The lateral musculature of elvers is differentiated into two fibre type on the basis of alkaline-labile (pH 10.2) myofibrillar ATPase activity. Slow muscle forms a relatively homogeneous fibre population, whereas fast muscle shows a heterogeneity with respect to both fibre size, and position in the myotome. The low aerobic capacity of slow fibres reflects the energetic requirement of anguilliform locomotion. A morphological continuum of myogenic cells occurs within mature; differentiated myotomal muscle similar to that described for embryonic myogenesis. No evidence could be found for regional growth nodes. Small fast fibres (< 100μm2) represent immature, but differentiated fibres undergoing hypertrophy. There is considerable variation in the capillary supply to both fast and slow muscle, and between homologous muscle off different species. Methods are described to determine the minimum sample size required for a stable, reproducible parameter estimate, and to assess the orientation of the capillary network. This is shown to be highly anisotropic. Capillary volume and surface densities are thought to be the most appropriated indices to use with fish muscle. The springs migration of elvers is shown to be a mixed population, of similar annual composition. The main migratory wave are true post-metamorphic, juvenile eels. There is a partial (Precht type 3) compensation in VO2 on acclimation to 10° and 29°C. The extent of the physiological acclimation reflects the environmental constraints of the migration. Differences in structure and complexity of multiple and focal innervation were investigated using fast muscle from representative teleosts. Endplate structure is similar in both types. Cod ventral spinal nerves have fewer motor, but more sensory axons than homologous nerves in eel. A novel way of visualizing the extent of inter- end intra segmental branching of nerves, intracellular marking of nerve routes with cobalt, reveals extensive branching in cod mytomes and cross-innervation between at least 3 segments. In cel, branching is restricted to a single mytome. These results reflect the mechanical and nervous control over the locomotory waveform.

Orleâncio Gomes Ripardo. Papel protetor do gene humano APOE4 em camundongos transgênicos submetidos pela desnutrição e infecção pelo Criptosporidium parvum. 2012. 185 f. Tese (Doutorado em Farmacologia) - Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Medicina, Fortaleza, 2012. / Submitted by denise santos (denise.santos@ufc.br) on 2013-06-18T11:13:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_tese_ograzevedo.pdf: 6153764 bytes, checksum: 5bbc0cccb42e25c0dff6f9bd0ea5c042 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Fernandes(erikaleitefernandes@gmail.com) on 2013-06-18T15:36:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_tese_ograzevedo.pdf: 6153764 bytes, checksum: 5bbc0cccb42e25c0dff6f9bd0ea5c042 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-06-18T15:36:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_tese_ograzevedo.pdf: 6153764 bytes, checksum: 5bbc0cccb42e25c0dff6f9bd0ea5c042 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / The vicious cycle of enteric infections and malnutrition during childhood is a major public health problem with devastating consequences and its effects are not fully elucidated. Oria and colleagues in 2005 showed that children with heavy diarrhea burdens when carrying the APOE 4 gene had a better cognitive performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective role of APOE 4 gene in C57BL6J mice challenged by malnutrition induced by a 2% protein diet and intestinal infection caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. We used male C57BL6J mice weighing in average 14g, challenged by malnutrition for a period of 14 days compound with 7 days of C. parvum infection through a single dose of 107 oocysts given by gavage. Study animals were separated according to their genotype, as following: wild-type, APOE knock-out, APOE 3/3 (carriers of the human APOE 3 gene) and APOE 4/4 (carriers of human APOE 4 gene). Control animals received PBS by gavage. Body weight of the animals was monitored daily. Mice were sacrificed in CO2 chamber with posterior cervical dislocation after 14 days from the beginning of the protocol. During the post-infection period, stools samples were collected from the infected mice every other day for real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays in order to quantify C. parvum oocysts released in the stools. Ileal samples were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and then stored in a freezer at -80°C for molecular analyses. Other samples were fixed in buffered paraformaldehyde (4%) for histological processing. Morphometric parameters were evaluated for villus height and crypt depth in the ileal segments. For detection of a proinflammatory cytokine panel (IL- 1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17), we used the multiplex assay (Luminex xMAP). In addition by qPCR, the cationic amino acid transporter (CAT-1), arginase 1, iNOS, and TLR9 were assessed. Regarding weight, we found a greater adaptation to weight loss in APOE 4 animals in the 2nd and 3rd days of malnutrition (p<0.05) and in the postinfection time there was a significant difference on the 2nd day (p<0.05) compared to all groups. In the morphometric analyses, we found villus blunting and crypt disorganization in APOE knockout mice. We found APOE 4 protection against these alterations compared to all groups (p<0.05). The C. parvum oocyst shedding data indicate an increase in the pro-inflammatory state and anti-parasitic effects seen in the APOE Ko and APOE 4/4 mice, as confirmed by a significant reduction of the C. parvum released in the stools. In addition, we found increased levels of the intestinal pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β) (p<0.05) in the APOE Ko when compared with APOE3/3 and APOE4/4, higher levels of IFN-γ (p<0.05) when compared with wild-type and undernourished APOE Ko controls. The APOE Ko undernourished mice have increased intestinal levels of IL-17 compared with APOE Ko undernourished infected mice. qPCR data demonstrate that the presence of the APOE4 genotype in mice increased the primary transcripts of CAT-1 and arginase 1 in comparison to wild types, APOE Ko, and APOE 3/3 (p<0.05). Furtermore, APOE knockout mice had higher iNOS expression in comparison to all groups (p<0.05). The APOE 4 mice showed significant increase in the expression of TLR9 mRNA in the ileum when compared to APOE Ko mice (p<0.05). Altogether we concluded that the APOE 4 carriers have a balanced pro-inflammatory response, benefiting the C. parvum control, as seen by reduction of the parasite DNA released in the stools, and by improvements in the growth rates in the mice challenged malnutrition/infection, suggesting that the hosts carrying the APOE4 genotype have a better protection against the intestinal alterations induced by the compound challenge of C. parvum infection and malnutrition. / O ciclo vicioso de doenças entéricas na infância é um problema de saúde pública com consequências graves e seus efeitos no desenvolvimento infantil não estão totalmente elucidados. Oriá e colaboradores, em 2005, demonstraram que crianças portadoras do gene APOE 4 com alta morbidade de diarreia apresentavam um melhor desempenho em testes cognitivos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o papel protetor do gene APOE 4 em camundongos C57BL6J submetidos à desnutrição induzida por uma ração pobre em proteína (2%) e pela infecção intestinal induzida pelo Criptosporidium parvum. Utilizamos camundongos C57BL6J machos com peso médio de 14 g, submetidos a um período de 14 dias de desnutrição e a 7 dias de infeção por C. parvum meio por meio da gavagem de 107 oocistos. Os animais foram separados segundo o genótipo: wildtype, APOE nocaute (ApoE Ko), APOE 3/3 (com gene APOE 3 humano) e APOE 4/4 (com gene APOE 4 humano). Os animais controles receberam PBS via gavagem. O peso dos animais foi monitorado diariamente. Os camundongos foram sacrificados em câmara de CO2 seguido de deslocamento cervical após 14 dias do início do protocolo. Durante o período de pós-infecção foram coletadas as fezes dos animais infectados em dias alternados, para a realização do PCR quantitativo em tempo real (qPCR) para a análise da quantidade de C. parvum liberada nas fezes. Amostras de íleo foram congeladas em nitrogênio líquido e armazenadas em freezer a -80ºC para as análises moleculares. Outras amostras foram fixadas em paraformaldeído tamponado (4%) para processamento histológico. Foram avaliados os parâmetros morfométricos de altura de vilo e profundidade de cripta nos segmentos ileais. Para a detecção de citocinas próinflamatórias de interesse (IL-1β, IFN- γ, TNF-α e IL-17), utilizou-se o ensaio multiplex (Luminex xMAP). Ainda por qPCR avaliou-se o transportador catiônico de aminoácidos (CAT-1), arginase 1, iNOS e TLR9. No peso encontramos uma maior adaptação a perda de peso nos animais APOE 4 no 2o e 3o dias de desnutrição em comparação a todos os grupos (p<0,05). No período de pós-infecção verificou-se diferença significante no 2o dia (p<0,05) em comparação a todos os grupos. Nas análises morfométricas, encontramos uma redução na altura de vilos e profundidade de criptas nos animais APOE nocautes, já nos animais APOE 4/4 ocorreu uma proteção contra esses danos em comparação a todos os grupos (p<0,05). Os dados da análise de liberação de oocistos nas fezes evidenciaram um aumento do estado pró-inflamatório e antiparasitário nos animais APOE Ko e APOE 4/4, verificado por meio de uma redução na quantidade de C. parvum liberado nas fezes de maneira significativa. Houve um aumento dos níveis intestinais das citocinas pró-inflamatórias IL-1β (p<0,05) nos animais APOE Ko desnutridos e infectados em comparação com APOE3/3 e APOE4/4, e altos níveis de IFN-γ (p<0,05) em comparação com os controles selvagens e o grupo APOE Ko desnutrido controle. Os animais desnutridos controles APOE Ko tiveram aumento dos níveis intestinais de IL-17 (p<0,05) quando comparados aos animais APOE Ko desnutridos infectados. Dados de qPCR evidenciam que a presença do genótipo APOE4 em camundongos aumenta os transcritos primários de CAT-1 e arginase - 1 no íleo em relação aos selvagens, APOE Ko e APOE3 (p<0,05) e que os animais nocautes aumentaram a expressão de iNOS em relação aos outros grupos (p<0,05). Os animais APOE 4 desnutridos e infectados apresentaram uma expressão significativamente aumentada nos níveis de mRNA para TLR9 no íleo comparado com os APOE Ko igualmente desafiados (p<0,05). A partir dos nossos achados, podemos concluir que o animais com genótipo APOE 4 possuem uma ação pró-inflamatória controlada, o que favorece o combate ao C. parvum, visto que reduz a quantidade de DNA do parasita liberado nas fezes e melhora a taxa de crescimento de animais submetidos pela desnutrição/infecção, sugerindo que hospedeiros com genótipo APOE 4 possuem uma maior proteção contra as alterações intestinais induzidas pela combinação de C. parvum e desnutrição.

Poster exhibited at GPSC Student Showcase, November 7th, 2014, University of Arizona. / Given the early emergence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related pathology in Down syndrome (DS; Trisomy 21), it is possible that changes may be evident in childhood or adolescence in Apolipoprotein (APOE) e3/e4 or e4/e4 genotypes in relation to e3/e3 genotypes. Given findings of early involvement of striatum amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide deposition in DS, we propose that a profile of executive and inhibitory control dysfunction will be found in youth carrying the risk e4 allele. From a pool of 72 children and adolescents with DS we examined a sub-sample with the risk e4 allele (n = 8; e3/e4) and without the risk e4 allele (n = 8; e3/e3). Participants were matched for age and ethnicity (range 8 - 21 years; mean age 14 years). Karyotypes were gathered from medical records, confirming a diagnosis of Trisomy 21. We collected genetic information (Oragene saliva kit) in home; they were sent to the Emory Biomarker Service Center to determine genotypes. We administered the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-2) and a set of cognitive outcomes measures validated for Down syndrome, the Arizona Cognitive Test Battery. Results from the KBIT-2 indicated no significant differences in verbal raw score (p = 0.65), non-verbal raw score (p = 0.69), or intelligence quotient (IQ) (p = 0.32). Neuropsychological test scores did differ; with poorer performance in the e4 sample on the CANTAB Paired Associates Learning task (p = 0.05) and parent/caregiver reports of working memory (p = 0.08). Therefore, as early as adolescence some changes may be seen in e4 carriers.

The present Master thesis is written in connection with the E4 Stockholm bypass, which is a future motorway linking northern and southern Stockholm, and will mostly run through tunnels. The bypass will cross the Lake Mälaren in the Lambarfjärden area, where a fault is indicated on the geological maps, which would create risks for tunneling. Several geological and geophysical studies and measurements have been carried out in connection with the bypass project. These include surface mapping, drillings (core logging and water-loss measurements) and geophysical measurements (reflection and refraction seismics). The objectives of this thesis are to interpret the available geological and geophysical data, integrate the reports and the results of these studies and finally to create a structural model of the Lambarfjärden area affected by the tunnel. The available data provided a great opportunity to examine the area. The core logging and geophysical measurements supported the existence of the fault indicated on the geological maps. The core logging revealed that this pre-existing deformation zone was reactivated, possibly as dextral strike-slip, and the orientations of the subsurface fractures corresponded well with the Riedel structures occurring in such shear zone. The field work has found evidence for ductile sinistral movement which, together with the results of the core logging, could indicate a conjugate deformation zone in the area. The water-loss measurements showed several intervals along the boreholes where significant water-loss took place. Furthermore, the thesis calls the attention to both opening and closure of differently oriented weaknesses, fractures. As the thesis highlights possible risks for the tunneling, its findings could be very useful during the construction of the bypass. / Reviewer: Karin Högdahl, Senior lecturer in Solid Earth Geology at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Objetivo: Evaluación de la prótesis de Bryan como alternativa a la artrodesis en el tratamiento de la espondilosis cervical. Materiales y métodos: 54 pacientes consecutivos con radiculopatía o mielopatía fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente de discectomía cervical con implantación de la prótesis discal cervical. Dichos implantes presentan medidas variables que van de 14 a 18 mm. El seguimiento se realizo a las seis semanas, seis meses y un ano y consistió en una evaluación del dolor (VAS), la SF-36 y el "neck dissability index" (NDI). Los resultados totales fueron combinados para obtener un resultado clínico basado en los criterios de Odom (excelente, bueno, aceptable y malo). La evaluación radiológica consistió en el análisis del movimiento así como de la estabilidad y la subsidencia de la prótesis. Este análisis se realizo a través de un radiólogo independiente. Además estudiamos la asociación de un marcador genético como la apolipoproteína "e4" como factor de riesgo en pacientes intervenidos de espondilosis cervical mielopática.Resultados: Habían 33 varones y 21 hembras. La edad media fue de 47.8 años (DE=10.9). Se observo una diferencia estadísticamente muy significativa comparando los controles preoperatorios con los postoperatorios en las tres escalas de resultados. : VAS (Z=7.1, p<0.0001), SF36MCS (Z=-5.9, p<0.0001), SF36PCS (Z=-5.8, p<0.0001) y NDI (Z=7.8, p<0.0001). Del mismo modo se observo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre la edad y los resultados quirúrgicos; la edad y la estancia intrahospitalaria; la presentación clínica y la duración de los síntomas y con la duración de los síntomas y los resultados quirúrgicos.Los pacientes con el genotipo de la apolipoproteina e4 debutaron a una edad mas temprana (Edad media 49 años) versus 59 años en el grupo restante (t-test p<0.05). Los pacientes con el alelo e4, obtuvieron peores resultados postoperatoriamente, según las escalas de resultados: Prueba del caminar, (_2 p<0.01), EMS (t-test p<0.009), JOA (t-test p<0.03), Nurick's class (_2 p< 0.02), Ranawat class (t-test p<0.03 CME. Además, aquellos con el gen de la Apo "e4" parecen sufrir una progresión de la enfermedad más rápidamente según las prueba del caminar (_2 p< 0.03) y Nurick's' class (_2 p< 0.05).Aquellos pacientes con el gen de la apolipoproteína "e4" tenían una compresión medular menor que aquellos sin el gen de la Apo "e4" (__, P<0.01)Conclusiones: La prótesis de Bryan ha demostrado ser fiable y seguirá en el tratamiento de los pacientes aquejados de espondilosis cervical. A pesar de ello, para obtener resultados mas objetivos que sean capaces de determinar que la artroplastia es superior a la artrodesis a corto y largo plazo, nosotros proponemos el estudio CEDRIC, que consiste en un estudio prospectivo , randomizado con randomización intraoperativa bien a artroplastia o a artrodesis mediante caja íntersomática. / Objective: Evaluation of the Bryan disc arthroplasty as an alternative to arthrodesis in the treatment of cervical spondylosis.Material and methods: 54 consecutive patients with either radiculopathy or myelopathy had a cervical discectomy with implantation of the cervical disc prosthesis. The implants have a variable measure from 14 to 18 mm of diameter. Follow-up was arranged at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year and included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Short Form 36 (SF 36) and the Neck disability index (NDI). The results were categorized according to the modified Odom's criteria: excellent, good, fair and poor. Radiological evaluation looked at movement, stability and subsidence of the prosthesis, by an independent radiologist. We also studied the presence of a genetic marker "apolipoprotein e4" as a risk factor in the outcome of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Results: There were 33 male and 21 female. The mean age was 47.8 years (SD=10.9). A highly significant difference was found for all 3 outcome measures comparing the preoperative with the post-operative follow-up values: VAS (Z=7.1, p<0.0001), SF36MCS (Z=-5.9, p<0.0001), SF36PCS (Z=-5.8, p<0.0001) and NDI (Z=7.8, p<0.0001). There were also found statistical significance between age and surgical outcome; age and hospital stay; clinical presentation and duration of symptoms and duration of symptoms with surgical outcome.Patients with apolipoprotein e4 genotype presented with the disease earlier (mean age 49 years) versus 59 years in the rest of the group (t-test p< 0.05). Patients with positive Apo e genotype had poorer outcome at six months of surgery as seen with: walking test (_2 p<0.01), EMS (t-test p<0.009), JOA (t-test p<0.03), Nurick's class (_2 p< 0.02), Ranawat class (t-test p<0.03). Those patients with Apo e4 allele also seemed to suffer from further progression of the disease earlier as one year outcomes were worse for walking test (_2 p< 0.03) and Nurick's' class (_2 p< 0.05)Radiological analyses revealed that those individuals with Apo E4 allele were rendered myelopathic with less compression than those without the gene. (_2 p< 0.01)Conclusion: The Bryan cervical disc replacement has shown to be reliable and safe for the treatment of patients with cervical spondylosis. However in order to find objective results which will determine if the arthroplasty is better than arthrodesis in the short and the long term, we propose the CEDRIC trial, which consists in a prospective randomized clinical trial with intraoperative randomization to either an artificial disc or a interbody cage.

No description available.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(生命科学) / 甲第17993号 / 生博第296号 / 新制||生||39(附属図書館) / 80837 / 京都大学大学院生命科学研究科統合生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 藤田 尚志, 教授 杉田 昌彦, 教授 朝長 啓造 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM