Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:23:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:57:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 01276.pdf: 2214172 bytes, checksum: e105537b579f510e386e4b8e27eb1ef6 (MD5) / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IEA/D / Instituto de Biociencias, Universidade de Sao Paulo - IB/USP

Orientador: Ricardo Velludo Gomes de Soutello / Resumo: Infecções parasitárias são extremamente importantes em equinos, devido aos prejuízos causados, e tendem a acometê-los durante toda a vida do animal. No entanto, a prevalência de helmintos pode aumentar ou diminuir, nas dependências de fatores climáticos ou susceptibilidade do hospedeiro. Diante disso, avaliou-se a dinâmica sazonal da infecção helmíntica em equinos mantidos a pasto, a influência das diferentes características climáticas das estações do ano sobre o grau de verminose, a susceptibilidade individual e por categoria e identificar as épocas e as categorias de equinos com maior incidência de helmintoses. Foi utilizado um rebanho com 104 equinos, mestiços, classificados em diferentes categorias. Foram realizadas coletas individuais de fezes a cada 28 dias para a contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) e coproculturas para identificação de larvas. Também foram realizadas coletas de sangue para analisar possíveis alterações no hemograma dos animais associados à infecção helmíntica. Todos os animais foram pesados individualmente a cada coleta, e avaliado o escore de condição corporal, juntamente com uma avaliação clínica dos animais. Diariamente foram aferidas as temperaturas média, umidade do ar e precipitação na propriedade. Foram calculadas e apresentadas estatísticas descritivas das variáveis observadas e sua variação sequencial no tempo visando avaliar a dinâmica populacional de helmintos em equinos a pasto. As categorias que mais foram acometidas pelos helmintos ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Parasitic infections are extremely important in horses due to the damages caused, and tend to afflict them throughout the life of the animal. However, the prevalence of helminths may increase or decrease, in the premises of climatic factors and host susceptibility. Therefore, we evaluated the seasonal dynamics of helminth infection in horses kept at pasture. a herd was used with 104 crossbred horses, classified into different categories according to age and sex. Individual fecal samples were taken every 28 days for the eggs per gram of feces (OPG) and stool cultures for identification of larvae. Also blood samples were taken to analyze possible changes in the blood count of the animals associated with helminth infection. All animals were weighed individually every collection, and rated the body condition score, along with a clinical evaluation of the animals. Daily average temperatures were measured the, humidity and rainfall on the property. Descriptive statistics of the observed variables were calculated and presented and their sequential variation in time to evaluate the population dynamics of helminths in horses grazing. The categories that were most affected by helminths were foals and elderly, with averages of OPG 1271.9 and 1186.5, respectively. The average OPG found in spring seasons, summer, autumn and winter were respectively 1042.1; 1508.9; 817.8 and 571.1, which all means differ significantly. In the evaluation of body condition was observed that the aged animals ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

No description available.

Introdução: Imunidade inata é a primeira linha de defesa do hospedeiro contra microorganismos invasores, a qual é mediada por moléculas específicas que reconhecem patógenos, chamadas receptores toll-símile (TLRs). Os TLRs são também capazes de reconhecer ligantes endógenos, tais como conteúdos de células necróticas e proteínas de choque térmico (HSP), resultando na produção de citocinas e ativação do sistema imune adquirido. A função exata dos TLRs ainda é pouco entendida em transplante de órgãos. No entanto, tem sido sugerido que eles podem estar envolvidos na rejeição aguda ou crônica e atuar na resposta do enxerto a lesão por isquemia e reperfusão. Objetivo: Examinar as alterações na expressão gênica dos TLRs durante a fase inicial do transplante pulmonar em humanos e sua relação com citocinas potencialmente envolvidas na lesão por isquemia e reperfusão em transplante de órgãos. Métodos: Foram analisadas biópsias pulmonares de 14 pacientes submetidos a transplante pulmonar (LTx). Estas amostras foram coletadas no final do período de isquemia fria (TIF, n=14), no final do período de isquemia quente (TIQ, n=13),1 hora (n=12) e 2 horas (n=8) após a reperfusão do enxerto. RNA total foi isolado a partir de tecido pulmonar e os níveis de RNA mensageiro (mRNA) dos TLRs (1-10) bem como citocinas (IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-1β) e proteína de choque térmico 70 (HSP70) foram medidos por reação em cadeia pela polimerase em tempo real. Resultados: Foi detectada a expressão de mRNA de todos TLRs em tecido pulmonar. Nas amostras no TIF, os níveis de mRNA dos TLRs apresentaram-se com diferentes expressões gênicas. Os níveis de expressão dos TLRs, com exceção para o TLR3, estavam altamente correlacionados entre si no TIF e com os níveis de mRNA de IFN-γ, IL-10 e IL-1β e menos significativamente com os níveis de IL-6 e IL-8. Houve diminuição dos níveis de mRNA na grande maioria dos TLRs após reperfusão, o que foi diferente para a maioria das citocinas e HSP70, que apresentaram tendência a aumentar após transplante. A expressão gênica de TLR4 apresentou-se correlacionada com os níveis de IL-8 e IL-1β antes e após transplante (P<0.05). Pulmões de doadores que foram intubados por períodos acima de 72 horas (n=5) apresentaram níveis mais elevados de TLR2 e TLR10 (P<0.05). Conclusão: Pela primeira vez, foi demonstrado que a expressão dos TLRs altera-se durante o período de isquemia e reperfusão em transplante pulmonar em humanos. O tempo de intubação dos doadores pulmonares pode influenciar a expressão de receptores Toll-símile específicos. A correlação entre TLR4 e IL-8/IL-1β sugere que os TLRs pulmonares podem ter alguma função na resposta precoce do enxerto. / Introduction: Innate immunity is the first line of host defense against invading microorganisms, which is mediated by specific pathogen recognition molecules called Toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLRs can also recognize endogenous ligands, such as contents of necrotic cells and heat shock proteins (HSP), resulting in cytokine production and activation of adaptive immune system. The exact role of the Toll-like receptors and their signalling pathways is still poorly understood in organ transplantation. However, it is suggested that they may be involved in either chronic or acute organ rejection and may play a role in graft response to ischemia reperfusion injury. Objective: To examine the changes in gen expression of TLRs during the early phase of human lung transplantation and their relationship with cytokines potentially involved in ischemia reperfusion injury in organ transplantation. Methods: We analyzed lung biopsies from 14 patients submitted to lung transplantation (LTx). Biopsies were collected at the end of the cold ischemic time (CIT, n=14), end of warm ischemic time (WIT, n=13), and after 1h (n=12) and 2h (n=8) of reperfusion. Total RNA was isolated from lung tissues, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of TLRs (TLR 1-10) as well as cytokines (IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-1β) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: We observed mRNA expression of all TLRs in lung tissue. In the CIT samples, TLR mRNAs levels were differentially expressed in donor samples. In the CIT samples, the expression levels of TLRs, except for TLR3, were highly correlated with each other and with mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-1β, and less significantly correlated with IL-6 and IL-8. After reperfusion, expression of almost all TLR mRNAs decreased to lower levels what was different for most of the cytokines and HSP70, which trended to increase after LTx. TLR4 gen expression was closely correlated with IL-8 and IL-1β levels prior to and after LTX (P<0.01). Lungs from donors who were intubated longer than 72 h (n=5) expressed higher levels of TLR2 and TLR10 (P<0.05). Conclusion: For the first time, we showed that the expression of TLRs is altered during ischemia-reperfusion period of human lung transplantation. The donor length of intubation may influence the expression of specific TLRs. Correlation between TLR4 and IL-8/IL-1β suggests that pulmonary TLRs may play a role in early graft response.

Immunities in the Constitutional System of Czech Republic The thesis Immunities in the Constitutional System of Czech Republic examines the enshrinement of the immunity of selected public officials in domestic legal system. The essay describes the objective state of legislation as well as the development of academic view of the system of exceptions and the attitude of the persons, in whose favor the element works. After a short introduction, whose purpose is to outline some possible opinions and generally believed myths about parliamentary immunity; the thesis explains some terms related to the institute - material immunity, procedural immunity, and procedural exemption. The main body of the paper reviews the individual types of immunities in detail. The first chapter discusses the Members of Parliament - the immunity of the Deputies and the Senators. It shows the evolution of the constitutional basis to the institute, presents the current form of Article in the Constitution with a numerous cases when the immunity of an MP was removed by the Parliament. It also deals with the connection of the constitutional articles to the rules of procedure of the Chambers. The thesis describes selected problematic aspects of the institute, and demonstrates a number of those with historical and present court...

The main and most critical function of the immune system is to distinguish between self and non-self and react accordingly. Differentiating self-reactive immune cells as soon as they develop is the phenomenon of tolerance against self-antigens and is a highly regulated process. The development of autoantibodies is a sign of the breakdown of tolerance and may be the harbinger of the onset of an autoimmune disease. It is well-known fact that many systemic autoimmune diseases (AUIDs) first manifest in the oral cavity. If proven that oral infections trigger AUIDs, then improving oral health may be a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce autoimmune disease incidence. Although etiology and pathogenesis of specific AUIDs may vary, presentation in the oral cavity often involves oral lesions manifested at early stages of systemic inflammatory and autoimmune disease. Therefore regular dental and medical checkups may provide an opportunity for clinicians, in particular dentists, to contribute to earlier detection of AUIDs thereby improving long-term treatment options and overall patient prognosis. Mechanisms leading to the onset of autoimmune disease are still being considered. Epidemiological inquires and the increasing numbers of genome-wide association studies have analyzed the breakdown of tolerance and the causes behind autoimmunity. The role of the environment is crucial in the onset of autoimmunity via the breakdown of tolerance; through toll-like receptors that mediate innate immunity which in turn triggers the adaptive autoimmune response, T regulatory cells and Th17 differentiation, through changes in the spleen autoantibody production due to a change in the B cell count, and through self antigen and epigenetic deviations induced by environmental spurs. In spite of many research efforts and the accumulation of innovative data, there are still multiple gaps in knowledge pertaining to this subject matter. The autoimmune process begins with the activation of Tcells by antigen presenting cells (APC) and progresses to CD4+ CD25+ Tcells and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), which stimulate Th1 and Th2 responses and finally B cell activation, which plays a role in autoimmune development. This paper will review the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and different cell players as well as transcription factors such as TGF–β, IL–6, IL–10, IL–17, Th–17, T reg cells, B reg cells, Th–1, Th–2, and INF–γ. This paper aims to review published evidence and further explore the etiopathology of individual autoimmune diseases such as Behcet's, Crohn's disease, Sjögren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis and the subsequent dental implications and therapeutic management. This review also aims to study the most relevant autoimmune, auto-inflammatory, and systemic chronic inflammatory diseases, as well as mechanisms of autoimmune manifestation with respect to oral health.

International Organizations are a growing force in the global arena. While themandate and influence of the UN has increased over the last decades, the existinglegal regime regarding privileges and immunities remain the same as they were atthe founding of the organization. This has led to mass tort claims towards the UN,stemming from damages caused by the organizations. These damages often consistof human rights violations, something the organization is generally regarded as aprotector of, rather than violator.As individuals seek to obtain reparations and remedies for the damages inflictedupon them, they are generally obstructed by the claim for immunity by theinternational organization. This constitutes a conflict of competing interests thatthe domestic courts must address and solve. This conflict is central to my thesis,as I will discover how this issue has been tackled by the national as well asinternational courts, and which consequences the current legal practice has for theindividuals. The thesis concludes with a discussion on what needs to be done inorder to bridge the current accountability gap created by the immunity ofinternational organizations.

Objectives: There are three aims for this thesis: the first is to develop a field and laboratory protocol for the storage and analysis of transforming growth factor–beta 2 (TGF-β2) in human breastmilk; second, to validate this protocol and the immunoassay used to assess this new method; and lastly, to explore the ramifications of biosimilar TGF-β2 across multiple milks on human health, growth, and immunity through the review of laboratory findings and previous literature. Rational: Little anthropological research has been done on TGF-β2 in human milk. Anthropology as a discipline is well positioned to provide insight into TGF-β2, combining biocultural, evolutionary, and ecological approaches to holistically illustrate the effects this cytokine has on human immunity. This thesis provides an applied anthropological perspective and methodology on TGF-β2 in human milk. Methods: A protocol was developed for a new method of drying breastmilk on polystyrene microplates. Samples were then reconstituted using reagent diluent with 1% BSA and assayed using a Human TGF-beta 2 DuoSet enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA) assay kit from R&D Systems. Other mammalian milks and infant formula samples were also dried and tested for TGF-β2 concentrations. Validity of the assay and TGF-β2 concentrations were then statistically measured using linear regression analysis and Bland-Altman plots. Results: The results of the first objective in the development of a laboratory and field protocol for drying breastmilk on polystyrene plates for the extraction of TGF-β2 showed this method to hold promise for future application, but lacked statistical power in this study to confirm if this method is viable. The second objective of assay validation was unsuccessful, with the percent coefficient of variation for the intra-assay variation and inter-assay validation 38.28% and 17.70%, respectively indicating that this assay struggled to produce consistent and reliable results from the reconstituted samples. Results from the third objective suggest that biosimilar TGF-β2 in non-human milk can influence human growth and development, the extent of which, however, needs further study. Conclusions: Given these findings, more work with TGF-β2 in milk is required. TGF-β2 is a cytokine which could reveal a great deal about the developmental origins of human immunity and how it is maintained and altered across our life course and therefore an area of biology worth further research.

The aim of this thesis was to obtain some insights into mechanisms by which the immune system affects melanoma cells after anchoring agonists of phagocytic receptors (laminarin and f-MLF) to their surface. To verify the hypothesis that innate immune system plays a critical role, in vivo experiments were performed on SCID mice. To elucidate the importance of CR3, CD11b-deficient mice were used. In in vitro experiments production of inflammatory cytokines in tumor tissue was examined as well as the release of myeloperoxidase from neutrophil granules after incubation with malignant cells.

This study is focused on characterization of fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs) from the tick Ixodes ricinus using molecular methods - PCR, cloning, qRT-PCR, RNA interference via dsRNA synthesis and injection, and also pathogen (Borrelia sp.) transmission on animal model.