Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Canterbury, 2006. / Typescript (photocopy). "April 2006." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-122). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Florida, 2006. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 49 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 161-174).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 30, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

Το 15-20% των ζευγαριών αντιμετωπίζουν προβλήματα τεκνοποίησης, με την υπογονιμότητα να ορίζεται ως η αδυναμία σύλληψης μετά από ένα έτος συχνών σεξουαλικών επαφών χωρίς τη χρήση αντισυλληπτικών μεθόδων. Η κιρσοκήλη αποτελεί τη συχνότερη διορθώσιμη αιτία ανδρικής υπογονιμότητας. Η επίπτωσή της στο γενικό πληθυσμό κυμαίνεται στο 10-15%, ενώ στους υπογόνιμους άνδρες στο 30%. Ορίζεται ως η παθολογική κιρσοειδής ανεύρυνση του οσχεϊκού τμήματος των φλεβών του σπερματικού τόνου (ελικοειδούς πλέγματος) και εμφανίζεται εκλεκτικότερα αριστερά. Ο ακριβής μηχανισμός με τον οποίο επηρεάζει τη σπερματογένεση δεν είναι πλήρως διευκρινισμένος. Ιδιαίτερο ρόλο, σύμφωνα με πρόσφατες έρευνες, φαίνεται να διαδραματίζει το οξειδωτικό stress. Αυτό προκύπτει από ανισσοροπία μεταξύ παραγωγής Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) και επαρκούς εξουδετέρωσής τους από αντιοξειδωτικούς μηχανισμούς. Το οξειδωτικό stress πηγάζει από πολυάριθμες πηγές δημιουργίας στο ανδρικό αναπαραγωγικό σύστημα και προκαλεί υπογονιμότητα με δύο βασικούς μηχανισμούς: 1) Βλάβη στο DNA των σπρματοζωαρίων 2) Βλάβη στη μεμβράνη των σπρματοζωαρίων. Η αιτιολογία της αύξησης του οξειδωτικού στρες σε σχέση με τη κιρσοκήλη παραμένει αδιευκρίνιστη (ενοχοποιούνται κυτταροκίνες, το ΝΟ, η λεπτίνη κ.α.). Υπάρχουν διάφοροι μέθοδοι προσδιορισμού της οξειδωτικής βλάβης τόσο στη φλεβική κυκλοφορία όσο και στο σπέρμα, χωρίς ωστόσο να αποτελούν εξετάσεις ρουτίνας στα ανδρολογικά εργαστήρια. Από τους in vivo χρησιμοποιούμενους αντιοξειδωτικούς παράγοντες σημαντικότεροι είναι η Βιταμίνη Ε, C και το Coenzyme Q-10. Βελτιώνουν την ποιότητα του σπέρματος, ενώ είναι λιγότερο εμφανές κατά πόσο οδηγούν και σε αύξηση του ποσοστού των κυήσεων. Η περαιτέρω κατανόηση του ρόλου του οξειδωτικού stress έχει να προσφέρει πολλά στην ακριβέστερη γνώση των μοριακών μηχανισμών με τους οποίους η κιρσοκήλη οδηγεί σε υπογονιμότητα. Αυτό είναι απαραίτητο για να μπορέσουμε μελλοντικά αφενός να προβλέπουμε τις πιθανότητες αποκατάστασης της γονιμότητας μετά τη χειρουργική αντιμετώπιση και αφετέρου να ανευρεθεί ο τρόπος με τον οποίο οι εναλλακτικοί-επικουρικοί τρόποι θεραπείας (π.χ. η χορήγηση αντιοξειδωτικών συμπληρωμάτων) θα έχουν το βέλτιστο αποτέλεσμα. / 15-20% of the couples face the problem of fertility. Infertility is the incapability of conception, after one year of frequent trying without using any means of contraception. Varicocele is the most frequent curable reason of male infertility. It is found in the 10-15% of general population and in the 30% of infertile men.It is an abnormal enlargement of the vein that is in the scrotum draining the testicles. Varicole causes infertility in a way that it is not completely understood. According to recent studies, oxidative stress seems to play an important role. Oxidative stress is due to the imbalance between production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidant mechanisms. It causes infertility with 2 basical ways:1)Damage in the DNA of sperm 2)Damage in their membrane. It is not known the way by which oxidative stress is induced in patients with varicocele (maybe IL-1,leptin or NO are responsible). There are several ways of measuring oxidative stress in sperm. However they cannot be used in everyday practice. Vitamin E,C and Coenzyme Q-10 are the most widely used in vivo antioxidant supplements. Although they make better the sperm parameters they don't rise ,for sure, the rate of pregnancy. The better knowledge,in the future, of the role of oxidative stress in patients with varicocole can help finding the way by which means of cure such as antioxidant supplements can have the best result.

Orientador: Marina Politi Okoshi / Coorientador: Paula Felippe Martinez / Banca: Silméia Garcia Zanati / Banca: Francis Lopes Pacagnelli / Resumo: Introdução: A insuficiência cardíaca caracteriza-se por redução da capacidade física com ocorrência precoce de fadiga e dispneia. Alterações da musculatura esquelética têm sido responsabilizadas, pelo menos parcialmente, pelos sintomas. Embora aumento do estresse oxidativo participe da fisiopatologia das alterações musculares, as fontes de geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio e suas vias de sinalização intracelular ainda não foram completamente elucidadas. Estudos sugerem que as proteínas quinases ativadas por mitógeno (MAPK) e proteínas da via do fator nuclear-κB (NF-κB) estejam envolvidas na resposta muscular ao estresse oxidativo. Atualmente, as diretrizes recomendam a prática regular de exercícios físicos para pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca estável. Os efeitos do exercício aeróbio sobre a capacidade física e a musculatura esquelética durante sobrecarga pressórica persistente do ventrículo esquerdo não foram esclarecidos. Neste estudo avaliamos a influência do exercício aeróbio sobre o estresse oxidativo, as MAPK e o NF-κB no músculo sóleo de ratos com insuficiência cardíaca induzida por estenose aórtica. Métodos: Vinte semanas após indução de estenose aórtica, ratos Wistar foram alocados nos grupos controle sedentário (C-Sed, n=22), controle exercitado (C-Ex, n=19), estenose aórtica sedentário (EA-Sed, n=18) e estenose aórtica exercitado (EA-Ex, n=18). Exercício físico foi realizado em esteira, 5 vezes por semana, durante 8 semanas. A capacidade física foi avaliada por teste de esforço máximo em esteira antes e após o período de exercício. Ecocardiograma transtorácico foi realizado antes e após o treinamento. A atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase, glutationa peroxidase e catalase e a concentração do hidroperóxido de lipídeo foram avaliados por espectrofotometria. A atividade da NADPH oxidase foi analisada pela redução de lucigenina e a... / Abstract: Introduction: Heart failure is characterized by reduced physical capacity with early occurrence of fatigue and dyspnea. Skeletal muscle abnormalities have been considered responsible, at least partially, for the symptoms. Although increased oxidative stress participates in the pathophysiology of muscle abnormalities, sources of reactive oxygen species generation and their intracellular signaling pathways are not completely elucidated. Studies suggest that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) pathway are involved in muscle response to oxidative stress. Currently, guidelines recommend regular physical exercise for patients with stable heart failure. The effects of aerobic exercise on physical capacity and skeletal muscle changes during left ventricular persistent pressure overload have not been established. In this study, we evaluated the influence of aerobic exercise on oxidative stress, the MAPK and the NF-kB pathway in the soleus muscle of rats with aortic stenosis-induced heart failure. Methods: Twenty weeks after aortic stenosis induction, rats were assigned into four groups: sedentary control (C-Sed, n=22), exercised control (C-Ex, n=19), sedentary aortic stenosis (AS-Sed, n=18) and exercised aortic stenosis (AS-Ex, n=18). Exercise was performed on a treadmill, 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Physical capacity was assessed by maximal exercise test on a treadmill before and after the exercise period. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and after training. Activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, and lipid hydroperoxide concentration were evaluated by spectrophotometry. NADPH oxidase activity was analyzed by reduction of lucigenin and gene expression of its subunits NOX 2, NOX 4, p22phox, and p47phox by qPCR. Total generation of reactive oxygen species was measured by HPLC and protein expression by Western blot. Statistical ... / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-12-03Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:50:31Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_la_me_arafcf.pdf: 476926 bytes, checksum: b98aee65862224080e544f2e2161f1c5 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Inúmeros estudos têm comprovado a presença de compostos com propriedades benéficas à saúde na raiz tuberosa de yacon, entre eles frutooligossacarídeos (FOS), inulina e compostos fenólicos com ação antioxidante. Outro ponto importante a respeito dessa planta é sua utilização na alimentação por incorporar substâncias bioativas interessantes na prevenção e tratamento de doenças como o diabetes. Como é amplamente divulgado, o diabetes impõe uma situação patológica de estresse das células, aumentando a necessidade do equilíbrio entre os componentes pró e antioxidantes, sendo o yacon uma fonte de substâncias nutritivas que poderia contribuir para um maior controle desses mecanismos. O objetivo do presente estudo, portanto, foi quantificar os compostos fenólicos totais presentes na raiz tuberosa de yacon e analisar o efeito da mesma no controle da glicemia e do estresse oxidativo em ratos diabéticos. O estudo consistiu da quantificação dos compostos fenólicos totais em diferentes tratamentos na raiz tuberosa e sua composição centesimal. Preparou-se uma solução de yacon 30%, que representava 1,2 g de yacon liofilizado, administrado por gavagem uma vez ao dia durante todo o estudo, sendo a mesma concentração nos dois experimentos realizados. O experimento agudo teve a duração de seis dias e foi dividido em Grupo controle Água (CA: grupo não diabético, animais receberam Água - n = 10); Grupo controle Yacon (CY: grupo não diabético, animais receberam solução de Yacon - n = 10); Grupo diabético Água (DA: grupo diabético que recebeu Água - n = 15) e Grupo diabético Yacon (DY: grupo diabético que receberá solução de Yacon - n=15). O acesso à água e ao alimento foi ad libitum. O experimento crônico teve a duração de 27 dias e os animais foram divididos em Grupo diabético Água (DA - grupo diabético que receberam Água (n = 8) - e Grupo diabético... / Numerous studies have confirmed the presence of compounds with beneficial health properties in tuberous roots of yacon, including fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin and phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity. Another important point about this plant is its use in food by incorporating bioactive substances of interest in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as diabetes. As is widely reported, diabetes imposes a pathological situation that stress the cells, increasing the need for balance between pro-and antioxidant components, the yacon being a source of nutrients which could contribute to a better control of these mechanisms. The aim of this study was therefore to quantify the phenolic compounds in the tuberous roots of yacon and analyze its effect on glycemic control and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. The study consisted of quantification of phenolic compounds in different treatments in the tuberous root and its composition. It was prepared a solution of yacon 30%, 1.2 g of dried yacon and it was administered by gavage once a day throughout the study with for both experiments. The acute experiment lasted six days and the animals were divided into Water Control Group (CA: non-diabetic group, animals received water - n = 10) and control group Yacon (CY: non-diabetic group, animals received solution Yacon - n = 10); Water diabetic group (DA: diabetic group that received water - n = 15) and diabetic group Yacon (DY: diabetic group who receive solution Yacon - n = 15). Access to water and food was ad libitum. The chronic experiment lasted 27 days and the animals were divided into diabetic Water Group (DA - diabetic group that received water (n = 8) - Yacon and diabetic group (DY) - diabetic group that will receive Yacon solution (n = 8). We calculated the intake of the animals, blood glucose was measured daily in both experiments and weight monitored... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Submitted by RODOLFO GUSTAVO TEIXEIRA RIBAS null (rodolfo.ribas@ifro.edu.br) on 2018-01-02T23:17:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Rodolfo G T Ribas.pdf: 1317417 bytes, checksum: 8bb5753b7bd6504ae17358dfc69f820c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alexandra Maria Donadon Lusser Segali null (alexmar@fcav.unesp.br) on 2018-01-03T15:36:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ribas_rgt_dr_jabo.pdf: 1317417 bytes, checksum: 8bb5753b7bd6504ae17358dfc69f820c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-03T15:36:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ribas_rgt_dr_jabo.pdf: 1317417 bytes, checksum: 8bb5753b7bd6504ae17358dfc69f820c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O consórcio é uma alternativa sustentável de cultivo, mas precisa ser bem planejado e avaliado. A interferência que o consórcio pode causar gera estresse nas plantas e um possível desequilíbrio nas espécies reativas de oxigênio. O objetivo foi quantificar as produtividades das culturas e do consórcio, através de diferentes índices, e avaliar possíveis alterações no metabolismo fotossintético, bem como a atividade de enzimas relacionadas com a defesa oxidativa, de duas cultivares de alface consorciadas com diferentes densidades populacionais de pepino. O experimento foi instalado em casa de vegetação em Jaboticabal, SP, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, esquema fatorial 4 x 2 + 6, com quatro repetições. Os fatores foram populações de pepino consorciado (100, 85, 70 e 55% de 2,35 plantas m-2) e cultivares de alface (‘Lucy Brown’ e ‘Vanda’), e os tratamentos adicionais corresponderam às monoculturas de pepino nas quatro densidades populacionais e das duas cultivares de alface. À medida que maior foi a densidade populacional do pepino, menor foi a massa fresca total e produtividade das duas alfaces. Com o aumento da densidade populacional do pepino, o número de frutos por planta e por área diminuiu e aumentou, respectivamente, porém não sofreu alterações fisiológicas e bioquímicas. A alface ‘Lucy Brown’ produz comercialmente (cabeça) apenas na menor densidade (55%). A produção por planta e a produtividade do pepino ‘Soldier’ não são influenciadas pela presença da alface, não diferindo entre os sistemas de cultivo, consórcio e solteiro. O consórcio possibilita uso mais eficiente da área que os cultivos solteiros de alface e pepino, com intensidade maior para 'Vanda' que para 'Lucy Brown'. Os índices de desempenho das alfaces ‘Vanda’ e ‘Lucy Brown’ nos consórcios retratam prejuízo no crescimento e produtividade quando em consórcio com o pepino, independentemente da densidade populacional deste. Índices de desempenho das alfaces caracterizam a ‘Vanda’ como a cultivar de alface mais adequada para consorciar com o pepino. Os índices de desempenho do pepino ‘Soldier’ nos consórcios não caracterizam efeito de interferência das alfaces ‘Vanda’ e ‘Lucy Brown’. O consórcio ‘Vanda’ e ‘Soldier’ mostrou-se mais vantajoso que ‘Lucy Brown’ e ‘Soldier’. Considerando os índices, o melhor consórcio é o de ‘Vanda’ e ‘Soldier’ com 100% da população de pepino. Para ‘Lucy Brown’ e ‘Soldier’ o melhor consórcio é usando-se a densidade de 55% da população de pepino. A concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio, atividade de superóxido dismutase, catalase e glutationa redutase foram maiores em ‘Vanda’ que em ‘Lucy Brown’. O teor de pigmentos foi maior em ‘Lucy Brown’ que em ‘Vanda’. O consórcio causou estresse sobre a produção de biomassa seca das alfaces, e a perda de biomassa seca foi mais acentuada em ‘Lucy Brown’ quando consorciada, que em ‘Vanda’. / The intercropping is a sustainable alternative for cultivation, but needs to be well planned and evaluated. The interference that the intercropping can cause generates stress on plants and a possible imbalance in reactive oxygen species. The objective was to quantify the crop and intercrop yields through different indices and to evaluate possible changes in the photosynthetic metabolism, as well as the activity of enzymes related to oxidative defense, of two intercropping lettuce cultivars with different population densities of cucumber. The experiment was installed in a greenhouse in Jaboticabal, SP, in a randomized block design, factorial scheme 4 x 2 + 6, with four replications. The factors were intercropped cucumber populations (100, 85, 70 and 55% of 2.35 plants m-2) and lettuce cultivars ('Lucy Brown' and 'Vanda'), and additional treatments corresponded to monoculture cucumber in the four population densities and the two monocultures cultivated lettuce cultivars. The higher was the population density of the cucumber, lower was the total fresh mass and the productivity of the two lettuces. With the increase in population density of the cucumber, the number of fruits per plant and per area decreased and increased, respectively, but did not undergo physiological and biochemical changes. Lettuce 'Lucy Brown' commercially produces (head) only at the lowest density (55%). The yield per plant and the productivity of the 'Soldier' cucumber are not influenced by the presence of lettuce, not differing between the cultivation, intercropping and monoculture systems. The intercropping allows more efficient use of the area than monoculture crops of lettuce and cucumber, with greater intensity for 'Vanda' than for 'Lucy Brown'. The performance indices of the 'Vanda' and 'Lucy Brown' lettuce in the intercropping portray damage in growth and productivity when in intercropping with the cucumber, regardless of the population density. Lettuce performance indexes characterize 'Vanda' as the most suitable lettuce cultivar to intercropped with the cucumber. The performance indexes of the 'Soldier' cucumber in the intercrop do not characterize the interference effect of lettuces 'Vanda' and 'Lucy Brown'. The intercropping 'Vanda' and 'Soldier' proved to be more advantageous than 'Lucy Brown' and 'Soldier'. Considering the indices, the best intercropping is 'Vanda' and 'Soldier' with 100% of the cucumber population. For 'Lucy Brown' and 'Soldier' the best intercropping is using the density of 55% of the cucumber population. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase and glutathione reductase were higher in 'Vanda' than in 'Lucy Brown'. The pigment content was higher in 'Lucy Brown' than in 'Vanda'. The consortium caused stress on dry biomass production of lettuces, and the loss of dry biomass was more pronounced in 'Lucy Brown' when intercropped, than in 'Vanda'.

Resumo: As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) são responsáveis por alta taxa de morbidade e mortalidade, tanto em países desenvolvidos como em desenvolvimento e, com o envelhecimento da população, a prevalência de seus fatores de risco está aumentando em ritmo alarmante. A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HA5) e o diabetes mellitus (DM) estão entre os principais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento das DCVe, quando associados, aumentam o risco de lesões orgânicas e morte cardiovascular. No entanto, poucos estudos têm analisado a influência do DM sobre o coração de portadores de HA5, e os resultados são controversos. Além disso, não é do nosso conhecimento estudos experimentais no modelo de DM em animais idosos. Considerando essas questões, o objetivo foi analisar a influência do DM sobre a remodelação ventricular e o estresse oxidativo em ratos senescentes espontaneamente hipertensos. Ratos espontâneamente hipertensos (5 HR), machos, com 18 meses de idade, foram divididos em dois grupos: 5HR-Controle (5HR-CTL, n=30) e 5HR-Diabético (5HR-DM, n=50). O DM foi induzido por meio de administração intraperitoneal de estreptozotocina (4-0 mg(kg). O consumo diário de ração e água e o peso corpóreo semanal foram medidos. A avaliação estrutural e funcional in vivo do coração foi realizada por meio do ecocardiograma. O estudo funcional in vitro foi realizado pela técnica do músculo papilar do ventrículo esquerdo (VE). Para análise estrutural in vitro, foram medidos os pesos do VE, ventrículo direito e átrios. Amostras dessas estruturas, do fígado e do pulmão foram utilizadas para o cálculo da razão peso úmido(peso seco desses órgãos. Amostras do VE foram obtidas para medir o diâmetro dos miócitos, a área ocupada pelo colágeno e a concentração de hidroxiprolina. O estresse oxidativo foi avaliado pela dosagem da concentração... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are responsible for high morbidity and mortality rate in both developed and developing countries. with the population aging, the prevalence of CVD risk factors is increasing at alarming rate. Arterial hypertension (AH) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are major risk factors for development of CVD, and when combined increase the risk of organ damage and cardiovascular death. However, few studies have examined the inf1uence of diabetes on the heart of hypertensive patients, and the results are controversial. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study in the animal model of DMin the elderly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the inf1uence of diabetes on ventricular remodeling and oxidative stress m senescent spontaneously hypertensive rats. Methods: Eighteen-month old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into two groups: SHR-Control (5HR-CTL, n==30) and SHR-Diabetic (SHR-DM, n==50). DM was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (40 mg(kg). Daily consumption of food and water and weekly body weight were measured. In vivo cardiac structural and functional parameters were measured by echocardiography. In vitro myocardial function was analyzed in left ventricular (LV) papillary muscles. LV,right ventricle, and atria weights were measured. Samples of these structures, liver, and lung were used to calculate the wetfdry weight ratio. LV samples were obtained to measure myocyte diameters, collagen fractional area, and hydroxyproline concentration. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring lipid hydroperoxide concentration and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, in LV tissue and serum. Comparisons between groups were performed by unpaired Student's t test 01'" Mann-whítney test, according to normal 01'" non-normal distribution, respectively... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Katashi Okoshi / Coorientador: Ana Angélica Henrique Fernandes / Banca: Silméia Garcia Zanati / Banca: André dos Santos Moro / Mestre