IN VIVO STIFFNESS EVALUATION OF HUMAN TENDONS

The behaviour of tendons was largely studied in vitro conditions, both in human and animal tissues (Abrahams, 1967; Benedict et a/., 1968; Woo et al. 1981), but information available in the literature about human tendons in vivo is scarce. Meanwhile, an advance in real-time ultrasonography enables the non-invasive determination of the displacement of the fascicles during muscle contraction, which made possible the study of deformation of the aponeurosis and the tendon (Fukashiro et al. 1995). Such techniques were used in the past for the study of vertical jumps. For instance, Kubo et al. (1999) showed that tendons have a parabolic like force-length relationship at low stress, and an almost linear relation at higher loads. To our knowledge, however, it was never used for the analysis of long jumpers

Parâmetros de degradabilidade potencial da matéria seca, da proteína bruta e da fibra em detergente neutro das silagens de seis genótipos de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), com e sem tanino no grão, avaliadas pela técnica in situ.

Para testar o efeito da presenca de tanino no grao sobre os parametros de degradabilidade potencial da materia seca, da proteina bruta e da fibra em detergentes neutro de seis genotipos de sorgo para silagem, foi conduzido um experimento utilizando a tecnica da degradabilidade in situ. Quatro novilhos canulados no rumen, alimentados individualmente e duas vezes ao dia ad libitum com feno de Tifton 85, foram utilizados para a incubacao de silagens de sorgo no estadio de grao leitoso. pertencentes a seis genotipos: BR 303, BR 304, BR 601 e AG 2006 (sem tanino no grao); BR 700 e BR 701 (com tanino). Foram incubadas 5 g de amostra nos tempos de incubacao: 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas. O tempo zero (t0) foi utilizado para calculo da fracao soluvel. a presenca do tanino reduziu a extensao de degradacao da materia seca e da proteina bruta nas silagens de sorgo BR 700 e BR 701. A digestibilidade potencial destes nutrientes foi influenciada pelo tanino. Nao foi observada efeito depressivo do tanino sobre as taxas de degradacao para nenhum nutriente, em nenhuma silagem testada. A degradabilidade potencial da fibra em detergente neutro foi reduzida pela presença de tanino

Cultural intelligence and conflict management styles

Purpose –Negotiating effectively in multicultural contexts or others is not only a very important skill for all organizational elements, but it is also crucial to interorganizational relations (e.g., Adler, 2008). If defined as a process that occurs when one party feels adversely affected by another (e.g., De Dreu, 1997) conflict management styles can be analysed as a function of personality variables. In this respect cultural intelligence and self-monitoring appear to be relevant variables, as they are characterised by the demonstration of flexibility and interest in elements that are present in conflict management styles. In this study the intention was to evaluate the extent to which variables such as cultural intelligence and self-monitoring can positively influence the ability to solve interpersonal conflicts more effectively. Design/methodology/approach – This study, with a sample of 399 individuals, aimed to test a model that explores how cultural intelligence and self-monitoring are related as predictor variables in the styles of conflict resolution. Findings – It was observed that cultural intelligence presents itself as a reasonable predictor of conflict management styles while self-monitoring appeared as a dispositional and controversial measure in relation to those styles. Self-monitoring exhibited itself as an important predictor of conflict management, but on the other hand it had an influence on the choice of the dominating style in conflict situations. Practical implications – To understand the predictors of conflict management style and in particular to realize the extent to which cultural intelligence promotes a more effective conflict management style can help in the development of selection processes and skill training programs. The development of these multicultural skills will contribute to individual, social and organizational well-being. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature of individual differences and conflict management, demonstrating that some individual differences that predict the styles of conflict management can lead to a certain ambiguity in understanding the behaviour that an individual may adopt in situations of conflict

Consumo voluntário e digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, energia e parede celular das silagens de quatro genótipos de girassol (Helianthus annus).

O valor nutricional de silagens de quatro genótipos de girassol (Rumbosol 91, M734, C11 e S430) foi avaliado a partir do consumo voluntário e da digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, da matéria orgânica, da energia e dos componentes da parede celular. Vinte carneiros adultos foram alojados em gaiolas metabólicas, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Não foram observadas diferenças para consumo de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, energia digestível e metabolizável e dos componentes fibrosos entre os genótipos de girassol. A digestibilidade aparente da matéria orgânica foi superior para os genótipos R91, M734 e S430, no entanto não influenciou o consumo de matéria orgânica digestível. As silagens de girassol foram classificadas como alimento volumoso de boa qualidade, uma vez que o consumo de matéria seca foi acima dos requisitos recomendados para mantença animal, 63,6; 69,6; 50,2 e 74,5g MS/kg0,75/dia para R91, M734, C11 e S430, respectivamente. O baixo coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente médio da FDN (32,3%) e da FDA (28,7%) foi conseqüência da baixa qualidade dos constituintes da parede celular das silagens de girassol utilizadas

Adipose tissue derived stem cells secretome: soluble factors and their roles in regenerative medicine

Stem cells have been long looked at as possible therapeutic vehicles for different health related problems. Among the different existing stem cell populations, Adipose derived Stem Cells (ASCs) have been gathering attention in the last 10 years. When compared to other stem cells populations and sources, ASCs can be easily isolated while providing higher yields upon the processing of adipose tissue. Similar to other stem cell populations, it was initially thought that the main potential of ASCs for regenerative medicine approaches was intimately related to their differentiation capability. Although this is true, there has been an increasing body of literature describing the trophic effects of ASCs on the protection, survival and differentiation of a variety of endogenous cells/tissues. Moreover, they have also shown to possess an immunomodulatory character. This effect is closely related to the ASCs’ secretome and the soluble factors found within it. Molecules such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), granulocyte and macrophage colony stimulating factors, interleukins (ILs) 6, 7, 8 and 11, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), adipokines and others have been identified within the ASCs’ secretome. Due to its importance regarding future applications for the field of regenerative medicine, we aim, in the present review, to make a comprehensive analysis of the literature relating to the ASCs’ secretome and its relevance to the immune and central nervous system, vascularization and cardiac regeneration. The concluding section will highlight some of the major challenges that remain before ASCs can be used for future clinical applications