83 research outputs found
Targeted Inactivation of Cerberus Like-2 Leads to Left Ventricular Cardiac Hyperplasia and Systolic Dysfunction in the Mouse
Previous analysis of the Cerberus like 2 knockout (Cerl2(-/-)) mouse revealed a significant mortality during the first day after birth, mostly due to cardiac defects apparently associated with randomization of the left-right axis. We have however, identified Cerl2-associated cardiac defects, particularly a large increase in the left ventricular myocardial wall in neonates that cannot be explained by laterality abnormalities. Therefore, in order to access the endogenous role of Cerl2 in cardiogenesis, we analyzed the embryonic and neonatal hearts of Cerl2 null mutants that did not display a laterality phenotype. Neonatal mutants obtained from the compound mouse line Cer2(-/-)Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT); IBB/CBME [PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2011]; FCT [SFRH/BD/62081/2009]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Hemodialysis Removes Uremic Toxins That Alter the Biological Actions of Endothelial Cells
Chronic kidney disease is linked to systemic inflammation and to an increased risk of ischemic heart disease and atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction associates with hypertension and vascular disease in the presence of chronic kidney disease but the mechanisms that regulate the activation of the endothelium at the early stages of the disease, before systemic inflammation is established remain obscure. In the present study we investigated the effect of serum derived from patients with chronic kidney disease either before or after hemodialysis on the activation of human endothelial cells in vitro, as an attempt to define the overall effect of uremic toxins at the early stages of endothelial dysfunction. Our results argue that uremic toxins alter the biological actions of endothelial cells and the remodelling of the extracellular matrix before signs of systemic inflammatory responses are observed. This study further elucidates the early events of endothelial dysfunction during toxic uremia conditions allowing more complete understanding of the molecular events as well as their sequence during progressive renal failure
Micromechanical Properties of Injection-Molded Starch–Wood Particle Composites
The micromechanical properties of injection molded starch–wood particle composites were investigated as a function of particle content and humidity conditions.
The composite materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. The microhardness
of the composites was shown to increase notably with the concentration of the wood particles. In addition,creep behavior under the indenter and temperature dependence
were evaluated in terms of the independent contribution of the starch matrix and the wood microparticles to the hardness value. The influence of drying time on the density
and weight uptake of the injection-molded composites was highlighted. The results revealed the role of the mechanism of water evaporation, showing that the dependence of water uptake and temperature was greater for the starch–wood composites than for the pure starch sample. Experiments performed during the drying process at 70°C indicated that
the wood in the starch composites did not prevent water loss from the samples.Peer reviewe
Differential regulation of serum microRNA expression by HNF1β and HNF1α transcription factors.
We aimed to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) under transcriptional control of the HNF1β transcription factor, and investigate whether its effect manifests in serum.This article is freely available via Open Access. Click on the 'Additional Link' above to access the full-text via the publisher's site.Published (Open Access
Impact of Methimazole Treatment on Magnesium Concentration and Lymphocytes Activation in Adolescents with Graves’ Disease
Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients: Action LADA 4
What are effective components of in-service teacher training? A study examining teacher trainers' perceptions of the components of a training programme in mathematics education in Cambodia
This paper describes and analyses an in-service education project, financed by the Belgium Technical Cooperation, to improve the quality of mathematics teaching in 138 primary and lower secondary schools in Cambodia. The project design drew on recent research in developing countries and prior experience of training programmes in Cambodia. The research focused on the components of the in-service programme, which included direct instruction, classroom observation, training practice and self-evaluation. Data were collected from observations of the teacher trainers' participation in the project over a nine-month period. Additionally a sample of trainers kept diaries of their learning and were interviewed at regular intervals. The data collected were used to analyse which components the trainers perceived to make the greatest contribution to their learning
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