Les microARN (miARN) sont des petits ARN non-codants pour des protéines qui permettent d’inhiber la traduction d’ARN messagers. Pour obtenir un miARN, un gène de miARN passe à travers une voie de maturation dans laquelle il sera coupé à deux reprises par les enzymes Drosha et Dicer. Pour interagir avec les enzymes, les gènes de miARN possèdent une structure générale en tige-boucle. Cependant, les détails de cette structure sont encore peu connus. L’objectif principal de ce projet était d’établir s’il y a une relation entre l’efficacité de maturation et la dynamique de la structure. Pour cela, l’efficacité de maturation de plusieurs variants de miARN a été évaluée par Northern Blot. La dynamique de la structure a été mesurée par un programme informatique à partir de l’information de la séquence. Une corrélation de 0,74 avec une valeur p de 0,02206 a été obtenue entre les dynamiques et les ratios d’efficacités de maturation de miARN. Cette corrélation est supérieure à celle obtenue basée sur l’énergie libre des structures prédites les plus stables qui n’atteignent pas 0,6. Les mutants de miR128-1 et miR188 ont été découverts comme diminuant la maturation. De plus, les mutants de miR125a, miR188 et miR330 affectent le site de clivage de Drosha. Une meilleure connaissance de la dynamique de l’ARN impliquée dans la maturation permettrait de définir l’impact des mutations dans les séquences de miARN ou encore de prédire les séquences pouvant générer des miARN. / MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, which can inhibit target messenger RNAs translation. In order to obtain a miRNA, two enzymes, Drosha and Dicer cut the gene of miRNA. The RNA interacts with the proteins by its general hairpin structure. However, the details of the structure are still missing. The objective of this project is to establish if there is a relation between the efficiency of maturation and the RNA’s structural dynamics. In order to do this, the maturation efficiency of miRNA variants is measured by Northern Blot. The structural dynamics is measured by a program assessing the information of the sequence. The correlation between the dynamics and the maturation efficiency of the miRNA is 0.74 with a p-value of 0.02206. This correlation is superior to those based on free energy, which does not reach 0.6. The tested mutants of miR128-1 and miR188 have inhibited maturation; also, those of miR125a, miR188 and miR330 have modified the cleavage site of Drosha. A better knowledge of the dynamic structure involved in maturation would help define the impact of miRNA mutation or to predict sequences that are able to generate miRNAs.

Cette thèse a pour objectif d’apporter des résultats pour la connaissance relative au processus d’intervention dans l’organisation en matière de prévention de la santé psychique au travail. Après avoir mis en lien les processus de construction de la santé au travail et pris connaissance des facteurs qui soutiennent la réussite des interventions de prévention primaire, l’analyse permet de questionner la correspondance possible entre ces deux champs de recherche. L’analyse de sept cas d’intervention apporte des éléments pour saisir les conditions qui favorisent la décision de changement de l’organisation. Le processus d’intervention est conçu comme un moyen de produire une dynamique de maturation organisationnelle sur la question de la santé psychique au travail et susceptible d’améliorer la coopération entre acteurs. Enfin, en interrogeant l’interaction entre l’individu et l’organisation, cette thèse analyse les logiques de recours à des formes d’aides pour des salariés en difficulté. Ce détour permet d’interroger les causes du non-recours à des dispositifs organisationnels de prévention et à identifier à quelles conditions ils peuvent être efficaces et utilisés. / We aim to contribute to the study of intervention process in the organization for mental health prevention in the workplace. We begin by linking the different health-building processes in the workplace. We then take into account the factors that support the success of primary prevention interventions. Our analysis then allows for exploration of possible relationship between these two research fields. Our examination of seven cases studies of prevention interventions brings elements of understanding to the conditions that best favour the decision to change an organization. The intervention process is designed as a way to produce a dynamic organizational maturation on the issue of mental health in the workplace, which is likely to improve cooperation between actors. Finally, by questioning interactions between the individual and the organization, this dissertation analyzes the logic behind the non-take-up strategies used by troubled employees. It allows us to examine why arrangements within an organization are not used and to identify under what conditions they can be efficient and well used.

Les interneurones GABAergiques constituent une population mineure de cellules par rapport aux neurones glutamatergiques dans le néocortex. Cependant ils contrôlent fortement l'excitabilité neuronale, la dynamique des réseaux neuronaux et la plasticité synaptique. L'importance des circuits GABAergiques dans le processus fonctionnel et la plasticité des réseaux corticaux est soulignée par des résultats récents qui montrent que des modifications très précises et fiables des circuits GABAergiques sont associées à divers troubles du développement neurologique et à des défauts dans les fonctions cérébrales. De ce fait, la compréhension des mécanismes cellulaires et moléculaires impliquant le développement des circuits GABAergiques est la première étape vers une meilleure compréhension de la façon dont les anomalies de ces processus peuvent se produire. La molécule d’adhésion cellulaire neurale (NCAM) appartient à la super-famille des immunoglobulines de reconnaissance cellulaire et est impliquée dans des interactions homophiliques et hétérophiliques avec d’autres molécules. Même si plusieurs rôles de NCAM ont été démontrés dans la croissance neuronale, la fasciculation axonale, la formation et la maturation de synapses, de même que dans la plasticité cellulaire de plusieurs systèmes, le rôle de NCAM dans la formation des synapses GABAergiques reste inconnu. Ce projet visait donc à déterminer le rôle précis de NCAM dans le processus de maturation des synapses GABAergiques dans le néocortex, en modulant son expression à différentes étapes du développement. L’approche choisie a été de supprimer NCAM dans des cellules GABAergiques à paniers avant la maturation des synapses (EP12-18), pendant la maturation (EP16-24), ou durant le maintien de celles-ci (EP24-32). Les méthodes utilisées ont été le clonage moléculaire, l’imagerie confocale, la culture de coupes organotypiques et des techniques morphométriques de quantification de l’innervation GABAergique. Nos résultats montrent que l’inactivation de NCAM durant la phase de maturation des synapses périsomatiques (EP16-24) cause une réduction du nombre de synapses GABAergiques périsomatiques et du branchement de ces axones. En revanche, durant la phase de maintien (EP26-32), l’inactivation de NCAM n’a pas affecté ces paramètres des synapses GABAergiques. Or, il existe trois isoformes de NCAM (NCAM120, 140 et 180) qui pourraient jouer des rôles différents dans les divers types cellulaires ou à des stades développementaux différents. Nos données montrent que NCAM120 et 140 sont nécessaires à la maturation des synapses périsomatiques GABAergiques. Cependant, NCAM180, qui est l’isoforme la plus étudiée et caractérisée, ne semble pas être impliquée dans ce processus. De plus, l’inactivation de NCAM n’a pas affecté la densité des épines dendritiques ou leur longueur. Elle est donc spécifique aux synapses périsomatiques GABAeriques. Finalement, nos résultats suggèrent que le domaine conservé C-terminal KENESKA est essentiel à la maturation des synapses périsomatiques GABAergiques. Des expériences futures nous aiderons à mieux comprendre la mécanistique et les différentes voies de signalisation impliquées. / GABAergic interneurons, though a minor population in the neocortex, play an important role in cortical function and plasticity. Alterations in GABAergic circuits are implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders. The GABAergic network comprises diverse interneuron subtypes that have different morphological and physiological characteristics, and localize their synapses onto distinct subcellular locations on the postsynaptic targets. Precisely how activity and molecularly driven mechanisms conspire to achieve the remarkable specificity of GABAergic synapse localization and formation is unknown. Therefore, unravelling the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this process is crucial for a better understanding of both cortical function and the basis of various neurological disorders. Here we focus our study on a subtype of GABAergic neurons - the basket interneurons which localize synapses, called perisomatic synapses, onto the soma and proximal dendrites of the postsynaptic targets, and tightly regulate their firing patterns. Although recent studies have shown the activity dependence of basket synapse formation, the molecular mechanisms implicated in the perisomatic synapse formation process are poorly understood. NCAM, the neural cell adhesion molecule, is a prime molecular player implicated both in early synaptogenesis events, and during maturation of glutamatergic synapses in the hippocampus. Recent studies have implicated the polysialylated form of NCAM (PSA-NCAM) in basket synapse formation. However, whether and how NCAM per se plays a role in the formation of GABAergic synapses is unknown. Using single cell genetics to knock down NCAM in individual basket interneurons at specific developmental time periods, we characterized the role of NCAM during perisomatic synapse formation and maintenance. Here we show that loss of NCAM during perisomatic synapse formation from equivalent postnatal day (EP) 16 to EP24, in organotypic slices from mouse visual cortex, significantly retards the process of basket cell axonal branching and bouton formation. However, loss of NCAM at a later stage (EP26 to EP32), when the synapses are already formed, did not affect the number or intricacy of perisomatic synapses. NCAM is therefore implicated in perisomatic synapse formation but not in its maintenance. Further studies also show that isoforms of NCAM, such as NCAM140 and NCAM120 are involved in perisomatic GABAergic synapse maturation. However, NCAM180 is not implicated in this process. Also, NCAM does not affect dendritic spine density and length during maturation and maintenance phases, therefore its action is specific only to GABAergic perisomatic synapses. Finally, the highly conserved C-terminal domain KENESKA is essential for GABAergic perisomatic synapse maturation. Future experiments will help us clarify this mechanism and the involved signalling pathways related to NCAM.

Background Pes planus is one of the most common diagnoses in the pediatric field; flexible flat foot being the most prevalent. This developmental type of flatfoot is a normal finding in young children, seen to resolve spontaneously with growth and development and also remain asymptomatic. Despite this, there is still a large incidence of flat feet in adolescence and many cases of adult flatfeet are frequently presented as residual pediatric flatfeet. The factors that influence the prevalence of flatfeet during a child's development have also the capacity to altering its course and gaining insight on what they are and their influence aids in diagnosing, treating and preventing flat feet. Purpose The aim of this literature review was to enhance knowledge on the persistence of the flat feet condition in the pediatric population by determining the development of flat feet in children with an outline of its affect on posture and gait and identifying contributing factors that affect the incidence and progression of the deformity. Methodology An electronic database search was conducted to obtain articles from relevant journals (from early 2012 to mid 2013). Only full text English articles were obtained, with a few exceptions. Further information was collected from online textbooks and the reference lists of the...

Many primate populations face the threat of extinction due to habitat loss, intensive agriculture, hunting for meat, the pet trade and/or use in traditional medicines. An alternative approach to in situ conservation includes gene banking and the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although many of these 'high-tech' solutions have not yet been proven viable for pragmatic wildlife conservation, basic research and development of these emerging tools can provide necessary information needed to optimize these techniques and institute ART as a routine practice in conservation efforts. A severely limiting factor in the successful application of ARTs is the availability of mature developmentally competent oocytes. Oocyte maturation involves many nuclear and cytoplasmic factors, which can be affected by maturation conditions and female age. In vitro maturation does not have the same success rate across species studied. In primates especially, IVM oocytes exhibit reduced developmental capacity upon fertilization when compared to in vivo matured (IVO) oocytes. This study aimed to investigate possible causes of reduced developmental capacity of primate IVM oocytes using the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) as a model. Research efforts included investigation of ovarian senescence, oocyte karyotype and spindle morphology, and establishment of an optimal sperm cryopreservation protocol for use in IVF. Histological examination of the rhesus ovary demonstrated an age-related pattern of follicle depletion similar to that described in the human ovary. Oocyte karyotype analysis revealed a significant effect of IVM on the frequency of hyperhaploidy. In addition, immunostaining and confocal microscopy demonstrated a significant increase of anomalous chromosome congression on the oocyte metaphase II spindle equator in relation to IVM and donor female age. These results indicate that IVM can produce serious, if not lethal consequences for embryo development. This study presents baseline data on ovarian aging in the rhesus macaque and aspects of nuclear maturation during macaque IVM that may contribute to the design of primate oocyte recovery plans. Implementation of either of two sperm cryopreservation methods originally developed for rhesus and vervet monkeys will aid future investigation of the developmental capacity of IVM oocytes.

At birth, the immune system is immature and the gut microbiota influences immune maturation. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and lactobacilli are part of the neonatal gut microbiota and have seemingly opposite effects on the immune system. S. aureus is a potent immune activator and early-life colonization associates with higher immune responsiveness later in life. Lactobacilli-colonization associates with reduced allergy-risk and lower immune responsiveness. Further, lactobacilli modulate immune-activation and have probiotic features. Here, we investigated S. aureus-induced activation of human lymphocytes, including T regulatory cells (Tregs), conventional T-cells (CD4+ and CD8+), unconventional T-cells (γδ T-cells and MAIT-cells) and NK-cells from children and adults, together with the modulatory effect of lactobacilli on immune-activation. Further, early-life colonization with these bacteria was related to lymphocyte-maturation, plasma cytokine- and chemokine-levels and allergy.  S. aureus cell free supernatant (CFS) and staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) A induced an increased percentage of FOXP3+ Tregs and of CD161+, IL-10+, IFN-γ+ and IL-17A+ Tregs (Paper I). The same pattern was observed in children with a lower degree of activation, possibly due to lower CD161-expression and poor activation of naive T-cells (Paper II). S. aureus-CFS induced IFN-γ-expression, proliferation and cytotoxic capacity in conventional and unconventional T-cells, and NK-cells. SEA, but not SEH, induced activation of unconventional T-cells and NK-cells by unknown mechanism(s) (Paper III, extended data). Lactobacilli-CFS reduced S. aureus-induced lymphocyte activation without the involvement of IL-10, Tregs or monocytes, but possibly involving lactate (Paper III). Early-life colonization with S. aureus associated with increased percentages of CD161+ and IL-10+ Tregs while lactobacilli-colonization negatively correlated with the percentage of IL-10+ Tregs later in life (Paper II). Allergic disease in childhood associated with double allergic heredity, being born wintertime and with higher plasma levels of TH2-, TH17- and TFH-related chemokines early in life. Lactobacilli-colonization associated with lower prevalence of allergy, reduced chemokine-levels and increased levels of IFN-γ in plasma (Paper IV).    This thesis provides novel insights into S. aureus- and SE-mediated activation of Tregs, unconventional T-cells and NK-cells and suggests an overall impairment of immune-responsiveness towards this bacterium in children. Further, S. aureus-colonization may influence the maturation of peripheral Tregs. Our data show that lactobacilli potently dampen lymphocyte-activation in vitro and that colonization associates with Treg-responsiveness, altered plasma cytokine- and chemokine-levels and with remaining non-allergic, thereby supporting the idea of lactobacilli as important immune-modulators. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript.</p><p> </p>

O óxido nítrico (NO) é um mensageiro químico gerado pela atividade da enzima óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) a qual foi detectada em vários órgãos incluídos os do sistema reprodutor e parece estar envolvido na maturação oocitária. No entanto, há poucos estudos sobre o papel desse sistema em oócitos da espécie bovina. Sabe-se que o NO atua pela via da guanilato ciclase (GC) estimulando a produção do nucleotídeo GMPc, que por sua vez é capaz de influenciar nos níveis de outro nucleotídeo (AMPc) via fosfodiesterases (PDE). O AMPc é um importante elemento da via de sinalização do FSH nos complexos cumulus-oócitos e no controle da maturação oocitária. O objetivo do presente projeto foi investigar a influência do FSH na via do NOS/NO e seus componentes em oócitos bovinos maturados in vitro e o envolvimento das células do cumulus (CC) na via de sinalização. Para tanto, complexos cumulus-oócito (CCO) e oócitos desnudos (OD - maturados sem células do cumulus) foram maturados in vitro por 24h na presença ou ausência de FSH. As amostras foram avaliadas quanto a: 1) taxa da maturação nuclear; 2) níveis de produção de NO; 3) níveis de AMPc e GMPc; 4) abundância relativa de RNAm de NOS2, PDE5A, PDE6C, PKG1, PKG2, ADCY6, ADCY9, PDE3A e PKA1. O FSH, na concentração de 0,05UI/mL, estimulou positivamente a maturação nuclear em CCO e OD, com 80,6 e 89% de oócitos maturados, respectivamente. Quando comparados diretamente os grupos CCO e OD, o FSH não influenciou as taxas de maturação (71 e 71,3%, p>0,05), nem os níveis de produção de NO (12,8 e 7,4 µM/mL, p>0,05). Os níveis de GMPc em CCO aumentaram após 1 e 3 h de MIV na presença de FSH (266,3 e 187,2 pmol/pool com FSH e 240,5 e 168,5 pmol/pool sem FSH, respectivamente, p<0,05). Após 6 h os níveis de GMPc declinaram de forma mais acentuada no grupo sem FSH (46,3 e 106,9 pmol/pool, com e sem FSH, respectivamente, p<0,05). Os níveis de AMPc em CCO também foram mais elevados na presença de FSH à 1 e 3 h de MIV (7,60 e 7,81 pmol/pool, respectivamente) em comparação com CCO maturados sem FSH (0.30 e 0,76 pmol/pool, respectivamente, p<0,05). Após 6h, os níveis declinaram e foram similares para ambos os grupos (0,43 pmol/pool, p>0,05). Em relação à expressão dos genes selecionados, todos foram detectados nos oócitos (CCO e OD), porém, em células do cumulus, foram detectados apenas PDE5A, ADCY6, ADCY9 e PKA1. Quando observados os resultados do grupo CCO, apenas os genes PKG1, ADCY6 e PDE3A sofreram influência do FSH (p<0,05), apresentando um aumento destes transcritos. No grupo OD, apenas o gene PKG1 sofreu influência do FSH, também apresentando um aumento destes transcritos (p<0,05). Em células do cumulus, os genes ADCY6 e ADCY9 sofreram influência do FSH, sendo que para a ADCY6 provocou um aumentos destes transcritos, e para a ADCY9 provocou uma queda dos mesmos (p<0,05). Em conclusão, o FSH pode exercer influência positiva na maturação nuclear de oócitos bovinos, agindo sobre os níveis de GMPc e AMPc, mas não sobre o NO. O FSH pode influenciar a expressão gênica em oócitos e em células do cumulus de bovinos. / Nitric oxide (NO) is a chemical messenger generated by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme, which was detected in several organs including the reproductive system and appears too involved in oocyte maturation. However, there are few studies on the role of this system in bovine oocytes. NO is known to act via guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulating the production of the nucleotide cGMP, which in turn is capable of influencing the levels of another nucleotide, cAMP via phosphodiesterases (PDE). cAMP is an important factor in FSH signaling in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) for the control of maturation. The aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of FSH on the NOS/NO pathway and its components in bovine oocytes matured in vitro and the involvement of cumulus cells (CC) in the signaling pathway. COC and denuded oocytes (DO - matured without cumulus cells) were matured in vitro for 24 h with or without FSH. Samples were assessed for: 1) maturation rate; 2) levels of NO production; 3) levels of cGMP and cAMP; 4) relative abundance for mRNA of NOS2, PDE5A, PDE6C, PKG1, PKG2, ADCY6, ADCY9, PDE3A and PKA1. FSH positively stimulated oocyte maturation at 0.05UI/mL concentration for both COC and OD (80.6 and 89% maturation rates, respectively). When COC and OD were compared directly, FSH did not affect maturation rates (71 and 71.3%, p>0.05) nor NO production levels (12,8 and 7,4 µM/mL), p>0.05). cGMP levels increased after 1 and 3 h in vitro maturation (IVM) with FSH (266.3 and 187.2 pmol/pool with FSH and 240.5 and 168.5 pmol/pool without FSH, respectively, p<0.05). After 6 h IVM, cGMP levels in COC declined more in the group cultured with FSH (46.3 and 106.9 pmol/pool, with and without FSH, respectively, p<0.05). cAMP levels in COC were also increased in the presence of FSH at 1 and 3 h IVM (7.60 and 7.81 pmol/pool, respectively) in comparison to COC cultured without the hormone (0.30 and 0.76 pmol/pool, respectively, p<0.05). After 6 h, the levels declined and were similar for both groups (0.43 and 0.02 pmol/pool, p>0.05). Regarding mRNA expression for the selected genes, all of them were detected in oocytes, but only four of them were detected in cumulus cells: PDE5A, ADCY6, ADCY9 and PKA1. For COC only PKG1, ADCY6 and PDE3A were influenced by FSH (p<0.05), with an increase in transcript relative abundance, For DO, only PKG1 was influenced by FSH and also showed an increase in these transcripts (p<0.05). In cumulus cells, ADCY6 and ADCY9 were affected by FSH, with an increase for ADCY6 and a decrease in ADCY9 transcripts (p<0.05). In conclusion, FSH may positively influence nuclear maturation, acting on cGMP and cAMP levels, but not on NO. FSH may also influence gene expression in bovine oocytes and cumulus cells.

A goiaba apresenta elevado grau de perecibilidade necessitando de um manejo pós-colheita eficiente capaz de reduzir os processos de senescência. Para tanto, o conhecimento do padrão respiratório e dos processos envolvidos no amadurecimento é fundamental. O presente trabalho foi realizado com os objetivos de determinar os índices de maturação, a influência dos estádios de maturação na qualidade pós-colheita e o padrão respiratório de goiabas 'Pedro Sato' e avaliar as respostas dos frutos à aplicação do etileno exógeno e ao bloqueador da ação de etileno 1-MCP (1-metilciclopropeno). Na primeira fase determinaram-se os índices de maturação e a influência de três estádios de maturação na qualidade pós-colheita dos frutos. Os frutos foram selecionados em três estádios de maturação segundo a cor da casca: Estádio 1: cor da casca verde-escura; Estádio 2: cor da casca verde-clara; Estádio 3: cor da casca verde-amarela. Os frutos foram armazenados em câmara com temperatura controlada de 23 + 1 o C e 85 + 5 %UR e analisados quanto às mudanças físico-químicas e qualidade sensorial. Na segunda fase do trabalho foi determinado o padrão respiratório dos frutos analisando-se a atividade respiratória, a produção de etileno e as mudanças físico-químicas após a colheita. Analisou-se também a resposta dos frutos à aplicação de etileno (1000ml.l -1 ) e de 1- metilciclopropeno (300nl.l -1 ) também foi avaliada. A cor da casca e a firmeza da polpa foram considerados os melhores índices de maturação. As variáveis físico-químicas apresentaram pouca variação entre os estádios de maturação durante o amadurecimento Porém, foram observadas diferenças significativas em relação à análise sensorial, sendo as melhores notas atribuídas ao estádio 3. Na segunda fase observou-se aumento da atividade respiratória e da produção de etileno independente do estádio de maturação, determinando o padrão climatérico de amadurecimento. Verificou-se que a máxima atividade respiratória e a produção de etileno ocorrem após o completo amadurecimento. Os frutos não responderam a aplicação de etileno exógeno, não apresentando diferenças no amadurecimento em relação aos frutos do tratamento controle. Entretanto, o 1-MCP retardou sensivelmente o processo de amadurecimento dos frutos. / The guava presents high perecibilidade degree needing a handling efficient postharvest capable to reduce the senescence processes. Therefore, it is essential to the knowledge of the respiratory pattern and of the processes involved in the ripening. The present work was accomplished with the objectives of determining the maturation indexes, the influence of the maturation stage in the quality postharvest and the respiratoy pattern of guavas 'Pedro Sato' as well as evaluating the fruit response to the application of the exogenous ethylene and to blocking the action of ethylene 1-MCP (1-metylcyclopropene). In the first phase it was determined the maturation indexes and the influence of three maturation stage in the quality postharvet of fruit. The guavas were selected in three maturation stages according to the color of the peel: Stage 1: dark green peel; Stage 2: light green peel; Stage 3: yellowish green peel. The fruit was stored in a chamber with controlled temperature of 23 + 1 o C and 85 + 5 % RH and analyzed for physicochemical changes and sensorial quality. In the second phase of the work the respiratory pattern of the fruit through the respiratory activity, the ethylene production, and the changes physicochemichal after harvesting. The fruit response to the aplication of exogenous ethylene (1000ml.l -1 ) and of 1-methylcyclopropene (300nl. l -1 ) was also evaluated. The color of the peel and the firmness of the pulp were considered the best maturation indexes. The physicochemical variables presented little variation among the maturation stages during the ripening. However, significantive differences were observed concerning the sensorial analysis, being the best grades granted to stage 3 fruit. In the second phase the fruit presented increse in respiratory activity in production of ethylene independent at the maturation stage, determining the climacteric standard. The maximum respiratory activity and the ethylene production were verified after complete ripening. The guavas did not to responses the application of exogenous ethylene, showing no ripening difference respond in the ripening in relation to the guavas in the control treatment. However, the 1-MCP has sensibly retarded the ripening process in guavas.

Este estudo tem como objetivo sistematizar e analisar o conceito de falso si-mesmo na teoria do amadurecimento pessoal de D. W. Winnicott e mostrar que esse conceito contribui para a compreensão da saúde e do adoecimento psíquico nas diversas etapas do desenvolvimento. O falso si-mesmo patológico foi compreendido como uma organização defensiva que se origina de um padrão de falhas na facilitação ambiental relativo ao início do contato com a realidade compartilhada tarefa fundamental que se impõe ao bebê no começo da vida e raiz da capacidade de se relacionar saudavelmente com o mundo externo ao longo da existência. Foi avaliado que o falso si-mesmo caminha na direção da patologia, pois implica uma cisão da personalidade e vários níveis de perda da espontaneidade e do sentido pessoal do viver, base da saúde psíquica em Winnicott. O lactente, imaturo e extremamente dependente dos cuidados maternos, precisa que a mãe lhe apresente o mundo de acordo com a necessidade dele, complementando o seu gesto espontâneo. A mãe falha ao apresentar o mundo ao bebê fora de seu ritmo, de maneira alheia a seu gesto, impondo um padrão próprio dela, que desconsidera a pessoa do bebê. Isto configura uma invasão, uma descontinuidade do existir, perda da espontaneidade e da capacidade de criar o mundo a partir do si-mesmo pessoal e verdadeiro. Considerou-se que o bebê, a fim de preservar o si-mesmo verdadeiro e protegê-lo para não ser definitivamente violado ou aniquilado, opera a cisão entre o verdadeiro si-mesmo fonte da espontaneidade e o falso si-mesmo, que se adapta e se relaciona com as exigências do mundo externo tal qual se apresentam. O bebê se submete ao padrão materno e torna-se reativo. O falso si mesmo pode ser descrito como um padrão de reatividade em oposição à espontaneidade, e a articulação dessas duas maneiras de se relacionar com a realidade externa envolvem graus diversos de saúde ou de doença psíquica. Procedeu-se a uma análise dos graus de cisão entre o verdadeiro e o falso si-mesmo e concluiu-se que, nessa perspectiva, a saúde psíquica não pode ser avaliada considerando-se a adequação de uma pessoa à realidade externa; e que é a combinatória de fatores como a precocidade da irrupção da externalidade antes da prontidão do bebê, o tipo de falha materna que se estabelece como padrão e a o grau de perda de contato com o impulso pessoal, que comporá os diversos distúrbios relativos ao falso si-mesmo / The objective of this study is to systematize and analyze the concept of false self in D. W. Winnicotts theory of personal maturation and show that this concept contributes for the comprehension of health and psychic illness on the diverse steps of development. The pathological false self was presented as a defensive organization that is originated by a pattern of flaws in the facilitating environment during the beginning of the contact with the shared reality a fundamental task that imposes itself on the baby at the start of life and is the root of the capacity to relate healthily with the external world throughout existence. It was evaluated that the false self walks toward the pathology, as it implicates a personality scission and the loss of various levels of spontaneity and the personal sense of living, the base of the mental health for Winnicott. The newborn, immature and extremely dependent of maternal care, needs the mother to introduce him to the world accordingly to his need, complementing his spontaneous gesture. The mother fails when introducing the world to the baby not following his rhythm, not considering his gesture, imposing her own pattern that does not consider the newborns person. That configures an invasion, a discontinuity of existing, the loss of spontaneity and the loss of the capacity to create the world based on the personal and true self. It was considered that the baby, in order to preserve the true self and protect it from being definitely violated or extinguished, operates the scission between the true self the spontaneity source and the false self, that adapts itself and relates to the requirements of the external world as they are presented. The baby submits to the maternal pattern and becomes reactive. The false self can be described as a reactivity pattern as opposed to spontaneity, and the articulation of these two manners of relating with the external reality involve diverse degrees of psychic health or illness. From an analysis of the degrees of scission between the true and the false self, it is concluded that, in this perspective, the mental health cannot be evaluated considering a persons adequacy to the external reality; and that it is the combinatorial of factors, as the earliness of the externalitys outbreak prior to the babys readiness, the type of maternal flaw that establishes itself as pattern and the degree of contact with the personal impulse loss, that will compose the diverse disorders related to the false self

Neste estudo, foram abordados os aspectos quantitativos do gânglio cervical cranial (GCC) esquerdo de preás (Galea spixii spixii) machos, oriundos do criatório da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido Nordestino de Mossoró-RN. Os seguintes parâmetros foram estimados: volume do GCC, número total e tamanho dos neurônios (uni e binucleados) durante dois períodos do desenvolvimento pós-natal (maturação e envelhecimento). Para tanto, utilizamos quatro grupos etários distintos de animais: neonatos, jovens, adultos e senis. Após a eutanásia dos animais, os GCCs foram fixados (perfusão sistêmica) com solução de formoldeído (4%) em PBS, embebidos em solução de ágar (10%) e seccionados sistemática, uniforme e aleatoriamente, aplicando-se o princípio de amostragem e contagem do fractionator. Os principais resultados desta pesquisa foram: houve diferença significativa entre os grupos etários para os parâmetros: Peso Neonato: 0,00056 ; Jovem: 0,00084; Adulto: 0,00116; Senil: 0,00118. Comprimento Neonato: 1,294 ; Jovem: 2,076; Adulto: 2,304; Senil: 2,082. Largura Neonato: 0,842; Jovem: 1,028; Adulto: 1,062; Senil: 1,174. Volume ganglionar Neonato: 0,34 mm3 ; Jovem: 0,30 mm3; Adulto: 0,39 mm3; Senil: 0,63 mm3 e Volume neuronal médio de neurônios uninucleados Neonato: 2916,90 mm3; Jovem: 3550,00 mm3; Adulto: 7409,00 mm3; Senil: 6701,00 mm3. As principais conclusões deste estudo foram: (i) peso, comprimento e largura do GCC apresentaram aumento significativo de 185%, 60% e 79% respectivamente, durante o período de maturação, enquanto durante o período de envelhecimento, o peso do GCC apresentou queda de 33%, o comprimento um pequeno decréscimo de 10%, entretanto a largura, durante este mesmo período, apresentou um aumento progressivo de mais de 10%, tais alterações relacionadas com a idade refletiram no volume ganglionar, causando hipertrofia; (ii) Essa hipertrofia do GCC de preás é secundária ao desenvolvimento pós-natal (maturação e envelhecimento), aumentando em 85%, acompanhado por um aumento alométrico, da ordem de 6 vezes em relação à massa corporal, aproximadamente 622%; (iii) Há hipertrofia dos neurônios uninucleados que é secundária ao desenvolvimento pós-natal do GCC de preás, aumentando em 154% durante o período de maturação com uma pequena queda de 10% durante o envelhecimento. Finalmente, sugere-se que estudos futuros possam investigar se o tamanho dos territórios de inervação destes gânglios pode desencadear mudanças na micro e macroestrutura dos mesmos, incluindo a possibilidade de ocorrência de neurogênese, que seria estudada por meio de imunomarcadores específicos. / This study aimed at detecting whether post-natal development would exert any effect on the size and number of cranial cervical ganglion (CCG) neurons of male preas (Galea spixii spixii). Twenty left CCGs from twenty preas were harvested from the Animal Facility of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido Nordestino, Mossoró- RN and were divided into four different age groups: newborn, young, adult and aged subjects. The following parameters were estimated using Cavalieri\'s principle and optical fractionator and planar rotator , respectively: the volume of CCG, total number and mean volume of uni and binucleate neurons. After euthanasia, the CCGs were perfusion-fixed with a 4% formaldehyde solution in PBS, agar-embedded and, SUR vibrosectioned. The ganglion volume was 0.34 mm3 (newborn), 0.30 mm3 (young), 0.39 mm3 (adult) and 0.63 mm3 (aged animals) (p= 0,012). The mean volume of uninucleate neurons was 2,917 mm3 (newborn), 3,550 mm3 (young), 7,409 mm3 (adult) and 6,701 mm3 (aged animals) (p=0,0001). The main conclusions of this study were: (i) The CCG hypertrophy - 85% - is the result of post-natal development (maturation and ageing), (ii) a 154% increase (hypertrophy) in the volume of uninucleate neurons during the maturation is followed by a 10% atrophy of them during ageing. Future studies may investigate whether the size of the CCG\'s target-organs can affect the structural foundation of CCG and, therefore, add further fuel to the notion that a post-natal neurogenesis may indeed exist in sympathetic ganglia.