Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T18:02:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo9512_1.pdf: 2655908 bytes, checksum: b137ac1305ca5bc02534e3f38e5c8db1 (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A avicultura brasileira gera grandes divisas para o país e fornece alimento a baixo custo para a população. Entretanto, os problemas sanitários que acometem a indústria avícola afetam todo o sistema produtivo, podendo acarretar perdas no mercado mundial ou elevação dos preços do produto final. Dentre as enfermidades mais frequentes na avicultura mundial e brasileira está a coccidiose, causada por diferentes espécies de protozoários do gênero Eimeria spp., sendo E. maxima, E. acervulina e E. tenella os agentes causadores mais comuns. Este estudo avaliou a expressão gênica em resposta à infecção por E. tenella no baço de três linhagens de galinhas: uma selecionada para altas taxas de crescimento e desenvolvimento muscular (TT), outra selecionada para altas taxas de fertilidade e postura de ovos (CC), e uma terceira linhagem não selecionada geneticamente (CCc), um controle genético de CC. As duas linhagens selecionadas (TT e CC) apresentaram, em estudo anterior, diferenças na resistência/susceptibilidade à coccidiose. As aves foram inoculadas com E. tenella e seus tecidos foram colhidos aos dias 0 (pré-infecção), 2, 6 e 9 pós-infecção. O perfil de expressão gênica no baço das aves foi avaliado por meio de microarranjos de DNA contendo 13.000 pontos de genes impressos, oriundos de tecido linfóide de aves. RT-PCR quantitativo em tempo real foi realizado para avaliar o perfil de expressão de NK-lisina uma citocina produzida por linfócitos T e células natural killer, e responsável pelo recrutamento e ativação de outras citocinas e células de defesa. O estudo de microarranjos revelou importantes conjuntos de genes diferencialmente expressos entre as linhagens. Aves da linhagem mais resistente CC apresentaram um padrão de expressão de genes que codificam imunoglobulinas e citocinas maior do que os animais TT. Dentre esses genes, encontram-se galinacina, uma β-defensina de aves, e IRF-10. Ambas atuam no combate a patógenos intracelulares. Já a linhagem TT apresentou maior expressão de IL1-F5, uma citocina antagônica de IL-1, que atua inibindo NF-κB, um fator importante na diferenciação de linfócitos e estímulo de IRF10 e IFN-γ. Entre as linhagens que compartilham uma maior proximidade genética, CC e CCc, as diferenças foram quantitativa e qualitativamente mais sutis. Consistente com esse padrão, os níveis de expressão de NK-lisina foram maiores na linhagem CC durante o período pré-infecção. Já no segundo dia após a infecção, TT mostrou uma expressão muito superior a CC e CCc, possivelmente devido à sua inabilidade em prontamente combater a doença. Ao avançar da infecção, a expressão gênica foi homogênea entre as linhagens. É possível que a seleção genética para características de postura possa ter favorecido a expressão basal de genes envolvidos com defesa celular, promovendo maior condição de resistência a doenças aos animais

The aim of this thesis is the study of the genetic substance of the important domestication sign pod dehiscence. Two types of pea were analyzed, with indehiscence pods JI92 (Pisum sativum subsp. sativum) and wild field pea with dehiscent pods JI64. (Pisum sativum subsp. elatius). By reciprocal crossbreeding of these two lines, were created recombinant inbred lines (RILs), of a total of 134 RILs lines were selected with 9 contrast lines. We utilized the massive parallel sequencing of the 3'ends of the cDNA, obtained by reverse transcription of mRNA isolated from the seam. Thanks to this method, 3 candidate genes were generated. Subsequently, we determined the expression of these three candidate genes for the using quantitative Real-Time PCR (RT-qPCR). Amplification curves and Ct values generated from the RT-qPCR were subsequently used to generate graphs to show the degree of expression of the candidate genes. The most suitable candidate was the Ps15 gene, which is present in LGIII in the Dpo1 region, and therefore could be responsible for pod dehiscence.

Maize (Zea mays) is globally considered as an important cereal crop, and a major staple food in developing countries such as Africa (WARD et al. 1999). In South Africa, maize is considered the most important grain crop as it is the main feed grain used for animals and a staple food for the population (FAO 2012). Maize can also be used for the production of maize-based ethanol, which can be used as a bio-fuel. In the USA, approximately 40% (11 million tonnes) of maize produced in 2012 was used for the production of bio-fuel (FAO 2012). Maize production in Africa was estimated to be less than two and on average 1.4 tons per hectare and remains below world average (FAO 2012). It was expected that South African crop production would decrease by approximately six percent during the 2012/2013 growing season as droughts during February and March 2013 in the North West and Free State provinces led to below-average maize yields in these production areas (FAO 2012; USDA 2013). Over the last few years maize production output has not been increasing together with the increasing population growth rate and thus puts pressure on commercial farmers to produce more maize for food security purposes and economical growth. The FAO states that agricultural production still needs to increase by up to 60% (80% in developing countries) within the next four years to be able to cope with an estimated global population growth of 39% by 2050. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / National Research Foundation (NRF) / Plant Science / MSc / Unrestricted

Background: Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive agent used to treat immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases in dogs. We have developed a pharmacodynamic (PD) assay that measures interleukin-2 (IL-2) produced by activated T cells to measure the immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporine. Hypothesis/objectives: Our retrospective study extracted data from samples submitted to our laboratory to obtain descriptive statistics, to determine whether assay results predicted treatment effectiveness, and to determine whether cyclosporine formulation or breed affected PD responses. Animals: 1,110 samples were analyzed over 4 years. Methods: Extracted data was analyzed to determine whether there was a relationship between assay results and clinical control, and whether either formulation or breed affected results. Results: We found no relationship between assay results and control of signs, and found that breed did not affect results. At comparable doses, proprietary modified cyclosporine was more immunosuppressive than proprietary non-modified cyclosporine, and both proprietary and generic modified formulations had similar efficacy.

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is an extensively studied RNA virus that reduces quality and yield in commercially grown tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). The virus is transmitted mechanically, although infections have been associated with contaminated seeds with the seed coat being the source of virus. Thus, TMV transmission is said to be seedborne (as opposed to true seed transmission where the embryo is infected). The objective of this study was to identify TMV concentrations in the three components of an individual tobacco seed: seed coat (SC), endosperm (ED), and embryo (EM). Six hundred seed from TMV infected K 326 flue-cured cultivar tobacco plants were carefully dissected into the three components. Total RNA was extracted from each sample and synthesized into cDNA for analysis. A quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) assay was developed to quantify viral titers in each component, while endpoint PCR confirmed RT- qPCR results and established a threshold viral cycle (Ct) value. Endpoint PCR results revealed viral accumulation in all three components of a tobacco seed. The highest concentration of TMV was in the SC, followed by ED and EM. A similar viral concentration gradient was observed in each individual tobacco seed from all three experimental plants. This is the first detection of TMV in tobacco embryos and suggests the virus can be seed transmitted. / Master of Science / Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is a widely studied plant virus that affects tobacco, tomato, pepper, and many other crops throughout the world. The virus is easily transmitted through contaminated tools or machinery, workers’ hands or clothing, or when an infected leaf comes into contact with an uninfected leaf. For years, TMV transmission was said to be seedborne, not seed transmitted, meaning that seedling infection comes from the infected external seed coat of the seed. Seed transmission of the virus has yet to be proven because of the difficulty to fully separate tobacco seed tissues. The objective of this study was to identify TMV concentrations in the three components of an individual tobacco seed: seed coat (SC), endosperm (ED), and embryo (EM). Six hundred seed from TMV infected tobacco plants were carefully dissected into the three components. Total RNA was extracted from each sample, and synthesized into cDNA for analysis. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay was developed to quantify viral concentrations in each component. Endpoint PCR was used to confirm the quantitative results of RT-qPCR. Results revealed TMV accumulation in all three components of a tobacco seed, the highest concentration detected in the SC, followed by ED and EM; this pattern was observed from each plant. This is the first report of TMV being detected in embryos of tobacco seed which suggests that TMV can be seed transmitted.

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a globally recognized problem that has prompted extensive research into novel antimicrobial compounds. This dissertation describes research focusing on two types of potential antimicrobial molecules, organometallic compounds (OMC) and peptide nucleic acids (PNA). Organometallic compounds show promise as antimicrobial drugs because of their structural difference from conventional antibiotics and antimicrobials, and because of the ability to "tune" their chemical and biological properties by varying ligand attachments. Peptide nucleic acids, when linked to a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), can suppress bacterial gene expression by an antisense mechanism and are attractive candidates for antimicrobial drugs because they bind strongly to target nucleic acids and are resistant to nucleases. Chapters 1 and 2 of the dissertation provide an introduction and broad literature review to frame the experimental questions addressed. Chapter 3 describes work to test the cytotoxicity and cellular penetration capabilities of novel OMCs by evaluating their effects on J774A.1 murine macrophage-like cells that were either uninfected or were infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Results indicate that OMCs with an iridium (Ir) metal center and an amino acid ligand show minimal cytotoxicity against eukaryotic cells but likely do not penetrate the intracellular compartment in significant amounts. Chapter 4 presents research into in vitro effects of CPP-PNAs targeting the tetA and tetR antibiotic resistance genes (CPP-anti-tetA PNA and CPP-anti-tetR PNA, respectively) in tetracycline-resistant Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104 (DT104). Through the use of modified minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays it was shown that both the CPP-anti-tetA PNA and CPP-anti-tetR PNA increase tetracycline susceptibility in DT104. Chapter 5 explores the molecular mechanism of the CPP-anti-tetA PNA and CPP-anti-tetR PNA through the use of reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results indicate good specificity of the CPP-anti-tetA PNA for its nucleic acid target as evidenced by suppression of tetA mRNA expression in DT104 cultures treated with a combination of tetracycline and the PNA. Chapter 6 describes the development of a mouse model of DT104 infection using BALB/c mice, followed by implementation of that model to test in vivo antimicrobial effects of the CPP-anti-tetA PNA and the CPP-Sal-tsf PNA, which targets expression of the essential tsf gene. An optimal dose of DT104 was identified that causes clinical illness within 2-4 days. At the doses tested, concurrent treatment of infected mice with tetracycline and the CPP-anti-tetA PNA or with the CPP-Sal-tsf PNA alone did not have a protective effect. Final conclusions are 1) that further research with the OMCs should focus on compounds with an Ir center and an amino acid ligand, and should explore ways to enhance intracellular penetration, 2) that the in vitro results of the PNA studies suggest that PNAs targeting expression of antibiotic resistance genes could allow for repurposing of antibiotics to which bacteria are resistant, and 3) additional study of the behavior of PNAs in vivo is advised. / Doctor of Philosophy / Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are increasingly recognized as a threat to global health, and new antibacterial drugs are urgently needed. Before a chemical compound can advance far in the journey to becoming a new drug it must be tested for toxicity against mammalian cells. A portion of this dissertation research involved testing the toxicity of several organometallic compounds (OMCs) previously shown to have antibacterial potential. Mouse-derived mammalian cells were treated with several of the OMCs, and initial results indicated that one of the OMCs is non-toxic and is likely a safe option for additional analysis. This OMC was further tested to see if it could inhibit mycobacterial growth inside of the mammalian cells. It did not effectively clear bacteria from inside of the mammalian cells, likely because of poor penetration of the cell membrane. Further research with this compound should focus on ways to effectively transport the OMC inside infected mammalian cells so that it can reach the bacteria it is meant to target. A second portion of this research involved using a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) to try and reverse tetracycline antibiotic resistance in the bacterial strain Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104 (DT104). Peptide nucleic acids are short linear molecules that can bind strongly to complementary DNA and RNA sequences and thus be used to interfere with expression of specific genes. A PNA was designed to inhibit expression of the bacterial tetA gene that codes for a protein called the TetA tetracycline efflux pump, which imparts resistances to tetracycline. Treating the bacteria with the PNA resulted in a lower dose of tetracycline needed to inhibit bacterial growth, indicating a successful increase in tetracycline susceptibility. By using a molecular analysis technique called reversetranscriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), it was possible to measure the amount of tetA messenger RNA (mRNA) in cultures of DT104 treated only with tetracycline or with a combination of tetracycline and the PNA. As expected, bacteria treated with both the antibiotic and the PNA had less tetA mRNA than the cultures treated only with tetracycline, supporting the hypothesis that the PNA prevents the bacteria from effectively expressing the tetA gene. The PNA was next used in conjunction with tetracycline as an experimental treatment for mice infected with DT104. The PNA did not provide the expected protective effect under these circumstances. The overall conclusion for this part of the research is that PNAs offer an exciting potential avenue for counteracting antibiotic resistance, but additional experimentation is needed. Future research should focus on investigating more effective ways to get the PNAs inside the bacteria and on understanding more about how the PNAs behave in live animals. Several other PNAs targeting different genes involved in antibiotic resistance or essential bacterial functions were also tested against DT104 with variable success.

Les maladies fongiques du bois de la vigne que sont le syndrome de l'esca, le Black Dead Arm (BDA) et l'Eutypiose sont particulièrement dommageables à la profession vitivinicole, et sont actuellement en progression. Le temps d'incubation nécessaire à l'expression de ces maladies au champ complique l'évaluation de solutions préventives adaptées en condition contrôlée ainsi qu'en condition de terrain. Ces travaux de thèse ont eu pour objectifs la conception et la validation de tests PCR quantitatifs en temps réel (RtqPCR), permettant la détection et la quantification in planta de cinq champignons associés aux maladies de dépérissement de la vigne, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora et Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (esca), Diplodia seriata et Neofusicoccum parvum (BDA), et Eutypa lata (Eutypiose). Le développement de tests multiplexes a ensuite été entrepris et ces derniers ont été évalués pour la détection de quatre champignons (2 associés à esca et 2 au BDA) dans le bois de jeunes plants issus de pépinière viticole. Enfin, l'étude de l'interaction in planta de deux champignons associés au syndrome de l'esca de la vigne (P.chlamydospora et P.aleophilum) a été réalisée par RT-qPCR, et complétée par la caractérisation histologique de la réponse de la plante à la blessure dans le bois, en inoculation individuelle et en co-inoculation. / Grapevine trunk diseases, among which esca's syndrome, Black Dead Arm (BDA) and Eutypiosis, represent a real threat for grape and wine industry. Incubation time required before symptoms externalization in field complicates the evaluation of the efficacy of preventive solution in control and field conditions. These thesis's works focused on the design and the validation of Real Time quantitative PCR assays (RT-qPCR), in order to detect and quantify in vine plant five fungi associated with grapevine trunk disease, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora et Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (esca), Diplodia seriata et Neofusicoccum parvum (BDA), et Eutypa lata (Eutypiosis). The development of multiplex assays was undertaken and these last were evaluated in order to detect four fungi (esca and BDA) in wood sample from young plants in vine nursery. Finally, a study of the interaction between two fungi associated with esca's syndrome has been determined in planta through RT-qPCR, and completed by a histological analysis of plant response to injury of woody tissues.

Substâncias contendo clorexidina (CHX) ou associação de antibióticos têm sido pesquisadas como medicações intracanal. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: Capítulo 1- Caracterizar a resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos à pasta triantibiótica (Trimix), por microscopia óptica convencional e por RT-PCR em tempo real; e Capítulo 2 - Comparar a resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos a medicações intracanal contendo CHX por microscopia óptica convencional. No Capítulo 1, a resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos foi avaliada por meio da implantação de tubos de polietilieno vazios ou contendo uma das substâncias avaliadas: Trimix ou Calen. Como controle adicional, foram utilizados animais que não receberam a implantação dos tubos. Para a avaliação histopatológica, decorridos os períodos experimentais de 7, 21 e 63 dias, os implantes (n=10) contendo Trimix ou Calen foram removidos juntamente com o tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo e a pele adjacente e submetidos ao processamento histotécnico, sendo os cortes corados pelo método de hematoxilina e eosina e picrosírius vermelho. Foram efetuadas análises qualitativa, determinando os parâmetros de resposta biológica e quantitativa, onde foram avaliados o número de células inflamatórias e de vasos, a área e a densidade vascular, além do percentual relativo de colágeno. As reações de RT-PCR em tempo real foram realizadas nos grupos tubo vazio, pasta Calen, Trimix e controle adicional nos períodos experimentais de 7 e 21 dias. Foi realizada a detecção e quantificação das citocinas pró-inflamatórias (IL-1β, TNF-α e IL- 17) e anti-inflamatória (TGF-β), fator crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF), fator induzido por hipóxia (HIF-1α), metaloproteinases (MMP-2 e -9) e inibidores de metaloproteinases (TIMP-1 e - 2). Os resultados foram comparados empregando teste t de Student e ANOVA, seguida do pósteste de Tukey. No Capítulo 2, foi efetuada a comparação da resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos às pastas Calen+CHX a 0,5%, Calen+CHX a 2,0%, ao gel de CHX a 2,0% e à pasta Calen (controle) utilizando metodologia semelhante à empregada para avaliação histopatológica no Capítulo 1. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados por meio da ANOVA, seguida do pós-teste de Tukey. O nível de significancia adotado em todas as análises estatísticas foi de 5%. Com base nos resultados obtidos, pôde-se concluir que: 1) A resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos à pasta Trimix caracterizou-se por reação inflamatória aguda persistente e ausência de reparo no período estudado de 63 dias, o que foi suportado pela maior expressão gênica dos biomarcadores relacionados à resposta inflamatória e angiogênica, comparado à pasta Calen; 2) Quando comparadas as medicações contendo CHX, os resultados evidenciaram que a Calen+CHX a 0,5% exibiu resposta tecidual reparativa, em contraste com a Calen+CHX a 2,0% e o gel de CHX a 2,0% que propiciaram resposta inflamatória persistente, apontando para agressividade destes materiais. Considerando a Calen+CHX a 2,0% e o gel de CHX a 2,0%, este apresentou resposta inflamatória de maior intensidade. Desse modo, o presente estudo fornece indícios que as pastas Trimix, Calen+CHX a 2,0% e o gel de CHX a 2,0% não deveriam ser empregadas como medicação intracanal. / Substances containing chlorhexidine (CHX) or combination of antibiotics have been investigated as intracanal dressings. The aim of this study were: Chapter 1 - To characterize the response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue to triantibiotic paste (Trimix), by conventional optical microscopy and real-time RT-PCR; and Chapter 2 - Compare the response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue to intracanal dressings containing CHX by conventional optical microscopy. In Chapter 1, the response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue was assessed by implantation of polyethylene tubes empty or containing one of the substances evaluated: Trimix or Calen. As additional control, animals that not received implantation of the tubes were used. For histopathological evaluation, after the experimental periods of 7, 21 and 63 days, the implants (n=10) containing Trimix or Calen were removed along with the subcutaneous connective tissue and adjacent skin and subjected to processing histotechnical, and the sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or picrosirius red. It was carried out a qualitative analysis, determining the biological parameters and a quantitative response, assessing the number of inflammatory cells and vessels, the area and vascular density, and the relative percentage of collagen. The real-time RT-PCR reactions were performed in the empty tube group, pastes Calen, Trimix and additional control at the experimental periods of 7 and 21 days. The detection and quantification of proinflammatory (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-17) and antiinflammatory cytokines (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-induced factor (HIF-1α), metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9) and metalloproteinases inhibitors (TIMP-1 and -2) were performed. The results were compared using Student\'s t test and ANOVA followed by Tukey test. In Chapter 2, it was compared the response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue to Calen+0.5% CHX, Calen+2.0% CHX, 2.0% CHX gel and paste Calen (control) using methodology similar to that one used for histopathologic evaluation in Chapter 1. The results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey test. The significance level for all statistical analysis was 5%. It was concluded: 1) The response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue to Trimix paste was characterized by persistent acute inflammatory reaction with no repair during the studied period of 63 days, which was supported by the higher gene expression of biomarkers related to inflammation and angiogenesis, compared to Calen paste; 2) The Calen+0.5% CHX showed reparative tissue response, in contrast to Calen+2.0% CHX and 2.0% CHX gel that have led to persistent inflammatory response, indicating aggressiveness of these materials. Considering the Calen+2.0% CHX and CHX 2.0% gel, this induced more intense inflammatory response. Thus, this study provides evidence that the pastes Trimix, Calen+2.0% CHX and 2.0% CHX gel should not be used as intracanal dressing.

A glutationa S-transferase (GST) tem a capacidade de conferir resistência do tipo não-alvo aos efeitos danosos de certos herbicidas em várias culturas, principalmente gramíneas. Entretanto, o papel das GSTs em relação aos herbicidas em cana-de-açúcar é desconhecido, e tal elucidação poderia auxiliar na redução de perdas de produtividade e/ou aumento na eficiência de produção. O objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar as diversas classes de GST de cana-de-açúcar por análise filogenética e padrão de expressão por amplificação quantitativa de transcritos reversos (RT-qPCR). Foi realizada no banco de dados de Saccharum Gene Index a busca completa das seqüências codificadoras de GST referentes às classes Phi, Tau, Theta e Zeta, baseando-se nos 61 genes de GST de arroz; estas foram traduzidas e empregadas em análise filogenética. Foram identificados 18 agrupamentos de ESTs codificando GSTs, totalizando 355 transcritos das 255.635 seqüências disponíveis no banco de dados. A análise filogenética identificou 7 agrupamentos como pertencentes à classe Phi (denominados ScGSTF), 7 como Tau (ScGSTU), 1 como Theta (ScGSTT), e 3 como Zeta (ScGSTZ); respectivamente. As classes Phi e Tau, consideradas planta-específica, foram as mais representativas em termos de número de agrupamentos de ESTs em relação à Theta e Zeta (mamífero-específica). Os 18 agrupamentos de cana-de-açúcar equivalem aos genes mais expressos em termos de número de ESTs individuais em arroz. Foram extraídos RNA de diversos tecidos/órgãos, e de tecido foliar das cultivares \'SP87-365\' e \'SP80-3280\' coletados a 0 e 48 h após tratamento com herbicidas, seguida da síntese de cDNA e RT-qPCR. O gene da proteína ribossômica rpl35-4 foi determinado como referência nas análises de expressão. A expressão nos tecidos/órgãos mostraram que os genes ScGSTF3, ScGSTU8 e ScGSTU13 foram menos expressos no colmo, inflorescência, meristema e raiz em relação ao limbo foliar; ScGSTF4, ScGSTF6, ScGSTF14 e ScGSTF15 foram mais expressos no colmo; ScGSTF5, ScGSTU1, ScGSTU17, ScGSTU31, ScGSTU39 e ScGSTT1 na inflorescência; e ScGSTZ1 foi único mais expresso no meristema. De forma geral, todas as classes tiveram expressão detectada nos tecidos, mas os genes da Phi e Tau foram os mais expressos. Os genes da classe Phi foram mais expressos no colmo em relação aos demais; os da classe Tau e Theta na inflorescência; e os da Zeta no meristema. A validação a 0 h determinou que os genes ScGSTF3, ScGSTF4, ScGSTU8, ScGSTU13 e ScGSTU17 foram os mais expressos na cultivar \'SP80-3280\' em relação à \'SP87-365\'. As evidentes diferenças na expressão basal entre as cultivares foram dos genes das classes Phi e Tau. Com relação à expressão das GSTs 48 h após aplicação dos herbicidas, foi observado que a aplicação de Ametryn ou Diuron, os genes de GST foram induzidos, enquanto foram reprimidos com Imazapic ou Isoxaflutole. Os genes ScGSTF3, ScGSTF4, ScGSTU13 e ScGSTU17 foram os mais expressos nas cultivares tratadas com os herbicidas; e foram considerados possíveis candidatos a associação em resposta a desintoxicação desses herbicidas. O Southern blot determinou que o maior número de cópias de GST em cana-de-açúcar foi os pertencentes às classes Phi e Tau, sendo nas classes Zeta e Theta, menos freqüentes / Glutathione S-transferase (GST) has the ability to confer non-target tolerance to damaging effects of certain herbicides in various crops, especially grasses. However, the role of GSTs in relation to herbicide tolerance in sugarcane s is unknown, and its elucidation could help in reducing yield losses and/or increase in production efficiency. The objective of this work was to characterize the various classes of sugarcane GSTs by phylogenetic analyses and expression profile using RTqPCR. A complete search at the Saccharum Gene Index database was conducted for sequences encoding GSTs from the classes Phi, Tau, Theta and Zeta, based on 61 rice GST genes; the conceptually translated sequences were used in the phylogenetic analyses. Eighteen EST clusters encoding GSTs were identified, in a total of 355 transcripts out of the 255,635 available sequences at the database. Phylogenetic analysis identified 7 groups as belonging to Phi class (denominated ScGSTF), 7 as Tau (ScGSTU), one as Theta (ScGSTT), and 3 as Zeta (ScGSTZ); respectively. The Phi and Tau classes, considered plant-specific, were the most frequent in terms of number of EST clusters in comparison to Theta and Zeta (mammal-specific). The 18 groups of sugarcane ESTs were equivalent to the mostly expressed ortologues in rice. Total RNA from various tissues and organs, and from leaves from cultivars \'SP87-365\' and \'SP80-3280\', collected at 0 and e 48 h after treatment with herbicides were obtained and converted into cDNA, and analyzed by RT-qPCR. The transcript of the ribosomal protein rpl35-4 was established as gene reference for the RT-qPCR analyses. The analyses of expression in tissues/organs demonstrated that the genes ScGSTF3, ScGSTU8 and ScGSTU13 were less expressed in stem, inflorescence, meristem and roots in relation to leaf blades; ScGSTF4, ScGSTF6, ScGSTF14 and ScGSTF15 were more expressed in stems; ScGSTF5, ScGSTU1, ScGSTU17, ScGSTU31, ScGSTU39 and ScGSTT1 in the inflorescence; and ScGSTZ1 was the only more expressed in the meristem. In general, all classes had gene member expression detected in the tissues, but the genes from Phi and Tau were the most expressed. The genes from class Phi were more expressed in the stem in comparison to the others; genes from classes Tau and Theta were more expressed in the inflorescence; and the ones from Zeta in meristem. Gene expression validation at 0 or 48 h after treatment with herbicides determined that ScGSTF3, ScGSTF4, ScGSTU8, ScGSTU13 and ScGSTU17 were more expressed in cultivar \'SP80-3280\' than \'SP87-365\'. The more evident differences in basal expression between cultivars were for genes from classes Phi and Tau. In response to herbicides treatment, GSTs expression was higher in response to Ametryn or Diuron in comparison to Imazapic or Isoxaflutole. Genes ScGSTF3, ScGSTF4, ScGSTU13 and ScGSTU17 displayed more difference in expression at 48 h between cultivars, and might be associated with differences in herbicide detoxification. Southern blot analyses determined that a larger number of GST gene copies in sugarcane from classes Phi and Tau, with less copies from classes Zeta and Theta

Substâncias contendo clorexidina (CHX) ou associação de antibióticos têm sido pesquisadas como medicações intracanal. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: Capítulo 1- Caracterizar a resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos à pasta triantibiótica (Trimix), por microscopia óptica convencional e por RT-PCR em tempo real; e Capítulo 2 - Comparar a resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos a medicações intracanal contendo CHX por microscopia óptica convencional. No Capítulo 1, a resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos foi avaliada por meio da implantação de tubos de polietilieno vazios ou contendo uma das substâncias avaliadas: Trimix ou Calen. Como controle adicional, foram utilizados animais que não receberam a implantação dos tubos. Para a avaliação histopatológica, decorridos os períodos experimentais de 7, 21 e 63 dias, os implantes (n=10) contendo Trimix ou Calen foram removidos juntamente com o tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo e a pele adjacente e submetidos ao processamento histotécnico, sendo os cortes corados pelo método de hematoxilina e eosina e picrosírius vermelho. Foram efetuadas análises qualitativa, determinando os parâmetros de resposta biológica e quantitativa, onde foram avaliados o número de células inflamatórias e de vasos, a área e a densidade vascular, além do percentual relativo de colágeno. As reações de RT-PCR em tempo real foram realizadas nos grupos tubo vazio, pasta Calen, Trimix e controle adicional nos períodos experimentais de 7 e 21 dias. Foi realizada a detecção e quantificação das citocinas pró-inflamatórias (IL-1β, TNF-α e IL- 17) e anti-inflamatória (TGF-β), fator crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF), fator induzido por hipóxia (HIF-1α), metaloproteinases (MMP-2 e -9) e inibidores de metaloproteinases (TIMP-1 e - 2). Os resultados foram comparados empregando teste t de Student e ANOVA, seguida do pósteste de Tukey. No Capítulo 2, foi efetuada a comparação da resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos às pastas Calen+CHX a 0,5%, Calen+CHX a 2,0%, ao gel de CHX a 2,0% e à pasta Calen (controle) utilizando metodologia semelhante à empregada para avaliação histopatológica no Capítulo 1. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados por meio da ANOVA, seguida do pós-teste de Tukey. O nível de significancia adotado em todas as análises estatísticas foi de 5%. Com base nos resultados obtidos, pôde-se concluir que: 1) A resposta do tecido conjuntivo subcutâneo de camundongos à pasta Trimix caracterizou-se por reação inflamatória aguda persistente e ausência de reparo no período estudado de 63 dias, o que foi suportado pela maior expressão gênica dos biomarcadores relacionados à resposta inflamatória e angiogênica, comparado à pasta Calen; 2) Quando comparadas as medicações contendo CHX, os resultados evidenciaram que a Calen+CHX a 0,5% exibiu resposta tecidual reparativa, em contraste com a Calen+CHX a 2,0% e o gel de CHX a 2,0% que propiciaram resposta inflamatória persistente, apontando para agressividade destes materiais. Considerando a Calen+CHX a 2,0% e o gel de CHX a 2,0%, este apresentou resposta inflamatória de maior intensidade. Desse modo, o presente estudo fornece indícios que as pastas Trimix, Calen+CHX a 2,0% e o gel de CHX a 2,0% não deveriam ser empregadas como medicação intracanal. / Substances containing chlorhexidine (CHX) or combination of antibiotics have been investigated as intracanal dressings. The aim of this study were: Chapter 1 - To characterize the response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue to triantibiotic paste (Trimix), by conventional optical microscopy and real-time RT-PCR; and Chapter 2 - Compare the response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue to intracanal dressings containing CHX by conventional optical microscopy. In Chapter 1, the response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue was assessed by implantation of polyethylene tubes empty or containing one of the substances evaluated: Trimix or Calen. As additional control, animals that not received implantation of the tubes were used. For histopathological evaluation, after the experimental periods of 7, 21 and 63 days, the implants (n=10) containing Trimix or Calen were removed along with the subcutaneous connective tissue and adjacent skin and subjected to processing histotechnical, and the sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or picrosirius red. It was carried out a qualitative analysis, determining the biological parameters and a quantitative response, assessing the number of inflammatory cells and vessels, the area and vascular density, and the relative percentage of collagen. The real-time RT-PCR reactions were performed in the empty tube group, pastes Calen, Trimix and additional control at the experimental periods of 7 and 21 days. The detection and quantification of proinflammatory (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-17) and antiinflammatory cytokines (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-induced factor (HIF-1α), metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9) and metalloproteinases inhibitors (TIMP-1 and -2) were performed. The results were compared using Student\'s t test and ANOVA followed by Tukey test. In Chapter 2, it was compared the response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue to Calen+0.5% CHX, Calen+2.0% CHX, 2.0% CHX gel and paste Calen (control) using methodology similar to that one used for histopathologic evaluation in Chapter 1. The results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey test. The significance level for all statistical analysis was 5%. It was concluded: 1) The response of mice subcutaneous connective tissue to Trimix paste was characterized by persistent acute inflammatory reaction with no repair during the studied period of 63 days, which was supported by the higher gene expression of biomarkers related to inflammation and angiogenesis, compared to Calen paste; 2) The Calen+0.5% CHX showed reparative tissue response, in contrast to Calen+2.0% CHX and 2.0% CHX gel that have led to persistent inflammatory response, indicating aggressiveness of these materials. Considering the Calen+2.0% CHX and CHX 2.0% gel, this induced more intense inflammatory response. Thus, this study provides evidence that the pastes Trimix, Calen+2.0% CHX and 2.0% CHX gel should not be used as intracanal dressing.