Le traitement sémantique est le processus mental par lequel nous accédons au sens. Il occupe donc une place centrale dans la compréhension et la production du langage, mais également dans le fonctionnement humain en général, puisqu'il permet de conceptualiser le monde qui nous entoure et de lui donner un sens, en le confrontant en pleine conscience aux connaissances que nous emmagasinons au fil de nos expériences. Si les bases neurales corticales du traitement sémantique sont bien documentées par de nombreuses études basées sur les données de l'imagerie fonctionnelle notamment, l'analyse de la connectivité sous-corticale impliquée dans ce traitement a jusqu'ici reçu moins d'attention. Les auteurs s'accordent néanmoins sur l'existence d'une voie ventrale sémantique, parallèle à une voie dorsale dédiée au traitement phonologique. Le présent ouvrage se propose d'apporter un nouvel éclairage à la connaissance des bases neurales du traitement sémantique du mot isolé, en lien avec le cadre plus large du traitement sémantique non-verbal, par l'étude des habiletés sémantiques de patients présentant un gliome de grade 2 OMS et pour lequel ils bénéficient d'une prise en charge chirurgicale en condition éveillée, avec cartographie cortico-sous-corticale peropératoire. Il met ainsi en évidence l'importance cruciale du faisceau fronto-occipital inférieur gauche dans cette voie ventrale sémantique, au sein d'une organisation cérébrale fonctionnelle en réseaux parallèles et distribués de zones corticales interconnectées par des faisceaux d'association de substance blanche. Il souligne également le caractère interactif du fonctionnement cognitif, ainsi que l'importance des mécanismes de contrôle dans le traitement du langage, et de la mesure de la chronométrie mentale lors son évaluation. Ces différentes considérations nous amènent à proposer un modèle hodotopique général d'organisation anatomo-fonctionnelle du langage. Les résultats présentés dans cet ouvrage peuvent donc avoir des implications cliniques et scientifiques majeures, quant à la compréhension de l'organisation cérébrale fonctionnelle du langage, de ses dysfonctionnements, des mécanismes de réorganisation fonctionnelle en cas de lésion et à l'élaboration de programmes de réhabilitation. / Semantic processing is the mental process by which we access to meaning. Therefore, it takes a central place in language comprehension and production, but also in the whole human functioning, since it allows conceptualizing and giving a meaning to the world, by confronting it consciously with the knowledge we store over our experiences. If the neural bases of semantic processing are well known at the cortical level, thanks to numerous studies based particularly on functional neuroimaging data, the analysis of the subcortical connectivity underlying this processing received so far less attention. Nevertheless, the authors agree on the existence of a semantic ventral stream, parallel to a phonological dorsal stream.The present work mean to bring a new highlight on the knowledge of the neural bases of semantic processing at the level of the single word, in connection with the wider setting of non verbal semantic processing, by the study of semantic skills in patients presenting with WHO grade 2 glioma, and for which they undergo a surgery in awaken conditions, with cortico-subcortical intraoperative mapping. Thus, this work highlights the crucial role of the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle, in this ventral semantic route, within a functional brain organization in parallel and distributed networks of cortical areas interconnected by white matter association fibers.it underlines also the interactive feature of cognitive functioning, and the significance of control mechanisms in language processing, as well as the measuring of mental chronometry when assessing it. These considerations lead us to propose a general hodotopical model of language anatomo-functional organization.The results presented in this work may thus have important clinical and scientific implications, regarding the comprehension of language brain functional organization, of its dysfunctioning, of functional reorganization mechanisms in case of brain lesion, and the elaboration of rehabilitation programs.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os gliomas são tumores neuroepiteliais e correspondem a aproximadamente 24,6% de todos os tumores primários cerebrais. Na última década, grande esforço tem sido feito em meio acadêmico para caracterização molecular dos gliomas na tentativa de descrever comportamento clínico, definir prognóstico e predizer resposta terapêutica. Ferramentas de bioinformática estimam que os microRNAs possam regular cerca de 60% dos genes humanos, incluindo um número significativo de oncogenes, genes supressores tumorais e genes relacionados a quimio e radioressistência. Uma problemática atual na prática clínica é a ausência de ferramentas moleculares para predizer a evolução dos gliomas classificados como baixo grau, uma vez que, durante o seguimento clínico-radiológico pós-cirúrgico, esses pacientes podem ter recidiva tumoral e confirmação histopatológica de glioma de alto grau. A transformação tumoral em glioma de alto grau implica em pior prognóstico e redução das possibilidades terapêuticas. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a expressão dos microRNAs miR-124a, miR-138, miR-155, miR-1275 em amostras de tumor primário humano e sangue periférico de pacientes com diagnóstico de gliomas de baixo e alto graus (astrocitoma grau I,astrocitoma grau II, astrocitoma grau III, glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma grau II e oligodendroglioma grau III). PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: As análises da expressão dos microRNAs foram realizadas utilizando-se a técnica de PCR em tempo real. Foram analisados 65 pacientes adultos (entre 18 e 65 anos de idade) com diagnóstico histopatológico confirmado de glioma com material biológico tumoral criopreservado armazenado junto ao Banco de Tumores do Sistema Nervoso Central do HCFMRP. Foram coletadas informações contidas no prontuário médico referentes às características clínicas, epidemiológicas, de evolução clínica e radiológica e tempo para recidiva e óbito. Considerando-se um nível de significância de 5%, a associação das variáveis qualitativas categóricas e expressão de microRNAs foi realizada pelo teste de Mann-Whitney. A análise de sobrevida foi realizada pelo método não-paramétrico de Kaplan-Meier. RESULTADOS: Os microRNAs em estudo não apresentaram hiperexpressão em tecido tumoral de pacientes diagnosticados com Glioblastoma. Apenas o miR-1275 apresentou expressão aumentada em pacientes com diagnóstico de astrocitoma pilocítico e oligodendroglioma grau II. Além disso, tumores de linhagem oligodendroglial, de baixo e alto graus, demonstraram hiperexpressão do miR-1275. Em sangue periférico, observou-se significativa hipoexpressão dos miR-1275, miR-124 e miR-138 em amostra de glioblastoma. Observou-se, ainda, acentuada hipoexpressão do miR-138 em amostras de oligodendroglioma grau III. CONCLUSÃO: Os microRNAs miR-124a, miR-138, miR-155 e miR-1275 não apresentaram hiperexpressão em tecido tumoral de pacientes diagnosticados com GBM. O miR-1275 apresentou expressão aumentada em pacientes com diagnóstico de astrocitoma pilocítico e o miR-155 foi hiperexpresso apenas em amostras de oligodendroglioma grau II. Além disso, tumores de linhagem oligodendroglial, de baixo e alto graus, demonstraram hiperexpressão do miR1275 e miR-124a. Em sangue periférico, observou-se significativa hipoexpressão dos miR-1275, miR-124 e miR-138 em amostra de glioblastoma assim como acentuada hipoexpressão do miR-138 em amostras de oligodendroglioma grau III / INTRODUCTION: Gliomas are neuroepithelial tumors and correspond to approximately 24.6% of all primary brain tumors. In the last decade, great effort has been made in academic circles to characterize gliomas in an attempt to describe clinical behavior, define prognosis and predict therapeutic response. Bioinformatics tools estimate that microRNAs can regulate about 60% of human genes, including a significant number of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and chemo and radioresistance genes. A current problem in clinical practice is the absence of molecular tools to predict the evolution of gliomas classified as low grade, since during postoperative radiological follow-up these patients may have tumor recurrence with histopathological confirmation of high glioma degree. Tumor transformation in high-grade glioma has a worsening of prognosis and reduction of therapeutic possibilities OBJECTIVES: The objective of this project is to analyze the expression of miR124a, miR-138, miR-155, miR-1275 in human primary and peripheral blood samples from patients diagnosed with low and high grade gliomas (astrocytoma grade I, astrocytoma grade II, astrocytoma grade III, glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma grade II and oligodendroglioma grade III). PATIENTS AND METHODS: MicroRNA expression analyzes were performed using the real-time PCR technique. Sixty-five adult patients (18-65 years of age) with confirmed histopathological diagnosis of glioma with cryopreserved tumor biological material stored at the Bank of Tumors of the Central Nervous System of HCFMRP were analyzed. Information collected in the medical records regarding clinical, epidemiological, clinical and radiological characteristics and time for recurrence and death were collected. Considering a level of significance of 5%, the association of categorical qualitative variables and microRNA expression were performed by the Mann-Whitney test. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier non-parametric method. RESULTS: The microRNAs under study did not present hyperexpression in tumor tissue of patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. Only miR-1275 showed increased expression in patients diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma and grade II oligodendroglioma. In addition, tumors of low and high grade oligodendroglial lineage demonstrated overexpression of miR-1275. In peripheral blood, significant hypoexpression of miR-1275, miR-124 and miR-138 were observed in a glioblastoma sample. There was also a marked hypoexpression of miR-138 in samples of grade III oligodendroglioma. CONCLUSION: The microRNAs miR-124a, miR-138, miR155 and miR-1275 did not show hyperexpression in tumor tissue of patients diagnosed with GBM. MiR-1275 showed increased expression in patients diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma and miR-155 was hyperexpressed only in samples of grade II oligodendroglioma. In addition, tumors of oligodendroglial lineage, of low and high grades, demonstrated hyperexpression of miR-1275 and miR-124a. In peripheral blood, significant hypoexpression of miR-1275, miR-124 and miR-138 were observed in the GBM sample as well as marked hypoexpression of miR-138 in samples of grade III oligodendroglioma

O carcinoma adenóide cístico e o adenocarcinoma polimorfo de baixo grau de malignidade são neoplasias malignas das glândulas salivares que apresentam semelhança nos padrões histológicos, porém com comportamento clínico, tratamento e prognóstico completamente diferentes. A galectina-3 é uma proteína multifuncional da família das lectinas que está envolvida em vários fenômenos biológicos como crescimento celular, adesão celular, diferenciação celular e apoptose. Além disso, tem sido estudada como um marcador de invasão tumoral e metástase. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar qualitativamente a expressão imunoistoquímica da galectina-3 em 14 casos de carcinoma adenóide cístico (2 do subtipo tubular, 4 do subtipo sólido e 8 do subtipo cribriforme) e em 12 casos de adenocarcinoma polimorfo de baixo grau de malignidade com padrões histológicos variados, incluindo os padrões lobular, tubular e cribriforme. Espécimes de glândula salivar normal foram também incluídos na amostra. Nas glândulas salivares normais houve forte marcação da galectina-3 no núcleo e no citoplasma das células luminais dos ductos. Nos carcinomas adenóides císticos houve uma maior marcação da galectina-3 no subtipo tubular, localizada apenas nas células luminais das estruturas tubulares. Nos subtipos sólido e cribriforme a marcação foi menor, mas sempre localizada nas células que circundavam espaços luminais. Em todos os casos de carcinomas adenóides císticos estudados a marcação foi predominantemente nuclear. Nos adenocarcinomas polimorfos de baixo grau de malignidade a marcação da galectina-3 foi predominantemente citoplasmática em praticamente todas as células neoplásicas. Diante disso podemos sugerir que, nas neoplasias estudadas, a expressão da galectina-3 parece estar mais relacionada à diferenciação celular do que à progressão tumoral e ao prognóstico. / Adenoid cystic carcinoma and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma are malignant neoplasms of salivary glands which are similar in histologic patterns but very different in clinical behavior, treatment and prognosis. Galectin-3 is a multifunctional protein of a growing family of beta-galactoside-binding animal lectins which is implicated in a variety of biological events such as tumor cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation and angiogenesis. This protein was found to be implicated in cellular transformation, and a correlation between its expression and cancer progression and metastasis has been described. The aim of this study was to determine the galectin-3 immunoprofile in 14 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (2 cases of tubular subtype, 4 cases of solid subtype and 8 cases of cribriform subtype) and in 12 cases of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma with different histologic patterns, included lobular, tubular and cribriform. Moreover, slides of normal salivary glands were included. In normal salivary glands there were strong nuclei and cytoplasmic staining for galectin-3 in ductal luminal cells. Adenoid cystic carcinomas showed specific staining in luminal cells mainly in the nuclei. In the tubular subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma galectin-3 was strong in the luminal cells of the ductiform structures. The cribriform and solid subtypes showed a few positive cells for galectin-3 only in the luminal cells of small ducts presenting in the cribriform structures and in solid nests respectly. In the cases of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma, independent of the histologic architecture, all tumor cells revealed a positive cytoplasmic reaction with the galectin-3 antibody. Galectin-3 expression seems to be related to cell differentiation more than tumor progression and prognosis in the neoplasms studied.

A doença periodontal tem sido frequentemente associada ao parto pretermo. A plausibilidade biológica para tal associação baseia-se na hipótese de uma inflamação sistêmica de baixa intensidade de origem periodontal. Entretanto, os estudos de intervenção que investigaram o efeito da terapia periodontal durante a gestação não observaram reduções significativas na incidência de prematuridade. Como diversas citocinas têm sido associadas tanto a doença periodontal quanto ao parto pretermo, cogita-se que elas desempenhem um papel importante na associação observada. Até o presente momento, pouco se sabe a respeito da correlação entre os níveis de citocinas no soro e no fluído crevicular gengival (FCG), assim como do efeito da terapia periodontal sobre esses marcadores de inflamação em gestantes. O objetivo desta tese foi avaliar a relação entre níveis sistêmicos e periodontais de biomarcadores inflamatórios relacionados com a resposta imune periodontal e também com os mecanismos de parto. Também investigou-se o efeito da terapia periodontal sobre os níveis dessas citocinas durante a gestação e 30 dias após o parto. Esta tese é composta por dois estudos que utilizaram uma sub-amostra de mulheres que haviam sido recrutadas para um ensaio clínico randomizado maior que investigou o efeito da terapia periodontal sobre a incidência de prematuridade. Mulheres entre 18-35 anos e com até 20 semanas de gestação foram aleatoriamente alocadas para receber tratamento periodontal não cirúrgico completo até a 24a semana de gestação (grupo teste) ou apenas uma consulta de uma remoção de cálculo supragingival (grupo controle). Dados clínicos e amostras de sangue e FCG foram coletadas no início do estudo, entre 26-28 semanas de gestação e 30 dias após o parto. Quatro sítios periodontais por paciente foram aleatoriamente selecionados para coleta de FCG entre aqueles com maior profundidade de sondagem. Os níveis de IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL- 12p70 e FNT-α foram analisados por citometria de fluxo. No estudo 1, investigou-se a correlação e concordância entre os níveis periodontais e sistêmicos dessas citocinas em 100 pacientes, utilizando dados coletados até a 20a semana de gestação. As pacientes apresentaram extensa inflamação e limitada destruição periodontal. A correlação entre os níveis de citocinas no soro e no FCG foi baixa e não significativa, com exceção da IL-12p70 que mostrou uma correlação moderada, porém significativa, entre as duas fontes (r=0.32, p=0.001). Os níveis de citocinas observados no FCG explicaram menos de 10% dos respectivos níveis observados no soro, com exceção da IL-12p70 em que eles foram responsáveis por 23% dos níveis séricos (p=0.0001, r2=0.23). A profundidade de sondagem e o sangramento a sondagem estiveram significativamente associados com os níveis de IL-1β, IL-6 e IL-8 no FCG, mas tiveram efeitos limitados sobre os níveis sistêmicos de todas as citocinas. No estudo 2, comparou-se o efeito da terapia periodontal durante a gestação (n=30) com uma consulta única de remoção de cálculo supragingival (n=30) sobre os níveis periodontais e sistêmicos dessas citocinas durante a gestação e 30 dias após o parto. Após o tratamento, uma redução drástica da inflamação periodontal foi observada no grupo teste, com o percentual de sangramento a sondagem reduzindo de 49.62% para 11.66% dos sítios (p<0.001). A terapia também reduziu significativamente os níveis de IL-1β e IL-8 (p<0.001) no FCG. Entretanto, nenhum efeito significativo do tratamento foi observado em relação aos níveis sistêmicos dessas citocinas. Após o parto, os níveis periodontais de IL-1β no grupo teste permaneceram significativamente menores que no grupo controle, enquanto que nenhuma diferença foi observada em relação aos níveis sistêmicos das outras citocinas avaliadas. Pode-se concluir que os níveis de citocinas no soro e FCG não estão significativamente associados em mulheres com extensa inflamação mas limitada destruição periodontal. Embora a terapia periodontal durante a gestação reduza significativamente o nível de citocinas no FCG, ela parece não ter um impacto considerável sobre os níveis sistêmicos desses biomarcadores. / Periodontal disease has been frequently associated with preterm birth. The biological plausibility for this association relies on the hypothesis of a low-grade systemic inflammation originated from periodontal disease. However, clinical studies that investigated the effect of periodontal therapy during pregnancy did not observe significant reductions in the incidence of prematurity. Several cytokines have been associated with both periodontal disease and preterm birth, and might play a key role in the observed association. To date, little is known about the correlation between serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) cytokine levels, as well as the effect of periodontal therapy on these inflammatory markers in pregnant women. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the relationship between periodontal and systemic levels of inflammatory biomarkers related to periodontal immune response and also with the mechanisms of delivery. We also investigated the effect of periodontal therapy on serum and GCF cytokine levels during pregnancy and 30 days postpartum. This thesis consists of two studies that used a sub-sample of women who had been previously enrolled in a larger randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of periodontal therapy on the incidence of preterm birth. Women aged between 18-35 years and up to 20 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to receive comprehensive nonsurgical periodontal treatment before the 24th gestational week (test group) or a single appointment of supragingival calculus removal (control group). Clinical data, blood and GCF samples were collected at baseline, between 26-28 weeks of gestation and 30 days postpartum. Four periodontal sites per patient were randomly selected for GCF collection among those with deepest probing depth. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α levels were analyzed using a cytometric bead array. In the study one, we investigated the correlation and agreement between periodontal and systemic levels of these cytokines in 100 patients, using data collected until 20 weeks of gestation. Patients presented widespread periodontal inflammation but limited destruction. The correlation between serum and GCF cytokine levels was low and not significant, except for IL-12p70, which showed a moderate but significant correlation between the two sources (r = 0.32, p = 0.001). The GCF cytokine levels observed explained less than 10% of the respective serum levels observed, except for IL-12p70, which was responsible for 23% of serum levels (p = 0.0001, r2 = 0.23). Probing depth and bleeding on probing were significantly associated with IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 GCF levels, but had limited effects on systemic levels of all cytokines. In the study two, we compared the effect of periodontal therapy during pregnancy (n=30) or a single appointment for supragingival calculus removal (n=30) on periodontal and systemic levels of these cytokines during pregnancy and 30 days postpartum. After treatment, a remarkable reduction of periodontal inflammation was observed in the test group, with bleeding on probing reducing from 49.62% to 11.66% of the sites (p<0.001). Periodontal therapy also significantly reduced IL-1β and IL-8 GCF levels (p<0.001). However, no significant differences due to therapy were observed regarding systemic levels of these cytokines. After delivery, IL-1β GCF levels in the test group remained significantly lower than in the control group, whereas no difference was observed for systemic levels of any other cytokine evaluated. It can be concluded that serum and GCF cytokine levels are not significantly associated in women with widespread periodontal inflammation but limited destruction. Although periodontal therapy during pregnancy significantly reduces GCF cytokine levels, it seems to have a negligible impact on systemic levels of these biomarkers.

O carcinoma adenóide cístico e o adenocarcinoma polimorfo de baixo grau de malignidade são neoplasias malignas das glândulas salivares que apresentam semelhança nos padrões histológicos, porém com comportamento clínico, tratamento e prognóstico completamente diferentes. A galectina-3 é uma proteína multifuncional da família das lectinas que está envolvida em vários fenômenos biológicos como crescimento celular, adesão celular, diferenciação celular e apoptose. Além disso, tem sido estudada como um marcador de invasão tumoral e metástase. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar qualitativamente a expressão imunoistoquímica da galectina-3 em 14 casos de carcinoma adenóide cístico (2 do subtipo tubular, 4 do subtipo sólido e 8 do subtipo cribriforme) e em 12 casos de adenocarcinoma polimorfo de baixo grau de malignidade com padrões histológicos variados, incluindo os padrões lobular, tubular e cribriforme. Espécimes de glândula salivar normal foram também incluídos na amostra. Nas glândulas salivares normais houve forte marcação da galectina-3 no núcleo e no citoplasma das células luminais dos ductos. Nos carcinomas adenóides císticos houve uma maior marcação da galectina-3 no subtipo tubular, localizada apenas nas células luminais das estruturas tubulares. Nos subtipos sólido e cribriforme a marcação foi menor, mas sempre localizada nas células que circundavam espaços luminais. Em todos os casos de carcinomas adenóides císticos estudados a marcação foi predominantemente nuclear. Nos adenocarcinomas polimorfos de baixo grau de malignidade a marcação da galectina-3 foi predominantemente citoplasmática em praticamente todas as células neoplásicas. Diante disso podemos sugerir que, nas neoplasias estudadas, a expressão da galectina-3 parece estar mais relacionada à diferenciação celular do que à progressão tumoral e ao prognóstico. / Adenoid cystic carcinoma and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma are malignant neoplasms of salivary glands which are similar in histologic patterns but very different in clinical behavior, treatment and prognosis. Galectin-3 is a multifunctional protein of a growing family of beta-galactoside-binding animal lectins which is implicated in a variety of biological events such as tumor cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation and angiogenesis. This protein was found to be implicated in cellular transformation, and a correlation between its expression and cancer progression and metastasis has been described. The aim of this study was to determine the galectin-3 immunoprofile in 14 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (2 cases of tubular subtype, 4 cases of solid subtype and 8 cases of cribriform subtype) and in 12 cases of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma with different histologic patterns, included lobular, tubular and cribriform. Moreover, slides of normal salivary glands were included. In normal salivary glands there were strong nuclei and cytoplasmic staining for galectin-3 in ductal luminal cells. Adenoid cystic carcinomas showed specific staining in luminal cells mainly in the nuclei. In the tubular subtype of adenoid cystic carcinoma galectin-3 was strong in the luminal cells of the ductiform structures. The cribriform and solid subtypes showed a few positive cells for galectin-3 only in the luminal cells of small ducts presenting in the cribriform structures and in solid nests respectly. In the cases of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma, independent of the histologic architecture, all tumor cells revealed a positive cytoplasmic reaction with the galectin-3 antibody. Galectin-3 expression seems to be related to cell differentiation more than tumor progression and prognosis in the neoplasms studied.

Après avoir longtemps ignoré le domaine des émotions, la neuropsychologie clinique reconnait aujourd’hui son intrication avec le domaine cognitif et son importance dans le suivi des patients cérébrolésés, chez lesquels des difficultés à reconnaître les émotions perturbent la qualité des échanges interpersonnels et la cognition sociale. Cette thèse porte sur la reconnaissance de cinq émotions de base (joie, peur, colère, tristesse, dégoût) et d’une expression neutre dans deux groupes de patients, avec gliome de bas grade et après accident vasculaire cérébral. L’évaluation recourt à deux modalités non verbales visuelles et auditives et une condition intermodale. Pour mieux comprendre le fonctionnement émotionnel des patients avec gliome, nous avons analysé les compétences émotionnelles de trois d’entre eux. Les résultats de nos recherches objectivent des difficultés modérées de reconnaissance des émotions en modalités visuelle et auditive pour les deux populations avec des déficits plus discrets chez les patients avec gliome de bas grade que chez les patients après accident vasculaire cérébral. Ces résultats confirment la pertinence de la théorie d’organisation hodotopique du cerveau pour les processus émotionnels comme pour les autres domaines cognitifs. Le bénéfice comportemental constaté pour les deux groupes en présentation intermodale ne suffit cependant pas toujours à normaliser les résultats, ce qui implique de probables répercussions quotidiennes. Ce travail souligne l’importance de l’évaluation des émotions non seulement reconnues, mais aussi ressenties, dans le suivi des patients cérébrolésés, notamment ceux qui souffrent de tumeurs d’évolution lente. / Emotional domain was ignored for a long time, but today clinical neuropsychology acknowledges its overlapping with the cognitive domain and its importance in the follow-up of brain-damage patients, where difficulties in emotion recognition reduce the quality of interpersonal interactions and social cognition. The present thesis focuses on the recognition of five basic emotions (happiness, fear, anger, sadness, disgust) and of a neutral expression in two groups of patients with low-grade gliomas and post-stroke. The experimental protocol, which requires visual and auditory non-verbal processing, also includes a crossmodal condition. Three case studies of patients with gliomas allow us to refine our understanding of their emotional functioning. Our results show moderate visual and auditory difficulties in emotion recognition for both groups, with lower deficits in the glioma group than in the post-stroke group. These results confirm the relevance of a hodotopical view of the brain for emotional processes as in other cognitive domains. However, the behavioral benefit of crossmodal presentation observed in both groups is not sufficient to sustain normal results, which is likely to impact daily life. We highlight the necessity of evaluating emotion recognition as well as emotion experience in brain damage patients, in particular when they suffer from slowly infiltrating tumours.

L’épidémiologie et les facteurs de risque des gliomes diffus de bas grade (GDBG, ou gliomes diffus de grade II OMS) sont à ce jour mal connus. Ce travail de thèse s’est intéressé à décrire les caractéristiques épidémiologiques (taux d’incidence, données démographiques) et à rechercher, dans la littérature et par nos travaux, des arguments en faveur de facteurs de risque environnementaux, fonctionnels et moléculaires. Epidémiologie descriptive : l’analyse d’une série exhaustive de cas incidents de GDBG diagnostiqués entre 2006 et 2011, à l’échelle nationale, a permis de déterminer l’incidence des GDBG dans leur ensemble (incidence standardisée sur la population française : 0,775/105 personnes-années) et pour chacun de leurs sous-types histologiques définis par la classification 2007 de l’OMS. Facteurs de risque environnementaux : nous avons pu mettre en évidence des différences significatives dans la distribution géographique des gliomes diffus de grade II et III OMS en France métropolitaine, avec une incidence plus élevée dans le Nord-Est et le centre de la France. Cette hétérogénéité semble en faveur de facteurs de risque environnementaux, même s’il n’existe à ce jour aucun facteur de risque environnemental démontré dans les GDBG. Facteurs de risque biologiques : notre travail a permis de démontrer l’existence d’une dichotomie sur le plan moléculaire entre les GDBG de topographie frontale, plus fréquemment mutés IDH et codélétés 1p19q, et les GDBG temporo-insulaires, moins fréquemment mutés IDH et codélétés 1p19q, suggérant des voies de gliomagénèse différentes pour ces deux patterns tumoraux. Facteurs de risque fonctionnels : enfin, comme le montrent les données de la littérature, il existe deux arguments principaux en faveur de facteurs de risque fonctionnels dans les GDBG. D’une part, ces tumeurs présentent des localisations intracérébrales spécifiques et distinctes des autres gliomes, et impliquent préférentiellement les zones dites « fonctionnelles ». D’autre part, des modifications macroscopiques cérébrales ont été rapportées en lien avec l’apprentissage d’une tâche ou une expertise particulière. Les mécanismes microscopiques qui sous-tendent ces modifications sont encore incertains mais une implication (directe ou indirecte) des cellules gliales, semble probable, ce qui pourrait faire le lit de la gliomagénèse. Peu d’études se sont intéressées jusqu’à présent aux corrélations entre les activités du sujet et le risque de GDBG, et nous proposons donc, dans les suites de ce travail de thèse, une étude cas-témoins en ce sens. En conclusion, même s’il n’existe à ce jour aucun facteur de risque démontré de GDBG, certains éléments bibliographiques, et les travaux de cette thèse, suggèrent l’implication de facteurs environnementaux, fonctionnels et biologiques dans la genèse des GDBG. / The epidemiology and risks factors of diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGG, or WHO grade II diffuse gliomas) are yet poorly known. This thesis aimed at describing the epidemiology (incidence rates, demographic data) and at looking for arguments in favor of environmental, functional and molecular risk factors, in the literature and by our works. Descriptive epidemiology: The analysis of an exhaustive series of incident cases of DLGG diagnosed between 2006 and 2011 allowed the determination of DLGG incidence (incidence rate standardized on the French population: 0,775/105 person-years) as well as that of each histological subtype described by the 2007 WHO classification. Environmental risk factors: We were able to demonstrate significant differences in the geographical distribution of WHO grade II and III diffuse gliomas in metropolitan France, with higher incidence rates in the North-East and Center regions. This heterogeneity stands in favor of environmental risk factors, even though there is to date no proven environmental risk factor for DLGG. Biological risk factors: Our work demonstrated the existence of a clear dichotomy, regarding molecular biology, between frontal DLGG, more frequently IDH-mutated and 1p19q codeleted, and temporo-insular tumors, less frequently IDH-mutated and 1p19q codeleted, suggesting different gliomagenesis pathways for these two patterns of tumors. Functional risk factors: Finally, data from the literature provide two main arguments in favor of the existence of functional risk factors in DLGG. First, the intra-cerebral location of these tumors is specific and distinct from that of other gliomas, with a preferential implication of “functional” areas. Second, macroscopic intra-cerebral changes have been reported following training on specific tasks, or in relation with a specific expertise. The microscopic mechanisms that underlie these modifications are uncertain but an implication (direct or indirect) of glial cells seems probable, and could favor gliomagenesis. To date, only few studies have investigated the correlation between the subject’s activity and the risk of DLGG. We thus propose, following this thesis, a case-control study to further investigate this issue. In conclusion, even though there is no demonstrated risk factor for DLGG, data from the literature, and conclusions from the present work, suggest the implication of environmental, functional and biological factors in DLGG genesis.

This study incorporates the potential use of Variable Frequency Drives on various motors as well as areas of improved heat transfer in an older, mid-sized coal fired power plant. In power plants, fluid flow rates are often controlled using dampers or valves while the motors that power the pumps stay at full speed resulting in a significant amount of wasted electrical power; energy is also lost due to poor heat recovery prior to gases leaving the system. By examining pump usage as well as additional heat available for recovery, potential energy savings will be determined. Preliminary results of five motors suggested for variable frequency drive application show annual savings that total 31.1 GWh, resulting in a 1.66% increase in overall plant efficiency. Total project costs are near $2 million resulting in a simple payback period of less than two years assuming 0.04 $/kWh. For every degree reduction of the flue gas temperature by means of heat recovery that is reused elsewhere in the cycle, 2 Billion BTU of coal would be saved annually. One realistic scenario suggested heat recovery resulting in a 120°F degree reduction of flue gas temperature amounting to a 2.54% increase in cycle efficiency.

A doença periodontal tem sido frequentemente associada ao parto pretermo. A plausibilidade biológica para tal associação baseia-se na hipótese de uma inflamação sistêmica de baixa intensidade de origem periodontal. Entretanto, os estudos de intervenção que investigaram o efeito da terapia periodontal durante a gestação não observaram reduções significativas na incidência de prematuridade. Como diversas citocinas têm sido associadas tanto a doença periodontal quanto ao parto pretermo, cogita-se que elas desempenhem um papel importante na associação observada. Até o presente momento, pouco se sabe a respeito da correlação entre os níveis de citocinas no soro e no fluído crevicular gengival (FCG), assim como do efeito da terapia periodontal sobre esses marcadores de inflamação em gestantes. O objetivo desta tese foi avaliar a relação entre níveis sistêmicos e periodontais de biomarcadores inflamatórios relacionados com a resposta imune periodontal e também com os mecanismos de parto. Também investigou-se o efeito da terapia periodontal sobre os níveis dessas citocinas durante a gestação e 30 dias após o parto. Esta tese é composta por dois estudos que utilizaram uma sub-amostra de mulheres que haviam sido recrutadas para um ensaio clínico randomizado maior que investigou o efeito da terapia periodontal sobre a incidência de prematuridade. Mulheres entre 18-35 anos e com até 20 semanas de gestação foram aleatoriamente alocadas para receber tratamento periodontal não cirúrgico completo até a 24a semana de gestação (grupo teste) ou apenas uma consulta de uma remoção de cálculo supragingival (grupo controle). Dados clínicos e amostras de sangue e FCG foram coletadas no início do estudo, entre 26-28 semanas de gestação e 30 dias após o parto. Quatro sítios periodontais por paciente foram aleatoriamente selecionados para coleta de FCG entre aqueles com maior profundidade de sondagem. Os níveis de IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL- 12p70 e FNT-α foram analisados por citometria de fluxo. No estudo 1, investigou-se a correlação e concordância entre os níveis periodontais e sistêmicos dessas citocinas em 100 pacientes, utilizando dados coletados até a 20a semana de gestação. As pacientes apresentaram extensa inflamação e limitada destruição periodontal. A correlação entre os níveis de citocinas no soro e no FCG foi baixa e não significativa, com exceção da IL-12p70 que mostrou uma correlação moderada, porém significativa, entre as duas fontes (r=0.32, p=0.001). Os níveis de citocinas observados no FCG explicaram menos de 10% dos respectivos níveis observados no soro, com exceção da IL-12p70 em que eles foram responsáveis por 23% dos níveis séricos (p=0.0001, r2=0.23). A profundidade de sondagem e o sangramento a sondagem estiveram significativamente associados com os níveis de IL-1β, IL-6 e IL-8 no FCG, mas tiveram efeitos limitados sobre os níveis sistêmicos de todas as citocinas. No estudo 2, comparou-se o efeito da terapia periodontal durante a gestação (n=30) com uma consulta única de remoção de cálculo supragingival (n=30) sobre os níveis periodontais e sistêmicos dessas citocinas durante a gestação e 30 dias após o parto. Após o tratamento, uma redução drástica da inflamação periodontal foi observada no grupo teste, com o percentual de sangramento a sondagem reduzindo de 49.62% para 11.66% dos sítios (p<0.001). A terapia também reduziu significativamente os níveis de IL-1β e IL-8 (p<0.001) no FCG. Entretanto, nenhum efeito significativo do tratamento foi observado em relação aos níveis sistêmicos dessas citocinas. Após o parto, os níveis periodontais de IL-1β no grupo teste permaneceram significativamente menores que no grupo controle, enquanto que nenhuma diferença foi observada em relação aos níveis sistêmicos das outras citocinas avaliadas. Pode-se concluir que os níveis de citocinas no soro e FCG não estão significativamente associados em mulheres com extensa inflamação mas limitada destruição periodontal. Embora a terapia periodontal durante a gestação reduza significativamente o nível de citocinas no FCG, ela parece não ter um impacto considerável sobre os níveis sistêmicos desses biomarcadores. / Periodontal disease has been frequently associated with preterm birth. The biological plausibility for this association relies on the hypothesis of a low-grade systemic inflammation originated from periodontal disease. However, clinical studies that investigated the effect of periodontal therapy during pregnancy did not observe significant reductions in the incidence of prematurity. Several cytokines have been associated with both periodontal disease and preterm birth, and might play a key role in the observed association. To date, little is known about the correlation between serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) cytokine levels, as well as the effect of periodontal therapy on these inflammatory markers in pregnant women. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the relationship between periodontal and systemic levels of inflammatory biomarkers related to periodontal immune response and also with the mechanisms of delivery. We also investigated the effect of periodontal therapy on serum and GCF cytokine levels during pregnancy and 30 days postpartum. This thesis consists of two studies that used a sub-sample of women who had been previously enrolled in a larger randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of periodontal therapy on the incidence of preterm birth. Women aged between 18-35 years and up to 20 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to receive comprehensive nonsurgical periodontal treatment before the 24th gestational week (test group) or a single appointment of supragingival calculus removal (control group). Clinical data, blood and GCF samples were collected at baseline, between 26-28 weeks of gestation and 30 days postpartum. Four periodontal sites per patient were randomly selected for GCF collection among those with deepest probing depth. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α levels were analyzed using a cytometric bead array. In the study one, we investigated the correlation and agreement between periodontal and systemic levels of these cytokines in 100 patients, using data collected until 20 weeks of gestation. Patients presented widespread periodontal inflammation but limited destruction. The correlation between serum and GCF cytokine levels was low and not significant, except for IL-12p70, which showed a moderate but significant correlation between the two sources (r = 0.32, p = 0.001). The GCF cytokine levels observed explained less than 10% of the respective serum levels observed, except for IL-12p70, which was responsible for 23% of serum levels (p = 0.0001, r2 = 0.23). Probing depth and bleeding on probing were significantly associated with IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 GCF levels, but had limited effects on systemic levels of all cytokines. In the study two, we compared the effect of periodontal therapy during pregnancy (n=30) or a single appointment for supragingival calculus removal (n=30) on periodontal and systemic levels of these cytokines during pregnancy and 30 days postpartum. After treatment, a remarkable reduction of periodontal inflammation was observed in the test group, with bleeding on probing reducing from 49.62% to 11.66% of the sites (p<0.001). Periodontal therapy also significantly reduced IL-1β and IL-8 GCF levels (p<0.001). However, no significant differences due to therapy were observed regarding systemic levels of these cytokines. After delivery, IL-1β GCF levels in the test group remained significantly lower than in the control group, whereas no difference was observed for systemic levels of any other cytokine evaluated. It can be concluded that serum and GCF cytokine levels are not significantly associated in women with widespread periodontal inflammation but limited destruction. Although periodontal therapy during pregnancy significantly reduces GCF cytokine levels, it seems to have a negligible impact on systemic levels of these biomarkers.

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a long-term chronic disease that affects the joints and creates stiffness, pain and impaired movement. Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of OA and affects all tissues of the joint, including bone, muscles, synovia, and cartilage. Previously, OA was accepted as only an age- or mechanical stress-related degenerative joint disease, but more recent studies suggest that OA is a heterogenous disease including inflammatory, hormonal and metabolic factors such as abdominal obesity (visceral fat), lipids (cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides) and glucose.    Aim The aim was to investigate the association of metabolic factors including fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, visceral fat, CRP and radiographic KOA in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Methods Data were acquired from 91patients in the ages 30 – 63 experiencing symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. All subjects where divided into two groups depending on their level of fasting glucose, high versus low. Group I (n=26) had high glucose levels ≥5,6 mg/L and group II (n=65) had low glucose levels &lt;5,6 mg/L.  Levels of HbA1c, lipids, visceral fat, CRP and radiographic KOA were then compared between the groups. Levels of fasting glucose, HbA1c and lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL) were analyzed by an accredited laboratory at the hospital of Halmstad by the department for labmedicine. CRP levels &lt; 1 mg/L were manually analyzed with the sandwich ELISA method (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), which measures high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP) in serum. Visceral fat area was measured through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) with InBody 770 and radiographs of the knees to obtain information about OA. Results There was a significant difference between the two groups in HbA1c, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL p&lt;0,05. Group I with high fasting glucose levels showed higher significant values of HbA1c, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL than group II with low fasting glucose levels. 23% of all subjects met the requirement for metabolic syndrome according to IDF. Conclusion The findings in this study is in line with previous research and suggest that high glucose levels are associated with elevation of other metabolic factors in patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, there are several other interacting factors beyond the scope of this study, which may explain causalities. According to the findings in this study and previous research, obesity and metabolic syndrome could explain some of the connections between metabolic factors and knee osteoarthritis. Thus, further research is necessary to understand how all these metabolic factors are associated with osteoarthritis and obtain deeper knowledge about the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the disease. / Detection and prediction of disease course in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis