Living Organisms for Living Spaces: Shifting the function of material

This document explains the creative and analytical processes behind the project Living Organisms for Living Spaces. This art project examines the conceptual considerations around material by analyzing ‘objects’ – specifically fabric and textile ornaments – from Colombia’s material culture. The project explores the symbolic meaning of these objects that have both a Catholic and colonial legacy in society

Genetic, Epigenetic and Inflammation Influences on Pregnancy Maintenance

Background: Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is defined as a nonviable intrauterine pregnancy diagnosed up to the first trimester (12 weeks) of gestation. There are about 23 million miscarriages every year worldwide, and 12% happen in the first trimester. In 50% to 82% of cases, EPL is due to genetic alteration, mostly abnormal foetal karyotypes (e.g., aneuploidies). Other risk factors such as female and male age, smoking, alcohol, stress, and previous miscarriages have been also reported as underlying causes of EPL. Pregnancy problems may share similar aetiologic processes overlapping with genetic variations. Understanding pathogenetic processes and finding potential genetic variants that result in miscarriages is important to identify possible common molecular pathways that lead to this outcome. Aims: To identify risk factors to investigate several potential methods of exposure assessment during pregnancy and to better understand the causes of spontaneous abortion and recurrent spontaneous abortions. Results: cases were in general older than controls (P=0.0001), with lower DNA methylation (Mean: 82.49%, SD± 3.46) (P=0.0001) and higher systemic inflammatory profile for all the cytokines studied IL-10 (Mean: 19.67 pg/mL vs 14.63 pg/mL; P=0.038), IL-17a (Mean: 12.69 pg/mL vs 9.77 pg/mL; P=0. 025), IL-23 (Mean: 506.3 pg/mL vs 397.7 pg/mL; P=0.018), and IL-6 (Mean: 3.93 pg/mL vs 3.36 pg/mL; P=0.018). Our results showed that the wild-type variants rs5985 (G/G genotype), rs6003 (C/C genotype), and rs2285666 (G/G genotype) in the F13A1, F13B and ACE2 genes, respectively, were associated with a crude OR ranging from 2.72 to 3.94-fold risk increase for early pregnancy risk. We also found that the polymorphic allele for the variant rs1042522 in the TP53 gene had a significant 1.3-fold (38% vs 50%) (OR: 0.57, CI: 0.33 to 0.98) (P=0.032) decrease among our cases compared to controls, representing a protective factor against EPL. Our findings showed an increased frequency of ApoE4 compared non- ApoE4 carriers among cases and controls (19% vs 16%) representing a 3.17-fold increase in risk for early pregnancy loss (OR: 3.17, CI: 1.03 to 8.78) (P=0.029). In our secondary analysis, we stratified cases by EPL and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL), we observed a very interesting fact in which no significant variants reported before followed cases stratification showed significant differences. For instance, a 3-34-fold increased risk for RPL women with C/C genotype for the CFH gene variant compared to EPL. Interestingly, both major alleles (C and T, respectively) for the CRP gene rs876538 and rs2808630 variants showed a similar protective role (OR: 0.13, CI: 0.01 to 0.98) (P=0.018; P=0.015); Simultaneously, an 8-fold risk increase was associated with the minor allele for both variants (P=0.010; P=0.010). FGA and FGB genes variants' minor alleles (C and T alleles, respectively) were less represented among RPL cases than in EPL cases (P=0.028; P=0.019). Our fibrin bio-polymerization in vitro model demonstrated important architectural differences across cases and controls. Regarding the scaffold fibrin gel, our results suggested that controls had finer meshwork fibres with larger pores, this can be explained by the more regulated inflammatory process among controls. Conclusions: This thesis provided evidence of distinct genetic, epigenetic and systemic variables that can interact with each other and be a risk factor for early pregnancy loss and recurrent pregnancy loss. The genetic diversity observed in cases group versus intracase is a major highlight of how the clinical history of patients/individuals is essential to understand the differences observed, most importantly to use them as a prognostic tool.La perdita precoce della gravidanza (EPL) è definita come una gravidanza intrauterina non vitale diagnosticata fino al primo trimestre (12 settimane) di gestazione. Sono circa 23 milioni aborti spontanei ogni anno in tutto il mondo e 12% succede nel primo trimestre. Nel 50% al 82% di casi, l'EPL è dovuto ad alterazioni genetiche, per lo più cariotipi fetali anormali (ad es. aneuploidie). Altri fattori di rischio come età femminile e maschile, fumo, alcol, stress e precedenti aborti spontanei sono stati segnalati anche come cause sottostanti di EPL. Identificare il fattori di rischio e diversi potenziali metodi di valutazione durante la gravidanza e per meglio comprendere le cause dell'aborto spontaneo e aborti spontaneo ricorrente. I casi erano in generale con una età più avazzanta dei controlli ( P = 0, 0001), con metilazione del DNA inferiore (media: 82, 49%, SD ± 3, 46) ( P = 0, 0001) e un profilo infiammatorio sistemico più elevato per tutte le citochine studiate IL-10 (Media: 19,67 pg/ml vs 14,63 pg/ml; P=0,038), IL-17a (Media: 12,69 pg/ml vs 9,77 pg/ml; P=0. 025), IL-23 (media: 506,3 pg/mL vs 397,7 pg/mL; P=0,018) e IL-6 (media: 3,93 pg/ml rispetto a 3,36 pg/ml; P=0,018). I nostri risultati hanno mostrato che le varianti wild type rs5985 (G/G genotipo), rs6003 (genotipo C/C) e rs2285666 (genotipo G/G) in F13A1, F13B e I geni ACE2, rispettivamente, erano associati a un OR compreso tra 2,72 e 3,94 risulanto nell’aumento del rischio di aborto precoce. Abbiamo anche demonstrato che l'allele polimorfico per le variante rs1042522 nel gene TP53 era 1,3 volte (38% vs 50%) (OR: 0,57, CI: da 0,33 a 0,98) (P=0,032) di minore frequenza tra i nostri casi rispetto ai controlli, rappresentando un fattore protettivo contro EPL. I nostri risultati hanno mostrato una maggiore frequenza di ApoE4 tra casi (19% vs 16%) rappresentando un 3,17- aumento del rischio di aborto precoce (OR: 3,17, CI: da 1,03 a 8,78) (P=0,029). Nella nostra analisi secondaria, abbiamo stratificato i casi per EPL e RPL, abbiamo osservato un fatto molto interessante in cui alcune varianti riportate prima come no significative dopo stratificazione dei casi ha mostrato differenze significative. Ad esempio, un rischio aumentato di 3-34 volte per le donne RPL con genotipo C/C per la variante del gene CFH rispetto a EPL. È interessante notare che entrambi i principali alleli (rispettivamente C e T) per il gene CRP (rs876538 e rs2808630) hanno mostrato un ruolo protettivo simile (OR: 0,13, CI: da 0,01 a 0,98) (P=0,018; P=0,015, rispettivamente); Allo stesso tempo, un aumento del rischio di 8 volte è stato associato all'allele minore per entrambe le varianti (P=0,010; P=0,010). Alleli minori delle varianti dei geni FGA e FGB (C e T alleli, rispettivamente) erano meno rappresentati tra i casi RPL che nei casi EPL (P=0,028; P=0,019). Il nostro modello in vitro di biopolimerizzazione della fibrina ha dimostrato un'importante architettura differenze tra casi e controlli. Per quanto riguarda il gel di fibrina dell'impalcatura, i nostri risultati hanno suggerito che i controlli avevano fibre reticolari più fini con pori più grandi, questo può essere spiegato da più processo infiammatorio regolato tra i controlli. Questa tesi ha fornito evidenza di variabili genetiche, epigenetiche e sistemiche distinte che possono interagire con ciascuna altri ed essere un fattore di rischio per aborti precoci e aborti ricorrenti. Il genetico la diversità osservata nel gruppo di casi rispetto all'intracaso è uno dei principali punti salienti di come il clinico storia dei pazienti/individui è essenziale per comprendere le differenze osservate, la maggior parte importante utilizzarli come strumento prognostico

Mucinous invasive carcinoma of the breast and its differential diagnosis by core biopsy: review of the literature

A biópsia por agulha grossa (BAG), ou core biopsy, é uma técnica utilizada para retirar pequenos cilindros de tecido mamário. Além de lesões palpáveis, o desenvolvimento de técnicas radiológicas acuradas de localização de lesões mamárias difundiu o uso da BAG como primeira abordagem histológica de lesões não palpáveis. O diagnóstico diferencial do carcinoma mucinoso com lesões mucinosas benignas por BAG pode ser desafiador, principalmente se a lesão apresentar extravasamento de mucina. A acurácia do diagnóstico nesses casos é de extrema relevância para determinar o tipo de procedimento a ser realizado e o tratamento a ser seguido. Este estudo traz revisão e atualização da literatura sobre carcinoma mucinoso invasor da mama e seus diagnósticos diferenciais, com ênfase nos desafios para diagnóstico por intermédio da BAG. Entre os diagnósticos diferenciais estão alterações fibrocísticas com mucina luminal, lesões mucinosas papilares e mucocele-símile (que variam desde as benignas até aquelas associadas a hiperplasia ductal atípica e carcinoma ductal in situ). Alterações mucinosas também podem ser encontradas em uma variedade de lesões, como fibroadenoma e tumor phyllodes, adenoma pleomórfico e mucinose nodular. Conclui-se que a BAG é uma técnica confiável para diagnóstico de carcinoma mucinoso da mama e seus diagnósticos diferenciais, porém, em casos de dúvida ou de escassez de material, é prudente realizar biópsia excisional para melhor esclarecimento do diagnóstico.The needle core biopsy is a technique applied to remove small cylinders of breast tissue. The development of accurate radiological techniques for location of breast lesions has spread the use of core biopsy as the first histological approach to non-palpable lesions. The differential diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma and benign mucinous lesions by core biopsy may be challenging, mainly when the lesion shows mucin extravasation. The accuracy of diagnosis in these cases is extremely important to determine the type of procedure to be performed, as well as the treatment choice. This study shows a review and an update of the literature as to invasive mucinous carcinoma of the breast and its differential diagnosis, with emphasis on the challenges of diagnosis by core biopsy. Among the differential diagnoses are fibrocystic changes with luminal mucin, mucinous papillary lesions, mucocele-like lesions that range from benign to those associated with atypical ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ. Mucinous changes may also be found in a variety of lesions such as fibroadenoma, phyllodes tumor, pleomorphic adenoma and nodular mucinosis. In conclusion, core biopsy is a reliable technique for the diagnosis of mucinous carcinoma of the breast and its differential diagnosis, however, in doubtful cases or when the sample is scarce, it is advisable to perform an excisional biopsy to clarify the diagnosis

Sucesso e segurança da indução de escarro em pacientes com exacerbações graves de asma

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Curso de Medicina. Departamento de Clínica Médica

The determinants of trade credit: a study of portuguese industrial companies

Despite the relevance of trade credit as a source of business financing, the topic is far from being considered exhausted, especially because there is no general and integrated theory explaining the causes and consequences of trade credit.Our research aims to contribute towards the literature that studies the determinants for granting and receiving trade credit. In this sequence, the present study seeks to empirically test some theories about the reasons why companies grant and receive commercial credit. For this purpose we apply a fixed effect model to a panel of 11 040 Portuguese industrial companies, of which 360 are large companies and the majority 10 680 are Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) for the period between 2003 and 2009. We conclude that large companies (with greater access to credit market) serve as financial intermediaries to their clients with less access to finance. In addition, it was observed that the supplier companies use trade credit as a legal means of price discrimination. Finally, financially constrained enterprises, especially in times of financial crisis, use commercial credit as an alternative source of funding, endorsing the hypothesis of substitution between trade credit and bank credit

Production of medium-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from sugar-rich extracts and hydrolysates from white wine grape pomace

The aim of this thesis was the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), using grape pomace as substrate. Five bacterial strains, Pseudomonas citronellolis NRRL B-2504, Pseudomonas chlororaphis DMS 19603, Pseudomonas resinovorans NRRL B-2649, Pseudomonas stutzeri NRRL B-775 and Burkholderia sacchari DSM 17165, were studied. In a first part, shake flask tests were carried out using as substrate grape pomace subjected to three types of treatment: aqueous extract (1); and hydrolysates obtained by acid treatment (2) or by compressed hot water (HCW) (3). The aqueous extract was used for the cultivation of Ps. chlororaphis, Ps. citronellolis, Ps. resinovorans and Ps. stutzeri, while acid and HCW hydrolysates were tested for Ps. chlororaphis, Ps. citronellolis, Ps. resinovorans and B. sacchari. These assays demonstrated that the aqueous extract provided, not only a good cell growth, but also a good accumulation of PHA by most strains tested. Cultures with the hydrolysates under the tested conditions resulted in reduced cell growth and/or absence of polymer accumulation. In a second phase, bioreactor assays were performed with Ps. chlororaphis, Ps. citronellolis and Ps. resinovorans that were identified as having higher PHA production potential. The strains reached 16.7%, 14.3% and 17.4% polymer content in the biomass, respectively, with volumetric productivity values of 0.04-0.08 g/(L.h). All polymers were medium-chain length PHA (mcl-PHA), composed mainly of 3-hydroxydecanoate, 3-hydroxydodecanoate and/or 3-hydroxyoctanoate, and had molecular weight values between 1×105 Da and 3.1× 105 Da. Despite the similar temperature degradation, the polymers had different degrees of crystallinity: the mcl-PHA produced by Ps. chlororaphis the highest value (38.8%) and that of Ps. resinovorans had the lowest (10.2%). Thus, the grape pomace extract proved to be a suitable substrate for the production of biopolymers with different physicochemical properties and versatile characteristics that can be used in different applications.O objetivo desta tese foi a produção de polihidroxialcanoatos (PHA), utilizando como substrato bagaço da uva. Cinco estirpes bacterianas, Pseudomonas citronellolis NRRL B-2504, Pseudomonas chlororaphis DMS 19603, Pseudomonas resinovorans NRRL B-2649, Pseudomonas stutzeri NRRL B-775 e Burkholderia sacchari DSM 17165, foram estudadas. Numa primeira parte, foram realizados ensaios em shake flask utilizando como substrato bagaço de uva sujeito a três tipos de tratamento: extrato aquoso (1); e hidrolisados obtidos por tratamento ácido (2) ou por água quente comprimida (HCW) (3). O extrato aquoso foi utilizado para o cultivo de Ps. chlororaphis, Ps. citronellolis, Ps. resinovorans e Ps. stutzeri, enquanto os hidrolisados ácido e de HCW foram testados para o cultivo de Ps. chlororaphis, Ps. citronellolis, Ps. resinovorans e B. sacchari. Estes ensaios demonstraram que o extrato aquoso proporcionava não só um bom crescimento celular, como também acumulação de PHA, pela maioria das estirpes testadas. Os cultivos com os hidrolisados, nas condições testadas, resultaram em reduzido crescimento celular e/ou ausência de acumulação de polímero. Numa segunda fase, foram realizados ensaios em bio-reator com as estirpes Ps. chlororaphis, Ps. citronellolis e Ps. resinovorans que foram identificadas como tendo maior potencial de produção de PHA. As estirpes atingiram teores de polímero na biomassa de 16.7%, 14.3% e 17.4%, respetivamente, com produtividade volumétrica de 0.04-0.08 g/(L.h). Todos os polímeros eram medium-chain length PHA (mcl-PHA), compostos principalmente por 3-hydroxydecanoato, 3-hydroxydodecanoato e/ou 3-hidroxioctanoato, e tinham peso molecular entre 1×105 Da e 3.1×105Da. Apesar da temperatura de degradação ser semelhante, os polímeros apresentaram graus de cristalinidade diferentes, tendo o mcl-PHA produzido por Ps. chlororaphis o valor mais elevado (38.8%) e o da Ps. resinovorans o mais baixo (10.2%). Assim, o extrato do resíduo do vinho branco mostrou ser um substrato adequado para a produção de biopolímeros com propriedades físico-químicas diferentes e caraterísticas versáteis que podem ser utilizados em diferentes aplicações