Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on July 23, 2010). A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta. Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Jacqueline Costa Teixeira Caramori / Resumo: Na doença renal crônica (DRC) diminuição progressiva dos estoques corporais de proteínas e energia ocorre frequentemente, caracterizando Protein energy wasting, quadro de desnutrição associada à inflamação, com consequente redução do apetite dos pacientes. Anorexia é uma condição relevante entre pacientes em hemodiálise, e apesar da difícil avaliação, devido o caráter subjetivo e à falta de instrumentos validados, observa-se forte influência sob o estado nutricional e resposta à terapia dialítica e medicamentosa. Objetivo: Avaliar associação entre o “apetite prejudicado” com marcadores nutricionais, inflamatórios, hormonais e ingestão alimentar em indivíduos portadores de DRC tratados regularmente por hemodiálise. Métodos: Estudo analítico transversal com pacientes com DRC do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu. Foram avaliados parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais, antropométricos, composição corporal, função muscular e ingestão alimentar. Para caracterização do apetite foram aplicadas três perguntas do questionário validado pelo HEMO Study (2005). A primeira pergunta: “Durante a semana passada, como você classificaria o seu apetite?” tendo como opções de respostas: 1) Muito bom, 2) Bom, 3) Razoável, 4) Ruim ou 5) Muito ruim. A segunda questão, se houve mudança no apetite em relação à semana anterior e, em caso afirmativo, a terceira pergunta, se diminuiu ou aumentou o apetite. Após a caracterização do apetite, a amostra foi dicotomizada segundo as respos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are important game mammals and potential reservoirs of diseases of domestic livestock, so diseases of deer are of great concern to wildlife managers. In many situations, models can be useful for integrating existing data, understanding disease transmission patterns, and predicting effects on host populations. Individual-based modeling (IBM) has become more commonplace in ecology as a tool to link individual behavior to population dynamics and community interactions, especially for gauging the effects of management actions. Spatially explicit IBMs are especially useful when ecological processes, such as disease transmission, are affected by the spatial composition of the environment. I developed a spatially explicit IBM, DeerLandscapeDisease (DLD), to simulate direct and indirect disease transmission in white-tailed deer. Using data from GPS-collared deer in southern Illinois, I developed methods to identify habitats and times of high contact probability. I parameterized movement models, for use in DLD, using field data from GPS-collared deer in both southern and east-central Illinois. I then used DLD to simulate deer movements and epizootiology in two different landscapes: a predominantly agricultural landscape with fragmented forest patches in east-central Illinois and a landscape dominated by forest in southern Illinois. Behavioral and demographic parameters that could not be estimated from the field data were estimated using published literature of deer ecology. I assumed that bioavailability of infectious pathogens deposited in the environment decreased exponentially. Transmission probabilities were estimated by fitting to published trends in infection prevalence, assuming that infection probability during an encounter was equal for all age classes, so infection prevalence varied with sex- and age-specific behavior. DLD simulations of chronic wasting disease epizootiology demonstrated significant effects of landscape structure, social behavior, and mode of transmission on prevalence, emphasizing the importance of spatial, temporal and behavioral heterogeneity in disease modeling. These results demonstrate the utility of IBMs in incorporating spatio-temporal variables as well as animal behavior when predicting and modeling disease spread.

Base teórica: A osteoartrite é uma doença crônica cuja principal característica é a degradação progressiva da cartilagem articular. Além do acometimento articular, frequentemente, os pacientes com osteoartrite apresentam fraqueza e atrofia dos músculos periarticulares. Apesar disso, os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na perda muscular relacionada à osteoartrite não são conhecidos. Os principais mecanismos já estudados, em outras condições, estão relacionados ao aumento da degradação e à redução da síntese de proteínas musculares e a déficits na ativação das células-satélite, responsáveis pela regeneração muscular. A miostatina, um importante regulador negativo do crescimento da massa muscular, estimula o aumento da degradação e a redução da síntese de proteínas musculares. Por outro lado, MyoD e miogenina, são marcadores de proliferação e de diferenciação de células-satélite, respectivamente. Objetivos: Investigar os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na perda muscular em um modelo animal de osteoartrite induzida por transecção do ligamento cruzado anterior em ratas. Métodos: Ratas Wistar fêmeas foram alocadas em dois grupos: OA (submetidas à cirurgia de transecção do ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho direito) e SHAM (submetidas à cirurgia fictícia do joelho direito). Durante o período experimental de 12 semanas foram avaliados, semanalmente, o peso corporal e a locomoção exploratória espontânea. Após a eutanásia, foram coletadas as articulações do joelho direito para confirmação do desenvolvimento da doença. Os músculos gastrocnêmio, tibial-anterior e sóleo, da pata posterior direita, foram dissecados, pesados e congelados. O músculo gastrocnêmio foi utilizado para a avaliação da atrofia muscular, através da análise da área seccional da miofibra, e para análise da expressão proteica de miostatina, MyoD e miogenina. Resultados: A locomoção exploratória espontânea, o peso corporal e o peso dos músculos gastrocnêmio, tibial-anterior e sóleo não apresentaram diferença significativa entre os grupos OA e SHAM. A histopatologia da articulação do joelho confirmou o desenvolvimento da doença nos animais do grupo OA. A área do músculo gastrocnêmio demonstrou redução de aproximadamente 10% no grupo OA, em comparação com o grupo SHAM. O grupo OA apresentou aumento na expressão proteica de miostatina e redução na expressão proteica de miogenina. A expressão proteica de MyoD não apresentou diferença entre os grupos. Conclusão: A atrofia do músculo gastrocnêmio presente na osteoartrite induzida por transecção do ligamento cruzado anterior envolve aumento na expressão de miostatina e redução na expressão de miogenina. Nesse modelo, a perda muscular pode estar relacionada à proteólise induzida pelos níveis aumentados de miostatina e ao déficit na diferenciação das células-satélite devido à redução na expressão de miogenina. / Background: Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease primarily characterized by cartilage loss. In addition to joint impairment, patients with osteoarthritis often suffer from weakness and atrophy of the periarticular muscles. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in osteoarthritis-related muscle wasting are not known. The main mechanisms studied, in other conditions, are related to increased degradation and reduced synthesis of muscle protein and to deficits in the activation of satellitecells, which are responsible for muscle regeneration. Myostatin, an important negative regulator of muscle growth, stimulates the increase of degradation and the reduction of synthesis of muscle protein. Moreover, MyoD and myogenin are markers of proliferation and differentiation of satellite-cells, respectively. Objective: To investigate the pathways involved in muscle wasting in a model of osteoarthritis induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACL) in rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were allocated into two groups: OA (submitted to the ACL transection) and SHAM (submitted to surgical procedures without ACL transection). The spontaneous exploratory locomotion and the body weight of animals were evaluated weekly. In the twelfth week after the induction of disease, animals were euthanized and the right knee joints were collected for further confirmation of the disease by histopathology. Gastrocnemius, tibialis-anterior and soleus muscles from right hind paw were dissected, weighed and frozen. Gastrocnemius was used for evaluation of muscle atrophy, by cross-sectional area measurement, and protein expression of myostatin, MyoD and myogenin. Results: Spontaneous exploratory locomotion, body weight and weight of muscles showed no difference between OA and SHAM groups. The histopathology of the knee joints confirmed the development of the disease in animals from OA group. Gastrocnemius area of animals from OA group had a reduction of about 10% compared to animals from SHAM group. Protein expression of myostatin was increased in animals from OA group, while myogenin expression was decreased. MyoD expression was similar in both OA and SHAM groups. Conclusion: Gastrocnemius atrophy in osteoarthritis induced by ACL transection involves increased protein expression of myostatin and decreased protein expression of myogenin. In this model, muscle wasting may be linked to myostatininduced proteolysis and to deficits in satellite-cell differentiation due to decreased expression of myogenin.

The Eel River watershed has a high concentration of slow-moving landslides, or earthflows, due to argillaceous mélange bedrock and high tectonic uplift. Earthflows within this area are highly dissected by ephemeral channels, or gullies. Despite the pervasiveness of gullying in this area, the role of fluvial systems in relation to earthflows and varying uplift is poorly understood. To understand the role of earthflows and tectonics in dictating channel processes, we investigate channels in areas of differential uplift and mass failure activity. Channel networks are connected and continuous in catchments without earthflows, and disconnected and prone to bank failure on earthflow surfaces. Gully profiles are influenced BY earthflow undulations, which attenuate with fluvial incision after earthflows cease activity. We find notable differences in fluvial dissection between areas of high and low landslide activity. We find that mass wasting and local bedrock have a strong influence on formation and organization of channels.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 borges_mcc_me_bot.pdf: 1560856 bytes, checksum: 789980491bc2810a97364f5898dd490b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Na doença renal crônica (DRC) diminuição progressiva dos estoques corporais de proteínas e energia ocorre frequentemente, caracterizando Protein energy wasting, quadro de desnutrição associada à inflamação, com consequente redução do apetite dos pacientes. Anorexia é uma condição relevante entre pacientes em hemodiálise, e apesar da difícil avaliação, devido o caráter subjetivo e à falta de instrumentos validados, observa-se forte influência sob o estado nutricional e resposta à terapia dialítica e medicamentosa. Objetivo: Avaliar associação entre o “apetite prejudicado” com marcadores nutricionais, inflamatórios, hormonais e ingestão alimentar em indivíduos portadores de DRC tratados regularmente por hemodiálise. Métodos: Estudo analítico transversal com pacientes com DRC do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu. Foram avaliados parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais, antropométricos, composição corporal, função muscular e ingestão alimentar. Para caracterização do apetite foram aplicadas três perguntas do questionário validado pelo HEMO Study (2005). A primeira pergunta: “Durante a semana passada, como você classificaria o seu apetite?” tendo como opções de respostas: 1) Muito bom, 2) Bom, 3) Razoável, 4) Ruim ou 5) Muito ruim. A segunda questão, se houve mudança no apetite em relação à semana anterior e, em caso afirmativo, a terceira pergunta, se diminuiu ou aumentou o apetite. Após a caracterização do apetite, a amostra foi dicotomizada segundo as respostas. Para comparação entre os grupos “apetite normal” e “apetite prejudicado” foi utilizado test T Student para variáveis normais, e modelo linear generalizado para as variáveis de distribuição não normal. Modelo múltiplo de regressão logística com procedimento backward foi utilizado para identificar associação das variáveis com desfecho. Resultados: Foram incluídos 125 pacientes em hemodiálise, idade de 60,6 ± 14,12 anos, 56,8% do sexo masculino e mediana do tempo em diálise de 35,5 meses (mínimo de 7 e máximo de 266 meses). Em relação ao apetite, houve maior prevalência da classificação do apetite “bom” (63,2%); na dicotomização da amostra, 98 (78,4%) pacientes apresentaram “apetite normal”, e 27 (21,6%) “apetite prejudicado”; que associou-se independentemente com baixa ingestão de zinco (p=0,03), menor concentração sérica de ureia (p=0,04), e com elevado PTH sérico (p=0,03), ainda sendo possível sugerir o envolvimento da inflamação pela aumento da PCR . Conclusão: apesar da simplicidade de se avaliar o apetite, sua interpretação é desafiadora frente ao caráter subjetivo. Baixa ingestão de macro e micronutrientes foi mostrada nesta população estudada, mesmo naqueles com “apetite normal” e “apetite prejudicado” esteve associado independentemente com a baixa ingestão de zinco, hiperparatireoidismo e possivelmente com a inflamação. Detecção precoce dessas alterações auxiliam na prática clínica facilitando a interpretação da deterioração do estado nutricional. / In chronic kidney disease (CKD) progressive decline in body and protein stores often occurs, characterizing Protein energy wasting, a malnutrition type associated with inflammation, with consequent reduction of the appetite of patients. Anorexia is a relevant condition among hemodialysis patients, and despite the difficult evaluation, due to the subjective nature and the lack of validated instruments, a strong influence is observed in nutritional state and response to dialytic and drug therapy. Objective: To evaluate the association between "impaired appetite" with nutritional, inflammatory, hormonal markers and food intake in individuals with CKD in maintenance hemodialysis. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study with patients with CKD of Clinical Hospital, Botucatu Medical School. Clinical, laboratory, anthropometric parameters, body composition, muscle function and food intake were evaluated. To characterize the appetite, three questions were applied to the questionnaire validated by the HEMO Study (2005). The first question: "During the past week, how would you rate your appetite?" Having as answer options: 1) Very good, 2) Good, 3) Reasonable, 4) Bad or 5) Too bad. The second question is whether there has been a change in appetite from the previous week and, if so, the third question whether it has decreased or increased appetite. After the characterization of the appetite, the sample was dichotomized according to the responses. For comparison between the "normal appetite" and "impaired appetite" groups, Student's t-test was used for normal variables, and generalized linear model was used for non-normal distribution variables. Multiple logistic regression model with backward procedure was used to identify association of variables with outcome. Results: A total of 125 patients on hemodialysis were included, with 60.6 ± 14.12 years of age, 56.8% of males, and median time on dialysis of 35.5 months (minimum of 7 and maximum of 266 months). In relation to appetite, there was a higher prevalence of "good" appetite (63.2%); in the dichotomization of the sample, 98 (78.4%) patients presented "normal appetite" and 27 (21.6%) "impaired appetite"; which was independently associated with low zinc intake (p = 0.03), lower serum urea concentration (p = 0.04), and high serum PTH (p = 0.03), although it was possible to suggest the involvement inflammation by increasing CRP. Conclusion: Despite the simplicity of evaluating appetite, its interpretation is challenging due its subjective character. Low intakes of macro and micronutrients were shown in this population studied, even those with "normal appetite" and "impaired appetite" were independently associated with low zinc intake, hyperparathyroidism and possibly with inflammation. Early detection of these changes aid in clinical practice facilitating the interpretation of deterioration of nutritional status.

Base teórica: A osteoartrite é uma doença crônica cuja principal característica é a degradação progressiva da cartilagem articular. Além do acometimento articular, frequentemente, os pacientes com osteoartrite apresentam fraqueza e atrofia dos músculos periarticulares. Apesar disso, os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na perda muscular relacionada à osteoartrite não são conhecidos. Os principais mecanismos já estudados, em outras condições, estão relacionados ao aumento da degradação e à redução da síntese de proteínas musculares e a déficits na ativação das células-satélite, responsáveis pela regeneração muscular. A miostatina, um importante regulador negativo do crescimento da massa muscular, estimula o aumento da degradação e a redução da síntese de proteínas musculares. Por outro lado, MyoD e miogenina, são marcadores de proliferação e de diferenciação de células-satélite, respectivamente. Objetivos: Investigar os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na perda muscular em um modelo animal de osteoartrite induzida por transecção do ligamento cruzado anterior em ratas. Métodos: Ratas Wistar fêmeas foram alocadas em dois grupos: OA (submetidas à cirurgia de transecção do ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho direito) e SHAM (submetidas à cirurgia fictícia do joelho direito). Durante o período experimental de 12 semanas foram avaliados, semanalmente, o peso corporal e a locomoção exploratória espontânea. Após a eutanásia, foram coletadas as articulações do joelho direito para confirmação do desenvolvimento da doença. Os músculos gastrocnêmio, tibial-anterior e sóleo, da pata posterior direita, foram dissecados, pesados e congelados. O músculo gastrocnêmio foi utilizado para a avaliação da atrofia muscular, através da análise da área seccional da miofibra, e para análise da expressão proteica de miostatina, MyoD e miogenina. Resultados: A locomoção exploratória espontânea, o peso corporal e o peso dos músculos gastrocnêmio, tibial-anterior e sóleo não apresentaram diferença significativa entre os grupos OA e SHAM. A histopatologia da articulação do joelho confirmou o desenvolvimento da doença nos animais do grupo OA. A área do músculo gastrocnêmio demonstrou redução de aproximadamente 10% no grupo OA, em comparação com o grupo SHAM. O grupo OA apresentou aumento na expressão proteica de miostatina e redução na expressão proteica de miogenina. A expressão proteica de MyoD não apresentou diferença entre os grupos. Conclusão: A atrofia do músculo gastrocnêmio presente na osteoartrite induzida por transecção do ligamento cruzado anterior envolve aumento na expressão de miostatina e redução na expressão de miogenina. Nesse modelo, a perda muscular pode estar relacionada à proteólise induzida pelos níveis aumentados de miostatina e ao déficit na diferenciação das células-satélite devido à redução na expressão de miogenina. / Background: Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease primarily characterized by cartilage loss. In addition to joint impairment, patients with osteoarthritis often suffer from weakness and atrophy of the periarticular muscles. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in osteoarthritis-related muscle wasting are not known. The main mechanisms studied, in other conditions, are related to increased degradation and reduced synthesis of muscle protein and to deficits in the activation of satellitecells, which are responsible for muscle regeneration. Myostatin, an important negative regulator of muscle growth, stimulates the increase of degradation and the reduction of synthesis of muscle protein. Moreover, MyoD and myogenin are markers of proliferation and differentiation of satellite-cells, respectively. Objective: To investigate the pathways involved in muscle wasting in a model of osteoarthritis induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACL) in rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were allocated into two groups: OA (submitted to the ACL transection) and SHAM (submitted to surgical procedures without ACL transection). The spontaneous exploratory locomotion and the body weight of animals were evaluated weekly. In the twelfth week after the induction of disease, animals were euthanized and the right knee joints were collected for further confirmation of the disease by histopathology. Gastrocnemius, tibialis-anterior and soleus muscles from right hind paw were dissected, weighed and frozen. Gastrocnemius was used for evaluation of muscle atrophy, by cross-sectional area measurement, and protein expression of myostatin, MyoD and myogenin. Results: Spontaneous exploratory locomotion, body weight and weight of muscles showed no difference between OA and SHAM groups. The histopathology of the knee joints confirmed the development of the disease in animals from OA group. Gastrocnemius area of animals from OA group had a reduction of about 10% compared to animals from SHAM group. Protein expression of myostatin was increased in animals from OA group, while myogenin expression was decreased. MyoD expression was similar in both OA and SHAM groups. Conclusion: Gastrocnemius atrophy in osteoarthritis induced by ACL transection involves increased protein expression of myostatin and decreased protein expression of myogenin. In this model, muscle wasting may be linked to myostatininduced proteolysis and to deficits in satellite-cell differentiation due to decreased expression of myogenin.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第23468号 / 医博第4775号 / 新制||医||1053(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 竹内 理, 教授 山下 潤, 教授 戸口田 淳也 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Infants and young children in the Northwest province of Nigeria are susceptible to malnutrition. Inappropriate and inadequate breastfeeding and complementary feeding result in stunting, underweight, and wasting. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine current feeding practices of infants not older than 2 years and their nutritional status in Northwest Nigeria. The theory of planned behavior was adopted in this research. With a total sample size of 3,861, multiple linear regression was adopted as a predictive analysis to delineate the correlation between two or more independent variables and one continuous dependent variable. Also, adopted was an independent t test to demonstrate the statistical difference between the mean of the dependent variable and that of the independent variable. The coefficient of determination (R2) indicated that the change in underweight associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 8.1%. The overall regression model was significant, F(18, 879) = 4.29, p < .05, adj. R2 = .06 predicted underweight in infants under 6 months of age. The coefficient of determination (R2) indicated that the changes in underweight associated with age appropriate complementary (CP) feeding was 8.0%. The overall regression model was significant, F(18, 2,944) = 14.29, p < .05, adj. R2 = .08. The model predicted underweight in infants 624 months of age. The results from this study can be used in the reinforcement of EBF and age appropriate CP guidelines and policies by the extension of paid leave, implementing flexibility in working hours, and private space to breastfeed.

Children under 5 years of age in Guyana are at an increased risk for inadequate growth. According to the United Nations Development Programme, 1 out of 3 children of preschool age are undernourished globally. This is a major public health concern as undernourishment in children under 5 years can lead to lifelong health complications. The study assessed the relationship between inadequate growth and urban classification in children under 5 years in Guyana, South America, after controlling for the following variables: mother's level of education, mother's age at birth of the child, household size, wealth, and marital status. The study framework combined the social ecological theory/model with concepts of malnutrition. The study used data from the 2009 Guyana Demographic and Health Survey, a quantitative, cross-sectional study. Logistic regression was used to test for a statistically significant association between inadequate growth and urban classification. There was a statistically significant bivariate relationship between inadequate growth and urban classification, which was no longer significant after controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Age, OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.96, 1.00; p =.033 was marginally significant and wealth, OR = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.37, 0.80; p = .005 were statistically significant, after controlling for sociodemographic covariates. There was a significant relationship between urban classification and mother's age at birth of child, mother's level of education, wealth quintile, and marital status. This study, which identified the need for targeted interventions, such as education, job placement, adequate housing, and appropriate nutrition, based on mother's age and wealth, will lead to positive social change in Guyana.