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Borovoi L, Foland JR, Vlaev I. Who Colonises Whom? Educational Technologies or Societal Cultures. SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/0971721816640624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The literature records that educational technologies have the power to ‘colonise’ societal cultures. However, this study asserts the co-existence of a counter power through which societal cultures may ‘colonise’ educational technologies too. This assumption of power struggle is examined by addressing the question: to what extent do societal cultures colonise educational technologies? This question is answered using a qualitative and quantitative enquiry into Israeli society. Having analysed the data, it is found that societies consist of beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that may challenge the determination of educational technologies. This could be seen as empirical evidence suggesting that, although educational technologies may seek to colonise societies, societies may seek to colonise educational technologies as well, with the two entities engaging in a politically reciprocal relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Borovoi
- Leah Borovoi (corresponding author), Open University, Raanana, Israel
| | | | - Ivo Vlaev
- Ivo Vlaev, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry
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Avci P, Sadasivam M, Gupta A, De Melo WC, Huang YY, Yin R, Chandran R, Kumar R, Otufowora A, Nyame T, Hamblin MR. Animal models of skin disease for drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2013; 8:331-55. [PMID: 23293893 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2013.761202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Discovery of novel drugs, treatments, and testing of consumer products in the field of dermatology is a multi-billion dollar business. Due to the distressing nature of many dermatological diseases, and the enormous consumer demand for products to reverse the effects of skin photodamage, aging, and hair loss, this is a very active field. AREAS COVERED In this paper, we will cover the use of animal models that have been reported to recapitulate to a greater or lesser extent the features of human dermatological disease. There has been a remarkable increase in the number and variety of transgenic mouse models in recent years, and the basic strategy for constructing them is outlined. EXPERT OPINION Inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases are all represented by a range of mouse models both transgenic and normal. Skin cancer is mainly studied in mice and fish. Wound healing is studied in a wider range of animal species, and skin infections such as acne and leprosy also have been studied in animal models. Moving to the more consumer-oriented area of dermatology, there are models for studying the harmful effect of sunlight on the skin, and testing of sunscreens, and several different animal models of hair loss or alopecia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Avci
- Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Boston MA, USA
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Boverhof DR, Chamberlain MP, Elcombe CR, Gonzalez FJ, Heflich RH, Hernández LG, Jacobs AC, Jacobson-Kram D, Luijten M, Maggi A, Manjanatha MG, Benthem JV, Gollapudi BB. Transgenic animal models in toxicology: historical perspectives and future outlook. Toxicol Sci 2011; 121:207-33. [PMID: 21447610 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfr075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic animal models are powerful tools for developing a more detailed understanding on the roles of specific genes in biological pathways and systems. Applications of these models have been made within the field of toxicology, most notably for the screening of mutagenic and carcinogenic potential and for the characterization of toxic mechanisms of action. It has long been a goal of research toxicologists to use the data from these models to refine hazard identification and characterization to better inform human health risk assessments. This review provides an overview on the applications of transgenic animal models in the assessment of mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, their use as reporter systems, and as tools for understanding the roles of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and biological receptors in the etiology of chemical toxicity. Perspectives are also shared on the future outlook for these models in toxicology and risk assessment and how transgenic technologies are likely to be an integral tool for toxicity testing in the 21st century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrell R Boverhof
- Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48674, USA.
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Massoud TF, Gambhir SS. Integrating noninvasive molecular imaging into molecular medicine: an evolving paradigm. Trends Mol Med 2007; 13:183-91. [PMID: 17403616 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2007.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2006] [Revised: 03/01/2007] [Accepted: 03/20/2007] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecular imaging is a rapidly emerging field, providing noninvasive visual quantitative representations of fundamental biological processes in intact living subjects. Fundamental biomedical research stands to benefit considerably from advances in molecular imaging, with improved molecular target selection, probe development and imaging instrumentation. The noninvasiveness of molecular imaging technologies will also provide benefit through improved patient care. Molecular imaging endpoints can be quantified, and therefore are particularly useful for translational research. Integration of the two disciplines of molecular imaging and molecular medicine, combined with systems-biology approaches to understanding disease complexity, promises to provide predictive, preventative and personalized medicine that will transform healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik F Massoud
- Department of Radiology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.
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Abstract
Genetically modified laboratory animals provide a powerful approach for studying gene expression and regulation and allow one to directly examine structure-function and cause-and-effect relationships in pathophysiological processes. Today, transgenic mice are available as a research tool in almost every research institution. On the other hand, the development of a relatively large mammalian transgenic model, transgenic rabbits, has provided unprecedented opportunities for investigators to study the mechanisms of human diseases and has also provided an alternative way to produce therapeutic proteins to treat human diseases. Transgenic rabbits expressing human genes have been used as a model for cardiovascular disease, AIDS, and cancer research. The recombinant proteins can be produced from the milk of transgenic rabbits not only at lower cost but also on a relatively large scale. One of the most promising and attractive recombinant proteins derived from transgenic rabbit milk, human alpha-glucosidase, has been successfully used to treat the patients who are genetically deficient in this enzyme. Although the pronuclear microinjection is still the major and most popular method for the creation of transgenic rabbits, recent progress in gene targeting and animal cloning has opened new avenues that should make it possible to produce transgenic rabbits by somatic cell nuclear transfer in the future. Based on a computer-assisted search of the studies of transgenic rabbits published in the English literature here, we introduce to the reader the achievements made thus far with transgenic rabbits, with emphasis on the application of these rabbits as human disease models and live bioreactors for producing human therapeutic proteins and on the recent progress in cloned rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianglin Fan
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan.
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Rondi-Reig L, Mariani J. To die or not to die, does it change the function? Behavior of transgenic mice reveals a role for developmental cell death. Brain Res Bull 2002; 57:85-91. [PMID: 11827740 DOI: 10.1016/s0361-9230(01)00639-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In humans, perturbations in the developmental neuronal death leading to an excess of neurons could be associated with developmental neuropsychiatric disorders. Hu-bcl-2 transgenic mice appear to be a valuable tool to study the functional role of developmental programmed cell death. Indeed, the over-expression of the anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 decreases developmental neuronal death and Hu-bcl-2 mice present supernumerary neurons in several brain regions. A detailed behavioral analysis of these mice revealed selective deficits. Hu-bcl-2 mice have normal vision, general activity and motor skills. Only the most complex behavior like anxiety and learning abilities are impaired in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Rondi-Reig
- Neurobiologie des Processus Adaptatifs, Lab. Développement et Vieillissement du Sysème Nerveux (DVSN), Université P&M Curie, Paris, France.
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Abstract
We have used plasmid DNA in combination with cationic liposomes to transfect mouse eggs and embryos. The plasmid was rhodamine labeled, which allowed a direct visualization of the DNA uptake by the cells. Immature eggs, collected from the ovaries, were easily transfected, but once the egg was ovulated the zona pellucida (ZP) acted as a barrier and prevented transfection. Permeabilization or removal of the ZP was therefore a requirement to allow transfection. Transfected eggs were capable of being fertilized in vitro giving raise to embryos that expressed the recombinant protein. Morulae and blastocysts were also transfected when the ZP was permeabilized, but the efficiency of transfection decreased and in some cases not all the blastomeres incorporated the plasmid. Pronuclear embryos were cultured and showed expression of the transgene from the 2-cell stage. This indicates that liposome-transfection of oocytes or pronuclear embryos could be a simple and suitable method to introduce foreign genes in embryos and perhaps could be also useful to generate transgenic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Carballada
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
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Abstract
Mouse vas deferens were injected with a plasmid DNA encoding the GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein). The night after injection males were mated with normal oestrus females, and the offspring were analyzed. From 53 newborns, 4 were found positive by PCR for the GFP gene. In these positive animals, some tissues showed expression for GFP as evidenced by a strong green cytoplasmic fluorescence. GFP expression was particularly patent in the liver (hepatocytes), kidney (renal corpuscle and tubules), abdominal wall, and lung. These preliminary results indicate the possibility to use this method as a simple alternative procedure to create transgenic animals, and it could be especially helpful in species in which the microinjection procedure is not feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Huguet
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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Fan J, Challah M, Watanabe T. Transgenic rabbit models for biomedical research: current status, basic methods and future perspectives. Pathol Int 1999; 49:583-94. [PMID: 10504518 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1827.1999.00923.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The creation of genetically modified laboratory and livestock animals is one of the most dramatic advances derived from recombinant DNA technology. Over the past decade, the development of a large mammal transgenic model, transgenic rabbits, has provided unprecedented opportunities for investigators to study the mechanisms of human diseases and has also provided a novel way to produce foreign proteins for both therapeutic and commercial purposes. Recent progress in gene targeting and animal cloning has opened new avenues for production of transgenic rabbits. In this review, we will introduce the reader to the progress that has been achieved in transgenic rabbits with emphasis on the application of these rabbits as human disease models and bioproducers of human therapeutic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fan
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
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Jagger C, Gallagher A, Chambers T, Pondel M. The porcine calcitonin receptor promoter directs expression of a linked reporter gene in a tissue and developmental specific manner in transgenic mice. Endocrinology 1999; 140:492-9. [PMID: 9886862 DOI: 10.1210/endo.140.1.6447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We have investigated the transcriptional regulation of the porcine calcitonin (CT) receptor (pCTR) promoter in transgenic mice. A construct containing 2.1 kb pCTR 5' flanking region, fused to a beta-galactosidase (lacZ) gene, was employed for the production of transgenic mice. At 11.5 days of development lacZ expression was observed in the embryonic brain and spinal cord. By 15.5 days post fertilization, lacZ expression was detected in the developing mammary gland, external ear, cartilage primordium of the humerus, and anterior naris (nostril). RT-PCR on RNA from these fetal tissues showed endogenous mouse CTR (mCTR) expression. In neonatal and adult transgenics, lacZ expression was silenced, except in brain, spinal cord, and testis (adults only). Endogenous mCTR gene expression and pCTR promoter activity were corepressed in the same tissues from adult mice. No pCTR promoter activity was detected in the kidney or bone of transgenic animals. This suggests that additional DNA sequences may be required for pCTR promoter activity in these tissues. From these results, we conclude that the pCTR promoter is active only in tissues expressing endogenous mCTR. Many of the these tissues represent previously unknown sites of CTR gene expression. Finally, the developmental regulation of pCTR/mCTR in tissues such as breast and cartilage primordium suggests that CTRs may play a role in the morphogenesis of these tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Jagger
- Department of Histopathology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Clinical studies show that an inverse correlation exists between blood pressure and urinary kallikrein levels. It has been postulated that the tissue kallikrein-kinin system contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure. To test this hypothesis, we have established transgenic mice that overexpress human tissue kallikrein under the promoter control of the mouse metallothionein gene and a liver-targeted albumin gene. These animals secrete human tissue kallikrein in plasma at levels 10- to 40-fold higher than that found in normal human serum, and they are chronically hypotensive. This hypotensive effect can be reversed by the injection of aprotinin, a potent tissue kallikrein inhibitor, or Hoe 140, a specific bradykinin receptor antagonist. Transgenic mice overexpressing human tissue kallikrein show a sustained reduction in blood pressure throughout their life spans, indicating the lack of sufficient compensatory mechanisms to reverse the hypotensive effect of kallikrein. Somatic gene delivery of rat kallikrein-binding protein by muscle injection increases the blood pressure of the hypotensive transgenic mice to levels comparable with those in normotensive control mice. These results indicate that a direct link exists between kallikrein gene expression and alterations in blood pressure. In addition, we have developed normotensive transgenic mice that harbor the human tissue kallikrein gene containing 801 bp of its native promoter. The tissue distribution pattern of human kallikrein in these transgenic mice is similar to that in human tissues, with the highest level in the pancreas and much lower levels in the kidney and salivary gland. These transgenic mice provide new animal models for investigating the tissue-specific regulation of tissue kallikrein and its role in altering blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Chao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA
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Insights into the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Provided by New Rodent Models of Spontaneous Colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 1995. [DOI: 10.1097/00054725-199503000-00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
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