A incidência de osteoartose, ou degeneração da cartilagem articular aumenta na pós-menopausa, condição esta relacionada à deficiência de estrógeno. Por outro lado, tem sido demonstrado que a atividade física regular e moderada tem efeitos benéficos sobre o sistema esquelético, em qualquer condição, mas especialmente na menopausa. Utilizando ratos Wistar, como modelo experimental, os objetivos deste trabalho são: a) verificar se a ooforectomia produz alterações na estrutura da cartilagem articular da epífise proximal da tíbia e b) verificar se a realização de exercícios físicos aeróbicos tem efeito sobre estas alterações. Para a realização deste estudo foram utilizadas 24 ratas com 6 meses de idade, da linhagem Wistar, distribuídas em 3 grupos de oito ratas cada: GC-Ratas com seis meses de idade, não submetidas à ooforectomia nem atividade física; GOS-Ratas com seis meses de idade, que sofreram ooforectomia bilateral, mas que não fizeram atividade física e, GOT-Ratas com seis meses de idade que foram submetidas à ooforectomia bilateral mais atividade física (corrida em esteira) durante 3 meses. Todos os animais foram eutanasiados com 9 meses de idade. A avaliação foi realizada através de microscopia de luz em cortes histológicos corados pela Hematoxilina-Eosina e pelo Picrossírius e estudos à microscopia eletrônica de varredura. À microscopia de luz, foram feitas medidas da espessura das zonas da cartilagem articular, contado o número de condrócitos por área, determinados os volumes dos núcleos dos condrócitos e a densidade de volume das fibras colágenas e à microscopia eletrônica de varredura foi analisada a superfície da cartilagem nos três grupos. Os dados quantitativos foram comparados estatisticamente pelo ANOVA e teste de Tukey. Os resultados mostraram que houve um aumento de peso nos animais do GOS e GOT em relação ao GC. Quanto ao treinamento, os animais do GOT tiveram melhor rendimento nos TEMs. Quanto à espessura da cartilagem observamos um aumento da espessura da zona superficial no côndilo medial da tíbia no GOS em relação ao GC. O número de condrócitos por campo foi alterado apenas no GOS, que mostrou um aumento de 34% em relação ao GC, o que, ao que parece, se deveu ao aumento do número de condrócitos da camada profunda. O volume nuclear dos condrócitos da zona superficial foi menor no GOS que no GC. O mesmo ocorreu na zona média do côndilo medial. Quanto aos valores da cartilagem da epífise proximal como um todo, observamos que o volume nuclear dos condrocitos do GOS e também do GOT foram menores do que do GC. Para o colágeno observamos um aumento da densidade de volume do colágeno no GOS e no GOT em relação ao GC. A microscopia eletrônica revelou a presença de lesões degenerativas semelhantes tanto para o GOS, quanto para o GOT. Podemos concluir que a depressão dos níveis de estrógeno acarreta alterações importantes na cartilagem articular da epífise proximal da tíbia tanto no componente celular, quanto na matriz e que a realização de exercícios físicos, isoladamente, parece não influenciar essas alterações. / The incidence of osteoarthritis increase in women in the post-menopausal period. This condition is relationed with the estrogen deficiency. Otherwise, it\'s being demonstrated that regular or moderate physical activity have beneficial effects on the skeletal system, in any condition, but especially in the menopause. Using Wistar rats, as an experimental model, the aims of this work are: a) to check if the ovariectomy produces alterations in the articular cartilage structure of the tibial proximal epiphysis and b) To check if aerobic physical exercises have effects on this alterations. To achieve these goals it was used 24 Wistar rats of 6 months of age, distributed in 3 groups of eight rats each: Control group- Rats with six months of age without ovariectomy and physical activity; GOS- Rats with six months of age with ovariectomy bilateral and without physical activity and, GOT- Rats with six months of age with ovariectomy bilateral and physical activity during 3 months. Al rats were euthanasied with 9 months of age. The results were obtained by using light microscopy to observe the histological sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and Picrosirius stain and the Scanning Electron Microscope. For light microscopy, were measured the thickness of cartilage, counted the number of chondrocytes, determined the volumes nuclei of chondrocytes and the density of volume of the collagens fibers. For the Scanning Electron Microscope, was analyzed the cartilage surface in the three groups. The data were statistically compared for the ANOVA and Tukey´s test. The results showed that there was an increase in the weight in the animals of GOS and of GOT. In relation to training, the animals of GOT obtained the best income in the TEMs. In relation to the thickness of the articular cartilage it was observed a decrease in the superficial layer of the medial condyle in the GOS and GOT. The number of chondrocytes was altered only in the GOS, that obtained an increase of the 34% on GC in the deep layer. The nuclear volume of chondrocytes in the superficial layer was higher in the GC than the GOS .The same occurred in the medium layer when the two tibial condyles, lateral and medial were assessed separately, but when the values of the epiphysial cartilage was considered as a whole, we found that the volume nuclei of chondrocytes in the GC was higher than the GOS and the GOT. For the collagen, the values of density of volume of the collagen fibers was higher in the GOS and in the GOT than the GC. The Scanning Electron microscopy showed the presence of degenerative lesions in both GOS and GOT. We can conclude that the depression levels of estrogen produced important changes in the tibial cartilage and that the physical activity doesn\'t have effects on these changes.

Les phlébotomes sont des insectes hématophages appartenant à la famille des Psychodidae et à la sous-famille des Phlebotominae. Cet insecte diptère, jaunâtre, relativement petit (2 à 3 mm) compte environ 800 espèces. 70 de ces espèces ont été identifiées comme vecteurs potentiels dont une quarantaine sont des vecteurs prouvés. Ils peuvent transmettre différents pathogènes dont les principaux sont les leishmanies et les phlébovirus. Ce travail de thèse est focalisé sur les phlébotomes vecteurs de la leishmaniose. Les leishmanioses sont des maladies parasitaires causées par un protozoaire du genre Leishmania. Elles touchent un large panel d’hôtes vertébrés, dont l’homme et le chien. Elles sont toujours un problème de santé publique majeur dans de nombreux pays et sont actuellement en expansion. Bien que cette maladie soit largement étudiée, nous avons encore beaucoup apprendre sur son vecteur : le phlébotome. Par exemple, l’organisation des populations dans les écosystèmes et les paramètres qui les structurent, sont à l’heure actuelle très peu étudiés. Il est pourtant primordial de bien connaitre la biologie des différents acteurs d’un cycle parasitaire pour mieux comprendre la transmission du pathogène, évaluer les risques et enfin être capable de lutter efficacement contre la maladie. Dans ce contexte, le but de cette thèse est d’étudier l’écologie et la structure des populations de phlébotomes dans un foyer connu de leishmaniose et l’impact des facteurs biotiques et abiotiques sur leur organisation. Pour atteindre cet objectif, nous avons réalisé une collecte de phlébotomes le long d’un transect de 14km localisé dans la région de Montpellier, présentant une diversité altitudinale, climatique et environnementale. Les populations de phlébotomes ont été caractérisées d’un point de vue taxonomique, spatio-temporel, génétique (microsatellites), et morphométrique (géométrie morphométrie). Les résultats génétiques, morphométriques et de distribution des espèces ont été ensuite confrontés à des paramètres climatiques (température, humidité) ou environnementaux (altitude, versant, station, microhabitat).Durant ce travail, 4 espèces ont été capturées : Phlebotomus ariasi (93,23%), P. perniciosus (0,48%), P. mascittii (0,11%) et S. minuta (6,18%). Elles ont une activité saisonnière de Mai à Octobre avec un pic d’abondance en Juillet-Août quand les températures moyennes sont optimales pour les phlébotomes (20-30°C). Bien que l'environnement ait été considérablement transformé dans notre zone d'étude en 30 ans, l'abondance des phlébotomes ne semble pas avoir changé de façon significative, soulignant leur capacité d'adaptation aux modifications de l'écosystème à court et long terme. La présence et l’abondance des deux espèces prédominantes (P. ariasi et S. minuta) sont significativement influencées par l’altitude, la température, l’humidité relative, le versant ainsi que l’orientation des murs. Les analyses génétiques montrent que la diversité est conservée à toutes les échelles d’études et qu’il existe une structuration des phlébotomes en micropopulations. Les données de géométrie morphométrie révèlent un dimorphisme sexuel bien connu chez les insectes mais également une structuration phénotypique en fonction des facteurs environnementaux ou temporels (mois, versant, altitude et station). Ces deux types d’approches permettent grâce à leur complémentarité d’apporter des informations sur l’écologie et l’organisation des populations de phlébotomes et de discuter des conséquences sur la transmission de la leishmaniose. / Sandflies are hematophagous insects belonging to the family Psychodidae and the subfamily phlebotominae. This diptera, yellowish, relatively small (2-3 mm) has about 800 species. 70 of these species have been identified as potential vectors of which forty are proven ones. They can transmit different pathogens; the main ones are Leishmania and phlebovirus.This thesis focused on sandflies, vectors of leishmaniasis. Leishmaniases are parasitic diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. They affect a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans and dogs. They are still a major problem of public health in many countries and are currently in expansion. Although this disease is widely studied, we still have a lot to learn about its vector: the sandfly. For example, the organization of populations in ecosystems and the parameters which structure them are very little studied up to now. It is therefore essential to know the biology of the different actors of a parasite cycle to better understand the transmission of pathogens, to assess risks of transmission, and finally to be able to effectively fight against the disease.In this context, the aim of this thesis is to study the ecology and the structuring of sandfly populations in a known endemic area of leishmaniasis and the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on their organization. To reach this objective, we performed captures of sandflies along a 14km transect located in the Montpellier region which presents an altitudinal, climate and environmental diversity. Sandfly populations have been characterized by taxonomic, spatio-temporal, genetic (microsatellites) and morphometric (geometry morphometry) approaches. The genetic, morphometric and species distribution results were then confronted with climatic (temperature, relative humidity) or environmental parameters (altitude, slope, station, microhabitat).During this work, four species were captured: Phlebotomus ariasi (93.23%), P. perniciosus (0.48%), P. mascittii (0.11%) and S. minuta (6.18%). They have a seasonal activity from May to October with an abundance peak in July-August when average temperatures are optimal for sandflies (20-30°C). Although the environment has been considerably transformed in our study area in 30 years, the abundance of sandflies does not seem to have changed significantly, highlighting their ability to adapt to ecosystem modifications in short and long-term. The presence and abundance of the two predominant species (P. ariasi and S. minuta) are significantly influenced by altitude, temperature, relative humidity, slope and wall orientation.The genetic analyses show that diversity is maintained at all scales of study and that sandflies are organized in micropopulations. The morphometric geometry data reveal a sexual dimorphism, well known in insects but also a phenotypic structuring correlated to environmental or temporal factors (month, slope, altitude and station).Both of these approaches, because of their complementarity, help provide information on the ecology and organization of sandfly populations and to discuss about the consequences in terms of leishmaniasis transmission.

The object of the thesis is to evaluate the development of several chosen fluvial lakes in the basin of the river Lužnice, mainly in the section between the border with Austria and Suchdol nad Lužnicí. The river Lužnice in this particular section represents low intensity of modification. Many fluvial lakes are situated there and the river is meandering remarkably in the area. The first part of the thesis deals with the characteristics of the natural conditions in the basin of Lužnice and the defined floodplain and the problematics of lakes and their determination. The main part of the thesis focuses on the evaluation of the flow development and fluvial lakes of the Lužnice floodplain based on the data of a aerosnapshoting. Because of the gradual decease of the meanders and straightening of the flows, it is possible to claim that the river has been considerably shortened with the passing time. In the thesis, 34 chosen fluvial lakes, that were measured morphometrically and batymetrically, were studied in detail.

Estudos sobre a análise populacional da abrótea-de-profundidade, Urophycis mystacea, uma ferramenta importante para a gestão de estoques, nunca haviam sido realizados. Na presente dissertação, através da análise da distribuição em comprimentos de exemplares coletados ao longo da região sudeste-sul do Brasil, da análise quali-quantitativa das características morfológicas e morfométricas dos otólitos sagittae e da análise das razões de isótopos estáveis dos mesmos, foi avaliada a homogeneidade do estoque, que constitui importante recurso pesqueiro na região. Para as análises, a região entre o cabo de São Tomé e o Chuí foi dividida em três áreas. As análises morfológicas foram feitas seguindo metodologia de TUSET et. al (2008) e ASSIS (2002), usando quinze feições da sagittae. O teste qui-quadrado foi aplicado para verificar a homogeneidade da distribuição dos caracteres em relação a ontogenia. As análises morfométricas foram realizadas em um estereomicroscópio, com otólitos de peixes da faixa entre 300 e 499 mm de comprimento total, comum às três áreas. Foram obtidas variáveis morfométricas (Co, Ao, Eo, Po, Ar e Pe) e calculadas relações morfométricas e os indicadores de forma. Testes estatísticos foram aplicados para verificar diferenças dos caracteres entre as áreas pré-estabelecidas. Para a análise isotópica foram análizados dez otólitos por área, de peixes cujos comprimentos totais estavam entre 300 e 499 mm, sendo obtidos as razoes isotópicas de O18 e C13, em espectrômetro de massa de cinco núcleos e cinco otólitos. Os resultados indicaram não haver variação morfológica dos otólitos nas três áreas, porem os testes morfométricos mostraram grande variação sazonal e a presença de dois \"morfotipos\". Os testes com isótopos estáveis mostraram que os peixes nascem em locais diferentes e se misturam ao longo da vida. / Studies on the population analysis of the deep-hake, Urophycis mystacea, an important tool for stock management, had never been made. In the present study, by analyzing the distribution of lengths in specimens collected over the area, qualitative and quantitative analysis of morphological and morphometric characteristics of otolith sagittae and analysis of isotopic ratios of stable isotopes of these structures, evaluated the homogeneity of the stock, which is an important fishery resource in the southeast-south Brazil.For the analyzes, the south-east coast was divided into three regions. Morphological analyzes were made following the methodology Tuset et. al (2008) and ASSIS (2002), using fifteen features of the otoliths sagittae a chi-square test was used to verify the homogeneity of the distribution of characters along the ontogeny. The morphometric analyzes were performed under a stereomicroscope with fish otoliths belonging to the range between 300 and 499 mm in total length. Morphometric variables were obtained as well as morphometric relationships and shape indicators. Statistical tests were applied on the characters pre-established to check for differences between the regions. Isotopic analysis were done for ten otoliths by region, whose total lengths of fish were between 300 and 499 mm. Five otoliths were taken for analysis of the core and five for the analysis of the whole otolith obtaing the oxygen isotope ratio of 18 oxigen and 13 carbon in a mass spectrometer.The results indicated that there was no morphological variation on the otoliths of the three regions; however the morphometric analysis showed strong seasonal variation and the presence of two \"morphotypes\" otoliths in the region. Tests with stable isotopes suggest that fish born in different places and mix throughout their life.

Noventa e três mastocitomas cutâneos caninos, presentes em 74 animais, tiveram seus históricos clínicos investigados. Destes, 25 casos foram submetidos à análise morfométrica nuclear em lâminas de citopatologia nas colorações Panótico rápido e H&E; e 28 casos à graduação histopatológica e à imunoistoquímica para detecção das expressões de KIT, BAX, Ki-67 e PCNA, de modo a identificar os melhores indicadores prognósticos para a neoplasia. Os parâmetros citomorfométricos nucleares investigados foram: área, diâmetro-médio e perímetro. Os tumores foram classificados em graus histopatológicos I (bem diferenciados), II (de diferenciação intermediária) ou III (pobremente diferenciados), segundo a proposta de Patnaik, Ehler e MacEwen (1984). Os resultados obtidos através dos indicadores investigados foram comparados às graduações oferecidas pelo exame histopatológico, bem como aos tempos de sobrevida pós-cirúrgica e à mortalidade em função da doença. A citomorfometria obteve correlação com a mortalidade e o tempo de sobrevida dos animais em ambas as colorações testadas. Entre os marcadores imunoistoquímicos, as expressões de Ki-67 e BAX mostraram-se eficientes na previsão da sobrevida e mortalidade para o tumor, enquanto que as de KIT e PCNA não foram indicadores prognósticos para a neoplasia. Quanto maiores os parâmetros citomorfométricos e as porcentagens de núcleos positivos para Ki-67 e BAX, maiores as taxas de mortalidade e menores os períodos de sobrevida pós-cirúrgica. Finalmente, a graduação histopatológica foi o método que obteve os resultados mais expressivos na histopatologia, demonstrando ainda ser o método mais confiável deste painel. Nossos resultados apresentam um novo método de classificação para os mastocitomas cutâneos caninos, a partir da análise morfométrica aliada ao exame citopatológico, e confirmam que as avaliações imunoistoquímicas de Ki-67 e BAX, podem auxiliar na graduação dos mastocitomas, contribuindo com o estabelecimento de prognósticos e tratamentos mais precisos. / Ninety-three canine cutaneous mast cell tumors, of 74 dogs, had their clinical history investigated. Among these, 25 cases were submitted to nuclear morphometric analysis on cytopathology slides stained by panoptic method and hematoxylin & eosin; and 28 cases were submitted to histopathologic grading and immunohistochemistry to evaluate KIT, BAX, Ki-67 e PCNA expressions, in order to identify the best prognostic indicators for this neoplasm. The nuclear cytomorphometric parameters used in the present study were: area, average-diameter and perimeter. The tumors were histologically classified as grades I (well differentiated), II (of intermediate differentiation) or III (poorly differentiated), as proposed by Patnaik, Ehler and MacEwen (1984). The results obtained by the indicators investigated were compared to the histopathologic grading, as well as to post-surgical survival times and mortality due to mast cell disease. Cytomorphometry was correlated with mortality and survival times in both staining methods. Among the immunohistochemical markers, Ki-67 and BAX expressions were efficient in predicting survival times and mortality due to mast cell tumors. KIT and PCNA expressions were not prognostic indicators for this tumor. The increases observed in the cytomorphometric parameters, and Ki-67 and BAX positive nuclei percentages were correlated with higher mortality rates and reduced post-surgical survival times. Finally, using the histopathologic grading system, we obtained the best results on histopathology, being this the most trustworhty method of this diagnostic panel. Our results presents a new grading system for canine cutaneous mast cell tumors, based on morphometric analysis on cytopathology slides, and confirm that immunohistochemical evaluation of Ki-67 and BAX expression may contribute to mast cell grading, leading to more accurate prognosis and treatment.

O gênero Anastrepha Schiner compreende os dípteros conhecidos popularmente como moscas-das-frutas. O grupo spatulata é formado por 11 espécies, entretanto, aquelas que atacam as partes aéreas da mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz, Euphorbiaceae) têm recebido atenção por causarem prejuízos aos programas de melhoramento dessa cultura. Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar as variações de populações de Anastrepha alveata Stone, 1942, Anastrepha manihoti Lima, 1934, Anastrepha montei Lima, 1934, Anastrepha pickeli Lima, 1934 e Anastrepha spatulata Stone, 1942 além de duas espécies não descritas (Anastrepha n. sp. 2 e Anastrepha n. sp. 3) do grupo spatulata de várias localidades do Brasil e também da Bolívia, México e Paraguai. Para tanto, 10 fêmeas de cada população foram submetidas às técnicas de morfometria (tradicional e geométrica), por meio da análise de seis variáveis marcadas no acúleo e de 14 landmarks marcados na asa direita, respectivamente. Foi também realizado o sequenciamento de um fragmento do gene citocromo oxidase I (COI) para inferir as relações filogenéticas entre as espécies. Os dados morfométricos foram avaliados pelo software Statistica 9.0® e as análises moleculares pelos métodos de máxima parcimônica (MP) e neighbor-joining (NJ) (MEGA 4.1®). O comprimento do ápice do acúleo, a largura do acúleo no final da abertura da cloaca e o comprimento da serra contribuíram de forma significativa para a distinção entre as populações das espécies do grupo. Os testes multivariados mostraram que as variáveis canônicas foram estatisticamente significativas, indicando diferença na conformação alar entre as populações. Os landmarks correspondentes às intersecções da nervura R4+5 com a nervura costal, da nervura M com a margem da asa, da nervura CuA2 com a margem da asa e da nervura Cu1 com a M foram os que mais contribuíram. A análise filogenética molecular indicou que as populações agruparam-se em clados. Variação interpopulacional foi observada em A. pickeli de acordo com os métodos usados neste estudo. Confirmou-se também a separação de duas espécies próximas a A. pickeli, que foram previamente reconhecidas como espécies novas (não descritas ainda) com base apenas na morfologia. / The genus Anastrepha Schiner encompasses the dipterans known as fruit flies. The spatulata group comprises 11 species, however, those species that infest the aerial parts of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz, Euphorbiaceae) have received attention as they cause losses to cassava breeding programs. This study aimed at verifying variation in populations of Anastrepha alveata Stone, 1942, Anastrepha manihoti Lima, 1934, Anastrepha montei Lima, 1934, Anastrepha pickeli Lima, 1934 e Anastrepha spatulata Stone, 1942 and two undescribed species (Anastrepha n. sp. 2 and Anastrepha n. sp. 3) of the spatulata group from various localities in Brazil and also from Bolivia, Mexico and Paraguay. Ten females from each population were studied using morphometric methods (traditional and geometric) and analyzing six variables on the aculeus and 14 landmarks on the right wing, respectively. Sequencing of the citochrome oxidase (COI) gene was carried out to infer phylogenetic relationships among species. The morphometric data were evaluated by the software Statistica 9.0® and molecular analysis by the methods of maximum parsimony (MP) and neighbor-joining (NJ) (MEGA 4.1®). Aculeus tip length, aculeus width at the end of the cloaca opening and the serrate part length contributed significantly to distinguish among populations. The multivariate tests showed that the canonical variables were statistically significant indicating a difference in the wing conformation among populations. Landmarks of the intersections between vein R4+5 and costal, vein M and wing margin, vein CuA2 and wing margin, and Cu1 and M contributed the most. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that populations clustered. Interpopulational variation was observed in Anastrepha pickeli Lima, 1934 according to the methods used in this study. Also, it was confirmed the separation of two species close to A. pickeli, which were previously recognized as new species (not described yet) based on exclusively morphology.

Introdução: O hipoestrogenismo causa alteração estrutural na vaginal que pode levar a alterações na resposta sexual. Tem sido reportado o afinamento da parede vaginal após a menopausa, porém, sem comprovação morfométrica. Objetivos: Verificar a espessura da parede vaginal em condições normo e hipoestrogenicas, correlacionar disfunção sexual com espessura da parede, expressão do receptor estrogênico e estradiol sérico. Métodos: Espécimes cirúrgicos da vagina de31 mulheres, sendo 18 normoestrogênicas e 13 na pós-menopausa, submetidas a colpoperineoplastia por prolapso genital I e II. Aferidos: FSH e estradiol, prolactina e TSH. Realizou-se: tricrômico de Masson e HE, histomorfometria, imunohistoquímica para receptores estrogênicos ?, semi-quantificados pelo H-score, função sexual aferida pelo GRISS. Resultados: A parede vaginal é mais espessa no grupo menopausa em relação ao grupo menacme (2,72±0,72mm e 2,16±0,43, p=0,01 e 2,63±0,71mm e 2,07±0,49mm, p=0,01). A espessura e a fração de área da camadamuscular são maiores no grupo menopausa (parede anterior:1,54±0,44 e 1,09±0,3mm, p=0,02 e posterior 1,45±0,47 e 1,07±0,44mm, p=0,03 e 0,51±0,10 e 0,42±0,11mm 2 , p=0,03 e 0,40±0,10 e 0,49±0,08 mm 2 , p=0,02). O epitélio vaginal do segmentoproximal é mais espesso do que o segmento médio na parede posterior (0,17±0,07mm, 0,15±0,05mm, 0,24±0,09mm, p=0,02). Não houve correlação entre dor coital, espessura daparede e concentrações do estradiol nos dois grupos. Conclusão: A parede vaginal é mais espessa após a menopausa. Neste estudo, não ocorreu associação entre disfunção sexual genital concentrações estrogênicas e espessura da parede vaginal. / Hipoestrogenism causes structuralalteration on vaginal wall that can cause sexual problems. It has been reported vaginal wall thickness after menopause, however, without morphometric evidence. Objectives: To verify vaginal wall thickness in normal and hypoestrogenic conditions and to correlate sexual dysfunction with vaginal wall thickness, estrogen receptor expression and estradiol levels. Methods: Vagina surgical specimens of 18 pre and 13 post-menopausal women, submitted to surgery for genital prolapse I and II were examined. It had been surveyed: FSH and estradiol, prolactina and TSH to exclude other endocrinopatias. Masson´s tricrômico for morphometry and HE staining for histological analyses, and immunohistochemical staining for estrogen alpha receptor, quantified by H-score and the sexual function was accessed by GRISS. Results: Vaginal wall is thicker inthe post-menopausal group in relation to pre menopausal group (2,72±0,72mm e 2,16±0,43, p=0,01 e 2,63±0,71mm and 2,07±0, 49mm, p=0,01 anteriorand posterior wall, respectively). The fraction area and muscular layer thickness are bigger in the post-menopausal group (anterior: 1,54±0,44 and 1,09±0,3mm, p=0,02 and posterior wall 1,45±0,47 and 1,07±0,44mm, p=0,03 and 0,51±0,10 and 0,42±0,11mm2, p=0,03 and 0,40±0,10 and 0,49±0,08 mm2, p=0,02, respectively). Vaginal epithelium in the medium segment is thicker than the proximal one in the posterior wall (0,17±0,07mm, 0,15±0,05mm, 0,24±0,09mm, p=0,02). There is no correlation between coital pain, vaginal wall thickness and estradiol levels in the two groups. Conclusion:Vaginal wall is thicker after menopause. In this study, vaginal thickness and estrogen levels are not related to sexual dysfunction.

OBJETIVO: analisar, por meio de morfometria digital, a reação intimal presente na artéria carótida de suínos submetidos à angioplastia isoladamente e à angioplastia seguida de implante de stent de cromo - cobalto. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: em oito suínos sadios foi realizada a angioplastia isolada da artéria carótida comum (ACC) direita e angioplastia com implante de um stent de cromo – cobalto expansível por balão na artéria carótida comum esquerda. Após período de quatro semanas, os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia para a retirada de amostras de tecido arterial e preparo de lâminas histológicas divididas do seguinte modo: grupo 1, segmento médio da artéria carótida comum direita (angioplastia isolada); grupo 2, segmento médio da artéria carótida comum esquerda em localização “intra stent”. As imagens das lâminas foram digitalizadas e analisadas por programa de morfometria digital com cálculo da área luminal, área da camada íntima e área da camada média dos cortes histológicos. A análise estatística foi realizada através da média e desvio padrão das áreas em cada grupo, utilizando-se Teste t de Student. O valor de p<0,05 foi considerado significativo. RESULTADOS: na análise das médias das áreas obtidas, foi encontrada maior hiperplasia em resposta ao implante de stent e diferença estatisticamente significativa quando realizada a comparação entre a área do lúmen (5,841 x 106μm2 X 1,287 x 106μm2), da lâmina elástica interna (6,566 x 106μm2 X 1,287 x 106μm2) e lâmina elástica externa (9,832 x 106μm2 X 4,559 x 106μm2) dos dois grupos (ATP + STENT X ATP; medidas em micrômetros quadrados). Não se observou diferença significativa do ponto de vista estatístico quando se realizou a comparação entre as camadas médias dos dois grupos (3,266 x 106μm2 X 3,271 x 106μm2). CONCLUSÃO: o implante de stent de cromo-cobalto expansível por balão na ACC do suíno gerou um espessamento intimal maior do que aquele produzido apenas pela angioplastia, porém este não foi suficiente para afetar o lúmen arterial. / OBJECTIVE: to analyze, through digital morphometry, the intimal reaction in the carotid artery of pigs submitted to isolated angioplasty and angioplasty followed by implantation of cobalt-chromium stent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: eight healthy pigs had their common carotid artery (CCA) submitted to isolated angioplasty in the right side and angioplasty plus stenting in the left side. Four weeks latter, all animals were submitted to euthanasia for arterial tissue sampling and preparation of histological blades sorted as follows: group 1, middle segment of common right carotid artery (isolated angioplasty); group 2, middle segment of common left carotid artery (intra-stent). Blade images were scanned and analyzed through a digital morphometry program with calculation of luminal, intimal and media layers area in the histological sections. The statistical analysis was performed through mean values and standard deviations of the areas in each group, using the Student’s t-Test. The value of p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: When compare to angioplasty alone, the stent group showed greater hyperplasia in response to implantation regarding the lumen area (5.841 x 106μm2 X 1.287 x 106μm2), the internal elastic lamina area (6.566 x 106μm2 X 1.287 x 106μm2) and the external elastic lamina area (9.832 x 106μm2 X 4.559 x 106μm2). No statistically significant difference was observed when comparing the media layers of both groups (3.266 x 106μm2 X 3.271 x 106μm2). CONCLUSION: angioplasty followed by the implantation of a cobalt-chromium balloon expandable stent in the CCA of the pig creates more intimal thickening than angioplasty alone. Nevertheless intimal thickening was not enough to affect the luminal area thanks to a positive elastic remodeling effect.

It is essential to characterize and quantify naturally occurring morphometric changes in the human brain when investigating the onset or progression of neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this thesis is to characterize the properties and measure the performance of several popular automated magnetic resonance image analysis tools dedicated to brain morphometry. The thesis begins with an overview of morphometric analysis methods, followed by a literature review focusing on cortical parcellation protocols. Our work identified unanimous protocol weaknesses across all packages in particular issues when addressing cortical variability. The next chapters present a ground truth dataset and a dedicated software to analyse manually parcellated data. The dataset (https://datashare.is.ed.ac.uk/handle/10283/2936) includes 10 healthy middle-aged subjects, whose metrics we used as reference against automated tools. To develop the ground truth dataset, we also present a manual parcellation protocol (https://datashare.is.ed.ac.uk/handle/10283/3148) providing step-by-step instructions for outlining three cortical gyri known to vary with ageing and dementia: the superior frontal gyrus, the cingulate gyrus and the supramarginal gyrus. The software, Masks2Metrics (https://datashare.is.ed.ac.uk/handle/10283/3018), was built in Matlab to calculate cortical thickness, white matter surface area, and grey matter volume from 3D binary masks. Characterizing these metrics allowed further understanding of the assumptions made by software when creating and measuring anatomical parcels. Next, we present results from processing the raw T1-weighted volumes in the latest versions of several automated image analysis tools-FreeSurfer (versions 5.1 and 6.0), BrainGyrusMapping, and BrainSuite (version 13a)- against our ground truth. Tool repeatability for the same system was confirmed as multiple runs yielded identical results. Compared to our ground truth, the closest results were generated by BrainGyrusMapping for volume metrics and by FreeSurfer 6.0 for thickness and surface area metrics. In conclusion, our work sheds light on the significance of clearly detailed parcellation protocols and accurate morphometric tools due to the implications that they both will have. We therefore recommend extra caution when selecting image analysis tools for a study, and the use of independent publicly available ground truth datasets and metrics tools to assist with the selection process.

Orientador: João Alberto Negrão / Banca: Izabelle Auxiliadora Molina de Almeida Teixeira / Banca: Marco Aurélio de Felício Porcionato / Resumo: A seleção de animais mais precoces e produtivos, e a melhoria da qualidade do leite são os principais objetivos dos caprinocultores. Com o objetivo de avaliar a interação de dois importantes hormônios, o Cortisol (CORT) e o Fator de Crescimento Análogo à Insulina -1 (IGF-1) na lactação, e suas possíveis influências no desenvolvimento da glândula mamária, produção e qualidade do leite, 38 cabritas (na 1ª fase do experimento) e 24 cabras (na 2ª e 3ª fase do experimento) Saanen divididas em quatro grupos (G1- tratadas com GH e desafiadas com ACTH; G2 - tratadas com GH e desafiadas com placebo; G3 - tratadas com placebo e desafiadas com ACTH; e G4 - tratadas com placebo e desafiadas com placebo). Ao longo de todo experimento foram realizadas coletas de sangue pontuais e durante os desafios, medidas morfométricas internas e externas de úbere e tetos foram realizadas e análises da composição do leite. Não houve diferença no desenvolvimento de úbere e tetos entre animais tratados e não tratados com GH, porém houve maior produção de leite pelos animais tratados, confirmando a eficiência do hormônio em promover maior persistência de lactação. Também houve uma resposta antagônica do IGF-1 ao CORT, durante o desafio das cabras na 3ª fase do experimento, resultado que pode indicar que animais adultos tratados com GH são menos suscetíveis ao estresse que os animais não tratados. O desafio com ACTH e o tratamento com GH não alteraram a composição do leite e a contagem de células somáticas. / Abstract: The selection of early animals and more productives, and improving the quality of milk are the main goals of goat breeders. With the objective of evaluating the interaction of two important hormones, cortisol (CORT) and the Insulin-Like Growth Factor -1 (IGF-1) in milk, and their possible influences on the development of the mammary gland, yield and quality of milk, 38 kid goats (the 1st. phase of the trial) and 24 goats (in the 2nd and 3rd phase of the trial) Saanen divided into four groups (G1- treated with GH (growth hormone) and challenged with ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), G2 - treated with GH and challenged with placebo; G3 - treated with placebo and challenged with ACTH, and G4 - treated with placebo and challenged with placebo). Throughout experiment samples of blood were collected, internal and external morphometric measures of udder and teats reviews were performed and were performed composition of milk. There were not differences in the development of udder and teats of animals treated and not treated with GH, but treated animals showing higher production than non treated goats, confirming the effectiveness of treatment with GH in promoting increase on persistence of lactation. There was also a response of IGF- 1 antagonist to CORT, the challenge of goats during the 3rd phase of the experiment, result that may indicate that adults treated with GH are less susceptible to stress that the animals not treated. The challenge with ACTH and treatment with GH did not alter the composition of milk and somatic cell count. / Mestre