Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-08-01T19:25:55Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Monallisa Alves Ferreira - 2016.pdf: 3140045 bytes, checksum: 7ed313979941a30be50154016e30d177 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-02T12:21:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Monallisa Alves Ferreira - 2016.pdf: 3140045 bytes, checksum: 7ed313979941a30be50154016e30d177 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T12:21:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Monallisa Alves Ferreira - 2016.pdf: 3140045 bytes, checksum: 7ed313979941a30be50154016e30d177 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dry green tea extract isolated and/or combined with metformin on diabetes type 2 risk factors in women with overweight. Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial which 120 obese women were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to 1 of 4 groups: Control (n = 29; 1g of cellulose); Green tea (n = 32; 1g of dry green tea extract); Metformin (n = 28; 1g of metformin); Green tea + Metformin (n = 31; 1g of dry green tea extract + 1g of metformin). Anthropometric measurements, body composition, fasting blood samples were evaluated. Results: After 12 weeks, green tea had positive effect on glycemic control. In contrast, the metformin led to an increase of HbA1c concentration (0.048 ± 0.189%; p = 0.017). It also reduced body weight (-1.318 ± 0.366, p = 0.034) as well as decreased lean body mass (-1.249 ± 0.310; p = 0.009). Regarding the lipid parameters, green tea significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL-c. Conclusion: The isolated action of green tea was superior to metformin on glycemic control and lipid profile. Therefore, green tea dry extract may be a better alternative to treat risk factors to DM2 in overweight women than metformin. / Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do tratamento com o extrato seco de chá verde isolado e/ou combinado com a metformina sobre fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento do diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) em indivíduos com excesso de gordura corporal. Métodos: Ensaio clínico, randomizado controlado, duplo-cego com duração de 12 semanas, no qual 120 mulheres com excesso de gordura corporal foram distribuídas em um dos quatro grupos de intervenção: Controle (n = 29; 1g de celulose/dia); Chá Verde (n = 32; 1g de extrato de chá verde seco/dia); Metformina (n = 28; 1g de metformina/dia); Chá Verde + Metformina (n = 31; 1g de extrato de chá verde seco + 1 g de metformina/dia). Medidas antropométricas, de composição corporal, perfil lipídico, glicemia e insulinemia de jejum foram avaliadas. Resultados: Após 12 semanas de intervenção, o chá verde demonstrou efeito positivo em relação ao controle glicêmico. Em contrapartida, a metformina induziu o aumento de hemoglobina glicada (0.048 ± 0.189%; p = 0.017), a redução do peso corporal (-1,318 ± 0,366, p = 0,034) e da massa magra (-1,249 ± 0,310; p = 0,009). Somente o chá verde alterou o perfil lipídico reduzindo significativamente o colesterol total e LDL-c. Conclusão: O efeito isolado do chá verde foi superior ao da metformina no controle glicêmico e no perfil lipídico. Logo, o extrato seco de chá verde pode ser uma alternativa viável para minimizar o risco de desenvolvimento de DM2 em mulheres com excesso de gordura corporal.

As doenças cardiovasculares são a principal causa de mortalidade no mundo. A aterosclerose é a base fisiopatológica dessas doenças, sendo definida como um processo crônico-inflamatório multifatorial, resultando da interação de diferentes células como linfócitos, macrófagos, células endoteliais e células musculares lisas na parede arterial. A lipoproteína de baixa densidade eletronegativa [LDL(-)], uma subfração modificada da LDL nativa, desempenha um papel-chave na aterosclerose, uma vez que as modificações sofridas por esta partícula são capazes de induzir o acúmulo de ésteres de colesterol em macrófagos e a subsequente formação de células espumosas. O sistema imunológico é crucial no processo aterogênico e estratégias terapêuticas direcionadas à imunoregulação deste processo têm sido utilizadas como novas alternativas tanto na prevenção do desenvolvimento quanto da progressão desta doença. Dentre essas estratégias, destaca-se o uso de fragmentos de anticorpos como o scFv (do inglês, single chain fragment variable), que podem ainda estar conjugados a nanopartículas com o intuito de aumentar sua eficiência de ação no organismo. Diante do papel da LDL(-) na aterosclerose, este projeto objetivou avaliar os efeitos in vitro e in vivo de um sistema nanoestruturado contendo fragmentos scFv anti-LDL(-) derivatizados na superfície de nanocápsulas sobre macrófagos murinos e humanos primários e em camundongos knockout para o gene do receptor da LDL (Ldlr-/-) no desenvolvimento e na progressão dessa doença. Demonstrou-se que o tratamento de macrófagos com a formulação scFv anti-LDL(-)-MCMN-Zn diminuiu de forma significativa a captação de LDL(-), assim como a expressão de IL-1β (mRNA e proteína) e MCP-1 (mRNA). Foi demonstrada a internalização da nanoformulação pelos macrófagos via diferentes mecanismos de endocitose, demonstrando seu potencial uso como carreador de fármacos. In vivo, a nanoformulação diminuiu de forma significativa a área da lesão aterosclerótica em camundongos Ldlr-/- submetidos à avaliação pela técnica de tomografia por emissão de pósitrons (do inglês, PET), utilizando o radiotraçador 18F-FDG (18F-desoxiglicose), associada à tomografia computadorizada (CT) com agente de contraste iodado, além da análise morfométrica das lesões no arco aórtico. O conjunto dos resultados obtidos evidenciou a ação ateroprotetora da formulação scFv anti-LDL(-)-MCMN-Zn, reforçando seu potencial como estratégia terapêutica na aterosclerose. / Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis is the pathophysiological basis of these diseases, defined as a chronic inflammatory multifactorial process, resulting from the interaction of several cells such as lymphocytes macrophages, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells within the arterial wall. The electronegative low-density lipoprotein [LDL(-)], a modified subfraction of native LDL, plays a key role in atherosclerosis, since its modifications are capable of inducing the accumulation of cholesteryl esters in macrophages and the subsequent foam cells formation. The immune system is crucial in atherogenic process and therapeutic strategies directed to the immunoregulation of this process have been used as a new alternative in the prevention of the development as well as the progression of this disease. Among these strategies, it is the use of antibody fragments such as scFv (single chain fragment variable), which may be also conjugated to nanoparticles in order to increase their efficiency in the body. Given the role of LDL(-) in atherosclerosis, the aim of this project was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of a nanostructured system containing scFv anti-LDL(-) fragments derivatized on the surface of nanocapsules on murine and human primary macrophages and in the development and progression of the disease in LDL receptor knockout mice (Ldlr-/-). It was demonstrated that the treatment of macrophages with scFv anti-LDL(-)-MCMN-Zn formulation significantly decreases the uptake of LDL(-) and the expression IL-1β (mRNA and protein) and MCP-1 (mRNA). Moreover, the internalization of the nanoformulation by macrophages through different endocytosis mechanisms was shown, demonstrating its potential use as a nanocarrier. In vivo, the nanoformulation decreased the area of atherosclerotic lesions in Ldlr-/- mice evaluated by positron emission tomography with 18F-FDG associated with computed tomography with iodinated contrast agent (PET/CT), besides the lesion morphometric analysis at the aortic arch Thus, these data provide evidence of the atheroprotection action of the ateroprotection action of the scFv anti-LDL(-)-MCMN-Zn formulation, suggesting its promising use as a therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.

A aterosclerose é a doença de base das principais complicações cardiovasculares. Os produtos de modificação das lipoproteínas de baixa densidade, como a subfração eletronegativa LDL (-), exercem um importante papel na progressão da aterosclerose. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi expressar a proteína de fusão, GFP5-scFv anti-LDL (-), desenvolver um método para detecção de LDL (-), assim como avaliar a possível utilização desta proteína como uma ferramenta para monitorar os ensaios de formação de células espumosas. A proteína GFP5-scFv anti-LDL (-) foi expressa em E. coli BL21DE3. Esta proteína de fusão foi desnaturada com 7M de ureia, purificada por cromatografia de afinidade e reenovelada por gradiente de diálise na presença de poliestireno sulfonado. A massa molecular da proteína foi confirmada por SDS-PAGE e sua afinidade de ligação à LDL (-) confirmada pelo dot blot e ELISA. O espectro de emissão de fluorescência da GFP5-scFv anti-LDL (-) é qualitativamente equivalente ao da GFP5, porém com intensidade de emissão mais baixa. Na tentativa de superar essa limitação tentou-se realizar a inserção de um peptídeo ligante flexível entre os domínios de ligação da GFP5 e do scFv anti-LDL (-) para melhorar a eficiência de emissão de fluorescência da quimera. Os ensaios in vitro com macrófagos RAW 264.7 demonstraram que a GFP5-scFv anti-LDL (-) não apresentou toxicidade significante e não reduziu a captação de LDL (-) pelos macrófagos. Demonstrou-se por microscopia confocal, que a GFP5-scFv anti-LDL é internalizada pelos macrófagos e pode ser visualizada no interior destas células. Portanto, a proteína recombinante GFP5-scFv anti-LDL (-) é uma ferramenta que poderá ser utilizada em ensaios in vitro com macrófagos para o estudo da aterosclerose. / Atherosclerosis is the most important cause of the cardiovascular diseases. The modifications of low density lipoproteins that induces the formation of modified particles, like the electronegative LDL subfraction, - LDL (-), are know to play a key role in the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present work was to express a fusion protein, GFP5-scFv anti LDL (-), to develop a method to assess LDL (-), as well as to evaluate the use of this protein as a tool for in vitro assay in the investigation of atherosclerosis. The protein GFP5-scFv anti LDL (-) was expressed in E. Coli BL21DE3. The fusion protein was denatured with 7M urea, purified by affinity chromatografy and refolded by gradient dialysis in the presence of PSS. The molecular mass of the protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and its affinity for LDL (-) was confirmed by dot blot and ELISA. The emission spectrum of GFP5-scFv is qualitatively equivalent to that of GFP5, although with a lower fluorescence emission intensity. In an attempt to overcome this limitation we tried to perform the insertion of a flexible linker between the binding domains of GPF5 and scFv was done in order to increase the fluorescence emission of this fusion protein. The in vitro assays with RAW 264.7 macrophages showed that the GFP5-scFv anti-LDL (-) has no significant toxicity to these cells and did not decrease the uptake of LDL (-) by these macrophages. It was demonstrated by confocal microscopy that the GFP5-scFv anti-LDL (-) is internalized by macrophages and can be visualized inside these cells. Thus, GFP5-scFv anti-LDL (-) fusion proteins is a useful to that can be used for in vitro assays with macrophages in the investigation of atherosclerosis.

In current enterprises, simulations are being utilized to lessen the cost of product advancement.  Along this line, there is an awesome enthusiasm for enhancing precision and accuracy of simulations. For an accurate and reliable simulation, it is essential to use an accurate material model and provide it with accurate material information. In exhibit industries, orthotropic materials are being simulated utilizing isotropic material model, as orthotropic material model requires more material data which is not promptly accessible. This proposal intends to test and identify orthotropic materials and simulate them using orthotropic material model in ABAQUS. Materials utilized as a part of this proposal are Aluminium, LDPE, PET. Required material data was gotten by performing Uni-directional tensile tests, DIC, and an algorithm we developed in light of Inverses method. To get highly accurate material data from DIC, a few kinds of patterns were examined, and a superior pattern was resolved for camera configuration being utilized.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Abnormalities of lipid metabolism often lead to pathologic lipid accumulation in the vessel wall, oxidative and chronic inflammatory sequelae and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, ultimately leading to clinical events. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidative modification in the vascular wall seems to be a key factor in atherosclerosis development. Following the oxidation hypothesis of atherosclerosis the role of antioxidants has been investigated in a large number of epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies. Therefore, we investigated the antioxidant activity of three compounds of different classes in preventing the low density lipoprotein oxidation. In the guaraná study, we showed that subjects who habitually ingested guaraná (GI) demonstrated lower conjugated dienes production than did subjects who never ingested guaraná (NG; reduction of 27%, p < 0,0014), independent of other variables. However, in the GI group the conjugated dienes production was positively associated with glucose levels. The GI group also showed a total cholesterol level significantly lower than NG group. Also, guaraná demonstrated a high antioxidant activity in vitro, mainly at concentrations of 1 and 5 μg/mL, demonstrated by suppression of CDs and TBARS productions, tryptophan destruction and high TRAP activity. Guaraná, similar to other foods rich in caffeine and catechins such as green tea, has some effect on LDL oxidation that could partially explain the protective effects of this food in cardiometabolic diseases. In the thiosemicarbazone study, salicylaldehyde-4- phenylthiosemicarbazone (SPTS) may have antioxidant activity against Cu2+- and 2,2′- Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced LDL and serum oxidation. Additionally, SPTS was effective at preventing tryptophan destruction. SPTS also showed significant total radical-trapping antioxidant activity and could prevent thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation induced by sodium nitroprusside in different rat tissues and by Cu2+ in human LDL and serum. These results indicate that the antioxidant effect of SPTS is caused by a combination of transition metal chelation and free-radicalscavenging activity. In the organotellurium study, the 2-phenyl-2-tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate (DPTVP) may have antioxidant activity against Cu2+- and 2,2′-azobis(2- methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced LDL and serum oxidation. Additionally, DPTVP was effective at preventing tryptophan oxidation. DPTVP also showed significant total radical-trapping antioxidant activity and could prevent thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation induced by Cu2+ in human LDL and serum. Additionally, DPTVP exhibited no toxicity in rat aorta slices. The results presented here indicate that the antioxidant effect of DPTVP is caused by a combination of free-radicalscavenging activity and possible blockade of the copper binding sites of LDL. Considering these preliminary results, we can conclude that the three compounds presented a potential antioxidant activity and could prevent the oxidative modifications of LDL. These data encourage us to evaluate these compounds in in vivo studies and investigate additional properties in preventing the atherogenic process. / Anormalidades do metabolismo lipídico muitas vezes levam ao acúmulo patológico de lipídios na parede arterial, sequelas oxidativas e inflamatórias crônicas e à formação de lesões ateroscleróticas, levando a eventos clínicos. A modificação oxidativa de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL) na parede arterial parece ser um fator importante no desenvolvimento da aterosclerose. Seguindo a hipótese oxidativa da aterosclerose, o papel dos antioxidantes tem sido investigado em grande número de estudos epidemiológicos, clínicos e experimentais. Sendo assim, neste estudo nós investigamos a atividade antioxidante de três compostos de diferentes classes na prevenção da oxidação da LDL. No estudo com guaraná, nós mostramos que indivíduos que consumiam guaraná habitualmente (GI) apresentaram menor produção de dienos conjugados que os indivíduos que nunca consumiam guaraná (NG; redução de 27%, p < 0,0014), independentemente de outras variáveis. No entanto, no grupo GI a produção de dienos conjugados foi positivamente associada com os níveis de glicose. O grupo GI também apresentou nível de colesterol total significativamente menor comparado ao grupo NG. Além disso, o guaraná apresentou uma grande atividade antioxidante in vitro, principalmente nas concentrações de 1 e 5 μg/mL, demonstrado pela supressão da produção de dienos conjugados e substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico, prevenção da destruição do triptofano e alta atividade scavenger de radicais (TRAP). O guaraná, similar a outros alimentos ricos em cafeína e catequinas como o chá verde, tem alguns efeitos na oxidação da LDL que podem explicar parcialmente os efeitos protetores deste alimento nas doenças cardiometabólicas. No estudo com a tiosemicarbazona, a salicilaldeído-4-feniltiosemicarbazona (SPTS) apresentou atividade antioxidante contra a oxidação de LDL e soro induzidas por Cu2+ e 2,2 -azobis(2- metilpropionamidina) dihidrocloreto (AAPH). Além disso, a SPTS foi efetiva em prevenir a destruição do triptofano. O composto também apresentou significativa atividade scavenger de radicais e pode prevenir a formação de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico induzidas por nitroprussiato de sódio em diferentes tecidos de ratos e por Cu2+ em LDL e soro humano. Estes resultados indicam que o efeito antioxidante da SPTS é causado pela combinação da atividade quelante do composto e a atividade scavenger de radicais livres. No estudo com o composto orgânico de telúrio, o 2-fenil-2-telurofenil vinilfosfonato (DPTVP) apresentou atividade antioxidante contra a oxidação de LDL e soro humano induzida por AAPH e Cu2+. Além disso, o composto preveniu a oxidação do triptofano e a formação de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico e mostrou um significativo efeito scavenger de radicais. O DPTVP (20 μM) não apresentou toxicidade quando exposto à fatias de aorta de ratos. Estes resultados indicam que o efeito do DPTVP é resultado de uma combinação da atividade scavenger de radicais do composto e da possibilidade dele bloquear os sítios de ligação de cobre da LDL. Considerando todos os resultados apresentados aqui, podemos concluir que os três compostos apresentam um grande potencial antioxidante e podem prevenir as modificações oxidativas da LDL. Esses dados nos encorajam para avaliar esses compostos em estudos in vivo e investigar novas propriedades que possam prevenir o processo aterogênico.

The course of polymer film functioning has been a crucial concern in the advent of packaging technology. The thesis project aims towards obtaining an understanding of mechanical properties for a class of these materials, namely LDPE and PET. A constitutive understanding of this behavior in the case of LDPE is acquired through incorporating a plastic stress strain relationship in an iterative approach with focus put on the sensitivity of a few parameters by following a simple linear curve-fit technique in a way that the global as well as the local response are predictable. FE-models also developed in this way are validated with experimental data. An inverse analysis testing validity or usefulness of DIC technique in identifying a material model is done and some discussions are drawn towards this area. A relative numerical study with respect to experimentally obtained global response for tearing of these polymers is done through use of a similar material model developed from tensile tests and the challenges faced in this area have been addressed.

This work represents the initial steps in a wider project that aims to map out the sensitive areas in fuel injectors and combustion chambers. Direct numerical simulation (DNS) using a Low-Mach-number formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations is used to calculate direct-linear and adjoint global modes for axisymmetric low-density jets and lifted jet diffusion flames. The adjoint global modes provide a map of the most sensitive locations to open-loop external forcing and heating. For the jet flows considered here, the most sensitive region is at the inlet of the domain. The sensitivity of the global-mode eigenvalues to force feedback and to heat and drag from a hot-wire is found using a general structural sensitivity framework. Force feedback can occur from a sensor-actuator in the flow or as a mechanism that drives global instability. For the lifted flames, the most sensitive areas lie between the inlet and flame base. In this region the jet is absolutely unstable, but the close proximity of the flame suppresses the global instability seen in the non-reacting case. The lifted flame is therefore particularly sensitive to outside disturbances in the non-reacting zone. The DNS results are compared to a local analysis. The most absolutely unstable region for all the flows considered is at the inlet, with the wavemaker slightly downstream of the inlet. For lifted flames, the region of largest sensitivity to force feedback is near to the location of the wavemaker, but for the non-reacting jet this region is downstream of the wavemaker and outside of the pocket of absolute instability near the inlet. Analysing the sensitivity of reacting and non-reacting variable-density shear flows using the low-Mach-number approximation has up until now not been done. By including reaction, a large forward step has been taken in applying these techniques to real fuel injectors.

Atherosclerosis is an arterial disease that occurs due to the build-up of lipids, cholesterol and other substances in the arterial wall, collectively called plaque, leading to narrowing of the vessel lumen and, in time, disruption to the blood supply. The study of flow through atherosclerotic vessels is especially important since plaques not only cause a reduction in the vessel lumen but can rupture from the arterial wall, causing a blood clot in the vessel that may ultimately lead to heart attack or a stroke. Elevated level of oxidated low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a known risk factor associated with the genesis of atherosclerosis in arterial walls. Previous studies reported in literature have explored the transport of LDL through the arterial wall using analytical and mathematical models. In this work, we have presented a computational framework for the study of LDL transport in the lumen and the porous arterial wall. We have employed a four-layer arterial wall model and used governing equations to model the transport of LDL. We have used physiological parameters for the wall layers from literature and have validated the model based on the calculated filtration velocities and LDL concentration profiles in the arterial wall. We have further used this established model to study the effect of change in permeability and pressure on the LDL concentration. We have also studied the effect of pulsatile flow on the transport of LDL through the porous walls to examine the validity of the initial assumption of steady state and have seen that pulsation increases the time averaged net flux of LDL species by about 20%. We have next modeled a drug-eluting stent (DES), which is one of the popular remedies to cure atherosclerosis. The validation of DES model is followed by a combined study to analyze the effect of stent placement on LDL transport. Although there is no chemical reaction between the drug and LDL, we have noticed recirculation zones near the stent strut which result in accumulation of LDL molecules in the arterial wall. Future studies are aimed at incorporating variable porosity and permeability and a stenosed region in the geometry. The deformation of arterial wall due to pulsatile blood flow may lead to alteration of wall properties, which can give a realistic view of macromolecular transport.

Introdução: A Hipercolesterolemia Familiar (HF) é uma doença genética caracterizada clinicamente por elevados níveis de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-C) na corrente sanguínea desde a infância. Indivíduos que apresentam HF podem desenvolver doença aterosclerótica ainda em idade jovem. Os principais preditores de risco no desenvolvimento da doença cardiovascular (DCV) nesses indivíduos após entrarem em um programa de rastreamento genético não são conhecidos na nossa população. Além disso, a HF é subdiagnosticada e subtratada mundialmente e o rastreamento genético em cascata dos familiares tem sido mundialmente avaliado como o método diagnóstico mais custo. Contudo, a efetividade do rastreamento genético em cascata é dependente dos critérios clínicos de entrada do primeiro indivíduo da família e não há um consenso de qual critério apresenta a melhor acurácia para detecção de uma mutação. Objetivos: Identificar os fatores determinantes para ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares (CV) em todos os indivíduos da coorte e avaliar o critério clínico para detecção de uma variante genética patogênica para HF, no primeiro indivíduo da família, após serem inseridos em um programa de rastreamento genético em cascata.Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectiva aberta dos pacientes que foram inseridos no programa de rastreamento genético em cascata para HF. A população do estudo é definida como caso índice (CI), o primeiro da família a ser identificado clinicamente e encaminhado para o teste genético, e os familiares, que são os parentes de 1º grau do CI em que foi encontrada uma alteração genética. Todos os indivíduos são inseridos na coorte no momento em que recebem o laudo genético (tempo zero, T0). Um ano depois do T0 é realizado o primeiro contato telefônico, ou seja, primeiro ano de seguimento (T1) Resultados: No T1, o total de 818 indivíduos foi incluído, sendo verificados 47 eventos CV, sendo 14 (29,7%) fatais. Para o CI, o único fator independente associado ao aumento do risco de eventos CV no T1 foi a presença de arco corneano (OR: 9,39; IC 95%: 2,46-35,82). Para os familiares com uma mutação positiva os fatores associados ao aumento do risco de eventos CV foram diabetes mellitus (OR: 7,97; IC 95%: 2,07-30,66) e consumo de tabaco (OR: 3,70; IC 95%: 1,09-12,50). Na análise do melhor critério clínico para detecção de uma mutação patogênica no CI os valores de LDL-C >= 230 mg/dL tiveram a melhor relação entre sensibilidade e especificidade. Na análise da curva ROC o escore Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) apresentou melhor desempenho do que o LDL-C para identificar uma mutação, a área sob a curva ROC foi 0,744 (IC 95%: 0,704-0,784) e 0,730 (IC 95%: 0,687-0,774), respectivamente, p = 0, 014. Conclusão: Em um ano de seguimento essa coorte identificou uma alta incidência de eventos CV após a entrada em um programa de rastreamento genético em cascata e os preditores dos eventos CV diferem entre CI e familiares. Esses resultados podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de ações preventivas nesse grupo altamente susceptível de indivíduos. Além disso, devido a importância da detecção da mutação para um diagnóstico definitivo de HF e a importância da cascata ser custo efetiva o estudo identificou que o critério único do LDL-C >= 230 mg/dl é viável para indicar o CI para o teste genético / Introduction: Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease characterized clinically by high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in the bloodstream since childhood. Individuals with FH can develop atherosclerotic disease at a young age. The main predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in these individuals after entering a genetic screening program are not known in our population. In addition, FH is underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide and cascaded genetic screening of family members has been evaluated globally as the most cost effective for the diagnosis of FH. However, the effectiveness of cascading genetic screening is dependent on the clinical entry criteria of the first individual in the family and there is no consensus as to which criterion shows the best accuracy for detecting a mutation. Objectives: To identify the determinant factors for cardiovascular (CV) events in all individuals in the cohort and to evaluate the clinical criteria for detecting a genetic variant pathogenic to FH in the first individual of the family after being inserted into a genetic screening program in cascade. Methods: Open prospective cohort study of patients who were enrolled in the cascade genetic screening program for FH. The study population is defined as index case (IC), the first of the family to be clinically identified and referred to the genetic test, and relatives, who are the first-degree relatives of the IC in which a genetic alteration was found. All individuals are inserted into the cohort at the moment they receive the genetic report (time zero, T0). The first follow-up telephone contact is made one year after T0 (first year of follow-up, T1). Results: In T1, a total of 818 subjects were included, and 47 CV events were verified, of which 14 (29.7%) were fatal. For IC, the only factor independently associated with the increased risk of CV events in T1 was the presence of a corneal arch (OR: 9.39; 95% CI: 2.46-35.82). For relatives with positive mutation, factors associated with increased risk of CV events were diabetes mellitus (OR: 7.97; 95% CI: 2.07-30.66) and tobacco consumption (OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 1.09-12.50). In the analysis of the best clinical criteria for the detection of a pathogenic mutation in the IC, the LDL-C values >= 230 mg/dL had the best relationship between sensitivity and specificity. In the ROC curve analysis, the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score performed better than LDL-C to identify a mutation, the area under the ROC curve was 0.744 (95% CI: 0.704-0.784) and 0.730 (CI 95 %: 0.687-0.774), respectively, p = 0.014. Conclusion: At one year follow-up this cohort identified a high incidence of CV events following entry into a cascade genetic screening program and the predictors of CV events differ between IC and family members. These results may contribute to the development of preventive actions in this group highly susceptible to individuals. In addition, because of the importance of detecting the mutation for a definitive diagnosis of HF and the importance of the cascade being cost effective, the study identified that the single LDL-C criterion >= 230 mg / dl is feasible to indicate IC for the genetic test

This thesis is intended to identify the mode I and mode II fracture toughness to characterize the thin laminate interface by using the Double Cantilever Beam test (DCB) and End Notched Flexure test (ENF). This study’s thin laminate was Polyethylene Terephthalate and Low-Density Polyethylene (PET-LDPE), which is mostly used by packaging industries in the manufacturing of packages to store liquid food. As PET-LDPE film is very flexible and difficult to handle, DCB and ENF tests cannot be performed directly so, sheet metal (Aluminium) was used as carrier material. PET-LDPE film is placed between two aluminum plates to reduce the flexibility and perform the tests. Therefore, the Aluminium plate was also studied to find the constitutive parameters (young’s modulus (E) and mixed hardening parameters (Plastic properties)) under the tensile test and three-point bending test. From the test response, energy release rate calculation has been done for different Pre-crack lengths to validate the DCB and ENF experimental setup, study the different Pre-crack lengths, and characterize the laminate interface. Finite Element simulation (FE simulation) for those tests were carried out in AbaqusTM2020. When needed, the force versus displacement response from FE simulation was optimized against experimental response to find the required constitutive parameters (Young’s modulus, Hardening parameters, and PET-LDPE material properties). Implementing of optimization algorithm and automated simulation has been done with the help of MATLAB code. In contrast, MATLAB works as a server, and Abaqus works as a client and connected two interfaces to run the optimization. The results obtained from experiments and FE simulations were compared to the results found in the literature.