INTRODUÇÃO: Os desenluvamentos cutâneos são lesões graves e frequentemente há dificuldade para o cirurgião decidir qual o tratamento mais adequado a ser instituído, o reposicionamento e sutura do retalho ou o desengorduramento do retalho e enxertia da pele avulsionada. A conduta cirúrgica de reposicionamento e sutura do retalho é mais rápida e simples de ser realizada, mantém as características anatômicas e fisiológicas locais, mas frequentemente evolui com perda parcial ou total do retalho avulsionado. O tratamento cirúrgico de adelgaçamento do retalho desenluvado e enxertia da pele obtida tem a desvantagem de resultar em aspecto estético e protetivo inferiores, mas é o tratamento mais utilizado devido à maior taxa de integração do enxerto. Medicações com propriedades de aumentar a perfusão do retalho desenluvado podem permitir a conduta cirúrgica de reposicionamento e sutura do retalho ao seu leito original, mantendo as vantagens da cobertura cutânea original e preservando total ou parcialmente a viabilidade do retalho. Este estudo avaliou o efeito dos fármacos enoxaparina, pentoxifilina e alopurinol na diminuição da área de necrose de retalhos cutâneos avulsionados através da utilização de um modelo experimental de desenluvamento cutâneo em membros inferiores de ratos. MÉTODOS: Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos com 25 ratos em cada um deles. Os quatro grupos foram submetidos ao modelo proposto de desenluvamento de todo membro inferior, resultando em um retalho de fluxo distal que foi reposicionado ao leito e suturado. O grupo 1 (avulsão / controle) recebeu 1ml de solução salina via intraperitoneal. O grupo 2 (avulsão / enoxaparina) recebeu 1 ml de enoxaparina (320 UI/kg) via subcutânea. O grupo 3 (avulsão / pentoxifilina) recebeu 1 ml de pentoxifilina (25 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal. O grupo 4 (avulsão / alopurinol) recebeu 1 ml de alopurinol (45 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal. As medicações foram infundidas em dose única imediatamente após o reposicionamento e sutura do retalho avulsionado. Os animais foram observados até o 7° dia pós-operatório, quando foram sacrificados e o retalho desenluvado foi retirado e analisado. A área total do retalho e a área de necrose do retalho foram quantificadas para todos os animais e análise estatística foi realizada entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: a mediana da área total do retalho desenluvado (cm2) foi de 5,633 para G1, 5,353 para G2, 5,505 para G3 e de 5,870 para G4 (p = 0,7460). A mediana da área de necrose do retalho desenluvado (cm2) foi de 3,368 para G1, 1,663 para G2, 2,297 para G3 e de 1,888 para G4 (p < 0,0001). Houve diferença estatística entre os pares G1 e G2, G1 e G3, G1 e G4 (p < 0,05). A relação entre a área de necrose e área total do retalho desenluvado para os quatro grupos foi de 63,34% (G1), 32,71% (G2), 41,7% (G3) e 34,85% (G4) (p < 0,0001). Houve diferença estatística entre os pares G1 e G2, G1 e G3, G1 e G4 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Houve diminuição da área de necrose em retalhos cutâneos avulsionados em membros inferiores de ratos com a utilização das medicações enoxaparina (G2), pentoxifilina (G3) e alopurinol (G4) quando comparados ao grupo controle (G1). Não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos terapêuticos com relação à área de necrose nos retalhos cutâneos avulsionados (G2 x G3; G2 x G4; G3 x G4) / INTRODUCTION: Degloving injuries may be a challenge when it comes to deciding the surgical approach to be used. Repositioning of the flap and suturing is faster and more straightforward, but often leads to total or partial loss of the avulsed flap. Skin flap deffating and grafting of the detached flap have the disadvantages of resulting in poor aesthetic appearance and being less protective, but they have been the most widely used due to the higher rate of graft take. Pharmacological agents with vascular properties that enhance the viability of the reattached flap could be beneficial to patients with degloving injuries. This study evaluated the effects of enoxaparin, pentoxifylline and allopurinol in reducing necrosis area of avulsed skin flaps through a degloving experimental model in the hind limb of rats. METHODS: Rats were grouped in four groups with 25 rats each. The four groups were subjected to the proposed degloving model of hind limb, resulting in a reverse flow flap. The flap was then repositioned and sutured. Group 1 (avulsion / control) received 1 ml saline solution intraperitoneally. Group 2 (avulsion / enoxaparin) received 1 ml of enoxaparin (320 IU/kg) subcutaneously. Group 3 (avulsion / pentoxifylline) received 1 ml of pentoxifylline (25 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Group 4 (avulsion / allopurinol) received 1 ml of allopurinol (45 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Saline solution and medications were infused in single dose after wound closure. The animals were observed until 7 days postoperatively, when they were sacrificed and the degloved flap was removed and analyzed by image processing software. The total area of the avulsed flap and the necrotic area were measured for all animals and statistical analysis was performed between groups. RESULTS: The median total flap area (cm2) was 5.633 for G1, 5.353 for G2, 5.505 for G3 and 5.870 for G4 (p = 0.7460). The median necrotic flap area (cm2) was 3.368 for G1, 1.663 for G2, 2.297 for G3 and 1.888 for G4 (p < 0.0001). There was statistical difference between pairs G1 and G2, G1 and G3, G1 and G4 (p < 0.05). The ratio between the necrotic flap area and total flap area was 63.34% (G1), 32.71% (G2), 41.7% (G3) and 34.85% (G4) (p < 0.0001). There was statistical difference between pairs G1 and G2, G1 and G3, G1 and G4 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a decrease in necrosis of the avulsed skin flap in the hind limbs of rats with the use of medications enoxaparin (G2), pentoxifylline (G3) and allopurinol (G4) compared to the control group (G1). There was no statistically significant difference in the necrosis area of avulsed skin flaps between treatment groups (G2 x G3; G2 x G4; G3 x G4)

Durante a vida intrauterina, o desenvolvimento do embrião e do feto é suscetível a mudanças ambientais que podem alterar o fenótipo do indivíduo na vida pós-natal. Eventos que ocorrem durante períodos críticos de rápida divisão celular, nos quais são formados os diversos órgãos e tecidos, podem alterar a estrutura e função de sistemas orgânicos gerando consequências precoces (baixo peso ao nascimento) e tardias (doenças na vida adulta). Os protocolos experimentais da maior parte dos estudos sobre a programação fetal reduz o tamanho da ninhada logo após o nascimento. Essa abordagem dificulta a interpretação e reprodutibilidade dos resultados observados. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se a pressão sanguínea, o metabolismo de carboidratos e gasto energético em proles adultas é influenciado pelo tamanho da ninhada. Ratas Wistar foram alimentadas com ração padrão ad libitum e foram acasaladas com ratos machos com 12 semanas de idade. Após o nascimento, a prole foi dividida em três grupos: tamanho da ninhada sem redução (Gc), proles reduzido a oito filhotes (G8) e proles reduzidos a quatro filhotes (G4). Ao fim de 12 semanas de idade, o peso corporal, pressão arterial, consumo de ração, glicemia, insulina, colesterol e triacilgliceróis, massa de tecido adiposo marrom, índice de adiposidade, massa renal e cardíaca foram determinados. O peso corporal, índice de adiposidade, glicemia, nível de insulina e índice HOMA foram maiores em machos e fêmeas no grupo G4 do que nos grupos G8 e Gc. No entanto, o consumo de ração foi menor no grupo G4. A pressão arterial foi maior no grupo Gc em machos e fêmeas. Em resumo, a redução do tamanho da ninhada está relacionada com a obesidade, resistência à insulina e possíveis alterações no gasto energético na prole adulta / During intrauterine life, the developing fetus is susceptible to environmental changes that can alter the phenotype of the individual in postnatal life. This phenomenon is called fetal programming. Events that occur during critical periods of rapid cell division may alter the structure and function of organ systems, resulting in consequences both early (low birth weight) and late (diseases in adulthood) in life. The experimental protocols of most of the studies on fetal programming involve a reduction in litter size soon after birth. This approach hampers the interpretation and reproducibility of the observed results. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if blood pressure, carbohydrate metabolism and energy expenditure in adult offspring are influenced by litter size. Female Wistar rats were fed standard rat chow ad libitum and were mated with male rats at 12 weeks of age. After birth, the offspring were divided into three groups: unchanged litter size (GU), culled to eight neonates (G8) and culled to four neonates (G4). At 12 weeks of age, the body weight; blood pressure; food intake; glucose, insulin, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels; brown adipose tissue mass; adiposity index; renal mass; and cardiac mass were determined. The body weight, adiposity index, glucose level, insulin level and HOMA index were higher in males and females in the G4 group than in the G8 and GU groups. However, food consumption was lower in G4 males. The blood pressure was higher in the GU group. In summary, a small litter size is related to obesity, possible alterations in energy expenditure and insulin resistance in adult offspring

INTRODUÇÃO: O transplante hepático se consolidou como terapêutica para crianças com doença hepática em estágio terminal. A principal indicação nessa faixa etária é a atresia das vias biliares, doença colestática que leva à cirrose hepática na maioria dos casos nos primeiros anos de vida mesmo nas crianças submetidas a portoenterostomia. Essas crianças evoluem entre outras complicações com desnutrição grave e necessitam do transplante precocemente. A relação ideal do peso do enxerto hepático e o peso do receptor varia de 1 a 3%. No entanto, quando o transplante é realizado em crianças em idade inferior a 2 anos, essa relação na maioria das vezes é maior do que 5%. Essa situação é conhecida como large-for-size, em que a perfusão sanguínea do enxerto pode ser insuficiente, o que leva a disfunção do órgão. Os mecanismos de lesão neste cenário ainda não estão bem esclarecidos. A lesão de isquemia-reperfusão (IR) é apontada como um dos fatores para o mal funcionamento do enxerto bem como de outras complicações. Nessa lesão estão envolvidos elementos da cascata inflamatória culminando em morte celular por apoptose bem como mecanismos de regeneração celular. Um fenômeno conhecido que atenua a lesão de IR é o pré-condicionamento isquêmico (PCI). Nenhum trabalho experimental foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a lesão hepática na situação large-for-size e o efeito do PCI nessa situação. MÉTODOS: Para a padronização do modelo foram realizados 8 transplantes, tendo sido testados os pesos dos animais, relação entre o peso do enxerto hepático e peso do receptor e técnica cirúrgica. Na fase experimental, foram realizados 21 transplantes e os animais foram divididos em 3 grupos. No primeiro grupo (controle) o transplante era realizado com doadores e receptores com pesos similares. Para caracterização da situação large-for-size, no segundo grupo os doadores tinham aproximadamente o dobro do peso dos receptores (LFS). No terceiro grupo a distribuição de peso foi semelhante a do segundo, porém era realizado o PCI no doador (LFS+PCI). Os procedimentos foram realizados sob anestesia geral e técnica asséptica e os animais foram mantidos vivos por 3 horas após a reperfusão. Foram obtidas amostras de sangue em 3 períodos (logo após abertura da cavidade abdominal, 1 e 3 horas após reperfusão) e fragmentos de fígado 1 e 3 horas após reperfusão. As amostras de sangue foram submetidas a gasometria arterial, dosagem de sódio, potássio e enzimas hepatocelulares. Os fragmentos de tecido hepático foram submetidos a análise histológica pela coloração da hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e a análise de quantificação da expressão dos genes pró-apoptótico (Bax), anti-apoptótico (Bcl- XL), da óxido nítrico-sintase endotelial (eNOS) e da interleucina-6 (IL-6). RESULTADOS: A mortalidade observada foi de 28%. A relação peso do enxerto e peso do paciente foi de 2,9% no grupo controle, 6,3% no grupo LFS e 6,4% no grupo LFS+PCI. A natremia 1 hora após a reperfusão foi mais elevada no grupo controle do que nos demais, já com relação ao potássio, a dosagem foi mais baixa nesse grupo no mesmo intervalo. A dosagem da aspartato aminotransferase (AST) foi mais elevada nos grupos LFS e LFS+PCI do que no controle. A análise histológica não Resumo demonstrou diferença entre os grupos. A expressão do gene Bax foi mais elevada no grupo LFS do que nos demais, enquanto que a do gene eNOS foi mais acentuada no grupo LFS+PCI do que nos demais nos dois intervalos estudados. Após 3 horas de reperfusão a expressão do gene IL-6 foi maior no grupo LFS+PCI. CONCLUSÕES: O modelo de transplante hepático large-for-size em suínos foi exequível e adequado para a pesquisa. A lesão IR foi mais acentuada no grupo LFS do que no grupo controle e apesar de não ter alterado a elevação de enzimas hepatocelulares, o PCI teve papel de aumentar a expressão dos genes IL-6 e eNOS e diminuir a do gene Bax / INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation has been established as therapy for children with end-stage liver disease. The main indication is biliary atresia, cholestatic disease that leads to cirrhosis in most cases even in children undergoing portoenterostomy. These children develop other complications as severely malnutrition and need early transplantation. The ideal graft to body weight ratio (GBWR) for transplantation varies from 1 to 3%. However, when transplantation is performed in children younger than 2 years, this ratio in most cases is higher than 5%. This situation, known as large-for-size, may be related to insufficient graft perfusion and liver disfunction. The mechanisms of injury involved in this scenario are not well established. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) has been related as a factor for poor graft function and other complications. Inflammatory cascade culminating in cell death by apoptosis and cellular mechanisms of regeneration are the elements involved in IRI. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a phenomenon that attenuates IR injury. There are no experimental studies conducted to evaluate the hepatic injury in large-for-size situation and the effect of IPC in this situation. METHODS: 8 procedures were required for standardize the model. Weight of the animals, GBWR and surgical technique were evaluated. In the experimental phase, 21 transplantations were performed. The animals were divided in three groups. In the first group (control), liver transplantation was performed with donors and recipients with similar weights. To characterize large-for-size situation, donors of the second group had approximately twice the weight receptor (LFS). In the third group the weight distribution was similar to the second but IPC was performed in donor (LFS+IPC). Procedures were performed under general anesthesia and aseptic technique and the animals were kept alive for 3 hours after reperfusion. Blood samples were obtained at three times (immediately after opening the abdominal cavity, 1 and 3 hours after reperfusion) and fragments of liver 1 and 3 hours after reperfusion. Blood samples were analyzed for arterial blood gases, sodium, potassium and hepatocellular enzymes. The fragments of liver tissues were subjected to histological analysis by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE). Molecular biology involved quantification of the expression of Bax, Bcl-XL, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and interleukin- 6 (IL-6) genes. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 28%. The GBWR was 2.9% in the control group, 6.3% in the LFS group and 6.4% in the LFS+ICP group. The natremia 1 hour after reperfusion was higher in the control group and potassium dosage was lower in this group in the same period. The dosage of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was higher in LFS and LFS+IPC groups than control. Histological analysis showed no difference between groups. The Bax gene expression was higher in the LFS, while the eNOS gene was more expressed in LFS + PCI group. After 3 hours of reperfusion the expression of IL-6 gene was higher in the PCI + LFS. CONCLUSIONS: The model of large-for-size liver transplantation in swine was feasible and appropriate for the research. IR injury was more pronounced in the Summary group LFS than in the control group and despite not having changed the elevation of hepatocellular enzymes, the PCI was responsible for increasing the expression of IL- 6 and eNOS and decreasing the Bax gene expression

Kang, Ning. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstracts --- p.i / Abbreviations --- p.v / List of Figures and Tables --- p.vii / Contents --- p.viii / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1. --- Saphenous vein graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Mechanism of vein graft failure and therapeutic strategies --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1 --- Mechanism --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- Therapeutic strategies --- p.18 / Chapter 3. --- Summary --- p.22 / Chapter 4. --- References --- p.23 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Animal model and laboratory investigations --- p.34 / Chapter 1. --- Surgical procedure --- p.35 / Chapter 2. --- Postoperative management --- p.37 / Chapter 3. --- Adenoviral-mediated gene transfer ex vivo for gene therapy study --- p.38 / Chapter 4. --- Laboratory investigations --- p.39 / Chapter 5. --- Statistical analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 6. --- Summary --- p.41 / Chapter 7. --- References --- p.41 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- "Impact of osteopontin expression in vein grafts on VSMC migration, proliferation, and neointimal formation" --- p.42 / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.42 / Chapter 2. --- Methods and materials --- p.43 / Chapter 3. --- Results --- p.43 / Chapter 4. --- Discussion --- p.49 / Chapter 5. --- Summary --- p.52 / Chapter 6. --- References --- p.53 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Potential Role of gene therapy in prevention of vein graft failure --- p.56 / Chapter 1. --- Vectors --- p.56 / Chapter 2. --- "Reporter gene, timing and titer" --- p.57 / Chapter 3. --- Candidate genes --- p.58 / Chapter 4. --- Summary --- p.64 / Chapter 5. --- References --- p.66 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Conclusions --- p.70 / Acknowledgements --- p.72

Brain stroke is considered as one of the three diseases that threaten human health all over the world. Hypertension and cerebral arteriosclerosis are thought to be the most dangerous risk factors of brain stroke, and they frequently occur together, leading to ischemia of brain tissue. Unfortunately, it is not clear whether the pathological changes resulting from hypertension are related to those resulting from cerebral arteriosclerosis. There have been no ideal animal models mimicking the pathological changes in such a combined condition. In this thesis, an animal model of hypertension combined with cerebral arteriosclerosis in rats was established by occlusion of both the left and right common carotid arteries in spontaneous hypertension rats. Pien Tze Huang (PTH), a reputed traditional Chinese medicinal complex, contains Radix notoginseng, snake bile, calculus bovis, and musk and some other components that are known to protect vessels and cells from injuries. Since different tissue injuries share many common cellular mechanisms, the protection by PTH to in nerves and the circulation systems may also be benefical to cerebrovascular conditions as well. In present experiments, PTH was used to treat hypertension rats that also developed chronic brain ischemia as a result of the bilateral carotid occlusion, and its protective role for neurons and blood vessels was investiaged. / From the data above, more severe damage could be caused by hypertension combined with chronic ischemia. The model of SHR with bilaterally occluded common carotid artery can be used to study pathological changes resulted from hypertension combined with chronic ischemia. PTH was able to protect neurons in stroke. / In the initial part of the work, patients from clinics in two cities in South and North China were compared and analysed; they had been suffering from brain ischemic stroke. About two thirds of the stroke patients were found to have hypertension before the onset of stroke. Their prognosis was significantly worse than those stroke patients without hypertension. In the hypertensive rats with occluded arteries, mean of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) examination showed that brain blood flow was very weak or even transiently became undetectable at the beginning of the acute stage of brain ischemia, but was restored one hour after the occlusion surgery. In addition, pathological changes in brains of hypertensive rats with induced brain ischemia (carotid occlusion) were examined by Nissl staining, TUNEL staining, cell death ELISA and anti-oxidation enzymes. At day 15 after ischemia, a large number of pyramid cells in the hippocampus of SHR were lost and a great deal of apoptotic cells were found in the CA1 of the hippocampus, while activities of some enzyme including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were increased. At day 30 and 60, some degenerative changes appeared to have subsided and the cells appeared morphologically normal. The activities of the above enzymes were also decreased at day 60. In WKY control rats with normal blood pressure, neurons in the CA1 were found less damaged after the bilateral carotid occlusion. It was found that apoptotic and dead cells were significantly reduced in rats with hypertension combined with chronic brain ischemia if they had been pre-treated with PTH. Moreover, brain stroke damage was less severe in this pretreated rats. / Zhang, Lihong. / "March 2010." / Adviser: WH Kwong. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-134). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Coronary heart diseases (CHD) remain the most prevalent cause of premature death. Ischemic hearts often result from coronary vasculature occlusion. Significant efforts have been made for the treatment of CHD, including medications and surgical procedures. Currently there are still no effective drugs or therapeutics available for the treatment of the disease. Growing new coronary vessels to naturally bypass narrowed/occluded arteries or forming sufficient collaterals to the ischemic region would lead to substantially improved blood perfusion and correction of ischemia. However, this aim remains a theoretical ideal due to the negligible ability to grow new coronary vessels even with current advances in therapeutic angiogenesis. In the present study, we have isolated and identified an active fraction of Geum japonicum (AFGJ) showing significant activity in induction of efficient coronary angiogenesis and heart function improvement. / In addition, proteomics methods were applied to investigate the protein alterations in CHD ischemic hearts and HUVECs. Two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) of the heart tissues of CHD rats showed 16 differentially expressed spots compared with sham and vehicle hearts, of which 8 were identified. Furthermore, 11 identified proteins of HUVECs treated with AFGJ or Angio-G at different time points were also observed by 2-D PAGE. The majority of identified proteins was found to be involved in the process of energy metabolisms. / In conclusion, these results have demonstrated therapeutic properties of AFGJ to induce early reconstitution of damaged coronary vasculature through both angiogensis and vasculogenesis. AFGJ treatments may provide a novel therapeutic modality for effective treatment of ischemic heart diseases. / The therapeutic effect of AFGJ on CHD through reconstitution of partially occluded coronary vessels in CHD animal models was demonstrated with underlying signaling mechanisms identified. Briefly, AFGJ could promote the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and the growth of new blood vessels or coronary collaterals in CHD models after 2-week treatment. The number of newly formed coronary vessels in treated hearts was more than that of vehicle treated hearts, as indicated by both MicroCT and histology analysis. Echocardiography studies demonstrated significant improvement of heart functions 2 weeks after treatment with AFGJ. Furthermore, ECG measurements showed that the altered ST segment in AFGJ treated CHD models almost had full recovery to a normal level while rats in the vehicle group consistently suffered from heart ischemia. Moreover, the results of MicroCT reconstruction directly demonstrated the reconstitution of the damaged coronary vessels with newly formed functional coronary collaterals, as illustrated by more blood vessels density (AFGJ vs vehicle [%]: 4.5+/-0.5 vs 2+/-0.35) and more branching points (AFGJ vs vehicle: 0.94+/-0.07 vs 0.65+/-0.10). These data suggest that AFGJ treatment significantly corrects the ischemia of the affected regions of the heart. / We also explored possible mechanisms underlying the effect of AFGJ. Firstly, AFGJ could induce mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation into vascular endothelial cells and the differentiated MSCs were involved in the tube formation. Secondly, Angio-G, the component derived from AFGJ, was able to stimulate significant proliferation of HUVECs in a dose dependent manner. Thirdly, in our tube-like capillary formation test of HUVECs in vitro, the length of formed tubes was greatly amplified with increasing concentration of Angio-G. Furthermore, the total length of Angio-G induced tubes was significantly reduced with increasing concentrations of AG490, an inhibitor of JAK/STAT pathways indicating possible involvement of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. / Chen, Hao. / "December 2009." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-145). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

A population of stromal cells that retains osteogenic capacity in adult bone (adult bone stromal cells or aBSCs) exists and is under intense investigation in relation to osteogenesis and relevant pathology. aBSCs may be different from their embryonic or neonatal counterparts, and are influenced by species-/age-specific and other factors. Mice heterozygous for a null allele of prkar1a (Prkar1a+/-, a gene encoding for cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate (cAMP)-dependent regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA), developed bone lesions that resembled fibrous dysplasia (FD) originated from cAMP-responsive osteogenic cells. Prkar1a +/- mice were crossed with mice heterozygous for catalytic subunit Calpha (Prkaca+/-), the main PKA activity-mediating molecule and generated mouse model with double heterozygosity for prkar1a and prkaca (Prkar1a +/-Prkaca+/-). Unexpectedly, Prkar1a+/-Prkaca+/- mice developed a large number of osseous lesions starting at 2--3 months of age that varied from the rare chondromas in the long bones and the ubiquitous osteochondrodysplasia of tail vertebral bodies to the occasional sarcoma in older animals. Cells from these lesions were fibroblast- and FD-like, and almost always originated from an area proximal to the growth plate and adjacent to endosteal surface of the periosteum; they expanded gradually in the bone marrow space. These cells expressed osteogenic cell markers, showed higher PKA activity that was mostly type II (PKA-II) and display an alternate pattern of catalytic subunit expression, and surprisingly possessed higher cAMP levels. In addition, markers of bone synthesis and lysis were increased. Gene expression profiling not only confirmed an early (progenitor) osteoblastic nature for these cells but also showed a signature that was indicative of mesenchymal-to-epithelial (MET) transition and increased Wnt signaling, particularly the brachyury expression. These studies show that a specific subpopulation of aBSCs can be stimulated in adult bone by PKA-II and altered Calpha activity, generating the only available germline mutant mouse model of a disorder that has similarities to human FD. Along with previous data, these studies also suggest that the effects of cAMP signaling on osteogenesis and stromal cell maintenance and proliferation in mice are age-, bone-, site- but also PKA-type and catalytic subunit-specific. / Parts of the work have been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2010; 107(19):8683--8. / Tsang, Kit Man. / Advisers: Constantine A. Stratakas; Kwak-Pui Fung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-183). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Introdução: Uma imunossupressão eficaz é fundamental para a sobrevivência do paciente após o transplante de pulmão. Estudos prévios demonstraram que drogas imunossupressoras como ciclosporina A, tacrolimo, micofenolato de sódio e prednisona prejudicaram a depuração das vias aéreas de ratos. Para prevenir a rejeição aguda, o basiliximab tem sido utilizado como terapia de indução previamente ao transplante de pulmão em muitos centros ao redor do mundo. Entretanto, existem poucos trabalhos reportando seus efeitos adversos. Objetivo: Avaliar se o basiliximab isolado e em conjunto com a terapia tríplice (tacrolimo, micofenolato de sódio e prednisona) causa efeitos adversos no aparelho mucociliar traqueobrônquico, alterando a depuração mucociliar das vias aéreas de ratos. Método: Oitenta ratos foram distribuídos em quatro grupos conforme o tratamento: Controle, Basiliximab, Tríplice e Basiliximab+Tríplice; e dois subgrupos de acordo com o tempo de tratamento: 7 e 15 dias. Após o período de tratamento, os animais foram eutanasiados e as seguintes análises foram realizadas: análise do lavado broncoalveolar, frequência de batimento ciliar (FBC), velocidade de transporte mucociliar (VTMC), transportabilidade do muco in vitro, histologia, expressão do gene Muc5ac, concentração da proteína mucina do gene Muc5ac e avaliação de apoptose celular no epitélio das vias aéreas. Resultados: Não houve alteração do número de leucócitos no lavado broncoalveolar e da FBC entre os grupos. Já a VTMC foi menor nos grupos Basiliximab e Basiliximab+Tríplice tratados por 7 dias, enquanto nos animais tratados por 15 dias a velocidade foi menor nos grupos Trípice e Basiliximab+Tríplice. O transporte do muco in vitro foi menor no grupo Basiliximab+Tríplice tratado por 15 dias. A porcentagem dos mucos ácido e neutro não foi diferente entre os grupos tratados por 7 e 15 dias, o mesmo ocorreu para a expressão e concentração da proteína mucina do gene Muc5ac. Os grupos Tríplice e Basiliximab+Tríplice tratados por 7 e 15 dias, respectivamente, apresentaram número maior de células apoptóticas no epitélio da via aérea. Conclusão: A droga basiliximab, isolada e em conjunto com a terapia tríplice, prejudicou o aparelho mucociliar traqueobrônquico de ratos, especificamente a depuração mucociliar / Introduction: Optimal immunosuppression is critical to the survival of the patient after lung transplantation. Previous studies showed that immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sodium mycophenolate and prednisone impaired mucociliary clearance of rats. To prevent acute rejection, basiliximab has been used as induction therapy before lung transplantation in many centers around the world. However, there are few studies reporting its side effects. Objective: Evaluate if basiliximab alone and in combination with triple therapy (tacrolimus, sodium mycophenolate and prednisone) causes adverse effects on the tracheobronchial mucociliary apparatus by impairing airways mucociliary clearance of rats. Method: Eighty rats were divided into four groups according to treatment: Control, Basiliximab, Triple and Basiliximab+Triple; and according to the treatment time: 7 and 15 days. After the treatment period, the animals were euthanized and the following analyzes were performed: bronchoalveolar lavage, ciliary beating frequency (CBF), mucociliary transport velocity (MCTV), mucus transportability rate in vitro, hystology, Muc5ac gene expression, concentration of the mucin protein of the Muc5ac gene and evaluation of cellular apoptosis in the airway epithelium. Results: There was no alteration in the number of leukocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the CBF between groups. The MCTV was lower in the Basiliximab and Basiliximab+Triple groups treated for 7 days, while the velocity was lower in the Triple and Basiliximab+Triple groups treated for 15 days. The mucus transportability rate in vitro was lower in the Basiliximab+Triple group treated for 15 days. There was no difference in percentage of both acidic mucus and neutral mucus between groups treated for 7 and 15 days. Also, there was no difference in the expression and concentration of the mucin of the Muc5ac gene. The Triple and Basiliximab+Triple groups treated for 7 and 15 days, respectively, had a higher number of apoptotic cells in the airway epithelium. Conclusion: The basiliximab, alone and in conjunction with triple therapy, impaired the tracheobronchial mucociliary apparatus of rats, specifically the mucociliary clearance

INTRODUÇÃO: Os desenluvamentos cutâneos são lesões graves e frequentemente há dificuldade para o cirurgião decidir qual o tratamento mais adequado a ser instituído, o reposicionamento e sutura do retalho ou o desengorduramento do retalho e enxertia da pele avulsionada. A conduta cirúrgica de reposicionamento e sutura do retalho é mais rápida e simples de ser realizada, mantém as características anatômicas e fisiológicas locais, mas frequentemente evolui com perda parcial ou total do retalho avulsionado. O tratamento cirúrgico de adelgaçamento do retalho desenluvado e enxertia da pele obtida tem a desvantagem de resultar em aspecto estético e protetivo inferiores, mas é o tratamento mais utilizado devido à maior taxa de integração do enxerto. Medicações com propriedades de aumentar a perfusão do retalho desenluvado podem permitir a conduta cirúrgica de reposicionamento e sutura do retalho ao seu leito original, mantendo as vantagens da cobertura cutânea original e preservando total ou parcialmente a viabilidade do retalho. Este estudo avaliou o efeito dos fármacos enoxaparina, pentoxifilina e alopurinol na diminuição da área de necrose de retalhos cutâneos avulsionados através da utilização de um modelo experimental de desenluvamento cutâneo em membros inferiores de ratos. MÉTODOS: Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos com 25 ratos em cada um deles. Os quatro grupos foram submetidos ao modelo proposto de desenluvamento de todo membro inferior, resultando em um retalho de fluxo distal que foi reposicionado ao leito e suturado. O grupo 1 (avulsão / controle) recebeu 1ml de solução salina via intraperitoneal. O grupo 2 (avulsão / enoxaparina) recebeu 1 ml de enoxaparina (320 UI/kg) via subcutânea. O grupo 3 (avulsão / pentoxifilina) recebeu 1 ml de pentoxifilina (25 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal. O grupo 4 (avulsão / alopurinol) recebeu 1 ml de alopurinol (45 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal. As medicações foram infundidas em dose única imediatamente após o reposicionamento e sutura do retalho avulsionado. Os animais foram observados até o 7° dia pós-operatório, quando foram sacrificados e o retalho desenluvado foi retirado e analisado. A área total do retalho e a área de necrose do retalho foram quantificadas para todos os animais e análise estatística foi realizada entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: a mediana da área total do retalho desenluvado (cm2) foi de 5,633 para G1, 5,353 para G2, 5,505 para G3 e de 5,870 para G4 (p = 0,7460). A mediana da área de necrose do retalho desenluvado (cm2) foi de 3,368 para G1, 1,663 para G2, 2,297 para G3 e de 1,888 para G4 (p < 0,0001). Houve diferença estatística entre os pares G1 e G2, G1 e G3, G1 e G4 (p < 0,05). A relação entre a área de necrose e área total do retalho desenluvado para os quatro grupos foi de 63,34% (G1), 32,71% (G2), 41,7% (G3) e 34,85% (G4) (p < 0,0001). Houve diferença estatística entre os pares G1 e G2, G1 e G3, G1 e G4 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Houve diminuição da área de necrose em retalhos cutâneos avulsionados em membros inferiores de ratos com a utilização das medicações enoxaparina (G2), pentoxifilina (G3) e alopurinol (G4) quando comparados ao grupo controle (G1). Não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos terapêuticos com relação à área de necrose nos retalhos cutâneos avulsionados (G2 x G3; G2 x G4; G3 x G4) / INTRODUCTION: Degloving injuries may be a challenge when it comes to deciding the surgical approach to be used. Repositioning of the flap and suturing is faster and more straightforward, but often leads to total or partial loss of the avulsed flap. Skin flap deffating and grafting of the detached flap have the disadvantages of resulting in poor aesthetic appearance and being less protective, but they have been the most widely used due to the higher rate of graft take. Pharmacological agents with vascular properties that enhance the viability of the reattached flap could be beneficial to patients with degloving injuries. This study evaluated the effects of enoxaparin, pentoxifylline and allopurinol in reducing necrosis area of avulsed skin flaps through a degloving experimental model in the hind limb of rats. METHODS: Rats were grouped in four groups with 25 rats each. The four groups were subjected to the proposed degloving model of hind limb, resulting in a reverse flow flap. The flap was then repositioned and sutured. Group 1 (avulsion / control) received 1 ml saline solution intraperitoneally. Group 2 (avulsion / enoxaparin) received 1 ml of enoxaparin (320 IU/kg) subcutaneously. Group 3 (avulsion / pentoxifylline) received 1 ml of pentoxifylline (25 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Group 4 (avulsion / allopurinol) received 1 ml of allopurinol (45 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Saline solution and medications were infused in single dose after wound closure. The animals were observed until 7 days postoperatively, when they were sacrificed and the degloved flap was removed and analyzed by image processing software. The total area of the avulsed flap and the necrotic area were measured for all animals and statistical analysis was performed between groups. RESULTS: The median total flap area (cm2) was 5.633 for G1, 5.353 for G2, 5.505 for G3 and 5.870 for G4 (p = 0.7460). The median necrotic flap area (cm2) was 3.368 for G1, 1.663 for G2, 2.297 for G3 and 1.888 for G4 (p < 0.0001). There was statistical difference between pairs G1 and G2, G1 and G3, G1 and G4 (p < 0.05). The ratio between the necrotic flap area and total flap area was 63.34% (G1), 32.71% (G2), 41.7% (G3) and 34.85% (G4) (p < 0.0001). There was statistical difference between pairs G1 and G2, G1 and G3, G1 and G4 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a decrease in necrosis of the avulsed skin flap in the hind limbs of rats with the use of medications enoxaparin (G2), pentoxifylline (G3) and allopurinol (G4) compared to the control group (G1). There was no statistically significant difference in the necrosis area of avulsed skin flaps between treatment groups (G2 x G3; G2 x G4; G3 x G4)

Introdução: O Câncer de próstata metastático (mCaP) é uma doença incurável com progressão para o mCaP resistente à castração (mCPRC) após terapia de deprivação androgênica. Os microRNAs (miR) -23b e -27b tem ação antioncogênica e são suprimidos neste contexto. O gene da ciclina G1 (CCNG1) codifica uma quinase dependente de ciclina com potencial de inibição do crescimento e é um dos alvos dos miR-23b/-27b. Objetivos: Estimular os miR-23b/-27b isoladamente e em conjunto para avaliar e comparar o crescimento tumoral e a expressão do gene alvo CCNG1 em relação ao grupo controle em xenenxertos de PC-3M-luc-C6 em camundongos atímicos castrados. Métodos: Xenoenxertos subcutâneos da linhagem celular PC-3M-luc-C6 foram implantados em camundongos machos BALB/c nude. Os animais foram castrados 10 dias após o implante e utilizamos injeções intratumorais para induzir o aumento da expressão dos miR-23b/-27b separadamente e em conjunto através de Pre-miR® específicos. Realizamos avaliações semanais da bioluminescência (BLI) para avaliar o crescimento tumoral após a castração. Utilizamos a reação em cadeia de polimerase reversa em tempo real (qRT-PCR) para analisar a expressão da CCNG1 e os animais foram sacrificados 21 dias após a castração. Dividimos um total de 21 xenoenxertos nos seguintes grupos de tratamento: 4 no grupo controle, 5 no grupo Pró miR-23b, 6 no grupo Pró miR-27 e 6 no grupo Pró miR-23b associado ao Pró miR-27b. Resultados: Confirmamos o sucesso da transfecção dos miRs por qRT-PCR, e apresentamos o achado de superexpressão relativa da CCNG1 em relação ao grupo controle em: 9% (p=0,76), 46% (p=0,05) e 203% (p=0,01) nos grupos Pró miR-23b, Pró miR-27b e Pró miR-23b associado ao Pró miR-27b respectivamente. Comparamos o crescimento proporcional de cada tumor através da BLI, por meio da leitura no momento da castração ao final do experimento. Obtivemos um crescimento de 13,5; 8,69; 5,96 e 9,98 vezes nos grupos: controle, Pró miR-23b, Pró miR-27b e Pró miR-23b associado ao Pró miR-27b respectivamente. Conclusão: Demonstramos um modelo in vivo de CPRC que apresentou supreexpressão da CCNG1 após o tratamento intratumoral que aumentou a expressão dos miRs -23b e -27b. Este conjunto de miRs tem ação antioncogênica descrita no contexto do mCPRC e a sua estimulação neste contexto aumentou a expressão da CCNG1. Nosso estudo sugere que a CCNG1 deve apresentar uma ação pró-apoptótica quando superexpresso pelos miRs-23b/-27 no CPRC / Introduction: Metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) is an incurable disease that invariably progresses to castration-resistant mPCa (mCRPC) after androgen deprivation therapy. The microRNAs miR-23b/-27b have been reported as tumor suppressors and are underexpressed in this context. The cyclin G1 gene (CCNG1) encodes a cyclin-dependent kinase with potential growth inhibitory activity that is a potential target of miR-23b/-27b. Objectives: We aim to explore a bioluminescent xenograft model of CRPC in castrated mice the effect positive modulation of the miR-23b/-27b on CCNG1 expression and mCRPC growth. Material and Methods: We injected subcutaneous xenografts of PC-3M-luc-C6 PCa cell line in BALB/c nude male mice. We neutered the animals after 10 days and used intratumoral injections up-regulating miR-23b/-27b separately and simultaneously through specific Pre-miRTM. We used weekly bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to assess tumor growth after castration and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to analyze the expression of CCNG1. We sacrificed the animals 21 days after castration. We randomized 21 xenografts in experimental groups as follows: n=4 in the negative control group; n=5 in Pro miR-23b group; n=6 in Pro miR-27b group and an n=6 tumors in the Pro miR-23b plus Pro miR-27b. Results: We confirmed successful transfection of both miRNAs with overexpression of CCNG1 of 9% (p=0.76), 46% (p=0.05) and 203% (p=0.01) in the Pro miR-23b, Pro miR-27b and Pro miR-23b plus -27b groups respectively. We compared the fold-change in BLI growth by the end of experiment finding an increase of 13.5-fold, 8.69-fold, 5.96-fold and 9.98-fold in groups Pro miR-negative control, Pro miR-23b, Pro miR-27b and Pro miR-23b plus Pro miR-27b groups respectively. Conclusions: We showed an in vivo model with overexpression of CCNG1 upon artificial upregulation of miR-23b and -27b in CRPC. This cluster of antineoplastic miRNA increased the expression of this cyclin, often described as oncogenic. Our study suggests that CCNG1 has a pro-apoptotic role when up-regulated by miR-23b/-27b in CPRC