Obtaining variances for the plug-in estimator of the Gini coefficient for inequality has preoccupied researchers for decades with the proposed analytic formulae often being regarded as being too cumbersome to apply, as well as usually based on the assumption of an iid structure. We examine several variance estimation techniques for a Gini coefficient estimator obtained from a complex survey, a sampling design often used to obtain sample data in inequality studies. In the first part of the dissertation, we prove that Bhattacharya’s (2007) asymptotic variance estimator when data arise from a complex survey is equivalent to an asymptotic variance estimator derived by Binder and Kovačević (1995) nearly twenty years earlier. In addition, to aid applied researchers, we also show how auxiliary regressions can be used to generate the plug-in Gini estimator and its asymptotic variance, irrespective of the sampling design. In the second part of the dissertation, using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations with 36 data generating processes under the beta, lognormal, chi-square, and the Pareto distributional assumptions with sample data obtained under various complex survey designs, we explore two finite sample properties of the Gini coefficient estimator: bias of the estimator and empirical coverage probabilities of interval estimators for the Gini coefficient. We find high sensitivity to the number of strata and the underlying distribution of the population data. We compare the performance of two standard normal (SN) approximation interval estimators using the asymptotic variance estimators of Binder and Kovačević (1995) and Bhattacharya (2007), another SN approximation interval estimator using a traditional bootstrap variance estimator, and a standard MC bootstrap percentile interval estimator under a complex survey design. With few exceptions, namely with small samples and/or highly skewed distributions of the underlying population data where the bootstrap methods work relatively better, the SN approximation interval estimators using asymptotic variances perform quite well. Finally, health data on the body mass index and hemoglobin levels for Bangladeshi women and children, respectively, are used as illustrations. Inequality analysis of these two important indicators provides a better understanding about the health status of women and children. Our empirical results show that statistical inferences regarding inequality in these well-being variables, measured by the Gini coefficients, based on Binder and Kovačević’s and Bhattacharya’s asymptotic variance estimators, give equivalent outcomes. Although the bootstrap approach often generates slightly smaller variance estimates in small samples, the hypotheses test results or widths of interval estimates using this method are practically similar to those using the asymptotic variance estimators. Our results are useful, both theoretically and practically, as the asymptotic variance estimators are simpler and require less time to calculate compared to those generated by bootstrap methods, as often previously advocated by researchers. These findings suggest that applied researchers can often be comfortable in undertaking inferences about the inequality of a well-being variable using the Gini coefficient employing asymptotic variance estimators that are not difficult to calculate, irrespective of whether the sample data are obtained under a complex survey or a simple random sample design. / Graduate / 0534 / 0501 / 0463 / aahoque@gmail.com

A hemoglobina possuí um grande potencial antimicrobiano, sendo os peptídeos antimicrobianos (AMPs) derivados de proteínas contêm o grupamento heme denominados hemocidinas. O carrapato bovino Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus é capaz de adquirir e processar grandes quantidades de sangue para seu metabolismo. Neste trabalho, purificamos hemocidinas produzidas no tubo digestório do carrapato. Identificamos 10 fragmentos da hemoglobina bovina que possuem atividade contra Candida albicans (Hb 1-94, 3-94, 1-87, 93-141, 102-141, 103-141, 107-141, 104-141 e 98-114 e Hb\"beta\" 127-145). Determinamos que todos os peptídeos apresentam um alto conteúdo de aminoácidos básicos, além de uma estrutura secundária em \"alfa\"-hélice, características encontradas em outros AMPs. Verificamos também que as duas principais proteases que atuam na produção das hemocidinas são uma cisteíno- e uma aspártico-proteinase. A identificação de diversas hemocidinas, no tubo digestório de R. (Boophilus) microplus, indica uma possível participação das hemocidinas na proteção contra microorganismos / The hemoglobin posses a great potential as an antimicrobial, being denominated hemocidins the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from heme containing proteins. The cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is capable of processing large amounts of blood to its own metabolism. In this work we purified the hemocidins that are produced in the tick gut. We identified 10 fragments from bovine hemoglobin that presents activity towards Candida albicans (Hb 1-94, 3-94, 1-87, 93-141, 102-141, 103-141, 107-141, 104-141 e 98-114 e Hb\"beta\" 127-145). We determined that all the peptides presents a high content of basic amino acids, besides a secondary structure in \"alfa\"-helix conformation, characteristics found in other AMPs. We also verified that a cistein- and an aspartic-protease are the two main proteases involved on the production of these hemocids. The identification of several hemocidins in the gut of R. (Boophilus) microplus, suggests that these AMPs may play a role in the defense of the tick against microorganisms

A hemoglobina extracelular de Glossoscolex paulistus (HbGp) possui estrutura oligomérica composta por 144 cadeias globínicas e 36 cadeias linkers, que não possuem heme, formando uma bicamada hexagonal. Estudos mostraram que a HbGp possui uma alta estabilidade á variação de pH e presença de agentes desnaturantes, tais como, surfactantes e ureia, a 25°C. Com esses conhecimentos prévios, o presente estudo tem por objetivo avaliar a estabilidade térmica da HbGp 0,5-3,0 mg/mL, nas formas oxi-, meta- e cianometa-, em diferentes valores de pH. O efeito do SDS na estabilidade térmica da oxi-HbGp 0,5 e 3,0 mg/mL, em função do pH, será investigado também. Esses estudos foram realizados usando as técnicas de absorção óptica, dicroísmo circular (CD), espalhamento de luz dinâmico (DLS) e espalhamento de raios X a baixo ângulo (SAXS). Os resultados de absorção óptica e CD revelam que o processo de desnaturação da oxi- e cianometa-HbGp, no pH 7,0, envolve a formação das espécies oxidadas aquo-meta-HbGp e hemicromo. O processo de desnaturação é próximo ao modelo de dois estados, com uma temperatura crítica (Tc) de 58-59 °C. No pH ácido, a proteína agrega a partir de 58 °C. A cinética de agregação da oxi-HbGp, no pH 7,0, é dependente da concentração de proteína e da temperatura. Os dados de DLS mostram que a meta- e cianometa-HbGp 0,5 mg/mL, pH 7,0, desnaturam a 48 ± 1 e 56 ± 1 °C, respectivamente. Em pH alcalino, a proteína dissocia parcialmente antes de desnaturar, e o aumento da concentração de proteína faz aumentar o valor de Tc para a cianometa-HbGp. Dados de SAXS mostram que a oxi- e meta-HbGp, pH 7,0, desnaturam a 60 °C, apresentando valores de Rg=143±1 Å e Dmax=450±1 Å, enquanto que a cianometa-HbGp se mantém estável, com valores de Rg=107±1 Å e Dmax=300±1 Å. As análises das curvas p(r) mostram uma porcentagem crescente de dodecâmero e tetrâmero em solução, em relação à fração de protreína íntegra e de subunidades maiores, com o aumento do pH e da temperatura. As análises baseadas no programa OLIGOMER são similares às baseadas na função p(r). A presença do SDS induz a dissociação da oxi-HbGp 0,5 mg/mL pH 7,0. Entretanto, com 3,0 mg/mL de proteína a dissociação é parcial, com a sobreposição dos processos de dissociação, desnaturação e agregação, com o aumento da temperatura. No pH 5,0, o SDS promove a agregação da oxi-HbGp em temperaturas menores. As constantes cinéticas de dissociação da oxi-HbGp 0,5 mg/mL, pH 7,0 aumentam de (0,53±0,07)x10-4 s-1 para (2,1±0,2)x10-4 s-1 na presença de 0,4 e 0,6 mmol/L de SDS a 40 °C, respectivamente. Na temperatura de 42 °C a constante aumenta 2,6 vezes, com 0,6 mmol/L de SDS, comparada a 40 °C. A oxi-HbGp 3,0 mg/ml na presença de 0,6 mmol/L de SDS, dissocia parcialmente em tempos menores com o aumento da temperatura antes de agregar. Portanto, esses estudos mostram que a estabilidade térmica da HbGp é sensível ao aumento de pH e presença de SDS. A ordem de estabilidade térmica em pH alcalino é dado por: cianometa->oxi->meta-HbGp. Alem disso, o processo de desnaturação é governado pelo valor do pH e dependente da concentração de proteína em solução. / The extracellular hemoglobin Glossoscolex paulistus of (HbGp) has an oligomeric structure composed by 144 globin chains and 36 non globin chains (named linkers), forming a hexagonal bilayer. HbGp presents a high stability reagarding pH variation and the presence of denaturing agents, such as, for example, urea and surfactant, at 25°C. In this way, the present studies aim to evaluate the thermal stability for oxy-, meta- and cyanomet-HbGp 0.5-3.0 mg/ml, at different pH values. The SDS effect on the thermal stability of oxy-HbGp 0.5 and 3.0 mg / mL is also investigated. Optical absorption, circular dichroism (CD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques were emplayed for these studies. The results based on the optical absorption and CD spectroscopies show that the denaturation process for oxy- and cyanomet-HbGp, at pH 7.0, involves the formation of oxidized species, such as aquo-met-HbGp and hemichrome. This denaturation process is very close to a two-state model, with a critical temperature (Tc) of 58-59 °C. However, in the acidic pH, the aggregation of protein occurs at 58 °C. The aggregation process kinetics for oxy-HbGp, pH 7.0, is dependent on the protein concentration and temperature. DLS data show that meta- and cyanomet-HbGp, 0.5 mg/mL, pH 7.0, undergo denaturation at 48 ± 1 and 56 ± 1 ° C, respectively. At alkaline pH, two HbGp forms undergo partial dissociation before denaturation, and at higher protein concentration, an increase of Tc values for cyanomet-HbGp is observed. SAXS results show that the denaturation of oxy-and met-HbGp occur at 60 °C, presenting Rg=143±1 Å and Dmax=450±15 Å, while cyanomet-HbGp remains stable with Rg =107±1 Å and Dmax= 300±10Å, at this temperature. The p(r) curves analysis show the increase of dodecamer and tetramer percentages in solution, with increase of pH and temperature. The results using the OLIGOMER program are similar to the p(r) data analysis. For oxy-HbGp 0.5 mg/mL pH 7.0, in the presence of SDS, oligomeric dissociation before denaturation is observed. However, with 3.0 mg/ml of protein the dissociation process is slower, showing an overlap of the dissociation, denaturation and aggregation processes in the system, with increase of temperature. At pH 5.0, SDS promotes the aggregation of oxy-HbGp at lower temperatures, as compared to the absence of surfactant. The kinetic dissociation constant values for oxy-HbGp 0.5 mg/mL increase from (0.53 ± 0.07) x10-4 s-1 to (2.1 ± 0.2) x10-4 s-1, in the presence of 0.4 and 0.6 mmol/L SDS at 40 ° C, respectively. At 42 °C the dissociation constant value increases 2.6-fold, with 0.6 mmol/L SDS, as compared to 40 °C. For oxy-HbGp 3.0 mg/ml, in the presence of 0.6 mmol/L SDS, the oligomeric dissociation is smallest occurring in shorter times with increasing temperature before aggregation. Therefore, these studies show that the thermal stability of HbGp is sensitive to the pH variation and the presence of SDS. At alkaline pH, the order of thermal stability is the following: cyanomet->oxy->met-HbGp. Furthermore, the denaturation process is governed by the pH value, being dependent on the protein concentration in solution.

Estudos com eletrodos modificados foram conduzidos utilizando dois sistemas porfirínicos supramoleculares diferentes. O primeiro foi baseado na modificação de eletrodo de carbono vítreo com uma porfirina de níquel tetrarrutenada, [NiIITPyP{RuII(bipy)2Cl}4]4+. A modificação do eletrodo foi realizada por meio de sucessivos ciclos voltamétricos em meio alcalino (pH 13), gerando um eletrodo com característica similar a eletrodos modificados com α-Ni(OH)2. A caracterização química do filme formado foi realizada através das técnicas de voltametria cíclica, ressonância paramagnética eletrônica, espectroscopia eletrônica por reflectância e espectroscopia Raman com ensaio espectro-eletroquímico. Os resultados sugerem a formação de um polímero de coordenação, [µ-O2-NiIITPyP{RuII(bipy)2Cl}4]n, composto por subunidades porfirínicas ligadas entre si por pontes µ-peroxo axialmente coordenadas aos átomos de níquel (Ni-O-O-Ni). O crescimento do filme apresentou dependência da alcalinidade do meio pela formação do precursor octaédrico [Ni(OH)2TRPyP]2+ em solução, pela coordenação de OH- nas posições axiais do átomo de níquel. O processo de eletropolimerização indicou a participação de radical hidroxil, gerado por oxidação eletrocatalítica da água nos sítios periféricos da porfirina contendo o complexo de rutênio. O mesmo eletrodo foi aplicado como sensor eletroquímico para análise amperométrica de ácido fólico em comprimidos farmacêuticos. O sensor foi associado a um sistema de Batch Injection Analysis (BIA) alcançando considerável rapidez e baixo limite de detecção. Para as análises das amostras também foi proposto um método para a remoção da lactose, que agia como interferente. O segundo estudo envolveu a modificação de eletrodos de carbono vítreo com diferentes hemoglobinas, naturais (HbA0, HbA2 e HbS) e sintéticas (Hb-PEG5K2, αα-Hb-PEG5K2 e BT-PEG5K4), para a avaliação da eficiência na redução eletrocatalítica de nitrito mediada por FeI-heme. Os filmes foram produzidos pela mistura de soluções das hemoglobinas com brometo de didodecildimetiltrimetilamônio (DDAB), aplicados nas superfícies com consecutiva evaporação, formando filmes estáveis. Os valores de potencial redox para os processos do grupo heme e a sua associação com a disponibilidade do grupo na proteína foram avaliados por voltametria cíclica. Os valores das constantes de velocidade, k, para redução de nitrito foram obtidos por cronoamperometria em -1,1 V (vs Ag/AgCl(KCl 3M)) que foram utilizados para estudo comparativo entre as espécies sintéticas para eventual aplicação clínica. / Studies with modified electrodos were conducted using two different supramolecular porphyrin systems. The first one was based on the modification of glassy carbon electrode with a tetraruthenated nickel porphyrin, [NiIITPyP{RuII(bipy)2Cl}4]4+. The electrode modification was carried out through successive voltemmetric cycles in alkaline media (pH 13), generating an electrode with feature similar to α-Ni(OH)2 modified electrodes. The chemical characterization of this film was performed by cyclic voltammetry, electronic paramagnetic resonance, reflectance electronic spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy with spectroelectrochemistry assay. The results suggested the formation of a coordination polymer, [µ-O2-NiIITPyP{RuII(bipy)2Cl}4]n, composed by porphyrin subunits linked by µ-peroxo bridges axially coordinated to nickel atoms (Ni-O-O-Ni). The film growth showed dependence of the alkaline media by the formation of octahedral precursor [Ni(OH)2TRPyP]2+ in solution by way of axial coordination of OH- to the nickel atoms. The electropolymerization process showed to have a contribution from hydroxyl radicals, generated by electrocatalytic oxidation of water on the peripheral sites containing the ruthenium complexes. The same electrode was applied as an electrochemical sensor for amperometric analysis of folic acid in pharmaceutical tablets. The sensor was associated to a Bath Injection Analysis (BIA) system, achieving good sampling frequency and low detection limit. For the samples analysis, it was also proposed a method for lactose removal. The second study comprises the modification of glassy carbon electrodes with different hemoglobin species, of natural occurrence (HbA0, HbA2 e HbS) and synthetics (Hb-PEG5K2, αα-Hb-PEG5K2 e BT-PEG5K4) for evaluation of efficiency on electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite mediated by FeI-heme. The films were produced by mixing solutions of the hemoglobins with didecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), applied on the surfaces with following solvent evaporation, forming stable films. The redox potential values for the heme group processes and the heme availability in the protein were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The reaction rate constants, k, for nitrite reduction were obtained by chronoamperometry at -1,1 V, which were used for comparative study between the synthetic species for further clinical applications.

A presente pesquisa teve a finalidade de estudar a hematologia de bezerros clonados da raça Nelore, originados por meio da técnica de transferência nuclear de células somáticas (TNCS) por meio da avaliação do quadro eritrocitário, da dinâmica dos tipos de hemoglobina e do metabolismo do ferro destes animais durante o primeiro mês de vida. O delineamento experimental envolveu a colheita de 260 amostras de sangue e soro sanguíneo de 20 bezerros distribuídas nos seguintes momentos: imediatamente após o nascimento, 12 horas após o nascimento, 1 dia de vida, 2 , 3 , 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 e 30 dias de vida. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos experimentais: 12 bezerros obtidos por meio da técnica de TNCS pelos laboratórios A e 8, 4 por meio de fertilização in vitro (FIV) e 4 por monta natural (MN). A ocorrência de anemia de grau moderado a grave, do tipo normocítico e normocrômico, foi observada em 100 % (5/5) dos 5 bezerros clonados pelo Laboratório A, enquanto a incidência nos bezerros clonados pelo Laboratório B foi igual a 14,2 % (1/7), nos bezerros obtidos por fertilização in vitro foi igual 50,0 % (2/4) e em bezerros obtidos por monta natural foi igual a 50,0 % (2/4). A avaliação do eritrograma dos bezerros cio nados pelo Laboratório A evidenciou que a anemia instalou-se gradualmente a partir das 12 horas de vida atingindo ao final da primeira semana, a, sua intensidade máxima, sendo observada a recuperação gradativa dos valores eritrograma a partir do 15°dia de vida. Os valores médios obtidos para o eritrograma dos bezerros clonados do Laboratório A no 7º dia de vida foram os seguintes: Hemácias - 4,33X106/mm3-; Volume Globular - 23 %, Taxa de Hemoglobina - 7,25 g/dL; VCM - 52,89 µ3-; HCM - 16,65 pg; CHCM - 31,47%. A anemia observada nos bezerros clonados pelo Laboratório A era de origem ferropriva, pois se evidenciou nesses animais uma significativa diminuição dos teores séricos de ferro associada à diminuição do índice de saturação da transferrina (1ST), enquanto os valores da capacidade total de ligação do ferro (CTLF) não sofreram influência durante o período. Os valores médios obtidos para o metabolismo de ferro dos bezerros clonados pelo Laboratório A no 7º dia de vida foram os seguintes: teores séricos de ferro - 47,35 mg/dL; capacidade total de ligação de ferro - 455,90 mg/dL, índice de saturação da transferrina - 9,64%. Durante o estudo dos tipos de hemoglobinas, utilizando-se técnica de eletroforese foram identificados três fenótipos de hemoblogina adulta (Hb-A; Hb-B e Hb-AB) e a presença de hemoglobina fetal (Hb-F), não sendo observadas anomalias que pudessem sugerir a ocorrência de hemoglobinopatias hereditárias e/ ou congênitas. Verificou-se que as taxas de Hb-A, nos clones com fenótipo Hb-AB e Hb-A, permaneceram estáveis durante todo o período experimental, enquanto nos bezerros obtidos por fertilização in vitro ou monta natural com os mesmos fenótipos (Hb-A e Hb-AB) observou-se a partir de 120 horas de vida um gradativo aumento das taxas de Hb-A. Durante a avaliação da dinâmica da hemoglobina do tipo fetal (Hb-F) no primeiro mês de vida observou-se, que todos os grupos animais apresentaram comportamento similar, caracterizado por sua diminuição com o desenvolvimento etário. / The present work aimed to study the hematology of cloned Nelore calves produced using the technique of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), by evaluating erythrocyte parameters, hemoglobin dynamics, and iron metabolism in the animals during the first month after birth. The experimental design included the collection of 260 blood and blood serum samples from 20 calves in the following times: immediately after birth, 12 hours after birth, 1st of life, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 20th and 30th day of life. The animals were classified in four experimental groups: 12 calves produced, using SCNT for two commercial laboratories (laboratory A=5 calves and laboratory B= 7 calves), four calves produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and four calves produced by natural mating (NM). Mild to severe normocytic and normochromic anemia was observed in 100% (5/5) cloned calves from laboratory A, and 14.2% (117) cloned calves from laboratory B. In both IVF and NM calves, anemia was observed in 50% (214) of the calves. Erytrogram evaluation of cloned calves from laboratory A showed that anemia developed gradually from 12 hours after birth, was most intense at the end of the first week, and then erytrogram normal values were recovered after the 15th day of life. Mean values for the laboratory A cloned calves erytrogram in the 7th day of life were the following: Red cells 4033X106/mm3, hematocrit 23%, hemoglobin 7.25g/dL, MCV 52.89µ3-; MCH 16.65, MCHC 31.47%. Anemia observed in cloned calves from laboratory A was caused by iron deficiency, since a significant decrease in iron se rum levels together with a decrease in transferrin saturation index (TSI) was confirmed. At the same time, Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) was not changed in this period of time. Mean iron metabolism values for cloned calves from laboratory A were the following: serum iron amount: 47,35mg/dL, TIBC 455,90 mg/dL and TSI 9,64%. Hemoglobin identification by eletrophoresis identified three adult hemolglobin phenotypes (A-Hb; B-Hb e AB-Hb) and the fetal hemoglobin (F-HB), and there was no sign of hereditary hemoglobin disorders were observed. The rate of A-Hb in cloned calves with A-Hb and AB-Hb phenotypes was maintained during the experimental period. Nonetheless, for the IVF calves with the same phenotypes (A-Hb and AB-Hb) a constant increase in the A-Hb was noticed. For the evaluation of F-Hb dynamics in the first month of life, results showed similar pattern, characterized by its decrease with age.

Liu, Kan. / "November, 2010"--Abstract. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-129). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2017-11-14T16:10:19Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Paula Souza de Freitas.pdf: 1924040 bytes, checksum: fefa81c1aecd3b9f1256ca52a260ba88 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-14T16:10:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Paula Souza de Freitas.pdf: 1924040 bytes, checksum: fefa81c1aecd3b9f1256ca52a260ba88 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / Introdução: O Diabetes mellitus é considerado uma epidemia mundial. Atualmente 415 milhões de pessoas tem diabetes no mundo e no Brasil este número é superior a 14 milhões. Estimado como um dos principais problemas de saúde pública no país, conhecer a população quem convive com o diabetes é de grande importância para que se possam introduzir orientações que contribuam para um adequado controle glicêmico melhorando assim a sua qualidade de vida. Objetivos: Avaliar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes com diabetes tipo 1 em tratamento com insulinas convencionais NPH e Regular. Metodologia: Trata-se de estudo observacional, retrospectivo e transversal. Foram entrevistados 44 pacientes com DM1, maiores de 18 anos, que faziam uso de insulina convencional. Os dados sociodemográficos, clínicos e do tratamento foram coletados a partir de três fontes, (1) prontuários do Centro Municipal de Especialidades, (2) prontuários do Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia e (3) ficha individual por meio da entrevista. Avaliou-se a qualidade de vida por meio do instrumento DQOL-Brasil. Resultados: Dos 44 pacientes entrevistados, 40,9% eram mulheres e 59,1% homens; 56,9% tinham idade entre 26 e 46 anos; 81,7% residiam em Ponta Grossa – PR; 43,2% solteiros, 36,3% casados, 13,6% moram juntos e 6,9 divorciados. Considerando a formação escolar 36,3% tinham o ensino médio completo; a renda média foi de R$1826,72 reais; 40,9% conviviam com o diabetes há 16 e 25 anos. Entre eles, 61,3% apresentavam alguma complicação, como retinopatia, pé diabético, hipercolesterolemia, problemas vasculares e nefropatia. A hemoglobina glicada de até 7% foi observada em apenas 6,9% do total dos entrevistados. A média da qualidade de vida observada nos pacientes com insulinas convencionais foi de 3,0. Conclusão: O mau controle glicêmico pode afetar a percepção de qualidade de vida de pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1. Devido à inexistência de um sistema que contemplem tanto dados sociodemográficos quanto clínicos, se faz cada vez mais necessário, conhecer essa população na busca de estratégias para melhorar a saúde dos pacientes e melhorar a sua qualidade de vida. / Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is considered and epidemic worldwide. Currently 415 million people have diabetes worldwide and in Brazil this number is over 14 million. Estimated as a major public health problems in the country, meet the people who live with diabetes is of great importance so that they can introduce guidelines that contribute to an adequate glycemic control thus improving their quality of life. Aims: To assess the quality of life of patients with type 1 diabetes treated with conventional insulin NPH and Regular. Methodology: This is an observational, retrospective and cross-sectional study. Interviewed 44 patients with DM1, older than18 years, who used conventional insulin. The socio-demographic, clinical and treatment data were collected from three sources, (1) records of the Municipal Center of specialties, (2) Hospital records Santa Casa de Misericordia and (3) individual records through the interview. We evaluated the quality of life through DQOL-Brazil instrument. Results: Of the 44 patients interviewed, 40.9% were women and 59.1% men; 56.9% were aged between 26 and 46 years; 81.7% lived in Ponta Grossa - PR; 43.2% single, 36.3% married, 36.3% were married, 13.6% and 6.9 cohabiting divorced. Considering school education 36.3% had completed high school; the average income was R $ 1,826.72 reais; 40.9% lived with diabetes for 16 to 25 years. Among them, 61.3% had some complications, such as retinopathy, diabetic foot, hypercholesterolemia, vascular disease and nephropathy. The glycated hemoglobin up to 7% was observed in only 6.9% of total respondents. The average quality of life in the patients with conventional insulins was 3.0. Conclusion: The poor glycemic control can affect the perception of quality of life of patients with diabetes mellitus type 1. In the absence of a system that address both demographic as clinical data, it is increasingly necessary to meet this population in search strategies to improve the health of patients and improve their quality of life.

Les nanomatériaux posent de nouvelles questions en termes de toxicologie humaine et environnementale et représentent une nouvelle interface avec le milieu biologique aux propriétés spécifiques. De nombreuses inconnues demeurent, en particulier à l’échelle moléculaire, pour permettre d’expliquer certains mécanismes de toxicité. Lorsqu’elles entrent en contact avec le milieu biologique, les nanoparticules se couvrent d’une couche de protéines adsorbées. Celle-ci leur confère une nouvelle « identité biologique » qui contrôle la réponse cellulaire et leur devenir au sein de l’organisme. Nous avons étudié l’adsorption de protéines modèles sur la silice nanostructurée. Après avoir caractérisé la silice nanoporeuse et les nanoparticules de silice utilisées, l’adsorption de la myoglobine, de l’hémoglobine et des protéines d’un extrait cellulaire de levure a été étudiée afin de déterminer les paramètres physico-chimiques et thermodynamiques de l’adsorption des protéines sur la silice. Un enrichissement en résidus basiques, regroupés en clusters de charge, favorise l’adsorption des protéines grâce à la formation d’interactions électrostatiques avec la surface chargée de la silice, indépendamment de la charge globale de la protéine. A l’inverse, un enrichissement en résidus aromatiques est défavorable à l’adsorption car ces résidus forment des interactions π-π qui rigidifient la structure de la protéine. L’identification des protéines adsorbées et non adsorbées à partir d’un milieu complexe pourrait également être utilisée pour les études de toxicité cellulaire. A partir de l’étude de la structure, de la dynamique et de l’activité de la myoglobine et de l’hémoglobine adsorbées sur les nanoparticules de silice, nous avons cherché à définir l’état d’une protéine adsorbée. L’étude de la structure, réalisée par dichroïsme circulaire, spectroscopie UV-visible, d’absorption X, infrarouge, fluorescence et microcalorimétrie, montre une perte partielle de structure importante des protéines adsorbées associée à une grande hétérogénéité de conformations, sans modification majeure de la structure de l’hème. Deux sites potentiels d’interaction entre myoglobine et nanoparticules de silice ont été identifiés à l’aide d’une technique de cartographie de surface par irradiation. L’étude de la dynamique de la myoglobine adsorbée par diffusion élastique et inélastique de neutrons a permis de montrer que l’adsorption s’accompagnait d’une diminution importante de la flexibilité de la protéine. Malgré la perte de structure, la metmyoglobine adsorbée conserve une activité de fixation de ligands très proche de celle de la protéine libre. L’hémoglobine adsorbée présente de façon inattendue une augmentation de son affinité pour l’oxygène et une diminution de sa coopérativité, sans dissociation du tétramère. Cet effet est reproductible lors de l’adsorption de l’hémoglobine humaine, de l’hémoglobine pontée DCL et de l’hémoglobine mutée S. Deux effecteurs permettent par ailleurs de moduler l’affinité de l’hémoglobine adsorbée. Aussi importantes soient-elles, les modifications de structure et d’activité observées sont entièrement réversibles après désorption dans des conditions douces. L’adsorption des hémoprotéines sur les nanoparticules de silice représente véritablement un nouveau type de stress avec résilience pour les protéines en termes de relations entre structure, dynamique et activité. / Nanomaterials raise new questions in environmental and human toxicology and represent a novel interface with specific properties with the biological medium. Several unknown remain to explain all the mechanisms of toxicity, especially at the molecular lever. When they enter the biological medium, nanoparticles get covered by a protein corona. This corona yields to a new “biological identity” that controls the cellular response to nanoparticles and their fate in the organism. We studied the adsorption of model proteins on nanostructured silica. The first part is dedicated to the characterization of nanoporous silica and silica nanoparticles that we used. Then the adsorption of myoglobin, hemoglobin and protein mixture from yeast cells was studied to determine the thermodynamic and physical-chemical parameters of protein adsorption on silica. The enrichment of basic residues, gathered in charge clusters, favors the adsorption of proteins by the formation of electrostatic interactions with the charged surface of silica, independently of the global charge of the protein. On the contrary, the enrichment in aromatic residues is unfavorable to protein adsorption because they form π-π interactions that rigidify the protein structure. The identification of adsorbed and non-adsorbed proteins from a complex medium could also be used for cellular toxicity studies. From the study of the structure, the dynamics and the activity of myoglobin and hemoglobin adsorbed on silica nanoparticles, we tried to define the state of an adsorbed protein. The structural study, based on circular dichroism, fluorescence, infrared, X-ray and UV-visible spectroscopy and microcalorimetry, shows a substantial partial structure loss of adsorbed proteins together with a high conformational heterogeneity, without major modifications of the heme structure. Two potential interaction sites of myoglobin with silica nanoparticles have been identified by a footprinting technique. The study of adsorbed myoglobin dynamics by elastic and inelastic neutron scattering highlighted the important decrease of protein dynamics that occurs upon adsorption. However, despite the structure loss, adsorbed metmyoglobin retains almost all of its activity of ligand binding. Unexpectedly, adsorbed hemoglobin shows an increase of its oxygen affinity and a decrease of its cooperativity, without any dissociation of the tetramer. This effect can be reproduced on human hemoglobin, cross-linked DCL hemoglobin and variant S hemoglobin. Besides, two effectors allow modulating the affinity of adsorbed hemoglobin. Despite the extent of structural and activity changes, all these modifications are entirely reversible upon desorption in soft conditions. The adsorption of hemoproteins on silica nanoparticles depicts a new sort of stress with resilience for proteins in terms of structure, dynamics and activity relationship.

A estabilidade térmica em função do pH para três formas da hemoglobina extracelular gigante do anelídeo Glossoscolex paulistus (HbGp), monitorada atraves de DSC, CD e absorção óptica, e estudada no presente trabalho. Estes estudos possibilitaram a determinação de parâmetros importantes do processo de desnaturação e dissociação da proteína oligomerica em pH ácido, neutro e alcalino. A HbGp se mostrou mais estável no pH ácido do que em pH neutro e alcalino. No meio alcalino a HbGp sofre dissociação oligomérica gerando subunidades tais como o dodecâmero, o trímero e o monômero. Além disso, as técnicas de DSC, dicroísmo circular (CD) e absorção óptica permitiram o monitoramento da desnaturação da estrutura protéica global, da estrutura secundária e do centro ativo da HbGp, em função da temperatura. Por DSC foi determinado que o mecanismo do processo de desnaturação térmica da HbGp é irreversível. As variações de entalpia calorimétrica, ΔHcal, e de van Hoff, ΔHvH, nas formas oxi-, meta- e cianometa-HbGp são bem distintas, em todos os pHs estudados, indicando que o processo de desnaturação é bastante complexo, sugerindo que o pico de transição deve ser composto por varias transições. A ordem de estabilidade apresentada pela HbGp em termos dos valores de temperatura de transição (Tm) foi a seguinte: cianometa- > oxi- > meta- no intervalo de pH 5,0 a 8,0. Os valores de ΔHcal no pH 7,0 para a oxi-HbGp, meta-HbGp e cianometa-HbGp foram de 25 ± 4, 20 ± 2 e 56 ± 4 MJ/mol, respectivamente. Os valores de energia de ativação (Ea) obtidos no pH 7,0 para a oxi- e cianometa-HbGp foram de 673 ± 99 e 780 ± 105 KJ/mol, e no pH 8,0 de 897 ± 106 e 850 ± 201 KJ/mol, respectivamente. Esses valores de energia de ativação são condizentes com os reportados na literatura para outras hemoglobinas. Nos estudos realizados por CD a oxi-HbGp forma hemicromo no pH 6,0 e 7,0, em temperaturas superiores a 40 °C, e se dissocia em meio alcalino. A oxi-HbGp apresenta temperatura crítica (Tc) nas regiões das hélices-α e do grupo heme praticamente idêntica nos vários pHs estudados. A cianometa-HbGp possui maior quantidade de estrutura secundária do que a oxi-HbGp, e maiores valores de temperatura crítica (Tc), sendo bem mais estável que a oxi-HbGp, assim como o observado por DSC. Por absorção óptica o comportamento térmico da HbGp é similar ao do CD, sendo observado ainda, além da formação de hemicromo, a presença de espécies pentacoordenadas no pH neutro e alcalino. / The thermal stability as a function of the pH, for three forms of the extracellular giant hemoglobin of the annelid Glossoscolex paulistus (HbGp) was monitored by DSC, CD and optical absorption in the present work. These studies allowed the determination of important parameters characterizing the denaturation and dissociation at acid, neutral and alkaline pH values. HbGp was shown to be more stable in acid pH as compared to neutral and alkaline pH values. In alkaline medium, HbGp presents oligomeric dissociation generating smaller subunits such as the dodecamer, the trimer and the monomer. Besides that, the techniques of the DSC, circular dichroism (CD) and optical absorption spectroscopy allowed to monitor, respectively, the denaturation of the global protein structure, of the secondary structure and of the active center of the hemoglobin, as a function of the temperature. By DSC it was determined that the mechanism of the thermal denaturation of the HbGp is irreversible. The variations of calorimetric and van Hoff enthalpies, in the oxy- and cyanomet-HbGp forms, are quite different, for all studied pH values, indicating that the process of denaturation is complex, characterized by a transition peak composed by several contributions. The order of stability presented by the HbGp in terms of the transition temperature values (Tm) was the following: cyanomet-> oxy- for pH from 5.0 to 8.0. The values of ΔHcal at pH 7.0 for the oxy-HbGp, met-HbGp and cianomet-HbGp were 25 ± 4, 20 ± 2 and 56 ± 4 MJ/mol, respectively. The activation energy values (Ea) obtained at pH 7.0 for the oxy- and cyanomet-HbGp were 673 ± 99 and 780 ± 105 KJ/mol, and at pH 8.0 they were 897 ± 106 and 850 ± 201 KJ/mol, respectively. Those energy values are consistent with data reported in the literature for other hemoglobins. In the studies carried out by CD for oxy-HbGp formation of hemichrome was observed at pH 6.0 and 7.0, at temperatures above 40 °C. In alkaline medium the oligomeric dissociation is observed. Oxy-HbGp presents critical temperatures (Tc), which are practically identical in the spectral regions of the polypeptide and of the heme groups for all studied pH values. The cyanomet-HbGp own larger quantity of secondary structure than oxy-HbGp, and higher values of critical temperatures (Tc), being more stable than oxy-HbGp, in agreemente with DSC data. Optical absorption spectroscopy shows thermal behavior of HbGp similar to that observed by CD. Besides the formation of the hemichrome species upon heating, the presence of penta-coordinate species at neutral and alkaline pH values was observed.

Reducing diabetes risk among Hispanic-American adults in the United States is a critical public health need and programs targeting young Hispanic-American adults with prediabetes can reduce the risk for developing diabetes. The purpose of this project was twofold: (a) to examine the literature related to diabetes prevention best practices among young adult Hispanic-Americans with prediabetes and (b) create an intervention program to promote these best practices to delay or reverse the trajectory toward diabetes. The inclusion criteria for the literature review were studies with at least a 12-month follow-up and reported outcomes related to changes in diet, increased exercise, and the effects of psychotherapy as modeled in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Studies that met these inclusion criteria for the period 2002 through January 2016 were evaluated and 11 studies supported the development of recommendations for future implementation. Pender's health promotion model provided useful theoretical support for the effectiveness of individual health behavior changes to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Based on the literature review, proposed interventions included dietary interventions, behavior modifications, and both aerobic and resistance exercise training adapted for the young adult Hispanic-American population. The planned interventions will fill an evidence-to-practice gap in application of the DPP. The program when implemented will promote social change through lifestyle modifications among young adult Hispanic-Americans with prediabetes and is expected to improve dietary intake, weekly exercise, fasting glucose, and glucose tolerance and support weight loss, all of which can delay or stop progression to diabetes.