The cardiovascular system of bilaterians developed from a common ancestor. However, no endothelial cells exist in invertebrates demonstrating that primitive cardiovascular tubes do not require this vertebrate-specific cell type in order to form. This raises the question of how cardiovascular tubes form in invertebrates? Here we discovered that in the invertebrate cephalochordate amphioxus, the basement membranes of endoderm and mesoderm line the lumen of the major vessels, namely aorta and heart. During amphioxus development a laminin-containing extracellular matrix (ECM) was found to fill the space between the basal cell surfaces of endoderm and mesoderm along their anterior-posterior (A-P) axes. Blood cells appear in this ECM-filled tubular space, coincident with the development of a vascular lumen. To get insight into the underlying cellular mechanism, we induced vessels in vitro with a cell polarity similar to the vessels of amphioxus. We show that basal cell surfaces can form a vascular lumen filled with ECM, and that phagocytotic blood cells can clear this luminal ECM to generate a patent vascular lumen. Therefore, our experiments suggest a mechanism of blood vessel formation via basal cell surfaces in amphioxus and possibly in other invertebrates that do not have any endothelial cells. In addition, a comparison between amphioxus and mouse shows that endothelial cells physically separate the basement membranes from the vascular lumen, suggesting that endothelial cells create cardiovascular tubes with a cell polarity of epithelial tubes in vertebrates and mammals.

Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this pilot project was to determine whether mothers with laboratory confirmed or clinically suspected tuberculosis (TB) had evidence of TB in the placenta. A secondary objective was to correlate evidence of placental TB with neonatal outcome. A total of 56 placentas were examined to determine if there were any specific histopathological features predictive of tuberculosis together with Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining. A total of 30 cases were positive for maternal TB and one case was a false positive maternal diagnosis of TB, whilst 25 cases were negative for maternal TB. Biopsies from these 56 placentas were collected for conventional PCR from the paraffin embedded tissue blocks. The performance of these two diagnostic modalities (histopathology and PCR) was assessed coll ectively and individually, and compared to the neonatal outcome (presence or absence of active clinical mycobacterial tuberculosis infection) and evidence of maternal pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis. The recognition of specific sites of lesions in the placenta (e.g. membranes vs. intervillous space) may lead to an understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in matern alfetal transmission of tuberculosis, and thereby pave the way for further studies in understanding the pathogenesis of congenital TB. Invaluable knowledge was obtained in the diagnoses of M.tuberculosis in the placenta as it was found that micro abscesses and intervillositis were strong indicators of TB infection in the placenta, however, ZN staining still remains the gold standard for diagnosing M.tuberculosis infection in the placenta. PCR is found to have limitations, because only M.tuberculosis DNA is amplified and does not distinguish live from dead bacteria. The conclusion reached is that PCR is of limited value in the diagnosis of active M.tuberculosis infection in the placenta using FFPE tissue, while certain histological changes may be indicative of such infection; however confirmation of the organism by ZN staining is still essential. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoelwit van hierdie projek was om vas te stel of moeders met bevestigde of vermoedelike TB enige indikasie van TB in die plasenta toon. ‘n Tweede doelwit was om die neonatale uitkoms teenoor die plasentale TB te korreleer. ‘n Totale getal van 56 plasentas is ondersoek om vas te stel of daar enige spesifieke histopatologiese indikasies is van tuberkulose met die hulp van die ZN spesiale kleuring. Die totale getal positiewe vir TB was 30 asook ‘n vals positiewe geval vir TB en daar was 25 TB negatiewe gevalle. Ses en vyftig biopsies is versamel van paraffien in gebedteerde weefsel vir die gebruik in PKR. Die uitvoering van hierdie twee diagnostiese modaliteite is elk individueel ondersoek asook gesamentlik om dit te vergelyk met die neonatale uitkoms (m.a.w die teenwoordigheid of aanwesigheid van mikobakteriale tuberkulose infeksie) asook die teenwoordigheid van moederlike pulmunere en ekstra-pulmunere tuberkulose. Die spesifieke ligging van die letsels in die plasenta (bv. membrane vs. intervillus spasie) kan lei tot verbeterde begrip van die patogeniese meganismes betrokke in die moeder fetale oordrag van tuberkulose en dit kan lei tot toekomstige navorsing. Waardevolle kennis is opgedoen in die diagnose van M.tuberkulose in die plasenta, want die letsels van mikro abbesses en intervillisitus gee ‘n goeie aanduiding van TB infeksie in die plasenta. Die ZN kleuring bly nog steeds die standaard metode om M.tuberculose in die plasenta te diagnoseer. PKR het baie limiete want dit kan slegs die M.tuberkulose DNA vermeningvuldig, maar dit kan nie onderskeid tref tussen lewendige en dooie bakterie nie. The slotsom in hierdie projek is dat PKR ‘n be pperkte waarde het in die diagnose van aktiewe M .tuberkulose in die plasenta, deur die gebruik van formalien gefikseerde paraffien ingebedteerde weefsel nie terwyl sekere histologiese veranderinge ‘n aa nduiding van sodanige infeksie kan wees maar dat dit deur die spesiale kleruring (ZN) bevestig moet word. / National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)

This thesis explores facets of Scottish identity via the decorative work of Douglas Strachan. Nations and nationalism remain extraordinarily potent phenomena in the contemporary world and this work seeks to examine aspects of Scottish nationhood and cultural identity through Strachan's evocation of history, folklore, religion and myth. It has been argued that these are the chief catalysts for enabling people to define and shape their understanding of themselves and their place within society. Cultural identity is often understood as a passive form of nationalism which is remote from its political counterpart. Yet there are strong arguments to counter this belief. This thesis addresses some of the issues raised by such arguments and adopts an ethno-symbolic approach in order to re-evaluate Strachan's work, and that of his contemporaries. The thesis also develops the theoretical and contextual debates concerning the decorative arts in general and stained glass in particular in order to raise awareness of its merits and its role within our society.

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious neglected zoonosis of cattle that is prevalent but under-investigated in Cameroon, hence this study was designed to assess the epidemiology of bovine TB in cattle, risks for M. bovis infection in cattle and humans; and public health implications of zoonotic bovine TB in the highlands of Cameroon. A retrospective study of meat inspection records (1994 – 2010) was done to estimate the prevalence of TB lesions in slaughtered cattle in the North West region. The prevalence of bovine TB and anti-bovine TB antibodies in live cattle based on tuberculin skin tests (2 surveys) and immune-chromatographic assays respectively were carried out in the Western and Adamawa highlands of Cameroon. The performance of the tuberculin tests for bovine TB diagnosis in cattle using various tuberculin skin test cut-off points against the detection of anti-bovine TB antibodies (hypothesised risks of exposure) was compared. Suspected TB lesions from slaughtered cattle and infected human sputa were cultured on Lowentein – Jesen and Middlebrook 7H9 media to isolate mycobacteria agents for molecular genotyping using genomic deletion analysis and spoligotyping. Risk factors for exposure and transmission of zoonotic bovine TB infection of cattle and cattle professionals, and its public health significance were determined using structured questionnaires. Seventeen years of meat inspection record revealed that suspect TB lesions were identified in 599 of 129,165 slaughtered cattle at the Bamenda abattoir. The lungs and associated lymph nodes (over 60%) were the most affected tissues. Other results showed that the prevalence of anti-bovine TB antibodies in cattle in the study regions was 37.17%. Chi square statistics revealed that irrespective of the tuberculin test cut-off value (P<0.05; χ2>48), strong associations existed between the detection of anti-bovine TB antibodies and disease status. A 95% confidence interval analysis of the comparative cervical tuberculin tests revealed that the prevalence rates were 4.67% – 7.15%, 12.02% – 15.67% and 20.56% – 24.98% at the ≥ 4mm, ≥ 3mm and ≥ 2mm cut-off points, respectively. Overall, the best test performance was realised at ≥ 3-mm, though the ≥ 2-mm cut-off point predicted more positive reactors. Age, sex, breed and husbandry practices served as significant (P<0.05) risks to the prevalence and exposure of bovine TB in cattle. The feedbacks from cattle professionals suggested that there was high possibility of cattle to cattle and cattle to human transmission of bovine TB such as intimate and repeated animal / animal and animal / human interactions, consuming unpasteurised milk and eating raw meat. Genomic deletion analysis of cultured isolates showed evidence of M. tuberculosis from cattle and M. bovis from human while spoligotyping identified five cattle M. bovis strains; and four spoligotype patterns that had not been previously described anywhere. The study has important epidemiological and public health implications requiring prompt and decisive actions from the Cameroonian authority towards controlling zoonotic bovine TB in both humans and animals. A multidisciplinary approach is needed for further collaborative research and effective control strategies such as enhancing the awareness of people to this deadly disease through continuous education, proper food handling and personal hygiene, healthy husbandry practices and maintenance of the environment.

Um Projeto Temático de Pesquisa foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Poluição Ambiental do Departamento de Patologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da exposição aguda/crônica ao ar ambiente de um grande centro urbano sobre a saúde. Dentro deste projeto, uma linha de pesquisa foi dedicada ao estudo dos efeitos dessa exposição sobre a saúde reprodutiva feminina. Evidências de estudos epidemiológicos e experimentais implicam os fatores ambientais na infertilidade humana e resultado obstétrico adverso. Contudo, poucos estudos foram conduzidos até o presente para avaliar um possível efeito da exposição à poluição ambiental particulada sobre a saúde reprodutiva feminina. Portanto, o objetivo dos projetos da minha linha de pesquisa é fornecer dados que possam demonstrar os possíveis efeitos da exposição crônica à poluição ambiental particulada sobre a função ovariana e o desenvolvimento embrionário inicial. O objetivo do primeiro projeto desta tese foi avaliar diferentes metodologias utilizadas para a coloração diferencial das linhagens celulares do blastocisto, um método mais adequado para a avaliação de sua qualidade e normalidade. As células de blastocistos intactos de camundongo obtidos através de fertilização in vitro (FIV) foram permeabilizadas e coradas utilizando-se diferentes concentrações de um detergente (TX-100; 0,5% ou 1%) e de iodeto de propídeo (IP; 50 g/mL ou 100 g/mL) e depois disso, incubadas durante a noite em uma solução contendo diferentes fixadores (etanol, metanol, paraformaldeído PFA1% ou 4%) e bisbenzimida. Para a avaliação da qualidade de coloração e contagem diferencial dos núcleos, os blastocistos foram montados em lâminas de vidro e analisados em um microscópio de epifluorescência. O escore de qualidade de coloração foi significativamente diferente (p<0,05) entre todas as soluções fixadoras, sendo maior para o etanol, seguido pelo metanol, PFA1% e PFA4%. Mudanças da concentração do IP e o uso de diferentes soluções de fixação revelaram efeitos significativos na contagem de células da massa celular interna (MCI) e na razão MCI/trofectoderma (TE). Concentrações diferentes do detergente utilizado para a permeabilização celular apresentaram efeitos significativos sobre a contagem de células TE e razão MCI/TE. Concluímos que o protocolo que utiliza TX-100 1% para a permeabilização celular, 50 g/mL de IP para coloração das células TE e etanol como solução de fixação representa o método mais eficiente para a coloração diferencial e contagem das células das linhagens celulares do embrião no estágio de blastocisto. No segundo projeto que compõe esta, o objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da exposição pré e/ou pós-natal ao ar ambiente sobre a fertilização, desenvolvimento embrionário e segregação das linhagens celulares em blastocistos pré-implantacionais, utilizando o modelo de FIV de camundongo. Fêmeas de camundongo com idade de seis semanas tiveram a ovulação estimulada e foram expostas no período pré- e/ou pós-natal ao ar filtrado (AF-AF), ar filtrado ar ambiente (AF-AA) ou ar ambiente ar ambiente (AA-AA) em câmaras de exposição 24 horas por dia, sete dias na semana, durante nove semanas. Os pontos de avaliação reprodutivos analisados incluíram a duração da gestação, tamanho e peso da prole, índice de nascidos vivos, razão sexual, resposta ovariana à estimulação, taxa de fertilização, desenvolvimento embrionário, taxas de formação e de eclosão dos blastocistos, contagem celular total e proporção da alocação celular à MCI e TE. A duração da gestação, tamanho e peso da prole, índice de nascidos vivos e razão sexual foram similares nos diferentes grupos de exposição. A resposta ovariana não foi afetada pelo protocolo de exposição. Um efeito multivariável para a exposição pré e/ou pós-natal ao material particulado fino ambiente sobre a FIV, o desenvolvimento embrionário e a coloração diferencial dos blastocistos foi observado. A contagem celular na MCI e a razão MCI/TE dos blastocistos produzidos no protocolo AF-AF foram significativamente maiores do que aquelas em blastocistos produzidos nos protocolos FA-AA e AA-AA. Nenhuma diferença na contagem celular total foi observada. Baseando-se nessas observações, nosso estudo sugere que a exposição ao material particulado fino presente no ar ambiente de um grande centro urbano pode afetar negativamente a saúde reprodutiva feminina através da alteração da especificação das linhagens celulares do embrião no estágio de blastocisto. Finalmente, o propósito do terceiro projeto que compõe esta tese foi de avaliar os efeitos da exposição pré e/ou pósnatal ao ar ambiente no final da vida reprodutiva sobre a fertilização, desenvolvimento embrionário e segregação das linhagens celulares em blastocistos pré-implantacionais, utilizando o modelo de FIV de camundongo. Fêmeas de camundongo com idade de cinco meses tiveram a ovulação estimulada e foram expostas no período pré e/ou pós-natal ao ar filtrado (AF-AF), ar filtrado ar ambiente (AF-AA) ou ar ambiente ar ambiente (AA-AA) em câmaras de exposição 24 horas por dia, sete dias na semana, durante seis meses. Os pontos de avaliação reprodutivos foram os mesmos que aqueles utilizados no segundo projeto. A duração da gestação, tamanho e peso da prole, índice de nascidos vivos e razão sexual foram similares nos diferentes grupos de exposição. A resposta ovariana não foi afetada pelo protocolo de exposição. Um efeito multivariável para a exposição pré e/ou pós-natal ao material particulado fino ambiente sobre coloração diferencial dos blastocistos, mas não sobre a FIV e o desenvolvimento embrionário, foi observado. A contagem celular na MCI e a razão MCI/TE dos blastocistos produzidos no protocolo AF-AF foram significativamente maiores do que aquelas em blastocistos produzidos nos protocolos FA-AA e AA-AA. A contagem celular do TE dos blastocistos produzidos no protocolo FA-FA foi significativamente menor do que aquela em blastocistos produzidos nos protocolos FA-AA e AA-AA. A contagem celular total foi similar entre os grupos. Nosso estudo sugere que a exposição à poluição ambiental particulada de um grande centro urbano não altera a função ovariana, mas pode afetar negativamente a saúde reprodutiva feminina no período final do menacme, através da alteração da especificação das linhagens celulares do embrião no estágio de blastocisto / A thematic research project to evaluate the health effects of acute/chronic exposure to ambient air in a large urban center was developed at the Air Pollution Laboratory in the Department of Pathology at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine. Within this project a specific research line was committed to the study of the effects of this exposure on female reproductive health. Evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies implied environmental factors as possible contributors to human infertility and poor obstetric outcome. However, very few studies evaluating a possible effect of exposure to particulate air pollution on female reproductive health have been conducted so far. Thus, the aim of the projects in my research line was to provide data that could show the possible effects of chronic exposure to particulate air pollution on ovarian function and early embryo development. The objective of the first project was to assess different methodologies used in cell lineage differential staining of the blastocyst, a method for more accurate evaluation of its quality and normality. Cells of zona-intact mouse blastocysts obtained from in vitro fertilization (IVF) were permeabilized and stained using different concentrations of a detergent (TX-100; 0.5% or 1%) and propidium iodide (PI; 50 g/mL or 100 g/mL) followed by overnight incubation in a solution containing different fixatives (ethanol, methanol, paraformaldehyde - PFA 1% or 4%) and bisbenzimide. To evaluate the staining quality and count the nuclei differentially, blastocysts were mounted and viewed using epifluorescence microscopy. Staining quality scores were significantly different (P < 0.05) among all fixative solutions with the highest for ethanol followed by methanol, PFA1%, and PFA4%. Changes in PI concentration and use of different fixative solutions revealed significant effects on inner cell mass (ICM) cell count and ICM/trophectoderm (TE) ratio. Different concentrations of the detergent used for cell permeabilization showed significant effects on TE cell counts and ICM/TE ratio. I concluded that the protocol using 1% TX-100 for cell permeabilization, 50 g/mL of PI for TE cell staining, and ethanol as a fixative solution is the most efficient method for cell lineage differential staining and counting at the blastocyst stage. In the second project the objective was to evaluate the effects of preand/ or postnatal exposure to ambient air on fertilization, embryo development, and cell lineage segregation in preimplantation blastocysts using the IVF mouse model. Six-week old superovulated mice were preand/ or postnatally exposed to filtered air (FA-FA), filtered-ambient air (FAAA), or ambient air (AA-AA) in exposure chambers 24/7 for nine weeks. Reproductive endpoints evaluated included gestation length, litter size, litter birth weight, live birth index, sex ratio, ovarian response to superovulation, fertilization rate, embryo development, blastocyst and hatching rates, total cell count, and proportion of cell allocation to ICM and TE. Gestation length, litter size, litter birth weight, live birth index, and sex ratio were similar among exposure groups. Ovarian response was not affected by the exposure protocol. A multivariate effect for pre- and/or postnatal exposure to ambient fine particulate matter on IVF, embryo development, and blastocyst differential staining was found. Cell counts in ICM and ICM/TE ratios in blastocysts produced in the FA-FA protocol were significantly higher than in blastocysts produced in FA-AA and AA-AA protocols. No difference in the total cell count was observed. Based on these observations the study suggests that exposure to ambient fine particulate matter in a large urban center may negatively affect female reproductive health by disrupting the lineage specification at the blastocyst stage. Finally, the purpose of the third project was to evaluate the effects of pre- and/or postnatal exposure to particulate air pollution on fertilization, embryo development, and cell lineage segregation in preimplantation blastocysts during the late-life reproductive period using the IVF mouse model. Five-month-old superovulated mice were pre- and/or postnatally exposed to filtered air (FA-FA), filtered-ambient air (FA-AA), or ambient air (AA-AA) in exposure chambers 24/7 during six months. Reproductive endpoints were the same as the ones selected for the second project. Gestation length, litter size, litter birth weight, live birth index, and sex ratio were similar among exposure groups. Ovarian response was not affected by the exposure protocol. A multivariate effect for pre- and/or postnatal exposure to ambient air on blastocyst differential staining but not on IVF and embryo development was found. Cell counts in ICM and ICM/TE ratios in blastocysts produced in the FA-FA protocol were significantly higher than in blastocysts produced in FA-AA and AA-AA protocols. Cell counts in TE cells in blastocysts produced in the FA-FA protocol were significantly lower than in blastocysts produced in FA-AA and AA-AA protocols. The total cell count was similar among groups. This study suggests that exposure to particulate air pollution in a large urban center has no effect on ovarian function but may negatively affect female reproductive health in the late-life period by disrupting the lineage specification at the blastocyst stage.

Trabalho prospectivo estudando a matriz extracelular da parede vesical em pacientes com extrofia vesical comparados ao grupo controle, pela microscopia óptica comum e luz polarizada com morfometria, quantificando-se as fibras colágenas e reticulínicas. Estudou-se 17 pacientes de ambos os sexos, biopsiando-se toda a parede vesical e empregando colorações HE, PS e Reticulina. Diferenças estatisticamente significantes foram notadas na análise quantitativa de fibras colágenas e reticulínicas o número de fibras colágenas foi significativamente maior e o número de fibras reticulínicas foi menor no grupo de pacientes com extrofia vesical quando comparado ao grupo controle. / A prospective study was done to evaluate the detrusor muscle\'s extracellular matrix in classical bladder exstrophy in comparison to a control group, by use of light microscopy and polarization method with morphometry, to quantify collagen and reticular fibers. Seventeen patients from both sexes were analysed and samples were obtained from the bladder and stained with Haematoxylin-eosin, Picrosirius red and the silver impregnation method. There were significant differences when comparing the quantity of collagen and reticular fibers. The collagen fibers were more abundant in the exstrophy bladders compared to controls, while the reticular fibers were present in smaller amounts.

This thesis describes work from both the University of Cambridge in the lab of Berthold Hedwig and from the HHMI Janelia Research Campus in the lab of Michael Reiser. At the University of Cambridge, my work involved the development and demonstration of a method for electrophoretically delivering dyes and tracers for anatomical and functional imaging into animals that are not amenable to genetic labelling techniques. Using this method in locusts and crickets - model systems of particular interest for their acoustic communication - I successfully delivered polar fluorescent dyes and tracers through the sheath covering the auditory nerve, simultaneously staining both the peripheral sensory structures and the central axonal projections without destroying the nerve's function. I could label neurons which extend far from the tracer delivery site on the nerve as well as local neuron populations through the brain's surface. I used the same method to deliver calcium indicators into central neuropils for in vivo optical imaging of sound-evoked activity, as well as calling song-evoked activity in the brain. The work completed at the Janelia Research Campus began with the development of a modern version of a modular LED display and virtual reality control system to enable research on the visual control of complex behaviors in head-fixed animals. The primary advantages of our newly developed LED-based display over other display technologies are its high-speed operation, brightness uniformity and control, precise synchronization with analog inputs and outputs, and its ability to be configured into a variety of display geometries. Utilizing the system's fast display refresh rates, I conducted the first accurate characterization of the upper limits of the speed sensitivity of Drosophila for apparent motion during flight. I also developed a flexible approach to presenting optic flow scenes for functional imaging of motion-sensitive neurons. Finally, through the on-line analysis of behavioral measures, image rendering, and display streaming with low latency to multi-color (UV/Green) LED panels, I demonstrated the ability to create more naturalistic stimuli and interactive virtual visual landscapes. Lastly, I used this new visual display system to explore a newly discovered cell-type that had been implicated in higher-order motion processing from a large genetic screen of visually-guided behavior deficits. Using genetic silencing and activation methods, and by designing stimuli that modeled the optic flow encountered during different types of self-motion, colleagues in the Reiser lab and I showed that this cell-type - named Lobula Plate Columnar 1 (LPC1) - is required for the stopping behavior of walking flies caused by back-to-front translation motion but is not involved in the rotational optomotor response. Using calcium imaging, I found that LPC1 was selectively excited by back-to-front motion on the eye ipsilateral to the neuron population and inhibited by front-to-back motion on the contralateral eye, demonstrating a simple mechanism for its selectivity to translation over rotation. I also examined an anatomically similar cell type - named Lobula-Lobula Plate Columnar type 1 (LLPC1) - and found that its selectivity results from a similar but opposite calculation for the detection of front-to-back translational motion. The detection of back-to-front motion had previously been hypothesized to be useful for collision avoidance, and this work provides a neural mechanism for how this detection could be accomplished, as well as providing a platform from which to explore the larger network for translation optic flow.

Dunaliella tertiolecta, uma alga verde fitoplanctônica de ampla distribuição no ambiente marinho, foi escolhida como organismo teste para estudar a possibilidade de ser utilizada no ensaio cometa, um teste de detecção de danos no DNA em células individualizadas muito utilizado na ecotoxicologia. Essas algas foram facilmente lisadas pela solução de lise alcalina iônica, seus cometas foram corados eficientemente pelo brometo de etídio e pela prata, e a análise por índice de danos apresentou boa correlação com momento de cauda, comprimento de cauda e porcentagem de DNA na cauda. As algas foram expostas a concentrações crescentes de 4-nitroquinolina-N-óxido (4NQO) e benzo[a]pireno (BAP) por 1, 2 e 4 h no escuro. Após somente 1 h de exposição, observou-se um aumento significativo de danos no DNA das algas expostas a 0,25 µM de 4NQO, demonstrando a sensibilidade das mesmas em relação a células de animais. Os dados obtidos da exposição ao BAP não foram consistentes e necessitam de verificação. A metabolização de BAP em compostos tóxicos pelas algas e o efeito das condições de luminosidade antes e durante as exposições são discutidos. Os resultados indicam que D. tertiolecta pode ser utilizada em laboratório para avaliação de genotoxicidade na água através do ensaio cometa. / D. tertiolecta, a phytoplanktonic green algae with ubiquitous distribution in the marine environment, was chosen as a test organism to study the possibility of being used in the comet assay, a frequently used test in ecotoxicology to detect DNA damage in single cells. These algae were easily lised by the alkaline ionic lysis solution, their comets were efficiently stained by ethidium bromide and silver and the damage index was well correlated to tail moment, tail length and percentage of DNA in the tail. The algae were exposed to increasing concentrations of 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO) and benzo[a]pyrene (BAP) for 1, 2 and 4 h in the dark. After 1 h exposure, a significant increase in the DNA damage of algae exposed to 0,25 µM of 4NQO was observed, demonstrating their sensitivity in relation to cells from animals. The data of BAP exposure were not consistent and need further verification. The metabolization of BAP to toxic compounds by algae and the light conditions before and during exposure are discussed. The results indicate that D. tertiolecta can be used in laboratory to evaluate water genotoxicity with comet assay.

Dunaliella tertiolecta, uma alga verde fitoplanctônica de ampla distribuição no ambiente marinho, foi escolhida como organismo teste para estudar a possibilidade de ser utilizada no ensaio cometa, um teste de detecção de danos no DNA em células individualizadas muito utilizado na ecotoxicologia. Essas algas foram facilmente lisadas pela solução de lise alcalina iônica, seus cometas foram corados eficientemente pelo brometo de etídio e pela prata, e a análise por índice de danos apresentou boa correlação com momento de cauda, comprimento de cauda e porcentagem de DNA na cauda. As algas foram expostas a concentrações crescentes de 4-nitroquinolina-N-óxido (4NQO) e benzo[a]pireno (BAP) por 1, 2 e 4 h no escuro. Após somente 1 h de exposição, observou-se um aumento significativo de danos no DNA das algas expostas a 0,25 µM de 4NQO, demonstrando a sensibilidade das mesmas em relação a células de animais. Os dados obtidos da exposição ao BAP não foram consistentes e necessitam de verificação. A metabolização de BAP em compostos tóxicos pelas algas e o efeito das condições de luminosidade antes e durante as exposições são discutidos. Os resultados indicam que D. tertiolecta pode ser utilizada em laboratório para avaliação de genotoxicidade na água através do ensaio cometa. / D. tertiolecta, a phytoplanktonic green algae with ubiquitous distribution in the marine environment, was chosen as a test organism to study the possibility of being used in the comet assay, a frequently used test in ecotoxicology to detect DNA damage in single cells. These algae were easily lised by the alkaline ionic lysis solution, their comets were efficiently stained by ethidium bromide and silver and the damage index was well correlated to tail moment, tail length and percentage of DNA in the tail. The algae were exposed to increasing concentrations of 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO) and benzo[a]pyrene (BAP) for 1, 2 and 4 h in the dark. After 1 h exposure, a significant increase in the DNA damage of algae exposed to 0,25 µM of 4NQO was observed, demonstrating their sensitivity in relation to cells from animals. The data of BAP exposure were not consistent and need further verification. The metabolization of BAP to toxic compounds by algae and the light conditions before and during exposure are discussed. The results indicate that D. tertiolecta can be used in laboratory to evaluate water genotoxicity with comet assay.

Um Projeto Temático de Pesquisa foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Poluição Ambiental do Departamento de Patologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da exposição aguda/crônica ao ar ambiente de um grande centro urbano sobre a saúde. Dentro deste projeto, uma linha de pesquisa foi dedicada ao estudo dos efeitos dessa exposição sobre a saúde reprodutiva feminina. Evidências de estudos epidemiológicos e experimentais implicam os fatores ambientais na infertilidade humana e resultado obstétrico adverso. Contudo, poucos estudos foram conduzidos até o presente para avaliar um possível efeito da exposição à poluição ambiental particulada sobre a saúde reprodutiva feminina. Portanto, o objetivo dos projetos da minha linha de pesquisa é fornecer dados que possam demonstrar os possíveis efeitos da exposição crônica à poluição ambiental particulada sobre a função ovariana e o desenvolvimento embrionário inicial. O objetivo do primeiro projeto desta tese foi avaliar diferentes metodologias utilizadas para a coloração diferencial das linhagens celulares do blastocisto, um método mais adequado para a avaliação de sua qualidade e normalidade. As células de blastocistos intactos de camundongo obtidos através de fertilização in vitro (FIV) foram permeabilizadas e coradas utilizando-se diferentes concentrações de um detergente (TX-100; 0,5% ou 1%) e de iodeto de propídeo (IP; 50 g/mL ou 100 g/mL) e depois disso, incubadas durante a noite em uma solução contendo diferentes fixadores (etanol, metanol, paraformaldeído PFA1% ou 4%) e bisbenzimida. Para a avaliação da qualidade de coloração e contagem diferencial dos núcleos, os blastocistos foram montados em lâminas de vidro e analisados em um microscópio de epifluorescência. O escore de qualidade de coloração foi significativamente diferente (p<0,05) entre todas as soluções fixadoras, sendo maior para o etanol, seguido pelo metanol, PFA1% e PFA4%. Mudanças da concentração do IP e o uso de diferentes soluções de fixação revelaram efeitos significativos na contagem de células da massa celular interna (MCI) e na razão MCI/trofectoderma (TE). Concentrações diferentes do detergente utilizado para a permeabilização celular apresentaram efeitos significativos sobre a contagem de células TE e razão MCI/TE. Concluímos que o protocolo que utiliza TX-100 1% para a permeabilização celular, 50 g/mL de IP para coloração das células TE e etanol como solução de fixação representa o método mais eficiente para a coloração diferencial e contagem das células das linhagens celulares do embrião no estágio de blastocisto. No segundo projeto que compõe esta, o objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da exposição pré e/ou pós-natal ao ar ambiente sobre a fertilização, desenvolvimento embrionário e segregação das linhagens celulares em blastocistos pré-implantacionais, utilizando o modelo de FIV de camundongo. Fêmeas de camundongo com idade de seis semanas tiveram a ovulação estimulada e foram expostas no período pré- e/ou pós-natal ao ar filtrado (AF-AF), ar filtrado ar ambiente (AF-AA) ou ar ambiente ar ambiente (AA-AA) em câmaras de exposição 24 horas por dia, sete dias na semana, durante nove semanas. Os pontos de avaliação reprodutivos analisados incluíram a duração da gestação, tamanho e peso da prole, índice de nascidos vivos, razão sexual, resposta ovariana à estimulação, taxa de fertilização, desenvolvimento embrionário, taxas de formação e de eclosão dos blastocistos, contagem celular total e proporção da alocação celular à MCI e TE. A duração da gestação, tamanho e peso da prole, índice de nascidos vivos e razão sexual foram similares nos diferentes grupos de exposição. A resposta ovariana não foi afetada pelo protocolo de exposição. Um efeito multivariável para a exposição pré e/ou pós-natal ao material particulado fino ambiente sobre a FIV, o desenvolvimento embrionário e a coloração diferencial dos blastocistos foi observado. A contagem celular na MCI e a razão MCI/TE dos blastocistos produzidos no protocolo AF-AF foram significativamente maiores do que aquelas em blastocistos produzidos nos protocolos FA-AA e AA-AA. Nenhuma diferença na contagem celular total foi observada. Baseando-se nessas observações, nosso estudo sugere que a exposição ao material particulado fino presente no ar ambiente de um grande centro urbano pode afetar negativamente a saúde reprodutiva feminina através da alteração da especificação das linhagens celulares do embrião no estágio de blastocisto. Finalmente, o propósito do terceiro projeto que compõe esta tese foi de avaliar os efeitos da exposição pré e/ou pósnatal ao ar ambiente no final da vida reprodutiva sobre a fertilização, desenvolvimento embrionário e segregação das linhagens celulares em blastocistos pré-implantacionais, utilizando o modelo de FIV de camundongo. Fêmeas de camundongo com idade de cinco meses tiveram a ovulação estimulada e foram expostas no período pré e/ou pós-natal ao ar filtrado (AF-AF), ar filtrado ar ambiente (AF-AA) ou ar ambiente ar ambiente (AA-AA) em câmaras de exposição 24 horas por dia, sete dias na semana, durante seis meses. Os pontos de avaliação reprodutivos foram os mesmos que aqueles utilizados no segundo projeto. A duração da gestação, tamanho e peso da prole, índice de nascidos vivos e razão sexual foram similares nos diferentes grupos de exposição. A resposta ovariana não foi afetada pelo protocolo de exposição. Um efeito multivariável para a exposição pré e/ou pós-natal ao material particulado fino ambiente sobre coloração diferencial dos blastocistos, mas não sobre a FIV e o desenvolvimento embrionário, foi observado. A contagem celular na MCI e a razão MCI/TE dos blastocistos produzidos no protocolo AF-AF foram significativamente maiores do que aquelas em blastocistos produzidos nos protocolos FA-AA e AA-AA. A contagem celular do TE dos blastocistos produzidos no protocolo FA-FA foi significativamente menor do que aquela em blastocistos produzidos nos protocolos FA-AA e AA-AA. A contagem celular total foi similar entre os grupos. Nosso estudo sugere que a exposição à poluição ambiental particulada de um grande centro urbano não altera a função ovariana, mas pode afetar negativamente a saúde reprodutiva feminina no período final do menacme, através da alteração da especificação das linhagens celulares do embrião no estágio de blastocisto / A thematic research project to evaluate the health effects of acute/chronic exposure to ambient air in a large urban center was developed at the Air Pollution Laboratory in the Department of Pathology at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine. Within this project a specific research line was committed to the study of the effects of this exposure on female reproductive health. Evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies implied environmental factors as possible contributors to human infertility and poor obstetric outcome. However, very few studies evaluating a possible effect of exposure to particulate air pollution on female reproductive health have been conducted so far. Thus, the aim of the projects in my research line was to provide data that could show the possible effects of chronic exposure to particulate air pollution on ovarian function and early embryo development. The objective of the first project was to assess different methodologies used in cell lineage differential staining of the blastocyst, a method for more accurate evaluation of its quality and normality. Cells of zona-intact mouse blastocysts obtained from in vitro fertilization (IVF) were permeabilized and stained using different concentrations of a detergent (TX-100; 0.5% or 1%) and propidium iodide (PI; 50 g/mL or 100 g/mL) followed by overnight incubation in a solution containing different fixatives (ethanol, methanol, paraformaldehyde - PFA 1% or 4%) and bisbenzimide. To evaluate the staining quality and count the nuclei differentially, blastocysts were mounted and viewed using epifluorescence microscopy. Staining quality scores were significantly different (P < 0.05) among all fixative solutions with the highest for ethanol followed by methanol, PFA1%, and PFA4%. Changes in PI concentration and use of different fixative solutions revealed significant effects on inner cell mass (ICM) cell count and ICM/trophectoderm (TE) ratio. Different concentrations of the detergent used for cell permeabilization showed significant effects on TE cell counts and ICM/TE ratio. I concluded that the protocol using 1% TX-100 for cell permeabilization, 50 g/mL of PI for TE cell staining, and ethanol as a fixative solution is the most efficient method for cell lineage differential staining and counting at the blastocyst stage. In the second project the objective was to evaluate the effects of preand/ or postnatal exposure to ambient air on fertilization, embryo development, and cell lineage segregation in preimplantation blastocysts using the IVF mouse model. Six-week old superovulated mice were preand/ or postnatally exposed to filtered air (FA-FA), filtered-ambient air (FAAA), or ambient air (AA-AA) in exposure chambers 24/7 for nine weeks. Reproductive endpoints evaluated included gestation length, litter size, litter birth weight, live birth index, sex ratio, ovarian response to superovulation, fertilization rate, embryo development, blastocyst and hatching rates, total cell count, and proportion of cell allocation to ICM and TE. Gestation length, litter size, litter birth weight, live birth index, and sex ratio were similar among exposure groups. Ovarian response was not affected by the exposure protocol. A multivariate effect for pre- and/or postnatal exposure to ambient fine particulate matter on IVF, embryo development, and blastocyst differential staining was found. Cell counts in ICM and ICM/TE ratios in blastocysts produced in the FA-FA protocol were significantly higher than in blastocysts produced in FA-AA and AA-AA protocols. No difference in the total cell count was observed. Based on these observations the study suggests that exposure to ambient fine particulate matter in a large urban center may negatively affect female reproductive health by disrupting the lineage specification at the blastocyst stage. Finally, the purpose of the third project was to evaluate the effects of pre- and/or postnatal exposure to particulate air pollution on fertilization, embryo development, and cell lineage segregation in preimplantation blastocysts during the late-life reproductive period using the IVF mouse model. Five-month-old superovulated mice were pre- and/or postnatally exposed to filtered air (FA-FA), filtered-ambient air (FA-AA), or ambient air (AA-AA) in exposure chambers 24/7 during six months. Reproductive endpoints were the same as the ones selected for the second project. Gestation length, litter size, litter birth weight, live birth index, and sex ratio were similar among exposure groups. Ovarian response was not affected by the exposure protocol. A multivariate effect for pre- and/or postnatal exposure to ambient air on blastocyst differential staining but not on IVF and embryo development was found. Cell counts in ICM and ICM/TE ratios in blastocysts produced in the FA-FA protocol were significantly higher than in blastocysts produced in FA-AA and AA-AA protocols. Cell counts in TE cells in blastocysts produced in the FA-FA protocol were significantly lower than in blastocysts produced in FA-AA and AA-AA protocols. The total cell count was similar among groups. This study suggests that exposure to particulate air pollution in a large urban center has no effect on ovarian function but may negatively affect female reproductive health in the late-life period by disrupting the lineage specification at the blastocyst stage.