The aortic valve functions in a complex mechanical environment which leads to force dependent cellular and tissue responses. Characterization of these responses provides a fundamental understanding of valve pathogenesis. The aim of this work was to develop an ex vivo organ culture system capable of simulating physiological aortic pressures and flow rates, and study the biological characteristics of native porcine aortic valves cultured in the system. Collagen, sGAG and elastin content of the valve leaflets were measured and cusp morphology, cell phenotype, cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined. Presence of endothelial cells (ECs) on the leaflet surface was also evaluated. The differences in collagen, sGAG and elastin contents were not significant (p greater than0.05) between the cultured and fresh valve leaflets. The cultured valves maintained the structural integrity of the leaflets while preserving the native morphology and cell phenotype. Cell phenotype in leaflets incubated statically under atmospheric conditions decreased compared to fresh and cultured valve leaflets, indicating the importance of mechanical forces in maintaining the natural biology of the valve leaflets. ECs were retained on the surfaces of cultured leaflets with no remodeling of the leaflets. The number of apoptotic cells in the cultured leaflets was significantly (p less than 0.05) less than in the statically incubated leaflets and comparable to fresh leaflets. The sterile ex vivo organ culture system thus maintained the viability and native biological characteristics of the aortic valves that were cultured under dynamic conditions for a period of 48 hours.

<p>Many Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) found in coding or regulatory regions within the human genome lead to phenotypic differences that make prediction of physical appearance, based on genetic analysis, potentially useful in forensic investigations. Complex traits such as pigmentation can be predicted from the genome sequence, provided that genes with strong effects on the trait exist and are known. Phenotypic traits may also be associated with variations in gene expression due to the presence of SNPs in promoter regions. In this project, the identification of genes associated with these physical traits of potential forensic relevance have been collated from the literature using a text mining platform and hand curation. The SNPs associated with these genes have been acquired from public SNP repositories such as the International HapMap project, dbSNP and Ensembl. Characterization of different population groups based on the SNPs has been performed and the results and data stored in a MySQL database. This database contains SNP genotyping data with respect to physical phenotypic differences of forensic interest. The potential forensicrelevance of the SNP information contained in this database has been verified through in silico SNP analysis aimed at establishing possible relationships between SNP occurrence and phenotype. The software used for this analysis is MATCH&trade / .</p>

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a disease of the aorta characterized by pathological remodeling and progressive weakening of the vessel resulting in the increased risk of rupture and sudden death. In a mouse model of the disease induced by chronic Angiotensin II (AngII) infusion, progression of AAAs is associated with reduced differentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) at the site of lesion development. In the mouse model, the effectiveness of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition for attenuating AAA progression is associated with maintenance of a differentiated SMC phenotype. However, the safety of COX-2 inhibitors is currently in question due to the increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Thus, it is crucial to identify mediators downstream of COX-2 that may provide new targets for treatment of this disease. Recent studies in humans and mouse models have suggested that the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES-1) enzyme, which acts downstream of COX-2, may also be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. We hypothesized that increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis resulting from the induction of both COX-2 and mPGES-1 may result in reduced differentiation of SMCs, and that disruption of this pathway would preserve the differentiated phenotype. To test this hypothesis, human aortic smooth muscle cells (hASMCs) were utilized to examine the effects of a variety of agents involved in AAA development and the COX-2 pathway. My findings suggest that one of the effects of exposing hASMCs to AngII involves a specific induction of mPGES-1 expression. Furthermore, although different COX-2-derived products may have opposing effects, mPGES-1-derived PGE2 may be the primary prostanoid synthesized by SMCs which functions to attenuate differentiation. Therefore, mPGES-1 inhibition may provide inhibition of PGE2 that is more specific than COX-2 inhibitor treatment and may serve as a therapeutic target for attenuating AAA progression by maintaining a differentiated SMC phenotype.

No description available.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Répondant au besoin de mieux comprendre les relations qui lient un génotype aux phénotypes moléculaires et cliniques associés, nous avons développé une nouvelle infrastructure bioinformatique qui unit, dans un même système, la collecte, la gestion, la maintenance et le traitement de multiples données ou informations. La première contribution de cette thèse est SM2PH Central et sa capacité de générer des instances. SM2PH Central constitue notre centre de référence en ligne pour toutes les protéines humaines intégrant des niveaux d’informations qui vont des aspects génomiques, structuraux, fonctionnels ou évolutifs aux aspects de transcriptomique, interactomique, protéomique ou métabolomique. La deuxième contribution est MSV3d, une ressource d’annotation multi-niveau (propriétés physico-chimiques, fonction, évolution, structure) des mutations humaines connues. MSV3d fournit l’ensemble des connaissances exploitées par la troisième contribution de cette thèse à savoir KD4v, notre base d’extraction de connaissances pour prédire l’impact phénotypique d’une mutation. La base de connaissances de KD4v induite par la Programmation Logique Inductive contient des règles exploitables par un humain ou un ordinateur et des facteurs prédictifs caractérisant les mutations neutres ou délétères. Enfin, l’ultime contribution de cette thèse est liée au développement de GEPeTTO, un prototype de priorisation de gènes. Une application biologique a été réalisée. Nous avons étudié la cécité nocturne en utilisant SM2PH Central, en combinaison avec le service d’annotation de MSV3d et la méthode de prédiction KD4v pour analyser le gène GPR179 et ses deux mutations nouvellement identifiées. / Responding to the need to better understand the relationships linking the genotype to the molecular and clinical phenotype, we have developed a new bioinformatics infrastructure that unites, in a single system, the collection, the management, the maintenance and the processing of multiple data or information. The first contribution of this thesis is SM2PH Central and its ability to generate instances. SM2PH Central is our online reference center for all human proteins including many levels of information such as genomics, structural, functional and evolutionary aspects of transcriptomics, interactomics, proteomics or metabolomics. The second contribution is MSV3d, a multi-level annotation resource (physico-chemical properties, function, evolution, structure) of known human mutations. MSV3d provides the knowledge used by the third contribution of this thesis namely KD4v, our knowledgebase extraction to predict the phenotypic effect of a mutation. The KD4v knowledgebase computed by Inductive Logic Programming contains the rules describing the information that can be either exploited by a human or a computer, and the predictors characterizing neutral or deleterious mutations. The last contribution of this thesis is related to the development of GEPeTTO, a prototype of the prioritization of genes. Finally, these tools (SM2PH Central, MSV3d, KD4v) allowed us in the context of patients data analysis to confirm the implication of GPR179 as a new gene responsible for congenital stationary night blindness.

A fibrose cística (FC) é diagnosticada na presença de achados fenotípicos, história familiar ou triagem neonatal positiva acompanhada de evidência laboratorial de disfunção da CFTR, seja pelo teste do suor, diferença de potencial nasal ou pela identificação de duas mutações conhecidas como causa de FC nos genes da CFTR. Objetivos: Avaliar a contribuição da análise molecular do gene CFTR na investigação diagnóstica da fibrose cística em pacientes com suspeita de FC leve ou doença atípica. Secundariamente, comparar as características dos pacientes em 3 grupos: grupo com identificação de duas mutações conhecidas como causadoras da FC, grupo com identificação de apenas uma mutação e grupo sem mutação identificada. Métodos: Estudo transversal em adolescentes e adultos (≥14 anos). Os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação clínica, laboratorial e radiológica; espirometria, microbiologia do escarro, ecografia hepática, teste do suor e análise molecular do gene CFTR. Resultados: Foram avaliados 37 pacientes com achados fenotípicos de FC, com ou sem confirmação pelo teste do suor. Houve predomínio do sexo feminino (75,7%) com média de idade de 32,5 ± 13,6 anos. A análise molecular contribuiu para o diagnóstico definitivo de FC em 3 casos (8,1%) dentre 37 pacientes em avaliação. Em 7 pacientes (18,9%) foram identificadas apenas uma mutação causadora de FC e em 26 pacientes (70,3%) não foram identificadas mutações. Nenhuma característica clínica estudada se associou com o diagnóstico genético. A mutação p.F508del foi a mais comum, encontrada em 5 pacientes. A associação de p.V232D e p.F508del foi encontrada em 2 pacientes. Outras mutações encontradas foram: p.A559T, p.D1152H, p.T1057A, p.I148T, p.V754M, p.P1290P e p.R1066H e p.T351S. Conclusão: A análise molecular da região codificante do gene CFTR apresentou contribuição limitada para investigação diagnóstica de pacientes com suspeita de fibrose cística leve ou doença atípica. Além disso, não houve associação entre as características clínicas e o diagnóstico genético. / Cystic fibrosis (CF) is diagnosed in the presence of phenotypic findings, family history or positive neonatal screening accompanied by laboratory evidence of CFTR dysfunction, either by sweat test, nasal potential difference or the identification of two mutations known to cause CF in the CFTR gene. Objectives: To evaluate the contribution of molecular analysis of CFTR gene in cystic fibrosis diagnostic investigation in patients with suspected mild FC or atypical disease. Secondarily, to compare the characteristics of patients into 3 groups: group with identification of two mutations known to cause CF, group with identification of just one mutation and group without mutations. Methods: Cross-sectional study in adolescent and adult (≥ 14 years). The patient underwent clinical, laboratory and radiological spirometry, sputum microbiology, liver ultrasound, sweat test and molecular analysis of the CFTR gene. Results: We evaluated 37 patients with phenotypic findings of FC, with or without confirmation by the sweat test. There was a predominance of females (75.7%) with a mean age of 32.5 ± 13.6 years. Molecular analysis contributed to the definitive diagnosis of CF in 3 cases (8.1%) among 37 patients under evaluation. In 7 patients (18.9%) were identified only one mutation that causes CF and in 26 patients (70.3%) were not identified mutations. No clinical feature studied was associated with genetic diagnosis. The P.F508del mutation was the most common, found in 5 patients. The association p.V232D and p.F508del was found in 2 patients. Other mutations found were: p.A559T, p.D1152H, p.T1057A, p.I148T, p.V754M, and p.P1290P p.R1066H and p.T351S. Conclusion: Molecular analysis of the CFTR gene coding region showed limited contribution to the diagnostic investigation of patients with suspected cystic fibrosis mild or atypical disease. Moreover, there was no association between clinical features and genetic diagnosis.

A presença de traços de personalidade em familiares de pessoas com diagnóstico de Transtornos do Espectro do Autismo (TEA) parece corresponder a algumas das características comportamentais de indivíduos com TEA, apontando para a alta herdabilidade dessa condição. Esta área de estudos é referida como aquela que investiga o fenótipo ampliado do autismo (FAA). A presente pesquisa é composta por dois estudos: o primeiro teve como objetivo apresentar uma revisão crítica da literatura, especialmente sobre os aspectos comportamentais ligados ao FAA, abordando-se os traços de personalidade e diferenças de gênero, nos genitores. O segundo investigou a presença desses traços em genitores de crianças com o diagnóstico de TEA, através de um delineamento de estudos de casos múltiplos, utilizando instrumentos nacionais e internacionais. Os resultados apontam para a presença de traços autísticos nos genitores, especialmente em relação à área de Interação Social Recíproca e Comportamentos Repetitivos e Estereotipados. Esta pesquisa alinha-se a outras, ao identificar alguns traços de personalidade em pais e mães de crianças com autismo, que parecem corresponder, em algum nível, aos encontrados no TEA e, por isso, podem representar o fenótipo ampliado do autismo. / The presence of personality traits in relatives of people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) seems to correspond to some of the behavioral characteristics of individuals with ASD, pointing to the high heritability of this condition. This area of study is referred to as one that investigates the Broader Autism Phenotype (BAP). This research consists of two studies: one aimed at reviewing the literature, especially on the behavioral aspects related to the BAP, approaching the personality traits and gender differences in parents of children with autism. Second, we investigated the presence of these traits in these parents through a design of multiple case studies, using national and international measures. The results indicate the presence of autistic traits in these parents, especially in relation to the area of Social Interaction and Repetitive and Stereotyped Behaviors. This research aligns to other studies of the field, to identify some personality traits in parents of children with autism, which seem to correspond to some degree, those found in ASD and therefore may represent the broader autism phenotype.

Orientador: Willian Fernando Zambuzzi / Resumo: Modelos in vitro têm facilitado a análise da fisiologia celular sob condições experimentais diversas; trata-se de modelo alternativo ao uso de animais de experimentação, que vem sendo difundido e aceito amplamente em pesquisa científica. Além disso, estes modelos têm levado à avanços significativos na compreensão das interações mútuas e adaptativas entre células e substratos. Neste trabalho, nosso objetivo foi analisar eventos moleculares responsáveis pela adaptação de preosteoblastos em substrato orgânico composto por componentes da Matriz Extracelular (MEC), sob condição de diferenciação celular. Metodologicamente, pré-osteoblastos (MC3T3-E1 50x103 células/ml) foram semeados sobre uma fina camada de Matrigel® gelificada e mantidos por 10 dias (37oC, 5% de CO2 em ambiente úmido) sob condição de diferenciação (meio de cultivo contendo 50 µg de ácido ascórbico e 10 mM de ß- glicerofosfato), com renovação do meio de cultivo a cada 3 dias. Alterações morfológicas foram monitoradas em microscópio invertido e mecanismos moleculares acompanhados pela análise global da atividade de quinases, através de arranjo de peptídeos (Pepchip). Curiosamente, nossos resultados mostraram mudanças morfológicas significantes durante adaptação celular as quais foram acompanhadas pela atuação de vias de sinalização celular distintas, responsáveis pela sobrevivência (Eixo PI3K-Akt) e proliferação (Eixo Retinoblastoma-ciclinas) celulares, além de proteínas envolvidas com metabolismo energético e comun... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In vitro models have been proposed to analyze cellular physiology under various experimental conditions. It is an alternative model instead using experimental animals that have been widespread and widely accepted in scientific research. Moreover, it has led to significant advances in the understanding of mutual and adaptive interactions between cells and substrates. In this work, our aim was to analyze adaptive events of osteoblasts cultured on an organic substrate composed by components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the first 10 days of cultivation on differentiation condition. Methodologically, pre-osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts, 50x103 cells / ml) were seeded on a thin gelified Matrigel® layer and maintained for 10 days under standard cell culture conditions (37 ° C, 5% CO2 in a humid environment) under differentiation conditions (culture media containing 50 ug of ascorbic acid and 10 mM beta-glycerophosphate). The culture medium was changed every 3 days. Morphological changes were monitored using an inverted microscope and molecular mechanisms followed by comprehensive analysis of kinase activity by peptides arrangement (Pepchip). Interestingly, our results showed significant morphological changes during cell adaptation which were accompanied by distinct signaling pathways involving proteins responsible for survival (PI3K-Akt axis) and cell proliferation (Retinoblastoma-cyclins axis), in addition of proteins involved in energy metabolism and cellular communi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre