scholarly journals Functional Role of Internal and External Visual Imagery: Preliminary Evidences from Pilates

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Montuori ◽  
Giuseppe Curcio ◽  
Pierpaolo Sorrentino ◽  
Lidia Belloni ◽  
Giuseppe Sorrentino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Execution Time ◽  
Visual Imagery ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Functional Difference ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Expert Novice ◽  
The Times ◽  
Sequence Of Movements

The present study investigates whether a functional difference between the visualization of a sequence of movements in the perspective of the first- (internal VMI-I) or third- (external VMI-E) person exists, which might be relevant to promote learning. By using a mental chronometry experimental paradigm, we have compared the time or execution, imagination in the VMI-I perspective, and imagination in the VMI-E perspective of two kinds of Pilates exercises. The analysis was carried out in individuals with different levels of competence (expert, novice, and no-practice individuals). Our results showed that in the Expert group, in the VMI-I perspective, the imagination time was similar to the execution time, while in the VMI-E perspective, the imagination time was significantly lower than the execution time. An opposite pattern was found in the Novice group, in which the time of imagination was similar to that of execution only in the VMI-E perspective, while in the VMI-I perspective, the time of imagination was significantly lower than the time of execution. In the control group, the times of both modalities of imagination were significantly lower than the execution time for each exercise. The present data suggest that, while the VMI-I serves to train an already internalised gesture, the VMI-E perspective could be useful to learn, and then improve, the recently acquired sequence of movements. Moreover, visual imagery is not useful for individuals that lack a specific motor experience. The present data offer new insights in the application of mental training techniques, especially in field of sports. However, further investigations are needed to better understand the functional role of internal and external visual imagery.

scholarly journals Treatment with the Recombinant SLIT2 Protein Delays AML Leukemogenesis In Vivo

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2368-2368
Author(s):  
Luise A de Albuquerque Simoes ◽  
Isabel Weinhäuser ◽  
Diego A Pereira-Martins ◽  
César Alexander Ortiz Rojas ◽  
Thiago Mantello Bianco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Control Group

Abstract Accumulating evidence suggest that the axon guidance molecules SLIT and ROBO are not only implicated in physiological process but also in cancer progression. Depending on the type of cancer the SLIT-ROBO axis can either act as a tumor suppressor gene, in which case the SLIT2 promoter site is frequently hypermethylated or as an oncogene, whereby high expression is often associated with poor prognosis. In the context of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), low expression of SLIT2 has been associated with low overall survival (OS) (Golos et al., 2019), while the functional role of SLIT2 remains largely unknown. Recently, we showed that the knockdown of SLIT2 increased cell proliferation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells resulting in a more aggressive course of disease progression in vivo using the murine transgenic APL model (Weinhäuser et al., 2020). Here, we aimed to study the functional role of SLIT2 in a more heterogeneous disease, such as AML. Using different publicly available datasets. (GSE58477, normal karyotype blasts: 62, healthy CD34 +: 10; GSE63409, LSC: 14, HSC: 5) we detected increased methylation at the SLIT2 promoter site of AML leukemic cells compared to healthy CD34 + cells suggesting SLIT2 tumor suppressive functions. In addition, we measured decreased levels of SLIT2 in the bone marrow (BM) plasma of AML patients compared to healthy donors. To assess the biological role of SLIT2, we treated AML cell lines (KASUMI1, MV411, and MOLM13) with recombinant SLIT2 (50 ng/mL) in vitro. Administration of SLIT2 reduced AML cell growth, colony formation and induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase for all AML cell lines. Conversely, the knockdown of SLIT2 promoted increased THP-1 and OCI-AML3 cell proliferation. Next, we determined whether the treatment with SLIT2 could delay leukemogenesis in vivo using the AML cell line MV4-11. Engraftment was monitored by luciferase bioluminescent signal and NSGS mice were either treated with recombinant SLIT2 using a dose of 25 ng/g of body weight or vehicle (control group). SLIT2 therapy resulted in a lower disease burden, decreased leukemic infiltration in the BM and spleen, reduced spleen size, and increased OS compared to the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, we showed that SLIT2 methylation is recurrent in AML patients and that the level of SLIT2 in the plasma of AML patients is reduced. Moreover, SLIT2 treatment appears to have a cytostatic effect on different AML cell lines delaying leukemogenesis in vivo. Overall, our study reveals the therapeutic potential of SLIT2 in hematological malignancies, which could be used as an adjuvant in the clinic. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

The Role of Xylitol Gum Chewing in Restoring Postoperative Bowel Activity After Cesarean Section

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Tao Lee ◽  
Mei-Hui Hsieh ◽  
Po-Jen Cheng ◽  
Jr-Rung Lin
Keyword(s):  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Chewing Gum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Bowel Sounds ◽  
Gum Chewing ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Times ◽  
Group B ◽  
Post Hoc

Aims: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of xylitol gum chewing on gastrointestinal recovery after cesarean section. Methods: Women who underwent cesarean section ( N = 120) were randomly allocated into Group A (xylitol gum), Group B (nonxylitol gum), or the control group (no chewing gum). Every 2 hr post-cesarean section and until first flatus, Groups A and B received two pellets of chewing gum and were asked to chew for 15 min. The times to first bowel sounds, first flatus, and first defecation were then compared among the three groups. Results: Group A had the shortest mean time to first bowel sounds (6.9 ± 1.7 hr), followed by Group B (8 ± 1.6 hr) and the control group (12.8 ± 2.5 hr; one-way analysis of variance, p < .001; Scheffe’s post hoc comparisons, p < .05). The gum-chewing groups demonstrated a faster return of flatus than the control group did ( p < .001), but the time to flatus did not differ significantly between the gum-chewing groups. Additionally, the differences in the time to first defecation were not significant. Conclusion: After cesarean section, chewing gum increased participants’ return of bowel activity, as measured by the appearance of bowel sounds and the passage of flatus. In this context, xylitol-containing gum may be superior to xylitol-free gum.

Down-regulation of CCR7 via AKT pathway and GATA2 inactivation suppressed trophoblast migration and invasion in recurrent spontaneous abortion†

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaorui Luan ◽  
Shang Li ◽  
Jun Zhao ◽  
Junyu Zhai ◽  
Xiaojing Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spontaneous Abortion ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion ◽  
Akt Pathway ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Protein Abundance ◽  
Trophoblast Migration

Abstract The underlying mechanism of the chemokine-C receptor 7 (CCR7) that leads to aberrant trophoblast migration and invasion in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) remains unknown. CCR7 is considered crucial for migration and invasion and has been associated with the risk of miscarriage. However, the functional role of CCR7 in RSA is not fully understood. Our study found that CCR7 mRNA and protein abundance were significantly decreased in the villous from RSA patients compared with healthy controls. Knockdown of CCR7 caused a significant reduction of migration and invasion in JAR and JEG-3 cells. Meanwhile, CCR7 functioned as a positive upstream factor of the AKT pathway contributing to the expression of GATA2, promoting trophoblast migration, and invasion via MMP2. Notably, a decreased abundance of CCR7 was positively correlated with the phosphorylation of AKT and with an abundance of GATA2 and MMP2 in human villous specimens of RSA compared with the control group. CCL19, a ligand of CCR7, could promote trophoblast migration and invasion by activating the deregulation of the CCR7-mediated pathway in RSA. We are convinced that CCR7 and its downstream factors may be possible mechanisms for the pathogenesis of RSA.

Abstract 3139: The microRNA 17-92 Cluster Mediates Sonic Hedgehog-driven Neurogenesis In Ischemic Neural Progenitor Cells

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianshuang Liu ◽  
Michael Chopp ◽  
Tao Tang ◽  
Haifa Kassis ◽  
Jennifer Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Sonic Hedgehog ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Neural Progenitor Cells ◽  
Neural Progenitor ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Shh Pathway ◽  
Empty Vector

Background: The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway regulates stroke-induced neurogenesis. The present study investigated the functional role of the microRNA 17-92 (miR17-92) cluster in this process. Methods and Results: Analysis of miRNA microarray and real-time RT-PCR revealed that stroke substantially increased levels of individual members of the miR17-92 cluster: miR-18a (1.8±0.3), miR-19a (2.5±0.4), and miR-92a (1.9±0.3) expression in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) harvested from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of ischemic rats (n=6). Overexpression of the miR17-92 cluster in cultured NPCs significantly increased NPC proliferation measured by the number of BrdU positive cells (52±4% vs 28±2% in empty vector, n=3/group, p<0.05). Concurrently, overexpression of the miR17-92 cluster reduced PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog), a target of the miR17-92 cluster, protein levels by 70% compared to levels in NPCs transfected with an empty vector. PTEN suppresses cell proliferation. These data suggest that the stroke-upregulated miR17-92 cluster enhances NPC proliferation via downregulation of PTEN. To examine whether Shh regulates miR17-92 cluster expression, NPCs were incubated with recombinant human Shh (rhShh, 100ng/ml). We found that rhShh significantly (p<0.05) increased levels of individual members of the miR17-92 cluster: miR-18a (2.1±0.1), miR-19a (1.3±0.7), miR-19b (1.5±0.6) and miR-92a (1.9±0.8). Blockage of a Shh receptor Smo with cyclopamine suppressed rhShh-increased levels of miR-18a (0.9±0.08), miR-19a (0.7±0.01), miR-19b (0.6±0.05) and miR-92a (0.8±0.04). Attenuation of endogenous Shh in NPCs with siRNA also substantially decreased levels of miR-18a (0.6±0.1), miR-19a (0.4±0.05) and miR-92a (0.6±0.1) compared with levels in NPCs transfected with scrambled siRNA (1.0±0.2, n=3), indicating that Shh regulates miR17-92 expression. MYC is a downstream target of Shh. Western blots showed that stroke increased the protein level of N-MYC 1.8 fold in SVZ tissues and incubation of NPCs with rhShh elevated N-MYC levels by 1.8 fold, which was abrogated by cyclopamine (1.3 fold). N-MYC transduction resulted in significant increases in expression of the primary miR17-92 cluster (2.1±0.3 vs 1.0±0.2 in control group, n=3, p<0.05). These data suggest that the Shh pathway recruits N-MYC to regulate miR17-92 cluster expression in NPCs. Conclusion: Our data suggest a functional role of the miR17-92 cluster in mediating stroke-induced neurogenesis by the SHH/MYC signaling pathway, which provides new insight into molecular mechanisms of stroke-induced neurogenesis.

Tryptophan-Niacin Metabolism in Rat with Puromycin Aminonucleoside-Induced Nephrosis

2006 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukari Egashira ◽  
Shin Nagaki ◽  
Hiroo Sanada
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Urinary Excretion ◽  
Enzyme Activities ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Puromycin Aminonucleoside ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Key Enzyme

We investigated the change of tryptophan-niacin metabolism in rats with puromycin aminonucleoside PAN-induced nephrosis, the mechanisms responsible for their change of urinary excretion of nicotinamide and its metabolites, and the role of the kidney in tryptophan-niacin conversion. PAN-treated rats were intraperitoneally injected once with a 1.0% (w/v) solution of PAN at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. The collection of 24-hour urine was conducted 8 days after PAN injection. Daily urinary excretion of nicotinamide and its metabolites, liver and blood NAD, and key enzyme activities of tryptophan-niacin metabolism were determined. In PAN-treated rats, the sum of urinary excretion of nicotinamide and its metabolites was significantly lower compared with controls. The kidneyα-amino-β-carboxymuconate-ε-semialdehyde decarboxylase (ACMSD) activity in the PAN-treated group was significantly decreased by 50%, compared with the control group. Although kidney ACMSD activity was reduced, the conversion of tryptophan to niacin tended to be lower in the PAN-treated rats. A decrease in urinary excretion of niacin and the conversion of tryptophan to niacin in nephrotic rats may contribute to a low level of blood tryptophan. The role of kidney ACMSD activity may be minimal concerning tryptophan-niacin conversion under this experimental condition.

Expression and functional role of c-Kit and erbB2 in human hepatoblastoma.

2009 ◽  
Vol 221 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Steiger ◽  
I Leuschner ◽  
D Denkhaus ◽  
D von Schweinitz ◽  
T Pietsch
Keyword(s):  
Functional Role

cAbdullah Yūsuf cAlī & Muhammad Asad: Two Approaches to the English Translation of the Qur'an

2000 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muzaffar Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
British India ◽  
Human Understanding ◽  
English Translations ◽  
Political Milieu ◽  
The Times

This article attempts to present a comparative study of the role of two twentieth-century English translations of the Qur'an: cAbdullah Yūsuf cAlī's The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'ān and Muḥammad Asad's The Message of the Qur'ān. No two men could have been more different in their background, social and political milieu and life experiences than Yūsuf cAlī and Asad. Yūsuf 'Alī was born and raised in British India and had a brilliant but traditional middle-class academic career. Asad traversed a vast cultural and geographical terrain: from a highly-disciplined childhood in Europe to the deserts of Arabia. Both men lived ‘intensely’ and with deep spiritual yearning. At some time in each of their lives they decided to embark upon the translation of the Qur'an. Their efforts have provided us with two incredibly rich monumental works, which both reflect their own unique approaches and the effects of the times and circumstances in which they lived. A comparative study of these two translations can provide rich insights into the exegesis and the phenomenon of human understanding of the divine text.

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