485 research outputs found

    Referentiality and normativity in trainee teachers’ activity when viewing videos of teaching: trends in video-enhanced education and professional development

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    International audienceAs shown by Gaudin and Chaliùs (2015), researches conducted in recent years in the field of video-enhanced teacher education and professional development mainly focus on identifying (i) the effects of different types of video (e.g. "best practices" vs “typical practices”), (ii) the identity or status of the teacher videoed and of the teacher viewing (self vs others, peers vs experts) and (iii) the influence of video viewing on teachers' ability to notice and interpret relevant features to analyze classroom situations, in order to develop knowledge-based reasoning and/or a "professional vision". On one hand, these researches produced a strong evidence basis about the links and relations between different instructional settings and different learning outcomes. On the other hand, their theoretical and empirical variety seems to be an obstacle for a compelling scientific advance (Flandin, 2015). Therefore we think that the field needs to investigate more generic issues, such as (i) the nature of teachers experience and cognitive activity in video-enhanced educational situations, (ii) the conceptual and methodological means and tools to describe and analyze the instructional potential of such experiences, and (iii) the principles and criteria that can be derived to design evidence-based learning environments and instructional programs. Therefore this symposium aims to gather empirical studies conducted in this promising and under-rated research areas in order to share and discuss new evidence, to try to derive robust instructional proposals, nay to draw some innovative research perspectives

    Quantum dot labeling of mesenchymal stem cells

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with the potential to differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat and muscle cells and are being investigated for their utility in cell-based transplantation therapy. Yet, adequate methods to track transplanted MSCs <it>in vivo </it>are limited, precluding functional studies. Quantum Dots (QDs) offer an alternative to organic dyes and fluorescent proteins to label and track cells <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>. These nanoparticles are resistant to chemical and metabolic degradation, demonstrating long term photostability. Here, we investigate the cytotoxic effects of <it>in vitro </it>QD labeling on MSC proliferation and differentiation and use as a cell label in a cardiomyocyte co-culture.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A dose-response to QDs in rat bone marrow MSCs was assessed in Control (no-QDs), Low concentration (LC, 5 nmol/L) and High concentration (HC, 20 nmol/L) groups. QD yield and retention, MSC survival, proinflammatory cytokines, proliferation and DNA damage were evaluated in MSCs, 24 -120 hrs post QD labeling. In addition, functional integration of QD labeled MSCs in an <it>in vitro </it>cardiomyocyte co-culture was assessed. A dose-dependent effect was measured with increased yield in HC vs. LC labeled MSCs (93 ± 3% vs. 50% ± 15%, p < 0.05), with a larger number of QD aggregates per cell in HC vs. LC MSCs at each time point (p < 0.05). At 24 hrs >90% of QD labeled cells were viable in all groups, however, at 120 hrs increased apoptosis was measured in HC vs. Control MSCs (7.2% ± 2.7% vs. 0.5% ± 0.4%, p < 0.05). MCP-1 and IL-6 levels doubled in HC MSCs when measured 24 hrs after QD labeling. No change in MSC proliferation or DNA damage was observed in QD labeled MSCs at 24, 72 and 120 hrs post labeling. Finally, in a cardiomyocyte co-culture QD labeled MSCs were easy to locate and formed functional cell-to-cell couplings, assessed by dye diffusion.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Fluorescent QDs label MSC effectively in an <it>in vitro </it>co-culture model. QDs are easy to use, show a high yield and survival rate with minimal cytotoxic effects. Dose-dependent effects suggest limiting MSC QD exposure.</p

    Early cell loss associated with mesenchymal stem cell cardiomyoplasty

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    Background: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) show potential for therapeutic cellular cardiomyoplasty. However, a range of delivery methods, including direct intramyocardial injection, have resulted in poor engraftment in vivo. We used the in vivo rat heart model to study hMSC engraftment and retention in a normal beating heart. Materials and Methods: HMSCs transfected with green fluorescent protein were injected into the left ventricle (LV) of immunocompetent rats. Hearts were cryopreserved 30 minutes (Group A), 24 hours (Group B), and 5 days (Group C) post hMSC delivery. HMSC retention was estimated using confocal fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Measured values were compared to projected GFP-positive cellular volumes. Immunohistochemical analyses probed for the presence of human cells with human prolyl hydroxylase beta (p4hÎÂČ) and an immune response with murine monocyte/macrophage antigen (CD68). Results: HMSC retention decreased significantly from 30 minutes to 5 days (p<0.05). In Group A the projected GFP positive cellular volume of 31% correlated with measured values and was significantly greater than the 1% predicted cellular volume in Group C. Moreover, human p4hÎÂČ was detected in Groups A and B, and not in Group C. Conversely, CD68 was detected in Groups B and C and not in Group A. Conclusions: In immunocompetent rats, engraftment and retention of hMSCs delivered intramyocardially significantly declines over a five day period. The influx of monocytes/macrophages suggests an unfavorable micro-environment for exogenous stem cell survival, confirmed by the absence of human cells detected five days post injection

    Introduction au dossier « Conception d’environnements de formation : une entrĂ©e par l’analyse de l’activité »

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    Depuis plusieurs annĂ©es dans le domaine de l’éducation, on assiste Ă  un fort intĂ©rĂȘt pour l’analyse de l’activitĂ© de travail dans un objectif de formation (comme l’illustrent plusieurs articles ou dossiers dans la revue @ctivitĂ©s ces derniĂšres annĂ©es, ou encore le colloque intitulĂ© « L’activitĂ© en dĂ©bat. Dialogues disciplinaires sur les approches de l’activité » organisĂ© par des chercheurs de sciences de l’éducation, Ă  Lille en janvier 2015). De nombreux chercheurs de ce domaine se sont saisi..

    Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth by Connexin 43

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    Connexin 43 (Cx43), the principal gap junction protein in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), regulates movement of ions and other signaling molecules through gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and plays important roles in maintaining normal vessel function; however, many of the signaling mechanisms controlling Cx43 in VSMCs are not clearly described. The goal of this study was to investigate mechanisms of Cx43 regulation with respect to VSMC proliferation. Treatment of rat primary VSMCs with the cAMP analog 8Br-cAMP, the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator BAY 41-2272 (BAY), or the Cx inducer diallyl disulfide (DADS) significantly reduced proliferation after 72 h compared with vehicle controls. Bromodeoxyuridine uptake revealed reduction (p < 0.05) in DNA synthesis after 6 h and flow cytometry showed reduced (40%) S-phase cell numbers after 16 h in DADS-treated cells compared with vehicle controls. Cx43 expression significantly increased after 270 min treatment with 8Br-cAMP, 8Br-cGMP, BAY or DADS. Inhibition of PKA, PKG or PKC reversed 8Br-cAMP-stimulated increases in Cx43 expression, whereas only PKG or PKC inhibition reversed 8Br-cGMP- and BAY-stimulated increases in total Cx43. Interestingly, stimulation of Cx43 expression by DADS was not dependent on PKA, PKG or PKC. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, only 8Br-cAMP or DADS increased GJIC with 8Br-cAMP mediated by PKC and DADS mediated by PKG. Further, DADS significantly increased phosphorylation at MAPK-sensitive Serine (Ser)255 and Ser279, the cell cycle regulatory kinase-sensitive Ser262 and PKC-sensitive Ser368 after 30 min while 8Br-cAMP significantly increased phosphorylation only at Ser279 compared with controls. This study demonstrates that 8Br-cAMP- and DADS-enhanced GJIC rather than Cx43 expression and/or phosphorylation plays important roles in the regulation of VSMC proliferation and provides new insights into the growth-regulatory capacities of Cx43 in VSM

    Towards the co-ordination of terrestrial ecosystem protocols across European research infrastructures

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    The study of ecosystem processes over multiple scales of space and time is often best achieved by using comparable data from multiple sites. Yet long term ecological observatories have often developed their own data collection protocols. Here we address this problem by proposing a set of ecological protocols suitable for widespread adoption by the ecological community. 2. Scientists from the European ecological research community prioritised terrestrial ecosystem parameters that could benefit from a more consistent approach to data collection within the resources available at most long term ecological observatories. Parameters for which standard methods are in widespread use, or for which methods are evolving rapidly, were not selected. 3. Protocols were developed by domain experts, building on existing methods where possible, and refined through a process of field testing and training. They address above-ground plant biomass; decomposition; land use and management; leaf area index; soil mesofaunal diversity; soil C and N stocks, and greenhouse gas emissions from soils. These complement existing methods to provide a complete assessment of ecological integrity. 4. These protocols offer integrated approaches to ecological data collection that are low cost and are starting to be used across the European Long Term Ecological Research community

    Tracking of autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells with in vivo magnetic resonance imaging and histology after intralesional treatment of artificial equine tendon lesions - a pilot study

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    Background: Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AT-MSCs) are frequently used to treat equine tendinopathies. Up to now, knowledge about the fate of autologous AT-MSCs after intralesional injection into equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) is very limited. The purpose of this study was to monitor the presence of intralesionally injected autologous AT-MSCs labelled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles and green fluorescent protein (GFP) over a staggered period of 3 to 9 weeks with standing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology. Methods: Four adult warmblood horses received a unilateral injection of 10 × 106 autologous AT-MSCs into surgically created front-limb SDFT lesions. Administered AT-MSCs expressed lentivirally transduced reporter genes for GFP and were co-labelled with SPIO particles in three horses. The presence of AT-MSCs in SDFTs was evaluated by repeated examinations with standing low-field MRI in two horses and post-mortem in all horses with Prussian blue staining, fluorescence microscopy and with immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry using anti-GFP antibodies at 3, 5, 7 and 9 weeks after treatment. Results: AT-MSCs labelled with SPIO particles were detectable in treated SDFTs during each MRI in T2*- and T1-weighted sequences until the end of the observation period. Post-mortem examinations revealed that all treated tendons contained high numbers of SPIO- and GFP-labelled cells. Conclusions: Standing low-field MRI has the potential to track SPIO-labelled AT-MSCs successfully. Histology, fluorescence microscopy, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry are efficient tools to detect labelled AT-MSCs after intralesional injection into surgically created equine SDFT lesions. Intralesional injection of 10 × 106 AT-MSCs leads to the presence of high numbers of AT-MSCs in and around surgically created tendon lesions for up to 9 weeks. Integration of injected AT-MSCs into healing tendon tissue is an essential pathway after intralesional administration. Injection techniques have to be chosen deliberately to avoid reflux of the cell substrate injected. In vivo low-field MRI may be used as a non-invasive tool to monitor homing and engraftment of AT-MSCs in horses with tendinopathy of the SDFT

    Calcium Dependent CAMTA1 in Adult Stem Cell Commitment to a Myocardial Lineage

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    The phenotype of somatic cells has recently been found to be reversible. Direct reprogramming of one cell type into another has been achieved with transduction and over expression of exogenous defined transcription factors emphasizing their role in specifying cell fate. To discover early and novel endogenous transcription factors that may have a role in adult-derived stem cell acquisition of a cardiomyocyte phenotype, mesenchymal stem cells from human and mouse bone marrow and rat liver were co-cultured with neonatal cardiomyocytes as an in vitro cardiogenic microenvironment. Cell-cell communications develop between the two cell types as early as 24 hrs in co-culture and are required for elaboration of a myocardial phenotype in the stem cells 8-16 days later. These intercellular communications are associated with novel Ca(2+) oscillations in the stem cells that are synchronous with the Ca(2+) transients in adjacent cardiomyocytes and are detected in the stem cells as early as 24-48 hrs in co-culture. Early and significant up-regulation of Ca(2+)-dependent effectors, CAMTA1 and RCAN1 ensues before a myocardial program is activated. CAMTA1 loss-of-function minimizes the activation of the cardiac gene program in the stem cells. While the expression of RCAN1 suggests involvement of the well-characterized calcineurin-NFAT pathway as a response to a Ca(2+) signal, the CAMTA1 up-regulated expression as a response to such a signal in the stem cells was unknown. Cell-cell communications between the stem cells and adjacent cardiomyocytes induce Ca(2+) signals that activate a myocardial gene program in the stem cells via a novel and early Ca(2+)-dependent intermediate, up-regulation of CAMTA1

    Measurement of the polarisation of W bosons produced with large transverse momentum in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV with the ATLAS experiment

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    This paper describes an analysis of the angular distribution of W->enu and W->munu decays, using data from pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2010, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 35 pb^-1. Using the decay lepton transverse momentum and the missing transverse energy, the W decay angular distribution projected onto the transverse plane is obtained and analysed in terms of helicity fractions f0, fL and fR over two ranges of W transverse momentum (ptw): 35 < ptw < 50 GeV and ptw > 50 GeV. Good agreement is found with theoretical predictions. For ptw > 50 GeV, the values of f0 and fL-fR, averaged over charge and lepton flavour, are measured to be : f0 = 0.127 +/- 0.030 +/- 0.108 and fL-fR = 0.252 +/- 0.017 +/- 0.030, where the first uncertainties are statistical, and the second include all systematic effects.Comment: 19 pages plus author list (34 pages total), 9 figures, 11 tables, revised author list, matches European Journal of Physics C versio
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