Background: Wheezing disorders have increased worldwide. The respiratory epithelium plays an important role in the pathogenesis of wheeze. Nasal epithelial cells (NEC) are a valid surrogate for bronchial airway epithelial cells, are accessible and could be a valuable tool in translational epidemiological studies. A better understanding of this layer may decrease the burden of wheezing disorders. Objectives: To determine the feasibility of sampling and culturing NEC from children and adults with and without different wheezing conditions in epidemiological studies. To study NEC mediator release in these individuals following different environmental exposures. Methods: NEC were sampled from unsedated children and adults with and without a wheezing condition by brushing. NEC were cultured in media and also exposed to interleukin-1 (IL-1) & tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-), house dust mite (HDM) extract, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and extracted tobacco smoke (ETS) for 24 hours. Resulting supernatants were analysed via Enzyme – linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and cytometric bead array (CBA) for mediator release. Results: 287 individuals including 164 children and 123 adults where phenotyped and brushed. 81 samples reached tertiary passage. Decreased release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and monocyte chemotactic protein -1 (MCP-1) was observed in wheezing individuals when compared to healthy controls. These cytokines were increased in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) relative to both asthmatic and healthy adults. Individuals with/without allergic rhinitis demonstrated different mediator release. Conclusions: It is feasible to obtain NEC in adults and children for both epidemiological and translational research, although the presence of allergic rhinitis may act as a potential confounder. Differences are present in adults and children with asthma compared to healthy controls. Contrasting differences between COPD and asthma suggest that these are different conditions.

I begin this PhD thesis with an introductory chapter about electronic nose systems, where I describe the sensor system types, electronic nose types and the chemometric and measurement techniques employed in the development of the thesis. Next, I define the general and specific objectives of the thesis. In the following chapters I discuss the different aspects of the measuring device and the journal articles that served as motivation for its design. The first article is based on the proof of concept of the humid electronic nose prototype, whose design relies on the performance of voltammetric measurements. An array of four metallic working electrodes (iridium, rhodium, platinum and gold), housed inside a stainless steel cylinder that acts as counter electrode, and a reference electrode were all put in contact by a nylon mesh dampened with a sodium chloride aqueous solution. This system is used to differentiate between seven different samples by means of two statistical techniques: principal component analysis (PCA) and a type of neural network called self-organizing map (SOM). The results obtained were satisfactory, thus motivating how I approached the study performed in the following chapter. The second article contemplates a more complete study for a very specific application of the humid electronic nose system: the detection of nerve agent mimics. In this study, eight metals formed the array of working electrodes (iridium, rhodium, platinum, gold, silver, cobalt, copper and nickel) and the nylon mesh was dampened with sodium tetraborate. In order to enhance the results of the study, we designed two specific pulse patterns by analyzing the voltammograms (for the electrochemical characterization of the samples) of the eight electrodes on a diethyl cyanophosphate (DCNP) sample. We measured three nerve agent mimics and eight organophosphorous derivatives, in addition to sulphuric acid, ammonia, ethanol, acetonitrile and hexane. The PCA demonstrated that the proposed system was capable of distinguishing nerve agent mimics from the other organophosphorous derivatives. We also performed a partial least squares regression (PLS), which allowed DCNP to be quantified with a limit of detection of a few ppm. The third article is an in depth study about the reproducibility problems that usually arise in voltammetric measurements with the use of electronic tongues (and the electronic nose designed in this PhD thesis). The objective was to improve the reproducibility of the measurements performed with these systems by designing an electrochemical cell that warranted a homogenous distribution of the electric field and improved its limit of detection. Finally, an electronic measuring system was designed and is presented in chapter 4; it integrates voltammetry and potentiometry techniques. This system is composed of a PC application and an electronic measuring system, which can be used to test both measuring techniques on up to eight working electrodes. The PC application was designed to execute sequences of voltammetry and potentiometry tests, and to store and display the measured signals by means of a simple graphical user interface. The voltammetry measurements are based on the potentiostat measuring circuit, which allows 2 and 3 electrode measurements to be taken. To finish, I explain the conclusions drawn from both the general and specific objectives considered at the beginning of this thesis. / La tesis comienza con un capítulo introductorio a los sistemas de nariz electrónica, donde se describen los tipos de sistemas sensores, los tipos de nariz electrónica y las técnicas quimiométricas y de medida usadas en el desarrollo de la tesis. A continuación, se describen los objetivos generales y específicos planteados. El diseño del equipo de medida se ha realizado teniendo en cuenta las conclusiones de las publicaciones en revistas de investigación que forman parte de esta tesis doctoral, las cuales se presentan en los tres capítulos siguientes. El primer artículo está fundamentado en la prueba de concepto del prototipo de nariz electrónica húmeda, en el que se presenta un diseño basado en ensayos voltamétricos. Para ello se utiliza un conjunto de cuatro electrodos de trabajo metálicos (iridio, rodio, platino y oro) encapsulados dentro de un cilindro de acero inoxidable, que actúa como contraelectrodo, y un electrodo de referencia con puente salino, todos ellos en contacto gracias a una membrana de nylon empapada en una solución acuosa de cloruro de sodio. Este sistema se usa para discriminar siete muestras distintas utilizando las técnicas de análisis de componentes principales (PCA) y un tipo de red neuronal, llamada mapa auto-organizado (SOM). Los resultados obtenidos son satisfactorios, por ello han motivado el planteamiento del estudio realizado en el siguiente capítulo. El segundo artículo plantea un estudio más completo para una aplicación muy específica del sistema de nariz electrónica húmeda: la detección de simulantes de agentes nerviosos. En este estudio el conjunto de electrodos de trabajo está formado por ocho electrodos de trabajo metálicos (iridio, rodio, platino, oro, plata, cobalto, cobre y níquel, la membrana de nylon está empapada esta vez en tetraborato de sodio. Para mejorar los resultados de este estudio se diseñan dos trenes de pulsos específicos mediante el análisis de los voltagramas (para la caracterización electroquímica de las muestras.) de los ocho electrodos sobre una muestra de dietil cianofosfato (DCNP). Las medidas se realizan sobre tres simulantes de agentes nerviosos y ocho derivados organofosforados, además de ácido sulfúrico, amonio, etanol, acetonitrilo y hexano. El PCA demuestra que el sistema propuesto es capaz de discriminar los principales simulantes de agentes nerviosos de los otros derivados organofosforados y otros interferentes potenciales. También se ha realizado una regresión por mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS) que permite la cuantificación de DCNP hasta unos pocos ppm. El tercer artículo es un estudio en profundidad de los problemas de reproducibilidad que habitualmente se dan en las medidas voltamétricas con el uso de lenguas electrónicas (y la nariz electrónica objeto de esta tesis). El objetivo es mejorar la reproducibilidad de las medidas con estos sistemas a través de un diseño de la celda electroquímica que asegure una distribución homogénea del campo eléctrico, y para mejorar su límite de detección. Por último, en el capítulo número 4 se ha diseñado un sistema electrónico de medida que integra las técnicas de voltametría y potenciometría. Los elementos que integran este sistema son una aplicación de PC y un equipo electrónico de medida con el que se pueden realizar ensayos con las técnicas de medida mencionadas sobre hasta ocho electrodos de trabajo. La aplicación de PC está diseñada para la ejecución de secuencias de ensayos de potenciometría y voltametría, y para el almacenamiento y representación de las señales muestreadas mediante una interfaz gráfica de usuario simple. Las medidas de voltametría están basadas en el circuito de medida potenciostato, que permite implementar ensayos a 2 y 3 electrodos. Para finalizar, se exponen las conclusiones a los objetivos generales y específicos planteados al inicio de la tesis. / La tesi comença amb un capítol introductori als sistemes de nas electrònic, on es descriuen els tipus de sistemes sensors, els tipus de nas electrònic i les tècniques quimiomètriques i de mesura utilitzades en el desenvolupament de esta tesi. A continuació, es descriuen els objectius generals y específics plantejats. El disseny de l'equip de mesura s'ha inspirat en les conclusions tretes de les publicacions en revistes d'investigació presentades en els tres capítols següents. El primer article està fonamentat en la prova de concepte del prototip de nas electrònic humit, en el que es presenta un disseny basat en assajos voltamètrics. Per a açò s'utilitza un conjunt de quatre elèctrodes de treball metàl·lics (Iridi, Rodi, Platí i Or) encapsulats en un cilindre d'acer inoxidable, que actua com a contraelectrode, i un elèctrode de referència amb pont salí, tots ells en contacte gràcies a una membrana de niló amerada amb una solució de clorur de sodi. Este sistema s'usa per a discriminar 7 mostres distintes utilitzant les tècniques d'anàlisi de components principals (PCA) i un tipus de xarxa neuronal, anomenada mapa auto-organitzat (SOM). Els resultats obtinguts son satisfactoris, fet que ha motivat el plantejament de l'estudi realitzat en el següent capítol. El segon article planteja un estudi més complet per a una aplicació molt específica del sistema de nas electrònic humit: la detecció de simulants d'agents nerviosos. En este estudi el conjunt d'elèctrodes està format per huit elèctrodes de treball metàl·lics (Iridi, Rodi, Platí, Or, Plata, Cobalt, Coure i Níquel), la membrana de niló està amerada esta vegada amb tetraborat de sodi. Per tal de millorar els resultats d'este estudi es dissenyen dos trens de polsos específics mitjançant l'anàlisi del voltagrames (per a la caracterització electroquímica de les mostres) dels huit elèctrodes sobre una mostra de dietil cioanofosfat (DCNP). Les mesures es realitzen sobre tres simultans d'agents nerviosos i huit derivats organofosforats, a més d'àcid sulfúric, amoni, etanol, acetonitril i hexà. El PCA demostra que el sistema proposat es capaç de discriminar els principals simulants d'agents nerviosos dels altres derivats organofosforats i altres interferents potencials. També s'ha realitzat una regressió per mínims quadrats parcials (PLS) que permet la quantificació de DCNP fins a unes poques ppm. El tercer article és un estudi en profunditat dels problemes de reproductibilitat que habitualment es donen en les mesures voltamètriques amb l'ús de llengües electròniques (y el nas electrònic objecte d'esta tesi). L'objectiu es millorar la reproductibilitat de les mesures amb estos sistemes mitjançant un disseny de la cel·la electroquímica que assegure una distribució homogènia del camp elèctric, i per a millorar el seu límit de detecció. Per últim, en el capítol número 4 s'ha utilitzat un sistema electrònic de mesura que integra les tècniques de voltametria i potenciometria. Els elements que integren este sistema son una aplicació de PC i un equip electrònic de mesura amb el que es poden realitzar assajos amb les tècniques de mesura mencionades sobre fins a huit elèctrodes de treball. La aplicació de PC està dissenyada per a l'execució de seqüències d'assajos de potenciometria i voltametria, i per a l'emmagatzematge de les senyals mesurades mitjançant un entorn d'usuari simple. Les mesures de voltametria estan basades en el circuit de mesura potenciostato, que permet implementar assajos a 2 i 3 elèctrodes. Per concloure, s'exposen les conclusions als objectius generals i específics plantejats al inici de la tesi. / Bataller Prats, R. (2017). Fabricación y puesta a punto de una Nariz Electrónica Húmeda para la detección de gases y vapores [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/89083 / TESIS

BACKGROUND: Growth of the cranial base and its structures are of particular interest to the orthodontic community. The midface and nasal bones have a significant influence on facial esthetics and thus pattern recognition of facial growth from parental data can influence orthodontic treatment plans. We aimed to determine if there is a similarity in midface and nasal bone and soft tissue growth between a child and either parent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was comprised of forty-seven western European families from the Forsyth/Moorrees Twin Study. The lateral cephalograms of each parent and post pubertal child, who were at least 2 years past peak growth (age ≥ 16 yrs for females and ≥ 17 yrs for males) were evaluated on fourteen cephalometric variables. The radiographs were digitized and analyzed using the Mimics™ software program (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) by a single investigator. A linear regression analysis was used to correlate linear and angular measurements to one another. An ANOVA with multiple comparisons (TUKEY) was performed to test for the differences between family members controlling for the effect of the individual family (as each family has a trend within itself). Age and gender interactions were tested for in the models. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty-five male and twenty-two female children and their parents were studied. When comparing the fourteen parameters between the mean of the child and both parents, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between the child and the father but not the mother in six measurements. These included the ratio of nasal height to total face height, angle of nasal bone to SN, distance from rhinion to pronasale (mm), distance from ANS to pronasale (mm), projection of nose (mm) and nasal length (mm). A significant difference was also found between the child and the mother, but not the father for rhinion to ANS (mm). A significant difference was found between the child and both parents for nasal height (mm). When controlling for family and isolating the gender of the child, males and females were not significantly different from their fathers for ratio of nasal height to total face height. For angle of nasal bone (S-N-Rh) and nasal length (N’-vertical line from Pro), females but not males were significantly different from the father. Both girls and boys were still significantly different from the father in the rhinion to pronasale and ANS to pronasale distances, projection of nose and nasal heights. Only males showed a significant difference from the mother for rhinion to ANS and nasal height when isolated for by gender. CONCLUSION: Statistically significant differences were found between the child and father and not the mother for six out of our fourteen measurements of interest. Two measurements of interest showed a difference between the child and the mother and not the father and one showed a significant difference from both parents. From this study we conclude that children tend to be morphologically less similar to their fathers when comparing midface and nasal soft and hard tissue parameters.

Food loss and waste represent a significant challenge to global sustainability. In a world where the number of people suffering from hunger has been rising, approximately 1.3 million tonnes of food are lost or wasted each year. When food is lost or wasted, all the resources used to produce it, including water, land, energy, labor, and capital, are also lost. In addition, it is estimated that the disposal of food in landfills generates 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to climate change. Food loss and waste can also have a negative impact on food security and prices. This dissertation introduces non-invasive and chemicals-free solutions for the shelf-life extension and quality monitoring of fresh foods. First, we propose the creation of a sterilized anaerobic storage environment using UV-C irradiation and vacuum sealing for increasing the shelf-life of perishables. The proposed combination was tested on fresh strawberries and quartered tomatoes and has successfully increased the shelf-life by 124.41% and 54.41%, respectively, while acceptable sensory characteristics were maintained throughout the storage period. Second, the proposed combination was tested on fresh beef, chicken and salmon fillets, where a shelf-life increase of 66% was achieved. The shelf-life of strawberries, tomatoes and meats were determined by monitoring the organoleptic qualities and counting the microbial populations of various bacteria, which includes aerobic bacteria, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., yeast, mold, Salmonella and E-coli in addition to pH measurements. In the third part, we propose an IoT-enabled electronic nose system for rapid beef quality monitoring. The e-nose system includes carbon dioxide, ammonia, and ethylene sensors to measure the volatile organic compounds' (VOCs) concentrations. Microbial population quantifications of various bacteria were conducted to identify the concentrations of VOCs that are associated with raw beef spoilage. The production of VOCs was correlated with the proliferation of bacteria using linear regression, and it was discovered that aerobic bacteria and Pseudomonas spp. play a significant role in the production of VOCs in raw beef, as opposed to LAB. This system demonstrates how the IoT-enabled e-nose system can be an effective tool for monitoring the quality of perishables.

No description available.

No description available.

Orientador: Luiz Fernando de Oliveira e Silva Carvalho / Banca: Raul José Silva Girio / Banca: Rosangela Zacarias Machado / Banca: Aníbal de Sant'Anna Moretti / Banca: José Soares Ferreira Neto / Resumo: Os suínos e seus produtos são considerados importantes fontes de salmonelose humana. Desta forma, o controle das infecções nas granjas é considerado essencial para a prevenção de Salmonella na cadeia produtiva de suínos. No entanto, o maior entrave na profilaxia da infecção é, principalmente, a falta de conhecimentos sobre sua epidemiologia em sistemas de produção intensivos de criação de suínos, principalmente em relação às possíveis vias de transmissão desse agente. Este estudo testou a hipótese da transmissão nasonasal (E1) e aerógena (E2) de Salmonella Derby na espécie suína. Os experimentos foram realizados em isoladores construídos em aço inoxidável e vidro e totalmente controlados. No E1, os isoladores dos suínos inoculados e dos suínos sentinela estavam conectados por pequena fenda que permitia apenas o contato naso-nasal. Em E2 os isoladores estavam conectados por condutores de ar que permitiam o fluxo de ar unidirecional do isolador 1 (suínos controle) ao isolador 3 (suínos sentinela), passando pelo isolador 2 (suínos inoculados). A duração de ambos experimentos foi de 15 dias. Nesse período, amostras dos sacos de dejetos, dos suabes retais, das fezes do piso e do ar foram colhidas diariamente e avaliadas quanto a presença de Salmonella. A hipótese de transmissão naso-nasal e aerógena de S. Derby não foi corroborada pelo isolamento e detecção do agente nos animais sentinela. / Abstract: Pork and pork products are recognized as one of the major sources for human salmonellosis. Howeveri the infection control in the farms is considered essential for the Salmonella prevention in the productive swine chain. However, the most impediment in the infection prophylaxis is, mainly, the lack of knowledge on its epidemiology in intensives production systems, mainly related to the transmission possible ways of this agent. This study has tested the hypothesis of nose-to-nose and airborne transmission of Salmonella Derby in the swine species. The trials were performed using stainlesssteel and glass isolation cabinets and totally controlled. In the trial 1, inoculated pigs and sentinel pigs isolation cabinets were connected by small crack that allowed only the nose-to-nose contact. In the trial 2 isolation cabinets were connected by air ducts that allowed an unidirectional airflow from cabinet 1 (control pigs) to cabinet 3 (sentinel pigs), passing through cabinet 2 (inoculated pigs). The duration of both trials were 15 days. At this period, slurry bags, rectal swabs, pooled faecal from the floor and air samples were collected daily and assessed by culture and PCR. The nose-to-nose and airborne transmission hypothesis of S. Derby was not corroborated by the agent isolation and detection in the sentinel pigs. / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-03-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:01:35Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 freschi_cr_dr_jabo.pdf: 603658 bytes, checksum: 15276f88dc187672ee833d1c19fa7f90 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Os suínos e seus produtos são considerados importantes fontes de salmonelose humana. Desta forma, o controle das infecções nas granjas é considerado essencial para a prevenção de Salmonella na cadeia produtiva de suínos. No entanto, o maior entrave na profilaxia da infecção é, principalmente, a falta de conhecimentos sobre sua epidemiologia em sistemas de produção intensivos de criação de suínos, principalmente em relação às possíveis vias de transmissão desse agente. Este estudo testou a hipótese da transmissão nasonasal (E1) e aerógena (E2) de Salmonella Derby na espécie suína. Os experimentos foram realizados em isoladores construídos em aço inoxidável e vidro e totalmente controlados. No E1, os isoladores dos suínos inoculados e dos suínos sentinela estavam conectados por pequena fenda que permitia apenas o contato naso-nasal. Em E2 os isoladores estavam conectados por condutores de ar que permitiam o fluxo de ar unidirecional do isolador 1 (suínos controle) ao isolador 3 (suínos sentinela), passando pelo isolador 2 (suínos inoculados). A duração de ambos experimentos foi de 15 dias. Nesse período, amostras dos sacos de dejetos, dos suabes retais, das fezes do piso e do ar foram colhidas diariamente e avaliadas quanto a presença de Salmonella. A hipótese de transmissão naso-nasal e aerógena de S. Derby não foi corroborada pelo isolamento e detecção do agente nos animais sentinela. / Pork and pork products are recognized as one of the major sources for human salmonellosis. Howeveri the infection control in the farms is considered essential for the Salmonella prevention in the productive swine chain. However, the most impediment in the infection prophylaxis is, mainly, the lack of knowledge on its epidemiology in intensives production systems, mainly related to the transmission possible ways of this agent. This study has tested the hypothesis of nose-to-nose and airborne transmission of Salmonella Derby in the swine species. The trials were performed using stainlesssteel and glass isolation cabinets and totally controlled. In the trial 1, inoculated pigs and sentinel pigs isolation cabinets were connected by small crack that allowed only the nose-to-nose contact. In the trial 2 isolation cabinets were connected by air ducts that allowed an unidirectional airflow from cabinet 1 (control pigs) to cabinet 3 (sentinel pigs), passing through cabinet 2 (inoculated pigs). The duration of both trials were 15 days. At this period, slurry bags, rectal swabs, pooled faecal from the floor and air samples were collected daily and assessed by culture and PCR. The nose-to-nose and airborne transmission hypothesis of S. Derby was not corroborated by the agent isolation and detection in the sentinel pigs.

published_or_final_version / Pathology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Este trabalho teve o propósito de avaliar a relação entre a cartilagem alar e a abertura piriforme a partir de imagens de tomografia computadorizada cone-beam e a relação do nariz com o padrão esquelético vertical da face. A pesquisa foi realizada com 96 imagens de indivíduos de ambos os sexos (49 masculino e 47 feminino), com idades entre 18 e 65 anos classificados de acordo com sua tipologia facial. Para a realização das marcações e mensurações de interesse foi utilizado o software OsiriX. A tipologia facial foi acessada através de três metodologias: índice facial, ângulo goníaco e proporção entre as alturas faciais. No corte axial da imagem de tomografia computadorizada, foram aferidas quatro grandezas lineares: largura do nariz externo, distância entre as inserções alares, extensão da base da abertura piriforme e máxima largura da abertura piriforme. Todas as grandezas foram mensuradas por dois examinadores em concordância. A análise dos resultados obtidos mostrou que há correlação entre as larguras do nariz externo e da abertura piriforme e entre a base da cavidade nasal e a distância entre as inserções alares. A largura da abertura piriforme aumenta proporcionalmente mais que a do nariz. Além disso, a tipologia facial longa associa-se à largura nasal. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the alar cartilage and the pyriform aperture using cone-beam computed tomography (CT) imaging, and the relationship between the morphology of the nose and the vertical skeletal pattern of the face. 96 images of subjects (49 male and 47 female), aged 18-65 years classified according to the vertical skeletal pattern of the face were used in this study. The OsiriX software was used to measure the structures of interest. The facial pattern was obtained according to three techniques: facial index, gonial angle, and facial proportions. From an axial section of the CT imaging, four measurements were performed: nasal width, distance between the alar insertions, extension of the base of the pyriform aperture and width of the pyriform aperture. All measurements were obtained by two calibrated examiners. There is correlation between the nasal width and the breadth of the pyriform aperture, and between the base of the nasal cavity and the distance between the alar insertions. The width of the pyriform aperture proportionally increases more than the nasal breadth. Furthermore, the long face type is associated with nasal width.