Neuropsychological impairment following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) remains a serious consequence of otherwise successful surgery. The incidence of neuropsychological decline is poorly understood due to varied measurement intervals, and perhaps more importantly the use of unreliable detection and classification methods. The reported incidence varies considerably, ranging anywhere from 30% to 90% of subjects. While the nature of this impairment has not been fully elucidated, recent evidence suggests that microembolism during surgery may be the principal causative agent of postoperative cerebral dysfunction. The work described in this thesis investigates one possible source of microembolism leading to postoperative decline, namely thromboembolism arising from excessive activation of the haemostatic mechanism. Crucial to the accurate detection of significant decline in individual patients, this work also focuses on the development and use of meaningful criteria to be used when describing change in neuropsychological performance measures. The strong haemostatic activation during CPB is controlled by heparin anticoagulation. The clinical performance of the Hepcon heparin-monitoring instrument was compared to the activated clotting time (ACT), which is used in most cardiac centres. An analysis of samples from 42 elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients shows that the ACT does not detect the significant decline in heparin concentration seen upon connection to CPB, in comparison to the Hepcon. The Hepcon appears to be in satisfactory agreement with laboratory anti-Xa analysis of heparin concentration, with the mean difference for the Hepcon at -0.46 U/ml, and the limits of agreement +/- 1.12 U/ml. Further analysis shows that that for 95% of cases, the Hepcon will give values that are between 0.53 and 1.27 times the value for anti-Xa. The loss of relationship between ACT and heparin concentration was further investigated by converting ACT values to heparin concentration. The results provide data on the degree of prolongation in ACT times brought about by factors associated with CPB. A methodology is presented by which users can adjust for the loss of relationship between ACT and heparin. This work also demonstrates that under normal usage of the ACT, the user may obtain values up to 3 times appropriate for the plasma heparin concentration. The computer-administered neuropsychological testing tool (the MicroCog) was validated using 40 age-matched control subjects. Using a two-week interval, the summary score correlation coefficients ranged from .49 to .84, with all scores demonstrating significant practice effects. Also presented are retest normative data that may be used to determine significant change in a homogeneous sample using both reliable change and regression models of analysis. The performance of four different models of change analysis was then analysed using data from the clinical group. The regression technique of analysis was shown to be the most useful prediction model as it provides correction for both practice effects and regression toward the mean in each individual. A novel statistical rationale is presented for the choice of criteria in the identification of patients that may be defined as overall impaired when using a battery of test scores. When using one-tailed prediction models for decline, the binomial distribution of scores was shown to be a useful descriptive statistic providing an estimate of change due to chance. When applied to a suitable selection of scores that minimise shared variance, a value +/- 20% of test scores used was demonstrated to be a rational cut-off for an individual to be classified as impaired. Using this methodology, 32.7% of patients were identified as significantly deteriorated in neuropsychological test function immediately prior to discharge from hospital. Patient age was shown to be a significant predictor of neuropsychological decline following CPB. No significant relationship was identified between thrombin generation and neuropsychological change scores, however problems with patient recruitment and retention limited the statistical power of this study. An intriguing relationship with heparin concentration was noted that might warrant further investigation. This work highlights the complex nature of post-bypass neuropsychological dysfunction and the complexities in assessing decline. The regression-based model was shown to be highly useful in the analysis of data from a suitably validated neuropsychological testing tool. The argument that no suitable criterion exists for the identification of patients as overall impaired has been challenged with the development of a rational cut-off based on the likely distribution of change scores across a series. The work presented here confirms the need for standardised testing methods based on sound statistical criteria. This work also highlights the problems associated with current methods for monitoring anticoagulation therapy during bypass surgery. Methodology is presented that allows adjustment of ACT results to account for CPB-induced prolongation of clotting times. Current techniques for heparin monitoring overestimate heparin levels on bypass by up to threefold, which may predispose to subclinical coagulation and increased delivery of protamine.

Survival of patients with poor prognosis or relapsed haematopoietic malignancies can be markedly improved by allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). HSCT reconstitutes the immune and haematopoietic systems after myeloablative conditioning and inhibits the recurrence of the malignancy by a graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) response mediated by donor T cells. However, significant post-transplant complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) continue to plague the event-free survival of this curative procedure. GVHD is facilitated by donor T cells that recognise histocompatibility antigens on host antigen presenting cells (APC), such as dendritic cells (DC). Current treatment options for GVHD are focused on these T cells. However, these treatments result in an increased incidence of infection, graft rejection and relapse. A novel means of immunosuppression in GVHD is the use of multi-potent, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). MSC are non-immunogenic cells that actively suppress T cell function in vitro, and can resolve steroid-refractory GVHD in the clinic. Despite their use in the clinic, there is a paucity of pre-clinical data. Our aim was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of MSC to control GVHD while maintaining the beneficial GVL effect, and to begin to understand the mechanism by which MSC exert their immunosuppressive effects. We isolated and characterised MSC from murine bone/bone marrow and demonstrated that they suppressed T cell proliferation in vitro, even at low ratios of 1 MSC per 100 T cells. This was true of both donor-derived MSC, and MSC derived from unrelated donors (third party). Importantly, we observed that MSC significantly reduced T cell production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IFNγ in culture supernatants and that IFNγ plays a key role in the ability of MSC to suppress T cell proliferation. In vivo, we examined the effects of donor-derived MSC on GVHD severity and onset in two myeloablative murine models of HSCT. A major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched donor-recipient pair combination was used as a proof–of-principle model [UBI-GFP/BL6 (H-2b)àBALB/c (H-2d)], and an MHC-matched, minor histocompatibility antigen (miHA) mismatched donor-recipient pair combination was used to mimic MHC-matched sibling transplantation [UBI-GFP/BL6 (H-2b)àBALB.B (H-2b)]. We examined a number of variables related to MSC infusion including timing, dose and route of injection. We found that early post transplant infusion of MSC by the intraperitoneal injection was most effective at delaying death from GVHD, compared to pre-transplant infusion or intravenous injection. Furthermore, we found that the dose of MSC was critical, as infusion of too few MSC was ineffective and infusion of too many MSC exacerbated the development of GVHD. Taken together, these results suggest that timing, dose and route of injection are all important factors to be considered to ensure successful therapeutic outcome. To investigate the in vivo mechanism of action, we conducted timed sacrifice experiments in the MHC-mismatched model to determine if MSC altered cytokine secretion and cellular effectors, such as DC, known to play a key role in GVHD. Despite the fact that MSC given post-HSCT enter an environment full of activated DC and IFNγ levels, by day 3 and 6 post infusion, these activated DC and IFNγ levels are decreased compared to controls or mice infused with MSC pre-transplant (p<0.05). This confirmed our in vitro data that IFNγ played an important role in MSC-mediated immunosuppression. In addition, when we removed a major source of IFNγ production in vivo by administering the T cell depleting antibody KT3 to mice with or without MSC, we found that although T cell depletion prolonged survival, MSC were unable to further enhance this effect. This was also true when MSC were used in combination with the conventional immunosuppressant cyclosporine. Finally, we examined whether the infusion of MSC would compromise the GVL effect. We found that whilst MSC could delay the onset of GVHD, in our model they did not alter the anti-tumour effects of the donor T cells. Overall, we have shown that MSC can delay but not prevent death from GVHD when administered at an appropriate time and dose and that IFNγ is required for MSC-mediated immunosuppression in our model. These data suggest that patients undergoing HSCT should be monitored for IFNγ, and administered MSC when high levels are reached. Whilst MSC may be a promising therapy for patients with severe GVHD, we highlight that further investigation is warranted before MSC are accepted for widespread use in the clinic. The risks and benefits for transplant recipients should be carefully considered before utilising MSC to treat or prevent GVHD.

Survival of patients with poor prognosis or relapsed haematopoietic malignancies can be markedly improved by allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). HSCT reconstitutes the immune and haematopoietic systems after myeloablative conditioning and inhibits the recurrence of the malignancy by a graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) response mediated by donor T cells. However, significant post-transplant complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) continue to plague the event-free survival of this curative procedure. GVHD is facilitated by donor T cells that recognise histocompatibility antigens on host antigen presenting cells (APC), such as dendritic cells (DC). Current treatment options for GVHD are focused on these T cells. However, these treatments result in an increased incidence of infection, graft rejection and relapse. A novel means of immunosuppression in GVHD is the use of multi-potent, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). MSC are non-immunogenic cells that actively suppress T cell function in vitro, and can resolve steroid-refractory GVHD in the clinic. Despite their use in the clinic, there is a paucity of pre-clinical data. Our aim was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of MSC to control GVHD while maintaining the beneficial GVL effect, and to begin to understand the mechanism by which MSC exert their immunosuppressive effects. We isolated and characterised MSC from murine bone/bone marrow and demonstrated that they suppressed T cell proliferation in vitro, even at low ratios of 1 MSC per 100 T cells. This was true of both donor-derived MSC, and MSC derived from unrelated donors (third party). Importantly, we observed that MSC significantly reduced T cell production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IFNγ in culture supernatants and that IFNγ plays a key role in the ability of MSC to suppress T cell proliferation. In vivo, we examined the effects of donor-derived MSC on GVHD severity and onset in two myeloablative murine models of HSCT. A major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched donor-recipient pair combination was used as a proof–of-principle model [UBI-GFP/BL6 (H-2b)àBALB/c (H-2d)], and an MHC-matched, minor histocompatibility antigen (miHA) mismatched donor-recipient pair combination was used to mimic MHC-matched sibling transplantation [UBI-GFP/BL6 (H-2b)àBALB.B (H-2b)]. We examined a number of variables related to MSC infusion including timing, dose and route of injection. We found that early post transplant infusion of MSC by the intraperitoneal injection was most effective at delaying death from GVHD, compared to pre-transplant infusion or intravenous injection. Furthermore, we found that the dose of MSC was critical, as infusion of too few MSC was ineffective and infusion of too many MSC exacerbated the development of GVHD. Taken together, these results suggest that timing, dose and route of injection are all important factors to be considered to ensure successful therapeutic outcome. To investigate the in vivo mechanism of action, we conducted timed sacrifice experiments in the MHC-mismatched model to determine if MSC altered cytokine secretion and cellular effectors, such as DC, known to play a key role in GVHD. Despite the fact that MSC given post-HSCT enter an environment full of activated DC and IFNγ levels, by day 3 and 6 post infusion, these activated DC and IFNγ levels are decreased compared to controls or mice infused with MSC pre-transplant (p<0.05). This confirmed our in vitro data that IFNγ played an important role in MSC-mediated immunosuppression. In addition, when we removed a major source of IFNγ production in vivo by administering the T cell depleting antibody KT3 to mice with or without MSC, we found that although T cell depletion prolonged survival, MSC were unable to further enhance this effect. This was also true when MSC were used in combination with the conventional immunosuppressant cyclosporine. Finally, we examined whether the infusion of MSC would compromise the GVL effect. We found that whilst MSC could delay the onset of GVHD, in our model they did not alter the anti-tumour effects of the donor T cells. Overall, we have shown that MSC can delay but not prevent death from GVHD when administered at an appropriate time and dose and that IFNγ is required for MSC-mediated immunosuppression in our model. These data suggest that patients undergoing HSCT should be monitored for IFNγ, and administered MSC when high levels are reached. Whilst MSC may be a promising therapy for patients with severe GVHD, we highlight that further investigation is warranted before MSC are accepted for widespread use in the clinic. The risks and benefits for transplant recipients should be carefully considered before utilising MSC to treat or prevent GVHD.

Survival of patients with poor prognosis or relapsed haematopoietic malignancies can be markedly improved by allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). HSCT reconstitutes the immune and haematopoietic systems after myeloablative conditioning and inhibits the recurrence of the malignancy by a graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) response mediated by donor T cells. However, significant post-transplant complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) continue to plague the event-free survival of this curative procedure. GVHD is facilitated by donor T cells that recognise histocompatibility antigens on host antigen presenting cells (APC), such as dendritic cells (DC). Current treatment options for GVHD are focused on these T cells. However, these treatments result in an increased incidence of infection, graft rejection and relapse. A novel means of immunosuppression in GVHD is the use of multi-potent, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). MSC are non-immunogenic cells that actively suppress T cell function in vitro, and can resolve steroid-refractory GVHD in the clinic. Despite their use in the clinic, there is a paucity of pre-clinical data. Our aim was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of MSC to control GVHD while maintaining the beneficial GVL effect, and to begin to understand the mechanism by which MSC exert their immunosuppressive effects. We isolated and characterised MSC from murine bone/bone marrow and demonstrated that they suppressed T cell proliferation in vitro, even at low ratios of 1 MSC per 100 T cells. This was true of both donor-derived MSC, and MSC derived from unrelated donors (third party). Importantly, we observed that MSC significantly reduced T cell production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IFNγ in culture supernatants and that IFNγ plays a key role in the ability of MSC to suppress T cell proliferation. In vivo, we examined the effects of donor-derived MSC on GVHD severity and onset in two myeloablative murine models of HSCT. A major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched donor-recipient pair combination was used as a proof–of-principle model [UBI-GFP/BL6 (H-2b)àBALB/c (H-2d)], and an MHC-matched, minor histocompatibility antigen (miHA) mismatched donor-recipient pair combination was used to mimic MHC-matched sibling transplantation [UBI-GFP/BL6 (H-2b)àBALB.B (H-2b)]. We examined a number of variables related to MSC infusion including timing, dose and route of injection. We found that early post transplant infusion of MSC by the intraperitoneal injection was most effective at delaying death from GVHD, compared to pre-transplant infusion or intravenous injection. Furthermore, we found that the dose of MSC was critical, as infusion of too few MSC was ineffective and infusion of too many MSC exacerbated the development of GVHD. Taken together, these results suggest that timing, dose and route of injection are all important factors to be considered to ensure successful therapeutic outcome. To investigate the in vivo mechanism of action, we conducted timed sacrifice experiments in the MHC-mismatched model to determine if MSC altered cytokine secretion and cellular effectors, such as DC, known to play a key role in GVHD. Despite the fact that MSC given post-HSCT enter an environment full of activated DC and IFNγ levels, by day 3 and 6 post infusion, these activated DC and IFNγ levels are decreased compared to controls or mice infused with MSC pre-transplant (p<0.05). This confirmed our in vitro data that IFNγ played an important role in MSC-mediated immunosuppression. In addition, when we removed a major source of IFNγ production in vivo by administering the T cell depleting antibody KT3 to mice with or without MSC, we found that although T cell depletion prolonged survival, MSC were unable to further enhance this effect. This was also true when MSC were used in combination with the conventional immunosuppressant cyclosporine. Finally, we examined whether the infusion of MSC would compromise the GVL effect. We found that whilst MSC could delay the onset of GVHD, in our model they did not alter the anti-tumour effects of the donor T cells. Overall, we have shown that MSC can delay but not prevent death from GVHD when administered at an appropriate time and dose and that IFNγ is required for MSC-mediated immunosuppression in our model. These data suggest that patients undergoing HSCT should be monitored for IFNγ, and administered MSC when high levels are reached. Whilst MSC may be a promising therapy for patients with severe GVHD, we highlight that further investigation is warranted before MSC are accepted for widespread use in the clinic. The risks and benefits for transplant recipients should be carefully considered before utilising MSC to treat or prevent GVHD.

Η αλληλεπίδραση μεταξύ συνθετικών πολυηλεκτρολυτών και ιόντων στοιχείων μετάβασης, και κατ επέκταση η δημιουργία συμπλόκου μεταξύ τους, έχει τύχει μεγάλου ενδιαφέροντος από τους ερευνητές τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες. Αυτό το ενδιαφέρον αποδίδεται στις μοναδικές ιδιότητες των σχηματιζόμενων συμπλοκών, καθώς μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν σε διάφορα πεδία όπως στην ιατρική, την τεχνολογία και τις βιομηχανίες τροφίμων ή την αποκατάσταση των περιβαλλοντολογικών προβλημάτων. Σε αυτή την εργασία προχωρήσαμε στη παρασκευή των συμπολυμερών P(EV2-PDMAM) που αποτελείται από ένα συμπολυμερές (EV2) του αιθυλενίου με το μηλεϊνικό οξύ ως σκελετό, επί των οποίων έχουν εμβολιαστεί αλυσίδες πολυ(Ν,Ν-διμεθυλακρυλαμιδίου) (PDMAM). Η γραμμομοριακή σύσταση των συμπολυμερών, εκφρασμένη σε δομικές μονάδες DMAM, ήταν 25, 50 και 75%. Η φυσικοχημική μελέτη της αλληλεπίδρασης των ιόντων δισθενούς χαλκού με τα συμπολυμερή P(EV2-PDMAM) πραγματοποιήθηκε με μια σειρά τεχνικών όπως η ιξωδόμετρα, η pHμετρία και η φασματοσκοπία υπεριώδους-ορατού (UV-vis). Η δημιουργία συμπλόκου οδηγεί σε σημαντική συρρίκνωση της πολυμερικής αλυσίδας, όπως διαπιστώθηκε από τη σημαντική μείωση του ανηγμένου ιξώδους. Από την pHμετρική μελέτη παρατηρούμε ότι καθώς αυξάνεται η συγκέντρωση των ιόντων δισθενούς χαλκού μειώνεται σημαντικά η τιμή του pH. Τέλος, η συμπλοκοποίηση των ιόντων Cu2+ με τα συμπολυμερή διαπιστώθηκε και με φασματοσκοπία υπεριώδους-ορατού, καθώς η κορυφή απορρόφησης των ιόντων Cu2+ μετατοπίζεται και ενισχύεται σημαντικά, σε σχέση με την αντίστοιχη συμπεριφορά των ελεύθερων ιόντων Cu2+. / The interaction between synthetic polyelectrolytes with transition metal ions leading to complex formation has attracted the research interest during the last decades. This interest is attributed to the unique properties of the complexes formed, as they can find uses in many fields, like medicine, food industries or remedation of environmental problems. In this work we proceeded to the synthesis of comb-like copolymer, denoted P(EV2-PDMAM). These copolymers are based on a poly(ethylene-co-maleic acid) backbone (EV2), onto which poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide), (PDMAM) side chains were grafted. The molar composition of the copolymers, expressed in DMAM structural units was 25, 50 and 75%. The physicochemical study of the interaction of Cu2+ with the P(EV2-PDMAM) was performed using a series of techniques, such as viscometry, potentiometry and UV-vis spectrometry. Complex formation leads to a vey significant shrinkage of the polymer chain, as it is revealed by the decrease of the reduced viscosity. The potentiometric study revealed that the pH of the aqueous polymer solution decreases considerably upon increasing the concentration of Cu2+ ions. Finally, the UV-vis investigation also verified the polymer-Cu2+ complexation, since the absorption peak of Cu2+ ions shifts towards lower wavelengths and the intensity of the band is significantly enhanced as compared to the respective properties of free Cu2+ ions.

La chirurgie informatisée est une science nouvelle dont le but est de croiser la chirurgie avec les sciences de l’informatique afin d’aboutir à des améliorations significatives dans les deux domaines. Avec l’évolution des nouvelles techniques chirurgicales, une collaboration étroite entre chirurgiens et chercheurs est devenue à la fois inévitable et essentielle à l’optimisation des soins chirurgicaux. L’utilisation de modèles mathématiques est la pierre angulaire de ce nouveau domaine. Cette thèse démontre comment une approche systématique d’un problème clinique nous a amenés à répondre à des questions ouvertes dans le domaine chirurgical en utilisant des modèles mathématiques à grande échelle. De manière générale, notre approche inclut (i) une vision générale du problème, (ii) le ciblage du/des système(s) physiologique(s) à étudier pour y répondre, et (iii) un effort de modélisation mathématique, qui a toujours été poussé par la recherche d’un compromis entre complexité du système étudié et réalité physiologique. Nous avons consacré la première partie de cette thèse à l’optimisation des conditions limites à appliquer à un bio-réacteur utilisé pour démultiplier le tissu pulmonaire provenant d’un donneur. Un modèle géométrique de l’arbre trachéo-bronchique couplé à un modèle de dépôt de soluté nous a permis de déterminer l’ensemble des pressions à appliquer aux pompes servant le bio-réacteur afin d’obtenir une distribution optimale des nutriments à travers les cultures de tissus. Nous avons consacré la seconde partie de cette thèse au problème de resténose des greffes de veines utilisées pour contourner une occlusion artérielle. Nous avons reproduit l’apparition de resténose grâce à plusieurs modèles mathématiques qui permettent d’étudier les preuves cliniques et de tester des hypothèses cliniques avec un niveau croissant de complexité et de précision. Pour finir, nous avons développé un cadre de travail robuste pour tester les effets des thérapies géniques afin de limiter la resténose. Une découverte intéressante a été de constater qu’en contrôlant un groupe de gènes spécifique, la perméabilité à la lumière double après un mois de suivi. Grace aux résultats obtenus, nous avons démontré que la modélisation mathématique peut servir de puissant outil pour l’innovation chirurgicale. / Computational surgery is a new science that aims to intersect surgery and computational sciences in order to bring significant improvements in both fields. With the evolution of new surgical techniques, a close collaboration between surgeons and computational scientists became unavoidable and also essential to optimize surgical care. A large usage of mathematical models is the cornerstone in this new field. The present thesis shows how a systematic approach to a clinical problem brought us to answer open questions in the field of surgery by using mathematical models on a large scale. In general, our approach includes (i) an overview of the problem, (ii) the individuation of which physiological system/s is/are to be studied to address the question, and (iii) a mathematical modeling effort, which has been always driven by the pursue of a compromise between system complexity and closeness to the physiological reality. In the first part, we focused on the optimization of the boundary conditions to be applied to a bioreactor used to re-populate lung tissue from donor. A geometrical model of tracheobronchial tree combined with a solute deposition model allowed us to retrieve the set of pressures to be applied to the pumps serving the bioreactor in order to reach an optimal distribution of nourishment across the lung scaffold. In the second part, we focused on the issue of post-surgical restenosis of vein grafts used to bypass arterial occlusions. We replicated the event of restenosis with several mathematical models that allow us to study the clinical evidences and to test hypothesis with an escalating level of complexity and accuracy. Finally, we developed a solid framework to test the effect of gene therapies aimed to limit the restenosis. Interestingly, we found that by controlling a specific group of genes, the lumen patency is double after a month of follow-up. With the results achieved, we proved how mathematical modeling can be used as a powerful tool for surgical innovation.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-12-06Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:40:39Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 marchesano_lh_dr_arafcf.pdf: 336354 bytes, checksum: 54de5ce8ee681faefedf0567be191430 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O tratamento cirúrgico da fissura congênita do processo alveolar superior compreende o enxerto ósseo, um procedimento bem aceito e de grande importância na restauração da forma e da função perdidas. Associado ao enxerto ósseo tem-se utilizado um produto atóxico, não imunoreativo e de fácil obtenção, denominado plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP). Neste estudo foi analisado o comportamento dos marcadores fosfatase alcalina, fosfatase alcalina isoforma óssea, osteocalcina e fosfatase ácida tartarato resistente em 50 pacientes, com idade entre 10 e 20 anos e que foram submetidos à cirurgia de enxerto ósseo autógeno alveolar pelo serviço de Cirurgia Buco-maxilofacial do Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais da Universidade de São Paulo. O objetivo foi acompanhar de forma sistêmica e em curto período a formação ou reabsorção óssea após a realização do enxerto ósseo alveolar, bem como avaliar a eficácia do uso do plasma rico em plaquetas no processo de formação óssea. O estudo concluiu que as propriedades restauradoras do PRP não puderam ser demonstradas por nenhum dos marcadores bioquímicos do metabolismo ósseo nos primeiros 70 dias do ato cirúrgico; a análise temporal dos marcadores de formação óssea testados demonstrou uma tendência de queda com 35 dias e retorno próximo aos níveis basais com 70 dias do ato cirúrgico nos dois grupos estudados; não houve uma correlação significativa dos marcadores com o número de plaquetas e nem com a área da fissura e o resultado do exame ao raio X foi considerado inconclusivo para a presença ou não de trabeculado ósseo organizado em fase inicial de formação. / The surgical treatment of the congenital cleft of the upper alveolar process understands the bone graft, a well accepted procedure of great importance in the restoration of the lost form and function. Together with the bone graft it is being used a non-toxic, non imunoreactive and easily obtained product, denominated platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In this study it was analysed the behavior of the alkaline phosphatase, bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase markers in 50 patients, with age between 10 and 20 years and that were undergone to alveolar autogenous bone graft performed by the Bucomaxillofacial Service of the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo. The aim was follow in a sistemic and early way the bone formation or reabsorption after the accomplishment of the alveolar bone graft, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the platelet-rich plasma in the process of bone formation. The study concluded that the restorative properties of the PRP could not be demonstrated by of the biochemistry markers of the bone metabolism in the first 70 days of the surgery; the temporal analisys of the bone formation markers tested demonstrated a fall tendency in 35 days with return near to basal levels in 70 days in the two studied groups; there was not a significant correlation between markers and the number of platelets and neither with the area of the cleft and the result of the x-ray examination was not considered conclusive for the presence or not of organized bone trabeculae in the initial phase of formation.

La prédiction du devenir du greffon et de sa survie permettrait d’optimiser la prise en charge des patients transplantés. Le suivi des patients transplantés rénaux inclue des mesures répétées de marqueurs longitudinaux tels que la créatinine sérique et l’exposition aux médicaments immunosuppresseurs. L’approche statistique récemment proposée des modèles conjoints permet d’analyser la relation entre un processus longitudinal et la survenue d’un événement clinique. Dans la première partie de ce travail de thèse, nous avons utilisé les modèles conjoints à classes latentes pour étudier l’impact du profil de créatinine sérique au cours des 18 premiers mois post-greffe sur la survie du greffon à long terme. Dans la cohorte étudiée, trois groupes homogènes caractérisés par une trajectoire spécifique de l’évolution de la créatinine sérique en fonction du temps et un risque d’échec de greffe spécifique ont été identifiés. Les probabilités individuelles de l’échec de greffe pendant les 10 premières années post-transplantation ont été calculées sur la base du modèle conjoint développé. Chez les patients qui n’avaient pas développé d’anticorps anti-HLA spécifiques du donneur, le risque d’échec de greffe en fonction du temps était prédit avec un niveau de performance satisfaisant en termes de spécificité, sensibilité et précision.L’utilité clinique de cet outil devra être évaluée avec une approche dynamique. Dans une seconde partie, les modèles non linéaires à effets mixtes combinés avec l’approche des modèles de mélange a été utilisée pour analyser (i) l’association entre la variabilité de l’exposition au tacrolimus au cours du temps et l’adhésion au traitement rapportée par le patient et (ii) l’impact de cette variabilité d’exposition sur le risque de rejet aigu. Ce modèle a montré un effet significatif de la variabilité de l’exposition au cours du temps du tacrolimus sur la survenu de rejet aigu au-delà de 3 mois post-transplantation. Au contraire, aucune association entre l’adhésion et la variabilité de l’exposition au tacrolimus d’une part, et le risque de rejet aigu d’autre part n’a été observée dans cette étude qui n’incluait que des patients modérément non-adhérents. Ce résultat pose la question de l’impact d’une non adhésion modérée sur le devenir du greffon. / Prediction of graft outcome would be useful to optimize patient care. Follow-up of kidneytransplant patients include repeated measurements of longitudinal markers, such as serum creatinine and immunosuppressive drug exposure. Recently proposed joint models areappropriate to analyze relationship between longitudinal processes and time-to-event data. In the first part of present work, we used the approach of joint latent class mixed models tostudy the impact of time-profiles of serum creatinine collected within the first 18 months after kidney transplantation on long-term graft survival. The studied cohort was parted into three homogenous classes with a specific time-evolution of serum creatinine and a specific risk of graft failure. The individual predicted probabilities of graft failure up to 10 years posttransplantation, calculated from this joint model were satisfying in terms of sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy, for patients who had not developed de novo donor specificanti-HLA antibodies. The clinical usefulness of developed predictive tooI needs to beevaluated with a dynamic approach. In the second part, non-linear mixed effects models witha mixture of distribution for random effects were used to investigate (i) the associationbetween variability over time of tacrolimus exposure and self-reported drug adherence and(ii) the impact of this variability on the acute rejection risk. This model found a significantimpact of tacrolimus time-exposure variability on acute rejection onset beyond 3 months posttransplantation. On the contrary, no association between adherence and (i) variability oftacrolimus time-exposure and (ii) acute rejection was observed in our study which included moderate non-adherent patients only. This result questions the impact of moderate nonadherence on graft outcome.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-11-25. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:25:36Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-045.pdf: 1293717 bytes, checksum: aa77a18d9ad66fac463c08766304abf5 (MD5) / Objetivo: avaliar os resultados anatômicos, funcionais e complicações do tratamento do prolapso da parede vaginal anterior com tela de submucosa de intestino delgado suíno (SIS) e com colporrafia anterior. Pacientes e Métodos: estudo prospectivo e randomizado para comparação do uso de tela de SIS e de colporrafia tradicional. As mulheres foram avaliadas no pré-operatório e com seis meses após a cirurgia. Os parâmetros utilizados foram: sistema de quantificação do prolapso genital (POP-Q), questionário de qualidade de vida validado (P-QoL) e complicações. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste de Mann-Whitney e Qui-quadrado para avaliação da homogeneidade entre os grupos. A seguir, utilizamos o teste t-Student pareado ou teste t-Student de amostras independentes. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética Local e registrado no ClinicalTrials com o número NCT00827528. Resultados: os resultados representam a análise de 29 pacientes no grupo com tela de SIS e 27 no grupo com colporrafia tradicional. Os grupos foram semelhantes consoante idade, índice de massa corpórea, paridade, estádio do prolapso, cirurgia prévia para prolapso, presença de incontinência urinária de esforço, pontuação no questionário de qualidade de vida e medidas dos pontos anatômicos no pré-operatório. Com seis meses de seguimento, a taxa de cura anatômica no grupo com tela foi de 86,2% comparada com 59,3% no grupo da colporrafia, pelo critério da Sociedade Internacional de Continência (ICS). Não houve diferença de sucesso anatômico entre as técnicas quando consideramos a subdivisão do estádio II. A média do ponto Ba, pré-operatória, no grupo com tela foi de +2,07 cm e +2,22 cm na colporrafia e, no pós-operatório, de -1,93 cm (p<0,001) e de -1,37 cm (p<0,001), respectivamente. O NNT (Número Necessário a Tratar) foi 4. Ambos os procedimentos melhoraram de forma significativa as medidas de qualidade de vida. Contudo, o grupo com tela não demonstrou diferença quando comparado ao da colporrafia tradicional. Houve 4 pacientes com sangramento excessivo no grupo SIS, embora nenhuma requereu hemotransfusão. Observamos maior número de complicações no grupo SIS (20 vs 9; p=0,01) e maior tempo cirúrgico (48,3 min ±16,1 vs 30,3min ±19,4; p=0,001). O tempo de internação hospitalar foi de 3,3 e 3,2 dias, respectivamente. Não houve casos de infecção ou de erosão da tela. Conclusão: As cirurgias para o prolapso genital resultam em melhora significativa da qualidade de vida. Observamos melhor cura anatômica do ponto Ba com tela, de acordo com o critério da ICS. Consoante os parâmetros de qualidade de vida não houve diferença entre as técnicas. Houve maior número de complicações no grupo com tela. / Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate anatomical, functional results and complications of small intestine submucosa (SIS) graft compared to traditional anterior repair in surgical treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Methods: This is a randomized and prospective study to compare the SIS graft with traditional colporrhaphy (TC) in surgical treatment of anterior vaginal prolapse. Subjects were randomized to SIS (n=29) or to TC (n=27) and compared preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. We used pelvic organ quantification system (POP-Q), a validated prolapse quality of life questionnaire (P-QoL) and possible complications. Data were compared using the Mann–Whitney test or a chi-squared test to determine that there were no significant intergroup differences. This then enabled us to use the independent samples t-test or the paired Student’s t-test. This study was approved by Local Ethics Committee and register at ClinicalTrials NCT00827528. Results: the outcomes represent the analysis of 29 patients in SIS group and 27 in traditional repair. Both groups were paired by age, parity, body mass index, stage of anterior prolapse, previous surgery for prolapse, presence of incontinence, POP-Q measurements and quality of life preoperatively. At 6-month follow-up, SIS group have 86.2% anatomic cure comparing with 59.3% in traditional repair, using the International Continence Society (ICS) patterns. We did not report differences between the techniques when we divided the stage II. The mean point Ba preoperatively in SIS group was +2.07 cm and +2.22 cm in traditional repair and postoperatively -1.93 cm (p<0.001) and -1.37 cm (p<0.001), respectively. The NNT (Number Need to Treat) was 4. Both operations significantly improved prolapse quality-of-life severity measures. Although SIS group did not showed significant improvement in quality-of-life parameters measured in comparison to traditional repair. Excessive bleeding occurred in 4 patients in SIS group although none required blood transfusion. We reported more complications in SIS group (20 vs 9, p=0.01) and longer surgical time (48.3min ±16.1 vs 30.3min ±19.4; p=0.001). The average hospital length was 3.3 and 3.2 days, respectively. We did not reported infections or erosion of the mesh. Conclusions: Surgery for vaginal prolapse results in marked improvement in prolapse quality of life. We could see that SIS repair improved point Ba measurement significantly using the ICS patterns. Regarding quality-of-life parameters we did not observe significant differences in both techniques. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

NOD mice model human type 1 diabetes and have been used to investigate tolerance induction protocols for islet transplantation in a setting of autoimmunity. Costimulation blockade-based tolerance protocols that induce prolonged skin and permanent islet allograft survival in non-autoimmune mice have failed in NOD mice. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we generated NOD hematopoietic chimeras. We were able to show that dendritic cell maturation defects seen in NOD mice are partially corrected in mixed hematopoietic chimeras. Furthermore, skin allograft survival was dependent upon the phenotype of the bone marrow donor, demonstrating that in the NOD the resistance to tolerance induction resides in the hematopoietic compartment. In addition, we studied congenic NOD mice bearing insulin dependent diabetes (Idd) loci that reduce diabetes incidence. The incidence of diabetes is reduced in NOD.B6 Idd3 mice, and virtually absent in NOD.B6 Idd3Idd5 mice. Islet allograft survival in NOD.B6 Idd3 mice is prolonged as compared to NOD mice, and in NOD.B6 Idd3Idd5 mice islet allograft survival is similar to that achieved in C57BL/6 mice. Alloreactive CD8 T cell depletion in NOD mice treated with costimulation blockade is impaired, but is partially restored in NOD.B6 Idd3 mice, and completely restored in NOD.B6 Idd3Idd5 mice. Idd3 results from variations in Il2 gene transcription. We hypothesized insufficient levels of IL-2 in NOD mice contributes to impaired deletion of alloreactive CD8 T cells and shortened islet allograft survival. We observed using synchimeric mice that co-administration of exogenous IL-2 to NOD mice treated with costimulation blockade led to deletion of alloreactive CD8 T cells comparable to that in C57BL/6 mice and prolonged islet allograft survival. However, some Idd loci impaired the induction of transplantation tolerance. These data suggest that Idd loci can facilitate or impair induction of transplantation tolerance by costimulation blockade, and that Idd3 (IL-2) is critical component in this process.