916 resultados para Project 2002-043-B : Smart Building For Healthy and Sustainable Workplaces
Resumo:
LEscola Politcnica Superior de la Universitat de Vic disposa duna cllula de fabricaci flexible del fabricant Festo, que simula un procs demmagatzematge automtic, aquesta cllula esta composta per quatre estacions de muntatge diferenciades i independents, lestaci palets, lestaci plaques, lestaci magatzem intermedi i lestaci transport. Cada una daquestes estacions est formada per sensors i actuadors elctrics i pneumtics del fabricant Festo que van connectats a un PLC SIEMENS S7-300.Els quatre PLCs (un per cada estaci) estan connectats entre ells mitjanant el bus de comunicacions industrials Profibus. Lobjectiu daquest treball consisteix en ladaptaci de la programaci dels PLCs i la realitzaci dun SCADA per tal de controlar el funcionament del conjunt de la cllula de fabricaci a travs del software Vijeo Citect, daquesta manera es coneixer el funcionament de la cllula i permetr treuren rendiment per la docncia. Aquest projecte ha estat realitzat en quatre fases principals. 1. Estudi i coneixement de les estacions, en aquesta fase shan estudiat els manuals de funcionament de les estacions i shan interpretat els codis de programaci dels seus PLCs, amb lobjectiu de conixer b el programa per tal de interaccionar-hi ms endavant amb el sistema SCADA 2. Disseny i programaci del sistema SCADA, en aquesta fase sha realitzat tot el disseny grfic de les pantalles de la interfcie SCADA aix com la programaci dels objectes, la connexi amb els PLCs i la base de dades. 3. Posada en marxa del sistema complert, quan es coneixia abastament el funcionament de les estacions i el sistema SCADA estava completat sha fet la posada en marxa del conjunt i sha comprovat el correcte funcionament i interacci dels sistemes. 4. Realitzaci de la memria del projecte, en aquesta ultima fase sha realitzat la memria del projecte on sexpliquen les caracterstiques i funcionament de totes les estacions i del sistema SCADA. La conclusi ms rellevant obtinguda en aquest treball, s la clara visualitzaci de la potncia i simplicitat que han aportat els sistemes SCADA al mn de lautomatitzaci, anys enrere per la supervisi de lestat dun sistema automatitzat era necessari disposar dun gran espai amb grans panells de control formats per una gran quantitat de pilots lluminosos, potencimetres, interruptors, polsadors, displays i sobretot un volumins i complexa cablejat, grcies als sistemes SCADA avui en dia tot aix pot quedar redut a un PC o terminal tctil, amb pantalles grfiques clares i una gran quantitat dopcions de supervisi control i configuraci del sistema automatitzat.
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The recent context of global food emergency and ecological crisis has increased the relevance of peoples struggle for food sovereignty (FSv), which promotes the transformation of the dominant food system and claims the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems. Revisiting two Spanish and Catalan articles developing FSv indicators, this article aims at discussing the need and utility of developing FSv indicators at different territorial levels. Confronting these two territorial scales, the paper also identifies common steps that can facilitate other future processes of building FSv indicators. As a conclusion, the paper suggests that these processes of building indicators can contribute to providing political direction at different geographical scales for the implementation of the FSv proposal. At the same time, they favor the movements self-reflexivity in its practices while supporting the collective shaping of future actions
Resumo:
The main aim of this study was to develop the project management framework model which would serve as the new model to follow for upcoming projects at the Lappeenranta cement plant. The other goal was to execute the SNCR (selective non catalytic reduction) project successfully so that the nitrogen oxides emissions are below the stated emission limit when the new emission limit comes into effect beginning in July, 2008. Nitrogen oxides, project management aspects, SNCR and the invested system are explained in the theory part. In the practical part of the study, the SNCR project in the Lappeenranta cement plant was executed and the findings were documented. In order to reach the aim of this study, a framework of project management was made. The framework is based on the executed SNCR project, previous projects in the cement plant and on the available literature relating to the subject matter. The developed project turned out to be successful.
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Background: Endocannabinoids and temperament traits have been linked to both physical activity and body mass index (BMI) however no study has explored how these factors interact in females. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to 1) examine differences among distinct BMI groups on daytime physical activity and time spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), temperament traits and plasma endocannabinoid concentrations; and 2) explore the association and interaction between MVPA, temperament, endocannabinoids and BMI. Methods: Physical activity was measured with the wrist-worn accelerometer Actiwatch AW7, in a sample of 189 female participants (43 morbid obese, 30 obese, and 116 healthy-weight controls). The Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised questionnaire was used to assess personality traits. BMI was calculated by bioelectrical impedance analysis via the TANITA digital scale. Blood analyses were conducted to measure levels of endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-related compounds. Path-analysis was performed to examine the association between predictive variables and MVPA. Results: Obese groups showed lower MVPA and dysfunctional temperament traits compared to healthy-weight controls. Plasma concentrations of 2-arachidonoylglyceryl (2-AG) were greater in obese groups. Path-analysis identified a direct effect between greater MVPA and low BMI (b = 0.13, p = .039) and high MVPA levels were associated with elevated anandamide (AEA) levels (b = 0.16, p = .049) and N-oleylethanolamide (OEA) levels (b = 0.22, p = .004), as well as high Novelty seeking (b = 0.18, p<.001) and low Harm avoidance (b = 0.16, p<.001). Conclusions: Obese individuals showed a distinct temperament profile and circulating endocannabinoids compared to controls. Temperament and endocannabinoids may act as moderators of the low MVPA in obesity.
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En termes generals, es pot definir lEficincia Energtica com la reducci del consum denergia mantenint els mateixos serveis energtics, sense disminuir el nostre confort i qualitat de vida, protegint el medi ambient, assegurant el provement i fomentant un comportament Sostenible al seu s. Lobjectiu principal daquest treball, s reduir el consum denergia i terme de potncia contractat a la Universitat de Vic, aplicant un programa destalvi amb mesures correctores en el funcionament de les seves installacions o espais. Per tal de poder arribar a aquest objectiu marcat, prviament sha realitzat un estudi acurat, obtenint tota la informaci necessria per poder aplicar les mesures correctores a la bossa ms important de consum. Un cop trobada, dur a terme lestudi de la viabilitat de la inversi de les mesures correctores ms eficients, optimitzant els recursos destinats. Lespai on sha dut a terme lestudi, ha estat a ledifici F del Campus Miramarges, seguint les indicacions dArnau Bardolet (Cap de Manteniment de la UVIC). Aquest edifici consta dun entresol, baixos i quatre plantes. Lequip de mesura que sha fet servir per realitzar lestudi, s de la marca Circutor srie AR5-L, aquests equips sn programables que mesuren, calculen i emmagatzemen en memria els principals parmetres elctrics en xarxes trifsiques. Els projectes futurs complementaris que es podrien realitzar a part daquest sn: installar sensors, installar mduls convertidors TCP/IP, aprofitar la xarxa intranet i crear un escada amb un sinptic de control i gesti des dun punt de treball. Aquest aplicatiu permet visualitzar en una pantalla dun PC tots els estats dels elements controlats mitjanant un sinptic (encendre/parar manualment lenllumenat i endolls de les aules, estat denllumenat i endolls de les aules, consums instantanis/acumulats energtics, estat dels passadissos entre altres) i explotar les dades recollides a la base de dades. Cada espai tindria la seva lgica de funcionament automtic especfic. Entre les conclusions ms rellevants obtingudes en aquest treball sobserva: Que s pot reduir la potncia contractada a la factura a lestar per sota de la realment consumida. Que no hi ha penalitzacions a la factura per consum de reactiva, ja que el compensador funciona correctament. Que es pot reduir lhorari de linici del consum denergia, ja que no correspon a lactivitat docent. Els valors de la tensi i freqncia estan dintre de la normalitat. Els harmnics estan al llindar mxim. Analitzant aquestes conclusions, voldria destacar les mesures correctores ms importants que es poden dur a terme: canvi tecnolgic a LED, temporitzar automticament lencesa i apagada dels fluorescents i equips informtics de les aules seguint calendari docent, installar sensors de moviment amb detecci lumnica als passadissos. Totes les conclusions extretes daquest treball, es poden aplicar a tots els edificis de la facultat, prviament realitzant lestudi individual de cadascuna, seguint els mateixos criteris per tal doptimitzar la inversi.
Resumo:
A healthy and balanced diet can reduce health problems, such as overweight and metabolic syndrome. In general, people have a considerably good knowledge of what constitutes a healthy diet and how they could achieve it with their food choices. Besides, people argue that health is among their top five food choice motives. Nevertheless, the prevalence of overweight is increasing and other food choice motives, such as taste, seem to conflict with the health. Liking for food does not necessarily determine acceptance alone, thus several non-sensory factors, such as brand, country of origin and nutrition claim, can also influence. Moreover, consumers are individuals in how they prioritize sensory and nonsensory factors of foods, but e.g. increasing age, female gender and health concern have been connected to a more health-oriented dietary behaviour. To sum up, identifying different factors that can increase the liking and consumption of healthy food is essential in order to develop more attractive healthful food products. Adding vitamins, minerals, fibre or other ingredients to a food product can be used to enrich the nutritional quality of the products. However, this may be difficult in practice as regards the sensory quality and pleasantness of the foods. Generally, consumers are not willing to compromise on taste in food. On the other hand, consumers are very heterogeneous in their likings, and their personal values and attitudes may interact with preferences for specific sensory characteristics. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of intrinsic product characteristics on sensory properties and hedonic responses; to determine the impact of few non-sensory factors; and to examine the interaction between sensory and non-sensory factors with consumers demographics, values and attitudes in liking of healthy model foods. The results showed that product composition influenced sensory quality and had an effect on hedonic responses. Adding flaxseed to bakery products showed a significant improvement in the nutritional quality without negative effects on sensory properties. On the other hand, the fortification of wellness beverages with vitamins and minerals may impart off-flavours. In general, sweetness of yoghurts, freshness of wellness beverages and low intensity of rye bread flavour appealed to consumers. Information about the domestic origin of yoghurts and claiming a specific function for wellness beverages enhanced liking. However, consumers who were more concerned about their health and considered natural content as an important food choice motive, rated sourer and less sweet yoghurts and wellness beverages as more pleasant. In addition, interest in health increased the consumption of rye breads and other whole grain breads among adolescents. The results showed that the optimal product quality in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic factors differs between individual consumers, and personal values and food choice motives can be connected to preferences for specific sensory characteristics of foods. This indicates that each food product needs to be considered in relation to its specific market niche, and to which segment of consumer will respond most positively to its characteristics.
Resumo:
Two soybean (Glycine max) cultivars were used in this study, Ocepar 4, rated as moderately resistant to Meloidogyne incognita race 3 but susceptible to M. javanica, and 'BR 16', susceptible to both nematodes. The effect of nematodes infection on the uptake and transport of N, P and Ca to the shoot was studied in plants growing in a split root system. The upper half was inoculated with 0, 3,000, 9,000 or 27,000 eggs/plant while the lower half received 15N, 32P or 45Ca. Infected plants showed an increase of root but a decrease of shoot mass with increasing inoculum levels. In general, total endogenous nutrients increased in the roots and tended to decrease in the shoots with increasing inoculum levels. When concentrations were calculated, there was an increase in the three nutrients in the roots, and an increase of Ca but no significant variation of N and P was observed in the shoots. The total amount of 15N in the roots increased at the highest inoculum levels but 32P and 45Ca decreased. In the shoots there was a reduction of 32P and 45Ca. The specific concentrations of the labelled nutrients (abundance or radioactivity/tissue mass) also showed a decrease of 32P and 45Ca in the shoots and roots of infected plants and an increase of 15N in the shoots. Considering that overall nutrient concentrations reflect cumulative nutrient uptake and the data from labelled elements gave information at a specific moment of the infection, thus nematodes do interfere with nutrient uptake and translocation.
Resumo:
In the construction industry, the role of project management and monitoring is emphasized, because the responsibilities have been carefully planned and divided. A concrete element factory manufactures the units based on construction drawings, while a transport company is responsible of transporting the elements to the worksite. At the worksite, an installation team assembles the elements according to plans. Usually, there are several manufacturers and transport companies involved in the construction process and the distances between different parties can be rather long. Therefore, the role of information exchange is critical in order to control, for example, schedules and exceptions. From the viewpoint of project management, the whole process should be controlled and monitored in realtime - in such a way that the managers are able to analyze and report the data afterwards. In this masters thesis, a mobile-aided construction project monitoring system is designed and implemented. The monitoring system consists of three main components: mobile phone application, server software and an interface application to Tekla Structures BIM-software. Precast construction components, projects and users are identified by using 2D-barcodes that are read with the camera of a mobile phone. An option would be to use RFID tags and readers. After successful identification, the precast component can be tagged with monitoring data, including state acknowledgments and error reports that are sent and saved to the server. Collected data can be viewed through the www-pages of the monitoring system. In addition, the data can be synchronized to the Tekla Structures-software that is running the 3D-model of the whole building. Synchronization maintains and enhances the traceability of monitoring data, as well as, helps to visualize the progression of the project.
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B lymphocytes constitute a key branch of adaptive immunity by providing specificity to recognize a vast variety of antigens by B cell antigen receptors (BCR) and secreted antibodies. Antigen recognition activates the cells and can produce antibody secreting plasma cells via germinal center reaction that leads to the maturation of antigen recognition affinity and switching of antibody effector class. The specificity of antigen recognition is achieved through a multistep developmental pathway that is organized by interplay of transcription factors and signals through BCR. Lymphoid malignancies arise from different stages of development in abnormal function of transcriptional regulation. To understand the B cell development and the function of B cells, a thorough understanding of the regulation of gene expression is important. The transcription factors of the Ikaros family and Bcl6 are frequently associated with lymphoma generation. The aim of this study was to reveal the targets of Ikaros, Helios and Bcl6 mediated gene regulation and to find out the function of Ikaros and Helios in B cells. This study uses gene targeted DT40 B cell lines and establishes a role for Ikaros family factors Ikaros and Helios in the regulation of BCR signaling that is important at developmental checkpoints, for cell survival and in activation. Ikaros and Helios had opposing roles in the regulation of BCR signals. Ikaros was found to directly repress the <i>SHIP</i> gene that encodes a signaling lipid-metabolizing enzyme, whereas Helios had activating effect on <i>SHIP</i> expression. The findings demonstrate a balancing function for these two Ikaros family transcription factors in the regulation of BCR signaling as well as in the regulation of gene expression. Bcl6 was found to repress plasma cell gene expression program while maintaining gene expression profile of B cells. Analysis of direct Bcl6 target genes suggested novel mechanisms for Bcl6-mediated suppression of plasma cell differentiation and promoting germinal center phenotype.
Resumo:
In older populations, fractures are common and the consequences of fractures may be serious both for an individual and for society. However, information is scarce about the incidence, predictors and consequences of fractures in population-based unselected cohorts including both men and women and a long follow-up. The objective of this study was to analyse the incidence and predictors of fractures as well as functional decline and excess mortality due to fractures, among 482 men and 695 women aged 65 or older in the municipality of Lieto, Finland from 1991 until 2002. In analyses, Poissons, Cox proportional Hazards and Cumulative Logistic regression models were used for the control of several confounding variables. During the 12-year follow-up with a total of 10 040 person-years (PY), 307 (26%) persons sustained altogether 425 fractures of which 77% were sustained by women. The total incidence of fractures was 53.4 per 1000 PY (95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 47.9 - 59.5) in women and 24.9 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 20.4 - 30.4) in men. The incidence rates of fractures at any sites and hip fractures were associated with increasing age. No significant changes in the ageadjusted incidence rates of fractures were found in either gender during the 12-year follow-up. The predictors of fractures varied by gender. In multivariate analyses, reduced handgrip strength and body mass index (BMI) lower than 30 in women and a large number of depressive symptoms in men were independent predictors of fractures. A compression fracture in one or more thoracic or upper lumbar vertebras on chest radiography at baseline was associated with subsequent fractures in both genders. Lower body fractures independently predicted both short- (0-2 years) and long-term (up to 8 years) functional decline in mobility and activities of daily living (ADL) performance during the 8-year follow-up. Upper body fractures predicted decline in ADL performance during longterm follow-up. In the 12-year follow-up, hip fractures in men (Hazard Ratio [HR] 8.1, 95% CI: 4.4-14.9) and in women (HR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.9-4.9), and fractures at the proximal humerus in men (HR 5.4, 95% CI: 1.6-17.7) were independently associated with excess mortality. In addition, leisure time inactivity in physical exercise predicted independently both functional decline and excess mortality. Fractures are common among older people posing serious individual consequences. Further studies about the effectiveness of preventing falls and fractures as well as improving care and rehabilitation after fractures are needed.
Resumo:
Julkisen sektorin kiinteisttuotannossa toteutetaan kasvavassa mrin julkisen ja yksityisen sektorin yhteistyt, jossa yksityinen yritys ottaa vastuun kiinteistn liittyvist suunnittelu-, rakentamis- ja yllpitotoimista pitkksi ajanjaksoksi. Tyn tavoitteena on arvioida elinkaarimallilla toteuttavien kiinteisthankkeiden toteutusvaihtoehdot, sek kartoittaa elinkaarihankkeen sisltmi riskej hankkeen suunnitteluvaiheessa. Tutkimus suoritetaan kvalitatiivisena tutkimuksena, jota tuetaan tarvittavilla kvantitatiivista tietoa hydyntvill laskelmilla. Tutkimusaineistona kytetn aihepiiriin liittyvi akateemisia julkaisuja ja oppikirjoja. Tyn toimeksiantajan YIT:n kautta tutkimukseen on saatu arvokasta asiantuntemusta ja materiaalia. Elinkaarihankkeiden hankintamenettelyksi suositellaan kilpailullista neuvottelumenettely. Kilpailullinen neuvottelumenettely mahdollistaa tilaajan ja palveluntuottajien vlisen dialogin hankintamenettelyn aikana, jolloin osapuolet voivat yhteistyss valita sopivimman toteutusmallin. Hankkeiden rahoitus voidaan toteuttaa tilaajan rahoituksella tai yksityisrahoituksella. Rahoituksen nkkulmasta tilaajan oma rahoitus on edullisin, mik ei kuitenkaan vhenn elinkaarimallista saatavia etuja perinteiseen urakointiin verrattuna. Laskelman perusteella tilaajan rahoituksen ja yksityisrahoituksen keskimrisess korkotasossa (WACC) on eroa 2,8 %. Projektiyhtin perustaminen tekee rahoituksesta entist kalliimpaa, koska taseeseen kohdistuviin kustannuksiin listn projektiyhtin oman poman tuottovaatimusta vastaava korko. Palveluntuottajan kannalta olennaiset riskit ovat rakennusvaiheen viivstyminen, kiinteistn kytettvyyden ja soveltuvuuden puutteista aiheutuvat muutostyt. Palvelumaksun sitominen huonosti yllpidon todellista kulurakennetta kuvaavaan elinkustannusindeksiin tulee pitkll sopimuskaudella vhentmn palveluntuottajan toiminnan kannattavuutta. Kiinteistn yllpidon kustannusindeksi on vuosina 20052011 noussut 2,3 % nopeammin vuodessa kuin elinkustannusindeksi.
Resumo:
Trees with stem bark lesions are frequently observed in Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantations, particularly in the central west region of Uruguay. These lesions constitute a problem for trunk decortications at harvest and they also facilitate the access of fungi that could cause wood decay. Seven, three and oneyear-old plantations, located at three sites in close proximity were selected. Four types of trunk lesions were present in trees regardless the age of plantation and more than one type was found in each plantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the fungal composition associated with these lesions and compare them to healthy tissues and try to find out the origin of these symptoms. Another purpose was to elucidate the real role of the fungi considered pathogens by means of experimental inoculations. Segments from lesions and healthy tissues yielded 897 fungal isolates belonging to 32 taxa, 681 isolates from bark lesions and 216 from healthy tissues. Both healthy and symptomatic tissues showed similar fungal species composition, but with differences in frequencies of colonization. Cytospora eucalypticola Van der Westhuizen, Botryosphaeria spp., Pestalotiopsis guepinii (Desm.) Stey. and Penicillium spp. were the dominant species isolated. As symptoms were not reproduced after experimental inoculation with Botryosphaeria ribis Grossenb. & Duggar and B. eucalyptorum Crous, & M.J. Wingf, it could be suggested that these lesions were originated by unfavorable environmental conditions. The frost that occurred for several days out of season and flooding may have been involved in the development of bark lesion.
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Companies today are forced to innovate in order to remain within business. Such innovation projects undertaken by the companies are defined in this study as creative ideas which have been managed through Stage-Gate innovation process. This process is used to manage innovation projects as they proceed from being newly created to ready for launching/implementing. This has ensured that the companies manage the innovation project right. However, with so many new creative ideas the companies can come up within limited resources, the companies must rely on Innovation Project Portfolio Management (IPPM) to ensure that they are managing only the right innovation projects. Although, there are many tools and techniques available for use within Project Portfolio Management, there is still no consensus on which are the most effective and no standard framework has been established especially for IPPM. Thus, this study proposes a practical framework for which individual innovative organization can follow as a guideline to manage its innovation project portfolio. The study theoretically first addresses the key differences between project portfolio management of innovation projects and other traditional projects - one of which is the stage nature of innovation projects due to their unclear objectives from the beginning compare to clearly established objectives of traditional projects. Secondly, different tools and techniques which can be used are examined based on the three goals of IPPM: (1) Maximizing the Value of Innovation Project Portfolio: Financial Methods, Decision Trees, Scoring Models and Checklists; (2) Balancing Innovation Project Portfolio: Visual Representations; and (3) Aligning Innovation Project Portfolio with Strategy: Bottom-Up (Scoring Models with Strategic Criteria) and Top-Down (Strategic Buckets). Finally, the two approaches in which IPPM can be integrated with Stage-Gate innovation process are discussed: (1) Gates- Dominated; and (2) Portfolio Reviews-Dominated. Practically, this study investigates IPPM of a case organization, and through analysis of the case study results proposes a practical framework for case organization to improve its current management of innovation project portfolio. This framework is then generalized to propose a final practical framework or guideline for which an innovative organization can follow to manage its innovation project portfolio.
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Implementation of different policies and plans aiming at providing education for all is a challenge in Tanzania. The need for educators and professionals with relevant knowledge and qualifications in special education is substantial. Teacher education does not equip educators with sufficient knowledge and skills in special education and professional development programs in special education are few in number. Up to 2005 no degree programs in special education at university level were available in Tanzania. The B.Ed. Special Education program offered by the Open University of Tanzania in collaboration with bo Akademi University in Finland was one of the efforts aimed at addressing the big national need for teachers and other professionals with degree qualifications in special education. This pilot program offered unique possibilities to study professional development in Tanzania. The research group in this study consisted of the group of students who participated in the degree program 2005-2007. The study is guided by three theoretical perspectives: individual, social and societal. The individual perspective emphasizes psychological factors as motives, motivation, achievement, self-directed behavior and personal growth. Within social perspective, professional development is viewed as situated within the social and cultural context. The third perspective, the societal, focuses on change, reforms, innovations and transformation of school systems and societies. Accordingly, professional development is viewed as an individual, social and societal phenomenon. The overall aim of the study is to explore the participants motives for participating in a B.Ed. Special Education program and the perceived outcomes of the program in terms of professional development. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a case study approach was adopted. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were administered in three waves between January 2007 and February 2009 to the 35 educators participating in the B.Ed. Special Education program. The findings of the study reveal that the participants expressed motives which were related to job performance, knowledge, skills, academic degree and career. Also altruistic motives were expressed by the participants in terms of helping and supporting students with special needs and their communities. The perceived outcomes of the program were in line with the expressed motives. However, the results indicate that the participants also learned new skills, as interaction skills and guidance and counseling skills. Increased self-confidence was also mentioned as an outcome. The participants also got deepened understanding of disability issues. In addition, they learned strategies for creating awareness of persons with disability in the communities. Thus the findings of the study indicate positive outcomes of the program in terms of professional development. The conclusion of the study is that individual, social and societal factors interact when it comes to explaining why Tanzanian educators in special education choose to pursue a degree program in special education. The individual motives, as increased knowledge and better prospects of career development interact with the social and societal motives to help and support vulnerable student groups. The study contributes to increased understanding of the complexity of professional development and of the realities educators meet when educational reforms are implemented in a developing country.
Genetic and antigenic analysis of Babesia bigemina isolates from five geographical regions of Brazil
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A molecular epidemiological study was performed with Babesia bigemina isolates from five geographical regions of Brazil. The genetic analysis was done with random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), repetitive extragenic palindromic elements-polymerase chain reaction (REP-PCR) and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequences-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) that showed genetic polymorphism between these isolates and generated fingerprinting. In RAPD, ILO872 and ILO876 primers were able to detect at least one fingerprinting for each B. bigemina isolate. The amplification of B. bigemina DNA fragments by REP-PCR and ERIC-PCR gave evidence for the presence in this haemoprotozoan of the sequences described previously in microorganisms of the bacterial kingdom. For the first time it was demonstrated that both techniques can be used for genetic analysis of a protozoan parasite, although the ERIC-PCR was more discriminatory than REP-PCR. The dendogram with similarity coefficient among isolates showed two clusters and one subcluster. The Northeastern and Mid-Western isolates showed the greatest genetic diversity, while the Southeastern and Southern isolates were the closest. The antigenic analysis was done through indirect fluorescent antibody technique and Western blotting using a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against epitopes on the merozoite membrane surface, rhoptries and membrane of infected erythrocytes. As expected, the merozoite variable surface antigens, major surface antigen (MSA)-1 and MSA-2 showed antigenic diversity. However, B cell epitopes on rhoptries and infected erythrocytes were conserved among all isolates studied. In this study it was possible to identify variable and conserved antigens, which had already been described as potential immunogens. Considering that an attenuated Babesia clone used as immunogen selected populations capable of evading the immunity induced by this vaccine, it is necessary to evaluate more deeply the cross-protection conferred by genetically more distant Brazilian B. bigemina isolates and make an evaluation of the polymorphism degree of variable antigens such as MSA-1 and MSA-2.
