Orientadores: Vitor Baranauskas, Francesco Langone / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T18:12:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mizutani_Erika_M.pdf: 2485185 bytes, checksum: 9caceed1d2417d6542ebcef1c09a65ed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: As propriedades únicas dos nanotubos de carbono sugerem um enorme potencial para aplicações terapêuticas. Porém, vários relatos indicam riscos associados a exposição das nanopartículas de carbono. Inclusive a resposta inflamatória crônica causada por partículas inertes estão associadas ao desenvolvimento de doenças autoimunes. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o efeito do nanotubo (NT1) na atividade de macrófagos e no desenvolvimento da Encefalomielite Experimental Autoimune (EAE), modelo experimental da Esclerose múltipla. Foi possível demonstrar que os NT1 marcados com corante fluorescente foram interiorizados pelos macrófagos. A interiorização dessas partículas ativaram a produção de TNF? pelos macrófagos, sugerindo uma propriedade pró-inflamatória dessas partículas. Quando os NT1 estavam presentes na imunização dos animais com a Proteína Básica de Mielina (MPB), o neuro-antígeno, significativa redução da gravidade da EAE foi observada, sugerindo que a interiorização dos nanotubos inibe a apresentação do antígeno para os linfócitos T. Não se observou redução da gravidade da doença quando os NT foram adminstrados 10 dias após a imunização com MBP. Linfócitos encefalitogênicos tiveram a resposta proliferativa diminuída quando cocultivaldos com macrófagos que internalizaram os nanotubos. Esses resultados explicam a redução da gravidade da EAE pela inibição da apresentação do neuro-antígeno / Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are currently under scrutiny as new tools for biomedical applications. However, the individual exposure to inert particles have been associated with the development of autoimmune diseases Here the effect of carbon nanotubes (NT1) on macrophages activities and on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) an experimental model of multiple sclerosis was studied. Evidence is provided that macrophages interiorized the carbon nanotubes marked with fluorescent dye. The interiorization of the NT1 resulted in significant increase in the production of TNF , suggesting a pro-inflammatory property of NT1. The immunization of Lewis rats with myelin basic protein (MBP) in the presence of NT1 resulted in a significant reduction of the severity of EAE. The systemic administration of NT1, 10 days after the immunization with MBP did not alter the evolution of the disease. Moreover, a significant reduction of the proliferative response of the encephalitogenic T cells co-cultured in the presence of NT1, macrophages and MBP was observed. These results suggest that the impairment of antigen presentation by macrophages that interiorized NT1 was responsible for the reduction of proliferative response of encephalitogenic T cells with a consequent reduction of the severity of EAE. / Mestrado / Eletrônica, Microeletrônica e Optoeletrônica / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

Bakgrund: Distal radiusfraktur (DRF) är en vanligt förekommande fraktur med en incidens i Sverige på 31-32 per 10000 personår. Många personer upplever kvarstående besvär efter utläkt fraktur och i dagsläget saknas evidens kring optimal behandling och rehabilitering. Fler studier har konstaterat kvarstående symtom som nedsatt greppstyrka och rörlighet samt smärta. Syfte: Syftet med aktuell studie varatt undersöka specifik rörlighet 6 månader efter distal radiusfraktur. Jämförelser gjordes med andra utfallsmått på rörlighet, styrka och funktion. Metod:Utifrån en tvärsnittsdesign undersöktes 11 personer över 18 år som ådragit sig en DRF och behandlats för den under mars-maj 2016. Utfallsmått var specifik ledrörlighet testat utifrån Kaltenborns metod för ledundersökning. Detta jämfördes med uppmätt greppstyrka, angulär aktiv och passiv rörlighet samt subjektiv funktionsskattning DASH och PRWE. Sensomotorik och upplevelse av denna adresserades också. Resultat:Hos samtliga personer sågs hög grad av funktionsinskränkningar i samtliga utfallsmått, förutom hos de två av deltagarna som uppgav att de i princip var återställda. Hos dessa personer noterades inga nedsättningar i specifik ledrörlighet trots att även de hade nedsatt greppstyrka och inskränkt angulär rörlighet. Slutsats:Trots ett litet deltagarantal fanns en indikation på att specifik ledrörlighet kan vara en faktor i kvarstående funktionsinskränkning. Inget samband noterades mellan funktion, rörlighet och greppstyrka. Fler studier bör framöver utforska detta samband samt undersöka effekten av specifik behandling av rörelseinskränkningarna. Personer som ådragit sig en DRF bör följas upp närmare avseende rörelseförutsättningar och behandlingen därefter behöver vara mer specifik än idag. Här bör fysioterapeuter med utbildning inom OMT vara en självklar del i vårdkedjan.

博士課程単位取得論文(法学研究科) / 263p / 一橋大学

Foodborne diseases are a growing health problem today and can be caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria. To monitor known foodborne diseases, institutions keep track of bacteria in surveillance projects. Whole genome sequencing is becoming the new standard method for comparing isolates, which generates large amounts of data. Today, the standard analyses are focused on conserved regions in genomes. The dynamics in less conserved regions can be studied by creating pan-genomes. A pan-genome consists of conserved genes, called core genes, and genes of varied conservation grade, called accessory genes. This thesis aimed to analyse pan-genomes of large datasets from six bacterial species coming from surveillance projects: Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The purpose was to investigate the species dynamics in the genomes and to look at properties of the genomes not included in the standard analyses that are used in surveillance projects today. Bacterial Pan Genome Analysis tool was used for the pan-genome analysis of the six species and datasets of 1,000-2,000 genomes per species were analysed. All species were estimated to have open pan-genomes, meaning the pan-genomes are increasing in size as more genomes are added. Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica had more dynamic and open genomes compared to the other species. They had the highest number of accessory genes relative to their genome sizes and had the largest accessory segments between core genes. The synteny of the core genes showed high conservation for a part of the core genes in all species. Some core genes always sat directly after each other in the analysed genomes, never having accessory genes between them. Other core genes always had accessory genes between them, indicating very open regions in the genomes. The core genes were evenly distributed through the reference genomes with some regions showing increased gene density for all species. Some regions had a higher gene density for core genes often followed by core genes, and others for core genes often followed by accessory genes. However, the placement of genes needs to be investigated further with more reference genomes to be able to draw confident conclusions.

Neuropeptide W-23 (NPW23) and neuropeptide W-30 (NPW30) are 23- and 30-amino acid peptides recently isolated from the porcine hypothalamus. Immunohistochemical studies using a rabbit polyclonal antiserum against the rat NPW23 peptide revealed a limited distribution in the rat brain. NPW23-immunoreactive (irNPW) cells were detected in the paraventricular nucleus (PVH), mainly in the parvocellular division, supraoptic nucleus (SO), accessory neurosecretory nuclei, dorsal and lateral hypothalamic areas, perifornical nucleus, arcuate nucleus, and anterior and posterior pituitary; whereas, irNPW fibers were noted in the PVH and SO, retrochiasmatic nucleus, dorsal and lateral hypothalamic areas, median eminence, amygdala, and posterior pituitary. The pattern of distribution of irNPW in the hypothalamus corroborates a possible role of NPW on prolactin release and feeding behavior reported by others.

No description available.

’Pygmy’, ‘incense’, ‘accessory’ or ‘funerary’ cups are small Early Bronze Age vessels, almost all from mortuary contexts, united by their diminutive size. Although several small-scale and regional studies have previously been undertaken, until recently there has been little attempt to consider such vessels as a whole. The vessels from the north of England were recently examined in detail by Hallam (2015), and the present study of the southern English vessels will complement Hallam’s work with the ultimate goal of producing a national corpus. Details of over three hundred and fifty vessels, from thirty counties, are presented together with a comprehensive literature review. Analysis demonstrates how the form and depositional contexts of such vessels probably arose within Beaker ceramic and funerary traditions. Many have complex biographies, some being deposited ‘fresh’ whilst others are fragmented or otherwise damaged. Perforations, long seen as a key feature of the tradition, appear to be restricted to certain forms only, and it is suggested that fenestration may be a development of this practice. Regional links and networks may be discerned through the distribution of attributes and similar vessel types and probably reflect trade networks. It is suggested that the cups had a primary role within Early Bronze Age funerary rituals associated only with certain individuals, perhaps marked out by the nature of their deaths / The full text will be available at the end of the embargo period: 21st Feb 2023

No description available.

Detta projekts mål var att konstruera ett lyftverktyg som kan användas av Husmuttern, för att lyfta deras väggelement. Syftet med detta lyftverktyg är att underlätta byggprocessen i Husmutterns microfabrik och förutsätta säkra lyftningar av väggelementen. Väggelementen kan förekomma i olika varianter - ett med en panel, ett med ett fönster och ett med en dörr. Dessa varianter har olika tyngdpunkter och därmed var Husmuttern i behov av ett lyftverktyg som kan justeras utefter dessa olika varianter. Väggelementen förekommer även i två olika längder samt i två olika djup, vilket lyftverktyget också ska kunna justeras efter. Dessa justeringar ingår i kravspecifikationen. Lyftningen sker med både truck och travers, vilket verktyget ska vara anpassat till. Projektet utfördes enligt fyra faser; förstudier, planering, genomförande samt slutfas. I förstudierna studerades bl.a. tidigare förslag på lyftverktyg. Husmuttern hade en grundidé till ett lyftverktyg som projektgruppen skulle utgå ifrån i första hand. Som utgångspunkt för konceptgenereringen, gjordes analyser såsom funktionsanalys och QFD. Med brainstorming som metod, genererade gruppen fram flera koncept. Efter val av koncept med hjälp av diskussioner och beslutsmatriser, gjordes CAD-modell av lyftverktyget för att visualisera det färdiga förslaget. Förslaget som togs fram av gruppen på ett lyftverktyg, består av totalt fem komponenter - två U-liknande komponenter, två stödkomponenter och ett lyftrör. Gruppens förslag är en utveckling på Husmutterns grundidé. Justering efter tyngdpunkt sker med hjälp av stödkomponenten på U-komponenten. Lyftröret har olika öglor för de olika längderna på väggelementet. Justering efter djup görs genom att ha två olika U-komponenter, som har olika djup. / The goal of this project was to construct a lifting accessory that can be used by Husmuttern, to lift their wall elements. The purpose of this lifting accessory is to facilitate the construction process in Husmuttern:s microfactory and safe lifts of the wall elements. The wall elements come in different types - one with a panel, one with a window and one with a door. These different types of wall elements vary in their centre of gravity, thus Husmuttern was in need of a lifting accessory that can adjust to these varieties. The wall elements come also in two different lengths and two different depths, which the lifting accessory also should be able to adjust to. These adjustments are included in the requirements specification. The lifting is done with both a forklift truck and a traverser, which the lifting accessory should be adapted to. The project was done according to four phases; feasibility studies, planning, executing and finish. In the phase of feasibility studies, the project group studied inter alia previous suggestion on a lifting accessory. Husmuttern did have an idea of a lifting accessory, that the project group would start with first and foremost. As a starting point for the generation of concepts, analyses such as functions analysis and QFD was conducted. With brainstorming as a method, several concepts were genererated within the group. After choosing an eventual concept by means of discussions and decision matrices, a CAD-model was done of the lifting accessory in order to visualize the suggestion. The group’s suggestion of a lifting accessory consists of five components in total - two U-components, two support-components and one pipe. The group’s suggestion is a development of Husmuttern:s idea. Adjustment to the centre of gravity, is done by adjusting the support-component on the U-component. The pipe has different coils for the different lengths of the wall-element. Adjustment to the different depths is done by having two different U-components, which have different depths.

Retrogenes are a group of functional genes produced by gene retroduplication events during evolution. It has been observed that many retrogenes have formed since the evolutionary divergence of Anopheles mosquitoes from the Aedes lineage as a result of developing heteromorphic sex chromosomes. It has been further observed that these retroduplications predominately occur from parent genes on the heteromorphic X chromosome to autosomes and have a predisposition to have enriched expression in testis. In order to investigate the nature of this male-biased expression in testis, we utilized bioinformatic techniques to identify retrotransposition events and assign them relative ages based on evolutionary branches of divergence. This list of parent genes and retrogenes were then analyzed and a total of twenty-five gene pairs were selected for further examination. Available gene expression data in the form of RNA-seq and DNA microarray were used in tandem with gene annotation data to computationally investigate gene pairs in An. coluzzii. These pairs were further investigated experimentally by means of RT-PCR conducted on dissected head, thorax, abdomen, and reproductive organs in both male and female Anopheles coluzzii Mopti strain. Testis and male accessory glands (MAGs) were also investigated by this method in An. coluzzii. Available expression data support previously observed testis enriched expression of retrogenes and provides evidence for the predominate expression of retrogenes occurring in postmeiotic cells suggesting retrogene involvement in sperm development. Experimental evidence revealed a small group of five retrogenes which exhibit the expected male-biased expression in male testis with little to no expression in female ovaries, although a shared expression in the heads of both sexes was observed. Of the five retrogenes, four carry out energy related functions involving mitochondria, suggesting contribution to energy requirements of developing sperm. Testis and MAG experiments in An. coluzzii revealed a predisposition for retrogenes to be expressed in testis while parent genes tended to have higher expression in MAGs, and this phenomenon is partially supported by DNA microarray expression data. Overall, these results suggest further investigation of retrogenes in An. coluzzii may reveal unique functions in male mosquito fertility that are exploitable in genetic approaches to mosquito control. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Malaria is a potentially deadly disease which effects thousands of people every year. Malaria around the world is spread by multiple species of mosquitoes in a genus called Anopheles. Controlling the populations of these disease spreading mosquitoes is essential to preventing the spread of malaria. Current insecticide-based approaches used to stop mosquitoes are becoming less effective overtime as mosquitoes become resistant. A potential way to develop new techniques for mosquito control is through research involving mosquito reproductive genetics. Understanding the genes involved in how mosquitoes reproduce could improve future techniques designed to reduce or prevent mosquitos from reproducing. This research focuses on a group of genes called retrogenes which have formed over the evolution of these mosquitoes via the duplication from a separate parent gene. In mosquitoes these retrogenes are understood to be involved in male reproduction. The retrogenes involved in male mosquito reproduction could have important functions in male sexual reproduction and sterility. These important genes could be manipulated to interrupt whatever important functions these genes have in reproduction. In this research we first computationally identified retrogenes and their parent genes and categorized them by age. We then utilized available annotation and expression data to analyze the potential significance of retrogenes to male fertility and found that multiple retrogenes tended to be expressed during sperm development. Lastly, we conducted gene expression experiments using dissected head, thorax, abdomen, and reproductive organs in both male and female Anopheles mosquitoes. Results revealed unique patterns of expression that suggest male specific roles of five retrogenes in testes and head expression in both males and females suggesting a possible role in mating behavior. These results provide evidence that retrogenes do have functional roles in male fertility specifically related to the maturation and development of sperm.