulo de elasticidade) dos ossos dos animais treinados e/ou tratados com a infusão da planta. Por outro lado, a associação do treinamento de endurance com H. aphorodisiaca resultou em tendões mais resistentes para suportar as altas cargas geradas pelas contradições musculares repetidas, aumentou a área de secção transversa das fibras musculares, a densidade volumétrica de mitocôndrias e a vascularização do músculo, assim, sugerindo um aumento da capacidade de endurance dos animais. / Abstract: This study investigated the effects of Heteropterys aphrodisiaca infusion on the skeletal muscle, tendon and bone of rats under endurance training. Male Wistar rats were grouped as follows: CS- control sedentary, HS- H. aphrodisiaca sedentary , CT-control trained, HT- H. aphrodisiaca trained. The training protocol consisted in running on a motorized treadmill, five times a week, with weekly increase in treadmill velocity and duration. Control groups received water while the HS and HT groups received H. aphrodisiaca infusion, daily, by gavage for the 8 weeks of training. The blood was collected for testosterone dosage. Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle, Achilles tendons and tibiae were frozen for histochemical, Western Blotting, biochemical and biomechanical analylis or preserved in Karnovsky's fixative, then processed for morphological analysis by light microscopy and electron microscopy. Biomechanical analysis showed significant increase (p<0.05) in maximum stress and modulus of elasticity of the tendons of the HT animal. The metalloproteinase-2 activity was reduced in the HT tendons. The compression region of tendons of HT animals had a stronger and more intense metachromasy, which suggests increase in glycosaminoglycan concentration in this region of the tendon. The most intense birefringence was observed in both compression and tesion regions of the tendon of HT animals, which may indicate a higher organizational level of collagen bundles. The tendon hidroxyproline content increased significantly is HS animals. The EDL mean cross-section area of HT group was similar to sedentary groups and increased significantly when compared with CT group. The intramuscular vascularization and mitochondria volume density were significantly greater in the HT group compared with other groups. No alterations were observed in the muscle fiber composition for all groups. The HT group showed significantly higher yield load and yield stress in the tibiae three-point bending test. The tibiae collagen content, morphometrical data were not significantly different for the four groups. The maximum load, stiffness, maximum stress and elastic modulus were statistically similar for all for the experimental groups. Scanning electron microscopy showed more lacunae and Havers canals in the bone of trained animals, moreover the osteons were more disorganized, when compared with sedentary groups. These alterations may indicate that the bone of trained animals was being remodeled. Possibly, the duration of training in this study was not sufficient to alter the bone morphometrical measurements, composition and mechanical properties (stiffness and modulus of elasticity) of the trained and treated animals. On the other hand, the association of endurance training with H. aphrodisiaca resulted in more resistant tendons to support high loads from repeated muscle contraction. Also, the association of H. aphrodisiacaI and the exercise protocol increased the mean area of muscle fiber, mitochondrial volume density and muscular vascularization , suggesting an increase of the endurance capacity of these animals. / Doutorado / Biologia Celular / Doutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

OBJETIVO: Avaliar características clínicas, componente vertical da força de reação do solo e função muscular de flexores plantares e dorsais do tornozelo em corredores com e sem tendinopatia de calcâneo, e em indivíduos não corredores. MÉTODOS: Setenta e dois indivíduos (42H: 30M, idade 37,3 ±9,9 anos) foram divididos em três grupos: grupo tendinopatia de calcâneo (GTC, n= 24), grupo de corredores controle (GCC, n=24), e grupo de não corredores (GNC, n=24), sendo que em cada grupo ambos os tornozelos foram avaliados. A AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, parâmetros da força de reação do solo e dados isocinéticos foram avaliados usando plataformas de força e dinamômetro isocinético. RESULTADOS: A AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score foi significativamente menor no GTC. A FRS foi igual entre os grupos, porém o impulso vertical inicial foi maior no GTC que GCC e GNC. Não houve diferenças para o impulso total. O GTC demonstrou menor trabalho total na velocidade 120º/s que GCC. Não houve diferenças para as outras variáveis isocinéticas entre GTC e GCC, apenas em relação ao GNC. CONCLUSÃO: Os corredores com tendinopatia de calcâneo têm maior impacto no momento de aterrissagem, menor resistência muscular dos flexores plantares e maior comprometimento clínico e funcional. A associação do maior impulso e menor resistência pode ser um fator predisponente e mantenedor para lesão no tendão calcâneo / OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, vertical component of the ground reaction force and muscle function of plantar flexors and dorsiflexors of the ankle in runners with and without Achilles tendinopathy and in non-runners. METHODS: Seventy-two subjects (42 M: 30W, 37.3±9.9 years old) were divided into three groups: Achilles Tendinopathy Group (GTC, n=24), Runners Control Group (GCC, n=24) and Non-Runners Group (GNC, n=24), in which both ankles were evaluated in each group. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, parameters of ground reaction force, and isokinetic data were evaluated by means of force platforms and isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was significantly lower in the GTC. The GRF was similar between the groups; however, the initial vertical impulse was higher in the GTC than in the GCC and GNC. There were no differences regarding the total impulse. The GTC presented lower total work in the 120º/s speed than the GCC. There were no differences regarding the other isokinetic variables between the GTC and GCC, only regarding the GNC. CONCLUSION: Runners with Achilles tendinopathy show higher impact at the moment of landing, lower muscle endurance of plantar flexors and higher clinical and functional damage. The association between higher impulse and lower endurance could be a predisposing and maintaining factor for Achilles tendon

Com o objetivo de analisar a influência do fenômeno de congelamento e o tempo de criopreservação sobre as propriedades biomecânicas de tendões, os autores estudaram 40 tendões de Aquiles obtidos de 20 cadáveres humanos. De cada cadáver foram retirados dois tendões, sendo que um foi testado a fresco e o contralateral congelado a - 85o C, durante um período de seis ou 12 semanas. Os corpos de prova foram submetidos a ensaios de tração, com análise de suas propriedades biomecânicas. Os resultados foram comparados estatisticamente pelo método de "t-student", com índice de significância de 0,05, não havendo diferença significativa entre os grupos "congelado" e "a fresco" / For the purpose of analyzing the influence of the freezing phenomenon and cryopreservation time over the biomechanical properties of tendons, the authors studied 40 Achilles tendons from 20 human cadavers. Each cadaver had two tendons removed, one of which was tested whilst fresh and its contralateral whilst frozen at - 85o C, for a period of six or 12 weeks. The trial items were submitted to tensile testing in order to analyze their biomechanical properties. The results were compared statistically using the T-Student method, with a significance ratio of 0.05, there being no significant difference between the 'frozen' group and the 'fresh' group

L’objet de notre thèse, qui s’inscrit dans une réflexion sur le processus de la réécriture des textes classiques à l’époque de la seconde sophistique, est d’étudier le rôle singulier que joue Ulysse dans l’œuvre de Lucien de Samosate. Ulysse se distingue d’abord d’Achille, personnage plus monolithique qui, chez Homère déjà, est construit en opposition avec lui. Par ailleurs, de la citation isolée aux allusions croisées, disséminées au point de créer de véritables échos entre des œuvres en apparence très différentes, il apparaît que l’utilisation qui est faite d’Ulysse est beaucoup plus élaborée et subtile que celle d’Achille. Ainsi l’examen et la comparaison des références aux deux personnages permettent d’établir la primauté d’Ulysse, associé, chez Lucien, à une réflexion fondamentale sur la force des mots et leur pouvoir de séduction, ainsi que sur l’importance de l’esprit critique en toutes circonstances. Un deuxième temps est consacré à la lecture plus minutieuse des œuvres où prévaut le processus d’exploration et que la référence au personnage d’Ulysse, voyageur inventif par excellence, permet en fait de structurer. Grâce à cet examen, il est possible de mieux comprendre à quel point Lucien s’approprie pleinement le personnage homérique pour en faire un autre de ses masques et proposer ainsi, tel un défi, un nouvel Ulysse à la postérité, tout en gardant ses distances avec le personnage. C’est aussi l’occasion de remarquer combien, progressivement, Lucien intègre les expressions ou le lexique épique au cœur même de son texte, pour aboutir à l’écriture d’une prose poétique qui lui appartient en propre. Il apparaît, en effet, au terme de cette étude que l’utilisation que Lucien fait d’Ulysse est directement liée à la question cruciale chez lui de son identité culturelle, dans un monde d’érudits exigeants, au sein duquel l’orateur syrien entend être reconnu. / The aim of our thesis, which comes within the scope of considering the process of rewriting classic texts in the time period of the second sophistic, is to study the unique importance of Odysseus in the writings of Lucian of Samosata. At first, Odysseus is distinguished from Achilles, a character more monolithic who, even in Homer’s works is constructed in contrast to Odysseus. Moreover, from an isolated quote to intricate references, scattered to create echoes between works seemingly very different, the context in which Odysseus appears is more elaborate and subtler than that of Achilles. Hence, studying and comparing references to both heroes is sufficient to imply Odysseus’ primacy, associated, in Lucian’s works, to a fundamental consideration of the power of words and their appealing strength, as well as the importance of critical thinking in any circumstance. A second part is dedicated to a more detailed reading of the works in which prevail the theme of adventure and in which the references to Odysseus, the ultimate adventurer, become part of the whole structure. Thanks to this study, it is possible to understand further the degree to which Lucian takes over completely the Homeric character to transform him into one of his masks, offering a new Odysseus to the future, although he keeps his distances from the character. We can also note how Lucian integrates the epic set phrases and lexicon in the heart of his work, to end up with a poetic prose that belongs to him alone. In fact, it seems at the conclusion of this study that how Lucian uses Odysseus is interconnected with the crucial question for him, of his cultural identity in a world of demanding scholars within which the Syrian orator intends to be acknowledged.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2015-07-20T18:29:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Romildo Torres da Silva.pdf: 1197534 bytes, checksum: 02ae9c343d597dbbc37f2a71f43ad453 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-20T18:29:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Romildo Torres da Silva.pdf: 1197534 bytes, checksum: 02ae9c343d597dbbc37f2a71f43ad453 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-12 / Tendinopathy is a common disease with a variety of treatments and therapies. Laser therapy appears as a alternative treatment. We research the effects of the laser irradiation in tendinitis model induced by collagenase injection on Achilles tendon rats, verified its action in important inflammatory markers. Methods: The male rats (Wistar) were used and divided in groups: Saline (C), Tendinitis (NT) and tendinitis treated with Sodium diclofenac (D) or Laser (1J) and (3J). The tendinitis was induced by collagenase (100μg/tendon) on the Achilles tendon which was removed for analyzes. The gene expression for COX-2; TNF-α; il-6 and IL-10 (RT-PCR) was measured. Results and discussion: The Laser therapy (660nm, 100mW, 3J) used in the treatment of the tendinitis induced by collagenase in Achilles tendon in rats, was effective in the reduction of important inflammatory markers, becoming a promising tool for the treatment of tendon diseases. / Tendinopatias são distúrbios comuns com uma variedade de tratamentos e terapias e a Laserterapia aparece como uma alternativa no tratamento destas doenças. Nós investigamos os efeitos da irradiação laser no modelo de tendinite induzida por colagenase, em tendões calcâneo de ratos, verificando sua ação em importantes marcadores inflamatórios. Métodos: Foram utilizados ratos machos (Wistar) divididos em grupos: Controle (C), Tendinite Não Tratado (NT), Tratamento com Diclofenado de Sódio (D) ou Laser (1J) e (3J). A tendinite foi induzida por colagenase (100μg/tendão) sobre o tendão calcâneo que foi removido para análises. Foi verificado a expressão gênica de COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6 e IL-10 (RT-PCR). Resultados e discussão: A laserterapia (660nm, 100mW, 3J), utilizada no tratamento da tendinite induzida por colagenase em tendão calcâneo de ratos, foi eficaz na redução de importantes marcadores inflamatórios, tornando-se uma ferramenta promissora para o tratamento de lesões tendíneas.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2018-06-18T21:18:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Anna Cristina de Farias Marques.pdf: 2073138 bytes, checksum: 63fce77ba3e8c96e01965f2b4cecc62c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-18T21:18:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Anna Cristina de Farias Marques.pdf: 2073138 bytes, checksum: 63fce77ba3e8c96e01965f2b4cecc62c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-18 / This study investigates the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on collagen type I and III, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in experimentally induced tendinopathy in female aged rats. Tendinopathy was induced by collagenase peritendinous of the Achilles tendon. Forty-two Wistar rats (Norvegicus albinus) were used; groups consisted of 36 aged animals (18 months old; mean body weight, 517.7 ± 27.54 g) and 6 adult animals (12 weeks old; mean body weight, 266 ± 19.30 g). The animals were randomlydivided in three groups: control, aged tendinopathy, and aged tendinopathy LLLT; the aged groups were subdivided according to experimental periods: 7, 14, and 21 days. LLLT involved a gallium-arsenide-aluminum laser (Theralaser, DMC®) with active medium operating at wavelength 830 ± 10 nm, 50 mW power, 0.028 cm2 laser beam, 107 J/cm2 energy density, 1.7 w/cm2 power density, and 6 J of energy, with a frequency of 3 times per week, until euthanasia. VEGF, MMP-3, and MMP-9 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and collagen type I and III by Sirius red. LLLT increased the deposition of collagen type I and III in a gradual manner, with significant differences relative to the group aged tendonitis (p<0.001), and in relation to VEGF (p<0.001); decreased expression of MMP-3 and 9 was observed in group aged tendinopathy (p<0.001). LLLT, therefore, increased the production of collagen type I and III, downregulated the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-9, and upregulated that of VEGF, with age and age-induced hormonal deficiency. / O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar O Efeito da terapia Laser de baixa intensidade no Colágeno tipo I e III, Metaloproteinase e VEGF em Modelo Experimental de Tendinopatia, em ratas fêmeas idosas. A colagenase foi induzida na região peritendínea no tendão Calcâneo dos animais. Quarenta e duas ratas Wistar (Norvegicus albinus) foram utilizadas no estudo, com grupos consistindo de 36 animais idosos (18 meses de idade; com média da massa, 517.7 ± 27.54 g) e 6 animais adultos (12 semanas de idade; média da massa, 266, 19:30 0 ± g). Os animais foram randomizados e divididos em três grupos, Controle, tendinopatia idoso e tendinopatia Laser idoso, e subdividido em três grupos experimentai, 7, 14 e 21 dias. O tratamento com Laser de baixa intensidade foi aplicado utilizando um Laser Arseneto de Galium e Alumínio (AsGaAl) (Theralaser, DMC®) operando no comprimento de onda de 830nm (±10nm), 50 mW de potência, saída do feixe de 0,028 cm2, densidade de energia de 107J /cm2, densidade de potência 1,7 w/cm2 e energia de 3 J, com uma frequência de 3 vezes por semana, até a data da eutanásia (7, 14 e 21 dias). Foram analisados VEGF e MMP 3 e 9 por meio de Imunohistoquímica e Colágeno tipo I e III por Sirius red. Os resultados sugerem que a Terapia a Lesar de Baixa Intensidade foi capaz de aumentar os níveis de Colágeno tipo I e III de maneira gradual e com significante diferença no grupo Tendinpatia Idoso (p<0,001), isso pode ser observado em relação ao VEGF (p<0.001), foi também observado diminuição da expressão de MMP 3 e MMP 9 em relação ao grupo tendinopatia Idoso, com diferença estatística (p<0,001). Nós concluímos que a terapia Laser de Baixa Intensidade foi capaz de diminuir a produção de Colágeno tipo I e III, reduzir a expressão de MMP 3 e 9, e aumentar a expressão de VEGF, mesmo nas ratas fêmeas idosas com deficiência hormonal causada pela idade.

The present thesis examines Homer's description of the Shield of Achilleus and Minoan miniature frescoes, particularly the Sacred Grove and Dance Fresco and Grandstand Fresco. It uses them as examples to explore the transmission of ideas between cultures - the intensely visual Minoan civilisation of the Bronze Age centred on Crete and the earliest cultural strata of ancient Greece - that preferred different means of representation, painting, and poetry. Because Minoan fresco painting was essentially non-narrative and not accompanied by readable written records, so that "deciphering" its iconography is not an option, the thesis argues that we can learn about general cultural perceptions from interpreting and analysing how techniques of representation in painting and poetry treat the representation of time and space. From the relationship that these techniques establish with the beholders of the representation, we can infer their self-understanding. If the world appears to us as an intricate complex of cultural representations, the way we interact with them reflects our sense of our human place in the world. The non-narrative techniques of Minoan frescoes - particularly the use of vertical perspective, the absence of a fixed point of view, suppressed focalisation, and map-like composition - are shown...

Hälsenan har en viktig roll för motoriken av underbenet samt rörelse vid gång och löpning. I och med detta sker det en stor belastning på hälsenan vid gång och löpning vilket kan leda till bristningar och skador på senan. Dessa bristningar kan ske när hälsenan deformeras i samband med fysisk aktivitet. Deformation av hälsenan är differensen mellan relativ displacement i senan och är ett viktigt koncept inom förståelsen om hälseneskadors etiologi. Syftet med detta examensarbete var att öka kunskapen om displacement i hälsenan och hur det skiljer sig vid habituell löpning med olika löparskor inklusive barfotalöpning. Vidare felsöktes en speckle tracking-algoritm som lägger grund för analysen av displacement i hälsenan. Arbetet är en utökning på ett pågående forskningssamarbete mellan KTH, GIH och KI. Det första steget i arbetet var att MATLAB-programmet för speckle tracking-algoritmen felsöktes och korrigerades. Detta gjordes genom att ändra initiala startvärden i algoritmen såsom centralfrekvensen och värdet för hastigheten av displacement i hälsenan. Efter att hastigheten valts till 2 cm/s fungerade algoritmen felfritt. Nästa steg var att exekvera programmet på den ultraljudsdata för hälsenan som tidigare samlats in från forskningssamarbetet. Algoritmen kördes för tre studiepersoner för habituell löpstil med tre olika löparskor samt barfota. Detta resulterade i att medelvärdeskurvor för ytlig och djup displacement i hälsenan kunde plottas där dess minimum- och maximumvärden kunde jämföras. Efter att differensen för minimum- och maximumvärdet för ytlig och djup displacement hade jämförts mellan samtliga löparskor samt barfota, kunde följande konstateras. Löpning med traditionella skor medförde högst djup displacement följt av skor med kolfibersula, minimalistiska skor och barfotalöpning. Den sko som medförde högst ytlig displacement var skor med kolfibersula följt av traditionella skor, minimalistiska skor samt löpning barfota. Jämförelsen har ej baserats på någon statistisk grund då endast tre studiepersoner analyserades. Detta medför en viss osäkerhet gällande vilken skotyp som medför högst respektive lägst displacement. Bortsätt från denna osäkerhet kan det konstateras att resultat från tidigare studier tyder på liknande insikter. / The Achilles tendon plays a crucial role in the motor function of the lower leg, as well as in the motion involved in walking and running. As a result, the Achilles tendon undergoes significant stress during walking and running, which can lead to tears and injuries to the tendon. These tears can occur when the Achilles tendon is deformed associated with physical activity. The deformation of the Achilles tendon is the difference between the relative displacement in the tendon and is an important concept in understanding the etiology of Achilles tendon injuries. The purpose of this thesis is to increase knowledge about the displacement in the Achilles tendon and how it differs during habitual running with different running shoes, including barefoot running. Furthermore, a speckle tracking algorithm that forms the basis for analyzing the displacement in the Achilles tendon is debugged. The work is an extension of an ongoing research collaboration between KTH, GIH, and KI. The first step in the work was to debug and correct the MATLAB program for the speckle tracking algorithm. This was done by changing initial starting values in the algorithm such as the central frequency and the value for the speed of displacement in the Achilles tendon. After choosing a speed of 2 cm/s, the algorithm worked flawlessly. The next step was to execute the program on the ultrasound data for the Achilles tendon previously collected from the research collaboration. The algorithm was run for test subjects 17, 18, and 21 for habitual running style with three different running shoes and barefoot. This resulted in mean value curves for superficial and deep displacement in the Achilles tendon being plotted, with their minimum and maximum values being compared. After comparing the difference between the minimum and maximum values of superficial and deep displacement across all running shoes as well as barefoot, the following observations were made. Running with traditional shoes caused the highest deep displacement, followed by shoes with carbon fiber soles, minimalist shoes, and barefoot running. The shoe that caused the highest superficial displacement was shoes with carbon fiber soles, followed by traditional shoes, minimalist shoes, and running barefoot. The comparison was not based on any statistical basis since only three test subjects were analyzed. This implies some uncertainty as to which type of shoe causes the highest and lowest displacement. Aside from this uncertainty, it can be noted that the results from previous studies have findings that suggest similar insights.

Problématique : La quantification de l’intégrité du tendon d’Achille (TA) représente un défi en réadaptation. L’adoption de mesures quantitatives du TA, extraites à partir d’une image ultrasonographique (QUS), pourrait remédier à cette lacune. Objectifs : 1) Évaluer la fiabilité test-retest et la précision de mesures QUS du TA; 2) Déterminer le meilleur protocole de collecte de mesures QUS à employer en pratique clinique. Méthodologie : Un total de 23 TAs présentant des symptômes d’une tendinopathie achilléenne et 63 TAs asymptomatiques ont été évalués. Pour chaque TA, 8 images ont été enregistrées (2 visites * 2 évaluatrices * 2 images). Différents types de mesures QUS ont été prises : géométriques (épaisseur, largeur, aire), dérivées d’un histogramme des niveaux de gris et dérivées d’une matrice de co-occurrence. Une étude de généralisabilité a quantifié la fiabilité et la précision de chaque mesure QUS et une étude de décision a fait ressortir les meilleurs protocoles de prise de mesures. Résultats : Les mesures géométriques ont démontré une excellente fiabilité et précision. Les mesures dérivées de l’histogramme des niveaux de gris ont démontré une fiabilité et précision médiocres. Les mesures dérivées d’une matrice de co-occurrence ont démontré une fiabilité modérée à excellente et une précision variable. En pratique clinique, il est recommandé de moyenner les résultats de trois images collectées par un évaluateur lors d’une visite. Conclusion : L’utilisation des mesures QUS géométriques permet de quantifier l’intégrité du TA (clinique et recherche). Davantage d’études sur les mesures QUS dérivées d’une matrice de co-occurrence s’avèrent nécessaires. / Background: Quantifying the integrity of the Achilles tendon (AT) represents a challenge in rehabilitation. The adoption of quantitative measurements of the AT, extracted from an ultrasound image (QUS) could remedy this shortcoming. Objectives: 1) To assess the test-retest reliability and accuracy of QUS measurements of the AT; 2) To determine the best protocol of QUS measurements to use in clinical practice. Methods: A total of 23 ATs with symptoms of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy and 63 asymptomatic ATs were evaluated. For each AT, 8 images were recorded (2visits* 2 evaluators* 2 images). Different types of QUS measurements were taken: geometric (thickness, width, area), derived from a gray-level histogram and derived from a co-occurrence marix. A generalizability study quantified the reliability and accuracy of each QUS measurement whereas a decision study highlighted the best protocols for measuring use. Results: The geometric measurements showed excellent reliability and accuracy. The measures derived from the gray-level histogram showed poor reliability and accuracy. The measurements derived from a co-occurrence matrix have shown moderate to excellent reliability and a variable precision. In clinical practice, it is recommended averaging the results of three images collected by an assessor during a single visit. Conclusions: The use of geometric QUS measures allows to quantify the integrity of the AT in clinical practice and in research. Further studies on QUS measurements derived from a matrix of co-occurrence are needed.

<p>In 2004 <em>Troy</em> was released in movie theatres worldwide and almost immediately sparked up discussions on film’s relation to the ancient epic of Homer.</p><p> The main purpose of this paper is to see the connection between <em>Troy</em> and Homer’s <em>The Iliad</em> – motion pictures’ only officially credited source of inspiration. By using comparative method and intertextual approach I try to see how a literary piece, for centuries recited and cherished by the highest academic circles is remodelled to fit the taste of a mass public. How <em>The Iliad</em> mutates to be a marketable product.</p><p>   I discuss the changes of the plot that were introduced in <em>Troy</em> and try to see those changes as an outcome of mutation process. Apart from the plot, the notion of a hero is also discussed: how the definition of hero changed through time? To illustrate the changes, two main heroes – Achilles and Hector are discussed, yet again using the comparative method.</p><p>   By approaching <em>Troy</em> and <em>The Iliad</em> as two separate cultural products (I did not view <em>Troy</em><em> </em>as a documentary on <em>The Iliad</em>) I was able to connect them. I could see that the essence of the literary work and the film appears to be the same. It shows that the ancient Greek values, especially those, related to warfare and heroism, have definitely survived long enough to penetrate the modern thought.</p>