Bayesian inference on genetic merit under uncertain paternity

A hierarchical animal model was developed for inference on genetic merit of livestock with uncertain paternity. Fully conditional posterior distributions for fixed and genetic effects, variance components, sire assignments and their probabilities are derived to facilitate a Bayesian inference strategy using MCMC methods. We compared this model to a model based on the Henderson average numerator relationship (ANRM) in a simulation study with 10 replicated datasets generated for each of two traits. Trait 1 had a medium heritability (h2) for each of direct and maternal genetic effects whereas Trait 2 had a high h2 attributable only to direct effects. The average posterior probabilities inferred on the true sire were between 1 and 10% larger than the corresponding priors (the inverse of the number of candidate sires in a mating pasture) for Trait 1 and between 4 and 13% larger than the corresponding priors for Trait 2. The predicted additive and maternal genetic effects were very similar using both models; however, model choice criteria (Pseudo Bayes Factor and Deviance Information Criterion) decisively favored the proposed hierarchical model over the ANRM model

Improving the assessment of exercise capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients attending exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation

The aim of this thesis is ‘’Improving the Assessment of Exercise Capacity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients Attending Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation’’. Cardiorespiratory capacity is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in cardiac patients, due to the prognostic power, is an essential outcome to measure in cardiac patients in clinical practice. In cardiac rehabilitation programmes the assessment of cardiorespiratory capacity (by field tests or treadmill test) is an essential practice supported by U.K., European and U.S.A. guidelines, which gives support to patients risk evaluation and stratification, setting individual patients goals, exercise prescription, and evaluation of the same. Overall, the findings of this thesis, which were generate by meta-analysis, crosssectional studies and laboratory research, provide an nsight into the factors associated with patients’ initial performance, and oxygen cost in functional capacity tests. Together, this data may improve the application, interpretation and patient understanding of these test results. One aim of CR is to improve patients’ functional capacity; we provide a standard value for ΔFitness, and information on factors which clinicians may need to consider when setting patient goals and interpreting changes in functional capacity, or ΔFitness due to CR

Altered expression of CD1d molecules and lipid accumulation in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 after iron loading.

Iron overload in the liver may occur in clinical conditions such as hemochromatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and may lead to the deterioration of the normal liver architecture by mechanisms not well understood. Although a relationship between the expression of ICAM-1, and classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, and iron overload has been reported, no relationship has been identified between iron overload and the expression of unconventional MHC class I molecules. Herein, we report that parameters of iron metabolism were regulated in a coordinated-fashion in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2 cells) after iron loading, leading to increased cellular oxidative stress and growth retardation. Iron loading of HepG2 cells resulted in increased expression of Nor3.2-reactive CD1d molecules at the plasma membrane. Expression of classical MHC class I and II molecules, ICAM-1 and the epithelial CD8 ligand, gp180 was not significantly affected by iron. Considering that intracellular lipids regulate expression of CD1d at the cell surface, we examined parameters of lipid metabolism in iron-loaded HepG2 cells. Interestingly, increased expression of CD1d molecules by iron-loaded HepG2 cells was associated with increased phosphatidylserine expression in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane and the presence of many intracellular lipid droplets. These data describe a new relationship between iron loading, lipid accumulation and altered expression of CD1d, an unconventional MHC class I molecule reported to monitor intracellular and plasma membrane lipid metabolism, in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2.This work was funded by the Inova Foundation for Medical Research/The American Portuguese Biomedical Research Fund (APBRF, USA). The authors would like to thank L. Mayer and K. Uchida for providing antibodies, A. do Vale, F. Pisarra and M.T. Silva for help and comments on TEM, and M. Santos and R. Hultcrantz for critical reading of the manuscript. We also thank M. de Sousa for mentoring this work. M.C. and C.F.P. were supported by a fellowship from Inova/APBRF. E.M.C. was partially supported by EU grant (QLG1-CT-1999–00665)

NMR structural elucidation of the arabinan from Prunus dulcis immunobiological active pectic polysaccharides

The structure of the arabinan moiety of a purified arabinan-rich pectic polysaccharide from the cell walls of Prunus dulcis seeds was investigated by NMR spectroscopy. This polymer, which is able to induce a lymphocyte stimulatory effect, had an arabinan glycosidiclinkage composed of T-Araf: (1→5)-Araf: (1→3,5)-Araf: (1→2,3,5)-Araf in the relative proportions of approximately 3:2:1:1. Based on the ¹H, ¹³C, COSYPR, gHSQC and gHMBC spectra of analysed arabinan, a tentative structure is presented, showing that it is composed by a very branched and, possibly, repetitive structure of seven residues. The observed (1→5) direct linkage between (1→2,3,5)- Araf and (1→3,5)-Araf residues support the occurrence of these contiguous branched residues in the arabinan backbone.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)University of Aveiro

Hepatocytes and IL-15: A Favorable Microenvironment for T Cell Survival and CD8+ T Cell Differentiation

Human intrahepatic lymphocytes are enriched in CD1d-unrestricted T cells coexpressing NKR. Although the origin of this population remains controversial, it is possible to speculate that the hepatic microenvironment, namely epithelial cells or the cytokine milieu, may play a role in its shaping. IL-15 is constitutively expressed in the liver and has a key role in activation and survival of innate and tissue-associated immune cells. In this in vitro study, we examined whether hepatocyte cell lines and/or IL-15 could play a role in the generation of NK-like T cells. The results show that both HepG2 cells and a human immortalized hepatocyte cell line increase survival and drive basal proliferation of T cells. In addition, IL-15 was capable of inducing Ag-independent up-regulation of NKR, including NKG2A, Ig-like receptors, and de novo expression of CD56 and NKp46 in CD8(+)CD56(-) T cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that hepatocytes and IL-15 create a favorable microenvironment for T cells to growth and survive. It can be proposed that the increased percentage of intrahepatic nonclassical NKT cells could be in part due to a local CD8(+) T cell differentiation.This work was supported by grants from the American Portuguese Biomedical Research Fund (Inova Grant) and from ISCSN-CESPU (Grants CESPU 1F/05/2005 and CESPU 2F/03/2006). M.P.C. was supported by a fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/24396/2005)

Estimação automática de espessura de gordura subcutânea bovina em imagens ultrassonográficas utilizando Deep Learning

Em um mundo globalizado, com níveis cada vez mais severos de concorrência, a cadeia produtiva de carne bovina tem buscado gerar produtos que às exigências de qualidade do consumidor final. Neste contexto, uma das abordagens utilizada por esta cadeia é a avaliação da qualidade da carcaça com o objetivo de melhorar as características da carne. A utilização de métodos de avaliação da qualidade da carcaça que impliquem o abate do animal é desvantajosa, sendo preferidos os métodos não invasivos aplicados na pré-seleção de animais para o abate. A técnica da ultrassonografia permite a avaliação das características da carcaça por um procedimento não invasivo e não deixa resíduos nocivos na carne dos animais. Dentre as características de carcaça bovina mensuradas por ultrassom podemos analisar a área de olho de lombo (AOL), a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EG) e a espessura de gordura na garupa ou na picanha (EGP8). Apesar de seus benefícios, há vários anos, têm sido pesquisadas a acurácia das medidas de ultrassom de características de carcaça, tendo sido evidenciada uma grande variabilidade dos resultados, atribuída principalmente aos equipamentos e ao viés da análise do técnico responsável pela atividade. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho visa desenvolver uma abordagem automatizada, baseada em redes neurais convolucionais, para realizar a estimação da espessura de gordura na garupa ou na picanha (EGP8) a partir de imagens ultrassonográficas. As redes neurais convolucionais têm se mostrado uma técnica muito afetiva em problemas similares.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Estimação automática de espessura de gordura subcutânea bovina em imagens ultrassonográficas utilizando Deep Learning

Em um mundo globalizado, com níveis cada vez mais severos de concorrência, a cadeia produtiva de carne bovina tem buscado gerar produtos que às exigências de qualidade do consumidor final. Neste contexto, uma das abordagens utilizada por esta cadeia é a avaliação da qualidade da carcaça com o objetivo de melhorar as características da carne. A utilização de métodos de avaliação da qualidade da carcaça que impliquem o abate do animal é desvantajosa, sendo preferidos os métodos não invasivos aplicados na pré-seleção de animais para o abate. A técnica da ultrassonografia permite a avaliação das características da carcaça por um procedimento não invasivo e não deixa resíduos nocivos na carne dos animais. Dentre as características de carcaça bovina mensuradas por ultrassom podemos analisar a área de olho de lombo (AOL), a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EG) e a espessura de gordura na garupa ou na picanha (EGP8). Apesar de seus benefícios, há vários anos, têm sido pesquisadas a acurácia das medidas de ultrassom de características de carcaça, tendo sido evidenciada uma grande variabilidade dos resultados, atribuída principalmente aos equipamentos e ao viés da análise do técnico responsável pela atividade. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho visa desenvolver uma abordagem automatizada, baseada em redes neurais convolucionais, para realizar a estimação da espessura de gordura na garupa ou na picanha (EGP8) a partir de imagens ultrassonográficas. As redes neurais convolucionais têm se mostrado uma técnica muito afetiva em problemas similares.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Estimação automática de espessura de gordura subcutânea bovina em imagens ultrassonográficas utilizando Deep Learning

Em um mundo globalizado, com níveis cada vez mais severos de concorrência, a cadeia produtiva de carne bovina tem buscado gerar produtos que às exigências de qualidade do consumidor final. Neste contexto, uma das abordagens utilizada por esta cadeia é a avaliação da qualidade da carcaça com o objetivo de melhorar as características da carne. A utilização de métodos de avaliação da qualidade da carcaça que impliquem o abate do animal é desvantajosa, sendo preferidos os métodos não invasivos aplicados na pré-seleção de animais para o abate. A técnica da ultrassonografia permite a avaliação das características da carcaça por um procedimento não invasivo e não deixa resíduos nocivos na carne dos animais. Dentre as características de carcaça bovina mensuradas por ultrassom podemos analisar a área de olho de lombo (AOL), a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EG) e a espessura de gordura na garupa ou na picanha (EGP8). Apesar de seus benefícios, há vários anos, têm sido pesquisadas a acurácia das medidas de ultrassom de características de carcaça, tendo sido evidenciada uma grande variabilidade dos resultados, atribuída principalmente aos equipamentos e ao viés da análise do técnico responsável pela atividade. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho visa desenvolver uma abordagem automatizada, baseada em redes neurais convolucionais, para realizar a estimação da espessura de gordura na garupa ou na picanha (EGP8) a partir de imagens ultrassonográficas. As redes neurais convolucionais têm se mostrado uma técnica muito afetiva em problemas similares.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Study of Bio-Based Foams Prepared from PBAT/PLA Reinforced with Bio-Calcium Carbonate and Compatibilized with Gamma Radiation

Foamed polymers are future materials, considered “green materials” due to their properties with very low consumption of raw materials; they can be used to ameliorate appearance of structures besides contributing for thermal and acoustic insulation. Nevertheless, waste disposal has generated about 20–30% of total of solid volume in landfills besides prejudicing flora and fauna by uncontrolled disposal. The development of biodegradable polymers aims to solve this problem, considering that in 2012, bio-plastics market was evaluated in 1.4 million tons produced and in 2017 attained 6.2 million tons. Biodegradable polymers as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) are thermoplastics which can be processed using the most conventional polymer processing methods. PLA is high in strength and modulus but brittle, while PBAT is flexible and tough. In order to reduce interfacial tension exhibited by PLA/PBAT blends, it was used as compatibilizing agent 5 phr of PLA previously gamma-radiated at 150 kGy. Ionizing radiation induces compatibilization by free radicals, improving the dispersion and adhesion of blend phases, without using chemical additives and at room temperature. As a reinforcement agent, calcium carbonate from avian eggshell waste was used, at 10 ph of micro particles, 125 μm. Admixtures were further processed in a single-screw extruder, using CO2 as physical blowing agent (PBA). Property investigations were performed by DSC, TGA, XRD, SEM, FTIR, and mechanical essays