Os flavivírus são considerados uma séria ameaça à saúde pública em diversas partes do mundo, pois muitos são agentes altamente patogênicos a seres humanos e animais, tais como os vírus da febre amarela, vírus do Oeste do Nilo, vírus da encefalite japonesa e vírus da dengue, capazes de causar encefalites ou febres hemorrágicas em seus hospedeiros. Muitos deles têm avançado a diferentes regiões geográficas onde sua circulação não havia sido detectada previamente, causando novos surtos. O diagnóstico clínico destas infecções é, muitas vezes, difícil, devido ao grande número de sintomas apresentados, que podem se confundir com outras enfermidades de diferentes causas etiológicas. Os principais métodos diretos utilizados atualmente no Brasil para detecção destes vírus são a inoculação intracerebral em camundongos neonatos, inoculação em culturas de células e RTPCR específica. O presente trabalho tem como objetivos avaliar a sensibilidade e validar a detecção dos vírus pertencentes ao gênero Flavivirus circulantes no Brasil por meio de uma reação single de RT-PCR em tempo real e implementá-la, tanto na rotina diagnóstica de casos com suspeita de arbovirose como na pesquisa de amostras de campo para monitoramento viral. Amostras dos flavivírus padrões da Febre Amarela, Bussuquara, Iguape, Ilheus, Encefalite de Saint Louis, Cacipacore e Zika foram quantificados por titulação em unidades formadoras de placa (UFP) ou TCID50 para se avaliar os limites de detecção para cada um deles por RT-qPCR que detecta o gênero Flavivirus. Os limites encontrados variaram de 0,01 UFP, para o vírus Ilheus, a 1 UFP, para os vírus da Febre Amarela e Iguape, e 1x101,6 TCID50/100µL para o vírus Bussuquara. Além disso, o presente trabalho foi capaz de identificar, após sequenciamento de cDNA gerado, os vírus Zika, isolado de um paciente febril, e os vírus Ilheus e Iguape, isolados a partir de diferentes espécies de Culicídeos, após uma única reação de RT-qPCR, e um possível novo flavivírus específico de insetos, isolado de mosquitos Aedes coletados em Guapiaçu, São Paulo. Não houve sinal de amplificação para os Alphavirus Mayaro e Chikungunya. O presente protocolo mostrou-se com alta sensibilidade e especificidade, podendo dessa forma ser utilizado para o diagnóstico diferencial dos diferentes flavivírus que ocorrem no Brasil, bem como para estudos de monitoramento viral em animais sentinelas e vetores, colaborando dessa forma com a saúde pública. Pode-se, ainda, detectar possíveis novos vírus específicos de artrópodes / Flaviviruses are considered a serious threat to public health in many parts of the world, as many are highly pathogenic to humans and animals, such as Yellow Fever virus, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and dengue virus, which are capable of causing encephalitis or hemorrhagic fever in their hosts. Many of them have spread to different geographic regions where their circulation had not been detected previously, causing new outbreaks. Diagnosis of these infections is often difficult, due to the large number of symptoms presented, which can be confused with other diseases of different etiological causes. The main direct methods currently used in Brazil for detecting these viruses are intracerebral inoculation in neonatal mice, inoculation in cell cultures and specific RT-PCR. The present work aims to evaluate the sensitivity and validate the detection of viruses belonging to the genus Flavivirus circulating in Brazil through a single real-time RT-PCR reaction and to implement it, both in the diagnostic routine of cases with arbovirus suspicions and in field samples for viral monitoring. Samples of the standard flaviviruses Yellow Fever, Bussuquara, Iguape, Ilheus, Saint Louis Encephalitis, Cacipacore and Zika were quantified by titration by plaque forming units (UFP) or TCID50 to evaluate the detection limits for each of them by RT- qPCR that detects genus Flavivirus. The limits found ranged from 0.01 PFU for Ilheus virus to 1 PFU for Yellow Fever and Iguape viruses and 1x101.6 TCID50 / 100L for the Bussuquara virus. In addition, the present work was able to identify, after cDNA sequencing Zika virus, isolated from a febrile patient, and both Ilheus and Iguape viruses, isolated from different species of Culicidae, and a possible new insect-specific flavivirus, isolated from Aedes mosquitoes collected in Guapiaçu, São Paulo. The Alphaviruses Mayaro and Chikungunya were not amplified. The present protocol shoed high sensitivity and specificity, and therefore it may may be used for the differential diagnosis of the different flaviviruses that occur in Brazil, as well as for viral monitoring studies in sentinel animals and vectors, thus collaborating with public health. It is also possible to detect new flavivirus that are arthopode-specific.

Os flavivírus são considerados uma séria ameaça à saúde pública em diversas partes do mundo, pois muitos são agentes altamente patogênicos a seres humanos e animais, tais como os vírus da febre amarela, vírus do Oeste do Nilo, vírus da encefalite japonesa e vírus da dengue, capazes de causar encefalites ou febres hemorrágicas em seus hospedeiros. Muitos deles têm avançado a diferentes regiões geográficas onde sua circulação não havia sido detectada previamente, causando novos surtos. O diagnóstico clínico destas infecções é, muitas vezes, difícil, devido ao grande número de sintomas apresentados, que podem se confundir com outras enfermidades de diferentes causas etiológicas. Os principais métodos diretos utilizados atualmente no Brasil para detecção destes vírus são a inoculação intracerebral em camundongos neonatos, inoculação em culturas de células e RTPCR específica. O presente trabalho tem como objetivos avaliar a sensibilidade e validar a detecção dos vírus pertencentes ao gênero Flavivirus circulantes no Brasil por meio de uma reação single de RT-PCR em tempo real e implementá-la, tanto na rotina diagnóstica de casos com suspeita de arbovirose como na pesquisa de amostras de campo para monitoramento viral. Amostras dos flavivírus padrões da Febre Amarela, Bussuquara, Iguape, Ilheus, Encefalite de Saint Louis, Cacipacore e Zika foram quantificados por titulação em unidades formadoras de placa (UFP) ou TCID50 para se avaliar os limites de detecção para cada um deles por RT-qPCR que detecta o gênero Flavivirus. Os limites encontrados variaram de 0,01 UFP, para o vírus Ilheus, a 1 UFP, para os vírus da Febre Amarela e Iguape, e 1x101,6 TCID50/100µL para o vírus Bussuquara. Além disso, o presente trabalho foi capaz de identificar, após sequenciamento de cDNA gerado, os vírus Zika, isolado de um paciente febril, e os vírus Ilheus e Iguape, isolados a partir de diferentes espécies de Culicídeos, após uma única reação de RT-qPCR, e um possível novo flavivírus específico de insetos, isolado de mosquitos Aedes coletados em Guapiaçu, São Paulo. Não houve sinal de amplificação para os Alphavirus Mayaro e Chikungunya. O presente protocolo mostrou-se com alta sensibilidade e especificidade, podendo dessa forma ser utilizado para o diagnóstico diferencial dos diferentes flavivírus que ocorrem no Brasil, bem como para estudos de monitoramento viral em animais sentinelas e vetores, colaborando dessa forma com a saúde pública. Pode-se, ainda, detectar possíveis novos vírus específicos de artrópodes / Flaviviruses are considered a serious threat to public health in many parts of the world, as many are highly pathogenic to humans and animals, such as Yellow Fever virus, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and dengue virus, which are capable of causing encephalitis or hemorrhagic fever in their hosts. Many of them have spread to different geographic regions where their circulation had not been detected previously, causing new outbreaks. Diagnosis of these infections is often difficult, due to the large number of symptoms presented, which can be confused with other diseases of different etiological causes. The main direct methods currently used in Brazil for detecting these viruses are intracerebral inoculation in neonatal mice, inoculation in cell cultures and specific RT-PCR. The present work aims to evaluate the sensitivity and validate the detection of viruses belonging to the genus Flavivirus circulating in Brazil through a single real-time RT-PCR reaction and to implement it, both in the diagnostic routine of cases with arbovirus suspicions and in field samples for viral monitoring. Samples of the standard flaviviruses Yellow Fever, Bussuquara, Iguape, Ilheus, Saint Louis Encephalitis, Cacipacore and Zika were quantified by titration by plaque forming units (UFP) or TCID50 to evaluate the detection limits for each of them by RT- qPCR that detects genus Flavivirus. The limits found ranged from 0.01 PFU for Ilheus virus to 1 PFU for Yellow Fever and Iguape viruses and 1x101.6 TCID50 / 100L for the Bussuquara virus. In addition, the present work was able to identify, after cDNA sequencing Zika virus, isolated from a febrile patient, and both Ilheus and Iguape viruses, isolated from different species of Culicidae, and a possible new insect-specific flavivirus, isolated from Aedes mosquitoes collected in Guapiaçu, São Paulo. The Alphaviruses Mayaro and Chikungunya were not amplified. The present protocol shoed high sensitivity and specificity, and therefore it may may be used for the differential diagnosis of the different flaviviruses that occur in Brazil, as well as for viral monitoring studies in sentinel animals and vectors, thus collaborating with public health. It is also possible to detect new flavivirus that are arthopode-specific.

A microbiota intestinal é um ecossistema complexo que desempenha um importante papel na gênese da obesidade. A ocorrência e participação dos Mollicutes na microbiota intestinal é praticamente desconhecida. Deste modo, o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a participação dos Mollicutes e dos Filos Firmicutes e Bacteroidetes na microbiota intestinal de mulheres obesas e eutróficas. A casuística foi de 20 mulheres obesas e 20 mulheres em eutrofia. Foram obtidas amostras de fezes, sangue e aplicado questionário semiestruturado sobre fatores relacionados com obesidade, microbiota intestinal e ambiente, além de Bioimpedância e questionário de frequência alimentar. Constatou-se uma associação positiva estatisticamente significante entre a presença de Mollicutes e mulheres obesas. Foi observada maior proporção de Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes na microbiota intestinal das mulheres obesas. Os resultados obtidos permitiram obter evidências importantes da participação dos micro-organismos da classe Mollicutes. As alterações da microbiota intestinal também contribuíram na definição de subconjuntos de indivíduos com diferentes perfis de risco metabólico e a da heterogeneidade associada a fenótipos humanos relacionados com a adiposidade. / The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity. The occurrence and participation of Mollicutes in the gut microbiota is pratically unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the participation of Mollicutes and Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phylos in the gut microbiota of obese and normal weight women. For the study, it was collected samples of 20 women with obesity and 20 women of normal weight. It was collected stool samples, blood, semi-structured questionnaire on factors associated with obesity, gut microbiota and the environment, and anthropometric measurements using bioelectrical impedance and food frequency questionnaire. It was detected a statistically significant positive association between the presence of Mollicutes and obese women, and there was a higher proportion of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in the gut microbiota of obese women. The results provide important evidence about the participation of Mollicutes class in the gut microbiota of the population studied and interactions in intestinal microbiota can define subsets of individuals with different metabolic risk profiles and thus contribute to investigation of the heterogeneity associated phenotypes related to adiposity.

Selon le dernier rapport de l’EFSA-ECDC (EFSA Journal 2014), les parasites se classent en 8ème position des agents étiologiques impliqués dans les épidémies d’origine alimentaire reportées en 2012 en Europe. Par ailleurs, un récent rapport de l’OMS et la FAO (2014) classe Toxoplasma gondii en première position des parasites protozoaires à considérer dans le domaine alimentaire, suivi de Cryptosporidium spp et Giardia duodenalis. Les oocystes de T. gondii et Cryptosporidium spp et les kystes de G. duodenalis sont des formes très résistantes excrétées en très grande quantité dans les selles des individus malades. Lorsqu’ils se retrouvent dans l’environnement, ils peuvent y persister longtemps et contaminer certaines matrices alimentaires (végétaux et mollusques) lors de leur production primaire. A l’heure actuelle, en l’absence de méthodes d’analyse standardisées dans les aliments pour ces 3 parasites, peu de données de prévalence sont disponibles dans la littérature et les épidémies d’origine alimentaire restent négligées. Pour combler ce manque, une norme pour la détection/quantification des kystes de G. duodenalis et des oocystes de Cryptosporidium spp. dans les végétaux à feuilles vertes et fruits rouges à baies par microscopie à fluorescence est en cours de rédaction (ISO 18744). Des approches moléculaires, plus compatibles avec l’analyse de routine ont été développées par ACTALIA et l’équipe PROTAL pour détecter les 3 parasites simultanément sur des matrices végétales (Protofood, ANR-09-ALIA-009). Cependant, quelque soit la méthode de détection utilisée, elle met en évidence les parasites vivants et morts. Or, seul un parasite viable pourra être infectieux et donc potentiellement provoquer une maladie. A l’heure actuelle, les modèles in vivo constituent la méthode de choix pour évaluer l’infectiosité de manière précise, sensible et quantitative. Ils sont en revanche coûteux, lourds à mettre en œuvre et présentent un délai de réponse de plusieurs jours voire semaines qui n’est pas compatible avec les attentes des professionnels de l’agroalimentaire. L’objectif de la thèse est de développer des méthodes moléculaires pour caractériser la viabilité des 3 protozoaires dans des matrices alimentaires et disposer d’un outil permettant l’évaluation du risque lié à la détection de ces dangers dans les aliments. Ces méthodes seront comparées à celles qui permettent de mesurer l’infectiosité. Elles seront ensuite mises en œuvre pour évaluer leur potentiel pour déterminer l’efficacité d’inactivation de traitements technologiques sur des matrices alimentaires. / In the latest report from EFSA-ECDC (EFSA Journal 2014), parasites are ranked in the 8th position of the etiological agents involved in foodborne outbreaks reported in Europe in 2012. Moreover, in a recent report from the WHO and FAO (2014), Toxoplasma gondii is designated as the first protozoan parasite to be considered in the food domain, followed by Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis. Oocysts of T. gondii and Cryptosporidium spp., and cysts of G. duodenalis are excreted in big quantity by infected hosts and are particularly resistant. Consequently they can be found in the environment during long period and contaminate food matrices (vegetables and molluscs) during primary production. For now, since there are no standard methods to detect these 3 parasites in food samples, only few occurrence data are available and foodborne outbreaks remain neglected. To fill this gap, an ISO standard which describes a method for the detection and quantification of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in green leafy vegetables and red berries fruit by fluorescence microscopy is being draft (ISO 18744). Molecular approaches which are more suitable for routine analyses were developed by ACTALIA and PROTAL to simultaneously detect the 3 parasites in vegetable matrices (Protofood, ANR-09-ALIA-009). Nevertheless, whatever the used detection method, it highlights alive and dead parasites. But solely a living parasite can be infectious and induce pathology. For the moment, animal models are the favorite method to quantitatively evaluate infectivity with accuracy and sensitivity. However they are costly, heavy to implement and display a long time-to-result (from days to weeks) which does not fit with the agro-industrial needs. The objective of the thesis is to develop molecular methods to characterize the viability of the three protozoa in food matrices in order to have a tool allowing risk assessment in food safety. These methods will be compared to infectivity measurement methods. Then they will be implemented to evaluate their potential to determine the efficiency of technological treatments to inactivate protozoa in food matrices.

Submitted by LEYSIMAR RIBEIRO PITZR GUIMARÃES null (leysimarpitzr@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-02-22T23:20:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 INDUÇÃO DE RESISTÊNCIA A Tomato severe rugose virus E Tomato chlorosis virus EM TOMATEIRO DETERMINADO.pdf: 1461974 bytes, checksum: b14361aa399e745bf4f86148a2d83cde (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-02-23T16:32:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 guimares_lrp_dr_bot.pdf: 1461974 bytes, checksum: b14361aa399e745bf4f86148a2d83cde (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-23T16:32:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 guimares_lrp_dr_bot.pdf: 1461974 bytes, checksum: b14361aa399e745bf4f86148a2d83cde (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Uma das principais causas da perda de produção do tomateiro ocorre devido à infecção precoce das plantas por vírus dos quais podemos destacar as espécies Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) e Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV). O controle de vírus é muito difícil, e diversas táticas podem ser utilizadas pelo produtor, dos quais podemos citar o uso de produtos químicos que causam efeitos fisiológicos secundários. Nesta linha o presente trabalho avaliou o efeito da aplicação de Piraclostrobina+Metiran (Cabrio Top®) na produção e qualidade de frutos de tomate em plantas infectadas por ToSRV e ToCV, em diferentes fases fenológicas do ciclo da cultura. O ToSRV também foi quantificado por qPCR nestas plantas. Dois experimentos foram realizados paralelamente, onde um recebeu um pré-tratamento pela aplicação de Piraclostrobina+Metiram (P+M) (3 g. l -1) (BASF) ® + Boscalida (0,3 g. l -1) (BASF) ® na bandeja após a semeadura e no outro as mudas de tomateiro não receberam nenhum produto. Os tratamentos foram constituídos da inoculação do vírus por Bemisia tabaci biótipo B aos 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 dias após o transplantio (DAT) com aplicação ou não de Piraclostrobina+Metiram (P + M) (4.0 g. l -1). O ToSRV foi detectado por RCA-PCR e qPCR e o ToCV por NESTED RT-PCR , além das caraterísticas de produção e qualidade de frutos terem sido avaliadas. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que plantas infectadas após os 45 DAT são menos afetadas pela infecção de ToSRV e ToCV e a aplicação de P + M ao longo do ciclo da cultura trouxe benefícios ao tomateiro uma vez que características de produção e qualidade dos frutos foram menos afetadas. A replicação viral do ToSRV foi negativamente influenciada pela aplicação do P + M sugerindo um possível envolvimento de mecanismos de resistência da planta ao vírus induzidos pelo produto. / The early infection of plants by viruses such as the species of Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) and Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) is one of the main causes of tomato yield loss. The virus control is very difficult and different approaches can be used by the growers against the viruses. The use of chemicals that cause secondary physiological effects is one example. Based on this information the present study evaluated the effect of applying Pyraclostrobin + Metiran (Cabrio Top®) on production and fruit quality of tomato plants infected by ToSRV and ToCV in different phenological phases of the crop cycle. The ToSRV was also quantified by qPCR in these plants. Two experiments were carried out in parallel, where one received a pretreatment by applying Pyraclostrobin + metiram (P + M) (3 g. L -1) (BASF) ® + Boscalida (0.3 g. L -1) (BASF ) ® in the tray after sowing and the other the tomato seedlings did not receive any product. The treatments consisted of virus inoculation by Bemisia tabaci biotype B at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 days after transplanting (DAT) with application or not of Pyraclostrobin + Metiram (P + M) (4.0 g. L -1). The ToSRV was detected by RCA-PCR and qPCR and ToCV by NESTED RT-PCR. In addition fruit production and quality characteristics were also evaluated. The results indicated that infected plants after 45 DAT are less affected by the infection of ToSRV and ToCV and application of P + M during the crop cycle brought benefits to the tomato, because production and fruit quality characteristics were less affected. Viral replication in ToSRV was negatively influenced by the application of P + M suggesting a possible involvement of plant resistance mechanisms to the virus induced by the product.

Anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidation) process is a one-step conversion of ammonia into nitrogen gas with nitrite as an electron acceptor. It has been developed as a sustainable technology for ammonia removal from wastewater in the last decade. For wastewater treatment, anammox biomass was widely developed as microbial aggregate where the conditions for enrichment of anammox community must be delicately controlled and growth of other bacteria especially NOB should be suppressed to enhance nitrogen removal efficiency. Little is known about the distribution of microbial aggregates in anammox process. Thus the objective of our study was to assess whether segregation of biomass occurs in granular anammox system. In this study, a laboratory-scale sequential batch reactor (SBR) was successfully operated for a period of 80 days with granular anammox biomass. Temporal and spatial distribution of microbial aggregates was studied by particle characterization system and the distribution of functional microbial communities was studied with qPCR and 16s rRNA amplicon pyrosequencing. Our study revealed the spatial and temporal distribution of biomass aggregates based on their sizes and density. Granules (>200 μm) preferentially accumulated in the bottom of the reactor while floccules (30-200 μm) were relatively rich at the top layer. The average density of aggregate was higher at the bottom than the density of those at the top layer. Degranulation caused by lack of hydrodynamic shear force in the top layer was considered responsible for this phenomenon. NOB was relatively rich in the top layer while percentage of anammox population was higher at the bottom, and anammox bacteria population gradually increased over a period of time. NOB growth was supposed to be associated with the increase of floccules based on the concurrent occurrence. Thus, segregation of biomass can be utilized to develop an effective strategy to enrich anammox and wash out NOB by shortening the settling time and withdrawing floccular biomass from the top of the reactor.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are often linked to the prognosis of diseases caused by chronic alcohol consumption. Chronic alcohol consumption plays a key role in brain tissue damage, often leading to the development of cognitive disorders and loss of brain function. In addition to the direct effects of alcohol on brain function, consumption of alcohol can lead to psychosocial stressors such as legal, financial, and interpersonal problems. It has been found that mice that overexpress C1q/Tumor Necrosis Factor-related protein-3 (CTRP3) and exposed to ethanol daily do not die like the mice who did not overexpress CTRP3 and fed the same diet. Although the specific physiological functions regulated by the CTRP family are largely unknown, there is evidence showing that they have diverse biological effects on inflammation, metabolism, and survival signaling in several different types of tissue. Postmortem brain tissue samples were collected from mice that were exposed to ethanol with transgenic overexpression of CTRP3 and from wild type mice that were only exposed to ethanol. Interestingly, previous immunoblotting of the cerebellum and the hippocampus using collected tissue demonstrated that glia activation was present in the CTRP3 overexpressing mice but not in the wild-type ethanol fed mice. This finding suggests that glia cells are either dying in the ethanol fed wild type mice or that CTRP3 protects and prolongs activated glia cells. The current study will determine if markers of oxidative stress and cell viability are altered in the CTRP3 overexpressing mice when compared to wild-type mice at the molecular level. RNA isolation using the Directzol system and cDNA synthesis using punch dissected homogenate tissue collected from the hippocampus was used for this investigation. Gene expression of BDNF, SOD1 and PARP1 in mouse tissue was determined using quantitative PCR. Immunoblotting of a small number of hippocampal tissue using PARP1 was performed. The mice that were CTRP3 overexpressed and fed ethanol will likely exhibit altered gene expression of cytokines and increased oxidative stress gene expression in postmortem hippocampal brain tissue when compared to wild-type ethanol fed mice. The current studies could contribute to the body of knowledge for the development of novel therapies that may alleviate the neuro-inflammatory effects of alcohol use.

Paratuberculosis is an intestinal condition in ruminants infected with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) and precedes Johne's disease, a chronic enteric disorder in ruminants caused by MAP infection. Necropsy with histopathology provides definitive diagnosis of Johne's disease and positive culture of MAP from tissues provides definitive diagnosis of paratuberculosis. To determine assay sensitivity, 85 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from ruminants diagnosed with Johne's disease were tested with a commercial paratuberculosis quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay and had a sensitivity of 92%. To determine assay specificity, 21 FFPE tissues from animals without gastrointestinal disease combined with 13 FFPE tissues from non-ruminant animals (frog, dove, turtle, dog, and 2 cats) with non-paratuberculosis mycobacterial diseases were tested with the commercial qPCR assay and had a specificity of 100%. Slides prepared from the FFPE tissue blocks were stained with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Ziehl-Neelsen's (acid fast stain), then examined for granulomatous inflammation and scored on a scale from 0-4 based on the quantity of acid fast bacteria (AFB). Digital microscopy and morphometric software were used to compute an acid fast bacteria area index (AFBAI) to evaluate a more precise correlation with the qPCR results. The quantity of AFB in tissue slides showed medium to strong correlation with the appropriate qPCR results. The results indicate that the commercial qPCR assay can be used on FFPE tissues with good results and the qPCR results have medium-strong correlation with quantitative acid fast histopathology. / Master of Science

The objective of the first study was to characterize amino peptidase N (APN), peptide (PepT1), amino acid (ASCT1, bo,+AT, CAT1, EAAT3, LAT1, y+LAT2), and sugar transporter expression (GLUT2, GLUT5, SGLT1) in the small intestine of male and female turkeys. Small intestine samples were collected during embryonic development (E21, E24) and DOH. In a separate experiment during post-hatch development (DOH, D7, D14, D21, D28). APN, bo,+AT, PepT1, y+LAT2, GLUT5 and SGLT1 were expressed most on DOH. Post-hatch, all genes except GLUT2 and SGLT1 were expressed greater in females than males. SGLT1 was expressed greater in males. Basolateral transporters were expressed more during early development; while there was more expression of brush border transporters EAAT3, GLUT5 and SGLT1 later in development. In chickens, there are alternatively spliced exons of the PepT2 gene that encode proteins with four different N-termini (Variants 5-8). The objective of this study was to characterize the patterns of expression of these PepT2 variants. Brain, kidney, liver and intestine were analyzed at E18 and D7 (n=5). Expression of Variant 5 was most prominent in the brain and variant 6 was most prominent in the kidney. Variant 8 appeared in all tissues on E18 and D7. Variant 7 was only expressed in late embryonic development in the ileum. Results from these studies demonstrate that there are differences in gene expression of nutrient transporters in two agriculturally important avian species from the same order Galliformes. These differences can be used to improve feed efficiency and enhance the growth of both species. / Master of Science

Submitted by TALITA BARBAN BILHASSI null (talitabarban@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-04-26T17:24:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE TALITA BARBAN BILHASSI.pdf: 3215997 bytes, checksum: 07aede5d76602ed82d16385cc21986cf (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-04-28T18:47:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 bilhassi_tb_dr_jabo.pdf: 3215997 bytes, checksum: 07aede5d76602ed82d16385cc21986cf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T18:47:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 bilhassi_tb_dr_jabo.pdf: 3215997 bytes, checksum: 07aede5d76602ed82d16385cc21986cf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Entre as principais causas de perdas produtivas em bovinos criados nos trópicos está a infestação pelo carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus e, consequentemente, dos hemoparasitas transmitidos por ele. A resistência dos zebuínos e de animais cruzados com raças taurinas à infestação por esse ácaro é amplamente conhecida. Entretanto, no que se refere à suscetibilidade às babesioses bovinas, existem evidências de que o grupo genético também pode interferir na resistência, seguindo o mesmo padrão observado para o carrapato vetor, com os taurinos apresentando maior sensibilidade. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a parasitemia por Babesia bovis e Babesia bigemina em 50 novilhas da raça Canchim ( Charolês + Zebu) naturalmente infestadas pelo R. (B.) microplus nas quatro estações do ano durante 24 meses, além de caracterizar o perfil de citocinas que podem estar associados ao fenótipo de resistência e suscetibilidade aos hemoparasitas do gênero Babesia spp. Foram realizadas contagens de fêmeas adultas de carrapatos com tamanho igual ou superior a 4,5 mm de diâmetro, presentes no lado esquerdo de cada bovino. As amostras de DNA extraídas foram submetidas à amplificação por meio da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Quantitativa em Tempo Real (qPCR), utilizando iniciadores que flanqueiam fragmentos dos genes mitocondriais do citocromo b (mt-cyt B), específicos para B. bovis e B. bigemina. O RNA extraído do sangue, foi usado para sintetizar o DNA complementar (cDNA) para análise de expressão dos genes do IFN- , TNF- , IL-10 e IL-12B por meio da quantificação relativa (RTqPCR). Foram observadas diferenças significativas (P<0,05) entre os meses das avaliações para a contagem de carrapatos. Entretanto, não houve efeito significativo (P>0,05) nas colheitas realizadas entre novembro de 2013 a janeiro de 2014 e entre os meses janeiro e fevereiro de 2015. A frequência da parasitemia no rebanho foi de 98%. Dentre as amostras de DNA que puderam ser quantificadas pela qPCR, 98% e 95,4% foram positivas para B. bovis e B. bigemina, respectivamente. Com relação ao número de cópias (NC) dos fragmentos dos genes mt-cyt B específicos para B. bovis e B. bigemina foram observados efeitos significativos (P<0,05) para ambas as espécies e interação das mesmas com as colheitas realizadas nas diferentes estações do ano. A análise do nível de expressão de mRNA do IFN- , TNF- e IL-12B revelou que houve um efeito siginificativo (P<0,05) da interação entre animais dos extremos de resistência/suscetibilidade e estações do ano, exceto para IL-10. Conclui-se que, a qPCR apresenta alta sensibilidade e especificidade para o diagnóstico das babesioses bovinas em amostras de sangue e que a oscilação na carga parasitária nas diferentes estações do ano pode estar associada com o perfil de expressão de citocinas apresentada. / Among the main causes of production losses in cattle is in the tropics infestation by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, and consequently the hemoparasites transmitted by it. The resistance of zebu and crossbred with European breeds to infestation by this mite is widely known. However, as regards susceptibility to bovine babesiosis, there is evidence that genetic group can also interfere in resistance following the same pattern observed in the tick vector, with the taurine presenting greater sensitivity. This study aimed to evaluate parasitaemia by Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in 50 heifers Canchim (⅝ Charolais + ⅜ Zebu) naturally infested by R. (B.) microplus in four seasons for 24 months, and characterize the profile of cytokines that may be associated with phenotype resistance and susceptibility by gender hemoparasites Babesia spp. Adult female ticks counts with size equal to or greater than 4.5 mm in diameter, present in the left side of each calf were performed. The extracted DNA samples were subjected to amplification by Reaction Polymerase Chain Quantitative Real Time (qPCR), using primers flanking fragments of mitochondrial gene cytochrome B (mt-cyt B) specific for B. bovis and B. bigemina. The RNA extracted from the blood was used to synthesize complementary DNA (cDNA) for expression analysis of genes IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-12B by relative quantification (RT-qPCR). Significant differences were observed (P <0.05) between the months of reviews for the tick count. However, there was no significant effect (P>0.05) in samples taken between november 2013 and january 2014 and between the months january and february 2015. The frequency of parasitaemia in the herd was 98%. Among the samples of DNA that could be quantified by qPCR, 98% and 95.4% were positive for B. bovis and B. bigemina, respectively. Regarding the number of copies (NC) of fragments of genes mt-cyt B, specific to B. bovis and B. bigemina significant effects were observed (P<0.05) for both species and interaction between those harvests in different seasons. Analysis of the mRNA expression level of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12B showed that there was a significant effect (P<0.05) interaction between the animal extreme resistance/susceptibility and seasons, except for IL-10. It is concluded that the qPCR has high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of bovine babesiosis in blood samples and that the fluctuation in the parasitic load in the different seasons of the year may be associated with the profile of cytokine expression presented by herd animals Canchim during the experimental period. / FAPESP: 2013/16246-9