Vision provides a critical interface with the physical world. This work examines visual development and vision loss in mice to glean the influence of the retinal state on visual connections. I first assessed the impact of retinal activity on the eye-specific segregation of retinal afferents in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of young Gβ5 -/- mice. Gβ5 is the fifth member of the β subfamily of heterotrimeric G proteins. Gβ5 binds and stabilizes the R7 family of regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS), which accelerate Gi/o GTP hydrolysis. Gβ5 -/- mice, which lack R7RGS activity, have malformed synapses in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and impaired OPL transmission. Altered spontaneous retinal activity in Gβ5-/- mice at P7, P12, P14, and P28 correlates with impaired eye-specific segregation of retinal afferents in the LGN at corresponding timepoints. However, Gβ5-/- mice exhibit a normal transition from cholinergic to glutamatergic drive that corresponds with a temporary recovery of refinement at P10. Thus the abnormal-normal-abnormal pattern of activity in the retina is coupled with abnormal-normal-abnormal segregation. This activity-segregation profile suggests activity may instruct early retinogeniculate development. nob mice, which also exhibit impaired OPL transmission, have aberrant retinal waves that align with loss of segregation. nobxGβ5-/- mice have similar levels of segregation as Gβ5-/- at P21, but activity only similar P14 nobxGβ5-/- and Gβ5-/- RGCs. This suggests that the critical period of eye-specific segregation closes shortly after P14 and that R7RGS activity is critically important to postnatal RGCs. Next, I investigated the aged visual system via the retinofugal projections of mice with retinal remodeling after photoreceptor degeneration (PD). ΔCT mice, with mild remodeling, and TG9N mice, with aggressive remodeling, retain gross anatomical and physiological connectivity in the presence of attenuated visual activity compounded by organic remodeling. However, the magnitude of pupillary light responses in PD mice was diminished. Reduced melanopsin signal in the retina, not downstream anomalies, explains this functional deficiency. These observations suggest that changes to eye-specific segregation are limited once projections are established, regardless of retinal activity or remodeling. These observations bode well for future retina-based treatments of vision loss.

Objective: Chronic disease comorbidities, on the rise in the U.S. and Virginia, represent a new challenge to the way medicine is practiced and prescribed. This descriptive study uses Virginia hospital discharge data to describe the prevalence and trends of chronic disease comorbidities present in the state's over-45 population during the years 2001 and 2004.Methods: Data collected by Virginia Health Information was utilized. Adults over the age of 45 years and who selected for race and location were included in this analysis, with an aggregate sample size of 813,336 (N=458,593 [2001]; N=364,743 [2004]). Pearson chi-square analyses determined significant sample population differences with respect to age, race, sex, location, number of diagnoses (up to 9) and number of chronic comorbid conditions (up to 7). Binary logistic regression predicted odds ratios (ORs) for these comorbid conditions across demographic variables. SPSS 13.0 was used for all analysis. Results: Chronic comorbidities and their component conditions increased in Virginia's inpatient population from 2001 to 2004. Chronic cardiovascular disease (CCV), chronic liver disease (CLV), chronic renal disease (CRN), chronic pulmonary disease (COP), and cerebrovascular degeneration (CCE) comorbidities all increased in diagnoses prevalence (0.3% -1.8%), while comorbid cancer (CCA) remained constant at 7.4% and comorbid diabetes (CDI) decreased 0.6%. Mean comorbid diagnoses increased with age. Demographic factors (race, sex, age and location) as well as certain constituent conditions were predictive of one or more comorbidities. Conclusions: In general, the findings of this report complement current chronic disease monitoring data for the Commonwealth of Virginia. While expected comorbidities did exist (e.g. obesity with diabetes), unpredicted findings such as the highly-comorbid "fluid and electrolyte disorders" or the highly-comorbid "deficiency anemias" were also noted.

The general aim of the thesis was to deduce whether selected naturally occurring flavonoids (genistein, epicatechin gallate (EC), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), baicalin) attenuate various secondary insults that may cause death of ganglion cells in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). An ischemic insult to the rat retina significantly causes the inner retina to degenerate indexed by changes of various antigens, proteins and mRNAs located to amacrine and ganglion cells. These changes are blunted in animals treated with genistein as has been shown for ECGC. Studies conducted on cells (RGC-5 cells) in culture showed that hydrogen peroxide, L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO)/glutamate and serum deprivation (mimicking oxidative stress), rotenone, sodium azide (affecting mitochondria function in specific ways) and light (where the mitochondria are generally affected) all generated reactive oxygen species and caused death of RGC-5 cells. EGCG was able to attenuate cell death caused by hydrogen peroxide, sodium azide and rotenone. Only EC was able to attenuate BSO/glutamate-induced cell death, in addition to cell death caused by hydrogen peroxide and rotenone. Genistein had no positive effect on cell death in experiments carried out on RGC-5 cells. Exposure of RGC-5 cells to flavonoids showed that EC and EGCG increased the mRNA expression of endogenous antioxidants such as HO-l (heme oxygenase 1) and Nrf-2 (nuclear erythroid factor-z-related factor 2). Light insult, rotenone and sodium azide activate the p38 (protein kinase 38) pathway, while only light and rotenone activate the JNK (c-Jun amino-terminal kinase) pathway. Serum deprivation affects mitochondrial apoptotic proteins causing an increase in the ratio of Bax/Bcl2 (Bax: Bcl-2-associated X protein; Bcl-2: B-cell lymphoma 2). An insult of light to RGC-5 cells, unlike that induced by sodium azide, is inhibited by necrostatin-I and causes an activation of AlF (apoptosis-inducing factor) with alpha-fodrin being unaffected. These studies suggest that ganglion cell death caused by insults as may occur in POAG involves various cellular signaling pathways. The selected flavonoids have diverse actions in increasing cellular defense mechanisms, and in negating the effects of ischemia and specific types of oxidative stress. The results argue for the possible use of flavonoids in the treatment of POAG to slow down ganglion cell death.

La Sclérose Latérale Amyotrophique se caractérise par la perte sélective de motoneurones (MNs) du cortex, du tronc cérébral et de la moelle épinière. Les souris surexprimant le gène humain muté codant pour la superoxide dismutase 1 (mSOD1) constitue un bon modèle d'étude. Les MNs mSOD1 présentent une hypersensibilité à la mort après activation du récepteur Fas et la production d'oxyde nitrique (NO). Notre étude protéomique a identifié deux effecteurs du NO, la calréticuline (CRT) et CRMP4. CRT est une protéine chaperonne de stockage du calcium dans le réticulum endoplasmique. Nous montrons que, in vivo, CRT diminue de moitié dans une sous population de MNs mSOD1 dits vulnérables, car dégénérant les premiers. Sa diminution est nécessaire et suffisante pour induire la mort des MNs mSOD1 en activant le stress du RE. CRMP4 est une protéine de régulation de la croissance axonale, qui augmente in vivo dans les MNs mSOD1 à un stade pré-symptomatique. Sa surexpression est suffisante pour induire une dénervation périphérique et la dégénérescence de MNs mSOD1. Nos résultats mettent en évidence CRT et CRMP4 comme étant deux cibles thérapeutiques potentielles dans la SLA. / Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the selective degeneration of upper and lower motoneurons (MNs). The most common familial form and best characterized mouse model of ALS is linked to mutations in the gene coding for the superoxide dismutase 1 (mSOD1). MNs expressing mSOD1 show an increased sensitivity to the death induced by Fas/NO activation. Our proteomic study identified two downstream effectors of NO, Calreticulin (CRT) and CRMP4. CRT is a chaperone-calcium-binding protein of the endoplasmic reticulum, which is decreased two-fold in vivo, in an early degenerating MNs sub-population, named vulnerable. The decrease in CRT expression is both necessary and sufficient to kill mSOD1 MNs through ER stress activation. CRMP4 is a neurite outgrowth regulator which expression is increased in vivo in mSOD1 MNs at a presymptomatic stage. CRMP4 overexpression is sufficient to induce peripheral denervation and, through a dying-back effect, to kill mSOD1 MNs. Our results point out CRT and CRMP-4 as two potential therapeutic targets for ALS.

La dégénérescence discale (DD) est un problème majeur de santé publique dans les pays industrialisés où elle touche une grande partie de la population. Elle est considérée comme l'une des premières causes de consultation antidouleur et d'arrêt de maladie particulièrement en France. La présente étude s'inscrit dans le cadre du diagnostic de la DD et plus largement de l'évaluation de la fonctionnalité et de la viabilité du disque intervertébral (DIV).Le DIV est un fibrocartilage hétérogène qui assure d'une part la mobilité du rachis et d'autre part la distribution des contraintes mécaniques entre les vertèbres. Ces deux propriétés principales sont liées à la fois au contenu hydrique et à la présence des protéoglycanes (PG) dans le DIV.Plusieurs études ont montré l'importance de la teneur en eau du DIV sur son comportement biomécanique. Le but de notre étude est constitué de deux étapes:1. suivre avec une méthode d'Imagerie de Résonance Magnétique (IRM), les variations de morphologie et d'hydratation sous un chargement mécanique, 2. suivre avec une modélisation numérique, les évolutions des paramètres mécaniques notamment la rigidité, le coefficient de Poisson et la perméabilité intrinsèque du DIV.Les résultats ainsi obtenus sont conformes avec la littérature et le comportement retenu adhère parfaitement avec le cadre expérimental. Ce travail d'exploration de la viabilité discale apporte des informations importantes dans la compréhension du comportement osmotico-mécanique du DIV. / Disc diseases are major public health problem in industrialized countries where they affect a large proportion of the population. Disc degeneration (DD) is considered to be one of the leading causes of pain consultation and sick leave in France. This study is an attempt to diagnose DD and more generally an assessment of the functionality and viability of the InterVertebral Disc (IVD). The IVD is an heterogeneous cartilage, that ensures rachis mobility and optimal stress redistribution between vertebrae. These two main properties are linked to the hydric content and the presence of proteoglycans (PG) which decline in a natural process throughout life. This degenerative process is in some case accelerated, leading to the Degenerative Disc Diseases (DDD) or troubles. Several studies have shown the importance of the water content of the disc on its biomechanical behavior. The aims of our study are:1. to follow with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the variation in morphology and hydration under mechanical stress,2. to follow with a numerical model, the changes in mechanical parameters such as stiffness, Poisson's ratio and the intrinsic permeability of the IVD.The post-processing on Magnetic Resonance (MR) data allowed reconstructing the 3D deformation under a known mechanical load and deducing the porosity of the disc. The results obtained are conform with the literature and the adopted behavior adheres perfectly with the experimental data. This study demonstrates also, the ability to calculate the mechanical parameters of an IVD, providing precious information to understand the mechanical behaviour and hence judge the viability of the IVD.

Esta dissertação analisa o discurso de repúdio à arte moderna, conforme este se manifestou em relação à obra do artista russo-brasileiro Lasar Segall (1889-1957). A singular trajetória deste artista, que viveu e produziu na Europa e no Brasil, permite que se observe e compare as retóricas dos refratários ao modernismo em diferentes lugares e épocas. Na busca pelas matrizes conceituais dessa mentalidade, recuou-se a observação para as décadas finais do século XIX, momento em que se consolidaram algumas formas novas de se compreender o fenômeno estético, amparadas na ótica positivo-cientificista, assim como categorias pejorativas de qualificação do modernismo, como a de degeneração. Atenção especial foi conferida à análise da política cultural do regime nacional-socialista, que empreendeu a partir de 1937 uma ação contra a arte degenerada, responsável por expurgar dos museus públicos alemães uma grande quantidade de obras de arte moderna, e por exibir em exposições difamatórias um conjunto delas, entre as quais, algumas de Lasar Segall. No Brasil, observou-se as relações entre o Estado Novo e a arte moderna, em especial no monitoramento de seus artífices pelos órgãos de repressão política. / This dissertation analyzes the discourse of repudiation of modern art, as manifested about the work of Russian-Brazilian artist Lasar Segall (1889-1957). The unique trajectory of this artist, who lived and produced in Europe and Brazil, allows comparisons of refractory discourses about modernism in different places and times. In the search for the conceptual matrices of this rhetoric, the observation returned to the final decades of the nineteenth century, when some new forms of understanding the aesthetic phenomenon consolidated, supported by the positive-scientificist view, as well as pejorative categories of qualification of the modernism, such as \"degeneration.\" Special attention was given to the analysis of the cultural policy of the National Socialist regime, which from 1937 on undertook an \"action against degenerate art\", responsible for purging a large number of modern works of art from the German public museums, and for exhibiting in defamatory exhibitions a group of them, including some of Lasar Segall. In regards to the Brazilian case, the research dedicated attention to the relations between the Estado Novo and modern art, especially in the monitoring of its artificers by the organs of political repression.

Student Number : 9804058J - MSc dissertation - School of Information and Electrical Engineering - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / This paper presents the implementation of usability engineering into a device to meet the requirements of a Visually Impaired Person (VIP). Users of such a device may suffer from conditions such as Macular Degeneration, Diabetes and HIV/AID’s related disorders. Since these disorders affect a person’s vision, the device enlarges the desired text to reduce the effects of loss of vision. Other functionality may include image manipulation and colour modification. A usability engineering framework is incorporated into the design as well as accommodating user requirements in the design process. Usability principles are implemented, hence meeting the aims of effectiveness, efficiency, learnability, satisfaction and context of use. The device is examined via heuristic evaluation and usability testing from specialists and end users, with comments, ratings and times recorded. Research indicates that this device successfully implements usability engineering techniques and provides a cost effective, highly functional device for the VIP.

A epilepsia do lobo temporal (ELT) é o tipo mais comum de epilepsia em adultos. Estudos experimentais têm descrito aumento da geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) na morte neuronal relacionada à excitotoxicidade, presente em muitas doenças neurodegenerativas, incluindo a epilepsia. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a participação das EROs e da NADPH oxidase na morte neuronal no hipocampo de ratos submetidos ao modelo de ELT induzido pela pilocarpina (PILO). Os métodos utilizados foram a dihidroetidina (DHE) para determinar a geração de EROs, Fluoro-Jade B (detecta a degeneração de neurônios) e o tratamento com apocinina (APO), um antioxidante e inibidor da NADPH oxidase durante 7 dias prévios à injeção de PILO. Ratos machos Wistar adultos (n=5/grupo) foram submetidos à indução do status epilepticus (SE) e sacrificados após diferentes períodos (3, 6, 12 e 24 horas do início do SE). O giro denteado (GD) apresentou morte neuronal e aumento da geração de EROs em todos os períodos avaliados após indução de SE. Na região CA1, foi observada morte neuronal após 24 horas e aumento da geração em 6 e 24 horas. Na região CA3 morte neuronal e geração de EROs foram observadas após 24 horas do início do SE. O tratamento com APO diminuiu os níveis de EROs e morte neuronal em todas as regiões avaliadas. Nossos resultados indicam que o estresse oxidativo contribui para a morte neuronal durante o SE induzido por PILO. Além disso, pode-se sugerir que a NADPH oxidase está envolvida nesse processo, uma vez que o tratamento com APO diminuiu a neurodegeneração presente neste modelo de epilepsia / Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most frequent form of epilepsy in adults. Experimental data have described an increase of reactive species oxygen (ROS) generation in relation to the neuronal death related to excitotoxicity, which occurs in many neurodegenerative diseases, including epilepsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the participation of ROS generated by NADPH oxidase in the cell death observed in the hippocampus of rats submitted to the pilocarpine (PILO) model of TLE. Dihydroethidium (DHE) oxidation and Fluoro-Jade B assays were peformed in order to detect ROS generation and neurodegeneration, respectively. Moreover, treatment of rats with apocynin (APO), an antioxidant and NADPH oxidase inhibitor, was also performed for 7 days prior to induction of status epilepticus (SE). Male Wistar rats (n=5/group) were submitted to PILO injection for SE induction and sacrificed after different periods (3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after SE establishment). The dentate gyrus (DG) present clear neurodegeneration, as well as an increase of ROS generation, in all analysed periods. In the CA1 area neuronal death was observed at 24h and ROS generation after 6h and 24h after SE establishment. In the CA3 area neuronal death and ROS generation were detected 24h after SE induction. APO treatment was effective in decreasing both ROS production and neurodegeneration in all three hipocampal areas. These results reinforce the idea that oxidative stress contributes to the neuronal death ensuing after SE induced by pilocarpine. In addition, as the APO treatment decreased neurodegeneration present in this epilepsy model, we suggest an involvement of ROS generated by NADPH oxidase in TLE

A fração solúvel de ST2 (sST2) é a isoforma circulante do ST2, um receptor membro da família das interleucinas-1. O sST2 é considerado um biomarcador cardíaco, pois é induzido mecanicamente pelo estiramento de cardiomiócitos e fibroblastos em situações de estresse miocárdico secundário à sobrecargas de volume ou de pressão, podendo ser detectado no soro. Este biomarcador tem demonstrado valor prognóstico em humanos, sendo considerado um importante preditor de mortalidade independente. Embora possua capacidade limitada como teste diagnóstico quando utilizado isoladamente, as concentrações séricas de sST2 apresentam-se aumentadas em pacientes humanos com ICC aguda, motivo pelo qual sua utilidade tem sido estudada em associação a outros biomarcadores como o NT-proBNP e a troponina I (cTnI). Entretanto, ainda não há estudos clínicos avaliando o sST2 em cães com degeneração valvar crônica de mitral (DVCM). Portanto, a proposta deste estudo foi determinar a utilidade do sST2, comparado ao NT-proBNP e a cTnI, para a avaliação de cães predispostos ou em diferentes estágios da DVCM. Para tanto, foram selecionados 151 cães em diferentes estágios de DVCM. Os animais foram submetidos à exame clínico, testes laboratoriais, radiografias torácicas, eletrocardiografia, ecodopplercardiografia, mensuração de pressão arterial sistólica e dosagens dos biomarcadores sST2, NT-proBNP e cTnI. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que as concentrações de sST2 foram maiores nos cães com ICC secundária a DVCM, em relação aos cães sem ICC. Entretanto, quando os cães foram agrupados de acordo com os estágios da DVCM, não houve diferença nas mensurações de sST2 entre os grupos. As mensurações de NT-proBNP e a cTnI foram maiores tanto nos cães com ICC, em relação aos cães sem ICC, quanto nos estágios mais avançados da DVCM. Observou-se correlação entre o sST2 e os biomarcadores NT-proBNP e cTnI, assim como entre sST2 e variáveis ecodopplercardiográficas de avaliação da função diastólica. Na análise de curva ROC para o diagnóstico de ICC, as áreas sob a curva (AUC) foram de 0,66 para o sST2, 0,86 para NT-proBNP e 0,76 para cTnI. Na avaliação de prognóstico, observou-se que o grupo de cães com mensurações de sST2 maiores que 40 pg/mL apresentou maior ocorrência de óbito, comparado ao grupo com menores valores de sST2. Concluiu-se que o desempenho do sST2, como teste diagnóstico para ICC, isoladamente, foi limitado e inferior aos outros biomarcadores estudados. Entretanto, a correlação observada entre sST2, NT-proBNP, cTnI e variáveis ecodopplercardiográficas, sugere que o sST2 pode acrescentar valor diagnóstico em uma análise de regressão multivariada. O sST2 parece possuir utilidade como marcador prognóstico independente, sendo preditor de mortalidade em cães com DVCM. / The soluble fraction of ST2 (sST2) is the circulating isoform of ST2, a member of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor family. Soluble ST2 is considered a cardiac biomarker, which is induced mechanically by the stretch of cardiomyocytes and fiblobasts in situations of myocardial stress, due to volume or pressure overload, and may be measured in serum. This biomarker has shown prognostic value in human cardiology, and is considered an important independent mortality predictor. Although it holds limited diagnostic capacity by itself, serum concentration of sST2 is increased in acute heart failure human patients, reason why its utility has been studied in association to other biomarkers as NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin I (cTnI). However, studies assessing sST2 in dogs with chronic mitral valve disease (CMVD) are still lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the utility of sST2, compared to NT-proBNP and cTnI, for assessment of dogs predisposed to or in different stages of CMVD. With this purpose, 151 dogs in different stages of CMVD were recruited and submitted to clinical exam, laboratory tests, thoracic radiography, electrocardiography, echocardiography, systolic arterial blood pressure assessment and measurement of the biomarkers sST2, NT-proBNP and cTnI. The results demonstrate that sST2 concentration was higher in dogs in congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to CMVD compared to dogs without CHF. However, when dogs were stratified according to CMVD stages, it was not possible to differentiate the groups based on sST2 concentrations. NT-proBNP and cTnI concentrations were higher in CHF dogs compared to non-CHF dogs, as well as in more advanced stages of CMVD. There was correlation between sST2 and NT-proBNP and cTnI, and also between sST2 and diastolic function echocardiographic variables. Analysis of ROC curve for HF diagnosis showed areas under the curve (AUC) of 0,66 for sST2; 0,86 for NT-proBNP and 0,76 for cTnI. As for prognosis assessment, sST2 concentrations higher than 40 pg/mL indicated higher mortality compared to groups with lower sST2 values. We conclude that sST2 performance as a stand alone diagnostic test is limited and inferior to the other studied biomarkers. However, the correlation observed between sST2, NT-proBNP, cTnI and echocardiographic variables, suggests that sST2 may add diagnostic value in a multivariate regression analysis. sST2 seems to be a useful independent prognostic marker, and mortality predictor in dogs with CMVD.

Retinose Pigmentar (RP) é uma doença hereditária que conduz progressivamente à cegueira. Mais de 150 mutações da rodopsina associadas à RP foram descritas, e causam a alteração da sua conformação. Esta tese testou a hipótese de que pequenas moléculas auxiliam na formação da rodopsina e/ou reduzem a morte dos fotorreceptores. As mutações da RP, N15S e P23H, revelaram diferenças quanto às características e gravidade devido à má-formação das proteínas mutantes. Ligação de pequenas moléculas (retinóides, íons metálicos, clorofilas e antocianinas) à rodopsina foi demonstrada in vitro. O derivado da clorofila, Ce6, mostrou-se mais efetivo, conferindo maior estabilidade e foi então testado em ratos submetidos à degeneração por luz ou em modelos de RP (P23H e S334ter). Observou-se uma proteção contra a degeneração por luz e uma significante diminuição da degeneração no P23H. Em contraste, Ce6 causou um aumento na degeneração dos fotorreceptores do S334ter. Finalmente, resultados clínicos, bioquímicos e in vivo foram comparados e mostraram estar altamente relacionados. / Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited disease that progressively leads to blindness. More than 150 mutations associated with RP are known in rhodopsin, causing its misfolding. This thesis tested the hypothesis that small molecules can rescue folded rhodopsin and/or reduce photoreceptor cell death. RP mutations, N15S and P23H, revealed differences in characteristics and severity of misfolding of the mutant proteins. Binding of small molecule classes (retinals, metal ions, chlorophylls and anthocyanins) to rhodopsin was demonstrated in vitro. The chlorophyll derivative, Ce6, was most effective in conferring stability and therefore tested in rats subjected to light-damage and RP rat models, P23H and S334ter. Protection against the light-induced retinal degeneration and more importantly a significant slowing of the photoreceptor degeneration rate in the P23H rat were observed. In contrast, Ce6 increased photoreceptor degeneration in the S334ter rat. Finally, clinical, biochemical and in vivo rat data were compared and it was found to be highly correlated.