The application of 3D laser scanning to the analysis of human skeletal remains provides the opportunity for new methodological approaches, including for the assessment of age at death. The focus of this new perspective revolves around the question of whether morphological development of skeletal features can be captured with quantitative measurements taken from 3D scanned representations of physical specimens, with the aims of adding an increased level of accuracy and precision over currently employed age estimations methods that focus on visual, and often subjective, assessments based comparisons with plaster casts and written descriptions. The current research was conducted to determine if specific morphological features of the pubic symphysis could be isolated and quantified on 3D models, and whether these measurements captured the general age related trends of symphyseal development. Using CAD software, each symphyseal face was divided into half and quadrant specific sections in an attempt to better capture the development of symphyseal morphology. A sample of left male pubic symphyses (n = 40) scanned from a well-documented collection of known-age individuals (Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection) was selected for this study. Seven symphyseal features were identified from the Suchey-Brooks method unisex age phase descriptions. Eight measurements were generated to quantify these features. The data for each feature was subjected to linear regression analyses to test for statistical correspondence to known chronological age at death. Rim completeness, billowing height and area, and depth of symphyseal face depression demonstrated the strongest relationships with chronological age, while curvature of the ventral rampart and the angle of the dorsal aspect, showed significant but weak relationships with known age. Degree of dorsal lipping and dorsal rampart curvature showed no relationship with age. The results of the study suggest that quantitative assessments of morphological changes at the pubic symphysis are possible and therefore can potentially add further insights into age at death estimations based on the pubic symphysis, as measurements taken within CAD software are far more precise than traditional measuring implements. This study illustrates the potential for 3D imaging to improve the methods of osteological analyses applied particularly in the fields of bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. / Graduate

Internationally, many public sector reform initiatives have been undertaken over the last three decades under the label New Public Management (NPM), with improvements in accountability and management among their main objectives. This thesis draws on social capital theory to examine the potential of a Ugandan community-led HIV/AIDS programme to supplement NPM approaches to public service delivery and accountability. Hermeneutics methodology is used to guide the research design and the interpretation of evidence.The findings of this study suggest that Uganda's community-led HIV/AIDS initiatives operate within a "bottom-up" accountability framework, characterized by the community taking a role in budgeting, program implementation, reporting, project-oversight, and audit activities. In regard to accounting practices, this study reveals that Ugandan community projects use basic and simple accounting procedures. The findings suggest that simple communal accountability mechanisms can compensate for the types of formal control mechanisms typically promoted within NPM-style reforms. The findings also suggest that multiple accountability relationships can operate in the form of both hierarchical and lateral accountability practices and that these multiple accountability relationships lead to tighter control and accurate accountability, even though formal accountability mechanisms may be weak.This study identified some challenges for community-led service delivery initiatives, including the potential for corrupt practices in some community groups and variations in the level of participation of group members in the execution of various tasks. Further, several areas for further research have been identified. These include the measurement of social capital within community groups and the establishment of measures of group capacities.This study has revealed the latent accountability technology of a "bottom-up" communitarian accountability framework and demonstrated its potential as a complement to NPM models of service delivery and accountability. As an accountability innovation, it needs to be keenly watched as further field experiences emerge over time and reveal more of its potential in developing countries, and perhaps beyond.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 160-170).

The Suchey-Brooks (1990) method for estimating adult age-at-death from the pubic symphysis is widely used and popular among forensic anthropologists. While this technique is quite accurate, it yields wide age interval estimates and is imprecise for individuals aged over fifty years at death. Berg (2008) and Hartnett (2010a) each altered Brooks and Suchey's phase descriptions and added a seventh phase with the goal of increasing precision while maintaining accuracy, especially for older individuals. The hypothesis for this validation study states that the new methods improve the existing Suchey-Brooks method. A total of 384 White Americans (n=213 males and 171 females) aged 26-97 years at death were analyzed at the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville using all three methods. Descriptive statistics, percentages of "correct" age estimates, inaccuracy and bias scores, and rates of inter- and intra-observer agreement were calculated and compared across the three methods. The Hartnett and Suchey-Brooks methods yielded similar percentages of correct estimates for males (85.0% and 84.5% correct, respectively, using ±2 standard deviations from the phase means), although the Hartnett method was significantly less inaccurate (p<0.001) and biased (p<0.001). The Suchey-Brooks method yielded the highest percentage of "correct" estimates for females aged less than sixty years (100.0% using ±2 standard deviations or 83.1% using ±1 standard deviation) and was significantly less inaccurate (p<0.001) and biased (p<0.001) than the Hartnett and Berg methods. The Hartnett and Berg methods were both significantly (p<0.001) less inaccurate and biased than the Suchey-Brooks method for females aged over sixty years, but Hartnett's and Berg's scores were not significantly different from each other (p=0.496 inaccuracy, p=0.066 bias). The Berg method yielded the highest percentage of "correct" estimates for females aged greater than sixty years (90.2% using ±2 standard deviations or 54.5% using ±1 standard deviation). The results of the present study were similar to those obtained by Merritt's (2014) validation study of Hartnett (2010a, b), although Merritt's rates of intra-observer agreement were substantially higher than those calculated for the present study. The hypothesis for the present study was supported.

abstract: Saudi Arabia has been facing issues with completing construction projects on time and on budget. It has been documented that 70% of public construction projects are delayed. Studies have identified the low-bid delivery method as an important factor in causing such delays. The procurement system (low-bid) ignores contractors’ performance, and that is reflected in projects’ performance. A case study was performed, at a University campus in northern Saudi Arabia, identifying the major causes of project delays and cost overruns. The University was experiencing delays from 50% to 150%. Also, the actual project costs for four projects were examined and found that all four projects’ costs were higher than the original bid. The delay and cost overruns factors were gathered from the University engineers. A literature research identified one construction management method, best value performance information procurement system (BV PIPS), has documented multiple times its ability to improve project performance. In a comparison using the result of a case study and the results of (BV PIPS), Saudi Arabia’s delivery system was identified as a potential cause of project performance issues. The current procurement system was analyzed and modified to adapt with the (BV PIPS). The proposed procurement system using BV PIPS, which can be implemented in Saudi Arabia, was created with owner side. A large survey was conducted of 761 classified contractors and 43 universities’ representatives who rated causes of delay factors and cost overruns. The delay factors were then compared to delay factors experienced on Saudi construction projects, identified by performing a literature research. The comparison identified 14 important causes of delays. Moreover, the survey showed that classified contractors and universities’ representatives unsatisfied with low-bid, and they agreed with BV PIPS which selecting vendors based on performance with price. The proposed model required a submitted level of experience (LE), risk assessment (RA), and value added (VA). Besides, project managers of vendors should be interviewed during the clarification phase. In addition, venders should submit the project’s scope, technical schedule, milestone schedule, and risk management plan. In the execution phase, vendors should submit a weekly risk report (WRR) and director’s report (DR). / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Construction 2016

Orientadores: Paulo Pinto Joazeiro, Cláudio Chrysostomo Werneck / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T04:27:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Consonni_SilvioRoberto_M.pdf: 3398352 bytes, checksum: 7a1238aba907982b903dec23fbc0470d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: A organização das fibras elásticas envolve a síntese e a deposição de moléculas em uma sequência altamente regulada para assegurar as características elásticas nos estágios iniciais do desenvolvimento. Durante e prenhez, os tecidos pélvicos ricos em fibras elásticas se alteram para permitir um parto seguro e essa remodelação é essencial para o parto normal. A sínfise púbica de camundongos também remodela em um processo controlado por hormônios. Este fenômeno compreende a "transformação" da fibrocartilagem em um ligamento interpúbico (LIp) seguido por seu relaxamento antes do parto. Após o primeiro parto, o processo de retorno ocorre e assegura a homeostase dos tecidos pélvicos. Ainda, alterações no suporte dos órgãos pélvicos foram descritas em animais geneticamente modificados para proteínas envolvidas na elastogênese como a lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1), fibulina-3 e 5. Como ligamentos são as principais estruturas de suporte dos órgãos pélvicos, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a elastogênse no desenvolvimento do LIp durante a prenhez de camundongos. Assim, camundongos selvagens C57Bl/06 e deficientes em fibrilina-1 virgens, prênhes e no pós-parto foram estudados usando microscopia de luz convencional, microscopia confocal a laser, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, western blotting e real-time PCR. Ambos os animais selvagens e deficientes em fibrilina-1 apresentaram classicamente a separação dos ossos púbicos, a formação e relaxamento do LIp e a involução deste no pós-parto. Esses processos sugeriram um padrão no qual as células controlam a remodelação da matriz extracelular sob sinalização hormonal e molecular. A ultra-estrutura dos tecidos fibrocartilaginosos apresentou delgadas microfibrilas aleatoriamente distribuídas entre os fibrocondrócitos. Na formação do LIp, foram observadas fibras elásticas com conglomerados de material amorfo distribuídos entre as microfibrilas. O LIp mostrou fibras elásticas e todos os componentes teciduais alinhados na direção da abertura da articulação interpúbica antes do parto. O estudo imuno-histoquímico e de expressão gênica relativa quantitativa indicou que durante o desenvolvimento do LIp em camundongos selvagens, elastina/tropoelastina, fibrilina-1 e 2, LOXL1, fibulina-5 e TGF-? foram regulados espacial e temporalmente, e estas moléculas poderiam contribuir para a síntese de novas fibras elásticas que asseguram a elasticidade necessária para a cintura pélvica durante o preparo para o parto e também no fechamento da articulação no pós-parto. Entretanto, se comparados com o animal selvagem, a análise indicou alteração na expressão gênica relativa da tropoelastina, fibrilina-1, LOXL1, fibulina-5 e TGF-?, diferentemente da morfologia muito similar observada em camundongos selvagens. Neste estudo, o camundongo deficiente em fibrilina-1 não apresentou prolapso de órgãos pélvicos após o primeiro parto como o deficiente em LOXL1 (Liu et al., 2004), nem modificações morfológicas que poderiam ser relacionadas ao enfraquecimento dos tecidos pélvicos. No entanto, este é o primeiro estudo que relata disfunções pélvicas nos camundongos deficientes em fibrilina-1 multíparos, usados como matrizes reprodutivas. Em conclusão, a formação das fibras elásticas que ocorreu na sínfise púbica de camundongos durante a vida adulta possui características únicas de um modelo que pode ser usado para compreensão dos processos normais e patológicos, principalmente aqueles relacionados aos animais geneticamente modificados para proteínas envolvidas na elastogênese. Assim, este trabalho traz à luz as evidências das profundas modificações que a sínfise púbica de camundongos passa durante a prenhez com a síntese de novas fibras elásticas, o que pode contribuir na compreensão dos mecanismos biológicos para formação das fibras elásticas / Abstract: The organization of elastic fibers involves the synthesis and the deposition of molecules in a high regulated sequence to ensure the elastic characteristics in the early stages of development. During pregnancy, elastic fibers-enriched pelvic tissues change to allow safe delivery and this remodeling is essential to the vaginal delivery. The mouse pubic symphysis articulation also remodels in a controlled hormonal process. This phenomenon comprises the "transformation" of the fibrocartilage into an interpubic ligament (IpL) followed by its relaxation before parturition. After the first parturition, recovery process occurs to ensure the pelvic tissue homeostasis. Adding to that, pelvic organ support impairment had been described in genetically modified mouse for the proteins involved in the elastogenesis such as lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL-1), fibulin-3 and -5. Since, ligaments are the main supportive structures of pelvic organs, the aim of this study was to evaluate the elastogenesis in the IpL development during mouse pregnancy. Thus virgin, pregnant and postpartum C57Bl/06 wild-type and fibrillin-1mg?/+ female mice were studied using light, confocal, transmission electron microscopy, western blotting and real-time PCR. Both, wild-type and fibrillin-1mg?/+ female mice showed classically the separation of the pubic bones, the formation and relaxation of the IpL and the recovery at postpartum. These processes suggested a pattern which cells control the extracellular matrix remodeling under hormonal and molecular signaling. The ultra-structure of the fibrocartilaginous tissue had slender bundles of microfibrils randomly distributed among the fibrochondrocytes. By the time IpL is formed, there were seen elastic fibers, which consist of small conglomerates of amorphous material, distributed among the bundles of microfibrils. The IpL showed elastic fibers and all tissue compounds aligned to the opening axis of the articulation before parturition. The immunohistochemical study and quantitative gene expression indicated that during IpL development in wild-type mice, tropoelastin/elastin, fibrillin-1, fibrillin-2, LOXL-1, fibulin-5 and TGF-? were spatial and temporal regulated, and these molecules might contribute to the synthesis of new elastic fibers that assure the elasticity that is needed to the pelvic girdle during preparation for parturition and also the recovery at postpartum. However, compared to wild-type mice, alterations were found in the quantitative gene expression of elastin, fibrillin-1, LOXL-1, fibulin-5 and TGF- ?, different from the morphology that was very similar to the one that was observed in wild-type mice. In this study, the fibrillinmg?/+ mice did not show pelvic organ prolapse after the first parturition as LOXL1-/- did (Liu et al., 2004), neither morphological modifications that could be related to the weakness of pelvic tissue. However, this is the first work about pelvic dysfunctions in multiparous fibrillin-1mg?/+ mice used as reproductive matrices. In conclusion, the elastic fiber assembly that occurred in the mouse pubic symphysis during the adult life has characteristics of a model that could be used to understand normal and pathological processes, mainly those related to genetically modified mice for the proteins involved in the elastogenesis. Then, this work may bring readers up-to-date with accumulating evidence that the mouse pubic symphysis undergoes remarkable modifications during pregnancy with new synthesized elastic fibers and may contribute to our understanding of the biological mechanisms about elastic fiber assembly / Mestrado / Histologia / Mestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Orientador: Paulo Pinto Joazeiro / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T05:28:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Veridiano_AdrianoMora_M.pdf: 13328877 bytes, checksum: 8cdd5c8e051145c4210f83e267962da1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Uma dramática mudança na sínfise púbica de camundongos é observada no final da prenhez. Recentemente demonstramos que estas mudanças na sínfise púbica durante a prenhez, parto e pós-parto estão diretamente associadas com componentes da matriz extracelular principalmente colágeno, fibras do sistema elástico, proteoglicanos e glicosaminoglicanos. A remodelação tecidual envolve um equilíbrio dinâmico entre proliferação celular e morte celular programada assim como as alterações nos componentes estruturais da matriz extracelular. Deste modo, é importante considerar estes dois comportamentos celulares quando investigamos os mecanismos que regulam a remodelação do tecido interpúbico; durante o seu crescimento ao final da prenhez, parto e subseqüente involução no período pós-parto. A proliferação e a morte celular programada foram identificadas por detecção imunohistoquímica, PCNA e TUNEL respectivamente os índices de proliferação e morte celular foram determinados por analises morfométricas. Os nossos resultados demonstraram que a proliferação celular foi intensa durante o período de formação do ligamento, entre os 015 e 018 de prenhez. Entretanto, no 019, dia do parto, ocorre uma queda abrupta dos índices de o 5dpp. As análises quantitativas de morte celular, mostraram resultados opostos quando comparados com os índices de proliferação celular. Por exemplo, no 019, inicia-se um declínio nos índices de proliferação celular. Realmente, neste dia são encontrados os mais altos índices de morte celular. Quando nós observamos simultaneamente proliferação e morte celular durante o início da prenhez a renovação do ciclo celular é claramente proliferativo, produzindo hiperplasia para no final da prenhez o ciclo ser dirigido para morte celular programada. Interessantemente, embora altos níveis de morte celular durante a involução pós-parto pode ser mostrada pelas células TUNEL positivas, não fomos capazes de observar núcleos picnóticos. Núcleos picnóticos com uma razoável freqüência deveriam ser observados nesta situação, aonde morte celular programada ocorre em altos níveis. O processo de autofagia, uma variação da morte celular programada denominada apoptose foi discutida como um mecanismo alternativo de eliminação celular na involução do ligamento interpúbico no período pós-parto / Abstract: Marked changes in mice pubic symphysis occurs by the end of pregnancy. Recently, we demonstrated that these changes in the pubic symphysis during the period under study are directly associated with extracellular matrix components remodeling mainly collagen, elastic fibers system, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. Tissue remodeling involves a dynamic balance between cell proliferation and programmed cell death as well as changes in the extracellular matrix components. Therefore, it is important to consider these both cellular behaviors when investigating the mechanism that regulates the interpubic tissue remodeling; growth during Iate pregnancy and partum ensuring involution during the postpartum period. Proliferating and programmed death cells were identified by immunohistochemistry, PCNA and TUNEL detection, respectively, and the rates at which these processes occurred were determined by morphometric analysis. Our results demonstrated that cellular proliferation was intense during the period of ligament formation, from 015 to 018, thereafter abruptly declining on 019. From parturition (019) onwards, an ever increasing decline in the cellular proliferation levels could be observed. The quantitative analyses of cellular death, showed opposite results when compared to cellular proliferation. For example, on 019, has initiated the decrease on the proliferative index. Likewise, on this day that occur one of the highest levei of cellular death. When we observed simultaneously proliferation and cellular death, during the early pregnancy the cycle of cellular renovation is clearly proliferative, producing hyperplasia for in the later pregnancy the cycle be directing by programmed cellular death. Interestingly, although the high levels of the cellular death during postpartum involution could be show by the TUNEL positive cells, we were unable to observed picnotic nucleus. We would expect to find picnotic nucleus with reasonable frequency in this situation, where programmed cellular death occurs in a great extension. The process of autophagy, a variation of classical apoptotic cellular death was discussed as an alternative mechanism of the cell elimination in the postpartum Iigament involution / Mestrado / Biologia Celular / Mestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Orientador: Paulo Pinto Joazeiro / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T07:41:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rosa_RenataGiardini_M.pdf: 17497902 bytes, checksum: 703ffbe86316dbd66437c0d105646fed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Durante a prenhez de alguns roedores ocorre um acentuado processo de remodelação da sínfise púbica (SP). No camundongo, esta articulação fibrocartilaginosa é gradativamente formada por um tecido conjuntivo fibroso, resultando no ligamento interpúbico (LI) entre os coxins de cartlagem na etapa final da prenhez. Logo após o parto, este ligamento é rapidamenteremodelado e o espaço entre os ossos púbicos se fecha por volta do quinto dia pós-parto. Sabe-se que o hormônio relaxina facilita o crescimento e remodelação dos órgãos do trato reprodutor feminino, alterando a regulação dos processos bioquímicos envolvidos na remodelação da matriz extracelular (MEC) do útero gravídico e da cérvice. Porém pouco se conhece sobre a sínfise em relação ao envolvimento de metaloproteinases (MMPs) nessa remodelação. Assim como, da participação de células inflamatórias, que poderiam estar envolvidas no processo de remodelaçãoda sínfise púbica do camundongodurantea prenhez. Neste estudo, foram utilizadas sínfises de camundongos virgens e ligamento interpúbico de animais prenhes para a detecção de MMPsin vivo e in vitro (explante de 24 horas). As MMPs da família das gelatinases (MMP-2 e MMP-9) foram caracterizadas pela zimografia e por meio de ensaios imunohistoquímicos,assim como a MMP-8 (colagenase2) associada,quase que exclusivamente, com o processo inflamatório. Também foram utilizadas microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e microspia de luz associada às colorações seletivas para evidenciar os tipos celulares que poderiam estar participandodo processo de remodelaçãoda sínfise púbica. A zimografia demonstrou a presença das gelatinases MMP-2 e MMP-9, ambas como pré e pró-enzimas, na SP e no LI. Imunohistoquímicadetectou a reação positivade gelatinasese também de MMP-8em células seme~hantesaos fibroblastos. A caracterização morfológica evidenciou que as células semelhantesa fibroblastos na sínfise de animais virgens estão próximasa matriz pericelular, ao passo que durante a prenhez, há um aumento deste subcompartimento, entre célula e matriz. As análises qualitativas e quantitativas, mostramum reduzido númerode granulócitosna sínfise de animaisvirgens e no ligamento intepúbico durante a prenhez. Dados obtidos neste trabalho suportam a hipótese de que as gelatinases estão envolvidas na remodelação da sínfise por processos intrínsecos, evidenciando que tanto as modificaçõesdo fenótipo de células semelhantes a fibroblastos, como as modificaçõesquímicas da MEC, são fundamentais para o rearranjo desta articulação durante a prenhez, parto e pós-parto no camundongo. A extensão da remodelação da MEC sugere o papel dos hormônios da prenhez na modulação da interação célula-matriz independentemente de uma reação do tipo inflamatória descrita em outros órgãos durante a prenhez / Abstract: During pregnancy of some rodents a deep remodeling occurs in the pubic symphysis (PS). In the mouse, these fibrocartilagenousarticulation are gradually replaced by a dense connective tissue, forming the interpubic ligament (IL) at the end of pregnancy. Right after birth, this ligament is rapidly remodeled and the space between the two bones is quickly closed, five days after birth. It is well known that hormones such as relaxin, facilitates the growth and remodeling of organs in female reproductive tract, changing the regulation of biochemical processes that are involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the uterus and cervix during pregnancy. However, little are known about pubic symphysis in when the subject is the involvement of metalloproteinases (MMPs) in this remodeling, as well as the participation of inflammatorycells that could be involved in the remodeling process of the mouse pubic symphysisduring pregnancy. In this study were used pubic symphysis of virgin mice and interpubic ligament in pregnant animais for the detection of MMPs in vivo and at in vitro (24h explants). MMPs from the gelatinase family (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were characterized by zymography and by immunohistochemistryessays, also MMP-8 (collagenase 2) that is believed to be associated almost exclusively with an inflammatory processoTransmission electron microscopy and light microscopy was also used associated with selectively staining, to evidence type of cells that could be involved in the pubic symphysis remodeling. Zymographydemonstratedthe presenceof gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP- 9 both in inactive and active forms, at the PS and IL. Immunohistochemistry,at the pubic symphysis and interpubic ligament, detected the expression of gelatinases and also MMP-8 in cells that were similar to fibroblasts. Morphological characterization evidenciated that cells that are similar to fibroblasts in the pubic symphysis of virgin animais are closely related to the pericellular region, being that during pregnancy,these spaces suffers an increase in this sub-compartment between cell and matrix. Qualitative and quantitative , analysis demonstratedlittle granulocytes in the pubic symphysis of virgin animais and in the interpubic ligament during pregnancy. Results that were obtained from this work support the hypothesis that the gelatinases could be involved in pubic symphysis remodeling through intrinsic processes, being evident that, both cellular phenotype modifications and also chemical modifications of the ECM, are fundamental to the rearrange of this articulation during mouse pregnancy, birth and pos-partum. The extensive remodeling of the ECM suggests hormonal role of the pregnancy in the modulation of the interaction between cell-matrix independently of an inflammatoryreaction in other organs during pregnancy / Mestrado / Histologia / Mestre em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Orientador: Paulo Pinto Joazeiro / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T11:46:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Castelucci_BiancaGazieri_M.pdf: 5603376 bytes, checksum: 36691ec0b0e4ba6ebab8bc72c2ce99ed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: A sínfise púbica (SP) faz parte do conjunto de elementos do sistema musculoesquelético que oferece suporte aos órgãos pélvicos. Em alguns animais, como camundongos e cobaias, esta junção fibrocartilaginosa passa por drásticas modificações hormonalmente reguladas durante a prenhez, resultando no afastamento dos ossos púbicos e na formação de um ligamento elástico (LiP) que facilita a passagem dos fetos durante o parto. Assim como o LiP, a cérvice uterina (CV) também sofre extensa remodelação durante a prenhez e ambos apresentam similaridades no que diz respeito à composição tecidual, proliferação celular e regulação por relaxina e hormônios esteroides. Embora alguns achados relacionem o relaxamento da SP da e CV à ativação de uma resposta pró-inflamatória sem a participação de granulócitos, a participação de outros leucócitos no remodelamento da SP durante o parto e pós-parto ainda não foi devidamente investigada em camundongos. Com a finalidade de caracterizar aspectos que envolvem a participação de leucócitos neste remodelamento realizamos o presente estudo visando à caracterização morfológica e análise da expressão gênica destas células durante o relaxamento (dias 12, 18 e 19ddg) e a remodelamento da SP no pós-parto (dias 1 e 3dpp) associadas à depleção de monócitos/macrófago. A análise morfológica demonstrou a presença de monócitos/macrófagos, positivos para os marcadores dos antígenos 7/4 e F4/80 respectivamente, dispersos na matriz e no interior de lacunas do LiP entre 18ddg e 3dpp nos grupos controle e tratados. No grupo controle, as análises de PCR em tempo real demonstraram o aumento da expressão de receptor (Ccr2) característico de monócitos inflamatórios nos tecidos interpúbicos, no final da prenhez e pós-parto. Durante a separação dos ossos púbicos, as evidencias indicaram tendência à polarização dos macrófagos favorável ao fenótipo anti-inflamatório M2 (Arg1). No relaxamento houve aumento dos fenótipos pro-inflamatório M1 (Il1a, Tnfa) e anti-inflamatório M2 (Il10); enquanto no pós-parto (1dpp) houve aumento na expressão de genes caraterísticos do fenótipo M1 e queda da expressão relativa de Arg1, simultaneamente ao remodelamento da matriz necessário a reorganização da articulação interpúbica. Posteriormente, no 3dpp, apesar da manutenção dos níveis de expressão de Il1a e Tnfa houve aumento da expressão de Il10, Arg1 e Tgfb, genes relacionados ao fenótipo M2, o que potencialmente pode ser associado à ativação de mecanismos de reparo tecidual necessários à reaproximação dos ossos púbicos. A depleção de monócitos/macrófagos nas etapas de separação e relaxamento dos tecidos interpúbicos, assim como no 3dpp favoreceu a polarização de macrófagos de fenótipo M1 (Il1a, Tnfa), resultando em alterações na compactação da matriz extracelular. Este estudo demonstra que os fagócitos mononucleares são células importantes no processo fisiológico do remodelamento da SP do camundongo durante a prenhez, parto e pós-parto. Estas células atuam por meio de mecanismos finamente regulados capazes de garantir o sucesso da reparação tecidual de estruturas suportes da cavidade pélvica do camundongo / Abstract: The pubic symphysis (PS) is part of the musculoskeletal system elements that provide support to the pelvic organs. In mice, this fibrocartinaginous joint undergoes hormonally regulated changes during pregnancy involving the pubic bones reabsortion and formation of an elastic ligament (IpL) that leading to a safe delivery. At this period, the uterine cervix (UC) also undergoes an extensive remodeling sharing some similarities with the IpL tissue like connective tissue composition, cell proliferation and hormonal regulation of that process. Although some findings relate the relaxation of PS and UC to the activation of a pro-inflammatory response without the granulocytes involvement, others leukocytes participation in PS remodeling at the delivery and postpartum were not well investigated in mice. In order to characterize aspects of the participation of leukocytes in the PS remodeling we conducted the morphological characterization and analysis of gene expression of these cells during relaxation (12, 18 and 19 days of pregnancy) and the remodeling of the PS postpartum (1 and 3dpp) associated with the depletion of monocytes / macrophages. Morphological analysis revealed the presence of positive cells for antigen 7/4 and F4 / 80, monocytes and macrophages respectively, dispersed in the matrix and inside gaps of the IpL between the 18dp and 3dpp in the control and treated groups. In control group, the real-time PCR analysis showed increased expression of the characteristic inflammatory monocytes receptor (Ccr2) at the interpúbicos tissues on late pregnancy and postpartum. During pubic bones separation, evidences indicated that macrophages preferentially tend to polarize in the anti-inflammatory phenotype M2 (Arg1). At the relaxation of IpL pro-inflammatory M1 (Il1a, Tnfa) and anti-inflammatory M2 (I110) phenotypes was increased; in the meantime, parallel to the remodeling of the extracellular matrix necessary to the interpúbica joint reorganization at postpartum (1dpp), there was an increase in the expression of genes characteristic of M1 phenotype and decreasing in the Arg1 relative expression. Subsequently, at the 3dpp, despite the maintenance in expression levels of Il1a and Tnfa there was an increased in M2 phenotype-related genes expression (Il10, Arg1 and Tgfb) potentially involved in the activation of tissue repair mechanisms necessary to pubic bones reapproximation. Depletion of monocytes / macrophages at separation and interpubic tissue relaxation, as well as 3dpp favored the M1 macrophage phenotype polarization (Il1a, Tnfa), leading to changes in the extracellular matrix compression. This study shows that mononuclear phagocytes are important cells in the physiological process of mice PS remodeling during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. These cells act through finely regulated mechanisms to ensure the successfull tissue repair of the pelvic support structures in mice / Mestrado / Biologia Tecidual / Mestra em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Transition analysis transforms skeletal traits with an invariant, unidirectional series of stages into a likelihood function with a maximum likelihood value and a 95% confidence interval. Boldsen et al. used transition analysis to develop an adult age estimation method employing components of the cranial sutures, pubic symphysis and ilial portion of the sacroiliac joint, used either in combination or individually. This validation study aimed to use the 36 transition analysis numerical, categorical scores for the anatomical features in conjunction with the ADBOU computer program to assess the accuracy and precision of the age estimates for 149 black individuals from the Pretoria Bone Collection. In addition, the effect of observer variability in scoring of these traits was assessed. Six age estimations were generated by the ADBOU computer program using 1) the cranial sutures only, 2) the pubic symphysis only, 3) the auricular surface of the ilium only, 4) all three features combined, 5) all three features combined and modified by a forensic prior distribution and 6) all three features combined and modified by an archaeological prior distribution. The six point estimate categories, calculated from the maximum likelihood values, were evaluated for accuracy using mean absolute values. The 95% confidence intervals were evaluated for range width and accuracy. Cohen’s Kappa statistics were used to analyse repeatability of the scoring procedure through inter- and intra-observer agreement and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA statistics to determine the effect of observer differences on the final age estimates. The usefulness of the age ranges were diminished by large widths encompassing up to 95 years. The accuracy for the point estimates fared better for the combined skeletal indicators and overall accuracy was improved by using the archaeological prior distribution. The archaeological prior distribution was also responsible for narrowing the age ranges, especially in the older ages (over 70 years). Age estimates did not differ significantly when using inter- and intra-observer scores, but experience with the method did seem to improve results. Overall, age ranges were too wide, but accuracy could potentially be improved by adding more skeletal components to the method and using a population-specific prior distribution. The method would need considerable adjustments to make it usable in a South African setting. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Anatomy / MSc / Unrestricted