Traditional dogma is that men have a higher metabolism compared to women. Because of an increased obesity rate in women, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that compared to males, females will gain more body weight per gram of food consumed. Methods: To test our hypothesis male and female mice were fed either a high or low-fat diet for 20-weeks, while monitoring food intake and body weight. At the end of the 20 week feeding plan, a final weight on the mice was taken, as well as a measurement from the nose to rump of the mouse in order to calculate a BMI. Results: Male mice consistently consumed more food than female mice, regardless of the diet. As expected mice on the high-fat diet gained more weight than mice on the low-fat diet. Further, on the low-fat diet male mice gained more weight than the female mice. Interestingly, there was no difference between the amount of weight gain between male and female mice on the high fat. However, within the same diet, male mice gained more weight per gram of food consumed. On average, male mice gained approximately double the body weight per gram of food consumed compared with female mice (51 vs. 27 mg of body weight per gram of food consumed). Conclusions: We had hypothesized that increased food intake in male mice would primarily account for the differences in body weight between male and female mice. However, contrary to our hypothesis, the data shows that male mice gained more body weight per gram of food consumed. This finding provides a novel hypothesis to explain the mechanism by which, at least in rodents, females are more resistant to obesity. Future studies comparing metabolic rate and physical activity levels will need to be performed to explore this finding further.

Channel catfish farming is the largest aquaculture industry in the U.S., and virulent Aeromonas hydrophila is an important re-emerging bacterial pathogen of farmed catfish. A. hydrophila is ubiquitous in the aquatic environment and causes motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) in farmed catfish. A. hydrophila infection is challenging to treat due to rapidly progressive mass mortalities. Although florfenicol has been used in managing outbreaks, acute onset of anorexia, drug cost, and emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains are significant concerns. Prevention of MAS by vaccination could be a promising approach, but a commercial vaccine is not available. Thus, it is critical to develop effective vaccines against A. hydrophila to prevent losses in the catfish industry. The overall objective of this study is to develop effective live attenuated A. hydrophila vaccines and understand macrophage-A. hydrophila interactions. To achieve this, potential virulence-related genes from T6SS, secretion pathway, tat pathway, and flagellar system were deleted by in-frame, and mutants’ virulence and protection were evaluated in channel catfish. Also, macrophage-A. hydrophila interactions were explored by studying global gene expression to understand macrophage responses to A. hydrophila and A. hydrophila virulence mechanisms

Os camundongos têm sido amplamente utilizados na experimentação desde o século XVII, devendo sua qualidade microbiológica ser pesquisada e mantida, para evitar que eles adoeçam ou morram durante o experimento, não transmitam zoonoses e para que os resultados apresentados no experimento sejam confiáveis. A Escherichia coli faz parte da microbiota entérica dos mamíferos, podendo algumas linhagens causar infecções. As estirpes patogênicas apresentam diferentes fatores de virulência, como as endotoxinas, adesinas, enterotoxinas, fator citotóxico necrosante e as hemolisinas. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: analisar as microbiotas aeróbias bacteriana e fúngica presentes no intestino das linhagens de camundongos Swiss, C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H/HePas, C3H/HeJ, MDX e YCx43, verificando se existem diferenças entre elas; avaliar a suscetibilidade \"in vitro\" frente aos antimicrobianos das E. coli isoladas, verificando se existem diferenças entre as linhagens; verificar a ocorrência de resistência a múltiplos antimicrobianos nas E. coli isoladas; pesquisar os fatores de virulência das E. coli isoladas, também investigando se existem diferenças destes entre as linhagens estudadas; identificar os microrganismos presentes nos diferentes ambientes em que estes animais são mantidos, verificando se existem diferenças entre eles. Os camundongos foram necropsiados e coletou-se uma pequena quantidade de seu conteúdo fecal que foi semeado nos meios de cultura BHI, ágar sangue de carneiro 5%, ágar MacConkey e ágar Saboraud dextrose. Foi realizando o antibiograma e PCR das E. coli isoladas. Realizou-se a cultura de suabes da mesa, maçaneta de porta e exterior das luvas dos funcionários. Verificou-se que as linhagens de camundongos estudadas apresentam microbiotas fecais diferentes; as estirpes de E. coli são diferentes em cada linhagem e apresentam resistência a múltiplos antibióticos, que as estirpes de E. coli isoladas não são patogênicas, que as bactérias isoladas nas salas do biotério não foram influenciadas pela microbiota fecal dos camundongos e que o monitoramento microbiológico de rotina dos animais, do ambiente e dos técnicos, e as normas de biossegurança são indispensáveis e devem ser sempre adotados e mantidos no biotério. / Mice have been largely used at experiences since 17o century, so their microbiological quality should be investigated and kept safety in order to avoid they become ill or die during an investigation and don\'t transmit zoonosis to those who handle them; this is important in order to make the results presented in the experience be reliable. The Escherichia coli is part of enteric microbiota of mammals, and some of them may cause infections. The pathogenic strains of E. coli show different virulence factors, such as endotoxins, adhesins, enterotoxins, necrotizing citotoxic factors (cnf) and hemolysins. This study has aimed to analyze: the bacterial and fungi aerobic microbiota present at intestine of lineages Swiss, C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H/HePas, C3H/HeJ, MDX and YCx43 mice, checking if there are differences among them; to evaluate the susceptibility in vitro to antimicrobial agents of E. coli isolated, checking if there are differences among lineages; to verify the occurrence of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents at E. coli isolated; to investigate the virulence factor\'s of lineages of E. coli, also checking if there are differences among these lineages and the lineages studied; identify the micro-organisms presented at different environments where these animals are kept, checking if there are differences among them. The mice were submitted to necropsy and it was collected a little amount of their fecal content. This fecal content was seeded in culture mediums of BHI, sheep blood agar 5%, MacConkey agar and Saboraud dextrose agar. The mice\'s lineages studied have different fecal microbiotas; the E. coli strains are different in each lineage and they\'ve showed resistance to multiple antibiotics; the E. coli strains are not pathogenics; isolated bacteria on animal rooms were not affected by mice\'s fecal microbiotas, the microbiological monitoring of animals and biosafety standards always must be adopted and followed at animal rooms.

Den här uppsatsen är baserad på en enkätundersökning samt intervjuer med gymnasielever angående deras tankar kring djurförsök. Jag har intervjuat studenter från två olika naturbruksgymnasier. Båda har inriktningen djurvård men det är endast en av dem som ger en specialiseringskurs inom forskningsdjur. Min frågeställning är att undersöka om elever som läser kursen i försöksdjurskunskap har en annan inställning än de elever som endast läser djursjukvård. Som resultaten visar så är de eleverna som läser specialiseringskursen mer positiva till både djurförsök och att jobba med försöksdjur. De har också en mer korrekt bild och större vetskap om hur verkligheten ser ut för försöksdjuren. Detta beror till stor del på att de har lärare som är utbildade försöksdjurstekniker och har arbetat länge med försöksdjur inom forskningsvärlden. De elever på gymnasiet där specialiseringskursen inte finns är negativt inställda till djurförsök och anser att djuren torteras och lever under hemska förhållanden. Då de inte ges någon undervisning om forskningsdjur så har deras uppfattning formats genom media, vilket har framgått i enkäterna, till exempel tidningen Djurens rätt. Andra elever ”bara vet” hur verkligheten ser ut för försöksdjuren. De har heller inga kunskaper om regelverket kring forskning och den etiska nämndens uppgift. I uppsatsen ingår även en stor del historia om djurförsök förr i tiden. Det är viktigt att ha kunskap om historien eftersom det ger en bild av hur människans förhållningssätt till djuren har formats och förändrats över tid. / This essay is based on a survey and interviews with high school students regarding their thoughts about animal testing. I have interviewed students from two different high schools inSweden; both are agricultural high schools but only one have got laboratory animal science as a special orientation in the education. The issue on which this essay is based on is whether or not the students who are studying laboratory animal science have a different view on lab animals than students only reading animal healthcare have. As the results show, the students who are studying laboratory animal science are more positive towards both animal testing and also working with lab animals. They also have a more correct view and understanding of the reality of lab animals since they are given an up-to-date education from teachers who has been working in labs and with lab animals. Students not given this special orientation in the subject has a view of animal testing as a very negative thing where animals are tortured and held under cruel circumstances. There negative view of laboratory animal and animal testing is an understanding mostly caused by media, but some of the students “just know” how the reality is for the lab animals. Moreover, the students lack knowledge about the strict regulation that surrounds scientific studies on animals and they do not know about the ethic counsel and its purpose. A large part of history about animal testing in the early days is also included in this essay. I think it is important to have knowledge about our history in order to understand how our relationship towards animals have changed over time.

Os camundongos têm sido amplamente utilizados na experimentação desde o século XVII, devendo sua qualidade microbiológica ser pesquisada e mantida, para evitar que eles adoeçam ou morram durante o experimento, não transmitam zoonoses e para que os resultados apresentados no experimento sejam confiáveis. A Escherichia coli faz parte da microbiota entérica dos mamíferos, podendo algumas linhagens causar infecções. As estirpes patogênicas apresentam diferentes fatores de virulência, como as endotoxinas, adesinas, enterotoxinas, fator citotóxico necrosante e as hemolisinas. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: analisar as microbiotas aeróbias bacteriana e fúngica presentes no intestino das linhagens de camundongos Swiss, C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H/HePas, C3H/HeJ, MDX e YCx43, verificando se existem diferenças entre elas; avaliar a suscetibilidade \"in vitro\" frente aos antimicrobianos das E. coli isoladas, verificando se existem diferenças entre as linhagens; verificar a ocorrência de resistência a múltiplos antimicrobianos nas E. coli isoladas; pesquisar os fatores de virulência das E. coli isoladas, também investigando se existem diferenças destes entre as linhagens estudadas; identificar os microrganismos presentes nos diferentes ambientes em que estes animais são mantidos, verificando se existem diferenças entre eles. Os camundongos foram necropsiados e coletou-se uma pequena quantidade de seu conteúdo fecal que foi semeado nos meios de cultura BHI, ágar sangue de carneiro 5%, ágar MacConkey e ágar Saboraud dextrose. Foi realizando o antibiograma e PCR das E. coli isoladas. Realizou-se a cultura de suabes da mesa, maçaneta de porta e exterior das luvas dos funcionários. Verificou-se que as linhagens de camundongos estudadas apresentam microbiotas fecais diferentes; as estirpes de E. coli são diferentes em cada linhagem e apresentam resistência a múltiplos antibióticos, que as estirpes de E. coli isoladas não são patogênicas, que as bactérias isoladas nas salas do biotério não foram influenciadas pela microbiota fecal dos camundongos e que o monitoramento microbiológico de rotina dos animais, do ambiente e dos técnicos, e as normas de biossegurança são indispensáveis e devem ser sempre adotados e mantidos no biotério. / Mice have been largely used at experiences since 17o century, so their microbiological quality should be investigated and kept safety in order to avoid they become ill or die during an investigation and don\'t transmit zoonosis to those who handle them; this is important in order to make the results presented in the experience be reliable. The Escherichia coli is part of enteric microbiota of mammals, and some of them may cause infections. The pathogenic strains of E. coli show different virulence factors, such as endotoxins, adhesins, enterotoxins, necrotizing citotoxic factors (cnf) and hemolysins. This study has aimed to analyze: the bacterial and fungi aerobic microbiota present at intestine of lineages Swiss, C57BL/6, BALB/c, C3H/HePas, C3H/HeJ, MDX and YCx43 mice, checking if there are differences among them; to evaluate the susceptibility in vitro to antimicrobial agents of E. coli isolated, checking if there are differences among lineages; to verify the occurrence of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents at E. coli isolated; to investigate the virulence factor\'s of lineages of E. coli, also checking if there are differences among these lineages and the lineages studied; identify the micro-organisms presented at different environments where these animals are kept, checking if there are differences among them. The mice were submitted to necropsy and it was collected a little amount of their fecal content. This fecal content was seeded in culture mediums of BHI, sheep blood agar 5%, MacConkey agar and Saboraud dextrose agar. The mice\'s lineages studied have different fecal microbiotas; the E. coli strains are different in each lineage and they\'ve showed resistance to multiple antibiotics; the E. coli strains are not pathogenics; isolated bacteria on animal rooms were not affected by mice\'s fecal microbiotas, the microbiological monitoring of animals and biosafety standards always must be adopted and followed at animal rooms.

This thesis examines literary texts that represent encounters with model organisms in ways that enact an interspecies ethics that turns the narrative of bodily relationality embedded within the model organism into a source of care, friendship, respect, and mourning. My project understands model organisms as material beings as well as semiotic and narrative entities; I suggest that the very ‘materiality’ of the model organism’s body is symbolic precisely because it is designed to refer to bodies other than its own. The model organism involves a double relationality between the categories of ‘animal’ and ‘human’ because it serves as a mediator between human nature and nature at large. This is not to say that that human biology is not part of ‘nature’ but rather that anthropocentric and human exceptionalist ideologies pervade discourses of human biology and thus the model organism provides a link to our biological and corporeal ‘selves’ in a way that maintains species divisions. The texts I analyze throughout this dissertation offer alternative ways of thinking about the model organism by exposing the multiple meanings and narratives that coexist within them both as representations and as living sentient beings. This project centers around two questions: How do cultural texts represent and negotiate disconnects between how model organisms signify within scientific discourses and their broader cultural identities? How does literature specifically engage with scientific knowledge in ways that both disrupt and affirm the status of the model organism as a scientific object? / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (PhD (Molecular Biology and Human Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The growing global epidemic of human tuberculosis (TB) results in 8 million new cases of this disease and 2 million deaths annually. Control thereof will require greater insight into the biology of the causative organism, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and into the pathogenesis of the disease. This will benefit the design of new vaccines and diagnostic assays which may reduce the degree of both disease transmission and progression. Animal models have played a vital role in the understanding of the aetiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of TB. Much of such insight has been obtained from experimental infection models, and the development of new vaccines, for example, is dependant on these. Nonetheless, studies utilising naturally occurring TB in animals, such as those which have investigated the use of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for its diagnosis, have contributed substantially to the body of knowledge in this field. However, there are few such examples, and this study sought to identify and investigate naturally occuring animal TB in South Africa as an opportunity to gain further insight into this disease. During the course of this study, the dassie bacillus, a distinctly less virulent variant of M. tuberculosis, was isolated from a rock hyrax from the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This has provided new insight into the widespread occurrence of this organism in rock hyrax populations, and has given impetus to further exploring the nature of the difference in virulence between these pathogens. Also investigated was M. tuberculosis infection in dogs in contact with human TB patients. In so doing, the first reported case of canine TB in South Africa was described, v a novel canine IGRA was developed, and a high level of M. tuberculosis infection in these animals was identified. This supports human data reflecting high levels of transmission of this pathogen during the course of human disease. Additionally, the fact that infected companion animals may progress to disease and potentially act as a source of human infection was highlighted. However, an attempt to adapt a flow cytometric assay to study cell-mediated immune responses during canine TB revealed the limitations of such studies in species in which the immune system remains poorly characterised. The use of IGRAs to diagnose TB was further explored by adapting a human assay, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (In-Tube Method), for use in non-human primates. These studies have shown that such an adaption allows for the sensitive detection of TB in baboons (Papio ursinus) and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and may be suitable for adaption for use in other species. However, they have also evidenced the limitation of this assay to specifically detect infection by M. tuberculosis. Finally, to contextualise the occurrence of the mycobacterial infections described above, and other similar examples, these have been reviewed as an opinion piece. Together, these investigations confirm that animal models will continue to make important contributions to the study of TB. More specifically, they highlight the opportunities that naturally occuring animal TB provides for the discovery of novel insights into this disease. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wêreldwye tuberkulose (TB) epidemie veroorsaak agt miljoen nuwe gevalle en twee miljoen sterftes jaarliks. Ingryping by die beheer hiervan vereis begrip van die biologie van die mikroörganisme Mycobacterium tuberculosis, die oorsaak van TB, asook van die patogenese van die siekte self. Hierdie kennis kan lei tot ontwerp van nuwe entstowwe en diagnostiese toetse wat gevolglik beide die oordrag- en vordering van die siekte mag bekamp. Dieremodelle speel lankal 'n rol in ons begrip van die etiologie-, patogenese- en behandeling van TB. Insig is grotendeels verkry vanaf eksperimentele infeksiemodelle, en ontwikkeling van entstowwe, onder andere, is afhanklik van soortgelyke modelle. Desnieteenstaande, studies wat natuurlike TB voorkoms in diere ondersoek, byvoorbeeld dié wat op die ontwikkeling van interferon-gamma vrystellingstoetse (IGVT) fokus, het merkwaardige bydrae gemaak tot kennis en begrip in hierdie studieveld. Daar is slegs enkele soortgelyke voorbeelde. Om hierdie rede is die huidige studie uitgevoer waarbinne natuulike diere-TB geïdentifiseer en ondersoek is in Suid-Afrika om verdere kennis en insig te win aangaande TB. Die "dassie bacillus", bekend om beduidend minder virulent te wees as M. tuberculosis, is tydens hierdie studie geïsoleer vanuit 'n klipdassie (Procavia capensis) in die Wes-Kaapse provinsie, Suid-Afrika. Insig in die wydverspreide voorkoms van hierdie organisme in klipdassie bevolkings is gevolglik verkry en verskaf momentum om die aard van verskil in virulensie tussen dié patogene te bestudeer. vii Voorts is M. tuberculosis infeksie bestudeer in honde wat in kontak is met menslike TB pasiënte en word die eerste geval van honde TB dus in Suid-Afrika beskryf. In hierdie groep diere, is 'n hoë vlak van M. tuberculosis infeksie geïdentifiseer deur gebruik te maak van 'n nuut ontwikkelde IGVT vir die diagnose van honde TB. Gevolglik ondersteun dié studie bevindinge van menslike studies wat toon dat besondere hoë vlakke van M. tuberculosis oordrag voorkom gedurende die verloop van die siekte. Verder toon die studie dat geïnfekteerde troeteldiere 'n bron van menslike infeksie kan wees. 'n Poging om 'n vloeisitometriese toets te ontwikkel om die aard van selgefundeerde immuunreaksies te bestudeer in honde met TB toon die beperkings van dergelike studies in spesies waarin die immuunsisteem gebrekkig gekarakteriseer is. Die gebruik van IGVT'e in die diagnose van TB is verder ondersoek deur 'n menslike toets (QuantiFERON-TB Gold, In-Tube Method) aan te pas vir die gebruik van nie-menslike primaat gevalle. Hierdie studies toon gevolglik dat so 'n aanpassing toepaslik is vir hoogs sensitiewe deteksie van TB in chacma bobbejane (Papio ursinus) en rhesus ape (Macaca mulatta), en mag ook aangepas word vir gebruik in ander spesies. Tog word die beperkings van hierdie toets om infeksie wat spesifiek deur M. tuberculosis veroorsaak uitgelig. Ter afsluiting word hierdie studie in konteks geplaas deur 'n oorsig te gee van bogenoemde- en soortgelyke gevalle van dierlike infeksie deur mikobakterieë in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie studies bevestig dat dieremodelle steeds belangrike toevoegings maak tydens die bestudering van TB en lig veral die moontlikhede uit dat bestudering van natuulike TB in diere kan lei tot die ontdekking van nuwe insigte ten opsigte van die siekte self.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2018-07-25T11:50:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Thalita Lima Possmoser.pdf: 1831529 bytes, checksum: 8635f7c9dc82d63859a52add5fc219ee (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-25T11:50:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Thalita Lima Possmoser.pdf: 1831529 bytes, checksum: 8635f7c9dc82d63859a52add5fc219ee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-05-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Verifying whether escape responses to the S-, the present stimulus in the extinction condition, may be installed in that condition is a manner by which behavior analysts have been studying the possible averseness of the S-. In general, such studies have been using pigeons. This study aimed to verify whether responses that eliminate the S- might be installed and maintained in four water-deprived rats for whom water was used as reinforcer. The subjects passed through five experimental phases: (1) lever-press response shaping on a right lever, the only one available in this phase; (2) lever-press response strengthening, and a tone was present throughout the sessions; (3) introduction of FR 3 schedule of reinforcement to the lever-press response; (4) setout of discrimination between tone (S+) and light (S-) and introduction of a left lever that, when pressed throughout the S-, ceased the stimulus for 5 seconds; (5) discrimination still in effect and lever-press responses on the left lever in extinction (they did not cease the S- anymore). It was observed that the lever-press responses on the left lever during the S- were mostly emitted in the beginning of the discriminative training. For two subjects, there was a low number of those responses, which ceased of being emitted before Phase 5 (extinction). For other two subjects, there was a higher number of those responses, and, for one of those subjects, the responses remained elevated during the entire discriminative training. The found results do not allow affirming unequivocally whether the S- became aversive or not / Uma das formas pelas quais analistas do comportamento têm estudado a possível aversividade do S-, ou estímulo presente na condição de extinção, é verificar se respostas de fuga do S- podem ser instaladas nessa condição. Em geral, tais estudos têm sido desenvolvidos com pombos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar se respostas que eliminam o S- podiam ser instaladas e mantidas em quatro ratos privados de água, utilizada como reforçador. Os sujeitos passaram por cinco fases experimentais: (1) modelagem da resposta de pressão à barra à direita, única presente nessa fase; (2) fortalecimento da resposta de pressão à barra, e, durante as sessões, um tom esteve presente; (3) introdução de esquema de reforçamento FR 3 para a resposta de pressão à barra; (4) estabelecimento de discriminação entre tom (S+) e luz (S-) e introdução de barra à esquerda, que, quando pressionada durante o S-, encerrava o estímulo por 5 segundos; (5) discriminação continuou em vigor e respostas à barra da esquerda foram colocadas em extinção (não mais encerravam o S-). Observou-se que respostas à barra da esquerda durante o S- foram, em sua maioria, emitidas no início do treino discriminativo, e, para dois dos sujeitos, houve um baixo número dessas respostas, que deixaram de ser emitidas antes da Fase 5 (extinção). Para os outros dois sujeitos, houve um maior número dessas respostas, e, para um deles, estas permaneceram em número elevado durante todo o treino discriminativo. Os resultados encontrados não permitem afirmar, de modo inequívoco, se o S- se tornou aversivo ou não

Orientador: Admar Costa de Oliveira / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T22:17:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Benites_CibelemIribarrem_D.pdf: 3869933 bytes, checksum: 5d54e1064108aac02093f8c77432ee80 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: A utilização de resíduos e subprodutos da indústria vem crescendo devido à necessidade de adequação das empresas às normas ambientais. Por outro lado, a substituição de insumos artificiais por produtos naturais nas áreas alimentícias, farmacêuticas e outras, vem ganhando forte destaque mundial. Estes fatos fomentam o estudo da utilização do Destilado da Desodorização do Óleo de Soja (DDOS) como suplemento de tocoferóis, que são compostos importantes na nutrição humana e animal, por apresentarem atividade vitamínica E e ação antioxidante natural. O DDOS é um subproduto oriundo do processo de refino do óleo de soja, que também é rico em ácidos graxos livres (AGL), esteróis e hidrocarbonetos, com potencialidade para extração de vitamina E; entretanto tem sido demonstrado que esta prática não é economicamente viável. Todavia, a utilização do DDOS na forma semi-refinada (neutra) torna-se uma alternativa para o enriquecimento de dietas animais e possivelmente humana. Com vistas a atingir tais objetivos, foi realizado um estudo do processo de neutralização variando o tipo de álcali, a concentração e o excesso adicionado do mesmo, além da temperatura do processo e do tempo de homogeneização. Após o estabelecimento das condições ótimas de processo, o DDOS foi neutralizado em maior quantidade para sua caracterização e como matéria-prima para a suplementação de ratos Wistar sadios recém-desmamados. Estes foram alimentados com dieta AIN-93G depletada em vitamina E e distribuídos conforme o período de suplementação oro-gástrica diária: 0 (n=7), 30 (n=42) e 60 dias (n=42), sendo estes últimos subdivididos pelo tipo de tratamento (7animais/grupo): Depletado (sem suplementação), Soja (óleo como placebo), Ephynal_ (vitamina E sintética), DDOS, DDOS 25 e DDOS 50 (respectivamente 150, 187,5 e 225 mg _- tocoferol/kg dieta). Através dos planejamentos experimentais, estabeleceram-se as condições ideais de neutralização (com maior redução de AGL, menor arraste de tocoferóis e maior rendimento), tendo como resultado: Na2CO3 (4,34N), temperatura de 45,8°C e tempo de homogeneização de 3¿20¿; com a neutralização, o teor de AGL passou de 53,4% para 6,1%, por isto foi neutralizado novamente para a suplementação dos ratos, resultando em 1,8% AGL e 11,0% de tocoferóis totais (TT). Na avaliação biológica, os resultados de crescimento e hemograma foram normais e, com 30 e 60 dias (30d e 60d) de suplementação, os tratamentos não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas na maioria dos aspectos (Tukey, p>0,05): triacilgliceróis séricos (118,8 mg/dL - 30d; 85,6 mg/dL - 60d); colesterol sérico (69,8 mg/dL - 30d; 65,5 mg/dL - 60d); transaminase oxaloacética (73,1 U/L - 30d; 81,3 U/L - 60d) e pirúvica (23,6 U/L - 30d; 28,3 U/L - 60d); bilirrubinas (0,2 mg/dL - 30d; 0,3 mg/dL - 60d). Assim, não houve danos hepáticos nem genotóxicos, pois a freqüência de micronúcleos estava dentro da taxa espontânea de mutação, i. e., freqüência admissível de mutação, sem dano para o organismo. Diferindo estatisticamente, o teor de lipídios hepáticos variou entre 6,5-8,5% e musculares 3,5-6,0%. A dosagem de isoprostanas com vistas a verificar o estado de oxidação não se mostrou adequada neste trabalho. O teor de MDA no tecido muscular não apresentou variação entre os grupos, aos 30d (1,6 µg MDA/g) e aos 60d (0,5 µg MDA/g) havendo uma redução. Para o tecido adiposo, aos 30d não houve diferença entre os grupos (1,9 µg MDA/g) e aos 60d houve aumento, sendo que os valores foram diferentes apenas matematicamente, sendo que com exceção do grupo Depletado, os demais não se diferenciaram (média aparente 2,7µg MDA/g). No tecido hepático, aos 30d houve uma diferença entre os grupos (média aparente 2,3 µg MDA/g), aos 60d houve um aumento no teor de MDA, sem diferença estatística entre os tratamentos (3,1 µg MDA/g). Quanto a distribuição de TT os grupos com DDOS tiveram desempenho intermediário dentre os tratamentos, sendo respectivamente para 30d e 60d: 7,3 µg/mL e 6,7 µg/mL no soro; 10,1 µg/g e 12,4 µg/g no fígado; 19,5 µg/g e 29,4 µg/g na gordura abdominal e 16,2 µg/g e 21,3 µg/g no músculo, com correlação positiva entre o teor de tocoferóis nos tecidos e o ingerido pelos animais. Os resultados mostraram que o DDOS não acarretou em alterações fisiológicas tóxicas nos animais, além de similaridade entre os efeitos dos tocoferóis naturais, presentes no DDOS, e os sintéticos, indicando o relevante potencial de utilização do produto como suplemento / Abstract: Increased use of industrial waste and byproducts fits the need of industry to comply with environmental rules. The substitution of natural products for artificial ingredients has gained worldwide attention in the food, pharmaceutical and other industries. These facts justify the study on the utilization of Soybean Oil Deodorizer Distillate (SODD) as tocopherol supplements. Tocopherol, which is physiologically active as vitamin E and a major natural antioxidant, is an especially important player in human and animal nutrition. SODD is a byproduct of the soybean oil refining process that is also rich in free fatty acids (FFA), sterols and hydrocarbons. It has been demonstrated that the use of SODD for vitamin E extraction is not economically viable. However, SODD in the semi-refined form (neutral) can be an alternative for animal and possibly human diet enrichment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the SODD neutralizing process varying the type, concentration, and excess of alkali, as well as the process temperature and time for homogenization. After establishment of the optimal process conditions, a greater amount of SODD was neutralized for raw-material characterization and for supplementation of recently weaned Wistar rats. The rats were fed with AIN-93G diet depleted of vitamin E and distributed following the daily orogastric supplementation period: 0 (n=7), 30 (n=42) and 60 (n=42) days. The 30 and 60 days were divided by the treatment type (7 animals/group): Depleted (without supplementation), Soy (oil as placebo), Ephynal_ (synthetic vitamin E), SODD, SODD 25 and SODD 50 (150, 187.5, and 225 mg _-tocopherol/kg diet, respectively). The optimal conditions for the neutralizing process, i.e., in order to obtain the greatest reduction in free fatty acid content, the lowest leaching of tocopherols and the greatest yield, were defined experimentally. The results were: Na2CO3 (4.34N), temperature of 45.8ºC and homogenization time 3¿20¿¿. The FFA content was reduced from 53.4% to 6.1% after neutralization, requiring a second step of neutralization, thus obtaining a free fatty acid content of 1.8% and 11.0% of total tocopherol (TT). The biological evaluation showed normal results for growth and hematology and with 30 and 60 days of supplementation (30d and 60d) the treatments did not show statistically significant differences (p>0.05) for serum triglycerides (118.8 mg/dL - 30d; 85.6 mg/dL - 60d); serum cholesterol (69.8 mg/dL- 30d; 65.5 mg/dL - 60d); glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (73.1 U/L - 30d; 81.3 U/L - 60d), glutamic-pyruvate (23.6 U/L - 30d; 28.3 U/L - 60d); and bilirubins (0.2 mg/dL - 30d; 0.3 mg/dL - 60d). No hepatic and genotoxic damage was observed, since the micronucleus frequency was in the spontaneous mutation rate, i.e., admissible mutation frequency without organism damage. Significant differences were observed for hepatic and muscle lipids levels varying from 6.5 to 8.5% and 3.5 to 6.0%, respectively. Isoprostanes dosage was found to be an inadequate criteria to verify oxidation state. The malonaldehyde content (MDA) in the muscular tissue was not different between groups at 30d (1.6 µg MDA/g) and 60d (0.5 µg MDA/g) despite a slight reduction. For adipose tissue, there was no difference between the groups for 30d (1.9 µg MDA/g) and for 60d these values was increased, and were statistically different; with the exception of Depleted group, the others were not different (apparent average of 2.7 µg MDA/g). In the liver, at 30d there was a difference between groups (apparent average of 2.3 µg MDA/g) but at 60d there was an increase in MDA content, without statistical difference between treatments (3.1 µg MDA/g). The TT distribution of groups showed intermediary performance among the treatments, being 7.3 µg/mL and 6.7 µg/mL in serum; 10.1 µg/g and 12.4 µg/g in the liver; 19.5 µg/g and 29.4 µg/g in abdominal fat; and 16.2 µg/g and 21.3 µg/g in the muscle, for 30 and 60 days, respectively. A positive correlation between tocopherol content in the tissues and tocopherol consumption by animals was observed. The results show that SODD did not cause physiological damage in animals. Different sources of vitamin E, natural (present in SODD) and synthetic tocopherols, yielded similar effects, suggesting the potential of using SODD as a supplement / Doutorado / Nutrição Experimental e Aplicada à Tecnologia de Alimentos / Doutor em Alimentos e Nutrição

The human intruder test (HIT) is a noninvasive tool widely used for assessing anxiety in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). This thesis explores the HIT procedure and applies it to a population of monkeys with a self-injurious behavioral pathology. Individual variation on this test can be used to assess anxiety and temperament. The first experiment of this thesis applied two different procedures of the HIT to 17 monkeys at UMass. Monkeys displayed little response to the intruder, and no significant differences were detected for the two procedures. To determine whether these responses were unique to the UMass monkeys, their behavior was then compared to the behavior of monkeys at three other primate facilities. UMass monkeys showed less of a reaction compared to monkeys at other facilities. They came to the front of the cage when the intruder entered the room whereas the monkeys at other facilities moved to the back and showed virtually no threats to the intruder. One possible explanation is the increased exposure to humans that UMass monkeys experience. Even though the human running the HIT was a stranger, monkeys at UMass may not perceive a new human in front of their cage to be a threat. The second experiment tested the hypothesis that monkeys with a record of self-injurious behavior (SIB) would be more anxious in response to the HIT. The cage-side version of the HIT was applied to 41 monkeys with a record of self-injurious behavior and 36 matched controls. In contrast to our prediction, SIB subjects spent significantly less time showing anxious behavior and aggressive behavior toward the intruder as well as spent more time in the front of the cage. SIB subjects showed the same range of behaviors as controls, but significantly less behavioral change overall. These data add to the evidence from experiment one that the HIT may not be a sufficient novelty test to elicit a response in monkeys who are more often exposed to different people. An alternative explanation is that SIB is associated with a depressive like syndrome based on reduced overall activity and possibly lowered affect during the stare phase.