<p>The breakdown of self-tolerance is the main driving force behind susceptibility to SLE. When this occurs, T and B cells are activated in an uncontrolled manner and produce autoantibodies against self fragmented DNA, RNA and sometimes other parts of the cell such as cardiolipin, phosphatidylserine, etc.</p><p>The mechanism behind the breakdown of self-tolerance may be genetic factors that are triggered by environmental factors. SLE is not caused by a single gene, but by many genes, and is thus a polygenic disease. So far only a few genes have been found to be associated with SLE including PDCD1, FcγRs, and PTPN22. The main aim of my thesis is to find susceptibility genes responsible for SLE.</p><p>Recently, a gene called IRF5 was found to be associated with SLE. In paper one, we performed a thorough study and confirmed its association to SLE. In addition, we found a few other SNPs in the gene that were associated to the disease. Among them, SNP rs2004640 is very strongly associated and was found to affect the splicing of the gene. Another SNP, rs2280714, correlated with overexpression of the gene, although SNP rs10954213 was much more highly correlated with expression adding to this, in paper two we found a few other SNPs that were associated to SLE and played crucial roles in gene function. An indel in exon 6, though not associated by itself, regulated which isoforms were expressed. Individuals with 2 repeats expressed isoforms V1 and V4, while individuals with 4 repeats expressed isoforms V5 and V6. SNP rs2070197 was also very strongly associated, but did not have a functional role. In paper three, the same polymorphisms were studied in a Mexican population, which showed an even stronger association when compared to a European population.</p><p>It is known that autoimmune diseases share susceptibility genes, therefore we wanted to see if the IRF5 gene is associated with any other autoimmune diseases. In papers four and five, we tested its association to RA (using three sets of patients and controls from Sweden, Argentina and Spain) and psoriasis (using a set of patients and controls from Sweden). Association was not found in either of the diseases. Therefore, we believe that this association may be SLE-specific.</p>

The breakdown of self-tolerance is the main driving force behind susceptibility to SLE. When this occurs, T and B cells are activated in an uncontrolled manner and produce autoantibodies against self fragmented DNA, RNA and sometimes other parts of the cell such as cardiolipin, phosphatidylserine, etc. The mechanism behind the breakdown of self-tolerance may be genetic factors that are triggered by environmental factors. SLE is not caused by a single gene, but by many genes, and is thus a polygenic disease. So far only a few genes have been found to be associated with SLE including PDCD1, FcγRs, and PTPN22. The main aim of my thesis is to find susceptibility genes responsible for SLE. Recently, a gene called IRF5 was found to be associated with SLE. In paper one, we performed a thorough study and confirmed its association to SLE. In addition, we found a few other SNPs in the gene that were associated to the disease. Among them, SNP rs2004640 is very strongly associated and was found to affect the splicing of the gene. Another SNP, rs2280714, correlated with overexpression of the gene, although SNP rs10954213 was much more highly correlated with expression adding to this, in paper two we found a few other SNPs that were associated to SLE and played crucial roles in gene function. An indel in exon 6, though not associated by itself, regulated which isoforms were expressed. Individuals with 2 repeats expressed isoforms V1 and V4, while individuals with 4 repeats expressed isoforms V5 and V6. SNP rs2070197 was also very strongly associated, but did not have a functional role. In paper three, the same polymorphisms were studied in a Mexican population, which showed an even stronger association when compared to a European population. It is known that autoimmune diseases share susceptibility genes, therefore we wanted to see if the IRF5 gene is associated with any other autoimmune diseases. In papers four and five, we tested its association to RA (using three sets of patients and controls from Sweden, Argentina and Spain) and psoriasis (using a set of patients and controls from Sweden). Association was not found in either of the diseases. Therefore, we believe that this association may be SLE-specific.

No description available.

Thesis (PhD (Earth Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH SUMMARY: S-type granite intrusions are extremely common in the continental crust and form from the partial melting of metasediments. Compositions of S-type granite range from leucogranite to granodiorite and have trace element contents that globally increase with increasing maficity (Fe + Mg). Models proposed for the formation of S-type granite do not answer satisfactorily all petrological and compositional requirements. In this study, S-type granite of the Cape Granite Suite (CGS), South Africa is used to discriminate between potential sources of compositional variation. Experimental studies show that melt produced from the partial melting of sediment is exclusively leucocratic. On this basis, the entrainment of up to 20 wt.% of peritectic garnet within S-type melt can be established to produce the observed major element variations. S-type CGS locally contains garnet. This garnet is in equilibrium with granite composition at P-T conditions (5kb and 750 C for the core of the garnet and 3kb and 720 C for the rim) well below conditions recorded by xenoliths from the same granite (10 kb and 850 C from a metabasite). From this result it seems that the originally entrained garnet no longer exists in the Stype CGS and it have been replaced by newly formed minerals (garnet, cordierite and biotite). Considering the short time necessary to emplace granites (about 100 000 years), it appears that garnet has been compositionnally re-equilibrated through a dissolution-precipitation process. The study of trace element variations in S-type CGS shows that most leucocratic compositions are undersaturated in Zr and Ce compared to predictions from experimental models for dissolution of accessory zircon and monazite in their source regions. Thus, S-type melts are likely to be formed in disequilibrium with respect to accessory phase stability. As a result the observed increase in trace element content with increasing maficity indicates that accessory minerals such as zircon and monazite are co-entrained with peritectic garnet in melt to produce the observed trace element variation in S-type granite. Trace element disequilibrium in the CGS S-type granitoids requires particularly short times of residence of melt within the source region. Together, these results provide for the first time, a fully comprehensive model for major and trace elements variations. Compositional variation in CGS S-type granite results from source processes by a selective entrainment of peritectic and accessory minerals. After entrainment, these minerals are likely to be re-equilibrated within the magma, through a dissolution-reprecipitation process. In addition, it appears that the construction of large S-type granitic bodies occurs through successive addition of magma batches of different composition that originates directly from the source region. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: S-tipe granietinstrusies is baie algemeen in die kontinentale kors en vorm deur die gedeeltelike smelting van metasedimente. Samestellings van S-tipe graniete strek vanaf leukograniet tot granodioriet en het spoorelementsamestellings wat global toeneem met ’n toenemende mafiese component (Fe + Mg). Modelle wat voorgestel is vir die formasie van S-tipe graniete beantwoord nie bevredigend al die petrologiese en komposisionele benodigdhede nie. In hierdie studie word S-tipe graniete van die Kaapse Graniet Suite (CGS), Suid Afrika, gebruik om te diskrimineer tussen potensiele bronne van komposisionele variasie. Eksperimentele studies wys dat smelt, geproduseer van die gedeeltelike smelting van sedimente, uitsluitlik leukokraties is. Op hierdie basis kan bewys word, dat die optel-en-meevoering van tot 20 wt% van peritektiese granaat in S-tipe smelt, die waargeneemde hoofelement variasies kan produseer. S-tipe CGS bevat lokale granaat. Hierdie granaat is in ekwilibrium met die graniet samestelling by P-T kondisies (5kb en 750circC vir die kern van die granaat en 3kb en 720circC vir die rand) ver onder kondisies waargeneem by xenoliete van dieselfde granite (10kb en 850circC van ’n metabasiet). Van hierdie resultaat kan afgelei word dat die oorspronklike opgetel-en-meegevoerde graniet bestaan nie meer in die S-tipe CGS en dat dit vervang is deur nuutgevormde minerale (granaat, kordieriet en biotiet). As in ag geneem word die kort tyd wat nodig is om graniete in te plaas (omtrent 100 000 jaar), wil dit voorkom dat granaat se samestelling geherekwilibreer word deur ’n oplossings-presipitasie proses. Die studie van spoorelement variasies in S-tipe CGS wys dat meeste leukokratiese samestellings is onderversadig in Zr en Ce in vergelyking met voorspellings deur eksperimentele modelle vir die oplossing van bykomstige zircon en monasiet in hulle brongebiede. Dus is S-tipe smelte meer geneig om gevorm te word in disekwilibrium in verhouding tot bykomstige mineraalstabilileit. Met die gevolg is dat die waargenome toename in spoorelementinhoud met toename in mafiese component wys dat bykomstige minerale, soos zirkoon en monasiet, word saam opgetel-enmeegevoer met peritektiese granaat in smelt om die waargenome spoorelement variasie in S-tipe graniete te verklaar. Spoorelement disekwilibrium in die CGS S-tipe granitoide benodig veral kort tye van residensie van die smelt binne die brongebied. Saam gee hierdie resultate vir die eerste keer ’n algehele antwoord vir hoof- en spoorelement variasies. Variasie in samestelling in CGS S-tipe graniete is die resultaat van bronprosesse deur ’n selektiewe optel-en-meevoer van peritektiese en bykomstige minerale. Na die optel-en-meevoer van hierdie minerale word hulle geherekwilibreer binne die magma deur ’n oplossings-presipitasie proses. Addisioneel wil dit voorkom of die konstruksie van groot S-tipe granietliggame plaasvind deur opeenvolgende toevoegings van magma lotte van verskillende samestellings wat direk uit die brongebied kom.

L'étude des difficultés d'accès des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (PME) tunisiennes aux fonds montre que ces entreprises connaissent un “déficit d'intégration bancaire” qui peut être expliqué par la théorie du rationnement du crédit. La réticence des banques tunisiennes à s'impliquer dans le financement des PME est en grande partie expliquée par les caractéristiques structurelles et financières du système bancaire tunisien qui connaît une prépondérance des banques de dépôts se traduisant par une limitation de la concurrence sur le coût de financement. Elle est aussi expliquée par les faiblesses qu'enregistre la Tunisie en matière de partage d'information de crédit et de protection légale des créanciers tout au long de l'opération de financement.La vérification empirique du rationnement des PME sur le marché du crédit bancaire tunisien est fondée sur une estimation d'un modèle de déséquilibre sur la base d'un échantillon de données de panel composé de 1760 PME sur la période 2001-2006. Les résultats obtenus montrent que les PME tunisiennes, dépendantes du crédit bancaire, cherchent à éviter de mobiliser cette source de financement chaque fois qu'elles enregistrent une augmentation de leurs ressources internes ou font recours au crédit fournisseur. La très forte aversion au risque des banques fait que la décision d'offre du crédit dépend principalement de la garantie réelle et se traduit par une proportion moyenne d'environ 90% des entreprises qui sont - partiellement ou totalement - rationnées. / The study of Tunisian Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs) difficulties to access to funds shows that these enterprises experience a “banking integration deficit” that can be explained by credit rationing theory. The reluctance of Tunisian banks to become involved in SMEs' financing is largely explained by the structural and financial characteristics of the Tunisian banking system whereof of the dominance of commercial banks results in a limitation of competition on the financing cost. It is also explained by the weaknesses experienced by Tunisia as regards the sharing information and the creditors legal protection throughout the financing transaction.The empirical verification of Tunisian SMEs' credit rationing on the Tunisian bank credit market is founded on an estimate of a disequilibrium model on the basis of a panel data set of 1760 Tunisian SMEs over the period 2001-2006. Results show that Tunisian SMEs, dependent on bank credit, seek to avoid the call for this source of financing every time they experience an increase in their internal resources or have recourse to trade credit. The very strong risk aversion of banks makes the credit supply decision mainly dependent on real guarantee, and results to an average proportion of 90% - partially or totally - credit rationed enterprises.

Cet étude interroge la pratique de la sculpture et sa relation avec le terme qui la nome, dans le but de penser et comprendre qu’est-ce que la sculpture ; afin de situer notre pratique personnelle de cet art. En effet, nous constatons que depuis l’adoption des matériaux et des techniques nouvelles, la sculpture n’a cessé de s’enrichir, en franchissant ses limites et en allant à l’encontre de son propre sens. Des multiples transgressions ont permis de la prolonger avec l’incorporation de nouvelles valeurs dynamiques, plastiques et esthétiques. Les dimensions de la sculpture se voient ainsi élargies, par la présence de l’ombre portée, par le déplacement du spectateur et par les multiples facettes de l’espace. Une des valeurs ajoutées las plus riche étant sans doute le mouvement réel ; il apparaît comme conséquence de cette longue évolution, du dépouillement matériel, de l’éclatement du bloc qui rend la sculpture de plus en plus légère, de l’élimination du socle, de la suspension, ainsi que de la manipulation des forces mécaniques et physiques. Tout au long du XXe siècle, des artistes ont fait preuve d’inventivité pour doter leurs œuvres du mouvement réel ; il génère à son tour des relations en devenir, dynamiques. Nous employons le terme dynamique selon l’étymologie grecque de dunamis, dans le sens de « force », et de « possibilité de ». Nous cherchons ainsi à savoir de quelle manière le mouvement de la sculpture peut être initié, prolongé ou enrichi par la présence de phénomènes rythmiques, temporels, sonores et d’équilibre précaire ou éphémère. Éléments qui participant du dit mouvement, en découlent, et parfois le génèrent. / The focus of this research questions the practice of sculpting and its relation with the term that defines it. The main goal is to reflect and to understand what exactly a sculpture is, in order to determine our own personal practices in this art. Indeed, it is noted that since the adoption of new materials and techniques, sculpting has seen a continuous process of enrichment, constantly breaking barriers and moving counter to its own origins. Multiples transgressions have permitted to extend sculpting with the incorporation of new dynamic, cosmetic and aesthetic values. The dimensions of sculptures are thus enlarged by the presence of projected shadows, the movement of the spectator and the multiples facets of space. One of the richest added values is without a doubt physical movement. It appeared as a consequence of this long evolution: the shedding and simplification of materials, the breaking-down of the block that renders the sculptures more and more nimble, the elimination of the pedestal, the practice of suspension, as well as the manipulation of physical and mechanical forces. Throughout the twentieth century, artists had proven their ingenuity by endowing their works with actual movement that in turn generated future dynamic relations. Here we employ the term “dynamic” according to the Greek etymology dunamis in the sense of ‘force’ and ‘possibility of.’ Thus, this dissertation will search to find out in what ways the movements of sculptures can be initiated, prolonged or enriched by the presence of rhythmic, temporal and sound phenomenon, including precarious and ephemeral balance. These elements can, by participating in this movement, stem from and at times generate it.

Certos ambientes subterrâneos da Terra possuem acumulados, naturalmente, compostos de radionuclídeos de longa vida, como 238U, 232Th 40K, próximo à presença de água líquida. O mesmo é esperado que aconteça em corpos planetários, no Sistema Solar, que possua quantidades apreciáveis de água. Nestes ambientes radioativos naturais, a radiólise da água produz espécies químicas e desequilíbrios químicos importantes para a vida. Apesar da proposta do decaimento radioativo como fonte alternativa de energia para sistemas vivos existir há mais de trinta anos, isto se mostrou realmente concreto após descoberta de um ecossistema peculiar cuja sobrevivência é dependente de espécies químicas produzidas por radiólise aquosa. Neste trabalho, avaliamos e quantificamos os desequilíbrios químicos gerados localmente pela radiólise aquosa e a possível contribuição destes para a emergência da vida, tendo como referência os estudos em ambientes de fontes hidrotermais alcalinas, consideradas promissores ambientes para esse evento. Também foram avaliados seus efeitos na habitabilidade de possíveis ambientes análogos na lua gelada Europa. Procuramos quantificar a diversidade química formada nessas condições e a associar aos desequilíbrios parâmetros termodinâmicos. As estimativas realizadas para ambientes radioativos na Terra primitiva apontaram para a similaridade entre o desequilíbrio causado por radiólise aquosa e o encontrado em fontes hidrotermais alcalinas. Confirmando e detalhando a análise preliminar que motivou o trabalho. Não obstante, considerando Europa, chegamos a valores de densidade de células do extremófilo Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator que sobreviveriam em um conjunto de candidatos a análogos geológicos de possível ambiente radioativo na lua gelada. A partir deste estudo pudemos analisar o potencial para a emergência da vida e de protometabolismos nestes ambientes radioativos naturais na Terra primitiva, bem como levantar parâmetros mensuráveis para futuras missões espaciais que buscam vida ou habitabilidade em Europa. / Certain subterranean environments of the Earth has naturally accumulated compounds of longlived radionuclides, such as 238U, 232Th 40K, near the presence of liquid water. The same is estimated in wet planetary bodies in the Solar System. In these natural radioactive environments, water radiolysis produces chemical species and chemical disequilibria, which are important for life. Although the proposal of radioactive decay as an alternative source of energy for deep biospheres has existed for more than thirty years, this proved to be really feasible after the discovery of a peculiar ecosystem whose survivor is dependent on chemical species produced by water radiolysis. In this work, we evaluate and quantify the chemical disequilibria generated locally by water radiolysis and the possible contribution of these to the emergence of life, having as reference the studies alkaline hydrothermal vents, which is considered highly promising environment for this event. It is also evaluated their effects on the habitability of possible analogous environments on the Jupiter icy moon Europa. It was aimed to quantify the chemical diversity formed under these conditions and to calculate disequilibria using thermodynamic parameters. The estimates made for natural radioactive environments in early Earth pointed to the similarity between the disequilibrium caused by water radiolysis and those found in alkaline hydrothermal vents. What confirms and details the preliminary analysis that motivated this work. In addition, it was calculated values for cell density of the Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator extremophile, that would survive in Europa comparable to the in situ analysis of some terrestrial radioactive environments, using a set of possible scenarios for possible local natural radioactive environments. From this study, we were able to analyze the potential for the emergence of life and protometabolisms in these natural radioactive environments in early Earth, as well as to provide measurable parameters for future space missions that seek for life or habitability in Europa.

O mapeamento genético e a genética funcional de doenças são de grande importância na pesquisa médica e genômica. Para estas finalidades o estudo de associação entre fatores de risco genéticos e doença tem ganhado destaque na literatura. Neste trabalho disserta-se sobre a análise de associação aplicada ao mapeamento genético de doenças, caracterizando diferentes possibilidades de planejamentos experimentais e de utilização de modelos estatísticos de análise de dados. As formalizações estatísticas, como o tipo de delineamento experimental, a inclusão ou não de dados familiares, bem como a escolha do método estatístico de análise, que são decisivos na avaliação do poder dos testes obtidos e na sua aplicabilidade ao mapeamento genético, também são discutidas. Além disso, considera-se a análise de associação por meio de modelos de regressão logística em que, as análises de dados genéticos são abordadas via dados no nível genotípico e cromossômico. Finalmente, os conceitos supracitados são aplicados a conjuntos de dados reais, fornecidos pelo Laboratório de Cardiologia e Genética Molecular do InCor/USP, com o objetivo de ilustrar o problema teórico tratado e motivar a aplicação das metodologias estatísticas envolvidas. / The genetic mapping and functional genetics have great importance in the genomics research. In order to conduct these researches the study of the association between genetic risk factors and disease has been becoming an important role in the literature. In this work we consider the association analyses applied to the genetic diseases mapping, charactering different possibilities of experimental designs and the use of statistical models to analyze data sets. The statistical concepts, as the kind of experimental design, the inclusion of familiar records or not, as well as the choice of the statistical analyze method, which are very important to the evaluation of the power of the tests obtained and to their applicability in the genetic mapping, are also discussed. Furthermore, we consider the association analysis at person level and chromosome data set. Finally, the latter concepts are applied to a real data set, provided by the Molecular Genetic and Cardiology Laboratory of InCor/USP, in order to illustrate the theoretical problem treated in this work and to motive the use of the involved statistical methodologies.

A noção de equilíbrio aplicada ao relevo foi alvo de várias discussões ao longo da edificação do pensamento geomorfológico. Vários autores trataram de ideias a ela relacionada e este se tornou um conceito de grande influência sobre o desenvolvimento da ciência geomorfológica. Apesar das várias nuances associadas ao conceito do ponto de vista geomorfológico, o equilíbrio do relevo admite que haja um comportamento balanceado entre os fluxos de matéria e energia que perpassam por entre os materiais, processos morfogenéticos e formas que constituem o relevo. Baseado na concepção de equilíbrio dinâmico como tentativa de explicar a paisagem da alta bacia do rio Piranga em termos das relações entre formas e processos geomorfológicos o objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar se o relevo dessa área planáltica, na região centro-sul de Minas Gerais, área de nascente de uma das grandes bacias hidrográficas da região sudeste do Brasil a do rio Doce apresenta condições morfodinâmicas que permitem caracterizá-lo como em estado de equilíbrio. Para isso foram consideradas análises morfométricas, pedológicas, geoquímicas das águas fluviais e da organização da rede de drenagem numa perspectiva multiescalar contemplando desde a compartimentação regional do relevo até os processos de vertente. Por meio dessas análises verificou-se que as condições dos materiais, processos e formas associados ao relevo, às coberturas pedológicas e à rede de drenagem verificadas no alto rio Piranga reúnem indícios condizentes com uma situação geomorfológica de desequilíbrio morfodinâmico recente e em vigência. Situação desencadeada sobretudo pelo processo de captura fluvial do alto rio Piranga, os resultados morfométricos obtidos são condizentes também com a influência de uma neotectônica regional. O desnivelamento do manto de intemperismo representado sobretudo pela proximidade diferenciada à superfície dos horizontes C de muitos perfis pedológicos, tanto no alto quanto no baixo planalto, é apontado como indicativo de um processo de rejuvenescimento dos solos proporcionado pelas atuais condições morfogenéticas preponderantes às pedogenéticas. A falta de correlação dos gradientes fluviais de canais de 3ª ordem com os declives médios das vertentes demonstra um desajuste entre os processos de vertente e a incisão dos canais. O índice de Hack calculado para estes mesmos canais permite concluir sobre uma franca incisão desses canais nos seus trechos de médio curso. As taxas de desnudação geoquímica anual do relevo, baseadas na carga fluvial dissolvida e variando de 3,46 a 7,91 t/km2.ano, não demonstraram um padrão espacial que se possa associar a um determinado comportamento morfodinâmico relacionado à compartimentação morfológica do alto rio Piranga, por exemplo. A análise do manto de alteração associada a outros fatores em termos da evolução regional do relevo permite indicar com base nessas observações pelos menos duas fases morfogenéticas que estão bem marcadas na paisagem do alto rio Piranga. Uma mais antiga quando se desenvolveram as stone lines provavelmente associada a um soerguimento tectônico proeminente e outra mais recente e atual que se refere ao desequilíbrio geomorfológico em vigência. Por todos estes resultados conclui-se que o desequilíbrio também é uma condição natural nas terras altas da alta bacia do rio Piranga, decorrente de histórias geomorfológicas distintas unificadas a partir da captura do alto rio Piranga. / The concept of equilibrium applied in the study of relief has been central in various discussions over the history of Geomorphology. Several authors thought over ideas involving geomorphological equilibrium, which became an important concept to this science. Despite the slight variations in the core concept, equilibrium condition of relief always takes into account the balance among matter attributes, energy flow, processes and features. Based on the conception that dynamic equilibrium is an theoretical attempt to understand landscape in terms of the relationship between landforms and geomorphological processes, this thesis focused the assessment of the morphodynamical conditions that confirm the state of equilibrium of the relief in upper basin of Piranga River, southeastern Minas Gerais (Brazil). For this purpose were performed morphometric analysis, pedological analysis, geochemical analysis of channel water and drainage network features within a multiscale approach, considering regional relief and hillslope processes. All the analysis demonstrated that this highland has been under geomorphological disequilibrium over the recently time. Such situation has been triggered by a stream capture of upper course of the Piranga River. Results of morphometrical analysis are consonant with the regional neotectonics, which is confirmed by an evident difference in soil thickness, especially for the depth of horizon C in many soils profiles in both high plateau and low plateau. This setting was associated with a soil rejuvenation provided from recent morphogenetic conditions. In other hand, the lack of correlation between channel gradients and average slope shows an important misfit between earlier hillslope and channel processes. Hack\'s index measured for these channels indicate higher fluvial incision rates at middle river segments compared to the other ones. Annual geochemical denudation rates, based on dissolved load, ranging from 3.46 to 7.91 ton.y- 1.km-2, had not expressed any spatial pattern neither correlation to other data. The analysis of weathering mantle and other geomorphological factors permit the definition of two wellmarked morphogenetic phases for the upper Piranga River landscape: a previous phase, when stone lines are associated with an uplift condition; and the present one with an active disequilibrium. From the results, it was concluded that disequilibrium is a natural condition on both plateaus of Piranga River, due to their specific geomorphological evolution integrated by the stream capture of upper Piranga River.

A seleção genômica (Genomic Selection - GS) permite identificar indivíduos superiores com base no seu método genômico e apresenta a possibilidade de incorporação do melhoramento quantitativo à genética molecular. O melhor preditor linear não viesado (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction - BLUP) é um método de predição dos efeitos aleatórios do modelo com base nos componentes de variância obtidos por meio do método máxima verossimilhança restrita (Restricted maximum likelihood - REML). A eficiência do REML\\BLUP pode ser incrementada por meio da incorporação de matrizes de parentesco genômico nos modelos de seleção genômica, uma vez que os efeitos genéticos genômicos aditivos dos indivíduos avaliados constituem os componentes aleatórios dos modelos mistos abordados. Dentre os algoritmos disponíveis para estimá-las, a partir de dados de polimorfismo de nucleotídeo único (Single-nucleotide polymorphism - SNP\'s) há as matrizes de Vanraden (2008) Astle e Balding (2009) e as de Yang et al. (2010) (matriz de parentesco unificado e matriz de parentesco unificado ajustado). Adicionalmente ao método de estimação da matriz de parentesco, a acurácia da GS depende da densidade de marcadores e da extensão e padrão de desequilíbrio de ligação (Linkage desequilibrium - LD) que existe no painel. Com isto, os objetivos foram: i) investigar o efeito da redução nas densidades de marcadores SNP\'s, por meio do LD, na estimativa do parentesco genético dos indivíduos e, consequentemente, na acurácia preditiva da GS; ii) estudar o efeito do uso de diferentes tipos de matrizes de parentesco genômico na acurácia da seleção genômica para linhagens e híbridos de milho tropical. Para isso, foram considerados dois painéis distintos de milho tropical: uma composta por 64 linhagens endogâmicas e a outra, por 452 híbridos. Estas foram avaliadas para o caráter produtividade de grãos, em oito e cinco ambientes, respectivamente. As linhagens e os híbridos foram genotipados com a plataforma Affymetrix&reg; Axiom&reg; Maize Genotyping Array, com cerca de 600 mil marcadores. Foram construídos diferentes cenários de GS quanto ao tipo de painel (linhagens e híbridos), densidade de marcadores (400k, 60k, 9586 e 1304 para linhagens e 50k, 4458 e 495, para híbridos) e tipos de matrizes de parentesco (citadas acima). Em cada um destes cenários foi estimada a herdabilidade, acurácia, capacidade preditiva e a coincidência de seleção. A partir dos resultados conclui-se que: tanto para híbridos como para linhagens, a densidade de marcas pode ser reduzida significativamente por meio do LD existente entre os SNP\'s, sem gerar prejuízos quanto à acurácia da GS, mas reduzindo os custos com genotipagem e a demanda computacional. Para predição genômica das linhagens, a matriz de Vanraden (2008) apresenta o melhor custo benefício, pois tem menor demanda computacional e proporciona resultados satisfatórios quanto à acurácia e coincidência de seleção. Para a predição genômica de híbridos, as matrizes de Yang et al. (2010) são superiores em relação às demais testadas, quanto à acurácia preditiva e coincidência de seleção. / The efficiency of the Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP), along with the Restricted maximum likelihood (REML) methods, can be increased by incorporating genomic kinship matrices to Genomic Selection models (GS). Among the available algorithms to estimate these matrices from single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data there are Vanraden (2008), Astle e Balding (2009) and Yang et al. (2010) (unified relationship matrix and adjusted unified relationship matrix). In addition to the estimation method of the relationship matrix, the accuracy of GS depends on the density of markers and the extent and pattern of linkage disequilibrium (LD) that there is in the panel. Thus, the aims were: i) assess the effect of marker density reduction, based on LD, on the estimative of the genetic relationship of individuals and, consequently, on the predictive accuracy of GS; ii) study the effects of types of genomic relationship matrices on the accuracy of genomic selection for tropical maize lines and hybrids. In order to achieve there, two distinct panel of tropical maize were used: the first consisting of 64 inbred lines and latter of 452 hybrids. These panels were evaluated in field trials for grain yield in eight and five environments, respectively. The lines and hybrids were genotyped by the Affymetrix&reg; Axiom&reg; Maize Genotyping Array platform with 612 thousand markers. Distinct scenarios of GS were comprised considering panel type (lines and hybrids), marker density (400k, 60k, 9586 and 1304 for lines and, 50k, 4458 and 495 for hybrids) and, types of kinship matrices cited aboved. In each of these scenarios heritability, accuracy, predictive capacity and the selection coincidence were estimated. From the results it was concluded that: for both, hybrids and lines, marker density can be significantly reduced based on LD between SNP\'s without affecting the accuracy. Furthermore, this reduction also decreases genotyping costs and computational requirements. For genomic prediction of lines, Vanraden (2008) matrix shows the best cost-benefit, because it demands less computer resources and provides satisfactory results in terms of accuracy and selection coincidence. On the other hand, for genomic prediction of hybrids, the matrices of Yang et al. (2010) yielded higher predictive accuracies and selection coincidences.