E-cadherin and APC compete for the interaction with beta-catenin and the cytoskeleton.

beta-Catenin is involved in the formation of adherens junctions of mammalian epithelia. It interacts with the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin and also with the tumor suppressor gene product APC, and the Drosophila homologue of beta-catenin, armadillo, mediates morphogenetic signals. We demonstrate here that E-cadherin and APC directly compete for binding to the internal, armadillo-like repeats of beta-catenin; the NH2-terminal domain of beta-catenin mediates the interaction of the alternative E-cadherin and APC complexes to the cytoskeleton by binding to alpha-catenin. Plakoglobin (gamma-catenin), which is structurally related to beta-catenin, mediates identical interactions. We thus show that the APC tumor suppressor gene product forms strikingly similar associations as found in cell junctions and suggest that beta-catenin and plakoglobin are central regulators of cell adhesion, cytoskeletal interaction, and tumor suppression

Relationships between early maladaptive schemas and emotional states in individuals with sexual convictions

This study seeks to add to the existing knowledge and available literature on schema therapy elements in forensic inpatient samples. Early maladaptive schemas and emotional states were assessed in Dutch individuals with sexual convictions and compared to individuals with nonsexual violent convictions. Self-ratings of the Young Schema Questionnaire and the Schema Mode Inventory of 95 patients with either convictions for child sexual abuse (N = 30), sexual violence against adults (N = 34), and nonsexual violent convictions (N = 31) were examined using one-way multivariate ANOVAs. Regardless of victim type, forensic patients convicted for sexual offending, and patients with convictions for nonsexual violent offending, seem to make equal use of specific maladaptive cognitive schemas and schema modes during mandated inpatient care. Other studies have shown that people with sexual offense histories are typically characterized by insecure attachment, overvigilance towards women, or a child-like self-concept. Our study indicates that forensic patient in Dutch mandated care may be qualitatively different from typical patients with sexual offense histories and that Dutch patients with violent or sexual offense histories are more similar than they are dissimilar

Modeling and animating virtual humans for real-time applications

We report on the workflow for the creation of realistic virtual anthropomorphic characters. 3D-models of human heads have been reconstructed from real people by following a structured light approach to 3D-reconstruction. We describe how these high-resolution models have been simplified and articulated with blend and mesh skinning techniques to ensure real-time animation. The full-body models have been created manually based on photographs. We present a system for capturing whole body motions, including the fingers, based on an optical motion capture system with 6 DOF rigid bodies and cybergloves. the motion capture data was processed in one system, mapped to a virtual character and visualized in real-time.We developed tools and methods for quick post processing. To demonstrate the viability of our system, we captured a library consisting of more than 90 gestures

Requirement of NF-kappa B/Rel for the development of hair follicles and other epidermal appendices

NF-κB/Rel transcription factors and IκB kinases (IKK) are essential for inflammation and immune responses, but also for bone-morphogenesis, skin proliferation and differentiation. Determining their other functions has previously been impossible, owing to embryonic lethality of NF-κB/Rel or IKK-deficient animals. Using a gene targeting approach we have ubiquitously expressed an NF-κB super-repressor to investigate NF-κB functions in the adult. Mice with suppressed NF-κB revealed defective early morphogenesis of hair follicles, exocrine glands and teeth, identical to Eda (tabby) and Edar (downless) mutant mice. These affected epithelial appendices normally display high NF-κB activity, suppression of which resulted in increased apoptosis, indicating that NF-κB acts as a survival factor downstream of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family member EDAR. Furthermore, NF-κB is required for peripheral lymph node formation and macrophage function

Effects Of Kinesio Taping On Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Bu çalışmanın amacı gecikmiş kas ağrısında kinezyo bantlamanın etkilerini araştırmaktır. Elli dört birey kinezyo bantlama ve plasebo kinezyo bantlama grubuna ayrıldı. Bireylerin egzersiz öncesi, egzersizden hemen sonra, 48 ve 72 saat sonra ağrı şiddeti, basınç ağrı eşiği, ödem, eklem hareket açıklığı, kas kuvveti ve performansları değerlendirildi. Kan analizlerinde serum kreatin kinaz, laktat dehidrogenaz, miyoglobin, C reaktif protein düzeyleri ve nötrofil sayısına bakıldı. İstirahat ağrı şiddetindeki artış (egzersizden hemen sonra-48 saat sonra) plasebo kinezyo bantlama grubunda daha yüksekti (p<0,05). Aktivite ağrı şiddeti, plasebo kinezyo bantlama grubunda (egzersiz öncesi-72 saat sonra) daha fazla artarken, kinezyo bantlama grubunda (egzersizden hemen sonra-72 saat sonra) daha fazla azaldı (p<0,05). Kinezyo bantlama grubunda tek ayak sıçrama mesafesi (egzersiz öncesi- 72 saat sonra) daha fazla arttı (p<0,05). Kuadriseps femoris kas gövdesi basınç ağrı eşiği kinezyo bantlama grubunda (egzersiz öncesi-egzersizden hemen sonra) daha fazla azaldı (p<0,05). Serum keratin kinaz düzeyi egzersizden 48 ve 72 saat sonra kinezyo bantlama grubunda daha fazla yükseldi (p<0,05). Gecikmiş kas ağrısında kinezyo bantlama istirahat ve aktivite ağrı şiddetini azaltmada, tek ayak öne sıçrama mesafesini artırmada daha etkilidir. Plasebo kinezyo bantlamaysa kuadriseps femoris kas gövdesi basınç ağrı eşiğini artırmada, serum KK düzeyini azaltmada daha etkilidir. Ödem, eklem hareket açıklığı, kas kuvveti, dikey sıçrama yüksekliği, laktat dehidrogenaz, miyoglobin, C reaktif protein düzeyi ve nötrofil sayısına iki bantlamanın etkisi benzerdir.The aim of this study was to determine the effects of kinesio taping on delayed onset muscle soreness. Fifty-four subjects were assigned kinesio taping and placebo kinesio taping group. Pain severity, pressure pain threshold, edema, range of motion, muscle strength and performance were evaluated before, immediately after, 48 and 72 hours after exercise. Blood samples were obtained for analysis of serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, C reactive protein levels and number of neutrophils. The increase in resting pain severity (immediately after-48 h after exercise) was higher in the placebo kinesio taping group (p<0.05). Pain severity during activity was increased more in the placebo kinesio taping group (before-72 hours after exercise), was decreased more in the kinesio taping group (immediately after-72 hours after exercise) (p<0.05). One leg hop distance was increased more in the kinesio taping group (before-72 hours after exercise) (p<0.05). Pressure pain threshold mid-belly of quadriceps femoris muscle was decreased more kinesio taping group (before-immediately after) (p<0.05). Serum creatine kinase level 48 and 72 hours after exercise increased more in kinesio taping group (p<0,05). Kinesio taping was more effective in reducing rest and activity pain severity and increasing one leg hop distance in delayed onset muscle soreness. Placebo kinesio taping is more effective in increasing pressure pain threshold mid belly of quadriceps muscle and decreasing serum creatine kinase. Edema, range of motion, muscle strength, vertical jump height, lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, C reactive protein levels and the number of neutrophils is similar in two banding groups