Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-07-04T10:43:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 munikegoncalvesderezende.pdf: 393903 bytes, checksum: 0462010120ab29a1f4bf0857d5ceec79 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-08-08T13:05:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 munikegoncalvesderezende.pdf: 393903 bytes, checksum: 0462010120ab29a1f4bf0857d5ceec79 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-08T13:05:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 munikegoncalvesderezende.pdf: 393903 bytes, checksum: 0462010120ab29a1f4bf0857d5ceec79 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-19 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / A Serra da Pedra Branca localiza-se no sudoeste do estado de Minas Gerais, no município de Caldas (21° 58' - 55' S e 46° 24' -22' W). É uma feição marcante no relevo, inserida no Bioma Mata Atlântica e considerada área prioritária para a conservação da flora no estado de Minas Gerais. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram realizar o levantamento florístico da Serra da Pedra Branca com ênfase na vegetação dos Campos de Altitude, comparar a flora da Serra da Pedra Branca à coletada por Anders Fredrik Regnell no século XIX em Caldas e analisar a similaridade florística entre áreas de afloramentos rochosos. Para tal, foram realizadas expedições mensais de coleta no período de março de 2008 a fevereiro de 2009. O levantamento florístico registrou 340 espécies de plantas vasculares sendo 46 identificadas apenas até nível de gênero. Destacam-se as seguintes famílias quanto à riqueza de espécies entre as angiospermas: Orchidaceae (27 spp.), Asteraceae e Rubiaceae (16 spp. cada), Fabaceae e Piperaceae (15 spp. cada), Bromeliaceae (14 spp.), Solanaceae (10 spp) e Poaceae (nove spp.) e, entre as pteridófitas: Polypodiaceae (15 spp.) e Aspleniaceae (oito spp.). As espécies herbáceas representam 56,5% da flora, seguida por arbóreas (21,8%), arbustivas (15,3%), lianas (5,9%) e arborescentes (0,6%). A comparação dos dados atuais da flora com a dos dados levantados por Anders Fredrik Regnell, indica a presença de 90 espécies em comum às duas listagens. De modo geral, a diversidade ao longo dos anos não diferiu apesar da riqueza dentro de algumas famílias ter sido diferente. A intensa degradação e supressão de vegetação ocorrida no município de Caldas ao longo dos anos para a abertura de pastagens, agricultura e mineração pode ter causado o desaparecimento de diversas espécies e o estabelecimento de outras. A análise de similaridade florística realizada entre a flora dos Campos de Altitude da Serra da Pedra Branca e outras áreas de afloramentos rochosos localizadas no sudeste de Minas Gerais e Rio de Janeiro revelou uma maior proximidade da Serra da Pedra Branca com áreas de Campos Rupestres o que pode ser explicado pela influência do cerrado na flora desses ambientes. A vegetação da Serra da Pedra Branca é considerada um ambiente em perigo já que a presença de espécies ameaçadas de extinção e/ou endêmicas, associada às condições ambientais locais com acelerado ritmo de destruição, evidenciam a necessidade de medidas urgentes de preservação da biodiversidade local. / Serra da Pedra Branca is located in the southwestern of Minas Gerais state, municipality of Caldas (21 ° 58 '- 55' S and 46 ° 24 '-22' W). Striking feature in the landscape, the region is part of the Atlantic Forest biome and is considered priority area for conservation the flora in Minas Gerais state. The aims of this paper were the elaboration of a floristic checklist of Serra da Pedra Branca with emphasis on the vegetation of Campos de Altitude, compare the flora of the Serra da Pedra Branca with the flora collected by Anders Fredrik Regnell in the nineteenth century in Caldas and analyse the floristic similarity between areas of rock outcrops. For that, monthly collections were made from March 2008 to February 2009. The floristic survey recorded 340 vascular plant species and 46 identified only up to genus level. The following families are important for their species richness among the angiosperms: Orchidaceae (27 spp.), Asteraceae and Rubiaceae (16 spp. each one), Piperaceae and Fabaceae (15 spp. each one), Bromeliaceae (14 spp.), Solanaceae (10 spp) and Poaceae (nine spp.), and among the ferns: Polypodiaceae (15 spp.) and Aspleniaceae (eight spp.). Herbs represent 56,5% of the flora, followed by trees (21,8%), shrubs (15,3%), climbers (5,9%) and arborescent (0,6%). Comparing the current floristic data with the data collected by Anders Fredrik Regnell in Caldas in the nineteenth century, indicates the presence of 90 species in common to both listings. In general, the diversity over the years did not differ despite the richness within some families have been quite different. The intense degradation and removal of vegetation occurred in the municipality of Caldas over the years to open pastures, agriculture and mining may have caused the disappearance of several species and the establishment of others. The analysis of floristic similarity between the flora of Campos de Altitude da Serra da Pedra Branca and other areas of rocky outcrops located in southeastern of Minas Gerais state and Rio de Janeiro, showed a greater proximity of the Serra da Pedra Branca with areas of Campos Rupestres which can be explained by the influence of the cerrado in the floristic of these environments. The vegetation of the Serra da Pedra Branca is considered an endangered environment since the presence of endangered species and / or endemic, associated with local environmental conditions with accelerated rate of destruction, highlight the need for urgent action to preserve local biodiversity.

Neste trabalho realizou-se o estudo de distribuição, riqueza e conservação do gênero Davilla Vand. (Dilleniaceae) no Neotrópico. Para tal utilizou-se a modelagem de distribuição de espécies com o algoritmo Maxent. Este produz distribuição das espécies no espaço geográfico a partir de dados ambiental e de ocorrência. Foram estudadas as espécies de acordo com o bioma de ocorrência: Mata Atlântica; Cerrado; e Amazônia. Este grupo está representado no Neotrópico por 25 espécies. Para o Cerrado incluiu-se além das espécies do gênero Davilla as demais espécies da família Dilleniaceae. Os resultados indicaram que no Cerrado o grupo está representado por nove espécies de Davilla, além de Curatella americana L. e três espécies de Doliocarpus Rol., destas cinco são endêmicas (Doliocarpus elegans Eichler e 4 Davilla spp.). Para a Mata Atlântica ocorrem 12 espécies de Davilla, oito delas são endêmicas, incluindo uma espécie ameaçada de extinção. Para a Floresta Amazônica são conhecidas nove espécies, cinco delas endêmicas. Duas outras espécies são Neotropicais, portanto, compartilhadas por todos os biomas citados anteriormente. As demais espécies são de ocorrência em pelo menos dois biomas. Para estes três biomas produziu-se a distribuição e a riqueza de espécies visando comparar os resultados com as unidades de conservação, objetivando discutir questões relativas à conservação deste grupo. Os parâmetros conservacionistas como espécies raras, zonas de endemismo, zonas de alta riqueza, áreas de preservação ambiental, foram confrontados objetivando indicar áreas prioritárias para a conservação do grupo e da biodiversidade. Os resultados indicaram existir três centros de diversidade para este grupo. O principal deles está localizado na Mata Atlântica, principalmente nas florestas litorâneas do estado da Bahia. Outro centro de diversidade localiza-se na região central do Cerrado, especialmente nos estados de Goiás e Bahia. A outra área de diversidade localiza-se próximo à foz do Rio Amazonas e ao longo de seu curso. Devido ao hábito predominante das espécies serem lianas, estas são importantes componentes das florestas, das quais usamos este referencial para discutir questões relativas à conservação destes habitats, de suas espécies e da biodiversidade. As informações completas estão apresentadas nos capítulos de acordo com os respectivos biomas abordados. / In this study was realized to study the distribution, richness and conservation of the Davilla Vand. (Dilleniaceae) in the neotropics. For this purpose was used to distribution model of species with Maxent algorithm. This produces species distribution in geographic in space based on environmental and occurrence data. Species in accordance with biome of occurrence were studied: Atlantic Forest; Cerrado; and the Amazon. This group is represented by 25 species in the neotropics. For the Cerrado was included in addition to the Davilla species all species of Dilleniaceae family. The results indicated that in the Cerrado this group is represented by nine species of Davilla, and Curatella americana L. and three species of Doliocarpus Rol., to these five are endemic (Doliocarpus elegans Eichler and 4 Davilla spp.). For Atlantic Forest occur 12 Davilla species, eight of which are endemic, including an endangered species. For the Amazon are known nine species, five of these endemic. Two other neotropical species are therefore shared by all biomes mentioned above. The other species are occurring in at least two biomes. For these three biomes produced the distribution and species richness in order to compare the results with the protected areas, aiming to discuss issues relating to the conservation of this group. Conservationists parameters as rare species, areas of endemism, areas of high species richness, conservation areas, were confronted aiming indicate priority areas for conservation of biodiversity and too this group. The results indicated three centers of diversity for this group. The main one is located in the Atlantic Forest in coastal forests of Bahia. Another center of diversity is located in central region of Cerrado, especially in the states of Goias and Bahia. The other area of diversity is located near the mouth of the Amazon River and along its course. Due to the prevailing habit of the species are lianas, these are important components of forests, of which we use this framework to discuss issues relating to the conservation of these habitats, their species and biodiversity. Full details are presented in chapters according to their biomes addressed.

Submitted by biblioteca unifenas (biblioteca@unifenas.br) on 2017-09-13T13:25:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Mauro Barbieri Dissertação.pdf: 1026519 bytes, checksum: b56b00d6a2720e47649bc500b977c098 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-13T13:25:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mauro Barbieri Dissertação.pdf: 1026519 bytes, checksum: b56b00d6a2720e47649bc500b977c098 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-27 / The objective of the experiment evaluating different levels of egg powder residue in the diets of piglets weaned at 28 days of age, assessing performance, hematological parameters, the bacterial count and the quantification of immunoglobulin (IgM). The study was conducted at the Swine Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology of South of Minas Gerais Campus Muzambinho. One design was used in a randomized block design with four treatments and six replications and three animals per experimental unit. The initial weight was used as a criterion for constitution of blocks and treatments consisted of four powdered egg levels (0.0%, 2.0%, 4.0% and 6.0%). The results were evaluated using the linear regression analyzes and polynomial, and the adjustments evaluated for accuracy (R2). With the increase of egg powder residue levels there was an improvement in animal performance. In general, with increasing levels of powdered egg residue there was an increase in final weight of the animals, weight gain and an improvement in feed conversion. Regarding the blood components, there was a reduction on packed cell volume and total protein of seguimentados with raising the level of egg powder residue. The egg powder residue improves the performance of piglets weaned at 28 days of age. As one increases the inclusion of egg residue powder in the diet, there is a higher incidence of beneficial bacteria in tratogastrinteninal piglets, keeping them imonologicamente healthier / Objetivou-se, com a condução do experimento, avaliar diferentes níveis de resíduo de ovo em pó na dieta de leitões desmamados aos 28 dias de idade, avaliando o desempenho, os parâmetros hematológicos, a contagem bacteriana e a quantificação de imunoglobulinas (IgM). O trabalho foi desenvolvido na Suinocultura do Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Sul de Minas Gerais Campus Muzambinho. Estabeleceu-se um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições, sendo três animais por unidade experimental. Usou-se o peso inicial como critério para constituição dos blocos e os tratamentos foram constituídos por quatro níveis de ovo em pó (0,0%; 2,0%; 4,0% e 6,0%). Avaliaram-se os resultados por meio das das análises de regressão linear e polinomial e os ajustes, pela precisão (R2). Com o aumento dos níveis de resíduo de ovo em pó, houve melhora não só no peso final como também no ganho de peso médio diário e na conversão alimentar dos animais. Constatou-se redução do volume globular, dos segmentados e da proteína total com a elevação do nível de resíduo de ovo em pó. Além disso, com o aumento dos níveis do ovo, observou-se maior número de Bifidobacterium e Lactobacillus no cólon proximal dos leitões e menor contagem de Escherichia coli. O resíduo de ovo em pó melhora o desempenho dos leitões desmamados aos 28 dias de idade. À medida que se aumenta a inclusão de resíduo de ovo em pó na dieta, há maior incidência de bactérias benéficas no trato gastrointestinal dos leitões, mantendo-os imunologicamente mais saudáveis.

Το όρος Γκιώνα είναι το υψηλότερο βουνό της Στερεάς Ελλάδας και το πέμπτο μεγαλύτερο της Ελλάδας. Έχει έκταση περίπου 300.000 στρεμμάτων, χωρίζει κάθετα τη Στερεά Ελλάδα σε δυτική και ανατολική και αριθμεί εικοσιτέσσερις (24) κορυφές με υψόμετρο μεγαλύτερο των 2.000 μ. Αρχικά, η παρούσα διατριβή ερευνά τη χλωρίδα της εξεταζόμενης περιοχής, η οποία αποτελείται από 1.273 taxa, 572 εκ των οποίων, αναφέρονται για πρώτη φορά. Η γεωγραφική θέση του συγκεκριμένου ορεινού όγκου στη Στερεά Ελλάδα, ο οποίος γειτνιάζει με τα υπόλοιπα ψηλά βουνά αυτής της περιφέρειας (Βαρδούσια, Οίτη, Παρνασσό), αποτελεί σημείο συνάντησης φυτών με διαφορετική γεωγραφική εξάπλωση. Αυτό το δεδομένο αποκτά ακόμη μεγαλύτερη αναλυτική σημασία στην περίπτωση των ενδημικών στοιχείων, καθώς το ορεινό συγκρότημα της Γκιώνας με το επιβλητικό τοπίο, τα μεγάλα υψόμετρα, την εκτεταμένη αλπική ζώνη και τη συνολικά μεγάλη του έκταση υποστηρίζει ένα πολύ υψηλό ποσοστό ενδημισμού (11,88%). Αξιοσημείωτο είναι ότι μεταξύ των φυτικών στοιχείων που εξετάσαμε, περιλαμβάνονται και 171 taxa, τα οποία είναι σπάνια ή προστατευόμενα. Επιπρόσθετα, διερευνήσαμε τις φυτογεωγραφικές σχέσεις μεταξύ των βουνών της Στερεάς Ελλάδας και της Πελοποννήσου, όπου διαφαίνεται η υψηλή χλωριδική συγγένεια του όρους Γκιώνα με τα όρη Παρνασσός και Βαρδούσια. Στη συνέχεια, μελετήσαμε τη βλάστηση της εξεταζόμενης περιοχής, όπου εντοπίστηκαν έντεκα (11) ενότητες βλάστησης. Από την επεξεργασία των δειγματοληψιών, διακρίθηκαν δεκαεννέα (19) τύποι οικοτόπων, με οκτώ (8) φυτοκοινότητες να αναφέρονται για πρώτη φορά. Για την αξιολόγηση των ανθρώπινων επιδράσεων που λαμβάνουν χώρα στο όρος Γκιώνα εφαρμόστηκε το πλαίσιο DPSIR, το οποίο εφαρμόζεται για πρώτη φορά σε ορεινό οικοσύστημα στην Ελλάδα. Στην παρούσα μελέτη αναλύονται πενήντα πέντε (55) δείκτες του προαναφερθέντος πλαισίου αξιολόγησης, ενώ ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα δίνεται στις πιέσεις που ασκούνται από τα μεταλλεία βωξίτη στην περιοχή. Τα διαχειριστικά μέτρα, τα οποία προτείνονται, λαμβάνουν υπόψη όλες τις εξεταζόμενες παραμέτρους αξιολόγησης και αποτελούν ένα χρήσιμο εργαλείο για τους παράγοντες λήψης αποφάσεων. Όσα προαναφέρθηκαν συνεπικουρούνται από μία σειρά θεματικών χαρτών, τους οποίους κατασκευάσαμε με τη χρήση GIS και απεικονίζουν την παρούσα κατάσταση της περιοχής μελέτης. / Mount Giona is the highest mountain of the Sterea Ellas region and Greece’s fifth biggest mountain. It covers 30,000 hectares, divides Sterea Ellas into west and east and includes twenty-four (24) peaks above 2,000 m. Initially, the present thesis investigates the flora of the examined area, which comprises 1,273 taxa, 572 of which are reported here for the first time. The geographical position of Mount Giona in Sterea Ellas, which neighbors with the other high mountains of that region (namely: Vardousia, Oiti, Parnassos), constitutes a meeting point for plants with different geographical distributions. This fact is extremely important in the case of the endemic elements, which constitute a large percentage of the total flora (11.88%), due to the highly diversified landscape, the high altitudes, the extended alpine vegetation zone and the vast area covered by the mountain. The fact that 171 plant taxa of the total flora are rare or under some protection status, is also notable. Furthermore, we have examined the phytogeographical relation among the mountains of Sterea Ellas and Peloponnese, where the high floristic affinity of Mount Giona with the mountains Parnassos and Vardousia was revealed. Furthermore, we have studied the vegetation of the examined area, where we have recognized eleven (11) vegetation groups. The elaboration of vegetation samplings via vegetation analysis techniques showed nineteen (19) habitat types, with eight (8) plant communities being reported here for the first time. In order to evaluate the human impacts taking place on Mount Giona, we implemented the DPSIR causal framework, which is applied for the first time in a mountainous ecosystem in Greece. Fifty-five (55) indicators of the above-mentioned framework are analyzed in the present study, with special attention to the pressures caused by the bauxite mines on the area. The management measures, proposed here, have taken under consideration all the examined evaluation parameters and aim to be a valuable tool in the hands of decision makers. Finally, a series of thematic maps, created by means of GIS, has been designed in order to support our studies and reflect the present state of Mount Giona’s ecosystems.

Η εντερική χλωρίδα θα μπορούσε να περιγραφεί ως ένα μικροβιακό όργανο, μείζονος σημασίας για την ομοιόσταση του οργανισμού, εξαιτίας της συμμετοχής του σε πολλαπλές και διαφορετικές λειτουργιές όπως η πέψη, η απορρόφηση των θρεπτικών συστατικών, η αποβολή των άχρηστων ουσιών και η φυσική ανοσία. Η σύστασή της έχει παρατηρηθεί ότι διαφέρει από άνθρωπο σε άνθρωπο. Ενώ οι κυριότεροι παράγοντες που διαμορφώνουν το τελικό μικροβιακό περιεχόμενο περιλαμβάνουν την ηλικία, το περιβάλλον, τις διαιτητικές συνήθειες, το γενετικό υπόβαθρο, την καταγωγή, την χρήση αντιβιοτικών, πρεβιοτικών ή προβιοτικών, την έκθεση σε ποικιλλία μικροβίων και τις χειρουργικές επεμβάσεις. Η ανθρώπινη εντερική χλωρίδα αποτελείται κατά κύριο λόγο από μόλις τέσσερα φύλα βακτηρίων, τα Bacteroidetes (23%), τα Firmicutes (64%), τα Actinobacteria (3%), και τα Proteobacteria (8%). Τα τελευταία χρόνια αρκετό είναι το ερευνητικό ενδιαφέρον στην μελέτη της σχέσης μεταξύ της σύνθεσης της εντερικής χλωρίδας και της παχυσαρκίας. Η έρευνα των πιθανών μηχανισμών αλληλεπίδρασης του μικροβιακού περιεχομένου και του ξενιστή εκτελείσεται τόσο με την χρήση πειραματοζώων όσο και σε ανθρώπινο επίπεδο. Έχει αποδειχθεί ότι σε παχύσαρκα άτομα υπάρχει χαμηλότερο ποσοστό Bacteroidetes και μεγαλύτερο Firmicutes, σε σύγκριση με άτομα κανονικού βάρους. Αν και έχουν επίσης διατυπωθεί αντίθετα αποτελέσματα. Οι διαιτητικές συνήθεις είναι ένας από τους κύριους παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν την σύσταση της εντερικής χλωρίδας. Παράλληλα, είναι γνωστό ότι το μοντέλο της οικογένειας και το γονεϊκό πρότυπο είναι καθοριστικής σημασίας στην διαμόρφωση διαιτητικών και διατροφικών επιλογών. Στην παρούσα μελέτη στόχος ήταν να ερευνήσουμε την επιρροή του οικογενειακού περιβάλλοντος, της μεσογειακής διατροφής και της παχυσαρκίας στην σύσταση της εντερικής χλωρίδας. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 35 άτομα, από 12 οικογένειες, ηλικίας από 18 ετών έως και 77 ετών. Όλοι είναι μέλη οικογενειών που κατοικούν στην περιοχή της Πάτρας, και αφού πληροφορήθηκαν εκτενώς για τον σκοπό και την μεθεδολογιά της, συνένεσαν εθελοντικά. Μετρήθηκαν τα ανθρωπομετρικά χαρακτηριστικά κάθε εθελοντή, και υπολογίστηκε ο δείκτης μάζας σώματος (ΔΜΣ), καταγράφηκαν, μέσω ερωτηματολογίων, δημογραφικά, κοινωνικο-οικονομικά στοιχεία και οι διαιτητικές-διατροφικές τους συνήθειες. Ακόμα έγινε συλλογή κοπράνων, από όπου απομονώθηκε DNA και αναλύθηκε με την χρήση Real Time PCR. Μετά την στατιστική επεξεργασία, δεν επιβεβαιώθηκε η αρχική εκτίμηση για παρόμοια βακτηριακή κατανομή μεταξύ των μελών της κάθε οικογένειας και τελικά δεν σχετίστηκε στατιστικά σημαντικά η υιοθέτηση της Μεσογειακής διατροφής (MedDiet score) με την σύσταση της εντερικής χλωρίδας. / The intestinal flora is a microbial organ of major importance for the homeostasis of human organism, because of its participation in multiple and diverse functions such as digestion, absorption of nutrients, elimination of waste products and immunity. Gut flora is affected by various factors, such as the age, environment, dietary habits, host’s genotype, origin, using of antibiotics, prebiotics or probiotics, exposure to a variety of microbes and surgeries. Human intestinal flora consists primarily of four bacterial genders: the Bacteroidetes (23%), the Firmicutes (64%), the Actinobacteria (3%), and the Proteobacteria (8%). In the last years, many scientists study the correlation between the gut microbiota and obesity. Although, there are conflicting results, there is evidence that obese people have lower percentage of Bacteroides and higher percentage of Firmicutes, when compared with normal weight. It is known that dietary habits affect the composition of gut flora. Furthermore, it has also been proved that type of family and/or parenting model are crucial factors in shaping dietary and nutritional choices. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the Mediterranean diet, obesity and family’s environment with gut microbiota. The survey involved 35 people, from 12 different families, aged from 18 years to 77 years. We measured anthropometric characteristics of each volunteer, calculated body mass index (BMI) and then demographic, socio-economic data and dietary-nutritional habits were recorded through questionnaires. We collected stool sample from every partitipant, DNA was isolated and analyzed using Real-Time PCR. Statistical analysis did not confirm the initial estimate for similar bacterial distribution among the members of each family, and eventually the adherence to Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet score) was not significally related with changes of the intestinal flora.

The mammalian immune system has developed diverse strategies to protect the gastrointestinal tract, as this tissue locale represents a huge absorptive surface and is susceptible to microbial breach. Paradoxically, one key aspect of this protective strategy is the maintenance of selected commensal microorganisms. These commensals serve essential roles in digestion, interfere with pathogenic microbial invasion and stimulate development of the host immune system. Therefore, immune responses which deplete these commensal populations are detrimental to the host. One effective intestinal immune response which selectively promotes the survival of commensals is production of antibodies of the IgA isotype which bind to bacteria without triggering inflammatory cytokines. Proteins of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family such as Lymphotoxin and BAFF contribute to the induction of IgA responses. Lymphotoxin is required for generation and organization of most organized lymphoid tissues, where B cell differentiation occurs, while BAFF is necessary for B cell survival and induces B cells to produce IgA. In this thesis, I describe work I have done in examining the roles of the TNF family members Lymphotoxin, BAFF and two related TNF family member cytokines, LIGHT and APRIL, in the regulation of IgA production in mice and in humans. Specifically, LIGHT over-expression drives immense production of IgA, leading to renal deposition of immune complexes in mice. Similar to LIGHT, BAFF over-expression drives increases in IgA production in the intestine, however I have shown that the effects of the BAFF pathway on IgA hyper-production are independent of LIGHT activity. Secondly, examining the phenotype of BAFF-over-expressing mice, I have shown that this phenotype resembles human IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and is dependent on intestinal commensals. Finally, I have described a lymphotoxin-dependent chemokine system in the intestinal lamina propria that could be responsible for organizing cells for the development of IgA responses in this mucosal site.

Le parasite Plasmodium falciparum, responsable des formes graves du paludisme chez l'homme, est transmis par Anopheles gambiae, son principal vecteur en Afrique sub-saharienne. Les nouvelles stratégies de lutte contre la maladie visent à limiter ou à interrompre le développement du parasite chez le moustique vecteur, et il est donc nécessaire d'améliorer notre compréhension des interactions entre le vecteur, son environnement et le parasite. L'objectif de ce projet de thèse a été de caractériser la flore microbienne du vecteur An. gambiae en conditions naturelles de transmission, d'étudier le rôle des principales espèces bactériennes colonisant l'estomac du moustique sur le développement de P. falciparum et de mesurer l'influence des bactéries sur la réponse immunitaire des moustiques femelles et leur capacité à transmettre le parasite. Pour mener à bien ce projet, nous avons collecté des populations de moustiques sauvages au Cameroun pour la caractérisation de la flore microbienne, nous avons ensuite exposé des moustiques de la colonie de laboratoire Ngousso à des cultures bactériennes puis infecté ces moustiques avec des isolats naturels de P. falciparum. Notre étude a montré que les souches bactériennes naturelles de l'intestin du moustique Serratia, Pseudomonas et Escherichia réduisaient la prévalence et l'intensité de l'infection et que le degré d'inhibition variait selon les taxons bactériens et les porteurs de gamétocytes. L'analyse des flores bactériennes des différents épithéliums de l'insecte par pyroséquençage a révélé des similarités entre la flore intestinale et celles retrouvées dans les ovaires et les glandes salivaires pour un même moustique. Les analyses d'expression suggèrent que la régulation de l'expression des gènes l'immunité par les bactéries intestinales pourrait participer à la modulation de la réponse antiplasmodiale. Les mécanismes impliqués dans les interactions bactéries-Plasmodium-vecteur sont complexes et multifactorielle et la modélisation de l'ensemble des interactions qui permettent à P. falciparum d'accomplir son cycle chez le moustique vecteur sera nécessaire pour envisager de nouvelles méthodes de lutte efficaces et durables. / Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the severe form of malaria, is transmitted by Anopheles gambiae, its major vector in sub-Saharan Africa. Novel strategies for malaria control envision interrupting the sporogonic development in An. gambiae, then it is important to better understand vector*environment*parasite interactions that underlie parasite transmission. The aim of this project was to characterize the microbial flora of An. gambiae in natural conditions, to study the role of the main bacterial strains on sporogonic development using natural isolates of parasites and to measure the influence of bacterial exposure on the mosquito immunity and its successive ability to transmit P. falciparum. To carry out this project, we used wild mosquito populations from Cameroon to characterize the mosquito microbial flora, next we challenged female mosquitoes of the Ngousso colony to bacterial strains and then infected the mosquitoes with natural isolates of P. falciparum. Our study showed that Serratia, Pseudomonas and Escherichia isolated from the mosquito midgut reduced infection prevalence and intensity and that the effect of the bacterial exposure on parasite infection levels varied between bacterial strains and gametocyte carriers. The analysis of the 454 sequencing of the different mosquito epithelia revealed intriguing similarities between bacterial communities in the midgut, ovaries and salivary glands of a single mosquito. Expression analyses suggested that immune gene regulation by midgut bacteria could help the mosquitoes to mount an effective antiplasmodial response. Mechanisms involved bacteria-Plasmodium-vector interactions are complex and rely on multiple factors. Deeper investigations on these interactions that allow P. falciparum to complete its cycle in the mosquito vector will be necessary for modeling parasite transmission in the field and for developing new methods for effective malaria control.

Master of Science / Department of Biomedical Sciences / Sanjeev K. Narayanan / Cefovecin is an extended-spectrum long-acting third generation cephalosporin used to treat canine infections. The study objective was to determine the effect of cefovecin on the absolute number and antimicrobial susceptibility of fecal enteric bacteria in healthy dogs. Fourteen Beagles were randomly assigned to a treated (n = 7, 8 mg/kg cefovecin subcutaneously on day 1) or untreated (n = 7) group. LC/MS was used to determine plasma cefovecin concentration on day 14. E. coli, enterococci, and Salmonella were isolated and enumerated from fecal samples collected on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28. Antimicrobial resistance was determined using disc diffusion, MIC, and detected using PCR for the bla[subscript CMY-2] gene on select isolates. Mean plasma concentration of cefovecin on day 14 was 9.59 µg/mL in treated dogs; untreated dogs had no measurable plasma cefovecin. The absolute number of E. coli was lower in treated dogs on day 3 (P ≤ 0.0001), and the absolute number of cefovecin-resistant E. coli was higher in treated dogs on days 7 (P = 0.002), 14 (P = 0.004) and 28 (P ≤ 0.0001), compared to untreated dogs. Enterococci increased and were higher in the treatment group on day 7 (P = 0.0226). Isolation of Salmonella was rare. After cefovecin treatment, beta-lactam resistance was more common in fecal E. coli from treated dogs than untreated dogs, while resistance of enterococci was not altered. On day 28, treated dogs were 3.25 times more likely to carry the bla[subscript CMY-2] gene than untreated dogs (95% CI 1.27 – 8.35). The implications of these findings in clinically ill patients require further research.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal contribuir para o conhecimento da flora da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, através do estudo taxonômico das espécies do clado urticóide da ordem Rosales ocorrentes na área. Esse grupo compreende cerca de 110 gêneros e aproximadamente 4000 espécies distribuídas nas famílias Ulmaceae, Cannabaceae, Moraceae e Urticaceae, diagnosticados pela presença de cistólitos, flores reduzidas e inconspícuas com 5 ou menos estames e gineceu bicarpelar com ovário unilocular portando um único óvulo apical ou basal. O levantamento das espécies urticóides foi realizado baseando-se em consultas bibliográficas, visitas aos principais herbários com coleções de materiais da Serra do Cipó, expedições de coleta aos principais pontos amostrados e exploração de novas áreas. Na Serra do Cipó foram encontrados 15 gêneros e 20 espécies distribuídas da seguinte maneira: duas espécies em Cannabaceae Martynov Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg. e Cannabaceae Martynov (L.) Blume; 11 em Moraceae Link. Brosimum gaudichaudii Tréc., Dorstenia brasiliensis Lam., Ficus calyptroceras (Miq.) Miq., F. gomelleira Kunth & C.D. Bouché, F. obtusifolia Kunth, F. obtusiuscula (Miq.) Miq., F. pertusa L.f., Helicostylis tomentosa (Poepp. & Endl.) Rusby, Maclura tinctoria (L.) D. Don ex Steud., Pseudolmedia laevigata Tréc. e Sorocea guilleminiana Gaudich.; e sete em Urticaceae Juss., sendo elas: Boehmeria caudata Sw., Cecropia hololeuca Miq., C. pachystachya Tréc., Coussapoa microcarpa (Schott) Rizzini, Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm., Pourouma guianensis Aubl. e Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich. São apresentadas descrições morfológicas, chaves de identificação de gêneros e espécies, ilustrações, dados sobre fenologia, distribuição geográfica, habitats e comentários sobre as espécies estudadas. / This work has as main objective to contribute for knowledgement of the Flora da Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, through the taxonomic study of the species of urticalean clade of order Rosales in this area. This group includes about 110 genera and approximately 4000 species distributed in families Ulmaceae, Cannabaceae, Moraceae and Urticaceae, diagnosticated to presence of cystolithes, reducted and inconspicuous flowers with five or fewer stamens, two carpels gynoecium and unilocular ovary with a single apical or basal ovule. The taxonomic study of urticoid was carried out based on bibliographical consultations, in field activities and visits in the main herbaria with collections of material from Serra do Cipó. They were found 15 genera and 20 species of urticoide in Serra do Cipo, MG, like this distributed: two species of Cannabaceae Martynov Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg. and Cannabaceae Martynov (L.) Blume; 11 species of Moraceae Link. Brosimum gaudichaudii Tréc., Dorstenia brasiliensis Lam., Ficus calyptroceras (Miq.) Miq., F. gomelleira Kunth & C.D. Bouché, F. obtusifolia Kunth, F. obtusiuscula (Miq.) Miq., F. pertusa L.f., Helicostylis tomentosa (Poepp. & Endl.) Rusby, Maclura tinctoria (L.) D. Don ex Steud., Pseudolmedia laevigata Tréc. and Sorocea guilleminiana Gaudich.; and seven species of Urticaceae Juss., being them Boehmeria caudata Sw., Cecropia hololeuca Miq., C. pachystachya Tréc., Coussapoa microcarpa (Schott) Rizzini, Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm., Pourouma guianensis Aubl. and Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich. Morpholological descriptions, identification key of genera and species, illustrations, notes on phenology, geographic distribution, habitats information and general comments about species studied are provided.

Esta tese tem por objeto a análise da concessão florestal, instrumento de outorga do uso de florestas públicas em caráter privativo ao particular. Por tratar-se de uma relação jurídica, a análise é detida nos seus elementos componentes, que são basicamente o objeto, partes e regramento jurídico específico, comparando-a com outras espécies de concessão, como a concessão de serviço público e a concessão de uso de bem público. Iniciando-se pelo estudo da tutela jurídica da floresta, uma vez que a concessão florestal também é instrumento de sua proteção, perpassa-se pelo delineamento da concessão e modelos de gestão de florestas públicas em outros países, para se alcançar o ponto principal que é a análise das regras da Lei nº 11.284, de 02 de março de 2006, marco regulatório da gestão de florestas públicas brasileiras. A conclusão procura realçar, dentre outros aspectos, a existência de uma efetiva política pública de gestão das florestas sob o domínio do poder público, erigida sobre o princípio constitucional do desenvolvimento sustentável do meio ambiente. / This thesis focuses on the analysis of the forest concession an instrument which grants the use of public forests for private use. From a legal perspective, the analysis is held in its component parts, which are basically the object, parties and specific legal rules, comparing it to other types of concessions, such as public service concession and authorization of use of public good. The study begins with the legal protection of the forest, given the forest concession is equally a tool of its own protection, and one goes by the concession outline and the management models of public forests in other countries, in order to achieve the main point, which is the analysis of the rules of Law No. 11,284, from 02 March 2006, reglementary limit of public forests management in Brazil. The conclusion seeks to highlight, among other aspects, the existence of an effective public policy for forest management under the control of government, built on the constitutional principle of sustainable development of the environment.