37 research outputs found
The Unexplored Role of Intra-articular Adipose Tissue in the Homeostasis and Pathology of Articular Joints
No full textIntra-articular adipose tissue deposits known as articular fat pads (AFPs) are described to exist within synovial joints. Their assumed role in normal joint biomechanics is increasingly objectivized by means of advanced methods of functional imaging. AFPs possess structural similarity with body subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT), however, seems to be regulated by independent metabolic loops. AFP dimension are conserved during extreme WAT states: obesity, metabolic syndrome, lipodystrophy, and cachexia. Hoffa fat pad (HFP) in the knee is increasingly recognized as a major player in pathological joint states such as anterior knee pain and osteoarthritis. HFP contains numerous population of mesenchymal and endothelial progenitors; however, the possible role of mature adipocytes in the maintenance of stem cell niche is unknown. We propose that AFP is an active component of the joint organ with multifunctional roles in the maintenance of joint homeostasis. Endowed with a rich network of sensitive nervous fibbers, AFPs may act as a proprioceptive organ. Adipokines and growth factors released by AFP-resident mature adipocytes could participate in the maintenance of progenitor stem cell niche as well as in local immune regulation. AFP metabolism may be locally controlled, correlated with but independent of WAT homeostasis. The identification of AFP role in normal joint turnover and its possible implication in pathological states could deliver diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Drug and/or cell therapies that restore AFP structure and function could become the next step in the design of disease modifying therapies for disabling joint conditions such as osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis
The Unexplored Role of Intra-articular Adipose Tissue in the Homeostasis and Pathology of Articular Joints
No full textA Survey on Potential of the Support Vector Machines in Solving Classification and Regression Problems
No full textKernel methods and support vector machines have become the most popular learning from examples paradigms. Several areas of application research make use of SVM approaches as for instance hand written character recognition, text categorization, face detection, pharmaceutical data analysis and drug design. Also, adapted SVM’s have been proposed for time series forecasting and in computational neuroscience as a tool for detection of symmetry when eye movement is connected with attention and visual perception. The aim of the paper is to investigate the potential of SVM’s in solving classification and regression tasks as well as to analyze the computational complexity corresponding to different methodologies aiming to solve a series of afferent arising sub-problems.Support Vector Machines, Kernel-Based Methods, Supervised Learning, Regression, Classification
Mitochondria and pluripotency: from established models to emerging roles in adult stem cells
No full textPluripotency, once considered an exclusive attribute of early embryonic cells, is increasingly recognized in certain adult tissue-derived stem cell populations, challenging traditional developmental paradigms. Recent findings highlight mitochondria as key regulators of cellular identity, integrating metabolic status, redox signaling, and epigenetic cues to influence stemness and differentiation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on mitochondrial features (from morphology, dynamics, to bioenergetics and correlation to cellular epigenetic status) in pluripotent stem cells (ESCs and iPSCs) as well as in multipotent adult tissue stem cells (ASC) emphasizing transitions between glycolytic and oxidative metabolism during reprogramming and lineage specification. Particular attention is given to existing evidence on adult pluripotent-like stem cells, including VSELs, MAPCs, MUSE cells, MIAMI, and DFATs, which remain incompletely characterized but demonstrate promising regenerative capacities. While direct data on mitochondrial behavior in these cells are sparse, parallels with multipotent adult stem cells as well as with ESC and IPSCs suggest a model wherein stress-induced bioenergetic shifts, ROS signaling, and mitochondrial remodeling act as modulators of latent pluripotency. Understanding these mechanisms could offer insights on adult pluripotent stem cell role in orchestrating regeneration during major trauma or environmental stress as well as on their distinctive responsiveness compared to ASC. Such an approach could inform future strategies in regenerative medicine, offering novel insights into how adult cells might resume developmental plasticity through mitochondrial balance, intercellular transfer and networking
Partially Supervised Approach in Signal Recognition
No full textThe paper focuses on the potential of principal directions based approaches in signal classification and recognition. In probabilistic models, the classes are represented in terms of multivariate density functions, and an object coming from a certain class is modeled as a random vector whose repartition has the density function corresponding to this class. In cases when there is no statistical information concerning the set of density functions corresponding to the classes involved in the recognition process, usually estimates based on the information extracted from available data are used instead. In the proposed methodology, the characteristics of a class are given by a set of eigen vectors of the sample covariance matrix. The overall dissimilarity of an object X with a given class C is computed as the disturbance of the structure of C, when X is allotted to C. A series of tests concerning the behavior of the proposed recognition algorithm are reported in the final section of the paper.signal processing, classification, pattern recognition, compression/decompression
Obesity, Osteoarthritis, and Myokines: Balancing Weight Management Strategies, Myokine Regulation, and Muscle Health
No full textObesity and osteoarthritis (OA) are increasingly prevalent conditions that are intricately linked, with each exacerbating the other’s pathogenesis and worsening patient outcomes. This review explores the dual impact of obesity on OA, highlighting the role of excessive weight in aggravating joint degeneration and the limitations OA imposes on physical activity, which further perpetuates obesity. The role of muscle tissue, particularly the release of myokines during physical activity, is examined in the context of OA and obesity. Myokines such as irisin, IL-6, and myostatin are discussed for their roles in metabolic regulation, inflammation, and tissue repair, offering insights into their potential therapeutic targets. This review emphasizes the importance of supervised weight management methods in parallel with muscle rehabilitation in improving joint health and metabolic balance. The potential for myokine modulation through targeted exercise and weight loss interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of obesity and OA is also discussed, suggesting avenues for future research and therapy development to reduce the burden of these chronic conditions
