Species- and organ-specificity of secretory proteins derived from human prostate and seminal vesicles

Polyclonal antibodies against semenogelin (SG) isolated from human seminal vesicle secretion and acid phosphatase (PAP), β‐microseminoprotein (β‐MSP), and Prostate‐Specific Antigen (PSA) derived from human prostatic fluid, as well as a monoclonal antibody against β‐MSP were used for immunocytochemical detection of the respective antigens in different organs from different species. SG immunoreactivity was detected in the epithelium of the pubertal and adult human and in monkey seminal vesicle, ampulla of the vas deferens, and ejaculatory duct. PAP, β‐MSP, and PSA immunoreactivities were detected in the pubertal and adult human prostate and the cranial and caudal monkey prostate. With the exception of a weak PSA immunoreactivity in the proximal portions of the ejaculatory duct, none of the latter antisera reacted with seminal vesicle, ampullary, and ejaculatory duct epithelium. Among the non‐primate species studied (dog, bull, rat, guinea pig) only the canine prostatic epithelium displayed a definite immunoreactivity with the PAP antibody and a moderate reaction with the PSA antibody. No immunoreaction was seen in bull and rat seminal vesicle and canine ampulla of the vas deferens with the SG antibody. The same was true for the (ventral) prostate of rat, bull, and dog for β‐MSP. The epithelium of the rat dorsal prostate showed a slight cross‐reactivity with the monoclonal antibody against β‐MSP and one polyclonal antibody against PSA. The findings indicate a rather strict species‐dependent expression of human seminal proteins which show some similarities in primates, but only marginal relationship to species with different physiology of seminal fluid

Meerjarige wortelonkruiden : onderzoeksplan

Er zijn op akkerbouwbedrijven, vooral op biologisch, problemen met de bestrijding van meerjarige wortelonkruiden. Het probleem wordt ook steeds groter. Door middel van biologische grond ontsmetting (BGO) wordt het aantal meerjarige wortelonkruiden verminderd, maar hoeveel en hoe sterk dat is, is niet bekend. Het effect van BGO werd voornamelijk onderzocht op het onkruid akkermelkdistel. Dit onderzoek werd uitgevoerd door PPO-AGV te Lelystad geholpen door leerlingen van de CAH Dronten. Het onderzoek is een echte proef van PPO en geeft studenten de kans om te leren hoe het in de praktijk gaat met uitvoering en verwerking van gegevens in het onderzoek

The Validation of the Active Learning in Health Professions Scale

There is a need for an assessment tool for evaluating the effectiveness of active learning strategies such as problem-based learning in promoting deep learning and clinical reasoning skills within the dual environments of didactic and clinical settings in health professions education. The Active Learning in Health Professions Scale (ALPHS) instrument captures three elements of active learning: activities that have elements of novel access to information, observing or participating in experiences focused on learning, and reflective practices about the learning process. In order to assess the criterion-related validity of the ALHPS, a Structural Regression Model was created in which the latent variable of Active Learning was placed as a predictor of graduating seniors’ critical thinking. The strong psychometric properties of the ALHPS instrument indicate that it is possible to reliably assess students’ perceptions of the frequency with which they experience active learning pedagogy within doctoral health professions education, and that such strategies are predictive directly of academic engagement and indirectly of increases in students’ critical thinking skills

Improvement of the Gait Analysis Process

This report describes the complete design and testing of a methodology for the creation of a force sensing device that can be used to provide clinically significant data to aid a prosthetist in the static alignment of a transtibial prosthesis fitting. Thin-film force transducers form the basis for the prototype force sensing module that is integrated into a prosthetic leg for the testing and future alignment fittings. This physical force sensing device was used along with a computer simulation of the limb and module to collect force measurement results, both positionally relative and absolute. The experimental data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, effects plots and prediction equations. The statistical analysis helped to evaluate the feasibility of using similar data and methods for producing a system capable of predicting and validating changes in force distribution relationship, the accuracy of the force sensing module could be improved. The recommendations for future revisions of this design include using more accurate force sensors and conducting more replications of the physical testing