Submitted by Sandra Pereira (srpereira@ufrrj.br) on 2016-08-30T17:45:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011 - Janh Carlo de Amorim Ferreira.pdf: 452426 bytes, checksum: 152fed7ea96dd8772e716b4b9f21b433 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-30T17:45:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011 - Janh Carlo de Amorim Ferreira.pdf: 452426 bytes, checksum: 152fed7ea96dd8772e716b4b9f21b433 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-04-26 / This study was performed at Hospital de Cl?nicas Veterin?rias do Centro Universit?rio Pl?nio Leite Itabora?, Rio de Janeiro (Veterinary Hospital of Pl?nio Leite University, Itabora?, Rio de Janeiro) to monitor the hepatic biochemical profile of cats and their clinical parameters when submitted to continuous infusion of propofol at a 0,3 mg/kg/min dosage, for 90 minutes, and comparing to results obtained from cats who received continuous infusion of saline solution. Both groups were analyzed during a pre-determined period of time totalizing 28 days of observation and analysis. The following enzymes activity levels were determined: Aminotransferase (AST), Alanina-Aminotransferase (ALT), Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) and Alkaline Fosfatasis (FA); serum levels of Albumin (A), Total Bilirrubin (BT) and Total Serum Proteins (PT), yet registering Respiratory (FR) and Heart Rate (FC), Systolic Blood Pressure (PAS), Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (PAM), Diastolic Blood Pressure (PAD) and Oxygen Partial Saturation (SPO2). Twenty healthy cats were analyzed on this study, their weights varying from two to four kilos and ages between three to five years old, submitted to experimental procedures performed during the months of January and February, 2010. The analysis of these results showed a major difference (p<0,05) between the ALT serum activities at the following positions: T2 (30 minutes), T3 (60 minutes), T5 (12 hours) and T9 (28 days); AST serum activities at T2, FA serum activities at T2, T6 (seven days) and T8 (21 days), emphasizing the fact only at this last position the GP levels were greater than GC; in the heart rate at T1 position (the beginning of this experiment), without compromising animals physical condition. None of the animals presented averages above parameters of normality. The other parameters examined did not present any significant differences, concluding that total intravenous anesthesia using continuous infusion of propofol was safe to contain cats in invasive surgical procedures, therefore providing more information regarding the safe use of this drug in animals. / O trabalho foi desenvolvido no Hospital de Cl?nicas Veterin?rias do Centro Universit?rio Pl?nio Leite, em Itabora?, RJ, com o intuito de monitorar perfil bioqu?mico hep?tico e par?metros cl?nicos de gatos submetidos ? infus?o cont?nua de propofol (GP) na dose de 0,3 mg/kg/min, durante 90 minutos, e comparando-se com resultados observados em gatos do grupo controle (GC), que receberam infus?o cont?nua de solu??o fisiol?gica. Os dois grupos foram avaliados em espa?os de tempo pr?-determinados, totalizando 28 dias de observa??es e an?lises. Foram determinadas as atividades s?ricas de aspartatoaminotransferase (AST), alanina-aminotransferase (ALT), gama-glutamil transpeptidase (GGT) e fosfatase alcalina (FA), determinadas as concentra??es s?ricas de Albumina (A), Bilirrubina total (BT) e Prote?nas Totais s?ricas (PT), registrando-se ainda as Frequ?ncias Respirat?rias (FR) e Card?acas (FC), Temperatura Retal (T), Press?es Arteriais Sist?licas (PAS), M?dias (PAM) e Diast?licas (PAD) e Satura??o parcial de O2 (SPO2). Foram utilizados no estudo 20 gatos h?gidos, com pesos variando entre dois e quatro kg e idades entre tr?s e cinco anos, que foram submetidos aos procedimentos experimentais no per?odo compreendido entre janeiro e fevereiro de 2010. A an?lise dos resultados demostraram que houve diferen?a significativa (p<0,05) nas atividades s?ricas de ALT nos momentos T2 (30 minutos), T3 (60 minutos), T5 (12 horas) e T9 (28 dias); nas atividades s?ricas de AST no momento T2; nas atividades s?ricas de FA nos momentos T2, T6 (7 dias) e T8 (21 dias), sendo que, somente neste ultimo momento as dosagens do GP foram maiores que no GC; na frequ?ncia card?aca no momento T1 (in?cio do experimento), sem causar qualquer comprometimento ? sa?de dos animais. Nenhum dos animais apresentou m?dias acima dos par?metros de normalidade. Os outros par?metros analisados n?o tiveram diferen?as significativas, concluindo-se que a anestesia intravenosa total com uso de propofol em infus?o cont?nua foi segura para conten??o de gatos em procedimentos incruentos, contribuindo assim para maiores informa??es em rela??o ao uso desse f?rmaco nesses animais

Mass spectrometry is a versatile, sensitive and fast technique with which to probe biophysical properties in biological systems and one of the most important analytical tools in the multidisciplinary field of proteomics. The study of nativestate proteins and their complexes in the gas-phase is well established and direct infusion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (DI-ESI-MS) techniques are becoming increasingly popular as a tool for screening and determining quantitative information on protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. However, complexes retained by ESI-MS are not always representative of those in solution and care must be taken in interpreting purely gas-phase results. This thesis details modification and advancement of solution phase techniques devised by Gross et al. utilising ESI-MS and Fitzgerald et al. applying matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI)-MS termed PLIMSTEX (protein-ligand interactions by mass spectrometry, titration and hydrogen-deuterium-exchange)[1] and SUPREX (Stability of unpurified proteins from rates of H/D exchange)[2] to quantify these interactions with regards to high throughput analysis. The first part of this thesis describes the different developmental stages of the devised HPLC-front ends and their optimisation with myoglobin and insulin. The successfully developed HPLC-front end in conjunction with PLIMSTEX and SUPREX and ESI-MS then gets tested with self expressed and purified cyclophilin A(CypA)- cyclosporin A (CsA) system, followed by a test screen with potential CypA binding ligands. Dissociation constants (Kd’s) within one order of magnitude to reported values are determined. In the third part of this thesis the application of the devised ESI-SUPREX methodology has been applied to anterior gradient 2 (AGr2) and the factor H complement control proteins module 19-20 (fH19-20) exhibiting binding potential to a taggedhexapeptide and a synthetic pentasaccharide, respectively, resulting in thermodynamical data for these protein-ligand interactions. For the AGr2 system another dimension of investigation has been added by temperature controlling the devised ESI-SUPREX approach, revealing a phase transition in the protein at higher temperatures. The final part of this thesis describes the application of the ESI-SUPREX methodology to probe folding properties of CypA in the presence of the self expressed and purified E. coli chaperonin groEL. Thereby the denaturing properties of groEL have been emphasised along with the stabilisation of a denatured CypA species.

No description available.

Global competition is pushing the composites industry to advance and become more cost effective. Liquid Composite Molding or LCM is a family of processes that has shown significant promise in its potential to reduce process times and cost while maintaining high levels of part quality. However, the majority of research and information on composite processes have been related to prepreg-autoclave processing which is significantly different than LCM. In order for LCM processes to gain large scale implementation, significant research is required in order to model and simulate the unique nature of the resin infusion process. The purpose of this research is to aid in the development of in situ void measurement and characterization during LCM processing, particularly for carbon fiber composites. This will allow for the gathering of important empirical data for the validation of models and simulations that aid in the understanding of void formation and movement during LCM. For such data to be useful, it needs to include details on the formation, mobility and evolution of the void over time during infusion. This was accomplished by creating a methodology that allowed for in situ images of voids to be captured during the infusion process. A clear mold was used to visually monitor infusions during RTM with UV dye and lighting to enhance contrast. Consecutive images were acquired through the use of macro lens photography. This method proved capable of yielding high quality images of a variety of in situ voids during infusions with carbon fiber composites. This is believed to be the first instance where this was accomplished. A second methodology was then developed for the analysis of the collected images. This was done by using ImageJ software to analyze and process the acquired images in order to identify and characterize the voids. Success was found in quantifying the size and circularity of a wide range of micro and macrovoids in both a satin weave and double bias NCF woven fabrics. To facilitate the burden of collecting large amounts of data, this process was made to be automated. A user generated macro script could be applied to large sets of images for rapid processing and analysis. This automated method was then evaluated against manually processed images to determine its overall effectiveness and accuracy as tool for validating void theory.

Tenderness, juiciness, colour and flavour are the most important meat quality attributes affecting the consumer acceptance. Maintaining the consistency of meat products by avoiding variable quality has become a major concern and great challenge to the meat industry. This in turn will also benefit meat end-users in the marketplace by having more tender meat. The present study was designed to evaluate the overall effects of pre-rigor infusion with kiwifruit juice, which contains the plant protease, actinidin, on lamb quality. A total of 18 lambs (12 months old) were divided into three treatment groups (6 lambs per each treatment). After exsanguination, lamb carcasses were infused (10% body weight) with fresh kiwifruit juice (Ac), water (W) and compared with a noninfusion treatment which acted as a control (C). Samples from different muscle/cuts (longissimus dorsi (LD) vs leg chops) at different post-mortem times (1 day post-mortem vs. 3 wks vacuum packaged storage at 2°C) and display time (0 to 6 days after the post-mortem storage) were analysed to monitor the changes on meat physical properties (e.g., tenderness, temperature, drip and cooking loss, colour), biochemical changes (pH, proteins and lipids) and volatile flavour compounds after the infusion treatments. The most tender meat (lowest shear force values) (P < 0.001) detected in the Ac carcasses post-mortem compared with C and W carcasses demonstrated that kiwifruit juice was a very powerful meat tenderizer, and could contribute to the meat tenderization process efficiently and effectively. Compared with C and W carcasses, the enhanced proteolytic activity (P = 0.002) resulting from the actinidin in kiwifruit juice in Ac carcasses caused degradation of the myofibrillar proteins and the appearance of new peptides during postmortem ageing. A slight positive effect in a*-value (redness) and decreased lipid oxidation, found in leg chops, was thought to be caused by the natural antioxidants in kiwifruit juice. Kiwifruit juice infused into the meat did not alter (P > 0.05) the volatile flavour compound profile indicating that the meat from Ac treated carcasses maintained its natural lamb flavour. No treatment differences were found for the temperature decline (P > 0.05) between the infused treatments and C. The higher rate of pH decline (P < 0.05) found in W carcasses might have contributed to the higher drip and cooking loss. The unbound water in meat might contribute to the higher L*-values (lightness) found in W carcasses. In summary, the proteolytic tenderizing infusion treatment using kiwifruit juice is a feasible approach for the commercial meat industry to increase profits, and also could satisfy the eating quality standards required by the consumers. In addition, tenderizing meat by using kiwifruit juice could also provide the kiwifruit processors an additional option for use of their product to gain a more profitable return.

L'objectif principal de cette thèse est d'étudier l'influence du pourcentage de concentré de la ration combiné à la supplémentation lipidique sur les flux duodénaux des parois et des lipides, sur les performances laitières et la composition en acides gras (AG) du lait de chèvre. Dans une deuxième phase, nous étudions les effets induits par l'infusion duodénale de t10,c12-CLA et son interaction avec les facteurs alimentaires décrits ci-dessus sur la production de la matière grasse (MG) du lait de chèvre et son profil en AG. Dans l'étude bibliographique, nous avons quantifié l'influence de l'apport de lipides issus d'oléo-protéagineux, selon la présentation des lipides (graines vs. huiles) et l'origine botanique sur les performances laitières et de la composition du lait. Pour cela, nous avons constitué une base de données compilant les informations issues des recherches conduites uniquement sur des vaches laitières, en raison du faible nombre d'études sur des chèvres. La réponse de la production laitière à l'incorporation de lipides est variable selon le stade de lactation. L'incorporation d'oléo-protéagineux réduit le taux butyreux (TB) du lait, principalement lorsque l'apport se fait sous forme d'huile; parallèlement on observe une augmentation des proportions des AG trans-C18:1 dans le lait. L'origine botanique de l'oléoprotéagineux a moins d'impact sur les performances laitières que sur le profil en AG longs. La partie expérimentale est constituée de deux expérimentations conduites sur des chèvres laitières en milieu de lactation, en vue de relier la composition des flux duodénaux de lipides et le profil en AG du lait. Le dispositif expérimental factoriel 2 x 2 a combiné la proportion de concentré (bas: 45% vs. haut: 65% de la matière sèche de la ration) et l'apport lipidique (Expérimentation 1: témoin sans lipides vs. graines de colza laminées) ou la nature des lipides (Expérimentation 2: graines de colza laminées vs. graines de soja extrudées). Contrairement aux résultats obtenus sur des vaches laitières, les rations riches en concentré, l'apport de lipides, ou la combinaison de l'apport de lipides au sein des rations riches en concentré ne diminuent pas le TB du lait. En revanche, les pourcentages de trans-C18:1 (surtout de t11) et de c9,t11-CLA dans le duodénum et dans le lait sont augmentés par ces facteurs et leur interaction. La nature de la supplémentation lipidique n'a que peu d'impact sur les performances laitières. Les graines de colza augmentent les teneurs des AG trans dans le lait par rapport au soja; toutefois il est difficile de séparer les effets de l'origine des graines de l'effet de la quantité d'AG ingérés. Les flux duodénaux et fécaux des parois sont diminués par les rations riches en concentré, mais non modifiés par l'apport lipidique, probablement parce que les quantités d'AG ingérés n'ont pas été assez élevées et/ou les graines n'ont pas permis une libération des AG assez rapide pour avoir un effet défavorable sur les microbes cellulolytiques du rumen. Les raisons de la différence de réponse entre chèvres et vaches à l'apport lipidique ne sont pas complètement élucidées, mais la différence de sensibilité de la synthèse mammaire de MG à certains AG trans semble être une de ces raisons. Indépendamment du régime, l'infusion duodénale de t10,c12-CLA, un très puissant inhibiteur des enzymes responsables de la synthèse de novo dans la glande mammaire bovine, ne provoque pas des réductions du TB dans le lait de chèvre, malgré un important transfert vers le lait. Par contre, dans les deux espèces, cet AG diminue la capacité de desaturation dans la glande mammaire. Chez les chèvres, l'utilisation de rations riches en concentré et supplémentées en lipides a augmenté la production de lait, de MG, de t11-C18:1 et de c9,t11-CLA. Par ailleurs, le profil en AG du lait de chèvre peut être modulé par l'origine botanique de l'oléoprotéagineux ajouté à la ration.

Insulin pump treatment (CSII) is considered the most physiological way to imitate the healthy body’s insulin profile in adolescents with diabetes. However, despite the use of CSII, achieving the recommended disease control is difficult for adolescents. The aim of this thesis was to explore aspects of self-management of diabetes in adolescents using insulin pumps in order to describe conditions contributing to the recommended disease control. Three methods of bolusing (normal, dual-wave and square-wave) in connection with pasta meals were tested in a crossover study among 15 adolescents with diabetes to assess whether one method was superior in managing glucose levels. A cross-sectional study among 90 adolescents being treated with CSII was conducted to investigate the management of CSII, including the administration of bolus doses. Two qualitative interview studies, based on the grounded theory method, were performed to gain insight into the processes involved in taking bolus doses and to investigate reasons for missed bolus doses and strategies for avoiding missing them. Twelve adolescents, four parents and one diabetes specialist nurse were interviewed. No method of bolusing was found to be superior in managing the glucose levels after these meals. The post-prandial glucose peaks were &lt;10 mmol/L, in 48% of the cases, regardless of bolus methods. This indicates that adolescents can be encouraged to individually test which bolus method gives them the most normal post-prandial glucose levels. The cross-sectional study showed that adolescents were satisfied with CSII, but that 38% had missed more than 15% of the bolus doses the day under study. The frequency of bolus doses correlated with the disease control. Findings from the interview study revealed the need to clarify the responsibility for diabetes self-management in continuous negotiation between adolescents and parents to avoid insulin omission. The main reason for missed boluses was lost focus, and the strategies for remembering them were agreements involving reminders. The thesis describes that individual dose testing, clarification of responsibility and agreements involving reminders are conditions contributing to the recommended disease control. The thesis also describes that lost focus and a lack of responsibility can lead to insulin omission and be a hindrance to achieving disease control. / Anna Kernell avled maj 2010.

The issue of this dissertation is the relationship between Vocational Education and Training (VET) in general and VET for building and construction in particular, as well as implications of the fact that Swedish VET is carried out both in school and in working life. Vocational construction education includes a three year Construction Programme at upper secondary school followed by two to three years of on-the-job training in the construction industry. In this case study of an upper secondary Construction Programme, the school based daily instruction as well as work based training, is explored and documented. These constitute a base for descriptions and analysis of education as a whole from the perspective of Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). The aim of the analysis is to identify the main motives for vocational construction education. The case study results are further based on descriptions and CHAT-analyses of the historical development of construction work as well as of Swedish VET in general and of vocational construction area in particular. The case study illustrates that two activities form vocational construction education; the dominating activity being construction production, and school-activity. The terms of construction industry seem to greatly determine the realisation of the school based construction production activity.  E.g. teamwork is emphasised in both activities. The school activity is marked by the implementation of infusion of core subjects by vocational subjects, aimed at preparing the students for continued professional development in the trade. The conclusion drawn here is that the new Swedish apprenticeship seems to contribute to a narrow professional knowledge base, whereas the use of infused core subjects seems to contribute to a broader professional knowledge base.

The volume defined by the rigid cranium is shared by the brain, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). With every heartbeat the arterial blood volume briefly increases and venous blood and CSF are forced out of the cranium, leading to pulsatility in CSF flow and intracranial pressure (ICP). Altered CSF pulsatility has been linked to idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH), which involves enlarged cerebral ventricles and symptoms of gait/balance disturbance, cognitive decline and urinary incontinence that may be improved by implantation of a shunt. The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the fluid dynamics of the CSF system, with a focus on pulsatility, and how they relate to INPH pathophysiology and treatment. Mathematical modelling was applied to data from infusion tests, where the ICP response to CSF volume manipulation is measured, to analyse the relationship between mean ICP and ICP pulse amplitude (AMP) before and after shunt surgery in INPH (paper I-II). The observed relationship, designated the pulsatility curve, was found to be constant at low ICP and linear at high ICP, corresponding to a shift from constant to ICP dependent compliance (paper I). Shunt surgery did not affect the pulsatility curve, but shifted baseline ICP and AMP along the curve towards lower values. Patients who improved in gait after surgery had significantly larger AMP reduction than those who did not, while ICP reduction was similar, suggesting that improving patients had baseline ICP in the linear zone of the curve before surgery. Use of this phenomenon for outcome prediction was promising (paper II). The fluid dynamics of an empirically derived pulsatility-based predictive infusion test for INPH was also investigated, with results showing strong influence from compliance (paper III). Clinical ICP data at different body postures was used to evaluate three models describing postural effects on ICP. ICP decreased in upright positions, whereas AMP increased. The model describing the postural effects based on hydrostatic changes in the venous system, including effects of collapse of the jugular veins in the upright position, accurately predicted the measured ICP (paper IV). Cerebral blood flow and CSF flow in the aqueduct and at the cervical level was measured with phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging, and compared between healthy elderly and INPH (paper V). Cerebral blood flow and CSF flow at the cervical level were similar in INPH patients and healthy elderly, whereas aqueductal CSF flow differed significantly. The pulsatility in the aqueduct flow was increased, and there was more variation in the net flow in INPH, but the mean net flow was normal, i.e. directed from the ventricles to the subarachnoid space (paper V). In conclusion, this thesis introduced the concept of pulsatility curve analysis, and provided evidence that pulsatility and compliance are important aspects for successful shunt treatment and outcome prediction in INPH. It was further confirmed that enhanced pulsatility of aqueduct CSF flow was the most distinct effect of INPH pathophysiology on cerebral blood flow and CSF flow. A new model describing postural and hydrostatic effects on ICP was presented, and the feasibility and potential importance of measuring ICP in the upright position in INPH was demonstrated. / <p>Forskningsfinansiär: </p><p>European Union, ERDF: Objective 2, Northern Sweden (grant no. 158715-CMTF). </p>

Secondary infusions is a common method to deliver short infusions of intravenous (IV) drugs and fluids. Errors associated with this infusion method have led to patient safety concerns. This study's objective was to empirically evaluate interventions to mitigate secondary infusion risks. Three interventions, including a technology-based intervention (clamp detector on a smart pump), a training-based intervention (educational module), and a practice-based intervention (use of a separate pump for short infusions), were tested in a simulated inpatient unit. The technology-based intervention significantly decreased secondary clamp errors whereas the training-based intervention reduced complex pressure differential errors. The practice-based intervention was the only intervention that significantly decreased both secondary clamp errors and pressure differential errors, but introduced new risks due to mismanagement of residual volume in IV tubing. Study results highlight the need for a combination of mitigation strategies and can help guide the selection of interventions to reduce secondary infusion errors.