A redução no desenvolvimento muscular de filhotes cujas mães foram submetidas ao consumo de dietas baseadas no padrão ocidental pode ser, ao menos em parte, explicada pela resistência periférica à insulina, condição na qual a atividade de proteínas relacionadas à via de sinalização intracelular sensível a esse hormônio encontra-se reduzida. A regulação positiva dessa via resulta no aumento da atividade do Alvo da Rapamicina em Mamíferos (mTOR) que atua como efetor positivo da taxa de tradução de RNAm e, consequentemente, da síntese proteica. Estudos que avaliam a atividade dessa proteína frente ao consumo crônico de dietas hiperlipídicas são escassos e controversos e, até o momento, não são conhecidos trabalhos que avaliaram esses marcadores em animais neonatos ou desmamados, provenientes de mães alimentadas com dieta hiperlipídica gestacional e pós-gestacional. O presente estudo objetiva avaliar o efeito do consumo de uma dieta hiperlipídica por ratas adultas sobre a morfologia e sobre a expressão e a fosforilação das proteínas que compõem a via de sinalização intracelular do mTOR no músculo esquelético da prole em dois momentos: nascimento e desmame. Para isso, inicialmente, 39 ratas foram distribuídas em dois grupos, de acordo com a dieta oferecida: controle (n=19) e hiperlipídica (n=20). Após o nascimento, cerca de seis filhotes por mãe foram eutanasiados para coleta de amostras e análise dos marcadores investigados. Os filhotes selecionados para dar continuidade ao experimento foram dispostos junto às mães que, por sua vez, foram distribuídas em outros quatro grupos, segundo a dieta gestacional e pós-gestacional: CON/CON (n=8); CON/HL (n=9); HL/HL (n=8); HL/CON (n=7). Ao final da lactação, os filhotes foram eutanasiados e amostras foram coletadas para análise. Os resultados obtidos indicam que, em relação aos animais neonatos, há redução das concentrações séricas de leptina e de IGF-I e aumento da fosforilação da Akt e do mTOR musculares, em resposta ao consumo materno da dieta hiperlipídica. Por sua vez, nos animais lactentes, observamos influência da dieta hiperlipídica materna pós-gestacional sobre a promoção de fenótipo obesogênico, com concomitante redução do desenvolvimento muscular e da fosforilação de proteínas alvo do mTOR em estado pós-prandial. Com base nos resultados obtidos, concluímos que a dieta hiperlipídica materna afeta a atividade do mTOR, sendo, esse efeito, dependente da idade e da condição fisiológica dos animais. / The decrease in muscle development of offspring whose mothers consume a typical Western diet can be partly explained by the progression of peripheral insulin resistance, a condition in which the activity of proteins related to the intracellular signaling pathway sensitive to this hormone is reduced. The positive regulation of this pathway results in increased activity of the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) that acts as a positive regulator of the rate of mRNA translation and protein synthesis. Studies that assess the activity of this protein in response to chronic consumption of high fat diets are scarce and controversial and, to date, studies that evaluated these markers in the offspring of mothers fed a high fat diet during gestational and lactation are not known. This study aims to evaluate the effect of consuming a high fat diet for female adult rats in morphology and expression and phosphorylation of proteins that comprise the intracellular signaling pathway of mTOR in skeletal muscle of offspring in two stages: birth and weaning. Therefore, initially, 39 rats were divided into two groups, according to the available diet: control (n = 19) and diet (n = 20). After birth, around six pups per mother were killed for sample collection and analysis of the markers investigated. The pups selected to continue the experiment were placed with the mothers who, in turn, were divided into four groups according to gestational and post-gestational diets: CON/CON (n = 8), CON/HL (n = 9), HL/HL (n = 8), HL/CON (n = 7). At the end of lactation, the pups were euthanized and samples were collected for analysis. The results indicate that, for the newborn animals, there is a reduction of serum leptin and IGF-I concentrations and increased phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR in muscle in response to maternal consumption of high fat diet. In turn, we found that maternal high-fat diet during lactation promoted an obese phenotype in weaned animals, with concomitant reduction of muscle development and mTOR target proteins phosphorylation in the postprandial state. Based on these results, we conclude that maternal high-fat diet affects the activity of mTOR, depending on age and physiological condition of the animals.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-22T17:26:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alessandra Pontes Peres.pdf: 298492 bytes, checksum: 617312d66562613c89c4978c1f86b08e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-01-26 / Objective: The present study assessed the social support relation to gestational depression, and still other possible factors associated to depression, such as age of the pregnant woman, presence of a companion, schooling and income. Method: Cross-section study with adolescent pregnant women, aged 10-19, between 20th and 32nd. gestation week. The sample was collected in Basic Health Units (BHU) and three specialized outpatient clinics, in the city of Pelotas. Depressive disturb was assessed by means of a standardized diagnostic interview, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), compatible with DSM-IV and CID-10 criteria. In order to assess Social Support, the Medical Outcome Study (MOS) scale was utilized. A self-applied and secret questionnaire was utilized for other variables. Results: The sample included 223 pregnant women. Social support was significantly associated to depression (outcome), presenting a p>0,001. The variables: age, presence of a companion, income, and schooling did not associate to the depression diagnosis. Conclusion: To assess the perception of social support considered by the adolescents can provide important information to identify pregnant women under depression risk / Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou a relação do suporte social com a depressão gestacional, e ainda outros possíveis fatores associados à depressão como a idade da gestante, presença de companheiro, escolaridade e renda. Método: Estudo transversal com gestantes adolescentes em idade de 10 a 19 anos, estando entre a 20ª e a 32ª semanas gestacionais. A amostra foi coletada em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBSs) e três ambulatórios especializados, na cidade de Pelotas. O transtorno depressivo foi avaliado através de uma entrevista diagnóstica padronizada, Mini Internacional Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), compatível com os critérios do DSM-IV e CID-10. Para avaliar o Suporte Social foi utilizada a escala Medical Outcomes Study (MOS). Para outras variáveis foi utilizado um questionário autoaplicado e sigiloso. Resultados: A amostra contou com 223 gestantes. O suporte social esteve associado significativamente com a depressão (desfecho), apresentando um p<0,001. As variáveis idade, presença de companheiro, renda e escolaridade não estavam associadas com o diagnóstico de depressão. Conclusão: Avaliar a percepção do suporte social considerado pelas adolescentes pode fornecer informações importantes para identificar gestantes que estejam em risco para depressão

A pré-eclâmpsia afeta 3 a 5% das gestantes em todo o mundo, contribuindo para complicações materno-fetais graves. Sendo a isquemia placentária considerada um dos fatores primordiais para o desenvolvimento da doença. Essa isquemia está associada à alterações de fatores pró e anti angiogênicos, o presente estudo avaliou os fatores pró angiogênicos angiopoetina 1 e 2 (Ang-1 e Ang-2), que atuam na formação e no crescimento de novos vasos durante a placentação. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as concentrações plasmática de Ang-1 e Ang-2 na predição de pré-eclâmpsia e verificar a sensibilidade e especificidade dos mesmos por meio da curva ROC. Foram avaliadas 120 gestantes com idade gestacional entre 20 e 25 semanas, que participaram do projeto Coortes BRISA, que contava com um banco de 1400 gestantes, sendo que 30 gestantes com diagnóstico de pré-eclâmpsia (PE) e que realizaram o parto no Hospital das Clínicas de Ribeirão Preto e 90 gestantes saudáveis (GS) que realizaram parto na MATER ( Maternidade do Centro de Referência da saúde da Mulher). As concentrações plasmáticas de Ang-1 e de Ang- 2 foram determinadas utilizando o método ELISA. Para a análise dos dados, foi realizado ANOVA quando comparamos os grupos quanto às variáveis quantitativas. Para as comparações dos níveis pressóricos das gestantes com pré-eclâmpsia grave x pré-eclâmpsia não grave, no momento do recrutamento e com a doença estabelecida, foi utilizado o modelo de regressão linear com efeitos mistos (efeitos aleatórios e fixos). Para as comparações dos dados foi utilizado o pós-teste por contrastes ortogonais. Na comparação das concentrações de Ang-1 entre GS e PE não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos (P= 0,185) o mesmo foi observado para Ang-2 (P= 0,583). Em relação à razão Ang-1/Ang-2, também não observamos diferença estatística (P= 0,107). A capacidade preditiva dos biomarcadores foi avaliada através da curva ROC e a área sobre a curva para Ang-1, Ang-2 e a razão Ang-1/Ang-2 foram 0,47, 0,52 e 0,57 respectivamente. Nosso estudo não encontrou diferença significativa nas concentrações de Ang-1 E Ang-2 e nem na razão entre Ang-1/Ang-2. Ao realizar a curva ROC observamos, que esses biomarcadores não são bons preditores para pré-eclâmpsia. / Preeclampsia affects 3 to 5% of pregnant women worldwide, contributing to severe maternal-fetal complications. As placental ischemia, a set of primordial factors for the development of the disease was proposed. This ischemia is associated with changes in pro and anti-angiogenic functions, the present study is angiography and angiopoietin 1 and 2 (Ang-1 and Ang-2), which act in the formation and growth of new vessels during placentation. The evaluation of the evaluation of Angio-1 and Ang-2 in the prediction of pre-eclampsia and to verify their sensitivity and specificity by means of the ROC curve. There were 20 pregnant women with gestational age between 20 and 25 weeks, who participated in the BRISA Cohorts project, which had a bank of 1400 pregnant women, 30 pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia (PE) and who gave birth at Hospital das Clínicas of Ribeirão Preto and 90 healthy pregnant women (GS) who performed part of MATER (Maternity of the Reference Center for Women\'s Health). Plasma Ang-1 and Ang-2 tests were already using the ELISA method. For an analysis of the data, we performed ANOVA when comparing the groups as the quantitative variables. For the comparisons of pressure levels of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia vs. non-severe preeclampsia at the moment of recruitment and with the disease installed, the linear regression model with mixed effects (random and fixed lexus) was used. For the data comparisons, the orthogonal contrasts post-test was used. When comparing the Ang-1 combinations between GS and PE, it was not possible to compare the groups (P = 0.185). The same was observed for Ang-2 (P = 0.583). In relation to the Ang-1 / Ang-2 ratio, we also did not observe the statistical difference (P = 0.107). The ability to distribute the biomarkers was evaluated through the ROC curve and the area over the curve for Ang-1, Ang-2 and the Ang-1 / Ang-2 ratio were 0.47, 0.52 and 0.57 respectively. Our needs were not as significant at Ang-1 and Ang-2 concentrations nor at the Ang-1 / Ang-2 ratio. When performing a ROC curve we observed that these biomarkers are not good predictors of preeclampsia.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo descrever os perfis hormonais do ciclo ovariano de cinco exemplares adultos de C. penicillata, mantidas no Parque Municipal Quinzinho de Barros em Sorocaba, SP. As amostras de fezes foram colhidas diariamente, sempre pela manhã, durante três meses e mantidas congeladas até o processamento laboratorial. Após a extração com solventes orgânicos, as mensurações foram efetuadas com o uso da técnica de radioimunoensaio (RIE). Para as mensurações dos metabólitos hormonais foram utilizados conjuntos comerciais validados para o uso em matriz fecal de C.penicilatta. Os resultados mostraram que duas fêmeas estavam ciclando e três estavam gestantes. Para as fêmeas que apresentaram ciclicidade ovariana o ciclo teve duração média de 23.5 ±9, 9 dias, sendo que as durações das fases lúteas e foliculares foram de 13,25 dias ± 9,46 dias e de 10,25 ±7,2 dias, respectivamente. Entre as outras três fêmeas, duas tiveram suas gestações confirmadas, parindo filhotes e uma teve suspeita de ter sofrido abortamento .Para as que tiveram suas gestações confirmadas, a média das concentrações dos metabólitos fecais de progesterona foi de 4527,19 ± 3667,8 ng/g para o terço medio enquanto a média do terço final foi de 2974±2471,9 ng/g. As médias obtidas para as concentrações de metabólitos de estrógenos nos terços medio e final foram respectivamente de 1401,41± 1034,4 ng/g e 1546,67± 1227,2 ng/g. Para a fêmea que teve suspeita de abortamento foram confeccionados gráficos dos valôres obtidos das concentrações de ambos os metabólitos hormonais para o período anterior e posterior a data presumida do evento e comparadas as suas médias . A média da concentração dos metabólitos fecais de progesterona antes do suposto abortamento foi de 1466,22± 784,36 ng/g e para o período posterior ao suposto evento foi de 813 ± 614,66 ng/g Para as médias das concentrações de metabólitos fecais de estrógenos, os resultados obtidos foram de 745,65± 747,39 ng/g antes e 212,42 ±331,84 ng/g depois do suposto evento. As analises das concentrações de metabóltios fecais dos hormonios esteroides, mostrou-se uma ferramenta efficiente e adequada para estudos sobre a ciclicidade ovariana e gestação do C. penicillata. / This study had as objective to describe the hormonal profiles of the ovarian cycle of five adult females of C.penicillata, from the Parque Municipal Quinzinho de Barros in Sorocaba, SP. The fecal samples were collected on a daily basis, always in the morning, during three months and then frozen until their processing. After extraction with organic solvents, the measurements were conducted with radioimmunoassay (RIA) .For the measurements of the hormonal metabolites comercial kits were used and validated for C.penicillata. The results showed two females with ovarian cyclicity and three females that were pregnant. For the females that presented ovarian cyclicity the duration of the ovarian cycle had an average of 23.5 ± 9.9 days , where the duration of the luteal and follicular phases were of 13.25 ±9.46 days and 10.25±7.2 days, respectively. Of the other three females, two had their pregnancys confirmed by the birth of their young and one was suspected to have suffered abortion. For the females that had their pregnancys confirmed , the mean of the fecal progesterone metabolites concentration was of 4527.19 ± 3667.8 ng/g for the second trimester, as where for the third trimester it was of 2974 ±2471.9 ng/g. The means for the estrogen fecal metabolites concentrations for the second and third trimester were of 1401.41 ± 1034.4 ng/g and 1546.67 ± 1227.2 ng/g. For the female that was suspected to have had an abortion graphs were used with values obtained from both fecal metabolites concentrations from before and after the presumed date of the event and the means were compared. The mean of progesterone fecal metabolites concentrations before the abortion was of 1466.22 ± 784.36 ng/g and for the period after the abortion it was of 813 ± 614.66 ng/g. For the estrogen fecal metabolites concentration mean, the results obtained were of 745.65 ± 747.39 ng/g for the before period and 212.42 ±331.84 for the after period. The analysis of the fecal metabolites steroids hormone concentration, showed to be an efficient tool for the studies of the ovarian cycle and gestation period in the C.penicillata.

O transtorno do espectro autista atinge uma em cada 150 crianças. Sua etiologia ainda é desconhecida, apesar de fortes evidências de fatores genéticos e recentes achados de interferências ambientais, particularmente a ativação imune materna durante a gestação. Em nossos estudos prévios expusemos ratas Wistar no início da gestação ao lipopolissacarídeo (LPS), que mimetiza uma infecção bacteriana (100 &micro;g/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.], no dia gestacional [GD] 9,5) e observamos prejuízos no comportamento de brincar da prole masculina. Sabendo que esse teste é classicamente usado para avaliação de modelos animais de autismo e da ligação do autismo com fatores ambientais, propusemos que nosso modelo seria um modelo animal de autismo. Para avaliar essa possibilidade, foi objetivo do presente trabalho estudar se nosso modelo de LPS pré-natal (100 &micro;g/kg, i.p., no GD 9,5) causaria os outros sintomas típicos de autistas: anormalidades na comunicação (avaliado pelo teste da vocalização ultrassônica), comportamentos repetitivos e inflexibilidade cognitiva (teste de alternação espontânea no labirinto em T), ausência de demonstração de medo em situações potencialmente perigosas (estímulo olfativo aversivo do odor de gato) e hiperatividade (atividade geral em campo aberto). Visto que alguns autistas apresentam níveis elevados de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e cortisol, bem como neuroinflamação, foram quantificados os níveis de IL-1&beta;, TNF-&alpha; e corticosterona séricos, e estudado os astrócitos e micróglia do estriado e bulbo olfatório. Outro objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os mecanismos centrais associados ao LPS pré-natal, especialmente o sistema dopaminérgico (expressão gênica e proteica de tirosina hidroxilase e receptores dopaminérgicos D1a e D2) do estriado e bulbo olfatório, baseado nos nossos achados prévios de redução de dopamina nessas regiões cerebrais. Também foram avaliados os níveis séricos de corticosterona, o desempenho reprodutivo e o tecido placentário nas mães expostas ao LPS durante a gestação. Por fim, sabendo que o autismo é mais prevalente em homens do que em mulheres, foram avaliadas também as fêmeas expostas pré-natalmente ao LPS: comportamento de brincar, interação social adulta e níveis séricos de corticosterona. A exposição pré-natal ao LPS prejudicou a comunicação, a cognição, a demonstração de medo em situações potencialmente perigosas, além de induzir comportamentos repetitivos/restritos e elevação dos níveis de IL-1&beta; na prole masculina de ratas; as fêmeas não apresentaram os prejuízos observados nos machos. Esses achados sugerem fortemente que nosso modelo de LPS pré-natal induziu comportamentos do tipo autismo em ratos, corroborando com a hipótese dos fatores ambientais no autismo. Acrescenta de maneira inédita um modelo que mimetiza uma infecção bacteriana no início da gestação como indutor do autismo. Mais ainda, a redução da expressão proteica de tirosina hidroxilase estriatal causada pelo LPS pré-natal inclui a hipoatividade do sistema dopaminérgico estriatal como um possível aspecto para explicar o autismo. A elevação nos níveis de corticosterona, prejuízo no desempenho reprodutivo e danos no tecido placentário das ratas ajudaram no entendimento da gênese dos prejuízos na prole. O estabelecimento do modelo experimental de autismo com o LPS pré-natal significa um passo importante para o entendimento dessa desordem e pode auxiliar também na busca por eventuais tratamentos, baseados nas alterações neuroimunes encontradas. / One child in about 150 children has autism spectrum disorder. Despite strong evidence of genetic factors and recent findings of environmental interferences, particularly maternal immune activation during pregnancy, autism etiology is still unknown. In our previous study, we exposed Wistar rats in the beginning of the gestation to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 &micro;g/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.], on gestational day [GD] 9.5), which mimics a bacterial infection and observed impairments in the play behavior of male offspring. Knowing that play behavior is classically used to evaluate autism animal models and the link between autism and environmental factors, we proposed that our model would be an autism animal model. To evaluate this possibility, the aim of this study was to know whether our prenatal LPS model (100 &micro;g/kg, i.p., on GD 9.5) causes other autism typical symptoms: communication abnormalities (evaluated by the ultrasonic vocalization test), repetitive behavior and cognitive inflexibility (T-maze spontaneous alternation test), absence of fear demonstration in potentially dangerous situations (aversive exposure to cat odor test) and hyperactivity (open field general activity). Because some autistic patients presents high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and cortisol as well as neuroinflammation, we quantified IL-1&beta;, TNF-&alpha; and corticosterone serum levels, and studied astrocytes and microglia of striatum and olfactory bulb. Another objective was to study the central mechanisms associated with prenatal LPS, particularly the dopaminergic system (gene and protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine D1a and D2 receptors) of striatum and olfactory bulb, based on our previous findings of reduced dopamine in these brain regions. We also evaluated the corticosterone serum levels, the reproductive performance and the placental tissue of mothers exposed to LPS during pregnancy. Finally, because autism is more prevalent in men than in women, we also evaluated females prenatally exposed to LPS: play behavior, social interaction and adult corticosterone serum levels. Prenatal LPS exposure impaired communication, cognition, fear demonstration of potentially dangerous situations, induced repetitive/restricted behaviors and elevated IL-1&beta; levels of male offspring; females did not present the impairments observed in males. These findings strongly suggest that our model of prenatal LPS induced autism like behaviors in rats, corroborating the hypothesis of environmental factors in autism. It adds an unprecedented way a model that mimics a bacterial infection in early pregnancy as an inducer of autism. Moreover, the striatal tyrosine hydroxylase protein expression reduction caused by prenatal LPS includes hypoactivity of the striatal dopaminergic system as a possible aspect to explain autism. The increase in the corticosterone levels, impairment of reproductive performance and placental tissue injuries of dams helped in understanding the genesis of the offspring impairments. The importance of establishing an experimental model of autism with prenatal LPS is an extra step to better understand this disorder and may also help in the search for possible treatments, based on the observed neuroimmune changes.

Submitted by Cristiane Chim (cristiane.chim@ucpel.edu.br) on 2018-08-29T12:21:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rosiani Rossato Battisti.pdf: 2568354 bytes, checksum: 719bb0105d67a9791a2f5f67e4474b15 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-29T12:21:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rosiani Rossato Battisti.pdf: 2568354 bytes, checksum: 719bb0105d67a9791a2f5f67e4474b15 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-18 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Objective: To identify the association between the social support perceived by the mother and the motor development of the baby at 3 months of age. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study it´s a part of major project that is evaluating the maternal neuropsychiatric disorders in the gestational-puerperal cycle under the point of view of the early detection and intervention and their consequences in the familiar triad. Mothers characteristics, obstetric and health information of the baby were collected through a structured questionnaire. The instruments used were the Scale of the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) to know the perception of the mother with the social support and AIMS (Alberta Infant Motor Scale) that evaluates the motor development of the baby. Results: A total of 203 mother-infant dyads were evaluated. Motor development was associated with maternal perception of social support in bivariate analysis in the domains of affective support (p = 0.04) and emotional support (p = 0.01) in the bivariate analysis, but did not maintain its association in the adjusted analysis . In the multivariate analysis, infants of lower socioeconomic classes (C, D or E) (p = 0.02); birthweight < 2,500 g (p <0,01); (P = 0.02) and who did not need neonatal intensive care unnit (NICU) admission (p = 0.03) presented higher averages in the motor development evaluation. Conclusion: Factors related to changes in motor development of babies between 90 and 120 days of life are related to socioeconomic factors and health conditions at birth. / Objetivo: Identificar a associação entre o apoio social percebido pela mãe e o desenvolvimento motor do bebê aos 3 meses de vida. Método: Estudo de delineamento transversal aninhado a um projeto maior que avalia os transtornos neuropsiquiátricos maternos no ciclo gravídico-puerperal sob o ponto de vista de detecção e intervenção precoce e suas consequências na tríade familiar. Características das mães, informações obstétricas e de saúde do bebê foram coletadas através de questionário estruturado. Os instrumentos utilizados foram a Escala do Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) para conhecer a percepção da mãe com o apoio social e a AIMS (Alberta Infant Motor Scale) que avalia o desenvolvimento motor do bebê. Resultados: Ao todo foram avaliadas 203 díades mãe-bebê. O desenvolvimento motor mostrou-se associado a percepção materna sobre o apoio social na análise bivariada nos domínios apoio afetivo (p=0,04) e apoio emocional (p=0,01) na análise bivariada, porém não manteve sua associação na análise ajustada. Na análise multivariada bebês de classes socioeconômicas mais baixas (C, D ou E) (p=0,02); com peso superior a 2,500g (p<0,01); que nasceram por parto normal (P=0,02) e que não necessitaram de internação em UTI (p=0,03) apresentaram maiores médias na avaliação de desenvolvimento motor. Conclusão: Os fatores relacionados às alterações no desenvolvimento motor de bebês entre 90 e 120 dias de vida estão relacionadas a fatores socioeconômicos e condições de saúde ao nascer.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo descrever os perfis hormonais do ciclo ovariano de cinco exemplares adultos de C. penicillata, mantidas no Parque Municipal Quinzinho de Barros em Sorocaba, SP. As amostras de fezes foram colhidas diariamente, sempre pela manhã, durante três meses e mantidas congeladas até o processamento laboratorial. Após a extração com solventes orgânicos, as mensurações foram efetuadas com o uso da técnica de radioimunoensaio (RIE). Para as mensurações dos metabólitos hormonais foram utilizados conjuntos comerciais validados para o uso em matriz fecal de C.penicilatta. Os resultados mostraram que duas fêmeas estavam ciclando e três estavam gestantes. Para as fêmeas que apresentaram ciclicidade ovariana o ciclo teve duração média de 23.5 ±9, 9 dias, sendo que as durações das fases lúteas e foliculares foram de 13,25 dias ± 9,46 dias e de 10,25 ±7,2 dias, respectivamente. Entre as outras três fêmeas, duas tiveram suas gestações confirmadas, parindo filhotes e uma teve suspeita de ter sofrido abortamento .Para as que tiveram suas gestações confirmadas, a média das concentrações dos metabólitos fecais de progesterona foi de 4527,19 ± 3667,8 ng/g para o terço medio enquanto a média do terço final foi de 2974±2471,9 ng/g. As médias obtidas para as concentrações de metabólitos de estrógenos nos terços medio e final foram respectivamente de 1401,41± 1034,4 ng/g e 1546,67± 1227,2 ng/g. Para a fêmea que teve suspeita de abortamento foram confeccionados gráficos dos valôres obtidos das concentrações de ambos os metabólitos hormonais para o período anterior e posterior a data presumida do evento e comparadas as suas médias . A média da concentração dos metabólitos fecais de progesterona antes do suposto abortamento foi de 1466,22± 784,36 ng/g e para o período posterior ao suposto evento foi de 813 ± 614,66 ng/g Para as médias das concentrações de metabólitos fecais de estrógenos, os resultados obtidos foram de 745,65± 747,39 ng/g antes e 212,42 ±331,84 ng/g depois do suposto evento. As analises das concentrações de metabóltios fecais dos hormonios esteroides, mostrou-se uma ferramenta efficiente e adequada para estudos sobre a ciclicidade ovariana e gestação do C. penicillata. / This study had as objective to describe the hormonal profiles of the ovarian cycle of five adult females of C.penicillata, from the Parque Municipal Quinzinho de Barros in Sorocaba, SP. The fecal samples were collected on a daily basis, always in the morning, during three months and then frozen until their processing. After extraction with organic solvents, the measurements were conducted with radioimmunoassay (RIA) .For the measurements of the hormonal metabolites comercial kits were used and validated for C.penicillata. The results showed two females with ovarian cyclicity and three females that were pregnant. For the females that presented ovarian cyclicity the duration of the ovarian cycle had an average of 23.5 ± 9.9 days , where the duration of the luteal and follicular phases were of 13.25 ±9.46 days and 10.25±7.2 days, respectively. Of the other three females, two had their pregnancys confirmed by the birth of their young and one was suspected to have suffered abortion. For the females that had their pregnancys confirmed , the mean of the fecal progesterone metabolites concentration was of 4527.19 ± 3667.8 ng/g for the second trimester, as where for the third trimester it was of 2974 ±2471.9 ng/g. The means for the estrogen fecal metabolites concentrations for the second and third trimester were of 1401.41 ± 1034.4 ng/g and 1546.67 ± 1227.2 ng/g. For the female that was suspected to have had an abortion graphs were used with values obtained from both fecal metabolites concentrations from before and after the presumed date of the event and the means were compared. The mean of progesterone fecal metabolites concentrations before the abortion was of 1466.22 ± 784.36 ng/g and for the period after the abortion it was of 813 ± 614.66 ng/g. For the estrogen fecal metabolites concentration mean, the results obtained were of 745.65 ± 747.39 ng/g for the before period and 212.42 ±331.84 for the after period. The analysis of the fecal metabolites steroids hormone concentration, showed to be an efficient tool for the studies of the ovarian cycle and gestation period in the C.penicillata.

<p>Effective enrichments for farm animals are increasingly important to address public concerns about farm animal welfare and improve the welfare of the animals we raise. The public’s concern has increased in recent years as the management and care that farmers give their animals has become more apparent to them. Some of the conditions in which animals are kept are emotionally not appealing to the public. One such condition is farrowing crates for sows and piglets. The sows are confined in a small space with no social contact and cannot perform nesting behaviors. Farrowing crates are widely used though, as they allow farmers to handle piglets without fear of sow aggression, meet individual sow nutritional needs, and personalize care. Piglet mortality due to crushing is also decreased with crate use. Sow welfare in farrowing crates can be improved through environmental enrichments. Enrichments improve welfare by increasing species-specific behaviors, creating a more complex environment, reducing abnormal behaviors, and increasing an animal’s ability to cope with stressful situations. For pigs, different enrichments have been shown to decrease stereotypies, like sham chewing and bar biting, decrease harmful redirected behavior towards pen mates, like tail biting and belly nosing, increased exploratory behavior, and increase positive affect. Straw has been found to be the best enrichment for pigs because it allows them to perform motivational behaviors such as rooting, foraging, and nest building. It is also complex, manipulatable, destructible, and ingestible, which are important attributes of effective enrichments. Unfortunately, straw cannot be used in farms that have slurry systems, as the straw will fall through the slats into the pit below and cause drainage issues. This includes farrowing crates. There have been a few studies on alternative enrichments for sows in crates, like cloth tassels, but they are not as effective as straw and are rarely used on farm.</p> <p> Most enrichments target pigs’ motivations to forage, root, graze, or build nests. Pigs perform other behaviors and may have other motivations that enrichments have not targeted yet. One such behavior is scratching. In a semi-natural environment, pigs will rub against trees and bushes. In confinement, pigs rub on fences, walls, and even allow people to scratch them with their hands. There have been no recorded studies done on scratching enrichment for pigs. Many studies have been done in the dairy industry exploring rotating brushes. These brushes have been implemented successfully on commercial farms and are used by cows to groom and scratch themselves. A similar device may allow pigs to also satisfy their itch. Our aim is to provide scratching enrichment to sows in farrowing crates. Since there have been no studies recorded on scratching enrichment or scratching in pigs in general, several steps had to take place before addressing the topic for sows in crates. The first project’s aim was to see what materials pigs prefer to scratch on and their willingness to use such an enrichment.</p> <p><a> The first project consisted of 2 experiments. Exp. 1 was a pilot study where 5 different materials on scratch posts were presented to a pen of gestating sows. The scratch posts were constructed from polyvinyl chloride (<b>PVC</b>) pipes, boards, and a gate post. Five different materials were attached to the boards: white, soft, long-bristled brushes (<b>White Brush</b>), red, hard, short-bristled brush (<b>Red Brush</b>), black, short-bristled, astro-turf-like mat (<b>Plastic Mat</b>), colorful coir, hard, short-bristled mat (<b>Fiber Mat</b>), and blue, plastic, large-round-bristled combs (<b>Plastic Combs</b>). The 8 sows received all 5 scratch posts in their pen for a habituation day and then 7 d of testing. During testing, video was continuously recorded from which 2 behaviors were collected; scratching and interacting. Sows scratched the most on Plastic Mat followed by Fiber Mat, Plastic Combs, and Red Brush. The White Brush was scratched on the least. The top 3 preferences were chosen to proceed to Exp. 2.</a></p> <p> Experiment 2 for sow preference was performed on several pens (N=14) of sows and gilts with Plastic Mat, Fiber Mat, and Plastic Combs to narrow the preference down to 2 materials to proceed to the farrowing crates. The experiment was carried out in repetitions. Each repetition tested 4 pens at a time. The scratch posts were modified from Exp. 1 and each material was placed in a pen. Due to material destruction only 2 repetitions were carried out, both ending a little early (N=8). During the first repetition (<b>Rep 1</b>), sows ate and destroyed all the Plastic Combs within 2 d. The Plastic Comb scratch posts were pulled from the study and the second repetition (<b>Rep 2</b>) only had the Plastic Mat and Fiber Mat represented. An observation was made that one of the pens in Rep1 had extra feed on their floor and were not destroying their materials as fast as the other pens. So for Rep 2, more modifications to the scratch posts were made and the sows were given a little extra feed. The scratch posts were still destroyed in Rep 2 proving that the sows’ hunger and motivation to perform oral manipulations overwhelmed scratching behaviors. However, from the data that was collected sows spent more time and more frequently interacted with the Fiber Mat compared to the Plastic Mat. They more frequently and spent more time interacting than scratching with the enrichments but scratched on both enrichments the same amount of time and frequency (Durations: F_1,112.6= 13.63, <i>P</i> = 0.0003; Frequencies: F_1,111.9= 19.72, <i>P</i> < 0.0001).</p> <p> The plastic and fiber mats were presented to sows in farrowing crates for the second project by default. Sows (N=18) of parities 2 (<b>P2</b>) and 3 (<b>P3</b>) were housed for 25 d and assigned no enrichment (<b>Control</b>) or to a scratch pad treatment of plastic mats (<b>Plastic</b>) or fiber mats (<b>Fiber</b>). All were assessed for lesions, abnormal behaviors, eating and scratching behaviors, and time spent in different postures and behaviors. Scratching bouts occurred in short durations and were intermittent throughout the day. Parity 2 Plastic sows scratched for a longer total duration than P2 and P3 Fiber sows, P3 Plastic sows, and P2 Control sows (F_2,11= 11.94,<i> P</i> = 0.002). Parity 2 Plastic sows also displayed scratching bouts more frequently than all except P3 Control sows (F_2,11= 18.46, <i>P</i> = 0.0003). There were no body lesion differences between treatments (<i>P</i> > 0.05). Abnormal behaviors (<i>P</i> > 0.05) and proportion of time spent in different postures (F_2,94= 0.0003, <i>P</i> = 0.999) did not differ among treatments. </p> In conclusion, if a sow is experiencing hunger while in gestation pens this motivation may be overwhelming any other behavior needs. Scratch posts were destroyed and eaten. In this sort of environment, focusing on an enrichment that meets the need to forage and root would be more successful. Sows still scratched on the posts, so their preference and scratching use was still recorded to an extent to proceed to the experiment in farrowing crates. In farrowing crates, plastic scratch pads may be a suitable enrichment as they increased the natural behavior of scratching and did not increase abnormal behaviors. More research is needed to refine the scratch pad design and identify additional measures needed to examine the suitability of scratch pads as a form of environmental enrichment for sows in farrowing crates. In addition, the behavioral characteristics and sows’ underlying motivation for scratching need to be studied because very little is known about scratching behavior of sows. If sows are motivated to scratch, and scratching helps improve their welfare, then scratching enrichment may be beneficial to sows and farmers.

Purpose The purpose of this thesis is to explore how students at Jönköping University can establish a new business and to what extent Science Park Jönköping is involved throughout the business creation process. Background Numerous researches have been done on new venture creation and business incubation. However, these two areas of research are rarely combined. When it comes to venture creation, most theories focus either solely on the start-up process or on the entrepreneur and the environment. The novelty of this thesis lies in combining those two different fields of research and at the same time focusing on the entrepreneur, the environment and the start-up process. The authors aim at investigating the start-up process in connection with the business incubator Science Park Jönköping. This paper is opposing new venture creation process theory with empirical findings and further examining the influence of the business incubator Science Park Jönköping. Method The authors of this paper followed a qualitative approach which was implemented in the form of personal interviews. The participants of this study are entrepreneurs who created their venture in cooperation with Science Park Jönköping as well as one representative from Science Park Jönköping. Conclusion Contrary to previous research, the participants of this study do not perceive the business creation process and its stages as linear. Moreover, influential factors like the attributes of the entrepreneur and the environment have to be taken into account when speaking about the start-up of a company. Science Park Jönköping offers services at all stages of the process whereas the most intense contact between the business incubator and the entrepreneur takes place in the very beginning.

<p><strong>Purpose</strong></p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to explore how students at Jönköping University can establish a new business and to what extent Science Park Jönköping is involved throughout the business creation process.</p><p><strong>Background</strong></p><p>Numerous researches have been done on new venture creation and business incubation. However, these two areas of research are rarely combined. When it comes to venture creation, most theories focus either solely on the start-up process or on the entrepreneur and the environment. The novelty of this thesis lies in combining those two different fields of research and at the same time focusing on the entrepreneur, the environment and the start-up process. The authors aim at investigating the start-up process in connection with the business incubator Science Park Jönköping. This paper is opposing new venture creation process theory with empirical findings and further examining the influence of the business incubator Science Park Jönköping.</p><p><strong>Method </strong></p><p>The authors of this paper followed a qualitative approach which was implemented in the form of personal interviews. The participants of this study are entrepreneurs who created their venture in cooperation with Science Park Jönköping as well as one representative from Science Park Jönköping.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p><p>Contrary to previous research, the participants of this study do not perceive the business creation process and its stages as linear. Moreover, influential factors like the attributes of the entrepreneur and the environment have to be taken into account when speaking about the start-up of a company. Science Park Jönköping offers services at all stages of the process whereas the most intense contact between the business incubator and the entrepreneur takes place in the very beginning.</p>