Proper regulation of cellular proliferation is critical for normal development and cancer prevention. Most, if not all, cancers contain mutations in the Rb/E2F pathway, which controls cellular proliferation. Inactivation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) can occur through Rb loss, mutation, or inactivation by cellular or viral oncoproteins leading to unrestrained proliferation. This occurs primarily by de-repression and activation of the E2F transcription factors, which promote the transition of cells from the G1to S phase of the cell cycle. In order to protect against loss of growth control, the p53 tumor suppressor is able to induce programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in response to loss of proper Rb cell cycle regulation. E2F1 serves as the primary link between the Rb growth control pathway and the p53 apoptosis pathway. While the pathway(s) linking E2F1 to p53 activation and apoptosis are unclear, it has been proposed that E2F1 activates p53-dependent apoptosis by transactivation of p19ARF leading to inhibition of Mdm2-promoted degradation of p53. We tested this hypothesis, and found that p19ARFis not required for E2F1-induced apoptosis. Instead, we find that expression of E2F1 leads to covalent modifications of p53 that correlate with p53 activation and are required for apoptosis. The observation that E2F1 induces covalent modification of p53 is consistent with the p53 modifications observed following DNA damage. We therefore hypothesized that E2F1 may be activating components of the DNA damage response to activate p53 and kill cells. Consistent with the DNA damage response, we find that E2F1-induced apoptosis is compromised in cells from patients with the related disorders ataxia telangiectasia and Nijmegen breakage syndrome, lacking functional Atm and Nbs1 gene products, respectively. E2F1-induced apoptosis and p53 modification also requires the human checkpoint kinase Chk2, another component of the DNA damage response. We find that the commitment step in E2F1-induced apoptosis is the induction of Chk2. Having found that E2F1 requires DNA damage kinases to induce apoptosis, we next examined events upstream of kinase activation. To this end, we observe relocalization of the DNA damage repair MRN complex (composed of Mre11, Nbs1, and Rad50) to nuclear foci specifically following expression of E2F1. Expression of E2F1 also induces relocalization of the DNA damage recognition proteins γH2AX and 53BP1 to nuclear foci, consistent with the location of these complexes observed following DNA double strand breaks. As a consequence of activating some or all of these DNA damage signaling proteins, expression of E2F1 blocks cell cycle progression in diploid human fibroblasts. The observed block in cell cycle progression is found to be, in part, due to activation of a p21-dependent cell cycle checkpoint. The E7 protein from the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is able to bind to and inactivate members of the Rb family. HPV infects quiescent, non-cycling cells that lack expression of DNA replication machinery that is essential for replication of the viral genome. By expression of the E7 protein, HPV is able to bypass normal Rb-mediated growth control and induce quiescent cells to enter S phase where the host cell DNA replication enzymes are present for viral replication. We find that expression of E7 can also result in apoptosis that is dependent specifically on E2F1. Additionally, E7-induced apoptosis, like E2F1-induced apoptosis, requires Atm, Nbs1, and Chk2. Expression of E7, like that of E2F1, induces E2F1-dependent covalent modification of p53 that correlates with apoptosis induction. These findings demonstrate that deregulation of the Rb/E2F growth control pathway leads to activation of an apoptosis program with some similarity to the pathways activated by DNA damage. Our observations suggest that E2F1 not only functions as a sensor for deregulation of Rb, but may also play an important role in regulating cellular growth control in response to other oncogenic stimuli.

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

Orientadores: Antonio Sergio Ramalho, Luis Alberto Magna / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T02:28:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rim_PriscilaHaeHyun_M.pdf: 5489420 bytes, checksum: b193fb510af9e3efd86456897b14ae59 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O presente trabalho tem por objetivos verificar a percepção de oftalmologistas brasileiros em relação à contribuição da Genética em sua atuação médica rotineira e a conduta frente a portadores de doenças hereditárias; investigar o nível de conhecimento e a conduta desses pacientes a respeito de sua condição e verificar a contribuição do aconselhamento genético na vida destes pacientes. Duzentos oftalmologistas que atuam na região de Campinas, SP, Brasil (universidades e/ou clínicas particulares) foram convidados a participar, por via postal, de uma entrevista sobre os seus conhecimentos, práticas e opiniões no campo da genética. A casuística de pacientes foi constituída por 53 portadores de deficiência visual importante (acuidade visual com a melhor correção menor que 0,3), de provável etiologia genética, entrevistados em um hospital universitário no período de 18 meses. O conteúdo da entrevista consistiu de perguntas sobre seus conhecimentos, opiniões, condutas e a situação ocular relativos à sua condição, utilizando-se de questionários de múltipla escolha, que permitiram a análise estatística, com comparação de proporções e testes de associação. Examinou-se também uma amostra-controle, constituída por 142 irmãos normais de pacientes, para comparação de alguns indicadores de integração social, principalmente o estabelecimento de parcerias conjugais estáveis e reprodução. Dentre os 73 profissionais que responderam o questionário (36%), foram constatadas altas taxas (49% a 88%) de respostas positivas sobre os seus conhecimentos básicos de genética, porém baixas taxas (10% a 33%) de utilização desses conhecimentos na rotina clínica. Apenas 45% dos indivíduos com oftalmopatias hereditárias receberam aconselhamento genético, geralmente fornecido pelo próprio oftalmologista. O encaminhamento a serviço de genética foi observado em 25% dos casos. O aconselhamento genético foi uma das variáveis que, juntamente com o sexo feminino e o maior nível educacional, mostraram-se associadas a mudanças no planejamento familiar. Embora os pacientes tenham revelado maior dificuldade no estabelecimento de vínculos reprodutivos estáveis, eles tiveram filhos na mesma proporção que os seus irmãos sem a deficiência visual, o que reforça a importância do aconselhamento genético. O potencial terapêutico e preventivo do aconselhamento genético não está sendo explorado adequadamente na prevenção da cegueira. A genética merece ser discutida de forma menos teórica e mais pragmática, não somente entre os oftalmologistas, mas entre os médicos e a população em geral, sobre a aplicação do potencial da genética em benefício dos pacientes, por meio de um aconselhamento genético abrangente, direcionado para a comunidade / Abstract: This study verified the perception and behavior of Brazilian ophthalmologists in relation to hereditary eye diseases and the contribuition of Genetics in their routine practice; and verified the perception and behavior of patients with severe visual impairment and the contribuition of genetic counseling in their lives. Invitations were posted to 200 ophthalmologists, who practice in the area of Campinas, SP, Brazil, to participate in an interview concerning their knowlegde, behavior and opinions in the field of Genetics. Patients sample was composed of 53 individuals with severe visual impairment (visual acuity of less than 0.3 in the better eye with the best correction) caused by genetic factors. The interviews were held in a university hospital over a period of 18 months. The multiple-choice questionnaire applied permitted statistical analysis, for proportion comparisons and associative tests. A control sample composed of 142 normal patients siblings was also examined to compare some social integration indicators - mainly the establishment of stable couples and reproduction. Of the 73 professionals who answered the questionnaire (36%), the percentage of affirmative responses regarding basic genetic knowledge was high (49% to 88%) but the application of this knowledge to regular clinical routine was poor (10% to 33%). Only 45% of the individuals with hereditary ophthalmopathies received genetic counseling, which was usually offered by the ophthalmologist. Referrals to the genetic service consisted of 25% of the cases. The variable genetic couseling, together with others such as female sex and those having a higher educational level, significantly influenced alterations in family planning. Although they had poor access to the establishment of stable conjugal unions, they had children in the same proportion as their normal siblings. This fact underscores the importance of genetic counseling. The therapeutic and preventive potential of genetic counseling in the prevention of blindness is not adequately used. Discussions on genetics held with Brazilian ophthalmologists and the community about the use of this potential, for the benefit of patients, through genetic counseling, should be more pragmatic and less theoretical / Mestrado / Oftalmologia / Mestre em Ciências Médicas

Many steps go into developing a clinical viral gene therapy. The course starts with appropriate disease selection and moves through the many hurdles of in-vitro testing, animal model validation and proof-of-concept studies, all the way through pre-clinical large animal studies. In this thesis, I propose to outline the process of developing a translation pathway for a gene therapy using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV). I will expand on this outline using data that I have generated during the course of my Ph.D. that ranges from animal model validation all the way through pre-clinical vector stability studies. Two disease models will be discussed throughout this thesis, Cockayne Syndrome (CS) and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD). Cockayne Syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder involving mutations in either the CSA or CSB gene, leading to defects in DNA repair. Clinically this presents as progressive degeneration of the central nervous system, retina, cardiovascular system, and cochlea, which leads to mental retardation, post-natal growth defects, ocular abnormalities, and shortened life expectancy. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a serine protease inhibitor largely produced in the liver that mainly functions to inhibit neutrophil elastase within the lung. AATD leads to an increased risk of emphysema, with shortened life expectancy, and also results in accumulations of mutant AAT polymers in the liver, sometimes leading to liver failure. Using these two disease models I will outline the upstream and downstream pre-clinical work as well as the transition to clinical trials of a rAAV based gene therapy.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited photoreceptor degenerative disease that leads to blindness and affects about 1 in 4000 people worldwide. The disease is predominantly caused by mutations in genes expressed exclusively in the night active rod photoreceptors; however, blindness results from the secondary loss of the day active cone photoreceptors, the mechanism of which remains elusive. Here, we show that the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is required to delay the progression of cone death during disease and that constitutive activation of mTORC1 is sufficient to maintain cone function and promote cone survival in RP. Activation of mTORC1 increased expression of genes that promote glucose uptake, retention and utilization, leading to increased NADPH levels; a key metabolite for cones. This protective effect was conserved in two mouse models of RP, indicating that the secondary loss of cones can be delayed by an approach that is independent of the primary mutation in rods. However, since mTORC1 is a negative regulator of autophagy, its constitutive activation led to an unwarranted secondary effect of shortage of amino acids due to incomplete digestion of autophagic cargo, which reduces the efficiency of cone survival over time. Moderate activation of mTORC1, which promotes expression of glycolytic genes, as well as maintains autophagy, provided more sustained cone survival. Together, our work addresses a long-standing question of non-autonomous cone death in RP and presents a novel, mutation-independent approach to extend vision in a disease that remains incurable.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Ciliopathies with multiorgan pathology include renal cysts and eye pathology. Previous studies showed meckelin (MKS3 protein product) are crucial to cilia function and its absence in Wpk rats (with mutated rMks3 gene) causes Leber's congenital amaurosis. Retinal photoreceptors have connecting cilium that joins the inner to the outer segment and plays a role in the transport of molecules necessary for morphological and molecular development and maintenance of the outer segment process. The present study evaluated meckelin expression during normal postnatal retinal development and the consequences of mutant meckelin on photoreceptor development and survival in Wistar-Wpk/Wpk rat. Meckelin was co-expressed in photoreceptors, amacrine, Muller glia and ganglion cells in postnatal day 10 (P10) and P21 wild type retinae. Meckelin was detected in both inner and outer segments of photoreceptors. By P10, both wild type and homozygous Wpk mutant retina had all retinal cell types. In contrast, by P21, cells expressing photoreceptor-specific markers in the Wpk mutant were fewer in number with abnormal expression patterns. Cell death assays confirmed a significant amount of cells undergoing apoptosis in the outer nuclear layer of the mutant rat retina. By electron microscopy, mutant photoreceptors did not develop an outer segment process beyond a connecting cilium and rudimentary outer segment. We conclude that MKS3 is not important for formation of connecting cilium and rudimentary outer segments, but is critical for the elongation and/or maintenance of mature outer segment processes.

Les risques liés à l’environnement immédiat, notamment le manque d’accès à l’eau potable, à l’assainissement, à un logement décent et à un milieu de vie sain constituent un des facteurs à l’origine de la mauvaise santé des enfants de moins de cinq ans dans les pays en développement. Les objectifs principaux poursuivis dans cette recherche sont de mesurer l’influence de ces risques de l’environnement immédiat sur la prévalence des symptômes des troubles oculaires et celle des symptômes des troubles cutanés chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans à Ouagadougou et de rechercher les autres déterminants sous-jacents de la prévalence de ces symptômes dans cette ville. Nous utilisons les données de l’enquête réalisée en février 2010 sur l’état de santé et le comportement sanitaire associé aux maladies et symptômes récents et les données sur les événements démographiques et sur les conditions de vie des ménages collectées en mai 2009 durant le round 1 de l’enquête ménage. L’échantillon de l’étude est constitué de 950 enfants issus de 736 ménages sélectionnés aléatoirement dans cinq quartiers périphériques de la ville de Ouagadougou. Nous avons recouru à l’analyse descriptive fondée sur les tableaux croisés et les tests du chi-2, et à l’analyse de la régression logistique multivariée ayant permis d’étudier les risques relatifs de la survenue desdits symptômes. L’analyse descriptive montre que certaines variables de l’environnement immédiat, en l’occurrence le mode d’évacuation des ordures ménagères, le type de toilette utilisé le plus souvent par la plupart des membres du ménage et le type de quartier de résidence, sont associés à la prévalence des troubles oculaires. Mais une analyse approfondie à l’aide de la régression logistique multivariée n’a confirmé que l’effet du type de quartier de résidence. Concernant la prévalence des symptômes des troubles cutanés, en analyse bi-variée, les variables de l’environnement immédiat qui y sont associées sont la nature du sol intérieur et le mode d’évacuation des eaux usées. L’analyse multivariée semble confirmer les effets de ces variables. Nous avons relevé quelques limites des données utilisées, notamment la faible taille de l’échantillon, la non-confirmation par voie médicale des données sanitaires et le caractère transversal desdites données. Toutefois, les résultats trouvés pourront être utiles aux planificateurs et décideurs qui ont la charge de la gestion de l’espace urbain dans le but de mieux concevoir de nouvelles politiques urbaines mettant l’accent sur la restructuration des quartiers précaires afin de mieux combattre les maladies évitables. En conclusion, en tenant compte des limites relevées, il serait utile de procéder à d’autres investigations afin de tirer des conclusions moins sujettes à débat du point de vue méthodologique. / Risks related to domestic environment, including a lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, poor housing conditions and an unhealthy environment are some of the factors that can explain the poor health of young children in developing countries. The main goals of this research are to assess the influence of such local environmental risks on the prevalence of symptoms of eye and skin diseases among children aged under five and to examine the effects of other possible determinants of these problems in Ouagadougou, capital city of Burkina Faso. Data are from a survey conducted in February 2010 that collected information on the health status and behaviors associated with recent disease episodes; these are linked to data collected in May 2009 by an earlier round of the Ouagadougou DSS on demographic events and the living conditions of households. Our sample consists of 950 children from 736 randomly selected households in five suburbs of the city. The descriptive analysis (cross-tabulations and chi-2 tests) showed that several variables of domestic environment, namely the waste disposal, the type of toilet used by the members of the household and the type of neighborhood are associated with the prevalence of the symptoms of eye diseases. The multivariate analysis using multivariate logistic regressions, however, confirmed only the effect of neighborhood type – zoned versus spontaneous settlements. Concerning the skin diseases, the descriptive analysis indicated that the only aspects of the domestic environment that are associated with their symptoms are the type of floor in the living union and the method of household waste disposal. The multivariate analysis confirmed the significant effects of these variables on children’s health. We note some limitations of the data used, including the relatively small size of the sample, the fact that disease symptoms were reported by the children’s guardians and not verified by doctors, and the cross-sectional nature of the data. The data however do provide unusual information on the domestic living environment and are of relatively good quality. The results of the study may be useful to planners and decision makers who are responsible for the management of urban space, in order to improve the design of policies aiming to improve the structure and living conditions in precarious (spontaneous, non-zoned) neighborhoods to better fight preventable diseases. That said, further research is needed to attain stronger conclusions that are based on larger data sets that are less subject to possible self-reporting inaccuracies.

Les risques liés à l’environnement immédiat, notamment le manque d’accès à l’eau potable, à l’assainissement, à un logement décent et à un milieu de vie sain constituent un des facteurs à l’origine de la mauvaise santé des enfants de moins de cinq ans dans les pays en développement. Les objectifs principaux poursuivis dans cette recherche sont de mesurer l’influence de ces risques de l’environnement immédiat sur la prévalence des symptômes des troubles oculaires et celle des symptômes des troubles cutanés chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans à Ouagadougou et de rechercher les autres déterminants sous-jacents de la prévalence de ces symptômes dans cette ville. Nous utilisons les données de l’enquête réalisée en février 2010 sur l’état de santé et le comportement sanitaire associé aux maladies et symptômes récents et les données sur les événements démographiques et sur les conditions de vie des ménages collectées en mai 2009 durant le round 1 de l’enquête ménage. L’échantillon de l’étude est constitué de 950 enfants issus de 736 ménages sélectionnés aléatoirement dans cinq quartiers périphériques de la ville de Ouagadougou. Nous avons recouru à l’analyse descriptive fondée sur les tableaux croisés et les tests du chi-2, et à l’analyse de la régression logistique multivariée ayant permis d’étudier les risques relatifs de la survenue desdits symptômes. L’analyse descriptive montre que certaines variables de l’environnement immédiat, en l’occurrence le mode d’évacuation des ordures ménagères, le type de toilette utilisé le plus souvent par la plupart des membres du ménage et le type de quartier de résidence, sont associés à la prévalence des troubles oculaires. Mais une analyse approfondie à l’aide de la régression logistique multivariée n’a confirmé que l’effet du type de quartier de résidence. Concernant la prévalence des symptômes des troubles cutanés, en analyse bi-variée, les variables de l’environnement immédiat qui y sont associées sont la nature du sol intérieur et le mode d’évacuation des eaux usées. L’analyse multivariée semble confirmer les effets de ces variables. Nous avons relevé quelques limites des données utilisées, notamment la faible taille de l’échantillon, la non-confirmation par voie médicale des données sanitaires et le caractère transversal desdites données. Toutefois, les résultats trouvés pourront être utiles aux planificateurs et décideurs qui ont la charge de la gestion de l’espace urbain dans le but de mieux concevoir de nouvelles politiques urbaines mettant l’accent sur la restructuration des quartiers précaires afin de mieux combattre les maladies évitables. En conclusion, en tenant compte des limites relevées, il serait utile de procéder à d’autres investigations afin de tirer des conclusions moins sujettes à débat du point de vue méthodologique. / Risks related to domestic environment, including a lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, poor housing conditions and an unhealthy environment are some of the factors that can explain the poor health of young children in developing countries. The main goals of this research are to assess the influence of such local environmental risks on the prevalence of symptoms of eye and skin diseases among children aged under five and to examine the effects of other possible determinants of these problems in Ouagadougou, capital city of Burkina Faso. Data are from a survey conducted in February 2010 that collected information on the health status and behaviors associated with recent disease episodes; these are linked to data collected in May 2009 by an earlier round of the Ouagadougou DSS on demographic events and the living conditions of households. Our sample consists of 950 children from 736 randomly selected households in five suburbs of the city. The descriptive analysis (cross-tabulations and chi-2 tests) showed that several variables of domestic environment, namely the waste disposal, the type of toilet used by the members of the household and the type of neighborhood are associated with the prevalence of the symptoms of eye diseases. The multivariate analysis using multivariate logistic regressions, however, confirmed only the effect of neighborhood type – zoned versus spontaneous settlements. Concerning the skin diseases, the descriptive analysis indicated that the only aspects of the domestic environment that are associated with their symptoms are the type of floor in the living union and the method of household waste disposal. The multivariate analysis confirmed the significant effects of these variables on children’s health. We note some limitations of the data used, including the relatively small size of the sample, the fact that disease symptoms were reported by the children’s guardians and not verified by doctors, and the cross-sectional nature of the data. The data however do provide unusual information on the domestic living environment and are of relatively good quality. The results of the study may be useful to planners and decision makers who are responsible for the management of urban space, in order to improve the design of policies aiming to improve the structure and living conditions in precarious (spontaneous, non-zoned) neighborhoods to better fight preventable diseases. That said, further research is needed to attain stronger conclusions that are based on larger data sets that are less subject to possible self-reporting inaccuracies.

AFRIKAANS: Gesinne wat met ’n kleuter met ’n gesiggestremdheid gekonfronteer word, het meervoudige behoeftes wat ’n holistiese benadering vereis ten einde hierdie komplekse probleem effektief aan te spreek. Geen navorsing is egter nog gedoen waar daar na die Suid-Afrikaanse ouer wat ’n kleuter met ’n gesiggestremdheid het, se behoeftes gekyk is ten einde ’n gespesialiseerde, empiries gefundeerde ouerbegeleidingsprogram te ontwikkel nie. Hierdie studie het dus ten doel gehad om ’n begeleidingsprogram vir ouers van ’n kleuter met gesiggestremdheid te ontwikkel en die effektiwiteit daarvan te evalueer. Intervensienavorsing as toegepaste navorsing is hiervoor aangewend.<p[> ’n Tweefase-navorsingsbenadering is gebruik. Tydens fase een is van ’n kwalitatiewe benadering gebruik gemaak. Die volgende navorsingsvraag is tydens hierdie fase geformuleer: Watter behoeftes het die Suid-Afrikaanse ouer van ’n kleuter met gesiggestremdheid? : ’n Fokusgroepbespreking waar fokusgroepvrae benut is, is met 10 ouerpare deurloop ten einde die betekenis en interpretasie wat hulle aan hulle leefwêreld heg, te eksploreer. Hierdie data het, aanvullend tot die omvattende literatuurstudie wat onderneem is, inligting na vore gebring wat in die ouerbegeleidingsprogram gebruik is. Antwoorde op die navorsingsvraag kon dus gevind word. Die kwantitatiewe ontwerp wat tydens fase twee gevolg is, is die enkelstelselontwerp. Die volgende navorsingshipotese is tydens hierdie fase geformuleer: : Indien die ouers van ’n kleuter met gesiggestremdheid die ouerbegeleidingsprogram deurloop, sal hulle bemagtig word met kennis ten opsigte van hulle kind se spesifieke oogtoestand, die invloed daarvan op en hulle hantering van die betrokke kind, hulle huwelik en hulle gesin: . Die maatskaplikewerk-intervensieprogram wat ontwikkel is, bestaan uit ses groepwerksessies van ongeveer 60 minute elk wat met twee groepe van 10 ouers in totaal deurloop is. ’n Selfontwerpte vraelys is voor en na afloop van die program deur al 10 ouers voltooi. Hierdie meetinstrument het bostaande hipotese bevestig. Vergelykings is getref tussen die literatuur en die empiriese gegewens. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing is na aanleiding van die studie geformuleer. ENGLISH: Families that are confronted with a toddler with a visual impairment have multiple needs that require a holistic approach in order to address this complex problem effectively. However, no research has been done yet that looks at the needs of the South African parent with a toddler with a visual impairment in order to develop a specialized, empirically grounded parental guiding programme. This study thus aimed at developing a guiding programme for parents with a toddler with a visual impairment and evaluating its effectiveness. Interventional research as applied research was utilised for this purpose. A two-phase research approach was used. During phase one a qualitative approach was used. The following research question was formulated during this phase: What are the needs of the South African parent with a toddler with a visual impairment? A focus-group discussion where focus-group questions were used was held with 10 parents in order to explore the meaning and interpretation that they attach to their daily world. These data, in addition to the wide-ranging literature study that had been undertaken, brought information to the fore that was used in the parental guiding programme. Answers to the research question could thus be found. The quantitative design that was followed during phase two was the single-system design. The following research hypothesis was formulated during this phase: If the parents of a toddler with a visual impairment follow the parental guiding programme, they will be empowered with knowledge with regard to their child’s specific eye condition, its influence on and their management of the child concerned, their marriage and their family. The social-work interventional programme that was developed consists of six group-work sessions of approximately 60 minutes each that were held for two groups of 10 parents in total. A self-designed questionnaire was completed by these 10 parents before and after the programme. This measuring instrument confirmed the above-mentioned hypothesis. Comparisons were made between literature and the empirical data. Conclusions and recommendations for future research were formulated following on this study. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

MPH / Department of Public Health / See the attached abstract below