Neste trabalho foi desenvolvida uma formulação para análise de sólidos bidimensionais constituídos por multiregiões utilizando-se do método dos elementos de contorno para análise linear e não linear. Para o caso de análise linear foi estudado o caso de regiões constituídas por sub-regiões de diferentes características mecânicas, utilizando-se técnicas que inicialmente consideram a compatibilidade de deslocamentos e o equilíbrio de forças na interface entre as sub-regiões, antes de se escrever as equações de equilíbrio. Inicialmente foi feita uma formulação, chamada neste trabalho de formulação singular, onde leva-se em conta apenas os deslocamentos incógnitos na interface e, posteriormente, foi desenvolvida outra formulação denominada hipersingular, onde são preservadas na interface apenas as forças de superfície. Para inclusões muito esbeltas, foi utilizada a técnica da condensação de domínios, onde o domínio 2D foi condensado inicialmente em um domínio linear de fibra e posteriormente em viga. Foi utilizada a discretização de inclusões muito esbeltas com rigidez quase nula visando a simular o comportamento de uma região de fratura elástica. A formulação foi estendida para análise não linear. A técnica das tensões iniciais foi adotada para modelar o sólido com regiões danificadas. Foi adotada a degeneração de inclusões muito esbeltas, que obedecem as leis constitutivas não lineares da mecânica do dano, simulando a origem de uma região de fratura. Para se melhorar a precisão das integrais, foi adotada a integração analítica sobre todo contorno e também sobre o domínio. Foram testados vários exemplos para validar os modelos propostos. / In this work, a boundary element formulation was developed to analyze 2D multiregions solids formed in the context of linear and non- linear analysis. Linear analysis was adopted to study problems containing regions with diferent elastic parameters. This formulation was used to study inclusion that could be degenerated to thin inclusion to represent the behavior of fibers and beams embedded in the main solid. For the linear problems, the sub-regions were adopted to represent structural elements with diferent mechanical characteristics. The sub regions were joined together by assuming the classical hypotheses of displacement compatibility and traction equilibrium along the interfaces, but applied before the approximation of the boundary and interface values. The alternative sub-region technique was developed initially to eliminate traction values along the interfaces, introducing therefore only unknown displacements. The technique was then modified to eliminate all displacements along the interface preserving the traction as unknowns. For the case of very thin inclusions the formulation has been simplified to simulate fiber and beam reinforcements. Appropriate displacement approximations across the thin sub-region have been assumed. In this inclusion was also analyzed with the elastic modulus degenerating to zero, simulating therefore a crack problem. The formulation has been extended to non-linear analysis. The initial stress procedure has been adopted to model solid with damaged regions. The damaged regions were assumed to be very small to simulate non-linear crack behavior governed by damage mechanic models. To improve the quality of the results all boundary and domains were integrated analytically. Many examples have been tested to certify that the proposed models are reliable.

As teorias de envelhecimento biológico podem ser divididas em duas categorias: as teorias bioquímicas e as teorias evolucionárias. As teorias bioquímicas explicam o envelhecimento como oriundo das imperfeições dos mecanismos bioquímicos responsáveis pela manutenção da vida. As teorias evolucionárias explicam o envelhecimento sem recorrerem a mecanismos bioquímicos, mas sim a fatores adaptativos. Neste trabalho estudamos modelos teóricos de envelhecimento a luz das teorias evolucionárias. Um dos modelos evolucionários de envelhecimento mais bem-sucedido é o modelo Penna. Estudamos alguns de seus principais resultados, entre eles a senescência catastrófica e a lei de Gompertz. Discutimos também a versão sexuada do modelo, dando especial ênfase às conseqüências da fidelidade sexual e da seletividade sexual. Em 1995, simultaneamente ao surgimento do modelo Penna, foi proposto o modelo Heumann-Hotzel. Inicialmente este modelo não foi bem-sucedido devido a algumas características pouco realistas. Mas seu insucesso foi rapidamente suplantado por algumas modificações simples e essenciais. Neste trabalho investigamos, através de simulações numéricas, regimes alternativos de reprodução no modelo Heumann-Hotzel modificado. Os regimes estudados foram: reprodução sexuada com e sem recombinação genética, partenogênese meiótica, partenogênese apomítica, hermafroditismo e parassexo. Avaliamos qual a melhor estratégia evolutiva: haploidia ou diploidia, reprodução assexuada ou reprodução sexuada e, no último caso, com ou sem recombinação genética. Dentre os regimes reprodutivos analisados, um deles mereceu especial atenção. Propusemos uma versão sexuada do modelo Heumann-Hotzel modificado, onde a população tem o genoma cronológico baseado na assimetria dos cromossomos sexuais X e Y. O modelo foi denominado Modelo do Cromossomo Y. O cromossomo Y tem uma estrutura genética muito comprometida. Ele tem menos genes do que o cromossomo X e somente um terço do seu tamanho. O cromossomo Y apresenta inúmeras seqüências de genes repetitivos e uma minoria de genes funcionais. Nos homens, os cromossomos X e Y não se recombinam, enquanto que nas mulheres, seus cromossomos X se recombinam. A degeneração do cromossomo Y tem sido explicada pela não recombinação dos cromossomos X e Y. Os resultados deste trabalho sugerem uma explicação alternativa para a degeneração do cromossomo Y. Demonstramos que mesmo quando não há recombinação dos cromossomos sexuais, e com mutações atuando com mesma intensidade e freqüência, tanto em cromossomos X, quanto em cromossomos Y, a seleção natural leva a um desfavorecimento espontâneo do cromossomo Y. Concluímos que a seleção natural leva a degeneração do cromossomo Y. / Aging theories can be classified in two types: biochemical theory and evolutionary theory. The biochemical theories explain ageing due to imperfections on the biochemical process responsible for the maintenance of life. The evolutionary theories explain aging without any biochemical mechanisms. They support only adaptive strategies, such as reproduction, heredity, mutations and natural selection. In this work we studied theoretical aging models in the light of evolutionary theories. A successful ageing model was proposed by Penna in 1995. This model can reproduce a large amount of biological features. We present a review with its most important results, including catastrophic senescence and Gompertz law. We also present the sexual version of Penna model and some consequences of sexual fidelity and sexual selection. An alternative aging model was proposed in 1995, known as Heumann- Hotzel model. At the beginning, this model did not succeed due to some unrealistic features. A few modifications were necessary to give the model interesting properties. We studied, through numerical simulations, alternative forms of reproduction in the modified Heumann-Hotzel model, including sexual reproduction with and without crossing-over, meiotic parthenogenesis, apomictic parthenogenesis, hermaphroditism and parasex. We also investigated and compared what is the best strategy: haploid or diploid populations, asexual or sexual reproduction and, in this case, with or without crossing-over. One version of the sexual reproduction deserved special attention. We propose a sexual version of the modified Heumann-Hotzel model, in which the population\'s genomes have the same symmetry as the sexual chromosomes. This model was denominated Y Chromosome Model. In comparison to the other chromosomes, the Y is poor in genes and it is often called a genetic junkyard. It has fewer genes than X chromosome and one third of its length. Besides, the Y chromosome has a large amount of repetitive gene sequences and only a small number of them have some sort of function. In men, the X and Y-chromosomes do not recombine with each other, while in women their X chromosomes do recombine with each other. Today we know that the Y chromosome degeneration occurs due to its lack of recombination. In this work we show an alternative explanation for the Y chromosome degeneration. Even in the absence of recombination and when the same number and intensity of mutations are applied on the X and Y-chromosomes, more mutations are accumulated in the Y chromosome. We conclude that natural selection leads to Y chromosome degeneration.

INTRODUÇÃO: A degeneração do disco intervertebral (DIV) é um processo crônico e apontado como o maior causador de cervicalgia e lombalgia. Esse processo geralmente conta com a degradação da matriz extracelular, expressão de citocinas inflamatórias e fatores angiogênicos e axonogênicos. Entretanto, muito pouco se sabe sobre esse processo em DIVs assintomáticos durante o envelhecimento, principalmente no segmento cervical. O objetivo desse estudo foi de delinear o perfil de moléculas relacionadas à degeneração discal em DIVs cervicais e lombares. MÉTODOS: Discos intervertebrais humanos cervicais e lombares (C4-C6 e L4-S1) foram coletados em autópsia de 30 indivíduos presumivelmente assintomáticos e divididos em grupos jovem (GJ < 35 anos, n=60) e idoso (GI > 65 anos, n=60). O nível de degeneração foi constatado pela escala de Thompson, e foi correlacionado com a detecção imuno-histoquímica das moléculas de MMP-1, -2, -3, TIMP-1, IL-1beta, TNF-alfa, VEGF, NGF-beta e BDNF. RESULTADOS: Todos os DIVs mostraram algum grau de degeneração, embora mais acentuadas no GI. As moléculas empenhadas no estudo foram identificadas em ambos grupos. A detecção imuno-histoquímica foi prevalente no citoplasma das células nativas do DIV e na região de interseção entre a placa vertebral e o arranjo fibro-colágeno. O envelhecimento propiciou, no disco cervical, maior expressão de MMP-2, -3, VEGF, NGF-beta e BDNF, enquanto que no disco lombar, a maior expressão foi de MMP-1, -2 -3, TIMP-1, TNF-alfa, VEGF e NGF-beta. DISCUSSÃO: O envelhecimento de DIVs cervicais e lombares caracterizou-se por exibir um processo catabólico e extensivo remodelamento da matriz extracelular, os quais podem ser interpretados como eventos que antecipam a doença degenerativa discal. Esse processo é capaz de levar a angiogênese e axonogênese de modo a ampliar o metabolismo aeróbio do DIV e captar informação nociceptiva como forma de defesa, uma vez que até nos discos lombares de indivíduos jovens essa última característica pôde ser observada. Discos assintomáticos também exibem moléculas relacionadas à doença degenerativa discal e talvez a inibição de parte dessas possa resultar em terapia preventiva / INTRODUCTION: Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (DIV) is a chronic process that pointed as a major cause of neck and low back pain. This process generally includes an extracellular matrix degradation, expression of inflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis and axonogenesis factors. However, there is a little known about this process in asymptomatic DIVs during aging, especially in the cervical region. The aim of this study was to delineate the profile of molecules related to disc degeneration in the cervical and lumbar discs. METHODS: Human cervical and lumbar intervertebral discs (C4-C6 e L4-S1) were harvested at autopsy from 30 asymptomatic individuals, and divided according to age with young (GJ < 35 years old, n=60) and elderly (GI > 65 years old, n=60) groups. Gross degeneration was graded according to the Thompson scale and this was correlated to the immunohistochemical detection of molecules of MMP-1, -2, -3, TIMP-1, IL-1beta, TNF-alfa, VEGF, NGF-beta e BDNF. RESULTS: Discs from GJ were significantly less degenerated than those of GI. The molecules involved in the study were identified in both groups. The immunohistochemical detection was prevalent in the cytoplasm of native disc cells and the region between the vertebral plate and fibrous collagen arrangement (intersection). Aging provided in cervical disc, increased expression of MMP-2, -3, VEGF, NGF and BDNF-beta, whereas in the lumbar disc the highest expression of MMP-1, -2, -3, TIMP-1, TNF-alfa, VEGF and NGF-beta was seen. DISCUSSION: The aging of cervical and lumbar DIV was marked by catabolic process and a extensive remodeling on extracellular matrix which can be interpreted as a predict event of the degenerative disc disease. This process can lead to angiogenesis and axonogenesis in order to expand the aerobic metabolism of the DIV and get nociceptive information as a defense, since even in the lumbar discs of young individuals this last feature can be observed. Asymptomatic discs also exhibit molecules related to degenerative disc disease and perhaps the inhibition some of these can result in preventive therapy

A Degeneração da Mácula Relacionada a Idade (DMRI) acomete pessoas com mais de 50 anos, comprometendo gravemente a visão. Desde 2005, têm-se sugerido uma correlação entre DMRI e o polimorfismo Y402H do Fator H (FH). Os mecanismos pelos quais a proteína FH participa da etiopatogenia dessa doença têm sido alvo de muitos estudos, desde então. Neste trabalho, investigamos a correlação entre esse polimorfismo e a expressão de proteínas da via alternativa e parâmetros do perfil lipídico de pacientes com DMRI. As concentrações de FH, Fator B, C3 e Proteína C-reativa foram semelhantes entre os grupos controle e paciente. As concentrações de Fator D e os autoanticorpos encontravam-se reduzidos nos pacientes; enquanto Fator I e os demais parâmetros do perfil lipídico estavam aumentados nesses pacientes. A variante Y402 aparentemente aderiu melhor à superfície das leptospiras (superfície ativadora da via alternativa) em relação à variante H402, mas não houve diferença entre as variantes em relação à ligação a células endoteliais (superfície não ativadora). / Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects people over 50 years, and severely prejudice the vision. Since 2005, it has been suggested a correlation between AMD and the Y402H polymorphism of Factor H (FH). After this, the mechanisms by which FH protein participates in the pathogenesis of this disease have been extensively studied. In this study, we investigated the correlation between this polymorphism and expression of proteins of the alternative pathway and lipid profile of patients with AMD. The concentrations of FH, Factor B, C3 and C-reactive protein were similar between the control and patient groups.Factor D concentrations and autoantibodies levels were reduced in patients, while Factor I concentrations and the levels of the other parameters of lipid profile were increased in these patients.Apparently, Y402 variant displays better adhesion to the surface of Leptospira (alternative pathway activating surface) than the H402 variant, but no difference between the variants of the linkage to endothelial cells (non-alternative pathway activating surface).

A Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica (ELA) é uma doença neurodegenerativa progressiva de evolução rápida, caracterizada pela perda seletiva dos neurônios motores (NM) superiores e inferiores. Recentemente, as células gliais centrais (astrócito, microglia e oligodendrócito) mostraram-se tóxicas aos NM, porém os detalhes moleculares não estão completamente elucidados. Em relação às células gliais periféricas, alterações eletrofisiológicas no nervo ciático do modelo animal da ELA na idade pré-sintomática foram reportadas pelo nosso grupo e os achados de denervação precoce tanto no modelo animal quanto em pacientes sugerem a participação das células de Schwann (CS) na morte neuronal retrógrada na ELA, teoria conhecida como dying back. Nesse contexto, as CS mostraram-se capazes de induzir a retração axonal e a denervação das junções neuromusculares, eventos precoces na doença, ocorrendo possivelmente na fase présintomática. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência das CS do modelo experimental na fase pré-sintomática e do paciente com evolução recente da forma esporádica da ELA, na sobrevida e no tamanho dos prolongamentos dos NM in vitro e entender a natureza molecular do fenômeno. Culturas de CS altamente purificadas foram obtidas a partir do nervo ciático do camundongo modelo animal e do nervo periférico de pacientes com ELA. Os NM da medula espinal de camundongos neonatos foram co-cultivados com as CS. A neurodegeneração foi avaliada pela presença do marcador Fluoro-Jade C (FJC). Os NM também foram tratados com o meio condicionado das culturas de CS do modelo animal ou dos pacientes com ELA. Os motoneurônios tiveram os seus prolongamentos contados e a morte neuronal foi identificada pela presença do FJC. Diversos fatores neurotróficos foram quantificados no meio condicionado das culturas de CS pela técnica de ELISA. A reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativa (do inglês, quantitative polymerase chain reaction - qPCR) foi realizada para detectar alterações nas CS e no nervo periférico que pudessem estar relacionadas com disfunção na unidade CS/NM. Os resultados mostraram que os NM cultivados na ausência das CS mostraram-se mais susceptíveis à morte. Os NM cocultivados com as CS ELA mostraram maior número de perfis neurodegenerativos em comparação com os NM co-cultivados com as CS controle. Após o tratamento com o meio condicionado das CS ELA, os NM mostraram redução no tamanho dos prolongamentos e aumento do número de células em neurodegeneração em comparação com o grupo controle. Quantidades reduzidas dos fatores neurotróficos foram encontradas no meio condicionado das culturas de CS ELA. Alterações na expressão gênica das CS e no nervo periférico evidenciaram disfunções na unidade CS/NM que podem estar contribuindo para o processo neurodegenerativo visto na ELA. Conclui-se que a falência nos mecanismos de neuroproteção pelas CS ELA é um importante mecanismo implicado na morte neuronal, com grande potencial terapêutico / Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective loss of upper and lower motor neurons (MN). Recently, central glia (astrocytes, microglias and olygodendrocytes) were toxic to the MN, but the molecular aspects have not fully described. In relation to the peripheral glia, electrophysiological changes in the sciatic nerve of ALS animal model in the presymptomatic stage have been reported by our group and early denervation findings in both animal models and patients suggests the participation of Schwann cells (SC) in the retrograde neuronal death of ALS , theory known as dying back. In this context, the SC proved to be able to induce axonal retraction and denervation of the neuromuscular junctions, early events in the disease, possibly occurring in the pre-symptomatic phase. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the influence of SC of pre-symptomatic experimental model and from patient with recent evolution of ALS sporadic form, in the survival and axonal length of MN in vitro and understand the molecular nature of the phenomenon. Highly purified SC cultures were obtained from the sciatic nerve of the animal model and from ALS patient\'s peripheral nerve. MN from the newborn mouse spinal cord were co-cultured with SC and the neurodegeneration was assessed by the presence of the marker Fluoro-Jade C (FJC). MN were also treated with conditioned medium from cultures of SC of the animal model or ALS patients. MN had their neuronal length measured and neuronal degeneration was identified by the presence of the FJC. Several neurotrophic factors were measured in conditioned medium of mice and ALS patient\'s SC cultures by ELISA. The chain reaction quantitative polymerase (qPCR) was performed to detect changes in the SC and peripheral nerve that could be related with dysfunction in the functional unit SC/MN. The MN co-cultured with ALS SC showed a greater number of neurodegenerative profiles compared with MN cocultured with control SC. After treatment with ALS SC conditioned medium, MN showed a reduction in the neuronal length and increased number of cells in neurodegeneration compared with the control group. Lower levels of neurotrophic factors were found in the conditioned medium of ALS SC cultures. Changes in the gene expression of SC and peripheral nerve showed dysfunctions in SC/MN unit, which may be contributing to the neurodegenerative process seen in ALS. In conclusion, the failure of neuroprotection by ALS SC is an important mechanism implicated in the MN cell death, with great therapeutic potential

Orientadores: Antonia Paula Marques de Faria, Luis Alberto Magna / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T01:20:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rim_PriscilaHaeHyun_D.pdf: 2205542 bytes, checksum: edfaaae7ed2a5aac688ce4f677a0d05a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Introdução: A degeneração macular relacionada à idade (DMRI) é uma das principais causas de cegueira no mundo desenvolvido, acometendo indivíduos com mais de 65 anos. É uma condição multifatorial degenerativa e progressiva, ocasionando perda da visão central de um ou ambos os olhos e afetando a independência do idoso. Vários fatores de risco estão associados com essa condição incluindo fatores oculares, genéticos, demográficos, nutricionais, médicos e ambientais, mas não há estudo sistemático dos mesmos na população brasileira. Seria oportuno conhecê-los, considerando estabelecer eventuais estratégias para prevenção e diagnóstico precoce, pois apesar dos notáveis avanços na terapêutica da DMRI, o impacto socioeconômico dessa condição e de suas complicações tenderá a aumentar com o envelhecimento da população. Objetivos: Identificar os fatores de risco associados ao desenvolvimento e progressão da DMRI em uma população brasileira. Métodos: Realizado estudo transversal com grupo controle envolvendo 236 participantes com idade >50 anos incluindo 141 indivíduos afetados e 95 controles sem DMRI, todos pacientes assistidos no serviço de Oftalmologia do Hospital de Clínicas da Unicamp. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico completo incluindo fundoscopia, retinografia e angiografia e responderam a um questionário contendo perguntas sobre fatores demográficos, antecedentes médicos e oculares, história familial de DMRI, estilo de vida, hábitos de tabagismo e etilismo. Resultados: Dos 141 portadores de DMRI, 99 (71%) indivíduos apresentavam DMRI da forma avançada em pelo menos um dos olhos (57% DMRI neovascular e 13% atrofia geográfica) e 42 (30%) da forma inicial da doença (DMRI seca leve ou moderada). Os indivíduos afetados apresentaram acuidade visual (média de 20/200) significativamente menor do que os controles (média de 20/40) e mais de 50% dos pacientes com DMRI eram portadores de cegueira ou visão subnormal, (RR 9,89; 95%CI 3,79-25,81). Houve diferença significativa em relação aos fatores como: idade (RR 1.51; 95% CI: 0,88-2,58), história familial de DMRI (RR 6,58; 95% CI: 1,94-22,31), presença de doença cardiovascular (DCV) (RR 2,39; 95% CI: 1,08-5,28), altos níveis de colesterol plasmático (RR 1,49; 95% CI: 0,84-2,65) e sedentarismo (RR 1,39; 95% CI: 0,82-2,37). Não houve diferença significativa em relação ao sexo, IMC, catarata e/ou cirurgia de catarata, cor da pele, cor da íris, exposição solar, uso de antioxidantes, hipertensão arterial sistêmica, diabetes, tabagismo e etilismo na comparação entre pacientes e controles. Quanto ao tipo de DMRI, foi observada associação significativa em relação à presença de doença cardiovascular e a DMRI avançada (RR 2,29; 95% CI: 0,81-6,44). O nível de colesterol nos portadores de DMRI inicial foi mais alto que os de DMRI avançada (RR 1,67; 95% CI: 1,09-4,80). A correlação de 0,351 foi obtida na análise discriminante (stepwise), onde os fatores antecedentes familiais, idade, sedentarismo e dislipidemia foram considerados. Conclusão: Verificou-se na amostra estudada que os principais fatores de risco para DMRI são: idade, história familial de DMRI, doença cardiovascular, dislipidemia e sedentarismo. Entre estes fatores, indivíduos com DCV apresentaram risco aumentado para o desenvolvimento da forma avançada da DMRI e a hipercolesterolemia foi predominante naqueles com DMRI inicial. Como a DCV e a DMRI na forma avançada aparentemente apresentam vários fatores de risco em comum, foi feita recomendação final de que poderiam ser prevenidas conjuntamente por meio de programas de promoção da saúde do idoso envolvendo combate a fatores como hipertensão arterial, diabetes, obesidade (alto IMC), tabagismo, etilismo e maus hábitos alimentares, embora isoladamente não fossem estatisticamente significativos no presente estudo. Também foi destacado o papel da hereditariedade desta condição e a perspectiva de que membros das famílias de portadores sejam informados sobre risco de recorrência e medidas preventivas / Abstract: Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness among individuals 65 years of age or older in developed countries. It is a degenerative and complex condition causing lost of central vision that impacts the independence of the elderly. A number of major risk factors for AMD have been identified worldwide, including genetic, demographic, nutritional, lifestyle, medical, environmental, and ocular factors, but there are no systematic studies on Brazilian population until now. The knowledge of these factors will lead to the elaboration of early diagnostic and preventive strategies taking into account that despite remarkable developments in therapy, the socio-economic burden of the disease is likely to increase worldwide as the population ages. Purpose: To identify risk factors associated with the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration in a Brazilian population aiming the assessment of possible preventive measures based in the profile of these patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study with control group was performed in 236 participants aged 50 years or older including 141 affected individuals and 95 controls without disease, all current patients from the Department of Ophthalmology-Otorhinolaryngology of Clinical Hospital, Faculty of Medical Sciences-Unicamp. Ocular examinations were performed including color stereoscopic fundus photographs and data including demographic factors, ocular and medical history, family history of AMD, lifestyle, smoking and drinking habits was obtained by questionnaire from all participants. Results: Of the 141 AMD cases, 99 (71%) had late AMD in at least one eye (57% neovascular AMD and 13% geographic atrophy) and 42 (30%) had early AMD. The visual acuity of the AMD patients (mean of 20/200) was substantially lower than controls (mean of 20/40). More than 50% of AMD cases had visual impairment among (RR 9.89; 95%CI: 3.79-25.81). Age (RR 1.51; 95% CI: 0.88-2.58), positive family history of AMD (RR 6.58; 95% CI: 1.94-22.31); presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (RR 2.39; 95% CI: 1.08-5.28), low physical activity level (RR 1.39; 95% CI: 0.82-2.37) and high serum cholesterol (RR, 1.49; 95% CI: 0.84-2.65) were associated to increased risk for AMD. There was no significant association with sex, IMC, cataract/cataract surgery, skin color, iris color, sunlight exposure, antioxidants intake, history of hypertension, diabetes, smoking status and alcohol consumption between the groups of AMD patients and controls. Comparing data between affected individuals, there was a significant association with history of CVD and incidence of late AMD (RR 2.29; 95% CI 0.81-6.44). There were higher levels of serum cholesterol among subjects with early AMD than those with late AMD (RR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.09-4.80). A correlation of 0.351 was obtained in discriminant analysis (stepwise), where factors such as family history, age, low physical activity and high serum cholesterol were considered. Conclusions: This findings show that the main risk factors associated to AMD in this population are: age, family history, cardiovascular disease (CVD), high level of cholesterol and low physical activity. Among these factors, patients with history of CVD were associated with increased risk to advanced AMD and higher levels of plasma cholesterol were found among individuals with early AMD. As CVD and late AMD apparently share multiple risk factors, final recommendation was made that both conditions could be prevented jointly through programmes of health promotion for the elderly. The targets include combat of hypertension, diabetes, obesity (high BMI), smoking, alcoholism and bad eating habits, although in isolation were not statistically significant in this study. The role of heredity in this condition was also highlighted as well as the prospect of family members of affected individuals to be informed about risk of recurrence and preventive measures / Doutorado / Oftalmologia / Doutor em Ciências Médicas

Abstract Primary hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA) is the progressive degeneration of articular cartilage. An accurate estimation of cartilage mechanics is important when analyzing the subject-specific function of the knee joint and risks for the onset and development of OA due to cartilage damage. Finite element (FE) modeling can help to estimate peak joint stresses and strains and explain how they could lead to OA. FE models of the knee joint during simplified gait were developed to define the level of material complexity required for 3D FE modeling of the knee joint in estimation of reliable tissue stresses and strains within articular cartilage of the knee joint; and to investigate the predictive value of FE modeling of the knee joint on the development and progression of radiographic OA within obese and normal weight subjects. It was found that maximum principal stresses and strains within articular cartilage in the knee joint during walking are highly sensitive to the material parameters of cartilage. It was not possible to match simultaneously stresses, strains and contact pressures between simplified (non-fibrillar) and advanced (fibrillar) models. Though, it was possible to find parameters for transversely isotropic models that enable the estimation of stresses and strains throughout the depth of cartilage similarly to more advanced fibril reinforced models. Locations of peak cumulative stresses in obese subjects at the baseline without radiographic OA showed a good agreement with the locations of cartilage loss and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based scoring in four year follow-up when they had developed OA. Simulated weight loss in obese subjects significantly reduced the highest cumulative stresses in cartilage to the level of normal weight subjects. The cartilage degeneration algorithm was able to predict subject-specific progression of OA similarly with MRI follow-up data and separate subjects with radiographic OA from healthy subjects. The computational FE models developed in this thesis represent useful tools to identify possible risk locations within the knee joint and how they relate to OA onset and progression. The presented methods have clinical potential in the diagnostics of knee joint OA in a subject-specific manner and in simulating the effect of interventions on the progression of OA thus helping with an effective treatment planning. / Tiivistelmä Nivelrikon tunnusomaisin piirre on nivelrustokudoksen rappeutuminen ja kuluminen. Nivelruston tehtävänä on tasata niveliin kohdistuvaa kuormitusta. Rustokudoksen mekaanisten ominaisuuksien määrittäminen on tärkeässä roolissa, kun halutaan arvioida tarkemmin polvinivelen toimintakykyä sekä rustokudoksen rappeutumista. Magneettikuvantamisen pohjalta tehtävä polvinivelen biomekaaninen tietokonemallinnus mahdollistaa rustokudoksen jännitys- ja puristusjakauman arvioinnin simuloidun kuormituksen aikana, mikä edelleen voi antaa vastauksia siihen, kehittyykö niveleen tulevaisuudessa nivelrikko, tai miten tietyn nivelrikkopotilaan sairaus etenee. Tämän tutkimuksen päätavoitteena oli kehittää kolmiulotteisia polvinivelen biomekaanisia tietokonemalleja, joiden perusteella simuloitiin normaalia kävelyä. Polvinivelen kolmiulotteinen geometria luotiin terveiden koehenkilöiden sekä nivelrikkopotilaiden magneettikuvista. Malleilla selvitettiin aluksi, miten monimutkaisena materiaalina nivelrusto tulee mallintaa, jotta mallin ennustama jännitys- ja puristusjakauma on silti realistinen. Tämän jälkeen tutkittiin, miten hyvin tietokonemallinnus ennustaa polvinivelrikon kehittymistä ja etenemistä sekä nivelruston rappeutumista ylipainoisilla potilailla. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin, että tietokonemallin ennustamat jännitys- ja puristusjakaumat nivelrustossa kävelyn aikana riippuvat merkittävästi nivelrustolle valitusta materiaalimallista ja sen parametreista. Tietokonemallien ennustamat nivelruston jännityskeskittymien sekä ruston rappeutumisen sijainnit vastasivat erittäin hyvin nivelrustokudoksen todellisen kulumisen sijainteja magneettikuvasta arvioituna neljän vuoden seuranta-ajan jälkeen. Tietokonemalleilla oli myös mahdollista simuloida painon pudotuksen vaikutusta, jolloin nivelrustokudoksen jännitys- ja puristusjakaumat palautuivat normaalien koehenkilöiden tasolle. Tässä tutkimuksessa kehitetyt polvinivelen tietokonemallit tarjoavat tutkijoille uuden työkalun paikallistaa sellaiset kohdat nivelpinnalta, joissa kuormituksen aiheuttama mekaaninen jännitys on suurta; nämä kohdat ovat kaikista riskialtteimpia nivelrikon kehittymiselle. Kehitettyjä malleja voidaan perustutkimuksen lisäksi jatkokehittää edelleen kohti kliinistä sovellusta, jolloin niitä voitaisiin hyödyntää esimerkiksi simuloitaessa erilaisten hoitojen vaikutusta kuormitusjakaumiin ja rustokudoksen rappeutumiseen.

Les rétinopathies ischémiques et la forme humide de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge (DMLA) sont la principale cause de malvoyance respectivement chez les personnes en âge de travailler et les personnes agées. Les néovascularisations choroïdiennes (NVC) et rétiniennes et l’œdème maculaire associés à ces pathologies sont traités à l’aide de biomolécules qui ciblent uniquement la voie de signalisation des VEGF. Le développement de thérapies indépendantes de cette voie permettrait d’offrir aux patients résistants aux anti-VEGF une alternative thérapeutique pour préserver leur vision. Les intégrines αvβ3 et αvβ5, impliquées dans la néovascularisation oculaire, apparaissent ainsi comme une cible alternative intéressante. La Lébécetine (LCT), une lectine de type-C, de 30 kDa et de structure hétérodimèrique issue de venin de serpent Macrovipera lebetina interagit spécifiquement avec les intégrines α5β1 et αvβ3, αvβ5. La LCT a une activité anti-angiogénique in vitro sur des cellules endothéliales microvasculaire du cerveau humain (HBMEC) et in vivo sur le modèle de la membrane chorioallantoïde du poulet (CAM). Afin d’étudier son effet sur la néovascularisation oculaire, nous avons eu recours aux modèles d’angiogenèse ex vivo utilisant des explants aortique ou choroïdien cultivés en présence de LCT, puis son effet a été évalué in vivo dans un modèle de NVC chez la souris et également sur la néovascularisation rétinienne dans le modèle de rétinopathie induite par l’oxygène (RIO). Nos données démontrent qu’une injection unique de LCT est capable de réduire la NVC et rétinienne dans ces modèles sans affecter les vaisseaux quiescents matures indiquant un bon profil d’innocuité. / Ischemic retinopathies and the wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are characterized by devastating angiogenesis responsible for the majority of irreversible blindness. Current therapies include use of anti-VEGF agents to reduce choroidal neovascularization and edema. These treatments are effective in most cases, but spontaneous or acquired resistance to anti-VEGF highlight a need for additional alternative therapies. In recent years, pharmacological inhibition of αvβ3 and αvβ5, which regulate endothelial cell proliferation and stabilization, have emerged as new therapeutic tools for the treatment of these diseases. Lebecetin (LCT), a 30-kDa heterodimeric C-type lectin that is isolated from Macrovipera lebetina venom, interacts with α5β1 and αv-containing integrins (αvβ3, αvβ5). We previously showed that LCT has an anti-angiogenic effect in vitro on human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) and in vivo in a chick chorioallontoic membrane assay (CAM). To evaluate the inhibitory effect of LCT on ocular angiogenesis, we cultured aortic and choroidal explants in the presence of LCT and analyzed the effect of LCT on choroidal neovascularization in the mouse CNV model and on retinal neovascularization in the oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) model. Our data demonstrated that a single injection of LCT efficiently reduced choroidal and retinal neovascularization in these models with no significant effect on mature blood vessels predicting a good safety profile.

La dégénérescence des disques intervertébraux (DD) est un processus naturel qui touche une grande partie de la population. Toutefois, elle peut devenir pathologique et ainsi être accélérée par de multiples facteurs et conduire à un dysfonctionnement précoce des disques lombaires. La DD est un phénomène asymptomatique, ce qui le rend délicat à diagnostiquer précocement. Dans ce cadre, le présent travail vise à développer une méthodologie de diagnostic de la DD utilisant imagerie médicale et modélisation biomécanique.Les disques intervertébraux (DIV) sont des articulations fibro-cartilagineuses qui lient les vertèbres du rachis entre elles. Ils ont pour rôle de supporter et redistribuer les chargements appliqués au rachis tout en assurant sa mobilité. Le DIV peut être assimilé d’un point de vue mécanique à un milieu poreux biologique dont le squelette est formé par la matrice extracellulaire (MEC) et la phase fluide par son contenu hydrique. C’est un milieu hétérogène et anisotrope. Possédant une pression osmotique interne élevée, les DIV ne sont pas vascularisés et possèdent un contenu hydrique important dans lesquels les nutriments cellulaires diffusent à partir des vertèbres adjacentes. Cette particularité rend le fonctionnement des disques très dépendant de la régulation en eau en particulier lorsque ces derniers sont soumis à des sollicitations mécaniques non physiologiques.L’une des clés dans l’élaboration d’un diagnostic fiable de la DD peut être de déterminer de manière objective certaines des caractéristiques internes au disque relatives à son hydratation. Dans le présent travail, une méthodologie de diagnostic quantitatif de la viabilité discale et plus largement de la DD est ainsi proposée. Cette méthodologie se base sur un couplage entre l’imagerie médicale et l’analyse par modélisation du comportement biomécanique du DIV. Un modèle physique biphasique du DIV est développé à l’aide de données déduites d’images IRM. Ce modèle tient compte de l’anisotropie du DIV et des effets induits par les déformations mécaniques sur le processus de transport nutritif.La partie mécanique du modèle est tout d’abord validée en utilisant des résultats d’essais de relaxation réalisés précédemment par l’équipe de biomécanique d’IRPHE. Le modèle est à même de reproduire la distribution de la porosité à l’intérieur du DIV et la perte d’eau suite à un effort mécanique. Cela permet de confirmer la fiabilité de la méthodologie de diagnostic développée pour les cas étudiés. En intégrant le couplage mécano-métabolique, la réponse biomécanique du DIV à des chargements quasi statiques et cycliques est ensuite analysée. / Intervertebral disc degeneration (DD) is a natural process affecting a large part of the population. However, it can be accelerated by several factors and then become associated to lumbar disc pathologies. Given that the DD is symptomless, it is complicated to diagnostic it early. In this context, the present work aims to develop a new methodology of DD diagnostic based on medical imaging and biomechanical modeling.The intervertebral discs (IVD) are fibro-cartilaginous joints that connect vertebrae together ensuring their relative motion. They support and distribute loads applied on the spine. Mechanically, the IVD can be assimilated to a biological porous media in which the solid phase is composed of the extracellular matrix (MEC) and the fluid phase is formed by water content. It is a non-homogeneous and anisotropic component. The IVD is nonvascularized and characterized by a high water content in which cell nutrients diffuses from the adjacent vertebrae. Given this latter particularity, the porosity of the IVD presents a key factor in in its functioning especially when exposed to mechanical non-physiological loads. One of the main keys in the elaboration of a reliable DD diagnostic is to determine objectively some of the IVD interne properties related to its water content. In the present work, a new quantitative methodology of DD diagnostic is proposed. This method is based on a coupling between the medical imaging and the IVD biomechanical behavior modeling. A biphasic IVD model is developed using data from MRI imaging. This model takes into account the anisotropy of the IVD and the effect of the mechanical deformation on the nutrient transport process.The mechanical part of the developed model was firstly validated using results of relaxation tests previously performed by the biomechanics staff of IRPHE. The model is able to predict water distribution within the IVD and the water loss as response to a mechanical load. These results confirm the reliability of the developed diagnostic methodology for the studied cases. The biomechanical response to quasi-static and cyclic loads is then analyzed. The present work proposes and evaluates a new methodology of DD quantitative diagnostic. It also analyzes and compares mechanical and metabolic responses to quasi-static and cyclic loads.

La forme des mitochondries change continuellement grâce aux actions combinées d'événements de fission et de fusion rendant le réseau mitochondrial très dynamique. Les processus mitochondriaux de fission et de fusion sont finement régulés par des GTPases de la famille des dynamines qui sont bien conservées entre les espèces. Chez C. elegans, la fission est régulée par DRP-1, la fusion de la membrane interne par EAT-3, homologue d’OPA1, et la fusion de la membrane externe par FZO-1, homologue de MFN1. Dans les cellules musculaires du nématode sauvage, les mitochondries tubulaires et circulaires sont dans des proportions égales et organisées le long du sarcomère. Cependant, durant la dégénérescence musculaire dystrophine-dépendante, une fragmentation du réseau mitochondrial dans les cellules musculaires apparaît. Or le rôle des acteurs de la dynamique mitochondriale dans les mécanismes moléculaires menant à la dégénérescence musculaire dystrophine-dépendante reste encore incompris. Nous avons trouvé que: (i) la dégénérescence musculaire dystrophine-dépendante s'accompagnait d'une augmentation drastique de la fragmentation mitochondriale qui peut être sauvée par des manipulations génétiques de la dynamique mitochondriale (ii) la perte de fonction du gène de fission drp-1 ou la surexpression des gènes de fusion eat-3 et fzo-1 provoquent une réduction de la dégénérescence musculaire et une mobilité améliorée des mutants dystrophiques (iii) les fonctions de DRP-1 dans l'apoptose et d’autres acteurs de l’apoptose sont importants pour la mort des cellules musculaires déficientes en dystrophine (iv) L’implication de DRP-1 dans l’apoptose est également importante pour la dégénérescence musculaire liée au vieillissement. En conclusion, nos résultats pointent vers un mécanisme impliquant la dynamique mitochondriale pour impacter la dégénérescence musculaire via l’apoptose chez Caenorhabditis elegans / Mitochondrial shape is continually changing thanks to the combined actions of fission and fusion events making the mitochondrial network very dynamic. The mitochondrial fission and fusion processes are finely regulated by GTPases of the family of dynamins that are well conserved between species. In C. elegans, fission is regulated by DRP-1, fusion of the inner membrane by EAT-3, homologue of OPA1, and fusion of the outer membrane by FZO-1, homologue of MFN1. In the muscle cells of wild nematode, tubular and circular mitochondria are in equal proportions and organized along the sarcomere. However, during dystrophin-dependent muscle degeneration, fragmentation of the mitochondrial network in muscle cells occurs. But the role of the actors of mitochondrial dynamics in the molecular mechanisms leading to dystrophin-dependent muscle degeneration is still misunderstood. We found that: (i) dystrophin-dependent muscle degeneration was accompanied by a drastic increase in mitochondrial fragmentation that can be saved by genetic manipulation of mitochondrial dynamics (ii) loss of function of the fission gene drp-1 or overexpression of the eat-3 and fzo-1 fusion genes causes a reduction in muscle degeneration and improved mobility of dystrophic mutants (iii) DRP-1 functions in apoptosis and other are important for the death of dystrophin-deficient muscle cells (iv) The involvement of DRP-1 in apoptosis is also important for age-dépendant muscle degeneration. In conclusion, our results point toward a mechanism involving mitochondrial dynamics to impact muscle degeneration via apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans