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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
391

Avaliação comparativa de duas formulações anti-helmínticas em caprinos naturalmente infectados

Lima, Juliana Alves [UNESP] 30 July 2006 (has links) (PDF)
Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-07-30Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:55:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lima_ja_me_jabo.pdf: 145215 bytes, checksum: 050e95ab3fc21a0c75221f6fbc659e0b (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Avaliou-se no presente trabalho, a eficácia de dois antiparasitários: Moxidectina 1 % e a associação de (Albendazol + Levamizole + Ivermectina) no tratamento de nematódeos gastrintestinais de caprinos naturalmente infectados, da região de JaboticaballSP. Animais diagnosticados com infecção de nematódeos gastrintestinais, por meio de contagens de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) superior a 500, foram randomizados e distribuídos em três grupos de 8 caprinos: Grupo I: Moxidectina 1 %, (200mcg/Kg) injetável, via subcutânea, na dose 1 mU50Kg; Grupo 11: Associação (Albendazole + Hidroclorido de Levamizole + Ivermectina) via per os, 1mU4Kg e Grupo 111: Controle (Solução Fisiológica) 1mU50Kg, via subcutânea. Após sete dias os animais foram eutanasiados e necropsiados para colheita, identificação e contagem dos helmintos. As espécies encontradas foram: Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongy/us. co/ubriformis, T. axei, Oesophagostomum co/umbianum, Trichuris ovis e Capillaria bovis, sendo o H. contortus e T. co/ubriformis os mais expressivos com 57,49% e 47,25%, respectivamente. A associação demonstrou eficácia superior a 99% sobre as seis espécies, atingindo 100%, contra quatro delas, enquanto a moxidectina, em apenas quatro, obtendo eficácia máxima apenas contra duas espécies. / The efficiency of two anti-parasitic has been assessed in the present study: Moxidectin -1 % and the association of (Albendazole + Levamizole + Ivennectine) in the treatment of gastro-intestinal nematodes in naturally infected caprines in the region of Jaboticabal/SP. Animais diagnosticated whit gastro-intestinal nematode infection, by the count of eggs per gram of stools (EPG) superior to 500, were randomized and distributed in three groups of 8 caprines: Group I: Moxidectin 1 %, (200mcg/Kg), inserted, via sub-cutaneous, administered at a dose of 1 mU50kg; Group 11: Association of (Albendazole + Hydrochloridric Levamizole + Ivennectine) via peros, 1 mU4Kg and Group 111: Control (Fisiologic Solution) 1 mU50Kg, via subcutaneous. After seven days, the animais were euthanasied and necropsied for the harvest, identification and counting of helmints. The found species were: Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongy/us co/ubriformis, T. axei, Oesophagostomun co/umbianum, Trichuris ovis and Capillaria bovis, finding that H. contortus and T. co/ubriformis are the most expressive ones whit 57,49% and 47,25% respectively. The association showed efficacy superior to 99% over the six species, reaching 100% against four, whereas moxidectin, only four, obtaining the maximum against two species.
392

Historiografia Americana em Revista: a American Historical Review (1895 a 1915)

PERPETUO, C. H. Z. 05 May 2017 (has links)
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-01T23:44:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_8689_PERPÉTUO, César - Dissertação - entregue em 05-07-201720170713-101816.pdf: 1569896 bytes, checksum: ce87e53125fc7de0ba937b605517917b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-05 / A American Historical Review (AHR) foi criada em 1895 por um pequeno grupo de intelectuais que, motivados pelo surgimento de diversos outros periódicos no século XIX, buscavam criar uma nova plataforma para que todos os historiadores norte-americanos pudessem publicar os seus trabalhos e criar novos laços profissionais com os seus colegas. Na AHR eram publicadas uma série de resenhas, documentos, artigos autorais e outros tipos de comunicados e textos que foram responsáveis por facilitar o debate e o contato entre historiadores e outros intelectuais. Neste trabalho de dissertação, pretendo mostrar como é possível a realização de uma profunda análise sobre a historiografia de uma determinada época a partir do estudo das revistas de história, pegando como exemplo os primeiros vinte anos de existência da American Historical Review, compreendendo sua história, conjuntura, e mapeando os artigos autorais publicados na mesma para encontrar um padrão de principais recortes, temáticas e objetos de estudo que possam nos mostrar qual era a fisionomia da AHR naquela época.
393

Análise da incorporação de cooperativas: um estudo de caso

Benato, Aline Busetti 24 August 2017 (has links)
Cooperativismo é uma doutrina socioeconômica, que significa união de forças para uma necessidade, buscando um benefício comum. É um movimento capaz de unir desenvolvimento econômico e bem-estar social, tendo como referenciais fundamentais a participação democrática, a solidariedade, a independência e a autonomia. Assim, a participação dos associados na cooperativa é fundamental para o bom andamento nas decisões, para que ocorram de forma conjunta. A modernização da cooperação assume formas empresariais distintas, o que torna necessário que as cooperativas busquem alternativas e estratégias de gestão para a sociedade cooperativa como um todo, sendo uma dela a incorporação. Essa estratégia busca a automação das atividades, aliando-se a tecnologias que lhes permitam agilidade, dinamismo, garantia nas decisões estratégicas e competitividade. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho é analisar o processo da incorporação das cinco cooperativas que formaram a Cooperativa Agroindustrial Nova Aliança LTDA., sob o ponto de vista do associado. Para tanto, realizouse uma pesquisa descritiva com abordagem quantitativa (survey) que permitiu verificar e apresentar um diagnóstico da real visão dos associados em relação à Cooperativa Agroindustrial Nova Aliança Ltda., por meio de 248 questionário válidos. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa SPSS™ (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Realizando, assim, os testes de estatística descritiva, análise de regressão, análise fatorial e análise cruzada dos dados. Os resultados mostram as percepções gerais dos associados em relação à aspectos sobre gestão, atendimento, infraestrutura e assistência técnica. Através da análise descritiva dos dados, verificou-se que a questão relacionada ao atendimento que o associado tem na cooperativa obteve a melhor média, 4,67, em relação a todos os entrevistados e independente a cooperativa de origem. Ao avaliar a análise de regressão pode-se observar que a variável dependente refere-se a satisfação do associado com a cooperativa, assim, afirmando que todas as demais variáveis independentes estão diretamente ligadas a satisfação. A análise cruzada dos dados possibilitou entender como os procedimentos e aspectos da gestão afetam diferentemente cada uma das cooperativas analisadas. De modo geral, os resultados mostram que há um percentual maior em relação a concordância para todas as Cooperativas analisadas. Os associados da Cooperativa São Victor conforme a análise cruzada, são os mais favoráveis, em relação a todas as questões abordadas. Para as Cooperativa, Aliança, Linha Jacinto, Santo Antônio e São Pedro, os associados posicionaram-se diferentemente para cada questão. Afirmando que há visões, opiniões e interesses diferentes sobre o processo de incorporação, independente a cooperativa de origem. / Cooperativism is a socioeconomic doctrine, which means union of forces for a need, seeking a common benefit. It is a movement capable of uniting economic development and social welfare, with democratic participation, solidarity, independence and autonomy. Thus, the participation of the members in the cooperative is fundamental for the good progress in the decisions, so that they occur jointly. The modernization of cooperation takes different forms of business, which makes it necessary for cooperatives to seek alternatives and management strategies for the cooperative society as a whole, one of them being the incorporation. This strategy seeks the automation of activities, combining technologies that allow them agility, dynamism, guarantee in strategic decisions and competitiveness. In this sense, the objective of this work is to analyze the incorporation process of the five cooperatives that formed Cooperativa Agroindustrial Nova Aliança LTDA., under the associate's point of view. For that, For that, a descriptive research with quantitative approach (survey) that allowed to verify and present a diagnosis of the real vision of the associates in relation to the Cooperativa Agroindustrial Nova Aliança Ltda., by means of a valid 248 questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the SPSS ™ program (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Thus, the tests of descriptive statistics, factorial analysis, regression analysis and cross-analysis of the data. The results show the general perceptions of the associates regarding the aspects on management, service, infrastructure and technical assistance. Through the descriptive analysis of the data, it was verified that the question related to the attendance that the associate has in the cooperative obtained the best average, 4.67, in relation to all interviewed and independent the cooperative of origin. When evaluating the regression analysis it can be observed that the dependent variable refers to the satisfaction of the associated with the cooperative, thus, stating that all other independent variables are directly linked to satisfaction. The cross-analysis of the data made it possible to understand how the procedures and management aspects affect each of the cooperatives analyzed differently. In general, the results show that there is a higher percentage in relation to the agreement for all Cooperatives analyzed. The associates of the Cooperativa São Victor according to the cross-analysis, are the most favorable, in relation to all the issues addressed. For the Cooperative, Aliança, Linha Jacinto, Santo Antônio and São Pedro, the associates positioned themselves differently for each question. Affirming that there are different views, opinions and interests on the incorporation process, regardless of the origin cooperative.
394

As associações epizóicas de Hydrozoa (Cnidaria: Leptothecata, Anthoathecata e Limnomedusae): I) Estudo faunístico de hidrozoários epizóicos e seus organismos associados; II) Dinâmica de comunidades bentônicas em substratos artificiais em São Sebastião, SP. / The epizoic associations within Hydrozoa (Cnidária: Leptothecata, Anthoatehcata and Limnomedusae): I) Faunistic study of the epizoic hydrozoans and their associated organisms; II) The dinamics of benthic communities on artificial substrates from São Sebastião, SP.

Vanessa Shimabukuro 18 May 2007 (has links)
A epibiose é um fenômeno que inclui epizoísmo (organismos que utilizam animais como substrato) e epifitismo (organismos que utilizam vegetais como substrato). Especificamente para Hydrozoa, há diversos tipos de associação destes com outros animais (e.g., moluscos, crustáceos, poríferos e ascídias), em uma relação conhecida como epizoótica ou epizóica. De maneira geral, as larvas plânulas de hidróides ou outras formas de dispersão, como frústulas e pólipos desprendidos, podem fixar-se e crescer em quase qualquer animal macroscópico do bentos marinho, incluindo outros hidróides, simplesmente usando-os como um substrato conveniente. Há duas formas de expressão do epizoísmo em Hydrozoa: (1) quando os mesmos são substratos de outros animais e (2) quando eles exploram um animal como substrato. A segunda acepção proposta, em que hidróides colonizam outros animais usando-os como substrato, foi o foco deste estudo. A primeira acepção só será incluída neste estudo quando houver hidróides que utilizam outros hidróides como substrato. O estudo foi dividido em duas partes, cada uma com objetivos próprios, embora complementares no conhecimento sobre os hidróides epizóicos. A primeira parte, o estudo faunístico, objetiva primeiramente o levantamento das espécies de hidróides epizóicos e da fauna utilizada como substrato por meio do estudo de coleções de museus e materiais coletados em pontos do litoral de Santa Catarina e São Paulo, e de registros citados na literatura. A segunda parte, o estudo de dinâmica da comunidade de hidróides epizóicos, objetiva investigar as associações com substratos animais quanto à sazonalidade de ocorrência, reprodução e ocupação por hidróides epizóicos, por meio de experimento em campo com placas de recrutamento no canal de São Sebastião. No estudo faunístico foram encontradas 117 espécies epizóicas que utilizaram como substratos representantes de duas classes de Porifera (Hexactinellida e Demospongiae), 211 espécies que utilizaram como substratos representantes de duas classes de Cnidaria (Anthozoa e Hydrozoa), 143 espécies que utilizaram representantes de duas classes de Mollusca (Bivalvia e Gastropoda), 57 espécies que utilizaram como substratos representantes de duas ordens de Polychaeta (Aciculata e Canalipalpata), 72 espécies que utilizaram representantes de duas classes de Crustacea (Maxillopoda e Malacostraca), 103 espécies que utilizaram representantes das classes Gymnolaemata e Stenolaemata de Bryozoa e 51 espécies que foram encontradas sobre representantes de três ordens de Ascidiacea (Aplousobranchia, Phlebobranchia e Stolidobranchia). Os aspectos biológicos das associações foram discutidos nos capítulos referentes a cada tipo de substrato animal. Já no estudo de dinâmica das comunidades bentônicas, foram caracterizados hidróides epizóicos de 25 espécies, e estes utilizaram substratos dos filos Porifera, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Arthropoda (Crustacea), Annelida (Polychaeta), Bryozoa e Chordata (Ascidiacea). Os agrupamentos de substratos encontrados na análise de correspondência parecem estar relacionados a características morfológicas dos substratos. Já os fatores biológicos e temporais influenciaram a sucessão ecológica das placas experimentais. No capítulo de considerações finais, os dados sobre epizoísmo dos capítulos de faunística e dinâmica, além de dados referentes a substratos menos freqüentes (não apresentados nesta dissertação), foram reunidos para uma análise de aspectos mais globais do epizoísmo de hidrozoários. Assim, possíveis padrões das famílias de hidróides epizóicos puderam ser definidos (em agrupamentos de especialistas, generalistas ou exclusivos de alguns substratos animais) e discutidos / 2.1 The associations between animal groups and species of sponges are relatively well known and described in the literature. Of all the cnidarian groups, the most diverse associations with sponges are found among the hydrozoans. In this study, 117 species of epizoic hydroids were found on two classes of sponge substrates (Hexactinellida and Demospongiae). The biological aspects of the interactions between hydrozoans and sponges were discussed in this chapter. 3.1 Many studies describe the association between cnidarians and other organisms, even other cnidarians. In this study, 211 species of epizoic hydroids were found on two classes of cnidarian substrates (Anthozoa and Hydrozoa). The biological aspects of the interactions between hydrozoans and other cnidarians were discussed in this chapter. 4.1 The Phyllum Mollusca is one of the main groups that hydrozoans have ecological associations. On soft-bottom environments, the shells are an alternative for the organisms that need hard susbtrates to settle and grow. In this study, 143 species of epizoic hydroids were found on two classes of mollusc substrates (Bivalvia and Gastropoda). The biological aspects of the interactions between hydrozoans and molluscs were discussed in this chapter. 5.1 The polychaetes are abundant in different habitats and can be associated with many animals, even hydroids. In this study, 57 species of epizoic hydroids were found on two orders of polychaetes substrates (Aciculata and Canalipalpata). The biological aspects of the interactions between hydroids and polychaetes were discussed in this chapter. 6.1 The crustacean can be used as substrates, being their bodies and appendages overgrown by hydroid polyps. Another form of association found in the literature is indirect: the polyps grow over the gastropod shells occupied by hermit crabs. In this study 72 species of epizoic hydroids were found using two classes of Crustacea (Maxillopoda and Malacostraca) as substrates. The biological aspects of the interactions between hydroids and crustaceans were discussed in this chapter. 7.1 The bryozoan colonies grow on many substrates like rocks, algae, shells, crustaceans, ascidians, hydroids, and are important fouling members that grow on artificial substrates. However, they can also serve as substrate for other animals, even hydroids. In this study, 103 species of epizoic hydroids were found on two classes of bryozoan substrates (Gymnolaemata and Stenolaemata). The biological aspects of the interactions between hydroids and bryozoans were discussed in this chapter. 8.1 The most common commensal organisms of ascidians cited in the literature are copepods, molluscs, polychaetes, nemertines and there are records of endosymbiotic hydroids. The associations between ascidians and hydroids were listed in this study, and 51 species of epizoic hydroids were found on three orders of ascidian substrates (Aplousobranchia, Phlebobranchia e Stolidobranchia). The biological aspects of the interactions between hydroids and ascidians were discussed in this chapter. 9.1 Studies on the colonization of artificial substrates are quite common in the literature. In this study, we used ceramic panels in São Sebastião, SP, in order to observe the hydroid epizoic community and their animal substrates. Twenty-five species of epizoic hydroids were found on substrates of Porifera, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Arthropoda (Crustácea), Annelida (Polychaeta), Bryozoa and Chordata (Ascidiacea). The groups of substrates defined by the correspondence analysis seem to be related to the morphological features of the substrates, and the biological and temporal factors seem to influence the ecological succession of the experimental panels.
395

HOMINID: a framework for identifying associations between host genetic variation and microbiome composition

Lynch, Joshua, Tang, Karen, Priya, Sambhawa, Sands, Joanna, Sands, Margaret, Tang, Evan, Mukherjee, Sayan, Knights, Dan, Blekhman, Ran 08 November 2017 (has links)
Recent studies have uncovered a strong effect of host genetic variation on the composition of host-associated microbiota. Here, we present HOMINID, a computational approach based on Lasso linear regression, that given host genetic variation and microbiome taxonomic composition data, identifies host single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are correlated with microbial taxa abundances. Using simulated data, we show that HOMINID has accuracy in identifying associated SNPs and performs better compared with existing methods. We also show that HOMINID can accurately identify the microbial taxa that are correlated with associated SNPs. Lastly, by using HOMINID on real data of human genetic variation and microbiome composition, we identified 13 human SNPs in which genetic variation is correlated with microbiome taxonomic composition across body sites. In conclusion, HOMINID is a powerful method to detect host genetic variants linked to microbiome composition and can facilitate discovery of mechanisms controlling host-microbiome interactions.
396

Prime validity affects masked repetition and masked semantic priming : evidence for an episodic resource-retrieval account of priming

Bodner, Glen Edward 02 February 2018 (has links)
In several experiments, masked repetition priming in the lexical decision task was greater when prime validity, defined as the proportion of repetition versus unrelated primes, was high (.8 vs. .2), even though primes were displayed for only 45 or 60 ms. A similar effect was also found with masked semantic primes. Prime validity effects are not predicted on a lexical entry-opening account of masked priming nor are they consistent with the use of prime validity effects as a marker for the consciously controlled use of primes. Instead, it is argued that episodic traces are formed even for masked primes, are available as a resource that can aid word identification, and are generally more likely to be recruited when their validity is high. However, prime validity effects did not obtain when targets varied markedly from trial to trial in how easy they were to process. Here, it appears that trial-to-trial discrepancies made the lexical decision task more difficult, causing an increase in prime recruitment, at least when prime validity was low. Consistent with this claim, prime validity effects emerged when these trial-to-trial discrepancies were minimized. / Graduate
397

What does it mean to belong? An in-depth look at the effects a sense of belonging in emerging adulthood has on coping

Torgerson, Chelsey January 1900 (has links)
Doctor of Philosophy / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Amber V. Vennum / Belonging to groups has been found to lead to many positive outcomes, including acting as a buffer for maladaptive coping behaviors, in the lives of emerging adults. Less is known about how belonging may act as a protective factor to engaging in unhealthy behaviors, less is known in regards to how group coping norms of the groups emerging adults belong to impact the motivations for coping and subsequently coping mechanisms. Further, belonging is a necessary component to life; however, less is known about how emerging adults understand what it means to belong. This dissertation includes two studies focused on belonging in emerging adulthood. Both studies utilized participants recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk (Mturk). In study 1, a quantitative study (N = 438) was conducted to further explore how group coping norms moderates the associations between group belonging and individual motives for coping. Additionally, coping behaviors were included to understand how belonging to groups is associated with coping motives and coping behaviors. Results from study 1 indicated that while belonging was not significantly predictive of motivations and functions of using specific behaviors, unhealthy group coping norms were positively predictive of motivations for and functions of behaviors for coping purposes. Moreover, the interaction term (belonging X unhealthy group norms) yielded one significant path indicating that belonging to groups may be protective of using sex to cope even when unhealthy group norms are present. Additionally, belonging was negatively associated with drug frequency and positively associated with healthy supportive and self-soothing coping. Further, several coping motives were positive predictors of both unhealthy and healthy coping behaviors. In study 2, a qualitative study (N = 422) using open-ended questions was conducted to hear from emerging adults about their experiences of belonging. A thematic analysis approach was used to code participant responses before categorization and identifying themes. Participant responses indicate that emerging adults belong to groups based on personal identity, religious and spiritual affiliations, life stage and circumstances, educational group associations, professional association, significant relationships, social change initiatives, shared interests and activities, online connections. Moreover, themes outlining what it means to belong to emerging adults include embraced, increased self-confidence, greater life meaning, experience of a safety net, commonalities among group members, relationship component to group belonging, and fitting in and conformity. Before belonging to groups, results indicate that becoming a member of the group is necessary. Reasons for joining groups, group membership through intentionality, formal group entrance process, group membership as a natural process, group membership through identity formation, and group membership in an online context are all components of joining groups for emerging adults. Participants described the process of belonging with the following themes: building investment and intimacy, messages of inclusion, developing connection and community, mutual support, positive feelings that foster belonging, and individual growth and development and the process of belonging. Finally, participants identified what they get from belonging to groups which included a sense of belonging, feeling included and a part of something, personal growth needs, emotional needs, communal needs, work needs, and giving back and volunteering needs. The findings of this qualitative study indicate a need to further understand the belonging phenomenon in emerging adults across many populations. Research, clinical, and practical implications are outlined and provided.
398

Conch Population Demographics and Habitat Association Near Port Everglades Inlet, Florida

Berry, Charlotte A. 01 May 2014 (has links)
The queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a large marine gastropod found throughout the tropical western Atlantic including Florida. Overfishing and habitat loss have led to Caribbean-wide population declines requiring regional protections. On Florida’s east coast, aggregations of conch were previously reported just south of a major shipping port near Ft. Lauderdale, unusually high latitude for the species. This study was designed to investigate the spatial extent and population demographics of the Ft. Lauderdale conch. In summer 2012, broad-scale population surveys were conducted to document benthic cover and conch distribution and size data along 72 random transects stratified across four habitats within 2 km north and south of the inlet. Younger conchs were found throughout the study area, but mostly in the colonized pavement west (CPW) habitat while old conchs were found exclusively at one CPW site south of the inlet. Significantly more conch were found on the CPW south habitat than any other. Benthic cover data suggests that CPW south may have a unique community composition dominated by macroalgae and sand. In summer 2013, the CPW south habitat was surveyed using cross-shelf transects measuring aggregation extent and demographics. Five hundred and twenty five conch were found, at a density of 495 conch per hectare. Confirmed mating sightings, females with eggs, and solitary egg masses were found indicating mating in this nearshore habitat is successful. Future research should include expanded broad-scale surveys to determine if other aggregations exist and monitoring to examine the effects of environmental change on this vulnerable species.
399

Efficient database management based on complex association rules

Zhang, Heng January 2017 (has links)
The large amount of data accumulated by applications is stored in a database. Because of the large amount, name conflicts or missing values sometimes occur. This prevents certain types of analysis. In this work, we solve the name conflict problem by comparing the similarity of the data, and changing the test data into the form of a given template dataset. Studies on data use many methods to discover knowledge from a given dataset. One popular method is association rules mining, which can find associations between items. This study unifies the incomplete data based on association rules. However, most rules based on traditional association rules mining are item-to-item rules, which is a less than perfect solution to the problem. The data recovery system is based on complex association rules able to find two more types of association rules, prefix pattern-to-item, and suffix pattern-to-item rules. Using complex association rules, several missing values are filled in. In order to find the frequent prefixes and frequent suffixes, this system used FP-tree to reduce the time, cost and redundancy. The segment phrases method can also be used for this system, which is a method based on the viscosity of two words to split a sentence into several phrases. Additionally, methods like data compression and hash map were used to speed up the search.
400

Mitochondrial DNA variation in extremely selected traits: longevity and elite athletic performance

Niemi, A.-K. (Anna-Kaisa) 03 May 2005 (has links)
Abstract Mitochondria contain a maternally inherited 16,568bp genome (mtDNA) that encodes for 13 out of more than 70 subunits of complexes of the respiratory chain that produce ATP by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). As a byproduct of OXPHOS, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed, which may play a role in ageing. MtDNA has accumulated numerous polymorphisms during evolution, leading to haplogroups characterized by ancient polymorphisms and defined by letters. MtDNA polymorphisms are thought to be neutral, but some may be slightly deleterious or even advantageous and may influence phenotypes of complex traits. Interestingly, several complex traits such as longevity and maximal aerobic power show maternal inheritance. Associations between mtDNA polymorphisms and longevity have been reported, but no systematic study has been made of the role of mtDNA in longevity. In addition, there are no previous reports on mtDNA haplogroups in elite athletic performance. Associations are demonstrated here between mtDNA haplogroups J, K and U and longevity in Finns. Interestingly, subhaplogroup J2 and haplogroup K, which were found in increased frequency among the 225 very old subjects studied, were not found among the 52 endurance athletes but were present in 11% of the 89 sprint athletes Uncoupling of OXPHOS reduces ATP and ROS production. Thus, a mitochondrial genome with a higher level of uncoupling may promote longevity but may not be favourable in situations that require a high level of ATP production, such as elite endurance performance. A more detailed analysis also showed an association between a combination of three common mtDNA polymorphisms and longevity in both the Finns and the Japanese, providing the first epidemiological support for the assumption that the nature of a mutation is determined by interactions with other mutations in mtDNA. In addition, a systematic approach was applied to study the role of mtDNA in longevity. Association analyses of mtDNA allele combinations in longevity revealed that the mtDNA control region, the tRNA and rRNA genes and the nucleotide repeats in mtDNA may play a role in longevity, since the alleles and allele combinations that showed the strongest associations with longevity, either negative or positive, were among these genes. Differences in overall variation in mtDNA between the very old and their controls were also studied, revealing more differences at synonymous (silent) sites than at non-synonymous (amino acid altering) sites. The findings support previous data suggesting that certain mtDNA haplogroups are associated with longevity. In addition, those haplogroups that increased in frequency among the very old Finns were not found among Finnish endurance athletes. Also, a novel systematic approach was applied to study mtDNA alleles, allele combinations and overall sequence variation in longevity, suggesting that there are interactions between various mtDNA positions and that the tRNA and rRNA genes and short tandem repeats in mtDNA may play a role in longevity.

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