DNA amplification is an important mechanism of tumor progression that allows cancer cells to up-regulate expression of critical genes such as oncogenes. Recent studies using comparative genomic hybridization revealed increased DNA copies on chromosome 20q in seven melanoma cell lines and eight archival metastatic melanoma lesions. We performed FISH analysis of metaphase spreads in 13 melanoma cell lines and nine primary melanoma specimens using a variety of probes specific for chromosome 20. All 13 cell lines (100%) and 8/9 primary tumors (89%) showed extra copies of chromosome 20 relative to tumor ploidy. Additionally, 6/14 cell lines (43%) and 2/8 primary tumors (25%) showed translocated chromosome 20 material. Cytological evidence for gene amplification was found in one of the 13 cell lines with an add(20)(p13). These data suggest that over-representation of a gene(s) important for melanoma pathogenesis occurs on the chromosome 20 long arm.

Polymorphisms at four paternally-inherited loci (DYS287, SPY1, DYS199 and DXYS156) were surveyed in twenty-seven populations (n = 997) world-wide to trace the origins of Native Americans. One of the haplotypes (6) is found at relatively high frequencies in all seven Native American populations representing two of the major linguistic divisions in the New World. The same haplotype was found at low frequencies in Siberian Eskimos and was absent from eleven other Asian populations. A second haplotype (7) was present at high frequencies in all the Native American and several Siberian populations. It was present at moderate frequencies in European populations and at low frequencies in several Asian populations. These data best support the hypothesis of a single male-mediated migration wave for the early peopling of the Americas, although a multi-wave hypothesis is not rejected.

<p> This study investigated the relationships between birth order, personality, mental toughness, and performance as they relate to trained collegiate athletes in the sports of Men's and Women's Basketball. There were three variables measured: personality, mental toughness, and performance. There were 238 participants in this study: 149 females and 89 males. All participants were NCAA collegiate basketball players. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 24. Participants were administered the NEO Five Factor Inventory questionnaire to assess personality, while mental toughness was assessed using the Mental Toughness Scale (Madrigal &amp; Hamill, 2013). To measure performance, statistics were obtained from the 2013-14 collegiate regular season and computed into an overall performance score (Ramos-Villagrasa &amp; Navarro, 2013). Correlational analyses were conducted to determine the relationships between birth order, personality, mental toughness, performance score, and performance statistics. Based on past research, it was hypothesized that middleborns would score the highest in mental toughness while firstborns would score higher than lastborns (who will score the lowest). Hypotheses for the big five traits were as follows: Openness: middleborns would score the highest, followed by lastborns, then firstborns. Conscientiousness: firstborns would score the highest, then middleborns, then lastborns. Extroversion: middleborns would score the highest, then firstborns, and finally lastborns. Agreeableness: lastborns and middleborns would not differ, but would both score higher than firstborns. Neuroticism: lastborns would score highest, followed by firstborns, then middleborns. It was hypothesized that high conscientiousness and extroversion, along with low neuroticism would indicate higher mental toughness, while other big five traits would not factor into determining mental toughness. Higher mental toughness scores were hypothesized to result in higher performance scores. Middleborns were hypothesized to have the highest performance scores, followed by firstborns, and finally lastborns. The results of this study did not support any of the hypotheses regarding birth order. The results did support the hypothesis that high conscientiousness and extroversion, along with low neuroticism would predict higher mental toughness. The results also partially supported the hypothesis that higher mental toughness would yield higher performance scores.</p>

A family of repetitive DNA sequences which comprise up to 15% of the genome of some waterfowl have previously been described. These sequences (RBMI sequences) were originally cloned from the redbreasted merganser: the species with the highest copy number. RBMI sequences are present in restriction enzyme digests as sets of fragments of discrete lengths indicating populations of various restriction morphs. Fragment sizes are conserved between related species and have been used to infer phylogenetic relationships. / In this study several major EcoRI restriction size classes of RBMI sequences were cloned and sequenced (2.6, 2.0, 1.7, and 0.6 kb fragments). The sequence elements present have several characteristics of retroposons; open reading frames, poly-A addition signals, and A-rich tails. The four clone types have overlapping regions of homology. In all 6 regions (A-F) are defined which are fragment size specific or are solely responsible for hybridization to a specific genomic restriction fragment. Probes for regions A-F were hybridized to Southern blots of DNA from related species. The organization of these sub-fragments is similar in the seven species tested. The genomic organization of these unique regions was investigated by Southern hybridization using probes for regions A-F against a time course of restriction enzyme digestion. Higher order structures were found in partial digests which indicate association of these sequences in larger discrete repeat units in the genome. Finally, partial MboI digest clones, containing RBMI sequences, were mapped with restriction enzymes, probes A-F, and total repetitive DNA. These studies indicate that regions A-F are present in the genome in several different organizations, some are flanked by unique DNA sequences, and that repetitive sequences other than regions A-F are present in these RBMI clusters. It is proposed that these sequences are of retropseudogene origin which were subsequently amplified as retroposons or as tandem repeats by recombination and/or slippage replication. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-04, Section: B, page: 1305. / Director: Siwo R. deKloet. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1994.

Staphylococcus aureus is the second leading cause of infections after Escherichia coli, with mortality rates reported as high as 25%. The methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) present an even greater problem, since only a handful of pharmacological agents are available for treatment. Current MRSA typing techniques, such as phage typing, plasmid profile analysis, and antibiotic susceptibility, are time-consuming and often inconclusive. / A rapid, semi-automated method for fingerprinting MRSA has been developed (Patent pending). The region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using a fluorescent dye-labeled primer that hybridizes in the 16S rRNA gene and an unlabeled primer that hybridizes in the 23S rRNA gene. Both primers hybridize to a wide range of eubacterial species. The PCR product was digested with restriction endonucleases and each reaction mixture was analyzed by electrophoresis on a commercially available DNA sequencer. / Waveform patterns from an individual strain are similar to a traditional DNA fingerprint. The number of peaks and their relative amounts indicates the number and types of rRNA intergene regions in MRSA strains. The variability found within the intergene region of a number of MRSA strains suggests this method will be a useful tool for epidemiological studies of nosocomial Staphylococcus infections, and will have much broader application in the classification of eubacteria. / The rRNA operons of S. aureus were characterized by molecular cloning and DNA sequencing of the intergenic spacer between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes. The data revealed three types of rRNA operons. One type contains an isoleucine tRNA gene, followed immediately by an alanine tRNA gene. The second type contains no tRNA genes within the intergenic spacer region. The third type contains a single isoleucine tRNA gene. / Southern hybridizations using 16S and 23S radiolabeled oligonucleotide probes revealed a total of at least six rRNA operons within the S. aureus genome. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-09, Section: B, page: 3729. / Major Professor: Robert Hunter Reeves. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1994.

Satellite 2 DNA is a tandemly repeated, 330 bp sequence that is evolutionarily conserved among species belonging to the amphibian order, Caudata. Previous studies have shown that synthetic satellite 2 transcripts from the newt, Notophthalmus viridescens, self-cleave in vitro via a small structural motif called the hammerhead domain. Here we show that multimeric satellite 2 transcripts in the non-ovarian tissues of the newt self-cleave to generate monomeric satellite 2 transcripts. In contrast, monomeric transcripts in the newt ovary have $5\sp\prime$ and $3\sp\prime$ ends that are permuted 42 nucleotides upstream relative to the site of self-cleavage, and the $5\sp\prime$ ends of ovarian monomers are produced directly by transcription initiation rather than by self-cleavage. / By injecting cloned satellite 2 DNA into Xenopus oocytes, we determined that the satellite promoter is both structurally and functionally related to the small nuclear RNA (snRNA) gene promoters. Further comparison of satellite 2 DNA to the snRNA genes revealed that conserved core of the self-cleaving hammerhead domain resemble Boxes C and D found in several snRNAs. In addition, synthetic satellite 2 transcripts injected into Xenopus oocytes are immunoprecipitable by the anti-trimethylguanosine antibody, and endogenous nuclear satellite 2 transcripts in the newt oocyte possess the trimethylguanosine cap structure. / These data suggest that satellite 2 DNA is a member of the snRNA gene family. Accordingly, satellite 2 homologues are expected to exist in other vertebrate species. However, an extensive search in the genomes of non-Caudate amphibians such as Xenopus laevis has failed to detect the satellite 2 homologue. Based on our results, we propose that satellite 2 represents a Caudate-specific pseudogene family derived from an unidentified true snRNA gene. Apparently, significant sequence divergence between satellite 2 DNA and the putative progenitor gene have precluded the detection of the progenitor gene by standard hybridization methodologies using satellite 2 probes. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-07, Section: B, page: 3591. / Major Professor: Lloyd M. Epstein. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1995.

The origin of parthenogenesis in the genus Campeloma was investigated by analyzing the karyotypes and oogenesis of numerous populations in Florida and Georgia. The species studied were Campeloma geniculum, C. fluoridense, C. limum, C. parthenum and 4 populations of unnamed parthenogens. Campeloma geniculum and C. floridense are diploid (2n = 28) and reproduction is exclusively sexual. Campeloma limum is also diploid and may reproduce either sexually or parthenogenetically, the latter being predominant. Campeloma parthenum and three other populations of unnamed parthenogens are triploid and parthenogenetic. Parthenogenesis was determined to be apomictic with a single maturation division in both the diploids and triploids. / Diploid parthenogenetic Campeloma in Georgia and Florida are considered to have been derived from diploid sexual ancestors by selection. In contrast, the triploid parthenogens are probably the result of the hybridization of a diploid parthenogen and C. geniculum. The karyotypes of the triploids show evidence of multiple chromosomal rearrangements probably involving C. geniculum chromosomes exclusively. Observed misdivisions could lead to altered karyotypes, as well as loss of genetic material and reduced fecundity for some parthenogenetic females. The karyotypes of parthenogenetic and sexual C. limum are indistinguishable, therefore, there are two different reproductive modes within this species. At least some individuals of C. limum can reproduce either apomictically or meiotically. The karyotype of C. floridense is indistinguishable from that of C. limum, therefore, C. floridense and C. limum may be conspecific. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-08, Section: B, page: 3292. / Major Professor: William H. Heard. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1989.

Genetic models of female-biased sex ratios in subdivided populations include individual selection (inbreeding and sib mating, dispersal, and local mate competition (LMC) that assumes restricted mating among the progeny of a few females) and group selection. I examined two genetic assumptions of these models in a parasitic wasp, Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a solitary ectoparasitoid of dipteran pupae. These assumptions are (1) sex ratio genotypes produce similar phenotypes over a range of environmental conditions (no genotype-environment interactions), and (2) sex ratio is genetically uncorrelated with other life history traits. / I found variation among five strains in sex ratio and daily fecundity, but there were no strain-environment interactions. The strains all increased the proportion of males with increasing density of ovipositing females. M. raptor is not a pure LMC species. Males emerge before females and await them for mating, but emergence spans 8 days and males are winged and capable of dispersal. Alternative models for sex ratio variation in M. raptor include differential dispersal by males and females and group selection models. / In a diallel analysis of three strains, I found that the genetic variance in sex ratio and other life history traits includes directional dominance, indicating that inbreeding will reduce the bias in sex ratio. I also found dominance genetic correlations and maternal effects correlations among sex ratio, daily fecundity, and development time. Females that develop quickly have higher fecundity and produce more female-biased sex ratios. The correlation is a result of the sequence of sex allocation during an oviposition bout: male eggs are oviposited early whereas females are oviposited later. / Sex ratio in M. raptor is a composite trait that reflects variation in fecundity as well as the propensity to fertilize eggs. The genetic correlations between sex ratio and other life history characteristics indicate that sex ratio may not evolve freely, but is constrained by selection on other traits. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-11, Section: B, page: 5125. / Major Professors: Joseph Travis; Daniel Simberloff. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1990.

Sensitivity to the bitter acetylated sugar sucrose octaacetate (SOA) is mediated by a single locus system with three alleles in mice. Inbred strains are classified according to SOA phenotype as tasters, nontasters, or demitasters (intermediate sensitivity). I created a novel congenic strain, C3.SW-Soa$\rm \sp{a},$ from taster (SWR/J) and demitaster (C3HeB/FeJ) strains. After 11 lineal backcross generations these G3.SW mice carry a copy of the taster allele on a $\sim$99% C3 genomic background. After testing a total of 1064 mice, taster-demitaster proportions across 16 generations were consistent with expectations from a monogenic model. / The C3 inbreds provide a suitable background for investigating genetic influences on bitter taste because they are relatively insensitive to many bitter compounds. In several experiments I tested 651 C3.SW, C3, and SW mice with concentration series of SOA and various bitter substances (48-h preference tests). Variation at the Soa locus influenced sensitivity to SOA, brucine, strychnine, denatonium, quinine and propylthiouracil. Gene effects were not found for caffeine, thiamine, or cycloheximide, indicating that the Soa gene mechanism influences responsiveness to a diverse yet limited class of bitter tastants. / Additionally, I conducted recordings from the chorda tympani (CT) nerve of 25 C3.SW, C3, and SW mice. This gustatory nerve responded robustly to concentrations of strychnine, quinine, and NaCl. However, strains of mice did not significantly differ in terms of relative CT response magnitude. In summary, the Soa gene influences behavioral responsiveness to bitter tastants, but allelic differences may not be evident at the whole-nerve level. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-01, Section: B, page: 0732. / Major Professor: Glayde Whitney. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1995.

Two-bottle preference testing of inbred strains (129/J, BALB/cByJ, C3HeB/FeJ, C57BL/6J, and DBA/2J), a replicated half-diallele of Intercross (F1) progeny from these strains, (C57X129)X129 Backcross progeny, and (C57X129) X (C57X129) Intercross (F2) progeny were used to examine phenotypes for sodium saccharin (10$\sp{-3}$M) and d-phenylalanine (10$\sp{-1}$M). The genetic correlation from the inbred strains (0.80 $\pm$ 0.012) indicated shared genetic variance between the two phenotypes. Broad and narrow sense heritabilities were calculated for sodium saccharin (0.95 and 0.75) and for d-phenylalanine (0.96 and 0.74). The sodium saccharin phenotype was found to be monogenic in two segregating populations. Lack of significant linkage for this phenotype with the Mup-1 locus on chromosome four has been taken to indicate that Sac and dpa (on chromosome four) are independent loci. The d-phenylalanine phenotype appears to be determined largely by the Sac locus. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-08, Section: B, page: 4631. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1995.