La drosophile est un excellent modèle pour l’étude des mécanismes moléculaires de l’immunité innée, y compris les virus. Elle a permis la caractérisation de mécanismes de défense immunitaire conservés au cours de l’évolution, tel que les voies Toll et IMD qui régulent l’expression des peptides antimicrobiens induits en réponse aux infections fongiques et bactériennes. Deux types de réponse sont impliqués dans le contrôle des infections virales chez la drosophile : une réponse inductible et l’ARN interférence. Nous avons montré que l’ARN interférence est un mécanisme global de défense antivirale puisqu’il contrôle l’infection par un virus à ADN, en plus des virus à ARN tel que le virus C de la drosophile (DCV). Le virus DCV, apparenté aux Picornaviridae, est un pathogène naturel de la drosophile. Nous avons également observé que la résistance de mouches contrôles à l’infection par le virus DCV est dépendante du fond génétique. Elle est d’ailleurs corrélée à des polymorphismes présents dans un gène porté par le chromosome III : le gène pastrel. Nos expériences de perte et gain de fonction indiquent que ce gène code pour un facteur de restriction viral, bloquant l’infection par le virus DCV mais aussi par le virus de la paralysie du cricket (CrPV). Cette restriction apparait dans les premières heures après infection. La région C-terminale de la protéine Pastrel est nécessaire à son activité antivirale ainsi qu’à sa localisation dans les cellules. La protéine Pastrel co-localise avec le Rouge de Nil, un marqueur des gouttelettes lipidiques. Ainsi, nos résultats suggèrent un lien entre le métabolisme lipidique et le blocage d’une infection virale chez la drosophile. / Since the discovery of the evolutionarily conserved TOLL and IMD pathways, involved in antifungal and antibacterial immune responses, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is used as a model to study the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity. To defend against viral pathogens, Drosophila relies on two main facets: the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway and virus specific inducible responses. We show that the RNAi pathway plays a role in the control of a DNA virus, in addition to RNA viruses. We also observe that the fly genetic background can modulate the resistance to infection by Drosophila C virus (DCV), a natural pathogen of Drosophila. This resistance to DCV infection is correlated with polymorphisms in a gene named pastrel,localized on the left arm of the third chromosome. Our loss- and gain-of-function experiments indicate that pastrel encodes a molecule opposing infection by picorna-like viruses DCV and also Cricket Paralysis virus (CrPV), raising the question of the mechanism involved. This restriction appears early after infection. The Cterminal region of Pastrel protein is important for its antiviral activity and its localization in vesicular structures co-localizing with Nile Red staining, a marker for lipid droplets. Altogether, our data suggest a connection between lipid droplets and restriction of viral infection in Drosophila, as already described in mammals between the restriction factor Viperin, present on lipid droplets, and the replication of the human pathogen Hepatitis C Virus.

O desenvolvimento de um método eficiente de avaliação prognóstica precoce seria de grande utilidade na seleção de lactentes com plexopatia braquial obstétrica para cirurgias de reconstrução do plexo braquial. Realizamos uma eletroneurografia bilateral em 33 bebês com plexopatia braquial obstétrica entre 10 e 60 dias de vida. Foram avaliadas e comparadas lado a lado as amplitudes dos potenciais de ação musculares compostos dos nervos axilar, musculocutâneo, radial proximal, radial distal, mediano e ulnar. Os bebês foram seguidos clinicamente até os seis meses de vida, quando foram submetidos a uma avaliação da força de vários grupos musculares e a uma prova funcional. Uma redução da amplitude do potencial de ação muscular composto em qualquer nervo do membro acometido maior ou igual a 90% da amplitude do potencial do membro sadio correlacionou-se com um resultado clínico ruim aos seis meses de idade (p < 0,01). A acurácia prognóstica da eletroneurografia foi de 91% para as lesões do tronco superior, 97% para as lesões do tronco médio e 100% para as lesões do tronco inferior. Nossos resultados indicam que a eletroneurografia parece ser um instrumento útil na avaliação prognóstica precoce de pacientes com plexopatia braquial obstétrica / Early prognostic assessment of obstetric brachial plexopathies would be a major step for rational selection of infants for brachial plexus surgery. We performed bilateral electroneurography of Axillary, Musculocutaneous, proximal Radial, distal Radial, Median and Ulnar nerves in 33 babies (age 10 - 60 days) with obstetrical brachial plexus lesions in order to compare the amplitude of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs). The babies were followed up for six months and the outcome was classified according to muscle power score and functional performance. A CMAP amplitude reduction in any nerve of the injured side superior or equal to 90% of CMAP amplitude of the normal side was related to an unfavorable clinical result at age of six months (p < 0,01). The prognostic accuracy of electroneurography was 91% for the upper trunk, 97% for the middle trunk and 100% for the lower trunk. Our results indicate that electroneurography seems to be a useful tool for very early prognostic assessment of obstetric brachial plexopathies

One of the most devastating effects of tetraplegia is the inability to grasp and manipulate everyday objects necessary to living an independent life. Currently surgery is widely accepted as the solution to improve hand functionality. However, surgery becomes difficult when the user has paralysed wrists as is the case with C5 tetraplegia. The aim of this research was to develop a solution which provided controlled wrist flexion and extension which, when combined with surgery, achieves a 'key pinch' grip. This particular grip is critically important for people with C5 tetraplegia as it is used for countless grasping activities, necessary on a day-to-day basis. A systematic design process was used to evolve the solution to provide controlled wrist flexion and extension. Concept brainstorming identified four alternative solutions which were evaluated to find the preferred concept. The chosen solution was called the Self Powered Wrist Extension Orthosis, more commonly referred to as the 'orthosis'. This concept contained a shoulder harness which provided both energy and control to the wrist harness, which in turn changed the wrist position. The orthosis was developed with the use of a mathematical model which theoretically predicted the functional performance by comparing the required force needed to move the wrist harness to the achievable force supplied by the user's shoulders. Using these parameters, the orthosis was optimized using the matlab Nelder-Mead algorithm which adjusted the wrist harness geometries to maximize the functional performance. A prototype was constructed and tested with the help of two participants who when combined, achieved an average of 18.5° of wrist rotation. The theoretical model however predicted an average range of motion of 28.4°. The discrepancy found between the theoretical and experimental result can be contributed to incorrect assumptions in the theoretical model. This included unaccounted friction and inaccurate modeling of the orthosis dynamics. The feedback from potential users of the orthosis was enthusiastic and encouraging especially towards the simplicity, usability and practicality of the design.

Les strongyloses vétérinaires constituent l’une des principales causes de gastroentérites et d’anémie des ovins et caprins à l’origine de lourdes pertes économiques. Cependant, leurs prise en charge par les anthelminthiques existants, est confrontée à la prolifération d’une pharmacorésistance des nématodes incriminés. La première partie de ce travail de thèse présente l’ampleur du problème que pose la résistance des helminthes impliqués dans les strongyloses des petits ruminants. Elle révèle également le profil novateur des imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl-phénylacrylonitriles qui est proposé pour parer à l’inefficacité croissante des anthelminthiques. / Veterinary strongylosis is one of the main causes of gastroenteritis and anemia in sheep and goats causing major economic losses. However, their management by existing anthelmintics, is confronted with the proliferation of drug resistance of the nematodes incriminated. The first part of this thesis presents the magnitude of the problem posed by the resistance of helminths involved in strongylosis of small ruminants. It also reveals the innovative profile of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl-phenylacrylonitriles that are proposed to counter the increasing ineffectiveness of anthelmintics.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:45:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAKSG.pdf: 1507517 bytes, checksum: 85f76e08d58b01c89cbae5b1bcbe001d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-02-17 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The school inclusion of students with special educational needs, understood not only as the legal guarantee of the right of attending school but also the permanence and success in the process of education of those students in an ordinary classroom of a regular school, is still an aim which is very distant from the reality of our schools. The educational systems, schools and teachers still face a lot of difficulties in providing the necessary resources in order to guarantee a successful process of school inclusion. One of the difficulties has been the lack of knowledge of the teachers about what they could do to increase participation, ensure access to the curriculum (syllabus) and favor the integration and acceptance of the students with special educational needs in the group. The present study had as its objective to describe and analyze how the process of inclusion of children with Brain Paralysis in Child Education, focusing specifically the pedagogical strategies which are being used to fulfill the needs of those children as to ensure the access and permanence as well as their participation in the activities proposed in classroom. Three teachers of the municipal Elementary School system of Sao Carlos and three children who have Brain Paralysis participated on this study. The study, of qualitative nature, based on ethnographic referential, has involved an outline in three phases. In the first phase, named as preliminary, the ethical procedures which rule the research with human beings have been conducted. In the second phase, the observation and registration of the pedagogical strategies have started, which was carried out in XXX sessions of natural observation of the classroom, registered in a specific protocol and in notes on a field journal. In the third and last phase, it has been carried out the investigation on the perception of the teachers about their own strategies and about the viability of the strategies mentioned in the literature, through individual interview sessions with the three teachers. The data on the observations and interview were interpreted and discussed in the form of reports of the three cases involving each one of the duo teacher-student. Overall, the results have shown that the responses which schools have been giving to the educational needs of children with brain paralysis still seem to be minimal. The most viable possibility seems to be the implementation of diversified teaching strategies, which, however, still depend much more on the good will and competence of the teacher of the regular class. We have also noticed that there is not agreement between what the teachers say they do and what has been observed in their practice as for the pedagogical strategies used with children with brain paralysis; and they do not seem to know how the teaching can be differentiated in order to fulfill their student s needs. There is in general an idea that equality is a principle to be followed. The discussion points to ways to reach improvement on the teaching conditions as to favor the education of this population in inclusive environments. / A inclusão escolar de alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais, entendida não apenas como a garantia legal do direito ao acesso, mas também da permanência e do sucesso no processo de escolarização na classe comum da escola regular, ainda é uma meta muito distante da realidade de nossas escolas. Os sistemas educacionais, as escolas e os professores ainda encontram muitas dificuldades em prover os recursos necessários para garantir um processo bem sucedido de inclusão escolar. Um das dificuldades encontradas tem sido o desconhecimento dos professores sobre o que eles poderiam fazer para aumentar a participação, garantir acesso ao currículo e favorecer a integração e aceitação pelo grupo dos alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo descrever e analisar como está sendo implementado o processo de inclusão na educação infantil de crianças com paralisia cerebral; enfocou especificamente as estratégias pedagógicas que estão sendo utilizadas para atender as necessidades dessas crianças com vistas a garantir o acesso, a permanência, bem como a participação nas atividades propostas em sala de aula. Participaram do estudo três professoras da rede municipal de educação infantil de São Carlos que possuíam crianças com paralisia cerebral. O estudo, de natureza qualitativa, baseado no referencial etnográfico, envolveu um delineamento com três etapas. Na primeira, denominada de preliminar, foram conduzidos os procedimentos éticos que regem as pesquisas com seres humanos. Na segunda, foram iniciadas a observação e registro das estratégias pedagógicas, durante 22 sessões de observação natural na sala de aula, registradas em um protocolo específico e em anotações em diário de campo. Na terceira e última etapa, procedeu-se à investigação sobre a percepção das professoras sobre suas próprias estratégias e sobre a viabilidade das estratégias apontadas na literatura, através de sessões individuais de entrevistas com as três professoras. Os dados de observação e da entrevista foram interpretados e discutidos na forma de relatos de três casos envolvendo cada uma das díades professor-aluno. De modo geral, os resultados demonstraram que as respostas que as escolas vêm dando às necessidades educacionais especiais de crianças com paralisia cerebral ainda parecem mínimas. A possibilidade mais viável parece ser a implementação de estratégias de ensino diversificado, que entretanto ainda está muito mais na dependência da boa vontade e competência do professor de classe comum. Constatamos ainda que há um descompasso entre o que os professores dizem fazer e o que se observa de sua prática em relação às estratégias pedagógicas utilizadas para as crianças com paralisia cerebral. Parece que eles desconhecem como o ensino pode ser diferenciado para atender seus alunos; existe no geral, uma idéia de que a igualdade de condições é o princípio a ser seguido. A discussão aponta caminhos para a melhoria nas condições de ensino de modo a favorecer a escolarização desta população em ambientes inclusivos.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:33:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LeideAPS_DISSERT.pdf: 986741 bytes, checksum: e18d4b42b9411720a51bd3f7786fa126 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-09-25 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico / Cyanobacterial blooms are common in eutrophic reservoirs in Brazilian northeastern semi-arid. Given this reality, the present study aimed to analyze the effect of potentially toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Gargalheiras reservoir (semi-arid) on the cladocerans Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia gessneri. In vitro chronic bioassays were performed with reservoir water dilutions from August/2011 to May/2012 and the following effects were evaluated on: intrinsic rate of population growth (r), reproductive parameters (age of first reproduction and fecundity per capita) and cladocerans movements. Phytoplankton was dominated by Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Planktothrix agardhii and saxitoxin and microcystin were detected in reservoir water. In most months C. dubia showed differences in r between control (absence of cyanobacteria) and treatments, and has shown negative effects on reproductive parameters. In all months paralysis of swimming movements was observed in C. dubia when both C. raciborskii and saxitoxin (cyanotoxin neurotoxic) were present in water. While C. dubia was sensitive to the reservoir water containing cyanobacteria, D. gessneri showed less intense negative effects in r and reproductive parameters. Furthermore, D. gessneri showed no paralysis of swimming movements. These results support the hypothesis in the literature that D. gessneri is resistant to the Cylindrospermopsis effects. The clone&#8223;s life history may be a key to understand the results. The C. dubia clone, isolated from eutrophicated environment, is in the lab for ten years and it is an exotic species in Brazil. D. gessneri is a common species in the country and this clone was isolated from the Gargalheiras reservoir (where there are constant blooms of potentially toxic cyanobacteria) a year ago. Perhaps the recent contact with cyanobacteria explain the higher resistance presented by this D. gessneri clone. In conclusion, the cladocerans studied have different levels of sensitivity to cyanobacteria, characterizing species-specific responses / Flora??es de cianobact?ras s?o frequentes em reservat?rios eutr?ficos do semi-?rido do nordeste brasileiro. Diante dessa realidade o presente trabalho objetivou analisar o efeito de flora??es de cianobact?rias potencialmente t?xicas do reservat?rio Gargalheiras (semi-?rido brasileiro) sobre os clad?ceros Ceriodaphnia dubia e Daphnia gessneri. Foram realizados ensaios cr?nicos in vitro com dilui??es de ?gua do reservat?rio de agosto/2011 a maio/2012 e foram avaliados efeitos sobre: taxa intr?nseca de crescimento populacional (r), par?metros reprodutivos (idade da primeira reprodu??o e fecundidade per capita) e movimenta??o dos clad?ceros. O fitopl?ncton foi dominado por Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii e Planktothrix agardhii e houve detec??o de saxitoxina e microcistina na ?gua do reservat?rio. Na maioria dos meses C. dubia apresentou diferen?a em r entre controle (aus?ncia de cianobact?rias) e tratamentos, al?m de ter apresentado efeitos negativos nos par?metros reprodutivos. Observou-se ainda um efeito de paralisia dos movimentos natat?rios de C. dubia em todos os meses, concomitante ? presen?a de C. raciborskii e saxitoxina (cianotoxina neurot?xica) na ?gua. Enquanto C. dubia apresentou-se sens?vel ? ?gua do reservat?rio contendo cianobact?rias, D. gessneri apresentou efeitos negativos menos intensos em r e nos par?metros reprodutivos. Al?m disso, esta esp?cie n?o teve os movimentos paralisados. Esses resultados apoiam a hip?tese levantada na literatura de que D. gessneri apresenta resist?ncia aos efeitos da Cylindrospermopsis. A hist?ria de vida dos clones pode ser uma chave para compreens?o dos resultados. O clone de C. dubia, isolado de ambiente eutrofizado, est? em laborat?rio h? dez anos e essa ? uma esp?cie ex?tica no Brasil. D. gessneri ? uma esp?cie comum no pa?s e este clone foi isolado h? um ano do reservat?rio Gargalheiras, onde h? constantes flora??es de cianobact?rias potencialmente t?xicas. A hip?tese mais prov?vel ? que o contato recente deste clone de D. gessneri com cianobact?rias tenha lhe conferido maior resist?ncia. Conclui-se que os clad?ceros estudados apresentam diferentes n?veis de sensibilidade ?s cianobact?rias, caracterizando respostas esp?cie-espec?ficas

O desenvolvimento de um método eficiente de avaliação prognóstica precoce seria de grande utilidade na seleção de lactentes com plexopatia braquial obstétrica para cirurgias de reconstrução do plexo braquial. Realizamos uma eletroneurografia bilateral em 33 bebês com plexopatia braquial obstétrica entre 10 e 60 dias de vida. Foram avaliadas e comparadas lado a lado as amplitudes dos potenciais de ação musculares compostos dos nervos axilar, musculocutâneo, radial proximal, radial distal, mediano e ulnar. Os bebês foram seguidos clinicamente até os seis meses de vida, quando foram submetidos a uma avaliação da força de vários grupos musculares e a uma prova funcional. Uma redução da amplitude do potencial de ação muscular composto em qualquer nervo do membro acometido maior ou igual a 90% da amplitude do potencial do membro sadio correlacionou-se com um resultado clínico ruim aos seis meses de idade (p < 0,01). A acurácia prognóstica da eletroneurografia foi de 91% para as lesões do tronco superior, 97% para as lesões do tronco médio e 100% para as lesões do tronco inferior. Nossos resultados indicam que a eletroneurografia parece ser um instrumento útil na avaliação prognóstica precoce de pacientes com plexopatia braquial obstétrica / Early prognostic assessment of obstetric brachial plexopathies would be a major step for rational selection of infants for brachial plexus surgery. We performed bilateral electroneurography of Axillary, Musculocutaneous, proximal Radial, distal Radial, Median and Ulnar nerves in 33 babies (age 10 - 60 days) with obstetrical brachial plexus lesions in order to compare the amplitude of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs). The babies were followed up for six months and the outcome was classified according to muscle power score and functional performance. A CMAP amplitude reduction in any nerve of the injured side superior or equal to 90% of CMAP amplitude of the normal side was related to an unfavorable clinical result at age of six months (p < 0,01). The prognostic accuracy of electroneurography was 91% for the upper trunk, 97% for the middle trunk and 100% for the lower trunk. Our results indicate that electroneurography seems to be a useful tool for very early prognostic assessment of obstetric brachial plexopathies

A contração muscular gerada por impulsos elétricos provenientes de duas fontes nervosas distintas pode ser alternativa no tratamento de lesões do plexo braquial e na paralisia facial. O objetivo desta tese foi avaliar e comparar diferentes técnicas de reinervação dupla com a técnica de reinervação única do músculo gastrocnêmio em ratos. Cinquenta ratos Wistar adultos, após terem seu nervo fibular direito seccionado, foram divididos em cinco grupos com relação ao procedimento realizado no nervo tibial: controle (C); seccionado (S); neurorrafia término-terminal (TT); neurorrafia primária associada à transferência nervosa fibular para tibial de maneira término-lateral (TL); e neurorrafia término-terminal convergente entre os cotos proximais dos nervos tibial e fibular com o coto distal do nervo tibial (TTC). Os resultados foram avaliados 12 semanas após o experimento por meio do teste da marcha, eletromiografia, índice de massa do músculo gastrocnêmio e contagem axonal no coto distal do nervo tibial. Os grupos de reinervação dupla (TL e TTC) revelaram maiores resultados funcionais (p < 0,05) em relação ao grupo de reinervação única (TT). O grupo TTC apresentou maior amplitude (p=0,006) e maior latência (p=0,041) do que o grupo TT. Em relação ao índice de massa muscular, não houve diferença entre os grupos de reinervação (p > 0,705). A análise histológica revelou maior densidade axonal no grupo TTC em relação ao grupo TT (p=0,001) e ao grupo TL (p=0,002). Ambas técnicas de dupla reinervação revelaram recuperação funcional do músculo gastrocnêmio mais precoce e maior quando comparadas à técnica de reinervação única (TT). Os animais do grupo TTC apresentaram maior número de axônios regenerados no coto distal do nervo tibial do que os do grupo TT e TL / Muscle contraction generated by electrical impulses simultaneously originating from two different neural sources may be an interesting treatment alternative for facial palsy and brachial plexus injury. The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate and compare distinct double reinnervation techniques with single reinnervation technique of gastrocnemius muscle in rats. Fifty adult Wistar rats underwent transection of their right peroneal nerve and were divided into five groups related to tibial nerve procedure: the control group (C), tibial nerve section group (S), tibial nerve end-to-end neurorrhaphy (EE) group, tibial nerve primary repair associated with end-to-side peroneal-to-tibial nerve transfer (ES) group, and tibial nerve repair by convergent end-to-end neurorrhaphy between the proximal stumps of the tibial and peroneal nerves to the distal stump of the tibial nerve (CEE) group. The outcomes were assessed 12 weeks after the experiment by use of a walking track, electromyography, gastrocnemius muscle mass index, and histomorphometric analysis of the distal tibial nerve. The double reinnervation groups (ES and CEE) showed greater functional recovery (p < 0.05) than the single reinnervation group (EE). The CEE group showed greater amplitude (p=0.006) and higher latency (p=0.041) than the EE group. There was no difference in the muscle mass index among the reinnervation groups (p > 0.705). Histologic analysis revealed greater axonal density in the CEE group than EE group (p=0.001) and ES group (p=0.002). The double reinnervation techniques showed earlier and greater functional recovery of the gastrocnemius muscle than did the single reinnervation technique. The CEE group showed a higher number of regenerated axons in the distal tibial nerve stump

Project Magnetotherapeutic device for Child Neurology in his forepart paies medical use of Pulsatile Magnetic Field. Summaries a therapeutic effects of field which is interacting with biotic issue and determines which of those effects are acceptable for treatment of Infantile Paralysis. Below it describes single Bio-Parametres of Pulsatile Magnetic Field and analyses reasons and effects of Infantile Paralysis. In second part is described a block diagram of magnetotherapeutic device for treatment of Infantile Paralysis. Described is principle of function of blocks. In third part is defined circuit solving of controlling, supervisory and generating part of magnetotherapeutic device. Function and wiring of components is described in detail. There is also created a Printed Circuit Board. Device is controlled by three microcontrollers, therefore there are described flowcharts and controlling programs for microcontrollers.

MPH / Department of Public Health / Worldwide there are millions of children and adolescents with adisability. The United Nations Children’s Fund estimates the worldwide prevalence to be 150 million children under 18 years older, the World Health Organization also estimates that there are 93 million children with impairment. This study focused at describing the impact of rehabilitation programme for the young adult living with cerebral palsy admitted in a care centre Mopani District, South Africa. The study utilized a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional survey method. Data was collected using an observational check list. The target population is young adults’ aged 18- 35 yearswith cerebral palsy in a Care Centre. Sampling was not necessary in this study since the targeted population was small in number. Confidentiality of respondents’ information was maintained where study subjects wereidentifiedusing codes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the results of the analysis are presented in the form of tables and charts to enhance clarity. The results are presented according to the objectives. The conclusion and recommendationswere made based on the findings. The study results show that there were more females than males (ratio 3:1) and the range of age distribution was 20 to 37 years. The study also finds out that cerebral palsy condition was accompanied by other complications such as blindness, mental retardation, epilepsy and hydrocephalus. The study indicated that rehabilitation can only have minimal effects but it can improve the quality of life of the patient. With regard to communication outcome of the rehabilitation programme it indicates progress following rehabilitation between 57% and 80% could use expressive language and follow basic instructions. The study also observed that patients made a steady improvement right through from those who spent 4 to 8 years to those who had been there for long, 15 years and above. Since cerebral palsy can affect motor development as well as social development, the rehabilitation seems beneficial to focus on intervention programme on the cognitive stimulation of children and young adults with cerebral palsy. / NRF