Características da adaptação genética da lactopoiese em condições tropicais de exploração do gado bovino

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências Veterinárias, especialidade Produção AnimalAs alterações climáticas em curso têm induzido elevações globais de temperatura e uma escassez de recursos de água que tendem a atingir regiões tropicais e de clima temperado. Estas alterações ambientais têm um impacto significativo nas produções agrárias, em particular nas que exigem o consumo de volumes significativos de água e de energia, como a produção de leite. Estes factos têm induzido estudos genómicos da adaptação ao stress abiótico de plantas e animais nomeadamente relativos à produção de leite nas regiões temperadas (região Mediterrânea) e tropicais. No entanto poucos estudos têm sido feitos relativamente à adaptação genética e fisiológica da glândula mamária a condições de stress abiótico em ambientes tropicais. O nosso trabalho pretende estudar a eventual aclimatização de animais de raça Holstein ao ambiente tropical com particular incidência nos perfis genómicos da glândula mamária, comparando-os com animais de 2 grupos genéticos diferentes e com animais da raça Holstein submetidos a ambientes temperados. Para este objectivo identificamos expressões genéticas diferenciais, através de microarrays e PCR em tempo real, da glândula mamária dos animais em experiência. O trabalho foi dividido em dois estudos. No primeiro utilizaram-se vacas lactantes de três grupos genéticos (Holstein Brasil, Gyrolando e Gyr) submetidos a ambientes tropicais, e sob as mesmas condições de maneio e dieta. Foram identificados 14 genes com expressão diferencial na glândula mamária de pelo menos um dos três grupos associados a funções de desenvolvimento da glândula mamária, tolerância ao stress térmico e composição do leite. No segundo estudo foram utilizadas vacas Holstein em dois grupos experimentais, sendo um relativo a um ambiente tropical (Brasil) e outro a um ambiente temperado (Portugal). Os dois grupos em experiencia foram submetidos aos mesmos sistemas de maneio e dietas com mesmo nível nutricional. Identificaram-se neste estudo 12 genes com expressão diferencial nos dois grupos experimentais relativos à composição do leite, desenvolvimento da glândula mamária e tolerância ao stress térmico. Conclui-se dos dois estudos e sem prejuízo do seu aprofundamento, que o grupo Holstein mantidos em condições tropicais de exploração apresentaram perfis compatíveis com um processo de aclimatização a ambientes tropicais tendo sido identificados transcritos com função relevante neste processo.ABSTRACT - Ongoing climate change is inducing global temperature increases and a shortage of water resources which tends to reach temperate and tropical regions. These environmental changes have a significant impact on agricultural production, particularly the ones requiring the consumption of significant amounts of water and energy, as milk production does. These facts have induced genomic studies of adaptation to abiotic stress of plants and animals namely regarding increased of milk production in temperate (Mediterranean region) and tropical regions. However few studies have been made on the genetic and physiological adaptation of the mammary gland to abiotic stress conditions concerning tropical environment. Our study aims at studying the eventual acclimatization of Holstein animals to tropical environment with specific incidence of mammary gland genomic profile, comparing it with two different genetic groups and with Holstein bovines submitted to temperate environments. For this purpose we identified differential gene expressions, through microarray and real-time PCR, within the mammary gland of experimental animals. Our work was divided in two studies. On the first one three genetic groups (Holstein Brasil, Gyrolando and Gyr) lactating bovines submitted to tropical environment and to the same diet and managing conditions were used. We identified 14 genes with differential expression in the mammary gland in at least one of the three groups, associated with the function of mammary gland development, thermal stress tolerance and milk composition. In the second study, Holstein cows were used in two experimental groups, one concerning tropical environment, (Brazil), and the other regarding temperate climate (Portugal). All animal had same management system and nutritional levels. In this study we identified, within the two experimental groups, 12 genes with differential associated with milk composition, mammary gland development and heat stress tolerance. From these studies and without neglecting further work, we concluded that the Holstein breed animals kept in tropical conditions of production, presented profiles which are compatible with a acclimatization process to tropical environment. Transcripts that can have a relevant role in this process were identified

German Ageing Survey (DEAS): Instruments of the Fifth Wave 2014

Capi-Template for the face-to-face interview; Drop-off questionnaire; Short questionnaire for non-respondents; Occupational status card; Cards with personal codes; Answer options (excerpt); Digit-symbol test; Pulmonary function test

INFLUÊNCIA DE PROCEDIMENTOS GINECOLÓGICOS FREQUENTES NO DESEMPENHO PRODUTIVO E REPRODUTIVO DE FÊMEAS BUBALINAS MURRAH

This study aimed to evaluate the interference of daily gynecological exam on reproductive and productive parameters in Murrah buffaloes. Twenty-four buffaloes, which have calved in the autumn season, were milked once a day and kept on pasture, were divided into two groups: Research (RG; n=13) and Control (CG; n=11). The animals in RG were daily taken to the corral and submitted to gynecological examination and blood collection immediately after milking, from the 7th day postpartum until the first estrus and breeding day. Animals in CG were released directly to pasture after milking without any manipulation. The RG had smaller calving-first estrus interval (40.4±9.0 days) than CG (59.2±24.4 days; P0.05), as well as in milk production. The number of mating per conception was higher in RG (2.1±0.9) than in CG (1.5±0.5; P<0.05). We concluded that the daily management of animals used for research in this experiment affects some reproductive parameters, such as the number of mating per conception, but it does not affect calving-conception interval nor the pregnancy rate at the end of the season, as well as milk production, considering the management system and the production indices of the experiment

Influence of frequent gynecological procedures on reproductive and productive performance of Murrah buffalo females

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar, em búfalas Murrah, a interferência da manipulação diária dos animais para exame ginecológico em parâmetros reprodutivos e produtivos. Vinte e quatro búfalas, paridas no outono, ordenhadas uma vez ao dia, mantidas a pasto foram distribuídas nos grupos: Pesquisa (GP; n=13); e Controle (GC; n=11). As fêmeas do GP, após a ordenha, foram diariamente, desde o 7º dia pós-parto até o primeiro estro e cobertura, conduzidas até o curral e submetidas a exame ginecológico e coleta de sangue. Os animais do GC, após a ordenha, foram liberados diretamente para o pasto sem nenhuma manipulação. O GP apresentou intervalo parto-primeiro estro menor (40,4±9,0 dias) que o GC (59,2±24,4 dias; P0,05), bem como na produção de leite. O número de coberturas por concepção foi maior no GP (2,1±0,9) do que no GC (1,5±0,5; P0.05), as well as in milk production. The number of mating per conception was higher in RG (2.1±0.9) than in CG (1.5±0.5; P<0.05). We concluded that the daily management of animals used for research in this experiment affects some reproductive parameters, such as the number of mating per conception, but it does not affect calving-conception interval nor the pregnancy rate at the end of the season, as well as milk production, considering the management system and the production indices of the experiment

Comparative environmental footprint analysis of ultra-high-performance concrete using Portland cement and alkali-activated materials

Considering the ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction and efficient use of resource targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of concrete structures to achieve these goals, there is an increasing need to study the environmental performance of different concrete production alternatives. Cement is one of the main building materials that contribute significantly to global warming; therefore, studying the environmental performance of innovative binders that can substitute the use of cement is highly recommended. This article investigates the climate, material, energy, and water footprints of four innovative mixtures of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) with a binder made of alkali-activated materials in comparison with the one made of Portland cement. Footprint analysis is carried out within cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment boundaries. Within the life cycle assessment, the functional unit defines the quantification of the final product or service. The functional units of the UHPC were adapted for the comparability of concrete mixtures with different compressive strengths. The results show that UHPC made with an alkali-activated material has 32%–45% better performance in terms of a climate footprint and 19%–33% better performance in terms of material footprints, whereas a trade-off can be seen regarding 44%–83% higher energy footprints and 75%–146% higher water footprints. The disadvantages in energy and water footprints are caused by waterglass. When allocation is considered, mixtures with high silica fume content have higher environmental footprints

Deutscher Alterssurvey (DEAS): Instrumente der DEAS-Erhebung 2014

CAPI-Vorlage für das mündliche Interview; Schriftlicher Fragebogen (DROP-OFF); Kurzfragebogen für Nicht-Teilnehmende; Karte zur beruflichen Stellung; Personenkarte I und Personenkarte II; Auszug aus dem Listenheft; Ausfüllvorlage des Zahlen- und Zeichentests; Lungenfunktionstest

Differential Expression of PD-L1 during Cell Cycle Progression of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The expression of PD-L1 by tumor cells is mainly associated with its immunosuppressive effect. In fact, PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrated remarkable effects in advanced cancer patients including HNSCC. In this context, irradiation is currently being investigated as a synergistic treatment modality to immunotherapy. However, the majority of HNSCC patients still show little improvement or even hyperprogression. Interestingly, there is increasing evidence for additional cell-intrinsic functions of PD-L1 in tumor cells. In previous studies, we showed that PD-L1 has a strong influence on proliferation, migration, invasion, and survival after irradiation. We demonstrated that cellular expression and localization of PD-L1 differed depending on sensitivity to irradiation. Here, we show that PD-L1 is also differentially expressed during cell cycle progression of HNSCC. Furthermore, cellular localization of PD-L1 also changes depending on a particular cell cycle phase. Moreover, distinct observations occurred depending on the general differentiation status. Overall, the function of PD-L1 cannot be generalized. Rather, it depends on the differentiation status and microenvironment. PD-L1 expression and localization are variable, depending on different factors. These findings may provide insight into why differential response to PD-1/PD-L1 antibody therapy can occur. Detailed understanding of cell-intrinsic PD-L1 functions will further allow antibody-based immunotherapy to be optimized