Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'PUFAs'

"September 2002" Bibliography: leaves 207-230. Ch. 1. Literature review -- Ch. 2. General methods -- Ch. 3. Dietary n-3 PUFAs and reperfusion injury in isolated cardiomyocytes -- Ch. 4. The effect of dietary n-3 PUFAs on cardiomyocyte membrane fluidity, intracellular ROS and Ca 2+ levels during oxidative stress -- Ch. 5. The effect of dietary fish oil supplementation on antioxidant enzyme gene expression in rat myocardium -- Ch. 6. The effect of dietary lipids on ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rat myocardium -- Ch. 7. General discussion -- Ch. 8. Appendices. The broad aims of this thesis were to develop a cellular model for studying reperfusion injury, in order to investigate the reported protective effects of n-3 PUFAs, and to examine the underlying mechanisms associated with such protection.

Over the past years it has been described the important role of oxidative stress in the Metabolic Stress related manifestations, specifically in the obesity. It is well known that agents that reduce oxidative stress represent an important tool to reduce the obesity-induced complications such as hepatic steatosis. In this sense, flavonoids are described as antioxidant molecules, due to their scavenging properties. Moreover, omega-3 PUFAs are considered effective in the treatment and prevention of several chronic diseases. Therefore, the principal aim of this thesis was to study the antioxidant effects of flavonoids and n-3 PUFAs, as well as the possible additive effects of two compounds together. These studies were developed under several oxidative stress conditions (metabolic, chemical) both in vitro and in vivo. It has been demonstrated the importance of using nutritional supplements in different oxidative stress conditions.
Durant els últims anys s’ha descrit la importància que té l’estrès oxidatiu en les diferents patologies associades al Síndrome Metabòlic, especialment en l’obesitat. Així, agents que redueixen l’estrès oxidatiu son una important eina per reduir les complicacions relacionades amb l’obesitat, incloent la esteatosis hepàtica, definida com l’acumulació de greix al fetge. En aquest sentit, els polifenols, que presenten activitat antioxidant, i els àcids grassos poliinsaturats omega-3 que són considerats efectius en el tractament d’esteatosis hepàtica i en el desenvolupament de malalties cardiovasculars, són una bona eina per combatre aquest estrès oxidatiu. En aquesta tesi, s’ha estudiat en condicions d’estrès oxidatiu tant in vitro (hepatòcits) com in vivo (estat postprandial, estat d’obesitat induïda per la dieta o d’obesitat genètica) els efectes antioxidants dels flavonoides i/o omega-3 tant de manera individual com conjunta. S’ha demostrat la importància d’utilitzar suplements alimentaris en condicions metabòliques d’estrès oxidatiu.

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Faculdade de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco
Os fungos filamentosos da ordem Mucorales são conhecidos por possuírem elevadas concentrações de ácidos graxos da família ômega 6. Neste sentido, foi investigada a produção de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados PUFAs por Cunninghamella elegans UCP 542 (Ordem Mucorales), utilizando glicerina e milhocina como substratos alternativos, visando à minimização dos custos de produção. Os estudos foram realizados empregando-se um planejamento fatorial 22, tendo como variável resposta crescimento radial e morfologia, produção de biomassa, lipídeos totais e ácidos graxos. A partir dos resultados obtidos observou-se que a glicerina e a milhocina não influenciou na estrutura morfológica da C. elegans, no entanto, estatisticamente estas fontes influenciaram no crescimento radial. O pH influenciou na produção de biomassa e de lipídeos. O ensaio 4 (7,9ml/L de glicerina, e 0,2g asparagina) e o ensaio 4 (7,9ml/L de glicerina, 0,2g asparagina e 6% de milhocina) apresentaram maior produção de biomassa (1,7g/L) e (2,5g/L) e lipídeos totais (8,0%) e (8,0%), respectivamente. A glicerina e a milhocina aumentaram a produção do ácido palmitico em 100 e 560 vezes a produção do ácido Linoléico, e reduziram a concentração do ácido Oléico e do ácido Gamalinolênico. Portanto, os rejeitos agroindustriais (glicerina e milhocina) mostraram que podem ser fontes alternativas de carbono e nitrogênio, a fim de propiciar a produção de insumos biotecnológicos de elevado valor agregados e de baixo custo

Estudos realizados em camundongos revelaram que a suplementação de animais com ácidos graxos polinsaturados n-3 (PUFAs) alivia a inflamação e pode reduzir a resistência às doenças infecciosas. A modulação da resposta imune por PUFAs n-3 ocorre por meio da alteração da composição e função das membranas de células do sistema imunológico, modificação no padrão de eicosanóides e citocinas produzidas por essas células, regulação da expressão gênica e diminuição da proliferação de linfócitos T. O presente trabalho investigou o efeito da suplementação com óleo de peixe sobre o curso da infecção por Trypanosoma cruzi, o agente causal da doença de Chagas. A infecção por T. cruzi em humanos e em modelos animais cursa com ativação do sistema imunológico e com alterações hematológicas no sangue periférico e medula óssea. Camundongos C57BL/6 foram suplementados por gavagem com tampão fosfato salina como controle; óleo de milho como fonte de PUFAs n-6; ou óleo de peixe como fonte de PUFAs n-3. Os camundongos foram divididos em dois grupos: não infectados e infectados intraperitonealmente com 5 x 103 formas tripomastigotas sanguíneas de T. cruzi (Cepa Y). A suplementação continuou até o fim do experimento. A suplementação com óleo de peixe resultou no aumento na massa (p < 0,01) e na celularidade do baço (p < 0,05), além de aumentar a celularidade da medula óssea (p < 0,05). Camundongos suplementados com óleo de peixe e infectados apresentaram tendência a uma menor perda de massa corpórea decorrente da infecção em relação a camundongos infectados e suplementados com PBS. A parasitemia dos camundongos suplementados com óleo de peixe apresentou-se maior no 7º dia pós infecção (p < 0,001) , mas, surpreendentemente, esses animais apresentaram uma contagem de plaquetas (p < 0,01) e leucócitos (p < 0,001) maior em relação aos animais controles infectados. Além disso, observamos diminuição do parasitismo cardíaco (p < 0,01) e da produção de óxido nítrico no plasma (p < 0,05) e no tecido cardíaco (p < 0,05). Contudo, houve aumento na produção de TNF-α (p < 0,01) por células esplênicas estimuladas com o antígeno do parasito. Dessa forma, demonstrou-se que a suplementação com óleo de peixe reduziu as alterações decorrentes da infecção aguda experimental por T. cruzi. Testes clínicos precisam ser conduzidos para determinar se os efeitos benéficos da suplementação com PUFAs n-3 visto em camundongos podem ser extrapolados para humanos chagásicos em terapia.
In studies in mice, long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation alleviates inflammation and can reduce resistance to infectious disease. The modulation of immune response by n-3 PUFAs occurs by changing the composition and function of cell membranes of the immune system, modification of the standard eicosanoids and cytokines produced by these cells, regulation of gene expression and reduced proliferation of T lymphocytes. The present study investigated the effect of supplementation with fish oil over the course of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the causative agent of Chagas disease. T. cruzi infection in humans and in animal models occurs with activation of the immune system and hematologic changes in peripheral blood and bone marrow. C57BL/6 mice were supplemented by gavage with phosphate buffer saline as a control, corn oil as a source of n-6 PUFAs, or fish oil as a source of n-3 PUFAs. The mice were divided into two groups: non-infected and infected intraperitoneally with 5 x 103 blood trypomastigotes of T. cruzi (Y strain). Supplementation continued until the end of the experiment. Supplementation with fish oil resulted in an increase in mass (p <0.01) and the cellularity of the spleen (p <0.05), and to increase bone marrow cellularity (p <0.05). Mice supplemented with fish oil and infected had showed a tendency for a lower body mass loss due to infection compared to mice infected and supplemented with PBS. The parasitemia of mice supplemented with fish oil was higher on day 7 post-infection (p <0.001), but surprisingly, these animals showed a platelet count (p <0.01) and leukocytes (p <0.001) higher compared to control animals infected. Furthermore, we observed a decrease in cardiac parasitism (p <0.01) and on production of nitric oxide in the plasma (p <0.05) and cardiac tissue (p <0.05). However, there was increased production of TNF-α (p <0.01) by spleen cells stimulated with the antigen of the parasite. Thus, it was shown that supplementation with fish oil reduced changes due to acute experimental infection by T. cruzi. Thus, it was shown that supplementation with fish oil reduces changes in experimental acute infection by T. cruzi. Clinical trials must be conducted to determine if the beneficial effects of n-3 PUFAs supplements seen in mice can be translated to chagasic humans undergoing therapy.

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Capes
Avanços tecnológicos buscam recursos naturais adequados e disponíveis para obtenção de produtos sustentáveis e economicamente viáveis. Neste trabalho foi estudada a produção de metabólitos como os biossurfactante, lipídeos e Coenzima Q10 por Candida glabrata (UCP 1002 e 1556), por processo biotecnológico. O cultivo foi realizado em meio de baixo custo a base de resíduos agroindustriais (milhocina e soro de leite). Inicialmente neste estudo foi realizado um processo de produção de biossurfactante por C. glabrata (UCP 1002 e 1556), utilizando resíduos agroindustriais como fonte de carbono e nitrogêncio em substituição ao meio sintético, sendo observado que as duas linhagens produziram similares quantidades de biossurfactante. Foi realizado um processo de otimização do meio a base de resíduos agroindustriais por Delineamento Composto Central (DCC) 22. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que no segundo planejamento com 40% de soro de leite e 20% de milhocina foi mais eficiente na produção de biossurfactante utilizando a C. glabrata 1556, com uma redução da tensão superficial de 72 para 28,8mN/m. O biossurfactante foi caracterizado e classificado como lipoproteína e além disso demonstrou se seu caráter aniônico. O meio otimizado empregou se na produção e caracterização da CoQ10 por C. glabrata (UCP 1556), ficando evidenciado a presença significativa do composto e sua ação antioxidante. Neste meio foi testado o potencial das duas linhagens de C. glabrata (UCP 1002 e 1556) na produção de lipídeos e ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (PUFAs) e uma quantidade elevada de ácido γ-ácido linolênico (ω6) e α-ácido linolênico (ω3) foi detectada. Os resíduos agroindustriais são substratos nutritivos que representam uma redução econômica para a produção compostos limpos que podem ser aplicados na indústria de cosmética e farmacêutica.
Technological advances seek appropriate natural resources and available for achieving of sustainable products and viable economically. In this work was studied the production of metabolites as biosurfactant, Coenzyme Q10 and lipids by Candida glabrata (UCP 1002 and 1556) for biotechnological process. The cultivation was carried in medium of low cost the base of agroindustrial waste (whey and corn steep liquor). Initially this study was performed a process of biosurfactant production by C. glabrata (UCP 1002 and 1556), using agroindustrial residues as a carbon source and nitrogen replacing the synthetic medium, it was observed that both strains produced similar amounts of biosurfactant. It was performed a optimization process of the medium the base of agroindustrial waste by Central Composite Design (CCD) 22. The results showed that the second planning with 40% of whey and 20% of corn steep liquor it was more efficient in the biosurfactant production using C. glabrata (UCP 1556), with a reduction in surface tension from 72 to 28,8mN/m. The biosurfactant was characterized and classified as lipoprotein and furthermore it was demonstrated its anionic character. The optimized medium was performed in the production and characterization of CoQ10 by C. glabrata (UCP 1556), getting evidenced the significant presence of the compound and its antioxidant action. In this medium was tested the potential of two strains of C. glabrata (UCP 1002 e 1556) in the production of lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and a high quantity of γ-linoleic acid (ω6) and e α- linoleic acid (ω3) was detected. The agroindustrial wastes are nutritious substrates which represent an economic cost reduction in the production of clean compounds that it can be applied in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.

Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons.))--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Physiology, 2000?
On title page "+" is superscript. Spine title: Effect of dietary n-3 PUFA's on calcium in rat myocytes. Bibliography: leaves 18-21.

This inter-disciplinary thesis is concerned with the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from newly isolated and identified alpine microalgae, and the optimization of the temperature, photon flux density (PFD), and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration for their mass production in an airlift photobioreactor (AL-PBR). Thirteen strains of microalgae were isolated from the alpine zone in Canyon Creek, Canterbury, New Zealand. Ten species were characterized by traditional means, including ultrastructure, and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to determine their relationships with other strains. Because alpine algae are exposed to extreme conditions, and such as those that favor the production of secondary metabolites, it was hypothesized that alpine strains could be a productive source of PUFAs. Fatty acid (FA) profiles were generated from seven of the characterized strains and three of the uncharacterized strains. Some taxa from Canyon Creek were already identified from other alpine and polar zones, as well as non-alpine zones. The strains included relatives of species from deserts, one newly published taxon, and two probable new species that await formal naming. All ten distinct species identified were chlorophyte green algae, with three belonging to the class Trebouxiophyceae and seven to the class Chlorophyceae. Comparative study between the distribution of algae at Canyon Creek and Mount Philistine, another alpine region in New Zealand where algal distribution was studied in detail, revealed that algal distribution patterns in the New Zealand alpine zone are complex, with some taxa apparently widely distributed and others range restricted or rare (with the caveat that very few sites have been studied in detail). At least some of the differences between the two sites could be accounted for by geographic differences, resulting in contrasting environmental conditions such as rainfall. As hypothesized, alpine strains isolated from the Canyon Creek were rich in PUFAs. Eight among the ten strains have PUFA proportions higher than monounsaturated fatty acids and saturated FAs. In a comparison of FA profiles of Scenedesmaceae species from a hot environment (Algerian Sahara) with the Scenedesmaceae species from Canyon Creek, the latter revealed a much greater degree of unsaturation. In addition, the Canyon Creek strains contained some FAs (such as docosapentaenoic acid, DPA) that were absent from Saharan strains. Among the strains from Canyon Creek Lobochlamys segnis LCR-CC-5-1A was selected for optimization experiments on the basis of growth kinetics, temperature response and FA composition, of which 60% of total FAs were PUFAs. Of that 60%, the α-linolenic acid (ALA) content was 46%. Two identical 1.5 Liter AL-PBRs were used for culturing Lobochlamys segnis LCR-CC-5-1A to study the effect of CO2 concentration, PFD and temperature on specific growth velocity, production of PUFAs, omega-3 FAs and, specifically, the concentration of ALA. The concentrations of CO2 examined in this research were 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5% in air. Similarly, the reponses of the strain to seven different PFDs, namely 38, 77, 115, 178, 210, 236 and 253 µmol m-2 s-1 and six different temperatures, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30οC, were analyzed. The maximum specific growth velocities (µmax) of the cultures were calculated from the experimental data and the cell production rate was calculated from fitting logistic growth models to these data; the two were compared by converting the former to the latter. The significance of the tested parameters was assessed using ANOVA and Tukey tests. The optimum conditions assessed at lab scale for maximum production of biomass, PUFAs and ALA were found to be a CO2 concentration of 3.0%, temperature of 20°C, and PFD of 178 µmol m-2 s-1. Increasing biomass production has the effect of maximizing PUFA production because there was no significant increase in concentration of PUFAs, omega-3 FAs, or ALA under levels of CO2, temperature, and PFD differing from those under which maximum growth occurred.

The contribution of aquaculture to global food production in the fishing industry is expanding. The sustainability of the sector urge aquaculture industry to develop processes aimed at improving quantity and quality of fish, containing costs, reducing environmental threats by minimizing wastes and valorizing by-products. Several studies were carried out on the valorisation of fishing industry by-products/wastes and many of the products obtained are available in commerce. However, only very few reports are available on the selection/application of probiotics in aquaculture as well as on the use of antimicrobial compounds from microbial origin for the control of bacterial pathogens. In this context, the aim of the research activity is to select novel safe marine bacteria able to produce LC-PUFAs and/or antimicrobial compounds active against aquaculture fish pathogenic bacteria with the perspective of their application in aquaculture. The first part of the work has been dedicated to the selection of LC-PUFAs bacterial producers. For this purpose, 209 marine bacterial isolates from the Mediterranean Sea was screened in order to select new LC-PUFAs, EPA and DHA bacterial producers. After colourimetric screening, ITS typing, GC-FID analysis and molecular identification of marine isolates, different Marinobacter sp., Thalassospira sp and Halomonas sp. isolates could produce DHA. 41 isolates was screened for the production of antimicrobial compounds exhibiting activity against farmed fish pathogens. After screening and preliminary characterization, were selected 8 marine bacterial isolates able to produce stable compounds. In conclusion 10 strains able to produce both antimicrobial compounds active against different aquaculture fish pathogenic bacteria and LC-PUFAs were selected. These results are interesting and promising since these isolates belong to bacterial species that have never been reported to be involved in human or animal pathology and exhibited traits that give them high potential for the application in aquaculture in order to optimize fish production.

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul - FAPERGS
A produção in vitro de embriões é uma das principais técnicas aplicadas a reprodução animal. A suplementação com ácidos graxos poli-insaturados de cadeia longa (PUFA) da série ômega-3 nos meios de maturação in vitro (MIV) pode ser relevante para a diminuição de gotículas lipídicas que prejudicam a eficiência da produção in vitro e criopreservação de embriões suínos. O presente trabalho avaliou o efeito da suplementação do meio de MIV com dois PUFA, o eicosapentaenoico (EPA) e o docosahexaenóico (DHA), sobre a maturação nuclear de oócitos suínos. Folículos com 3 a 6 mm de diâmetro foram aspirados de ovários de fêmeas suínas pré-púberes coletados em frigoríficos. O meio de maturação foi constituído de TCM-199 suplementado com 0,57 mM de cisteína, 0,91 mM de piruvato de sódio, 10 ng/mL de EGF, 0,5μg/mL de LH, 0,5μg/mL de FSH e 0,1% de PVA. A MIV foi avaliada para grupos com aproximadamente 30 complexos cumulus-oócitos, compondo quatro tratamentos, em meios suplementados com: 10% de fluído folicular suíno (FFS), considerado como controle; 50; 100 e 150μM de cada PUFA. Foi também realizada a suplementação com FFS e AMPc para avaliar a possível toxicidade desses ácidos graxo. Após as 44 h de MIV, os oócitos foram corados com Hoechst 33342. Houve diferença entre as taxas de MIV obtidas nos meios suplementados com diferentes níveis de EPA a partir de 100 μM, em comparação ao controle (P > 0,05). As taxas de MIV observadas nos meios suplementados com DHA em concentrações a partir de 100 μM foram inferiores às observadas para o controle (P < 0,05). Quando comparadas com meios suplementados FFS e AMPc, as taxas de MIV observas com 50 μM de EPA e DHA não diferiram (P > 0,05). Estes resultados indicam que a suplementação de meios para MIV com EPA e DHA influenciam de forma negativa as taxas de maturação in vitro nuclear, sugerindo um efeito tóxico para os oócitos suínos.
The production of embryos in vitro (IVP) is one of the main techniques applied to animal reproduction. Supplementation of in vitro maturation (IVM) media with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the omega-3 series may be relevant to the decrease of lipid droplets which hinder efficient IVP and cryopreservation of porcine embryos. This study evaluated the effects of supplementation of IVM media with two PUFA, the eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and the docosahexaenoic (DHA) on the nuclear maturation of pig oocytes. Follicles with 3-6 mm diameter were aspirated from ovaries collected at abattoirs from prepubertal gilts. The IVM medium was TCM-199 supplemented with 0.57 mM cysteine, 0.91 mM sodium pyruvate, 10 ng/mL EGF, 0.5 μg/mL LH, 0.5 μg/mL FSH and 0.1% PVA. The IVM rates were evaluated for groups having nearly 30 cumulus-oocyte complexes in four treatments, including media supplemented with: 10% porcine folicular fluido (PFF), as a control; 50; 100 and 150μM of each PUFA. FOS supplementation and cAMP was also performed to evaluate the possible toxicity of these fatty acids. After 44 h of IVM, oocytes were stained with Hoechst 33342. Differences were observed between IVM rates obtained in media supplemented with different levels of EPA from 100 uM, compared to the control (P> 0.05). The IVM rates observed in media supplemented with DHA at concentrations from 100 uM were lower than those in the control (P <0.05). When compared with supplemented FFS and cAMP means IVM rates swarming with 50 mM of EPA and DHA did not differ (P> 0.05). These results indicate that supplementation of IVM medium with EPA and DHA influenced negatively the rate of nuclear maturation, suggesting a toxic effect for swine oocytes.

Foram utilizadas 168 galinhas poedeiras Hisex White em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com duração de cinco semanas. As aves foram distribuídas em sete tratamentos com três repetições cada, com o objetivo de verificar a influência da suplementação de três fontes marinhas de PUFAs n-3 - óleos de salmão (SA) e de atum e sardinha (A/S) e mistura de algas marinhas (AL), bem como sua combinações (SA+A/S, AL+SA, AL+A/S) - em relação ao grupo controle alimentado com ração basal de milho e soja (CON), sobre a qualidade do ovo e a composição lipídica da gema. A qualidade externa e interna do ovo não foi alterada significativamente pela adição de fontes de PUFAs n-3 na dieta das aves. A relação entre os lípides saturados : monoinsturados : poliinsaturados da gema (3,5 : 4,5 : 2,0) manteve-se constante com a adição dos suplementos de PUFAs n-3 na ração. Os óleos de salmão (SA) e de atum e sardinha (A/S) revelaram-se mais efetivos no enriquecimento da gema do ovo em PUFAs n-3, em especial o DHA. A relação PUFAs n-6/ PUFAs n-3 sofreu redução significativa com a adição das fontes marinhas de ômega-3 à dieta das galinhas. O EPA, embora em teores mais baixos que o DHA na gema do ovo, apresentou incremento significativo com o uso dos óleos de peixes (SA e A/S) adicionado à dieta em relação ao CON. O consumo de dois ovos enriquecidos com DHA do presente estudo, por dia, provavelmente atenderia os requerimentos diários deste PUFA n-3 para o ser humano
To investigate the influence of three PUFAs n-3 marine sources - salmon oil (SA), tuna and sardine oil (A/S), marine algae (AL) and combinations (SA+A/S, AL+SA, AL+A/S) - on egg quality and egg lipid composition, compared to a corn/soy control group (CON), 168 Hisex White laying hens were assigned into seven treatments with three repetitions in a randomized design during a experimental period of five weeks. The external and internal egg quality were not significantly affected by the addition of PUFAs n-3 marine sources into the hen diets. The saturated : monounsaturated : polyunsaturated ratio (3.5:4.5:2.0) remained constant by the supplementation of the marine sources into the diets. The salmon oil and the tuna and sardine oil showed the best results of PUFAs n-3 egg yolk enrichment, mainly the DHA. The PUFAs n-6/PUFAs n-3 ratio was significantly reduced by the inclusion of PUFAs n-3 sources into the hen diets. The EPA, although with lower levels than DHA into the egg yolk, showed a significant increase by the use of salmon oil and tuna and sardine oil added to the diet as compared to the control group (CON). The consumption of two DHA enriched eggs from this study per day probably would reach the daily requirements of this PUFA n-3 for the human been

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a complex mental health disorder that affects women during their childbearing years. It is a serious medical condition that occurs in approximately 13–20% of women after birth and has an adverse effect on both the mother and the infant. Certain dietary deficiencies in a pregnant or postnatal woman’s diet may cause postnatal depression. It is unclear whether Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are effective for treating or preventing PPD. Objectives: To assess the best available evidence to date regarding the effect of n-3 PUFAs on the etiology, prevention and treatment of postnatal depression. Methods: A systematic review and narrative synthesis was conducted in order to address the gaps in knowledge. For the systematic review, a broad search of electronic databases of published quantitative literature was conducted. Quality appraisal was performed using the tools produced by the effective public health practice project (EPHPP). The narrative synthesis consists of four elements: 1) developing a theory; 2) developing a preliminary synthesis; 3) exploring relationships in the data; 4) assessing the robustness of the synthesis. Results: Out of 181 potential articles, a total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. The overwhelming majority of the studies found that n-3 PUFAs had no association with PPD evaluations versus only few ones observed a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFAs supplementation on depressive symptoms. Significant heterogeneity was observed among included studies which can be explained by dissimilar study designs, differences in study duration, time period of measurement and number of participants, and in varied dosages and types of supplemental n-3 PUFAs. Conclusions: Overall, This systematic review and narrative synthesis failed to find a significant positive association between n-3 PUFAs intake and PPD. However further investigation of the specific molecular mechanisms underlying the function of n-3 PUFAs in the brain and the factors related to the pathophysiological nature of depression is warranted.

Introdução: Nos seres humanos, a adversidade fetal está associada com escolhas alimentares menos saudáveis na idade adulta. Sabe-se que um menor crescimento fetal está relacionado à maior preferência por alimentos palatáveis e ao risco de obesidade. Ácidos graxos docosahexanoicos (DHA, ácidos graxos poli-insaturados ômega-3 - n-3 PUFAs) modulam o funcionamento do sistema mesolímbico dopaminérgico, envolvido nesse comportamento. Em ratos, nosso grupo evidenciou que o estresse neonatal interage com deficiência dietética leve de n-3 PUFAs, aumentando o risco para obesidade, resistência à insulina, precedido por hiperfagia na adolescência. Considerando o baixo peso ao nascer como marcador de exposição ao estresse metabólico crônico fetal, hipotetizou-se que o consumo de n-3 PUFAs pode interagir com o peso ao nascer e influenciar o comportamento alimentar. Objetivo: Verificar em dois estudos diferentes se o consumo habitual de n-3 PUFAs interage com o crescimento fetal (RCIU) e se interfere no comportamento alimentar e nos aspectos de sua regulação central em crianças e adolescentes/adultos jovens. Métodos: No estudo 1, a amostra incluiu 75 crianças das cidades de Montreal, Québec e Hamilton, Ontário, Canadá. Os participantes foram recrutados de uma coorte prospectiva de nascimentos já estabelecida (projeto MAVAN). O crescimento fetal foi com base na razão de peso ao nascer (BWR, peso ao nascer/média do peso ao nascer sexo-específica para cada idade gestacional da população local). Consideraram-se, tendo restrição de crescimento intrauterino (RCIU), as crianças com BWR<0,85. Aos 48 meses de idade, as mães preencheram um questionário de frequência alimentar; e, aos 72 meses, o Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). Um modelo de regressão linear (General Linear Model - GLM) foi utilizado para avaliar a relação entre a RCIU e o consumo de n-3 PUFAs, aos 48 meses, e seu efeito nos escores do CEBQ, aos 6 anos de idade, considerando significativo um p<0,05. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Research Ethical Board do Douglas Mental Health Research Institute (n° 03/45). No estudo 2, a amostra incluiu 48 adolescentes/adultos jovens de Porto Alegre, RS. Os participantes foram recrutados de uma coorte prospectiva comunitária (projeto PROTAIA). A avaliação do crescimento fetal foi com base na BWR, e aqueles do tercil inferior da distribuição BWR foram considerados como RCIU. A concentração sérica de DHA (medida objetiva da ingestão de n-3 PUFAs) foi identificada por cromatografia gasosa. Os participantes preencheram o Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionaire (DEBQ). Um GLM foi realizado para avaliar a correlação entre a RCIU e o consumo de n-3 PUFAs e seu efeito nos escores do DEBQ, considerando significativo um p<0,05. As análises de Ressonância Magnética Funcional (fMRI), numa tarefa de visualização de alimentos palatáveis, não palatáveis e objetos neutros, tiveram como desfecho a ativação cerebral; e, como preditores, os valores contínuos dos níveis séricos de DHA e o BWR, utilizando uma regressão múltipla (FWE corrigido para comparações múltiplas com um p<0,05). O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (n°12-0254). Resultados: No estudo 1, havia 40 meninas e 35 meninos. Não foram encontradas diferenças no consumo de n-3 PUFAs e outras variáveis de confusão entre indivíduos RCIU e não RCIU. No entanto, o GLM predizendo a “seletividade alimentar” aos 72 meses demonstrou uma interação significativa entre n-3 PUFAs e status de RCIU (sim/não) [Wald= 8,516; df=1; e p=0,004], com maior consumo sendo associado à diminuição da “seletividade alimentar” em crianças com RCIU. Não foram observados efeitos em outros domínios do CEBQ. No estudo 2, para a maioria das análises, havia 31 meninas e 16 meninos. Não foram encontradas diferenças nos níveis séricos de DHA e nas outras variáveis de confusão entre indivíduos RCIU e não RCIU. Somente o grupo com RCIU apresentou médias de peso ao nascer e do escore Z do IMC menores, quando comparado ao grupo não RCIU (p<0,0001 e p=0,046, respectivamente). O GLM predizendo “ingestão externa” evidenciou uma interação significativa entre a concentração sérica de DHA e status da RCIU (sim/não) [Wald=5,845; df=1; e p=0,016], com maiores níveis de DHA, sendo associados à diminuição do escore desse domínio em indivíduos com RCIU. Não foi observado efeito no domínio do DEBQ “ingestão emocional”, enquanto a “ingestão restritiva” não alcançou significância estatística [Wald=3,360; df=1; e p=0,067]. Na fMRI, tendo como preditores positivos e negativos, respectivamente, os níveis séricos de DHA e a razão de peso ao nascer (BWR), no contraste alimentos palatáveis>itens neutros, foi encontrada ativação cerebral no giro frontal superior direito (p corrigido=0,034). Ainda para esse contraste, tendo como preditor negativo apenas o BWR, a mesma região foi ativada (p corrigido=0,028), e ao considerar como preditores negativos ambos os níveis séricos de DHA e BWR, também foi encontrada ativação na mesma região cerebral (p corrigido=0,025). Os resultados de neuroimagem demonstraram que o BWR é um preditor mais importante, determinando, portanto, a ativação nessa região. Em outras palavras, quanto menor o BWR maior a ativação dessa região envolvida em controle de impulsos/tomada de decisão frente à visualização de imagens de alimentos palatáveis. Conclusões: Sugere-se que a restrição de crescimento intrauterino modula a ativação cerebral frente a estímulos relacionados a alimentos palatáveis, ativando uma área relacionada a controle de impulsos (giro frontal superior). Além disso, maior consumo de n-3 PUFAs pode proteger indivíduos com RCIU de comportamentos inadequados em diferentes idades, podendo beneficiar o comportamento alimentar infantil, bem como na adolescência/vida adulta, diminuindo a ingestão externa em resposta a estímulos alimentares externos.
Introduction: In humans, fetal adversity associates with less healthy food choices in adulthood. It is known that poor fetal growth is associated with an increased preference for palatable foods and obesity risk. Docosahexaenoic fatty acids (DHA, polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 - n-3 PUFAs) modulate the functioning of the dopamine mesolimbic system, which is involved in this behavior. In rats, our group showed that neonatal stress interacts with a mild dietary deficiency in n-3 PUFAs and increases the risk for obesity and insulin resistance, preceded by hyperphagia during adolescence. Considering low birth weight as a marker of chronic metabolic stress exposure, we hypothesized that n-3 PUFAs consumption could interact with birth weight and affect feeding behavior. Objective: We investigated in two different studies if the habitual consumption of n-3 PUFAs interacts with fetal growth (IUGR) and affects feeding behavior and aspects of their central regulation in children and adolescents/young adults. Methods: In study 1, the sample included 75 children from the city of Montreal, Quebec, and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Participants were recruited from an established prospective birth cohort (MAVAN project). Fetal growth was based on the birth weight ratio (BWR, birth weight/sex-specific mean birth weight for each gestational age), and children were considered intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) if BWR<0.85. At 48-months of age, mothers completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire and at 72 months the Children’s Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). A linear regression model (General Linear Model – GLM) was used to evaluate the correlation between IUGR and n-3 PUFAs consumption at 48 months and its effect on CEBQ scores at 6 years of age, considering statistically significant a p<0.05. The project was approved by the Research Ethical Board of the Douglas Mental Health Research Institute (n° 03/45). In study 2, the sample included 48 individuals from Porto Alegre, RS. Participants were recruited from a prospective communitarian cohort (PROTAIA project). Fetal growth was based on the BWR, and those in the lower tertile of the BWR distribution were considered IUGR. Serum DHA concentration (objective measure of n-3 PUFAs intake) was identified by gas chromatography. Participants filled out a Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ). A General Linear Model (GLM) was used to evaluate the correlation between IUGR and serum DHA concentration and its effect on DEBQ scores, considering statistically significant a p<0.05. The Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) analyzes in a task facing the visualization of palatable and non-palatable foods, as well as neutral objects had brain activation as the outcome, and the serum levels of DHA and BWR as continuous predictors, using a multiple regression (FWE corrected for multiple comparisons with p<0.05). The project was approved by the Research Ethical Board of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (n°12-0254). Results: In study 1, there were 40 girls and 35 boys. No differences were found on n-3 PUFAs consumption and other confounding variables between IUGR and non-IUGR individuals. However, the GLM model predicting food fussiness at 72 months showed a significant interaction between n-3 PUFAs and IUGR status (yes/no) [Wald= 8.516; df=1; p=0.004], with higher intakes being associated with decreased risk for food fussiness in IUGR children only. No effects were seen on the other domains of the CEBQ. In study 2, for most of the analyzes there were 31 girls and 16 boys. There were no differences in serum levels of DHA and other confounding variables between IUGR and non-IUGR individuals. However, the group with IUGR showed lower birth weight mean and BMI Z score when compared to the non-IUGR group (p<0.0001 and p=0.046, respectively). The GLM model predicting external eating showed a significant interaction between serum DHA concentration and IUGR status (yes/no) [Wald=5.845; df=1; p=0.016], with higher serum DHA concentration being associated with decreased external eating in the IUGR individuals. No effects were seen in the DEBQ domain emotional eating, while restrictive eating did not reached statistical significance [Wald=3.360; df=1; p=0.067]. In the fMRI, having as positive and negative predictors the serum DHA concentration and BWR respectively, in the contrast palatable foods>neutral objects we found an activation in the right superior frontal gyrus (p corrected=0.034). In this contrast, using only BWR as a negative predictor, the same area was activated (p corrected=0.028), and when considering as two negative predictors (serum DHA concentration and BWR), activation was found in the same brain region (p corrected=0.025). The fMRI results showed that BWR is a more important predictor determining activation of this brain region. In other words, the lower BWR (more IUGR), the more activation in this area involved in impulse control/decision making facing the visualization of palatable foods´ images. Conclusion: We suggest that IUGR modulates the brain activity facing stimuli related to palatable foods, activating an area related to impulse control (superior frontal gyrus). Moreover, higher intake of n-3 PUFAs can protect individuals with IUGR from inappropriate behaviors at different ages, decreasing food fussiness and the external eating in response to external food cues.

L’accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC) est l’une des principales causes de mortalité dans le monde. Sile taux de de mortalité associé à l’AVC a sensiblement diminué dans les dernières décennies, cela estprincipalement du à l’amélioration globale de l’état de santé de la population et non à la découverte d’untraitement thérapeutique contre l’AVC et de nombreux survivants garderont des séquelles. Dans ce contexte,l’influence de la nutrition qui pourrait jouer un rôle central dans la résistance à l’AVC reste très peu étudier.Pourtant de nombreuses études épidémiologiques confèrent des propriétés protectrices à certaines moléculesnaturelles comme les acides gras polyinsaturés oméga-3.Dans un modèle murin d’AVC, notre laboratoire ayant montré que la consommation d’un régimeenrichi en acide a-linolénique (ALA), l’oméga-3 végétal, réduisait le volume d’infarctus cérébral, mestravaux ont porté sur l’effet de la supplémentation nutritionnelle en ALA. J’ai montré que la supplémentationen ALA par voie orale ou intraveineuse favorise la récupération cognitive post-AVC. Ces bénéfices sontassociés à la préservation des neurones de l’hippocampe, une structure cérébrale impliquée dans la mémoire.Par la suite, je me suis intéressé à l’effet de l’ALA sur la réponse inflammatoire pos-AVC, une composantemajeure dans l’étendue des séquelles. J’ai pu ainsi caractériser le rôle neurotoxique de la chimiokine CCL2 etd’identifier la réduction de son expression post-AVC, comme un facteur clé de la protection cérébrale induitepar la supplémentation en ALA. De plus, une étude collaborative nous a permis de mettre en évidencel’implication de la voie de signalisation de cette chimiokine dans la perte de poids induite par uneinflammation du système nerveux central. Mes travaux soulignent l’importance de la supplémentation en ALA pour réduire les conséquences d’un AVC, en ciblant la réponse pro-inflammatoire post-ischémique, apportant une preuve supplémentaire del’intérêt de l’ALA contre l’une des priorités les plus urgentes de la médecine
Stroke is a worldwide major cause of mortality and morbidity without any therapeutic opportunities.While improvements in population health - in the control of major risk factors of stroke - over the pastdecades have contributed to reduced stroke mortality, numerous therapeutics applied acutely after stroke havefailed to improve long-term clinical outcomes. Weirdly, how nutrition may affect stroke damage and recoveryhas not yet been intensely investigated, which is surprising given its great influence as risk factor. Therefore,our lab is investigating an emerging view that is the health potential of a-linolenic acid (ALA is the omega-3contained in plant-derived edible products) in stroke.Our laboratory has previously shown that ALA injections or dietary supplementation reduces strokedamage by direct neuroprotection in rodent models of stroke. As successful translation of putative therapieswill depend on demonstration of efficacy on stroke-induced motor and cognitive deficits, my PhD work hasevaluated the value of ALA supplementation in stroke recovery. I demonstrated that oral and intravenoussupplementation of ALA improved cognitive recovery, which was associated to a better preservation ofhippocampus, a brain structure involved in memory. Looking for mechanistic insights, I also investigated theeffect of ALA supplementation by modification of the daily diet on post-stroke inflammatory response. Wefirst demonstrated a neurotoxic role of the chemokine CCL2 after stroke and identified its reduction, as a keyfactor in brain protection induced by ALA supplementation. In addition, I also contributed to a collaborativestudy deciphering the role of CCL2 in weight loss induced by inflammation of the central nervous system.To conclude, my PhD highlights the importance of ALA supplementation to reduce the consequencesof stroke, targeting post-ischemic pro-inflammatory response and prepare the ground of clinical trial onnutritional interventions that are yet to be evaluated

Foram utilizadas 144 galinhas poedeiras da linhagem Shaver White por um período de quatro semanas, com o intuito de verificar o efeito da adição de 3% dos óleos de soja, milho, canola, linhaça, salmão ou da mistura de sardinha e atum na dieta das aves, sobre a composição dos ácidos graxos na gema dos ovos e no plasma sanguíneo das aves, bem como o tempo de incorporação total de cada ácido graxo na gema dos ovos durante o período experimental. Paralelamente foram avaliados, o desempenho das aves e a qualidade externa dos ovos. Para análise estatística dos resultados empregou- se modelo fatorial 6X6 em blocos casualizados sendo as aves distribuídas em 72 gaiolas. A adição de 3% de óleo de salmão ou de milho à ração determinou redução significativa no consumo alimentar. O tratamento que recebeu 3% de óleo de salmão promoveu menor peso da casca dos ovos (g) bem como menor espessura da casca (mm). A inclusão dos óleos de linhaça, soja ou milho à dieta, determinou aumento dos ácidos graxos poliinsaturados na gema e no plasma das galinhas. A adição de óleo de sardinha e atum proporcionou maiores concentrações de ácidos graxos saturados na gema. Os teores de PUFAs n-3 foram maiores nas gemas do tratamento a base de óleo de sardinha, enquanto que no plasma a maior concentração foi observada no tratamento com óleo de linhaça. O óleo de linhaça proporcionou o maior teor de ácido α-linolênico incorporado à gema e no plasma sanguíneo. As quantidades de EPA na gema e no plasma mostraram-se maiores no grupo que recebeu 3% de óleo de sardinha e atum que, por sua vez, também foram responsáveis pelos mais elevados teores de DHA na gema dos ovos. Já com relação ao plasma, as maiores concentrações de DHA foram observadas nos grupos alimentados com óleos de salmão e sardinha/atum. Os PUFAs diminuíram na gema até o oitavo dia experimental, enquanto que os PUFAs n-3 aumentaram até este dia. Os teores de ácido α-linolênico foram crescentes até o décimo dia de experimento, enquanto que as concentrações de EPA e DHA aumentaram até o oitavo dia de experimento.
Hundred forty-four Shaver White laying hens were used over a 4 week experimental period to investigate the effect of 3% of soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, flaxseed oil, salmon oil or tuna and sardine oil added to the diets, upon the fatty acid egg yolk composition, blood plasma levels and incorporation time of each fatty acid into the egg yolk. Reproductive performance of hens and external egg quality were evaluated. Hens were allocated into 72 cages and the experimental design was a 6X6 randomized factorial model. Hens fed 3% salmon or corn oil diet showed a significant reduction of food consumption, eggshell weight (g) and eggshell thickness (mm). The addition of flaxseed, soybean or corn oil into the diet increased the polyunsaturated fatty acids levels into the egg yolk and in the blood plasma. Adding tuna and sardine oil into the diet increased the concentration of yolk saturated fatty acids. The levels of PUFAs n-3 were increased in the tuna and sardine oil treatment, while the flaxseed oil increased the plasma fatty acids. The deposition of α-linolenic fatty acids was higher in the group fed flaxseed oil The percentage of EPA into the yolk and plasma was higher for the hens fed 3% tuna and sardine oil diet, as well as the levels of yolk DHA. The concentration of DHA into the plasma was higher for the salmon and tuna/sardine oil treatments. The PUFAs yolk decreased during the first eight days of experiment, while the PUFAs n-3 increased during the same period. The concentration of α-linolenic acid increased until ten days of experiment, while the percentage of EPA and DHA increased up to the eighth experimental day.

Il lavoro sperimentale di questa tesi è stato condotto sulla coltivazione della diatomea Phaeodactylum tricornutum che grazie alla sua capacità di sintetizzare e di accumulare una elevata quantità di acidi grassi polinsaturi (PUFAs) ω-3 tra cui l’acido eicosapentanoico (EPA), ha un notevole interesse commerciale per la nutrizione umana. Il lavoro di tesi è stato svolto presso il Laboratorio di Biologia delle Alghe in due fasi sperimentali, nella prima, l’alga è stata coltivata usando un medium standard con due diversi rapporti molari N/P, valutando l’effetto della somministrazione di 1mg L-1 al giorno di CO2 sulla velocità di crescita e sulla composizione percentuale in termini di proteine polisaccaridi e lipidi della biomassa raccolta in fase stazionaria. I risultati ottenuti hanno mostrato che la somministrazione di CO2 durante la crescita dell’alga, determina un significativo incremento della biomassa algale ottenuta e una produzione maggiore di lipidi e polisaccaridi per cellula. Nella seconda fase sperimentale P.tricornutum è stata coltivata usando un refluo industriale con lo scopo di valutare la capacità dell’alga di rimozione dei componenti azotati e del fosforo per effettuare un processo di fitodepurazione e ridurre i costi dovuti all’impiego dei nutrienti nella coltivazione. I risultati ottenuti dimostrano che nel refluo l’alga presenta una velocità di crescita più elevata rispetto alle condizioni precedenti e, dopo la somministrazione di CO2, accumula una percentuale maggiore di proteine e di acidi grassi. In conclusione questi dati suggeriscono che l’utilizzo di un refluo industriale con la concomitante aggiunta di CO2 in basse concentrazioni nella coltivazione delle microalghe potrebbe ridurre i costi di produzione della biomassa su larga scala e consentirebbe di ottenere biomassa algale con un maggior valore commerciale.

Negli ultimi decenni la coltivazione di microalghe ha ricevuto una crescente attenzione grazie alle potenziali applicazioni e ai settori commerciali di riferimento quali quello cosmetico e farmaceutico. Dalle microalghe è possibile estrarre composti ad alto valore aggiunto e la loro biomassa può essere impiegata nel settore alimentare o ulteriormente lavorata. Tuttavia la coltivazione di molte specie non è ancora sostenibile economicamente a causa degli alti costi di allestimento, gestione e raccolta della biomassa; molti studi si sono finora focalizzati sull’ottimizzazione della coltivazione valutando diverse strategie per poter ridurre questi costi. Di recente l’interesse della comunità scientifica si è spostato verso l’impiego di digestati liquidi (LDs), sottoprodotti della produzione industriale di biogas, come terreni di coltura per la crescita di microalghe; alcuni di questi reflui contengono nutrienti azotati e fosfati in concentrazioni simili a quelle dei terreni sintetici standard e potrebbero pertanto sostenere la crescita microalgale. Gli studi svolti finora hanno però riguardato prove in laboratorio in condizioni controllate, mentre indagini approfondite su larga scala e all’aperto sono ancora scarse. Questo elaborato si pone come obiettivo quello di valutare l’impiego di una frazione di un digestato liquido come medium di coltura per P. tricornutum, una diatomea marina caratterizzata da un alto contenuto di proteine e capace di produrre elevate percentuali di acidi grassi polinsaturi fra cui l’EPA (acido eicosapentanoico) importante dal punto di vista commerciale. Una prima parte del lavoro è stata svolta in colture batch valutando il contributo di una diversa quantità di CO2 sulla crescita dell’alga; successivamente sono stati allestite colture in prototipi industriali quali fotobioreattori e vasche in serre sperimentali, confrontando la crescita e la composizione di P. tricornutum in tutti i sistemi studiati.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and demyelinating multifactorial disease that results from the interplay between environmental factors and a susceptible genetic background. Omega (ω)-3/ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and some vitamins have been shown to reduce the number and severity of relapses and the overall progression of disability in multiple sclerosis patients, however clinical trials remain inconclusive due to a plethora of reasons. In this randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled trial aiming to provide concrete conclusions for the role of PUFAs and vitamins A and E (both gamma (γ) and alpha (α)) in multiple sclerosis. By measuring the incorporation and changes of the lipid composition in red blood cell (RBC) membranes before and after the dietary intervention, and by correlating the efficacy of the different interventions with disease progression, it was shown that supplementation with these specific molecules (that can either act on their own or synergistically) could probably cause the decrease of arachidonic acid (AA) and linoleic acid (LA) from the RBC membranes and the subsequent substitution by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These events parallel the clinical observations where this can be correlated with the increased number of relapse activity occurring in the first six months of treatment and later with a prolonged period of remission. Supplementation with the mixture of PUFAs (both ω3 and ω6), vitamin E as gamma tocopherol significantly reduced the annualised relapse rate (ARR) and the risk of sustained disability progression without any reported serious adverse events.

Sperm function has been studied in multiple research fields as it is essential to male fertility. In previous studies a variety of sperm traits have been examined as an assessment of sperm function. Among those traits, sperm viability, sperm motility and sperm metabolism are often commonly examined. However, sperm function can be influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Specifically, nuclear genome has been demonstrated to play a role in sperm function, especially in sperm competitive capacity. There are increasing evidence for effects of mitochondrial genome on sperm function. Mitochondrial genetic variance has been suggested to affect sperm length and sperm viability in seed beetle and sperm metabolism in rodent. Given the coordinated collaborations between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in OXPHOS, replication and transcription of mitochondrial genome as well as intergenomic signalling, potential mitonuclear effects on sperm function are expected even though empirical evidence so far remains less. A recent review summarised all the previous work on environmental effects on sperm and found that various factors affects sperm function but largely neglected in ecology and evolution. In the study, we used D. melanogaster as a model to disentangle both genetic and environmental components of sperm function at sperm cell, ejaculate and offspring levels. We found environmental effects on sperm function in D. melanogaster. Specifically, sperm incubation buffers affect sperm viability in chapter 2 and dietary PUFAs influence sperm volume and metabolism in chapter 4. Nuclear effects were found on sperm viability, sperm quality and male fertility in chapter 3. Mitochondrial genome was found to have an effect on sperm function, i.e. sperm viability and sperm quality differed among mitochondrial haplotypes examined. In addition, sperm function was further modified by the interaction of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in ageing male. Sperm quality and fertilization success were suggested to be dependent on age-related mitonuclear interaction in chapter 3. Moreover, we examined the mitonuclear coadaptation hypothesis in the function of D. melanogaster sperm. No evidence for mitonuclear coadaptation hypothesis was found for sperm function in D. melanogaster as there were no difference between coadapted and non-coadapted lines in sperm traits examined. Lastly, we found that sperm viability, sperm quality and sperm metabolic rate cannot predict male fertility in D. melanogaster as correlation analysis revealed no relationship between them. Our experiment explored and disentangled the genetic and environmental components of sperm function at multiple levels in D.melanogaster systematically. Our results suggested that both mitochondrial and nuclear genome as well as the interaction between them play a role in sperm function in D. melanogaster. In addition to genetic components, our findings revealed environmental components of Drosophila sperm and suggested that it was phenotypic plastic.

Mestrado em Biotecnologia
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) comprise a class of essential micronutrients, which are essential for normal development, cardiovascular health, and immunity. The role of lipids, including long-chain fatty acids, in the immune response is increasingly being recognized as beneficial regulators of the immune systems. However, the mechanisms by which PUFAs modulate innate immunity are yet to be fully clarified. C. elegans has been used in several recent studies as a simple animal model for the study of host-pathogen interactions, generating important insights into both bacterial pathogenesis and host innate immunity. Many of the virulence mechanisms used by bacterial pathogens to cause disease in mammalian hosts have also been shown to be important for pathogenesis in C. elegans and, similarly, important features of the host innate immunity have been evolutionarily conserved between C. elegans and mammals. This project is focused on addressing the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in bacterial pathogenesis using C. elegans as model system. We find that knockdown of some elongase genes increase the worms’ susceptibility towards infection with the adherent-invasive Escherichia Coli LF82, isolated from a patient suffering from Crohn’s disease. Moreover, dietary supplementation with the fatty acid γ-linolenic acid rescued the enhanced pathogen susceptibility of C. elegans lacking a Δ6 desaturase. The fatty acid profile of the nematode is altered upon infection with pathogenic LF82. qRT-PCR analysis allowed to determine that stress and autophagy genes are induced in C. elegans infected with this particular type of E. coli. Autophagy was found to be increased on C. elegans challenged with LF82, as determined by fluorescence microscopy. Collectively these results suggest an important role for PUFAS in the innate immune response and indicate that autophagy may have a contribution for C. elegans response towards the pathogen E. coli LF82.

We are the first lab to report the occurrence of a diet-induced transsulfuration (TS) blockade associating with elevated S-adenosylmethionine (i.e. SAM) synthesis, enhanced lifespan and enhanced reproductive capacity, in a vertebrate animal model. In this paradoxical study, we used LC-MS/MS-derived metabolomics data to report the effects of flaxseed (Linum Usitatissimum) on one-carbon metabolism in White Leghorn laying hens (Gallus gallus). Flaxseed contains a vitamin B6-antagonizing molecule called ‘linatine’ that is particularly effective at reducing vitamin B6 levels in small rodents and poultry. Linatine reduces TS flux through its inhibition of the vitamin B6-dependent enzymes cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma lyase (CSE). In this study, our flaxseed-fed hens displayed decreased 4-pyridoxic acid and decreased pyridoxamine, concomitant with 15-fold elevated cystathionine. Homocysteine levels were stable in flaxseed-fed hens despite such highly elevated cystathionine. This is an astonishing finding, because mammalian models would predict the induction of hyperhomocysteinemia (i.e. elevated homocysteine) when cystathionine is so highly elevated (1). We are therefore reporting a phenomenon that might be unique to birds. Our metabolomics data indicate increased consumption of one-carbon donor molecules (e.g. choline, betaine, dimethylglycine, serine, etc) in flaxseed-fed hens, probably as a means of fueling the betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) and methionine synthase-B12 (MS-B12) reactions. This modeling approach provides a rationale that flaxseed-fed hens increase their rate of homocysteine remethylation via BHMT and MS-B12, and in turn this would maintain stable homocysteine levels in the animal. We observed that the culminating outcome is elevated synthesis of SAM and an elevated SAM:SAH ratio. The associated biological outcomes are extended lifespan and increased reproductive capacity (i.e. increased daily egg laying) in flaxseed-fed hens. Our data further indicate that flaxseed tremendously stimulates a glucagon-like phenotype in hens. Specifically, flaxseed-fed hens exhibit 3-fold elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 2-fold elevated serum free fatty acids (FFAs), 10 to 14% reduced body weight, and slightly reduced plasma pyruvate. These phenotypic markers suggest that glucagon might also play a large role in extending lifespan and enhancing reproductive capacity in flaxseed-fed hens. We predict that the anti-vitamin B6 effects of flaxseed are responsible for stimulating this glucagon-like phenotype in hens. Therefore, we conclude that the vitamin B6-antagonizing effects of linatine (via flaxseed dieting) improve liver function, body leanness, egg laying and survival, in a manner associated with increased SAM synthesis, increased blood FFA levels and increased blood glucose levels, in laying hens. The second part of this dissertation is used to test the hypothesis that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) regulate lipid metabolism, increase mitochondrial respiration and decrease E-cadherin expression, in laying hen ovarian tumors. Researchers are unaware of the mitochondrial effects of PUFAs within laying hen ovarian tumors, and only a few publications exist regarding the analysis of E-cadherin in laying hen ovarian cancer. The results of this present work suggest that dietary PUFAs accumulate within laying hen ovarian tumors, and these same tumors exhibit decreased gene transcripts that govern de novo lipogenesis (i.e. FASN). Simultaneously, these tumors exhibit elevated transcripts for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and decreased transcripts for phase 2 antioxidant enzymes. These patterns associated with decreased transcript levels of CDH1 (the gene for E-cadherin) in ovarian tumors, but no effect on full length 120kDa protein was observed by PUFAs versus our control diet. Interestingly, the effect of PUFAs on E-cadherin occurred at the level of the cleaved 37kDa and 80kDa E-cadherin fragments, such that PUFAs reduced their levels in hen ovarian tumors. We therefore developed a system for depleting the 80kDa E-cadherin fragment from hen ascites fluid (i.e. fluid from a hen that had ovarian cancer), so that we could test our hypothesis that the 80kDa E-cadherin fragment is important for supporting mitochondrial respiration in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells (IOSE80s). Mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased in IOSE80s when the 80kDa fragment was removed from the ascites; however, there was no effect on basal oxygen consumption in subsequent tests using extracellular flux analysis with Seahorse XFp. During our analysis of microRNA-200a-3p (miR-200a) we did not observe any effect of diet on miR-200a within hen ovarian tumors; however, we did observe that miR-200a levels increased within the tumor when going from stage 2 to stage 4 disease. Overall, we observed reduced risk of ovarian cancer, stage 4 ovarian cancer, multiple peritoneal tumor involvement and cancer-associated mortality, in laying hens that consumed a diet that was supplemented with PUFAs.

Al revisar los estudios que profundizan en la obra de Roberto Bolaño he encontrado gran cantidad de éstos dedicados a su novela monumental Los Detectives Salvajes. Según muchos autores la mayor habilidad escritural del autor puede hallarse en sus novelas, cuestión que, por lo demás, no pretendo poner en duda. Sin embargo, más que nada por afición personal, el presente estudio se abocará casi de manera exclusiva a la revisión de su narrativa breve, no obstante, siempre atendiendo que la narrativa bolañiana puede interrelacionarse, asumiendo que características de sus cuentos pueden también atribuirse a su novelar, y muchas veces viceversa. Acaso por ello las ideas reveladas en el presente estudio pueden perfectamente ser atribuidas a la totalidad de la obra del escritor chileno, aunque si limitándola al ámbito de la narrativa, vale decir, sin considerar sus realizaciones poéticas.

L’obésité est associée à un état inflammatoire chronique de bas grade ainsi qu’à descomplications métaboliques secondaires telles que l’insulino-résistance, l’intolérance au glucose etla stéatose hépatique. La composition bactérienne intestinale semble tenir une place importantedans l’apparition de ces complications. Il a en effet été montré qu’une altération du microbiote parun régime obésogène était associée à une endotoxémie métabolique caractérisée par uneaugmentation des concentrations circulantes de lipopolysaccharides bactériens. Les AGPI enn-3 possèdent des propriétés anti-obésogènes et anti-inflammatoires qui pourraient passer par unemodulation du microbiote intestinal et une prévention de l’endotoxémie métabolique. Nous avonsmontré que des souris transgéniques fat-1, présentant des teneurs tissulaires en AGPI enn-3 élevées, soumises durant 18 semaines à un régime obésogène, étaient résistantes à l’obésité etaux troubles métaboliques associés. Ces animaux présentent un maintien de la fonction barrièreintestinale et une prévention de l’endotoxémie métabolique. De plus, une analyse du microbiotecaecal révèle une augmentation du phylum Akkermansia. Enfin, nous avons montré qu’un transfertde matériel fécal de souris fat-1 à des souris sauvages maintenues sous régime obésogène protègeces dernières du développement d’une obésité et des comorbidités associées. Ainsi, uneaugmentation de la teneur en Akkermansia au niveau intestinal par les AGPI en n-3, peutreprésenter une stratégie intéressante de prévention de l’obésité, ainsi que de l’insulino-résistance,l’intolérance au glucose et la stéatose hépatique qui lui sont associées
Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammatory state and secondary metabolicdisorders, such as insulin-resistance, glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis. Gut microbiotaseems to play an important role in these obesity features. Moreover, microbiota dysbiosis has beenshown to be associated with increased systemic lipopolysaccharides levels, called metabolicendotoxemia. N-3 PUFAs are anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory molecules able to modulate gutmicrobiota and prevent metabolic endotoxemia. We showed that fat-1 transgenic mice,endogenously synthetizing n-3 PUFAs, resist to obesity development and comorbidities whensubmitted to diet-induced obesity for 18 weeks. These mice exhibit a maintained intestinal barrierfunction and a prevention of metabolic endotoxemia. Moreover, cecal microbiota analysis revealedan increase of Akkermansia phylum. Microbiota transplantation of fat-1 mice to wild type micewas shown to exert protective effects against diet-induced obesity and associated disorders. Thus,increasing gut microbiota Akkermansia population by appropriate n-3 PUFAs may represent apromising strategy to prevent obesity, insulin-resistance, glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Fatty acids (FA) are constituents of neuronal phospholipid membranes, where they are essential for the development and functioning of the brain. During the peak of neuronal growth, occurring during the last week of gestation and lactation, there is a rapid accumulation of long-chain polyunsaturated FA (LC-PUFAs), which are synthesized from a physiologically appropriate supply of essential fatty acids (EFA) for normal fetal and neonatal development , ensuring the development of neurological functions. During the last decades, there occurred changes in dietary habits in Western countries, mainly with increased consumption of trans fatty acids (TFA) and omega-6 (n-6) at the expense of consumption of omega-3 (n-3). These changes may increase oxidative damage and alter neuronal neuroplasticity, thereby facilitating the development of neuropsychiatric diseases such as bipolar disorder (BD). Through a model of amphetamine-induced mania in rats, we evaluated comparatively the influence of daily supplementation of different fats since pre-conception until weaning of 1st and 2nd generation litters on behavioral parameters in conjunction with biochemical changes in brain regions. Three groups of female Wistar rats were supplemented (3g/kg; p.o. per day) from one week before conception through pregnancy and breast-feeding with fish oil (FO, rich in n-3 PUFA), soybean oil (SO; rich in PUFA n-6) or hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF; rich in TFA). During weaning, pups of both sexes were kept under the original supplementation until 90 days of age. While male offspring were included in the study of the 1st generation, females were mated and maintained in the same supplementation, thus obtaining animals of the 2nd generation, which were used in the 2nd study and divided into 3 experiments. In the study of the 1st generation at 90 days of age, one half of each supplementation group was treated with a daily dose of amphetamine (AMPH 4mg/kg, ip) or saline (control) for 14 days, when they were subjected to behavioral tests and biochemical assessments in the cortex, striatum and hippocampus. HVF supplementation was associated with TFA incorporation in the three structures, increased AMPH-induced locomotor activity, and increased oxidative damage. Since FO supplementation increased DHA percentage and decreased the n6/n3 ratio in the three regions analyzed, it may have improved membrane fluidity and reduced oxidative stress in such animals. Adult male rats born from the 2nd generation were also exposed to an animal model of mania induced by amphetamine and used in two different experiments. In the first experiment, animals were evaluated for memory behavior and biochemical and molecular analysis in the hippocampus, in which these parameters were decreased by HVF supplementation and improved by FO supplementation. In the second experiment, animals were evaluated regarding hyperactivity and biochemical and molecular analyses in the cortex, where again HVF supplementation was associated with loss in some parameters. In a third experiment we evaluated the influence of trans fat supplementation in rats exposed to the same mania animal model and the response to lithium (a mood stabilizing drug) treatment in 1st and 2nd generation animals. Lithium was able to reverse all AMPH-induced effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that the increased consumption of processed foods, which are rich in trans fat, may be related to an increased incidence of neuropsychiatric conditions. Conversely, a balanced diet, which includes omega-3 sources , reduces susceptibility to developing such conditions, possibly by changing the composition of the neuronal phospholipid membrane.
Ácidos graxos (AG) são fosfolipídeos constituintes das membranas neuronais onde são fundamentais para o desenvolvimento e funcionamento do cérebro. Durante o pico do crescimento neuronal, o qual ocorre durante a última semana de gestação e período de aleitamento, há um rápido acúmulo de AG poliinsaturados de cadeia longa (AGPI-CL) para o desenvolvimento fetal e neonatal normal, garantindo o desenvolvimento de suas funções neurológicas. Durante as últimas décadas foram observadas mudanças nos hábitos alimentares, principalmente em países ocidentais, devido ao aumento do consumo de AG trans e ômega-6 (n-6) em detrimento do consumo de AG ômega-3 (n-3). Estas mudanças podem favorecer o desenvolvimento de processos oxidativos e alterar a neuroplasticidade neuronal, facilitando assim o desenvolvimento de doenças neuropsiquiátricas, e dentre estas, o transtorno bipolar (TB). Através de um modelo animal de mania induzido por anfetamina, avaliamos comparativamente a influência da suplementação diária de óleos ou gordura desde o período pré-concepcional até o desmame das ninhadas em regiões cerebrais dos filhotes de 1ª e de 2ª geração. Três grupos de ratas Wistar foram suplementadas diariamente (3g/kg/v.o.) desde uma semana antes da concepção, durante a gestação e aleitamento com óleo de peixe (OP, rico em AGPI n-3); óleo de soja (rico em AGPI n-6) ou gordura vegetal hidrogenada (GVH; rica em AGT). No período de desmame, filhotes de ambos os sexos foram mantidos sob a mesma suplementação original até 90 dias de idade. Enquanto os filhotes machos foram incluídos no estudo da 1ª geração, as fêmeas foram separadas e acasaladas nas mesmas condições de suplementação já descritas, obtendo-se assim, animais adultos de 2ª geração, os quais foram incluídos no 2º estudo e divididos em 3 experimentos. No estudo de 1ª geração, aos 90 dias de idade, metade de cada suplementação foi tratada com uma dose diária de anfetamina (4mg/Kg, ip) ou solução salina (controle), durante 14 dias, quando foram submetidos aos testes comportamentais e avaliações bioquímicas no córtex, estriado e hipocampo. A suplementação com GVH favoreceu a incorporação de AGT nas três estruturas cerebrais descritas, aumentou a atividade locomotora induzida por ANF e aumentou os danos oxidativos. Já a suplementação com OP permitiu um aumento da porcentagem de DHA, diminuindo a razão AGPI n6/n3 nas três regiões avaliadas, o que pode ter contribuído para uma maior fluidez das membranas neurais e menor incidência de danos oxidativos. Ratos machos adultos da 2ª geração foram também expostos ao modelo animal de mania induzido por anfetamina, sendo porém separados em dois experimentos distintos: no primeiro experimento, além de avaliações comportamentais relacionadas à memória, marcadores do status oxidativo e análises moleculares foram feitas no hipocampo, sendo observado um prejuízo destes parâmetros no grupo suplementado com GVH, enquanto o grupo OP mostrou efeitos benéficos. No segundo experimento, além do comportamento locomotor, análises bioquímicas e moleculares foram feitas no córtex, quando novamente, a suplementação com GVH mostrou efeitos deletérios. No terceiro experimento avaliamos a influência da suplementação de gordura trans em animais de 1ª e 2ª geração sobre o mesmo modelo animal de mania e a resposta farmacológica ao carbonato de lítio (droga estabilizadora do humor), quando observamos que o lítio foi capaz de reverter todos efeitos induzidos pela ANF. Tomados em conjunto, os dados apresentados nesta tese sugerem que o consumo aumentado de alimentos industrializados, os quais são ricos em grodura trans, podem estar envolvidos no aumento da incidência de doenças neuropsiquiátricas. Contrariamente, uma alimentação balanceada, a qual inclui fontes de omega-3, reduz a suscetibilidade para o desenvolvimento de tais condições, em decorrência das possíveis alterações na composição fosfolipídica das membranas neurais.

A esteatose hepática não alcóolica está relacionada às causas crescentes de morbimortalidade de doenças hepáticas. Sua incidência está relacionada à obesidade e comorbidades vinculadas a esta, na qual tem despertado grande interesse na pesquisa. A modulação quantitativa da dieta pode promover ou retardar a patologia. Desta forma, terapias voltadas para retardar ou diminuir a esteatose hepática não alcóolica poderiam atenuar o dano hepático, melhorar a função hepática e reduzir sua progressão. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: avaliar o consumo de óleos vegetais ricos em MUFAs e PUFAs usados comercialmente na prevenção ou redução da esteatose hepática analisando parâmetros do metabolismo lipídico hepático e sérico, estresse oxidativo e retardando a progressão de NAFLD. Material e Métodos: os animais foram divididos nos seguintes grupos: Controle (n=10) + HLF * (n=10); Grupo HLF * AZ (n=10); Grupo HLF* CN (n=10); Grupo HLF* S (n=10). Após 16 semanas de dieta e tratamento com os respectivos óleos, os animais foram anestesiados e o sangue retirado por punção cardíaca e os tecidos para as análises posteriores. Resultados: A oferta de uma dieta rica em gordura saturada (banha) + frutose ocasionou um aumento do peso no grupo HLF enquanto a administração dos respectivos óleos vegetais foi capaz de retardar o ganho de peso. O peso hepático e da soma dos tecidos adiposos epididimal e retroperitonial foi maior no HLF enquanto houve redução significativa no peso hepático HLF/S. O tecido retroperitonial foi menor no HLF/CN. De uma maneira geral o tratamento com os respectivos óleos vegetais diminui a esteatose em todos os grupos experimentais. A oferta de azeite extra virgem não refletiu no ganho de peso, porém o grupo teve um aumento significativo de TG e VLDL séricos, com diminuição do colesterol sérico. Avaliado histologicamente diminuiu o score de esteatose quando comparado ao HLF sendo classificado como esteatose macro e microvesicular de leve a moderada. O óleo de soja apresentou uma maior quantidade de PUFAs, sendo rico em n-6, refletiu na manutenção do peso dos animais, diminuiu a esteatose, sendo classificado como esteatatose leve, quando comparado ao HLF, porém aumentou o colesterol sérico. Apresentou um aumento de MDA e diminuição de GSH hepático. O óleo de canola devido a seu teor em ácidos graxos PUFAs (n-6 e n-3) teve maior incorporação do EPA e DHA que parecem ter evidenciado positivamente. Não apresentou alteração nos parâmetros bioquímicos e apresentou menor acúmulo de gordura hepática através da análise do percentual de gordura hepática e histopatologia, sendo caracterizado como esteatose leve. Pela peroxidação lipídica apresentou um maior acúmulo de MDA, porém um aumento de GSH. Contudo, a oferta dos respectivos óleos influenciou positivamente em diferentes mecanismos fisiológicos.
The Non-alcoholic fatty liver is related to the increasing causes of morbidity and mortality of liver diases. Its incidence is related to obesity and comorbidities linked to it, in which it has awaked great interest in the research. The disease is associated to genetic predisposition, lack of physical activity and high intake of saturated fats and fructose. Quantitative modulation of the diet may promote or retard the pathology. Thus, therapies aimed at delaying or decreasing non alcoholic hepatic steatosis could alleviate liver damage, improve liver function and reduce its progression. The objectives of the present study were: to evaluate the consumption of vegetable oils rich in commercially available MUFAs and PUFAs in the prevention or reduction of hepatic steatosis by analyzing parameters of hepatic and serum lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and delaying the progression of NAFLD. Material and Methods: animals were divided into the following groups: Control (n = 10) + HLF * (n = 10); Group HLF * AZ (n = 10); Group HLF * CN (n = 10); Group HLF * S (n = 10). After 16 weeks of diet and treatment with the respective oils, the animals were anesthetized and blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture and tissues for further analysis. Results: The supply of a diet rich in saturated fat (lard) + fructose caused an increase in weight in the HLF group while the administration of the respective vegetable oils was able to delay the weight gain. Liver weight and sum of epididymal and retroperitoneal adipose tissues were higher in HLF while there was a significant reduction in HLF / S hepatic weight. Retroperitoneal tissue was lower in HLF / CN. In general, treatment with the respective vegetable oils decreases steatosis in all experimental groups. The supply of extra virgin olive oil did not reflect weight gain, but the group had a significant increase in serum TG and VLDL, with a decrease in serum cholesterol. Histologically it reduced the steatosis score when compared to the HLF being classified as mild to moderate macro and microvesicular steatosis. Soybean oil presented a higher amount of PUFAs, being rich in n-6, reflected in the maintenance of animal weight, decreased steatosis, being classified as mild steatosis when compared to HLF, but increased serum cholesterol. He presented an increase of MDA and decrease of hepatic GSH. Canola oil due to its content of PUFAs (n-6 and n-3) had greater incorporation of EPA and DHA than appear to have been positively evidenced. There was no alteration in the biochemical parameters and presented lower accumulation of liver fat through the analysis of the percentage of liver fat and histopathology, being characterized as mild steatosis. By the lipid peroxidation presented a greater accumulation of MDA, but an increase of GSH. However, the supply of the respective oils had a positive influence on different physiological mechanisms.

Neste trabalho apresentamos uma descrição geométrica do grupo de tranças no disco Bpnq e sua apresentação em termos de geradores e relatores no famoso teorema da apresentação de Artin. Mostraremos também que o grupo de tranças puras PBpnq, grupo que possui a permutação trivial das cordas, é bi-ordenável, ou seja, exibiremos uma ordenação para PBpnq que será invariante pela multiplicação em ambos os lados. Esse processo é dado a partir da combinação da técnica de pentear Artin e a expansão Magnus para grupos livres.
In this work, we present a geometric description of the braids groups of the disk Bpnq and its presentation in terms of generators and relations in the famous theorem of Artin\'s presentation. We also show that groups of pure braids, denoted by PBpnq, groups that have the trivial permutation of the strings, are bi-orderable, that is, we will present the explicit construction of a strict total ordering of pure braids PBpnq which is invariant under multiplying on both sides. This process is given from the combination of the techniques of combing Artin and Magnus expansion to free groups.

Localized cytosolic Ca2+ elevations known as puffs and sparks are important regulators of cellular function that arise due to the cooperative activity of Ca2+-regulated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) or ryanodine receptors (RyRs) co-localized at Ca2+ release sites on the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum or sarcoplasmic reticulum. Theoretical studies have demonstrated that the cooperative gating of a cluster of Ca2+-regulated Ca 2+ channels modeled as a continuous-time discrete-state Markov chain may result in dynamics reminiscent of Ca2+ puffs and sparks. In such simulations, individual Ca2+-release channels are coupled via a mathematical representation of the local [Ca2+] and exhibit "stochastic Ca2+ excitability" where channels open and close in a concerted fashion. This dissertation uses Markov chain models of Ca 2+ release sites to advance our understanding of the biophysics connecting the microscopic parameters of IP3R and RyR gating to the collective phenomenon of puffs and sparks.;The dynamics of puffs and sparks exhibited by release site models that include both Ca2+ coupling and nearest-neighbor allosteric coupling are studied. Allosteric interactions are included in a manner that promotes the synchronous gating of channels by stabilizing neighboring closed-closed and/or open-open channel pairs. When the strength of Ca2+-mediated channel coupling is systematically varied, simulations that include allosteric interactions often exhibit more robust Ca2+ puffs and sparks. Interestingly, the changes in puff/spark duration, inter-event interval, and frequency observed upon the random removal of allosteric couplings that stabilize closed-closed channel pairs are qualitatively different than the changes observed when open-open channel pairs, or both open-open and closed-closed channel pairs are stabilized. The validity of a computationally efficient mean-field reduction applicable to the dynamics of a cluster of Ca2+-release Ca2+ channels coupled via the local [Ca2+] and allosteric interactions is also investigated.;Markov chain models of Ca2+ release sites composed of channels that are both activated and inactivated by Ca2+ are used to clarify the role of Ca2+ inactivation in the generation and termination of puffs and sparks. It is found that when the average fraction of inactivated channels is significant, puffs and sparks are often less sensitive to variations in the number of channels at release sites and the strength of Ca2+ coupling. While excessively fast Ca2+ inactivation can preclude puffs and sparks moderately fast Ca2+ inactivation often leads to time-irreversible puff/sparks whose termination is facilitated by the recruitment of inactivated channels throughout the duration of the puff/spark event. On the other hand, Ca2+ inactivation may be an important negative feedback mechanism even when its time constant is much greater than the duration of puffs and sparks. In fact, slow Ca 2+ inactivation can lead to release sites with a substantial fraction of inactivated channels that exhibit nearly time-reversible puffs and sparks that terminate without additional recruitment of inactivated channels.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Registros de características de desempenho e reprodutivas de duas linhas puras de suínos da raça Large (L1 e L2) e uma linha (L3) formada pelo cruzamento entre linhas L1 e L2 foram utilizados para avaliar a divergência genética entre as duas linhas, estimar a heterose direta e seu comportamento ao longo das gerações, estudar a divergência genética entre grupos genéticos constituintes da linha L3, testar diferentes modelos na avaliação genética da linha L3 e avaliar a ocorrência de heterogeneidade de variâncias entre grupos genéticos e seu efeito na classificação dos animais pelo valor genético. A divergência genética foi avaliada utilizando-se técnicas de análise multivariada, as estimativas de heterose foram obtidas por meio de contrastes entre médias dos grupos genéticos e a significância estatística dos contrastes entre médias foi verificada computando-se a estatística t. As estimativas dos componentes de variâncias foram obtidas pelo método da máxima verossimilhança restrita (REML). O teste de razão de verossimilhança foi aplicado para identificar qual o modelo mais adequado à avaliação genética animal, com a ressalva de que no modelo unicaracterística se assumiram variâncias homogêneas entre os grupos genéticos, e no modelo tricaracterística foi considerada a expressão da característica em cada grupo genético como uma característica diferente. A partir do arquivo com os valores genéticos estimados dos animais com os dois diferentes modelos, obteve-se a correlação de ordem entre as classificações dos animais. As duas linhas puras avaliadas (L1 e L2) apresentaram divergência genética tanto para características de desempenho quanto para reprodutivas. A estimativa de heterose direta na geração F1 foi de 8,74% para número de leitões nascidos total (NLN), 8,50% para número de leitões nascidos vivos (NLNV), 2,41% para ganho de peso diário (GPD) e ausente para peso da leitegada ao nascimento (PLN). Os efeitos de heterose nas gerações F2 e F3 ocorreram apenas para GPD, observando redução do efeito de heterose ao longo das gerações para NLN e NLNV. Os grupos genéticos que constituem a linha L3 (F1, F2 F1xF2 e F3) apresentaram divergência genética, ressaltando-se que a análise de agrupamento indicou que eles poderiam ser agrupados em dois grupos: I constituído por F2, F1xF2 e F3, e II que engloba apenas o grupo genético F1. Nas três características (NLNV, PLN e GPD) em que se avaliou o modelo mais adequado, o tricaracterística foi o mais indicado, evidenciando-se a existência de heterogeneidade de variâncias entre os grupos genéticos avaliados. Nas três características, as maiores estimativas de herdabilidades foram obtidas no grupo genético F3 e as menores, no grupo genético F1. As correlações de ordem obtidas indicam que a heterogeneidade de variância exerce mais efeito na classificação dos animais na característica ganho de peso diário do que no número de leitões nascidos vivos e peso da leitegada ao nascimento.
Data on reproductive and performance traits of two purebred Large White lines (L1 and L2) and a crossbred line L3 (L1 X L2) were used to evaluate the genetic divergence between the two lines; estimate the direct heterosis and its effects over generations; study the genetic divergence between the genetic groups forming line L3; test different models for the genetic evaluation of line L3; and evaluate the occurrence of variance heterogeneity between genetic groups and its effect on swine classification via genetic value. The genetic divergence was evaluated using multivariate analysis; heterosis estimates were obtained by contrasts between the genetic group means; and the significance of contrasts between means was tested by t-statistics. Variance component estimates were obtained by restricted maximum likelihood (REML). REML was used to identify the most suitable model for swine genetic evaluation, with the restriction that in the one-trait model it was assumed homogeneous variances between the genetic groups, and in the three-trait model the expression of the trait in each genetic group was considered as a different trait. The order correlation between animal classification was obtained from the estimated genetic values in the two different models. The two evaluated purebred lines (L1 and L2) showed genetic divergence for both performance and reproductive traits. The estimates of direct heterosis for F1 generation was 8.74% for total born pigs (NLN), 8.50% for live born pigs (NLNV), 2.41% for daily weight gain (GPD) and absent for litter birth weight (PLN). The effect of heterosis on F2 and F3 generations only occurred for GPD, with reduction of the heterosis effect over the generations for NLN and xNLNV. The genetic groups forming L3 line (F1, F2 F1xF2 and F3) showed genetic divergence, and the grouping analysis indicated that they could be grouped in two clusters: Group I comprising F2, F1xF2 and F3, and Group II comprising only the F1 group. The three evaluated traits (NLNV, PLN and GPD) indicated the three-trait model as being the most suitable, proving the existence of variance heterogeneity between the studied genetic groups. The highest heritability estimates were obtained in the F3 group, and the lowest estimates in the F1 group, for the three traits. The order correlations indicate that the variance heterogeneity has more effect on animal classification for daily weight gain than for live born pigs and litter birth weight.

Les acides gras polyinsaturés (AGPIs) à longue chaine oméga-3, essentiels à la santé et au développement chez l'homme, sont les précurseurs de médiateurs lipidiques jouant des rôles importants au maintien de l'homéostasie tissulaire. Ces métabolites oxygénés, et collectivement appelés oxylipines, sont impliqués dans la régulation de nombreux processus physiopathologiques tels que l'inflammation ou le cancer. De nouvelles sources alternatives et durables d'AGPIs n-3 étant requises pour répondre à la demande mondiale croissante, les microalgues, producteurs primaires d'AGPIs n-3, représentent une source naturelle d'intérêt pour la production de ces macromolécules à haute valeur ajoutées. Dans ce contexte, le présent travail visait à évaluer le potentiel de la microalgue pico-eucaryote Ostreococcus comme source alternative d'AGPIs n-3 et de leurs oxylipines dérivées. Cette étude a démontré que les microalgues du genre Ostreococcus contiennent de forts taux d'AGPIs, les oméga-3 étant majoritaires. En particulier, les cellules d'Ostreococcus ont montré de forts taux de DHA qui restaient relativement stables au cours de la croissance des cultures ainsi qu’avec des conditions de température, intensités lumineuses et salinité très variables. La biomasse d'Ostreococcus a montré un ensemble d'oxylipines dérivées d’AGPIs n-3 et n-6. Deux mono-hydroxy acides dérivés du DHA, les 17-HDoHE et 14-HDoHE, se sont avérés majoritaires dans les cellules d’Ostreococcus, et ce, indépendamment de la souche et des conditions de culture. En outre, des approches de génie génétique ont été réalisées avec succès pour augmenter les concentrations cellulaires d’oxylipines
Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) that are essential to human health and development are precursors of lipid mediators that play important roles for tissue homeostasis. These metabolites derived from lipid oxidation processes and collectively named oxylipins, are involved in the regulation of various physiopathological processes including inflammation and cancer. As the global consumer needs for n-3 LC-PUFAs is increasing the fishes market will likely not be sufficient and new alternative sources of n-3 LC-PUFAs are needed. Microalgae are an interesting natural source as primary producers of n-3 LC-PUFAs and therefore, a possible source of these high-values added macromolecules. In this context, the present work aimed to evaluate the potential of the green picoeukaryote Ostreococcus as a source of n-3 PUFAs and derived oxylipins. This study clearly revealed microalgae of the genus Ostreococcus contain high levels of PUFAs, the omega-3 being predominant over the omega-6. Particularly, Ostreococcus cells showed high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 n-3) levels that remained fairly stable throughout the growth cycle and under various temperature, light intensity and salinity stress conditions. The biomass of Ostreococcus showed an array of oxylipins derived from PUFAs from the n-3 and n-6 series. In particular, two monohydroxy acids derived from DHA, 17-HDoHE and 14-HDoHE, were found to be predominant in Ostreococcus cells regardless the strain or the culture conditions tested. Furthermore, genetic engineering approach was successfully used to increase oxylipins content

Mehrfach ungesättigte omega-3 Fettsäuren (n-3 PUFAs), wie Eicosapentaensäure (EPA) und Docosahexaensäure (DHA), schützen vor kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, wie tödlichen Arrhythmien. In vitro Untersuchungen belegen, dass rekombinante Cytochrom P450 (CYP) Enzyme nicht nur die n-6 PUFA Arachidonsäure (AA), sondern auch die n-3 PUFAs EPA und DHA als alternative Substrate verwenden. Dabei entstehen bioaktive regio- und stereoisomere Epoxy- und Hydroxymetaboliten, CYP-Eicosanoide, die als sekundäre Botenstoffe bei der Regulation von Gefäß-, Nieren- und Herzfunktionen fungieren. Die genauen molekularen Mechanismen dieser Metabolite sind noch weitgehend unerforscht. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde zunächst der ernährungsbedingte Einfluss auf das endogene CYP-Eicosanoidprofil im Menschen untersucht. Die Ergebnisse der klinischen Studie zeigten, dass n-3 PUFAs auch in vivo alternative Substrate von CYP-Enzymen darstellen und wenn verfügbar sogar effektiver zu ihren Metaboliten umgesetzt wurden als AA. Als ein wichtiger Metabolit entsteht nach EPA/DHA-Supplementation 17,18-EEQ, welcher womöglich der eigentliche Vermittler der kardioprotektiven Effekte von n-3 PUFAs ist. Unter Verwendung eines etablierten Zellmodells mit spontan schlagenden neonatalen Rattenkardiomyozyten (NRKMs) wurde der anti-arrhythmische Effekte von 17,18-EEQ genauer untersucht. Der negativ chronotrope Effekt von EPA auf NRKMs wurde tatsächlich durch 17,18-EEQ vermittelt, insbesondere dem R,S-Enantiomer. Mittels Strukturfunktionsanalyse wurden synthetische Analoga mit gleicher Wirksamkeit wie dem 7,18-EEQ gefunden, wobei strikte strukturelle Merkmale für die biologische Funktion identifiziert wurden. Die Suche nach einem molekularen Ziel für CYP-Epoxyeicosanoide führte zu einem möglichen Rezeptorkandidaten, der hinsichtlich seiner Ligandenspezifität untersucht wurde. Dieser oder zukünftige andere Rezeptorkandidaten stellen ein mögliches neues zelluläres Ziel zur Behandlung kardialer Arrhythmien dar.
The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), protect from cardiovascular disease, especially from fetal arrhythmia. Moreover, in vitro studies proved that recombinant cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes not only accept the physiologically most important n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (AA), but also EPA and DHA as alternative substrates, thereby generating regio- and stereospecific biologically active epoxy- and hydroxymetabolites, CYP-eicosanoids. These metabolites serve as second messengers regulating vascular, renal and cardiac function. The precise underlying molecular mechanisms are only partially understood and need further investigation. The first aim of the thesis was to show that the endogenous CYP-eicosanoid profile depends on the availability of the precursor fatty acids. The results of a clinical trial with 20 volunteers, show that n-3 PUFAs serve also in vivo as alternative CYP-dependent substrates and are even preferentially metabolized compared to AA. After EPA/DHA-supplementation 17,18 EEQ was generated as a major metabolite, potentially an important mediator of cardiovascular effects originally attributed to n-3 PUFAs. To test the anti-arrhythmic effect of EPA and 17,18-EEQ, an established cell model with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRKMs) was used. The negative chronotropic effect of EPA was mimicked by 17,18-EEQ, attributed only to the R,S-enantiomer. A structure activity relationship study revealed synthetic analogs, exerting the same biological effect as 17,18-EEQ. Strict structural requirements were found for agonistic function, hinting at a specific interaction with cellular targets, like GPCRs. The search of a molecular target of CYP-eicosanoids led to a putative receptor, which was tested for ligand binding specificity. If the preliminary results on the ligand binding are confirmed in future experiments this receptor might be a novel target for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia.

Texte remanié de: Th.--Centro de estudios sobre la universidad--México--Universidad nacional autónoma, Facultad de filosofía y letras, 1989. Titre de soutenance : Antropología de los cautiverios de la mujeres.
Bibliogr. p. 805-838.

Studies on both full size and pilot scale rotary kiln incinerators have suggested that mixing between evaporating waste and ambient air may be an important factor in the destruction of hazardous wastes in such facilities. Research presented here has addressed the issue of gas phase mixing between one intermittent gas stream, representing a transient puff of evaporating waste, and a continuous stream, representing the primary flame flue gas in a rotary kiln incinerator. Experiments were performed in a plexiglas cold flow model which is a full scale replica of the rotary kiln simulator used by EPA's Combustion Research Branch. The intermittent gas stream was seeded with TiO₂ particles. Quantitative data were obtained through a combination of laser flow visualization and digital image analysis. Experiments were completed for different main air flow rates, representing Reynolds numbers from 1,700 to 17,000. The experimental results were compared to a computer simulation model, based on the linear eddy modeling technique. Model results agreed very well with experimental data, if a recirculation zone was explicitly accounted for. The model was used to predict mixing at low Schmidt number, with input conditions obtained from the existing evaporation model of Wendt and Linak (1988). Conclusions from this research include the following: (1) digital image analysis, based on flow visualization, can be used to quantify gas phase mixing processes; (2) deviations from Reynolds number similarity in these experiments can be explained from differences in relative (main air and puff) flowrates, and in Strouhal number; (3) recirculation zones have a significant effect on macro-mixing (average concentration profiles). However, the effect on micro-mixing is limited; (4) interpretation of high Schmidt number, low resolution measurements as if they where fully resolved low Schmidt number measurements is generally adequate. Specifically for the EPA kiln, it was concluded that: (5) three separate mixing mechanisms are present: jet mixing in the cavity, recirculation zones, and shear turbulence; (6) unmixedness is a likely explanation for failure modes in the EPA rotary kiln incinerator; (7) insufficient macro-mixing (controlled by transient evaporation and large scale motion) is more important than local unmixedness (governed by fine scale turbulence and molecular diffusion).

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Departamento de Ciências da Computação, 2014.
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Este trabalho apresenta aplicações baseadas em uma recente primitiva intitulada Funções Fisicamente não Clonáveis (PUFs), e como elas podem ser utilizadas para estabelecer serviços de segurança. No trabalho, PUFs são empregadas para construir uma cifra de blocos e um autenticador, onde a primeira é construída a partir de uma cifra Luby-Rackoff com 4 rodadas envolvendo PUFs e funções de hash universal. A cifra aprimora o estado da arte de cifração baseada em PUFs tanto em segurança quanto no tamanho do criptograma resultante. Já no segundo, é construído um Código de Autenticação de Mensagem (MAC) pela combinação de um MAC clássico de tamanho fixo com uma função de hash universal. Em ambos os casos, análises de segurança são fornecidas considerando noções padronizadas na literatura. Como as PUFs codificam chaves criptográficas implícitas, as técnicas apresentadas podem ser empregadas em esquemas de cifração autenticada de discos rígidos ou dispositivos móveis, com incremento de segurança por resistência ao vazamento de bits da chave. Além da proposta de construção de uma cifra e um autenticador, é proposto um protocolo de autenticação para aplicações bancárias combinando PUFs com protocolos para acordo autenticado de chave baseado em senha (PAKE). O protocolo resultante fornece autenticação mútua entre cliente e servidor e estabelecimento de uma chave de sessão entre as partes autenticadas, importantes características que não foram encontradas simultaneamente na literatura de autenticação baseada em PUFs. A combinação aprimora o estado da arte, garantindo que a chave de sessão estará disponível apenas para detentores legítimos da PUF, reduzindo a possibilidade de vazamento de segredos armazenados explicitamente. O protocolo suporta autenticação multi-fator e fornece proteção contra ataque de dicionário offline sobre a senha de autenticação. Além disso, ele satisfaz noções usuais de segurança quando a saída da PUF é imprevisível, e permite o cliente notificar o servidor em caso de emergência. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT
This work presents applications based on a recent primitive called Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs), and how they can be used to establish security properties. In this work, PUFs are employed to construct a block cipher and authenticator, where the first is constructed from a Luby-Rackoff cipher with 4 rounds involving PUFs and universal hash functions. The cipher improves the state of the art of PUF-based encryption in two aspects: security and size of the resulting ciphertext. The second, a Message Authentication Code (MAC) is built by the combination of a classic fixed-size MAC with a universal hash function. In both cases, security analysis are provided considering standard notions in the literature. Since the PUFs implicitly encode cryptographic keys, the techniques presented can be used in authenticated encryption schemes of hard drives or mobile devices, increasing resistance against leakage of key bits. Besides the proposed construction of a cipher and an authenticator, we propose an authentication protocol for banking applications combining PUFs with protocols for Password-based Authenticated Key Exchange (PAKE). The resulting protocol provides mutual authentication between client and server and establishes a session key between the authenticated parties, important features that were not found simultaneously in the literature of PUF-based authentication. This combination improves the state of the art, ensuring that the session key is only available to legitimate holders of the PUF, reducing the possibility of leaking secrets stored explicitly. The protocol supports multiple authentication factors and provides protection against offine dictionary attacks on the password authentication. Moreover, it satisfies the usual security notions when the PUF output is unpredictable, and allows the client to notify the server in case of emergency.

Lucia Etxebarria's first two novels, Amor, curiosidad, prozac y dudas and Beatriz y los cuerpos celestes, demonstrate just how the author affirms, questions and discredits the binary notions that are historically associated with gender. A critical approach to the social roles traditionally categorized as masculine and feminine and the literal and symbolic concepts of homo, hetero and bisexuality---all of which are personified by the varied protagonists of the two works---unveils the faulty foundation upon which the cultural, sexual and even biological dichotomies of male and female are constructed and perpetuated. These arbitrary ideals are patriarchal constructs that inherently marginalize, conceal and even eradicate the innumerable unclassifiable gender combinations that can be found along the sexual spectrum. Etxebarria uses her texts as a social weapon with which to rebel against the traditional myths of femininity and represent the socially problematic genders that are often silenced by the omnipresent power of the classical Spanish hegemony.

"Passive scalar concentration and velocity fields of isolated turbulent puffs were examined experimentally using the planar laser Mie scattering and PIV techniques, respectively. Work in WPI laboratories on reacting, fully-modulated jets has indicated significantly reduced flame lengths for compact puffs in comparison with steady and pulsed jets. Of particular interest is the entrainment and mixing of isolated turbulent puffs away from the nozzle. The present experiments were carried out in order to enhance fundamental understanding of the velocity fields associated with isolated, turbulent puffs. Puffs were generated by injecting air through a 5 mm diameter nozzle into a flow chamber with a weak co-flow. The injection time was varied by the use of a fast-response solenoid valve from 20 ms to 161 ms. Puffs with a Reynolds number of 5,000 were examined in the range of 25 - 75 diameters downstream of the nozzle. The results indicate that as the injection volume increases, puffs evolve from a spherical geometry to one with a tail. The distribution of a passive scalar within the examined turbulent puffs is unlike that in turbulent vortex rings. The half-width of radial concentration profile through the puff center decreases as the injection volume increases. On the other hand, the puff length in the axial direction increases with the injection volume. The results from phase-locked PIV measurements indicate that the largest axial mean velocities and the radial velocity fluctuation are within the central portion of the puff and the largest axial velocity fluctuation are typically present above the puff center. The turbulent shear stress profiles within puffs are antisymmetric about the centerline and the maximum magnitude for the smallest injection volume is 2.5 times the steady jet value. The vorticity fields calculated from phase-locked velocity field data indicate the presence of vorticity throughout the puff volume. The ratio of puff volume flow rate to steady jet at the puff center location was largest for the smallest injection volume. The majority of entrainment into the puff occurs below the puff center while the puff cap pushes out into surrounding fluid. In general, the puff characteristics did not reveal an internal structure analogous to that in the turbulent vortex ring."

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Insect hosts that have been already parasitized are considered a low quality resource, which may affect the number of ovipositions made by other parasitoids. Since the amount of eggs laid affects the host immune response, the offspring survivorship may also be affected. For this reason, it is necessary to understand to what point the energy spent in superparasitizing is an advantage that allows supression of host immune response and provides adequate resources for the imatures to develop within their host. This study had the objective of finding the number of ovipositions from Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) allowing optimal offspring fitness and to analyze if immune response the melonworm Diaphania hyalinata L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is correlated with the density of posture by the parasitoid. Pupae of D. hyalinata received from one to five parasitoid ovipositions. The total number of offspring produced, the number of males and females emerging from the host, sex ratio, life cycle, average body mass and biomass produced per parasitized pupae were recorded for the different oviposition densities. Digital x-ray imaging of parasitized hosts were recorded to assessing the immature parasitoid developmental until adult emergence. Incidence of unviable parasitoid larvae was also recorded. The survivorship of P. elaeisis was daily assessed. Hemocyte dynamics and encapsulation capacity of D. hyalinata against P. elaeisis was evaluated for each number of ovipositions, from one to five. The Parasitoid developmental time decreased with increased oviposition density and three ovipositions provided higher offspring and particularly female production, and optimal larval fitness. Progeny body mass and sex ration were not affected by oviposition density. Female and male survived longer with one oviposition of the female parasitoid. Parasitoid emergence increased with the number of parasitoid ovipositions and 100% parasitism and corresponding 100% host pupa mortality were achieved with all oviposition densities. Increased number of ovipositions decreased the number of total hemocytes, and also of granulocytes, plasmatocytes and prohemocytes in the circulating host hemolymph. Oenocytes and espherulocytes were not affect by the number of parasitoid ovipositions in the host. The melanization and encapsulation rates decreased with the number of ovipositions by P. elaeisis. Three ovipositions by the parasitoid female allowed optimal progeny production and parasitoid performance. Superparasitism is a strategy of P. elaeisis for optimal progeny fitness balancing optimal progeny performance with amelioration of host immune response.
Hospedeiros parasitados são considerados de baixa qualidade e podem influenciar no número de oviposições de parasitoides, influenciando na sobrevivência da progênie, pois, a quantidade de ovos depositados afeta a resposta imune do hospedeiro. Por isso, torna-se necessário saber até quando o investimento de superparasitar é vantajoso ao ponto de suprimir a resposta imune do hospedeiro e favorecer uma ótima competição de imaturos dentro do hospedeiro. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi reconhecer a densidade ótima de posturas de Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) para produção de progênie, e saber se a resposta imune do hospedeiro Diaphania hyalinata L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) ao parasitismo se relaciona a esta densidade ótima. Pupas de D. hyalinata foram expostas a uma, duas, três, quatro e cinco posturas por uma mesma fêmea do parasitoide. O número total de progênies, de machos e fêmeas emergidos, razão sexual, ciclo de vida, peso médio e biomassa produzida foram analisados. A velocidade de pupação, tempo entre pupa e emergência de P. elaeisis e a porcentagem de pupas com imaturos inviáveis deste parasitoide foram observados em pupa de D. hyalinata em sistema de radiografia digital. A sobrevivência de adultos de P. elaeisis foi avaliada diariamente. A porcentagem de emergência da progênie foi avaliada. A dinâmica hemocitária e a capacidade de encapsulação por pupas de D. hyalinata contra P. elaeisis foi avaliada mediante o número de posturas. Larvas de P. elaeisis empuparam mais rápido e o tempo entre o período de pupa e a emergência foi praticamente constante com três oviposições, variando para os demais tratamentos. Três oviposições proporcionou o maior número de fêmeas, total de emergidos e desempenho e, menor tempo de desenvolvimento dos parasitoides. O peso da progênie e a razão sexual foram semelhantes entre os indivíduos. Fêmeas e machos de pupas com uma oviposição sobreviveram mais que os demais tratamentos. A porcentagem de emergência de parasitoides aumentou com o número de posturas. O parasitismo foi de 100% em todos os tratamentos. Pupas com quatro e cinco oviposições não tiveram larvas inviáveis. O aumento do número de posturas reduziu o número de hemócitos totais e de granulócitos, plasmatócitos e prohemócitos circulantes na hemolinfa de pupas de D. hyalinata. Oenocitóides e esferulócitos circulantes mostraram padrão aleatório entre os tratamentos. A taxa de encapsulamento e de melanização decresceram com o aumento de oviposições de P. elaeisis. A oviposição por três vezes maximizou a progênie, reduziu o tempo de desenvolvimento e aumentou o desempenho de P. elaeisis. O superparasitismo é uma estratatégia em P. elaeisis para o aumento de sobrevivência e desempenho da prole.

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on September 24, 2009). Thesis advisor: Dr. Fu-Hung Hsieh. Includes bibliographical references.