Neuroblastoma as a pediatric tumor develops in the sympathetic nervous system. DLG2 is a gene that encodes a member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family and it resides in the chromosome region 11q. SK-N-AS is a neuroblastoma cell line with 11q deletion and consequently only one copy of the potential tumor suppressor gene DLG2. This study investigated synergistic effect by a combination treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 and the vitamin A metabolite, retinoic acid.  Separately, SK-N-AS cells was transfected with expression vector pcDNA3.1+‐DYK that contained the DLG2-gene, followed by monitoring cell proliferation and qPCR, investigating the expression of the genes DLG2, DLG3, DLG4, VDR and PDIA3. Simultaneously, effects of knocked-down of DLG2, by siRNA transfection was monitored.  Transfection of expression plasmid with the DLG2 gene increased significantly gene expression in SK-N-AS cells with significant inhibition of the proliferation rate. Furthermore, silencing of DLG2 gene had no effect on the cell growth as well. Slower cell growth showed in combination treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 (1nM) and 9-cis RA after 48 hours of treatment. Down-regulated VDR and possible missing RARRES3 could be the reason why SK-N-AS cell line showed resistance to the combination treatment with vitamin metabolites. All these results raised the question if another vitamin D synthetic analog could be a better choice for the future study of SK-N-AS cells. Moreover, overexpression of NAIP, large amounts of IGF-II, or not responsive RXR-VDR heterodimer to 1,25(OH)2D3 could be a potential explanation for the SK-N-AS cell unresponsiveness to the treatment.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Submitted by Cristiane Chim (cristiane.chim@ucpel.edu.br) on 2016-11-11T11:14:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MARCO SALEH RIBEIRO.pdf: 1233321 bytes, checksum: aebd2e7f49d852825cab51345cf5eebc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-11T11:14:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MARCO SALEH RIBEIRO.pdf: 1233321 bytes, checksum: aebd2e7f49d852825cab51345cf5eebc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-31 / Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric illness associated with alternate states of depression and mania/hypomania episodes. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) are associated respectively, with the modulation of gene expression and neural plasticity in the pathogenesis of mood disorders. Curcumin, active compound extracted from Curcuma longa, has been described as a neuroprotective agent in neurodegenerative disorders, although their mechanisms of action are not completely elucidated. In this study we investigate the impact of ketamine-induced model of mania on GSK-3β and SNAP-25 immunocontent, and assess in this model the neuroprotective effect of Curcumin pretreatment. Rats received peanut oil (vehicle), curcumin 20 or 50 mg/kg (p.o.), once a day for 14 days. From the 8th to the 14th day the animals also received saline or ketamine (25 mg/kg i.p.), once a day. On the 15th day of treatment, the animals received a single injection of ketamine or saline and the locomotor activity was assessed in the open-field apparatus after 30 min. Immunodetection of the proteins pGSK-3β and SNAP-25 were evaluated by Western Blotting in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus (HP). The administration of Curcumin in doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg prevented the hyperlocomotion induced by ketamine in the open-field test. In addition, both doses of Curcumin prevented the decrease in density of pGSK-3β and SNAP-25 ketamine-induced in PFC and HP. In conclusion, our results show that Curcumin prevents hyperlocomotion and presents a neuroprotective effect by restoring SNAP-25 density probably via modulation of GSK-3β. / O transtorno bipolar é uma doença psiquiátrica associada a estados alternados de episódios de depressão e mania / hipomania. O glicogênio sintase quinase 3β (GSK-3β) e proteína associada a sinaptossomas de 25 (SNAP-25) estão associados, respectivamente, com a modulação da expressão gênica e a plasticidade neural na patogênese de perturbações do humor. A curcumina, composto ativo extraído de Curcuma longa, tem sido descrito como um agente neuroprotetor em desordens neurodegenerativas, embora o seu mecanismo de ação não está completamente elucidado. Neste estudo foi investigado o impacto do modelo induzida por cetamina de mania em GSK-3β e SNAP-25, e avaliado neste modelo, o efeito neuroprotetor da curcumina pré-tratamento. Os ratos receberam óleo de amendoim (veículo), curcumina 20 ou 50 mg / kg (p.o.), uma vez por dia durante 14 dias. A partir do dia 8 ao dia 14 os animais também receberam solução salina ou cetamina (25 mg / kg i.p.), uma vez por dia. No 15º dia de tratamento, os animais receberam uma única injeção de cetamina ou uma solução salina e a atividade locomotora foi avaliada no aparelho campo aberto após 30 min. Imunodetecção das proteínas pGSK-3p e SNAP-25 foram avaliadas por Western Blotting no córtex pré-frontal (PFC) eo hipocampo (HP). A administração da curcumina, em doses de 20 e 50 mg / kg preveniu o hiperlocomoção induzida por cetamina no teste de campo aberto. Além disso, ambas as doses de curcumina evitou a diminuição da densidade de pGSK-3β e SNAP-25 em PFC e HP induzida por cetamina. Em conclusão, os nossos resultados mostram que a curcumina impede hiperlocomoção e apresenta um efeito neuroprotector, restaurando SNAP-25, provavelmente, através da modulação da densidade de GSK-3β.

No description available.

This thesis addresses the calibration and testing of the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education's (ORISE) Holdup Measurement System 4 (HMS4) for use in quantifying U-235 holdup contained within the Process Gas Piping (PGP) of the K-25 Building. In addition to the calibration and testing performed the feasibility of measuring U-238 as a surrogate for U-235 quantification was conducted. A Performance Testing and Validation Plan (PTVP) was developed for confirming the calibration of the system and collecting test data to qualify the HMS4 system for the intended application (ORISE 2009). Tests performed were in accordance with the PTVP and the results were documented in the Performance Testing and Validation Report (PTVR). In turn, the results have been examined to verify that the HMS4 system functions properly and can be used to reliably measure the residual U-235 in pipes. Measurement parameters such as the Lower Level of Detection (LLD), the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA), and the Total Measurement Uncertainty (TMU) have been determined and reported. To support decommissioning activities, a rapid reliable radiation detection system is needed to assess the amount of residual U-235 within the PGP of the K-25 Building in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The HMS4 system has been selected to make the required measurements. Verification measurements are considered necessary to assess the reliability and adequacy of the PGP characterization results to ensure criticality incredibility. The purpose of this document is to evaluate the characteristics of the HMS4 system regarding its applicability for use on the east side of K-25. Additionally, to define the level of confidence that should be associated with each HMS4 measurement.

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Music

Background: Determinants of vitamin D status are of interest when studying the epidemiology of disease in population groups because vitamin D is now recognized to decrease the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Understanding modifiable determinants of vitamin D status are important for managing vitamin D deficiency at the individual level and for addressing this issue at population level. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between serum vitamin D status (deficiency and insufficiency) and distinct demographic, dietary, and lifestyle characteristics of adults in the United States using a large, nationally representative sample survey, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006. Methods: The study sample consisted of 2340 adults aged 20-59 who had serum 25(OH)D measured and who had completed various questionnaires concerning dietary intake of vitamin D and other lifestyle factors. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency in adults based on distinct demographic, dietary, and lifestyle characteristics. Statistical significance was set at α < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was higher in obese adults than in underweight to normal weight adults (50.9% ± 4.57 vs. 29.3% ± 3.57), higher in adults who reported no sunburns than in adults who reported ≥ 3 sunburns (49.9% ± 3.82 vs. 18.0% ± 3.07), and higher in adults who use sun protective measures regularly than in adults who do not (48.4% ± 3.93 vs. 27.0% ± 3.75). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increased as dietary intake of vitamin D decreased. Non-Hispanic black adults were significantly more likely to be vitamin D deficient (OR = 45.27, 95% CI = 17.27-118.64) and insufficient (OR = 9.37, 95% CI = 3.43-25.61) than non-Hispanic white adults. Significant positive associations were found between vitamin D deficiency and several characteristics, namely obesity (OR = 7.43, 95% CI = 4.33-12.77), physical inactivity (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.03-2.58) poor dietary vitamin D intake (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.44-3.81), non-supplement use or supplement use with a low amount of vitamin D (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.05-2.89), and activities that decrease exposure to sunlight (from OR = 2.97, 95% CI = 2.14-4.13 to OR = 5.30, 95% CI = 3.17-8.85). Conclusion: The results of this nationally representative study demonstrate that obesity, physical inactivity, poor dietary intake of vitamin D, and low sunlight exposure increases the risk for vitamin D deficiency in U.S adults. Future studies are needed to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation, sunlight exposure, and vitamin D-fortified foods are efficient in correcting vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among these groups.

Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin is a Russian composer in the late nineteenth century. His compositions can be divided into three periods. Influenced by the romantic music and Frederic Chopin, the early period is from 1888 to 1902 in which his works are tonal music. In the second period, 1903-1908, Scriabin started to use more dissonances and chromaticism resulting in lacking tonality. In the late period, 1909-1915, Scriabin was impacted by mysticism, and his music style became more atonal. Scriabin¡¦s Mazurkas composed between 1889 to 1903, are in three sets, op.3, op.25 and op.40. The music style of these three sets is quite different and varied. This thesis focuses on the analysis of Scriabin¡¦s Mazurkas. Excluding the introduction and conclusion, there are three main parts. The first part stresses on the origin and history of the music genre ¡§Mazurka.¡¨ According to the historical document, the styles of three types of Mazurka and Frederic Chopin¡¦s Mazurka will be presented in this part. In the second part, the compositional background of Scriabin¡¦s Mazurkas, musical background of late nineteenth century in Russia, and Scriabin¡¦s music style in the three periods are fully discussed. The third part will give a detailed analysis of Scriabin¡¦s three Mazurkas (op.3, op.25 and op,40 ) showing the specific changes in style and different characters between his early and middle period of works.

<p>As communication becomes more and more vital in defending a country’s borders, better radios are needed. When the Swedish armed forces saw that their existing radios took too much bandwidth in their net, they knew that something had to be done.</p><p>The existing radio, called Ra 180 RAP, was modified so that it could send X.25 messages into a network. This significantly reduced the use of bandwidth, as a packet switched network only uses the bandwidth when sending info.</p><p>This final thesis has been aimed to create a system that can test the X.25 function in the upgraded, so called CI-RAP, radio. This system will come in handy both when upgrading and later when performing service on the radios.</p>

This work looks at the rite presented in Deut 25:5–10 through a sociological framework. As such, it argues that ritual is a social act aimed at protecting communal interests over the interests of its individual members. More specifically, the rite described in Deut 25:5–10 was meant to act as a bulwark against infiltration of tribal land through exogamy. In later periods, it is argued that the focus of the rite narrowed to the priestly class. / text