Thesis (doctoral)--University of Uppsala, 1981. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 21-15).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2007. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 149-160).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Florida, 2004. / Typescript. Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 167 pages. Includes Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 149-160). Also available on the Internet.

Drosophila are used extensively for genetic, developmental and now molecular biology research. At present, germline transformation of these organisms can only be achieved by microinjection of P-element vectors into the pole cells of young embryos. The technique of microinjection however, requires a delicate touch and is quite laborious. Therefore, the development of a rapid and simple technique was investigated. Electroporation, like microinjection, is a physical means of introducing DNA into a cell and is therefore potentially applicable to all cell types. Electroporation involves the use of an electrical current to create pores in the membrane of a cell. Macromolecules, such as DNA may enter a cell via these pores. Electroporation is a quick, reproducible, and efficient method for transforming cells. Through studies of the survival and permeability of Drosophila melanogaster embryos exposed to electrical currents, it was discovered that although the survival of the embryos decreased steadily as field strength increased, the embryos did not become permeable to a water soluble dye unless a pulse of 10 kV/cm was applied. Few embryos survived this extreme voltage required for dye uptake. Attempts to introduce DNA into dechorionated Drosophila embryos utilizing this technique however, produced no transformants. These results suggested that the remaining protective coatings of the dechorionated embryo were obstructing efficient pore formation, thus preventing DNA penetration. In view of these results, methods to eliminate the wax layer, present between the chorion and vitelline membrane of laid eggs, were examined. Wax removal by detergent solubilization, solvent extraction and melting by heating were investigated, yet did not produce a satisfactory procedure. / Medicine, Faculty of / Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of / Graduate

Cumulative clinical and experimental evidence indicates that volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) the principal components of oral malodour, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. As their (H₂S and CH₃SH) concentrations in gingival sulci increase with the severity of periodontal involvement, the objective of this investigation is to ascertain if they exert an effect on the permeability of oral mucosa. Permeability determinations were performed on excised porcine sublingual mucosal specimens which consisted of non-keratinized epithelium, basal membrane and connective tissue layers mounted in a two compartment perfusion apparatus. Using radioactive and fluorescent-labelled penetrants, it was found that exposure of the epithelial surface to an atmosphere containing physiological concentrations of both thiols (15 ng H₂S or CH₃SH / ml of 95% air - 5% C0₂) increased the permeability of the mucosa to (³⁵S)-S0₄⁻², (³H)-prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled E. coli lipopolysaccharide (F-LPS). A three hour exposure of the mucosa to H₂S and CH₃SH resulted in a 75% and 103% increase respectively in permeability to (³⁵S)-labelled sulphate ion. Similarly, the mercaptan induced up to a 70% increase in permeability of the mucosa to (³H)-prostaglandin E₂. The magnitude of changes in the permeability were found to depend on duration of exposure to the thiols and to their concentration. Studies using (³⁵S)-H₂S suggest that the observed changes in the tissue permeability are related to the reaction of the thiols with tissue components. In addition, the (³⁵S)-H₂S is capable of perfusing through all three layers of the mucosa at 12.3 ng / cm². In contrast to H₂S , the CH₃SH effect was irreversible in control air / C0₂ environment. This infers that CH₃SH is potentially a more deleterious agent to the tissue barrier. However, its effect can also be reversed by treatment of tissues with 0.22% ZnCl₂ either prior to or after exposure to mercaptan. This suggests that Zn⁺² ion may be useful in preventing the potentially harmful effects of VSC. Fluorescent studies with F-LPS indicate that thiols can also potentiate the penetration of endotoxin. Whereas the fluorescence of the F-LPS in control systems was confined to the superficial epithelial layer in contact with the endotoxin, the CH₃SH- exposed mucosa exhibited fluorescence throughout the epithelial and connective tissue layers. Fluorescent staining of the mucosal specimens with fluorescein diacetate followed by counter staining with ethidium bromide provides evidence of membrane impairment to some cells by CH₃SH. Collectively these observations provide strong experimental evidence that the VSC, products of putrefaction produced in the gingival sulcus by oral microflora, may adversely affect the integrity of the crevicular barrier to deleterious agents and thus contribute to the etiology of periodontal disease. / Dentistry, Faculty of / Graduate

Membrane traffic in polarised cells was investigated by growing Madin-Darby canine kidney (MOCK) cells on ·permeable polycarbonate filter supports which allowed access to both sides of the cell monolayer. Membrane glycoconjugates on the apical and basolateral cell surfaces were labelled enzymatically with ³H- and ¹⁴C-galactose, respectively, to provide covalent membrane markers. Experiments were done to quantitate membrane traffic during endocytosis at the respective plasma membrane domains and that due to transcytosis. Internalized label was quantitatively distinguished from label on the respective cell surface by its resistance to removal by glycosidases.

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