Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2017-05-05T15:00:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Junior Mario Baltazar de Oliveira.pdf: 1499654 bytes, checksum: 6880a06cd3c2f0f28c7d609803cb7e9e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-05T15:00:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Junior Mario Baltazar de Oliveira.pdf: 1499654 bytes, checksum: 6880a06cd3c2f0f28c7d609803cb7e9e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-08 / The objective of this study was to perform an epidemiological analysis of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis and Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cattle from state of Pernambuco, Brazil. For this, 383 samples of cervical-vaginal mucus of cows from 21 properties distributed in the 19 counties that make up the microregion of Garanhuns and 105 samples of preputial smegma of males in the reproductive age, coming from 32 properties and four slaughterhouses were collected from state Pernambuco. The samples had their genomic materials extracted and subjected to polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis. To analyze the risk factors applied an investigative questionnaire on the hygienic, sanitary and reproductive management. The risk factors identified in this study was to bovine genital campylobacteriosis in female herds above 100 animals (OR=7.2, C.I. 1.3 to 38.4%, p=0.020) and bovine trichomoniasis was the use of natural mating (OR=2.4, C.I. 1.1 to 5.9%, p=0.041). In males, there was a frequency of 6.6% (2.7%-13.2%, 95% C.I.) for T. fetus and no sample was positive for C. fetus subsp. venerealis. Regarding the number of outbreaks, 21.8% of farms had animals positive for T. foetus. None analyzed variables was associated with infection. Regarding the samples from slaughterhouses, none was positive. It is concluded that infection by C. fetus subsp. venerealis and T. foetus are present in cattle in the state of Pernambuco and suggest that control measures such as diagnosis and prophylaxis, and sexual segregation and rest of infected females, using a program of artificial insemination with strict health care, elimination of infected bulls and replacement for young animals are implemented to prevent the spread of agents in herds. / Objetivou-se com este trabalho realizar uma análise epidemiológica da infecção por Campylobacter. fetus subsp. venerealis e Tritrichomonas foetus em bovinos do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Para isso, foram colhidas 383 amostras de muco cérvico-vaginal de vacas procedentes de 21 propriedades distribuídas nos 19 municípios que compõem a microrregião de Garanhuns e 105 amostras de esmegma prepucial de machos em idade reprodutiva, procedentes de 32 propriedades e quatro matadouros do estado de Pernambuco. As amostras tiveram seu material genômico extraído e submetido à reação em cadeia da polimerase para o diagnóstico. Para análise de fatores de risco aplicou-se um questionário investigativo com perguntas referentes ao manejo higiênico-sanitário e reprodutivo. Nas fêmeas, observou-se uma prevalência de 1,8% (0,8% - 3,9%; I.C. 95%) e 33,4% (28,7% - 38,4%; I.C. 95%;) para Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis e Tritrichomonas foetus, respectivamente. Em relação ao número de focos observou-se que 28,6% das propriedades apresentaram pelo menos um animal positivo para C. fetus subsp. venerealis e 90,5% para T. foetus. Os fatores de risco identificados neste estudo para campilobacteriose genital bovina em fêmeas foi rebanhos acima de 100 animais (OR=7,2; I.C. 1,3 - 38,4%; p=0,020) e para tricomonose bovina foi a utilização da monta natural (OR=2,4; I.C. 1,1 - 5,9%; p=0,041). Nos machos, observou-se uma frequência de 6,6% (2,7% - 13,2%; I.C. 95%) para T. foetus e nenhuma amostra foi positiva para C. fetus subsp. venerealis. Em relação ao número de focos, 21,8% das propriedades apresentaram animais positivos para T. foetus. Nenhuma das variáveis analisadas apresentou associação com a infecção. Quanto às amostras dos matadouros, nenhuma foi positiva. Conclui-se que as infecções por C. fetus subsp. venerealis e T. foetus estão presentes nos rebanhos bovinos do estado de Pernambuco e sugere-se que medidas de controle e profilaxia como o diagnóstico, separação e repouso sexual das fêmeas infectadas, utilização de um programa de inseminação artificial com cuidados sanitários rigorosos, descarte dos touros infectados e reposição por animais jovens devem ser implementadas a fim de evitar a disseminação do agente nos rebanhos.

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2018-06-15T12:48:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Ruy Brayner de Oliveira Filho.pdf: 2028711 bytes, checksum: c66c5e9d041a3c1b673438d6c412bde8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-15T12:48:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ruy Brayner de Oliveira Filho.pdf: 2028711 bytes, checksum: c66c5e9d041a3c1b673438d6c412bde8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-10-16 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological situation of infection by Tritrichomonas foetus and Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis in cattle at Brejo Paraibano microregion, Northeastern Brazil, identifying the possible risk factors associated with T. foetus infection. For the study of T. foetus, 349 samples of cervico-vaginal mucus and smegma were collected in beef and dairy cattle (290 females and 59 males) in 31 farms and for C. fetus subsp. venerealis, 273 samples of cervico-vaginal mucus from dairy cows from 19 farms were collected. Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to identify the DNA of the agents and culture with Modified Diamond medium for isolation of T. foetus. For analysis of risk factors associated with Tritrichomonas foetus infection in bovine species, univariate analysis of the variables of interest was performed by the Pearson chi-squared test, or Fisher's exact test, when necessary. Subsequently, logistic regression was performed considering PCR (positive or negative) as the dependent variable for trichomoniasis. Thematic maps were prepared with prevalence distributions in the studied area. The prevalence of C. fetus subsp. venerealis infection in cows was 7.7% (21/273) (CI 95% 4.8% – 11.5%), and 31.6% (6/19) of the farms showed at least one positive animal. The prevalence of T. foetus infection was 3.7% (13/349) (CI 95%, 2.1 - 6.4%). Regarding the gender, a prevalence of T. foetus infection of 4.5% (females) and 0.0% (males) was observed. The percentage of farms that had at least one positive animal for T. foetus was 19.3% (6/31). In culture, no samples were positive for T. foetus. The risk factor associated with T. foetus infection identified in this study was contact of females with bulls of other farms (OR 5.9; CI 1.5 - 22.4). This is the first report of C. fetus subsp. venerealis infection in dairy cows in this region of Brazil and the first in Brejo Paraibano microregion that analyzed T. foetus infection in cattle. To reduce risk of infection, it is recommended to adopt an artificial insemination program on the farms with negative bull semen, as well as a vaccination program against Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis to stimulate immunity to reduce the occurrence of infection and possible reproductive problems. Contact of females with males of other farms should be avoided, especially when the health status of these bulls is not known regarding these two infections. / Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar a situação epidemiológica das infecções por Tritrichomonas foetus e Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis em bovinos na microrregião do Brejo Paraibano, região Nordeste do Brasil, identificando os possíveis fatores de risco associados à infecção por T. foetus. Para pesquisa de T. foetus foram coletadas 349 amostras de muco cérvico vaginal e esmegma em bovinos de corte e leite (290 fêmeas e 59 machos) em 31 propriedades e para pesquisa de C. fetus subsp. venerealis foram coletadas 273 amostras de muco cérvico vaginal de vacas leiteiras procedentes de 19 propriedades. Para a pesquisa do DNA dos agentes utilizou-se a Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase e cultivo com meio Diamond Modificado para isolamento de T. foetus. Para análise dos fatores de risco associados à infecção por Tritrichomonas foetus na espécie bovina, foi realizada uma análise univariada das variáveis de interesse pelo teste qui-quadrado de Pearson, ou Exato de Fisher, quando necessário. Posteriormente foi realizada uma regressão logística considerando como variável dependente para Tricomonose a PCR (positivo ou negativo). Foram elaborados mapas temáticos com as distribuições das prevalências na área estudada. A prevalência da infecção por C. fetus subsp. venerealis em vacas foi 7,7% (21/273) (I.C. 95%; 4,8 - 11,5%) e 31,6% (6/19) das propriedades apresentaram ao menos um animal positivo. A prevalência da infecção por T. foetus foi 3,7% (13/349) (I.C. 95%; 2,1 – 6,4%). Em relação ao sexo, observou-se uma prevalência da infecção por T. foetus de 4,5% (fêmeas) e 0,0% (machos). A porcentagem de propriedades que apresentaram ao menos um animal positivo para T. foetus foi de 19,3% (6/31). No cultivo, nenhuma amostra foi positiva para T. foetus. O fator de risco associado à infecção por T. foetus identificado neste estudo foi contato de fêmeas com touros de outras propriedades (OR 5,9; I.C. 1,5 – 22,4). Este é o primeiro relato da infecção por C. fetus subsp. venerealis em vacas leiteiras nesta região do Brasil e o primeiro na microrregião do Brejo Paraibano a analisar a infecção por T. foetus em bovinos. Para diminuir os riscos de infecção, recomenda-se a adoção de um programa de inseminação artificial nas propriedades com sêmen de touros negativos, bem como um programa de vacinação contra a Campilobacteriose Genital Bovina para estimular a imunidade, com o intuito de reduzir a ocorrência da infecção e possíveis problemas reprodutivos. O contato das fêmeas com machos de outras propriedades deve ser evitado, principalmente quando não se conhece o status sanitário desses touros em relação a estas duas infecções.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-06-22T18:03:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Caroline Spitz dos Santos.pdf: 4739307 bytes, checksum: 0073345f08ba619e059be0cc4a39b481 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-22T18:03:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Caroline Spitz dos Santos.pdf: 4739307 bytes, checksum: 0073345f08ba619e059be0cc4a39b481 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / CAPES / The study on parabasalids in companion animals is gaining more attention for its association with diarrhea. The flagellate Pentatrichomonas hominis has been reported in association with domestic cats since the early 20th century. As a eurixenic parasite has been described in several hosts, including humans, dogs, bovines, rats, and a variety of wild animals. Another parabasalid with great importance in livestock, Tritrichomonas foetus has been also described in cats, pigs, and humans. These observations raise questions about the zoonotic potential of both species and their host specificity. This study aimed to diagnose parabasalid species found in cats using morphological and molecular analysis. Therefore, this study was divided into two parts to assess two different cat populations. In the first part, 41 animals in a trial cattery were evaluated. Twenty-six percent of the animals (11) were positive for P. hominis, at both techniques as fresh examination and culture. The DNA was extracted from the samples in culture and rRNA genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal primers (TFR1 and 2) and other two specific species for T. foetus (TFR3 and 4) and P. hominis (TH3 and 5). Morphological analysis of trophozoites revealed the presence of five previous plagues core round and axostyle tapering uniform, characteristic way of P. hominis. The results of morphology were confirmed by molecular study. The sequencing of the isolates revealed a sequence with 100% similarity to P. hominis isolated from cats and dogs deposited in Genbank. This is the first study in Brazil with pointed out the presence of Parabasalids in cats by using morphological and molecular data and it is the one in the literature where P. hominis was isolated. In the second part of this study, 77 samples of feces from cats from the clinical care of HVPA-UFRRJ were examined. Only four of 77 samples tested were positive. Morphological analysis showed predominantly pear-shaped protozoa with three previous scourges, elongated nucleus and ax?stilo abruptly ending in characteristic fillet in T. fetus. In scanning electron microscopy and transmission, were visualized the identifying characters were similar to those previously reported for T. foetus. Molecular analysis confirmed the morphological diagnosis in the organism from four samples showed a sequence with 99.7 to 100% of similarity. It was deposited in Genbank as T. foetus. Despite the morphological analysis have recognized only T. foetus in the four samples examined, three of them were also positive for P. hominis in molecular analysis used as a differential diagnosis using species-specific primers (TH3 and TH5). The molecular analysis was used as a confirmatory tool for the presence of only one species present in evaluated feces. This demonstrated that not only T. foetus was identified in this study, but a co-infection by P. hominis cats could be considered. This indication was only confirmed as a diagnostic techniques when the morphological analysis and molecular biology were used to confirm both species. / O estudo sobre parabasal?deos em animais de companhia vem ganhando cada vez mais aten??o por sua associa??o a quadros de diarreia. O flagelado Pentatrichomonas hominis foi relatado em associa??o com gatos dom?sticos desde o in?cio do s?culo 20. Por ser um parasito eurix?nico, j? foi descrito em diversos hospedeiros, incluindo os seres humanos, c?es, bovinos, ratos e uma variedade de animais selvagens. Assim tamb?m outra esp?cie de parabasal?deo com grande import?ncia na pecu?ria, Tritrichomonas foetus j? foi descrito em gatos, su?nos, e em humanos tamb?m. Tais observa??es levantam d?vidas sobre o potencial zoon?tico de ambas as esp?cies e sua inespecificidade hospedeira. Este estudo teve por objetivos diagnosticar esp?cies de parabasal?deos encontrados em gatos utilizando de an?lise morfol?gica e molecular. Para tanto, este estudo foi dividido em duas partes para avaliar duas popula??es felinas distintas. Na primeira parte, 41 animais de um gatil de experimenta??o foram avaliados. Vinte e seis por cento dos animais (11) foram positivos para P. hominis, tanto no exame a fresco quanto na cultura. O DNA foi extra?do das amostras em cultura e os genes de rRNA foram amplificados por rea??o em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), utilizando iniciadores universais (TFR1 e 2) e outros dois esp?cies espec?ficos para T. foetus (TFR3 e 4) e P. hominis (TH3 e 5). A an?lise morfol?gica dos trofozo?tos revelou a presen?a de cinco flagelos anteriores, n?cleo redondo e ax?stilo afunilando de maneira uniforme, caracter?stico de P. hominis. Os resultados da morfologia foram confirmados pelo estudo molecular. O sequenciamento dos isolados revelou 100% de similaridade de sequ?ncia com P. hominis isolado de gato e de c?o depositados no Genbank. Este ? o primeiro estudo realizado no Brasil sobre a presen?a de parabasal?deos em gatos utilizando dados morfol?gicos e moleculares e o ?nico na literatura onde somente P. hominis foi isolado. Na segunda parte deste estudo, 77 amostras de fezes de gatos provenientes do atendimento cl?nico do HVPA-UFRRJ foram examinadas. Somente quatro amostras apresentaram positivas. A an?lise morfol?gica demonstrou protozo?rios predominantemente piriformes com tres flagelos anteriores, n?cleo alongado e ax?stilo terminando bruscamente em filete caracter?stico de T. foetus. Na microscopia eletr?nica de varredura e de transmiss?o, foram visualizados caracteres de identifica??o semelhantes aos descritos na literatura para T. foetus. ? an?lise molecular, confirmou o diagn?stico morfol?gico nas quatro amostras, e no sequenciamento apresentaram 99,7-100% de similaridade com sequencias de T. foetus depositadas no Genbank. Apesar da an?lise morfol?gica ter reconhecido somente T. foetus nas quatro amostras, tr?s delas foram positivas tamb?m para P. hominis na an?lise molecular utilizada como diagn?stico diferencial utilizando iniciadores esp?cie-espec?fica (TH3 e TH5). O estudo molecular foi utilizado como ferramenta confirmat?ria da presen?a de somente uma esp?cie presente nas fezes avaliadas. Isso demonstra que n?o s? T. foetus foi identificado pelo presente estudo, como tamb?m a coinfec??o por P. hominis em felinos. Estas informa??es s? foram confirmadas quando se utilizou as t?cnicas de diagn?stico em conjunto como an?lise morfol?gica simples e biologia molecular.

Criminal Aspects of Artificial Abortion This diploma thesis deals with the issue of artificial abortion, especially its criminal aspects. Legal aspects are not the most important aspects of artificial abortion. Social, ethical or ideological aspects are of the same importance but this diploma thesis cannot analyse all of them. The main issue with artificial abortion is whether it is possible to force a pregnant woman to carry a child and give birth to a child when she cannot or does not want to do so, and whether a state can prosecute a pregnant woman or anyone else for interrupting her pregnancy. The thesis is divided into an introduction, seven chapters and conclusion. After a short introduction, the author of this thesis briefly defines the concept of artificial abortion. The following chapter focuses on two ideological groups - pro choice and pro life. The first group prefers mother's right to self-determination. The second group regards a human foetus as a person and considers killing the human foetus as a murder. The third chapter is dedicated to historical development of artificial abortion. The author regards historical development as an important part of this thesis, especially for understanding the current legislation. The fourth chapter analyzes the current legislation, the Abortion Act...

Résumé: Cet essai s'intéresse à l'intégration de l'article 24 (2) d) de la Convention relative aux droits de l'enfant de 1989 dans le droit interne du Canada. Cette disposition vise à assurer le meilleur état de santé possible à l'enfant à naître en prévoyant, pour la femme, le droit de recevoir des soins prénatals et postnatals appropriés offerts par les États parties. L'intérêt de cet essai se situe principalement au niveau du débat controversé concernant la protection du foetus et le respect des droits de la mère. De façon préliminaire, l'étude retrace le développement historique du droit à la santé de l'enfant à naître dans le droit international et souligne le caractère subsidiaire de ce droit, jusqu'à l'avènement de la Convention. Dans ce contexte, seuls les documents internationaux jugés les plus pertinents sont abordés en fonction de leur apport à ce droit. La première partie de l'étude expose les motifs ayant présidé au choix d'un cadre conventionnel de protection des droits de l'enfant et s'attarde également à identifier les avantages et les lacunes de la Convention, notamment eu égard aux mécanismes de contrôle. Elle traite par ailleurs tant des protections offertes au foetus que des droits fondamentaux de la femme en regard du droit constitutionnel et criminel canadien. La seconde partie s'intéresse, quant à elle, aux composantes de la reconnaissance juridique du foetus au Canada. Après avoir circonscrit le statut juridique du foetus et les recours possibles de l'enfant contre les tiers et sa mère pour des dommages préconceptuels ou prénatals, tant en droit civil québécois qu'en vertu de la common law canadienne, cet essai s'interroge sur l'opportunité d'imposer à la femme un devoir légal envers l'enfant à naître. Finalement, eu égard aux considérations juridiques, politiques et éthiques prises en compte, l'auteure en arrive à la conclusion que les solutions relatives, d'une part, à l'intégration satisfaisante de l'article 24 (2) d)en droit interne, et d'autre part, à la résolution du conflit potentiel entre les intérêts sanitaires mère-foetus, ne résident pas dans les poursuites de l'enfant contre sa mère ou dans l'imposition d'un devoir légal à la mère envers son enfant à naître. Elles nécessitent plutôt, tel que le suggère l'interprétation de l'article 24 (2) d) de la Convention, une approche unitaire des besoins mère-foetus. En ce sens, l'auteure recommande particulièrement la mise sur pied de programmes d'informations quant à la santé maternelle et infantile, ainsi que de programmes de désintoxication.||Abstract: In this essay, the author studies the integration of section 24 (2) d) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 into Canadian Law. This section aims to ensure the highest attainable standard of health for the unborn child by stating the mother's right to receive appropriate pre-natal and post-natal health care. The interest of this essay lies primarily in the controversial issue of foetal protection and the respect of mother's rights. In a preliminary chapter, the essay retraces the historical development of the right to health of the child and of the unborn child, at an international level, and underlines the secondary aspect of this right before the adoption of the Convention. In this context, the most relevant international legal documents are examined in view of their contribution to this right. The first part of the essay exposes the motives that led to the choice of a conventional frame of protection for the child's rights as weil as identifying the advantages and lacunae of the Convention, namely its enforcement mechanisms. The author then presents the subject of foetal protection and woman's fundamental rights regarding constitutional and criminal law in Canada. The second part is dedicated to the analysis of the components of judicial recognition of foetal protection in Canada. After having circumscribed the legal status of the fetus and the possible lawsuits of the child against third parties or against his mother for pre-conception or pre-natal damages in Quebec civil law as weil as in Canadian common law, the essay evaluates the opportunity of imposing a legal duty on the woman toward her unborn child. In view of the legal, political and ethical considerations, the author concludes that the solutions to both the satisfactory implementation of section 24 (2) d) of the Convention, and to the resolution of the potential conflict between health interest of the foetus and the rights of the mother, do not rest in lawsuits of a child against his mother, nor in the imposition of a legal duty to the mother toward her child. Rather, it requires a unified approach towards the needs of the mother and foetus, as suggested by section 24 (2) d) of the Convention. Accordingly, the author recommends in particular the creation of information programmes pertaining to maternal and child health, as well as accessible detoxication programmes.

La Dystrophie Facio-Scapulo-Humérale (FSHD) est la plus fréquente maladie neuromusculaire chez l'adulte (7 cas pour 100 000 naissances). D'origine autosomique dominante, elle apparait en général durant la seconde décade et se caractérise principalement par une perte de force et une fonte asymétrique des muscles du visage, des épaules et des bras puis progresse au reste du corps. L'analyse du motif répété D4Z4, dont le nombre de répétitions est diminué chez les patients, a mis en évidence la présence d'une phase ouverte de lecture codant pour un facteur de transcription appelé DUX4. Son expression a été retrouvée spécifiquement chez les patients FSHD. Mes travaux de thèse se sont concentrés sur l'étude de DUX4 et son implication dans la physiopathologie de la FSHD. Parce que la FSHD est une maladie progressive, nos analyses ont été faites sur des cultures de cellules et des biopsies f¿tales FSHD1 et Contrôles. Nous avons ainsi mis en évidence pour la première fois que DUX4 est exprimé dès le stade f¿tal et que les dérégulations géniques identifiées chez l'adulte sont également présentent à ce stade. De plus nos expériences semblent montrer que le niveau d'expression de DUX4 entre le f¿tus et l'adulte FSHD est similaire. Enfin, le niveau d'expression de DUX4 est extrêmement restreint (environs 0,5 à 10% des noyaux), mais son effet sur un grand nombre de gènes cibles est lui très fortement prononcé et quantifiable. Des essais de co-cultures ont ainsi mis en évidence que in vivo, DUX4 est à même de diffuser d'un noyau à l'autre au sein d'une fibre musculaire et de diffuser le phénomène pathologique. Nos travaux ouvrent ainsi un nouveau champ d'étude pour la compréhension des mécanismes physiopathologiques conduisant à la FSHD. / Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern and is one of the most common muscular dystrophies (7/100 000). FSHD usually manifests in the second decade of life and includes an asymmetric wasting and weakness of facial, shoulder and arm muscles and is affecting the distal muscles in later stages of the disease. D4Z4 repetitions, which are known to be decreased in FSHD patients, comprise an open reading frame encoding a transcription factor called DUX4 that is only expressed in patients affected by FSHD. My PhD thesis project is aiming to better understanding of the role played by DUX4 in human skeletal muscle in order to elucidate its involvement in the pathophysiology of FSHD. As FSHD is a progressive disease, I studied DUX4 mRNA expression in both primary human fetal muscle cells and in fetal muscle tissue of control subjects and FSHD1 patients. For the first time, we were able to demonstrate DUX4 expression at the fetal stage, and in addition, we showed abnormal expression of various genes that has been reported to be altered in adult FSHD patients. Also, our experiments on fetus and adult FSHD patient cells suggested an equal expression of DUX4 protein. Although DUX4 protein is expressed at a very low level in patients (about 0.5 to 10% of the nuclei), it leads to a strong misexpression of a large number of DUX4 target genes. By performing co-cultures between C2C12 mouse myoblasts and control or FSHD human myoblasts, we demonstrated that expression of toxic DUX4 protein occurs only in a limited number of nuclei in FSHD patient cells. Interestingly, we revealed that the expressed DUX4 protein is able to spread from one nucleus into nearby nuclei within the myotubes and hence transmitting the molecular pathological abnormalities. Our research project will give us new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FSHD.

S v Mshumpa dealt with the very controversial issue of third party foetal violence that terminates prenatal life. The decision of the Eastern Cape Division emphasised that, until live birth, a foetus is not a legal subject with constitutional rights. As a result of its position in the law, a foetus cannot be the victim of criminal conduct. The court refused to develop the common law crime of murder to include a foetus and referred this issue to the legislature to address. Concerns raised by the research task relate to the most effective method of law reform and the implications of law reform for well established legal principles concerning legal subjectivity, vestment of constitutional rights and female reproductive rights. In order to avoid these concerns, the introduction of a statutory crime is determined as the preferred method for law reform. The aim of the study is to develop a suitably defined statutory crime, with definitional elements that conform to the Constitution and criminal law principles. Before embarking on the mission of exploring possible grounds that justify law reform, the research first examines the extent of inability of the law to impose criminal liability in cases of third party violence that terminates prenatal life. Aspects that are specifically investigated include the common law crime of murder, contravention of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, attempting the impossible and the common law crime of abortion. A further purpose of this examination is to determine the reasons why foetal interests are not taken into account. Appreciating the lack of criminal remedy, private law principles are considered in order to determine whether there are any principles available to supplement the deficiencies in criminal law. This research found that the value of dignity established by the founding principles of the Constitution and applied in the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act demonstrates that the state has an interest in prenatal life. The value of dignity serves as the foundation for law reform. Having established the existence of a sound legal basis which justifies law reform, the research requires an investigation into foreign jurisdictions where the crime of third party foetal violence exists as a result of a state interest in foetal life. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the crime is effectively implemented. The United States of America is the selected country to study because third party foetal violence receives attention at both state and federal level. The research found that the implementation of foetal homicide laws in the United States infringes on female reproductive rights and to a certain extent, the foetal homicide laws also grants a foetus legal subjectivity. The United States fails to effectively implement the crime of third party foetal violence in line with its own established legal principles. The research benefits from the study conducted on the United States in that the United States demonstrates the definitional elements the proposed crime should contain in order for the statutory crime to be harmonious with established constitutional and criminal law principles. The study concludes with the recommendation that a statutory crime be developed in the context of female reproductive rights rather than considering the foetus as the victim of crime. The statutory crime is a response to unauthorised third party violence that terminates a woman’s pregnancy. The definitional elements include foetal viability for purposes of causation and will only be applicable to intentional conduct. The value of dignity in relation to prenatal life serves as a support structure for the driving force of female reproductive rights. / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Public Law / unrestricted

La morphométrie géométrique permet la visualisation dynamique 3D de la base du crâne et une prévision de leurs variations liées à la croissance. Le but de ce travail est de proposer des méthodes fiables et précises pour estimer l’âge fœtal et caractériser un stade de développement par sa conformation osseuse. Les os temporal, occipital et sphénoïde de 33 fœtus âgés de la 19ème à la 24ème semaine d’aménorrhée (S.A.) ont été reconstruits en 3D et 44 landmarks ont été positionnés. L’étude par morphométrie géométrique a permis de déterminer les maxima de variation morphologique, ainsi que d’étudier les trajectoires ontogénétiques. Les formules établies permettent l’estimation de l’âge à ±2,44 semaines. Les points de césure classiquement utilisés en anthropologie ont été confirmés. Nous avons établi une chronologie des conformations entre la 19ème, la 27ème et la 41ème S.A. L’os sphénoïde et occipital présentent un rythme de croissance commun alors que l’os temporal diffère. Nous avons confirmé ces structures anatomiques comme étant des critères indirects de maturation permettant d’estimer l’âge. / Geometric morphometric techniques allow the 3D visualization of the skull base and a forecast of their related growth variations. The aim of this work is to provide reliable and accurate methods to estimate fetal age and stage of development characterized by bone conformation. The temporal bone, occipital and sphenoid in 33 fetuses aged from the 19th to the 24th week of amenorrhea (W.A) were reconstructed in 3D and 44 landmarks were positioned. Geometric morphometrics was used to determine the maxima of morphological variation and ontogenetic trajectories. The established formulas allow the estimation of age at ±2.44 weeks. Hyphenation points conventionally used in anthropology have been confirmed. We have established a chronology of the conformations between 19th, 27th and 41st WA. The sphenoid and the occipital bone have a common growth rate, while the temporal bone differs. We confirmed these anatomical structures as indirect criteria of maturation to estimate age.

This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between Natural Killer cells and HLA-G at the placental barrier in HIV-I infected pregnant women and to establish the significance, if any, to in utero infection. Fifty-five HIV -I infected pregnant women were recruited into the study after consent was obtained. Blood samples were collected from both mothers and babies for viral loads and CD4+ cell counts. Placental samples were obtained from pregnancies at delivery and examined by immunoperoxidase immunohistochemistry methods using monoclonal antibodies to p24 antigens and Natural Killer (CD56+) cells. HLA-G expression was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of viral loads and CD4+ cell counts were undertaken in categories. No significant association was observed between the viral load of mothers and their CD4+ cell counts. Eighteen percent of the women in this study population had 5 log viral loads with a transmission rate of 0.27(95% Cl, 0.15 - O. 39). Maternal viraemia was significantly associated with transmission of infection to babies (p = 0.047). The odds ratio indicated that for every 1 log increase in maternal viral load the babies were 3.1 times more likely to acquire the infection (Exp (B) = 3.137 (95%CI, 1.015-9.696). Furthermore, the study found that a higher number of female babies were infected than males. Although not statistically significant the odds ratio indicated that female babies were 3.1 times more likely to become infected than males (Exp (B) = 3.110 (95%CI, 0.819-11.808). We report here the results of immunohistochemistry for p24 antigens and NK (CD56+) cells and compare them to the immunological responses of both mothers and babies at birth. HIV-1 antigens were detected in 94.5% of all placentas by immunohistochemistry. Infiltration of CD56+ was found in 98% of placental tissue. The analysis revealed that the presence of p24 antigens in placental tissue was not influenced by maternal viral load or CD4+ cell counts. Lower median NK cell values were observed in placentas of mothers with infected babies as compared with the uninfected cluster. Although not statistically significant, the risk of vertical transmission was increased 3.4 times more in placentas which had lower NK cell values. According to the odds ratio, babies CD4+ counts were affected by every 1 log increase in mother's viral load. Overall, maternal viral load emerged as a strong predictor for risk of infection from infected mothers to their infants. Our analysis indicated that female babies were 3.7 times more likely to acquire the infection than males. Using data obtained from real-time PCR we investigated the relationship between maternal viral load and the quantity of HLA-G expression (p = 0.045; 95%CI 1.029- 11.499). Logistic regression models revealed that mother's viral load was the strongest risk factor for vertical transmission. No statistically significant correlation was noted with HLA-G and viral transmission. However, the odds ratio indicated that the risk of infection increased by 1.3 with every 1 fold increase in HLA-G expression. An analysis of mother-to-child transmission rates by gender revealed that the odds ratio for transmission was 3.4 times more in female babies than in males. We then investigated the relationship between maternal viraemia and HLA-G expression. A positive correlation between maternal viral load and placental HLA-G was observed (p = 0.038). When gender susceptibility to HLA-G expression was explored a statistically significant association was observed in placental tissue of mothers with infected and uninfected male babies and HLA-G expression (p = 0.013). To conclude, the analysis found that HLA-G was up regulated 3.95 times more in placental tissue of mothers with infected babies than in mothers with uninfected babies. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

Η λεπτίνη παράγεται από τα κύτταρα του λιπώδους ιστού, καθώς και από άλλους ιστούς συμπεριλαμβανομένων του πλακούντος και ρυθμίζει τη πρόσληψη τροφής, τη κατανάλωση ενέργειας, την αναπαραγωγική διαδικασία και τις ανοσολογικές λειτουργίες. Για τη διερεύνηση του ρόλου της λεπτίνης επί του νεογνικού ανοσολογικού συστήματος μετρήσαμε τα επίπεδα λεπτίνης και κυτταροκινών (INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 και IL-12) στον ορό αίματος ομφαλίου λώρου 481 φυσιολογικών νεογνών τα οποία γεννήθηκαν από υγιείς μητέρες. 317 ήταν νεογνά με ιδανικό βάρος γέννησης για την ηλικία κύησης (AGA) και 164 έφεραν αυξημένο βάρος για την ηλικία κύησης (LGA). Η ενδιάμεση συγκέντρωση λεπτίνης σε ολόκληρο το δείγμα ήταν 11.6 ng/ml. Στο 12% AGA νεογνών, τα επίπεδα λεπτίνης ήταν υψηλότερα του μέσου όρου (ενδιάμεση τιμή 34 ng/ml). Στο 33% των νεογνών αυτών (4% του ολικού δείγματος) τα επίπεδα λεπτίνης κυμαίνονταν μεταξύ 37.5-204 ng/ml, στην ομάδα αυτή βρέθηκαν επίσης υψηλά επίπεδα ιντερφερόνης-γ (μέση τιμή 27.11 pg/ml, διακύμανση 17.5-38.5 pg/ml). Κατόπιν μελετήσαμε εάν η λεπτίνη μπορεί να επηρεάσει τη γονιδιακή έκφραση κυτταροκινών στα Τ κύτταρα και μονοκύτταρα αίματος ομφαλίου λώρου. Η καλλιέργεια των κυττάρων ομφαλίου λώρου (Τ ή μονοκυττάρων) AGA νεογνών, τυχαία επιλεγμένων ή κυττάρων περιφερικού αίματος ενηλίκου, με λεπτίνη είχε σαν αποτέλεσμα τη γονιδιακή έκφραση IL-2, INF-γ και IL-4 από τα κύτταρα του ομφαλίου λώρου, καθώς και από τα Τ κύτταρα του ενηλίκου όπως και την έκφραση IL-10 κυρίως από τα μονοκύτταρα αίματος ομφαλίου λώρου. Σημαντικά υψηλότερη γονιδιακή έκφραση INF-γ παρατηρήθηκε σε Τ κύτταρα ομφαλίου λώρου θήλεος τα οποία καλλιεργήθηκαν με λεπτίνη συγκριτικά με τα Τ κύτταρα ομφαλίου λώρου άρρενος. Συμπερασματικά, η παρουσία υψηλών συγκεντρώσεων λεπτίνης και INF-γ στον ορό αίματος ομφαλίου λώρου φυσιολογικών AGA νεογνών, καθώς και το γεγονός ότι η λεπτίνη μπορεί άμεσα να διεγείρει τη γονιδιακή έκφραση κυτταροκινών σε κύτταρα ομφαλίου λώρου (Τ και μονοκύτταρα) δείχνει ότι τα υψηλά επίπεδα λεπτίνης μπορούν ανεξάρτητα να επηρεάσουν το ανοσολογικό σύστημα των φυσιολογικών νεογνών και να συμβάλλουν στη Th1 διαφοροποίηση της ανοσολογικής απόκρισης. / Leptin is a hormone synthesized by adipocytes and other tissues, including the placenta, and it regulates food intake and energy expenditure, reproductive and immune functions. To investigate the role of leptin in neonatal immunity, we measured serum leptin and cytokine (INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12) levels in cord blood (cb) of 481 healthy neonates, born to healthy mothers, of which 317 were appropriately grown for gestational age (AGA) and 164 were large for gestational age (LGA). The median serum leptin concentration in the whole sample was 11.6 ng/ml. In 12% AGA neonates, leptin levels were well above average, with a median of 34 ng/ml. In 33% of these neonates (4% of the total sample) leptin levels ranged between 37.5-204 ng/ml; in this group, significantly elevated levels of serum IFN- were also found (mean 27.11 pg/ml, range 17.5-38.5 pg/ml). We then investigated whether leptin can independently influence cytokine gene expression by cb T-cells and monocytes (Mc). Culture of cb T-cells or Mc, isolated from randomly selected AGA neonates or adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), with leptin, resulted in upregulation of IL-2, IFN- and IL-4 gene expression in cb and adult T-cells and IL-10 gene expression mainly in cb-Mc. Significantly higher expression of IFN- occurred in female cb-T-cells cultured with leptin, compared with male cb-T-cells. In conclusion, the concurrent presence of high concentrations in both leptin and INF- in cb of healthy AGA infants, together with the fact that leptin can directly upregulate cytokine gene expression in cb T and Mc cells, indicate that abnormally high leptin levels can independently influence the immune system of healthy newborns, and may mediate gender differences in the development of a Th1 polarized immune response.