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As dense connective tissues, tendons play a vital role in the transmission of contractile forces from muscle to bone. This link between muscles and bones provides the means in transferring tensile forces produced by muscles on to the connected bone. During movement, tendons slide over surrounding bony and articular surfaces and are thus commonly subjected to shear and compression forces in addition to tensile force. Fibrillar collagen, proteoglycan and various glycoproteins make up the composition of tendinous tissue and contribute to its ability to withstand these forces. Tendons contain a distinct population of cells, called tenocytes. Tenocytes undertake a flattened morphology within the tendon matrix and contain cytoplasmic projections which extend longitudinally and laterally towards other tenocytes. An intercellular network of cells thus maintains the extracellular environment of the tendon and allows a coordinated response to external mechanical stimuli. Defects to load-bearing connective tissue elements such as tendons whether due to trauma, overuse, age-related diseases or degenerative diseases, are often limited in their healing potential and thus contributes often to persistent, chronic clinical symptoms. Chronic disease, overuse or acute injuries damages the tendon. This damage compromises the transmission of tensile forces and because of the hypovascularity of some tendinous tissues and many other reasons, a healing response often is severely insufficient in regenerating tissue back to its original constitution. Even the best treatment options for such tendinopathies, supplemented with the body’s own healing response fail to produce quality outcomes. An understanding of the molecular, cellular and mechanical characteristics of tenocytes, tendon matrix and the tendon system as a whole will be vital for the development of effective therapies for all tendinopathies. It is the goal of this current work to outline the current molecular, cellular, mechanical and clinical understanding of tendons. A broad address to tendon biology should help illustrate the key dimensional aspects that must be considered when attempting the effective translation of research into useful clinical therapies.

A new paradigm has evolved in which multiple regulatory interactions between the skeletal and hematopoietic systems have been identified. Previous studies have demonstrated that megakaryocytes (MK) play a dual role in skeletal homeostasis by stimulating osteoblast proliferation and simultaneously inhibiting osteoclast (OC) development. Here we identify a novel regulatory pathway in which the main MK growth factor, thrombopoietin (TPO), directly regulates osteoclastogenesis. To study the role of TPO in OC development, spleen or bone marrow (BM) cells (2x10[exponent]6 cells/ml) or BM macrophages (BMM, 1x10[exponent]5 cells/ml) from C57BL/6 mice , as a source of OC precursors, were cultured with M-CSF (30 ng/ml) and RANKL (50 ng/ml) to induce OC formation. TPO (0.1-1000 ng/ml) and/or primary MK (0-0.5%), derived from C57BL/6 fetal livers, were titrated into these cultures and OC were identified as tartrate resistant acid phosphatase positive (TRAP+) giant cells with >3 nuclei. There was a significant, up to 15-fold reduction in OC formed when MK were added to all OC generating cultures, p < 0.001. Moreover, if OC generating cultures did not contain MK or MK progenitors, TPO treatment significantly enhanced OC formation up to six-fold, p < 0.01. This data demonstrates that MK are responsible for the inhibition of OC formation and that in cultures containing MK or MK progenitors such as BM or spleen cells, that TPO acts indirectly to inhibit OC formation by stimulating megakaryopoiesis, whereas in the absence of MK or MK progenitors TPO directly enhances OC formation. This conclusion is further supported by Real-Time PCR data which demonstrates that OC progenitors express c-mpl, the TPO receptor, albeit at low levels when compared to expression of c-mpl on MK. Finally, we have begun to dissect the c-mpl signaling pathway in OC progenitors. We have found that TPO induces tyrosine phosphorylation of several specific cellular proteins in the JAK/STAT pathway. Thus, TPO acts in a somewhat paradoxical manner by inhibiting OC formation through the stimulation of MK, while simultaneously playing a direct role in enhancing osteoclastogenesis.

Factors affecting morphometrics and epiphyseal closure are important in understanding regional variation and growth of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). I compared body and antler growth from birth to 3 years of age in captive, first-generation, male white-tailed deer from three regions with varying soil quality and deer morphometrics. I also determined gender and age effects on epiphyseal closure timing in captive white-tailed deer. I found regional morphological variation present in first-generation male deer, which may be caused by regional genetic variation or lingering maternal effects. Determining cause of regional morphological variation will require data collection through a second-generation of males raised on the controlled diet. Epiphyseal closure timing was associated positively with age. Two of the four epiphyseal plates examined were affected by gender, with females closing prior to males. Morphometric and epiphyseal data confirm that age and gender affect epiphyseal closure timing in white-tailed deer.

Musculo – skeletal stress in nursing staff and its association with health disorders Aim of the study was to investigate health complaints and work pressure among nursing staff, and to evaluate the associations of musculo - skeletal stress with their health disorders. Methods. During October - December, 2003, 300 employees of one Kaunas hospital were interviewed. In this case - control study, 100 respondents were included into the case group, and 200 were controls. The main criterion for the selection of controls was no engagement in activities characteristic of a nurse and an assisting nurse. The questionnaire was anonymous. Statistical analysis of the obtained findings was performed using SPSS 12 statistical software package. Results. Nurses whose work was not related to lifting weights (the control group) more frequently complained of pains in the neck (87,5 %), the shoulder girdle (91,7 %), and the back (93,2 %), whereas those whose work was related to lifting weights, more frequently complained of pains around the waist (73,0 %) and in the legs (94,9 %). The study showed that the pain syndrome in the arms by two times more frequently occurred in the control group (12,1 % compared to 6,0 % in the case group), which is characteristic of the sedentary job, especially computer work. Pain syndrome in the legs by four times more frequently occurred in the case group, compared to controls, which is typical of work related to weight lifting. The evaluation of the activities... [to full text]

An elaborated project documentation for a construction realisation of a sports centre in Jemnice is the core of this diploma thesis. During the elaboration of this proposal a special attention was given to meeting of all active norms and regulations, and also meeting of all requirements of an investor. The main requirement was a multifunctionality of the whole building which consists of a restaurant, bigger and smaller gyms, a fitness room and utility space for a fluent working of all the building. The proposed sport centre is a two-storey building where the main part, sports hall, measures 24 x 50 meters. It is suggested to use a skeletal system from prefabricated concrete elements together with a roof from wooden trusses for this building.

The subject of the project is new building of indoor swimming pool with gym with dimensions of 63,2x32,4 m and guest capacity of approximately 250 000 people per year. The project is located in Valašské Klobouky (parc.č. 2210/1, 2200/11, 2203, 2194, 2210 / 3, 2210/35 in the cadastral area of Valašské Klobouky) owned by the city Valašské Klobouky. In the neighborhood, there is took place building of primary schools, kindergartens, health centers and boarding house for seniors. Location of buildings on the property (built-up area of approximately 1934 square meters) is based on the requirement to continoue to the existing complex of objects with maximaly utilization of space and orientation to the quarters. The building is divided into two parts by volume. From an operational point of view is divided into three functionally different parts ie. A cafe, gym and indoor pool. The parts are divided by materials. Café, entry and operational facility is from supporting skeleton system, which is equipped with a facade of cladding panels in a uniform grid in combination with glass facade. The supporting part of the hall with pools and gym is consisted of laminated wooden trusses, which hold up the roof and cladding with sheeting of TiZN. Southwest facade of pool hall, toward to the health center, is fully glazed. Glazed stripes are also between individual segments of glulam wooden trusses of hall and ensures even natural lighting of the hall.

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Title: Musculoskeletal assessment analysis of triathletes Objectives: The main aim of this master degree thesis is the diagnostics of the current condition of the complex kinesiological examination of musculo-skeletal system in elite performance triathtletes of the Czech National Team level (Junior and U23 categories), including compensational exercises specifically devised for triathlets. Futhermore with the help of the selected data this study is expected to draw some basic conclusions and establish the typical postural characteristics of athletes related to the sport of triathlon. Methods: In this thesis we have used following testing methods: complex musculo skeletal examintation including evaluation of medical history, an antropometrical screening, standing static postural assessment, gait assessment, soft-tissue palpation exam, assessment of the fundamental movement patterns of an individua, examination of neurological reflexes, flexibility and range of motion screening. Based on the above mentioned tests we have received a complete functional and musculo skeletal system profile of each triathlete's. For collection we have used the SPSS 22 data analysis software. For the gender diferentiation we have used non-pairred T-Test and for perofrmance variability within the 3 levels we have used...