Although typically thought of as a beloved companion or indispensable aide, the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) has emerged as an excellent model for the study of human hereditary diseases. Many hereditary diseases of the dog have nearly identical clinical presentations as those of the human and are, most often, caused by mutations in the same genes. One such disease is hereditary nephropathy; an inherited glomerular disease in the domestic dog that is similar to Alport syndrome of the human. Both diseases are caused by mutations in the type IV collagens genes, and the disease has nearly identical pathology and clinical presentations in the dog and human. By studying this disease in the dog, our laboratory hopes to increase understanding of the disease so that information that can be applied to both the human and the dog. Reported here is 1) the development of a genomic based test to determine genotypes of mixed breed dogs in a colony presenting with X-linked hereditary nephropathy, 2) the determination of patterns of X-chromosome inactivation in normal dogs and dogs that are carriers of Xlinked hereditary nephropathy, 3) the design of a synthetic COL4A5 cDNA to be used for gene therapy treatment of dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy, 4) the investigation of type IV collagen gene expression changes in normal dogs and those affected with X-linked and autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy, and 5) the discovery of the mutation causative for autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy in the English Cocker Spaniel. Utilization of the colony of dogs affected with X-linked hereditary nephropathy (for which the causative mutation was previously identified) allowed for comparisons of type IV collagen gene expression to English Cocker Spaniels with autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy. These data were critical to identification of the gene harboring the causative mutation for autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy. Sequencing was performed to identify the mutation. With the ability to test for carriers of this disease, it is our hope that breeders will use it to to maintain the desired traits in the ECS while simultaneously eliminating the production of affected offspring.

Although typically thought of as a beloved companion or indispensable aide, the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) has emerged as an excellent model for the study of human hereditary diseases. Many hereditary diseases of the dog have nearly identical clinical presentations as those of the human and are, most often, caused by mutations in the same genes. One such disease is hereditary nephropathy; an inherited glomerular disease in the domestic dog that is similar to Alport syndrome of the human. Both diseases are caused by mutations in the type IV collagens genes, and the disease has nearly identical pathology and clinical presentations in the dog and human. By studying this disease in the dog, our laboratory hopes to increase understanding of the disease so that information that can be applied to both the human and the dog. Reported here is 1) the development of a genomic based test to determine genotypes of mixed breed dogs in a colony presenting with X-linked hereditary nephropathy, 2) the determination of patterns of X-chromosome inactivation in normal dogs and dogs that are carriers of X-linked hereditary nephropathy, 3) the design of a synthetic COL4A5 cDNA to be used for gene therapy treatment of dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy, 4) the investigation of type IV collagen gene expression changes in normal dogs and those affected with X-linked and autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy, and 5) the discovery of the mutation causative for autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy in the English Cocker Spaniel. Utilization of the colony of dogs affected with X-linked hereditary nephropathy (for which the causative mutation was previously identified) allowed for comparisons of type IV collagen gene expression to English Cocker Spaniels with autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy. These data were critical to identification of the gene harboring the causative mutation for autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy. Sequencing was performed to identify the mutation. With the ability to test for carriers of this disease, it is our hope that breeders will use it to to maintain the desired traits in the ECS while simultaneously eliminating the production of affected offspring.

Konstitucinė monarchija – tai tokia valstybės valdymo forma, kuri atspindi konstituciškai reglamentuotą valstybės valdžių sistemos organizaciją, kurioje valdovo institutas netenka ne tik įstatymų leidžiamosios, bet ir daugumos vykdomosios bei teisminės valdžios funkcijų ir valstybės valdyme lyderio poziciją užleidžia visuomenės atstovaujamajai institucijai – parlamentui. Šiame baigiamajame darbe atskleidžiami konstitucinių monarchijų Danijoje, Norvegijoje ir Švedijoje ypatumai. Konstitucinių monarchijų bruožai išskiriami analizuojant monarchijų rūšis, monarchijos valdymo formos įtvirtinimą Konstitucijoje, sosto užėmimo tradicijas, monarcho įgaliojimų kilmę ir trukmę ir monarcho prerogatyvas valdžios pasidalijimo mechanizme. Nors Skandinavijos šalys Danija, Norvegija ir Švedija yra labai giminingos, jas sieja bendra istorija ir kultūrinės tradicijos, jų konstitucinės monarchijos turi esminių skirtumų. Kaip antai, skirtingai nuo Danijos ir Norvegijos, įgaliojimai, kurie liko Švedijos monarchui yra išskirtinai reprezentaciniai ir ceremonialiniai. Monarchijos institutas šiuolaikiniame moderniame pasaulyje išlieka, todėl kad savo konstitucine realizavimo forma tapo dar vienu valstybės vadovo instituto formavimo išraiškos variantu. Visa tai galima paaiškinti nacionalinių valstybių teisinių, kultūrinių tradicijų ypatybėmis, kurios sąlygojo būtent tokį valstybės vadovo instituto sudarymo būdą Skandinavijos šalyse. / A constitutional monarchy - is a form of state government which reflects constitutionally organised system of state powers, where monarch reigns with limits to legislative and most of executive powers along with a governing body – parlament. This final research work describes characteristics of constitutional monarchies in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Features of constitutional monarchy are disclosed analizing the types of monarchies, implementation a form of monarchical government in Constitution, traditions of accession to the Throne, origin of monarch powers and monarch prerogatives in the system of separation of powers. Although Skandinavian countries Denmark, Norway and Sweden are so close to each other, they have common history and similar cultural traditions, their constitutional monarchies have substancial differences. For example, differently from Denmark and Norway, the prerogatives left for Swedish monarch are exceptionally only representative and ceremonial. Institute of monarchy survive in today’s modern world, because became one more way to realize the institute of head of state. In attempting to find an answer we must turn to history, because traditions in Scandinavian countries, as they are learned and perceived, create attitudes, which in turn lead to actions.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2001. / Härtill 7 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1947.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1947.

Thesis (doctoral)--Rijksuniversiteit te Groningen.

Abstract Type IV collagen is only found in basement membranes, where it is the major structural component, providing a framework for the binding of other basement membrane components and a substratum for cells. The type IV collagen molecule is triple-helical and composed of three a chains which exist as six distinct forms (α1 - α6). Abnormalities in this basement membrane collagen structure and function are connected to both inherited and acquired diseases. Alport syndrome is a hereditary kidney disease associated with extrarenal complications, such as sensorineural deafness and eye abnormalities. The disease is caused by mutations in the COL4A3, COL4A4 and COL4A5 genes, coding for the type IV collagen α3, α4 and α5 chain genes, respectively. About 85% of the Alport syndrome cases are X-linked dominant, caused by mutations in the COL4A5 gene. In order to develop a basis for automated mutation analysis of the COL4A5 gene, previously unknown intron sequences flanking exons 2 and 37 were determined. Intron sequences flanking the other 49 exons were expanded from 35 to 190, and additionally, two novel 9 bp exons (exons 41A and 41B) were characterized in the large intron 41. In addition to optimization of the PCR amplification and sequencing conditions for all 51 exons and exon flanking sequences, optimization for the 820 bp promoter region and for the two novel exons was performed as well. Mutations were found in 79 unrelated patients of the 107 studied. This gives a high mutation detection rate of almost 75% in comparison with 50%, at its best, in other extensive mutation analyses of the COL4A5 gene using SSCP analysis. None of the mutations involved the promoter region or exons 41A and 41B. Circulating antibodies against basement membrane components have been recognized in some autoimmune diseases. Goodpasture syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by progressive glomerulonephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage. The target of the antibodies in this disease has been shown to be the noncollagenous NC1 domain of type IV collagen α3 chain. For unknown reasons, a minority of Alport syndrome patients also develops antibodies against α3 and α5 chains after renal transplantation with manifestation of severe anti-GBM disease. In order to investigate the antibodies both in Goodpasture and Alport syndrome, the NC1 domains of all six type IV collagen chains were produced as recombinant proteins in bacterial and mammalian expression systems, and an ELISA method was developed for antibody detection. Antibodies were found in both syndromes, interestingly also in Alport syndrome patients without the anti-GBM disease. The results of this work have a significant clinical value by providing for the first time complete, effective DNA-based analysis of all exon/intron and promoter regions of the COL4A5 gene in Alport syndrome.

Inherited disorders are an important cause of physical handicap, deafness, mental retardation and blindness. There is considerable variation in the geographic and ethnic distribution of genetic disease due to biological pressures and historical accidents. In this context the relative prevalence of common inherited disorders and the recognition of rare conditions in isolated communities is of great academic importance. Oceanic islands are of special significance in the study of inherited disease. Virtually nothing has been documented concerning genetic disorders on the Island of Mauritius with a population of one million people. This study was undertaken to document the impact of inherited disorders on handicapping conditions in this community. As genetic disease concentrates in institutions, formal screening of all the schools for the deaf and blind, and the associations for the physically and mentally handicapped on Mauritius was undertaken. This involved a careful history, clinical examination and genealogical study, with radiographic, biochemical and ancillary testing performed where appropriate. Referral clinics were also established for the assessment of individuals and families known, or thought to be afflicted with abnormalities or handicap of a genetic origin. To ensure completeness, a similar survey was performed on Rodrigues, a neighbouring island, as this community is included under the responsibilities of the Mauritian Ministry of Health. Accumulated data concerning 681 patients were analysed. Genetic disorders accounted for disability in 265 individuals representing 38,6% of the causes of handicap. Of these persons 54 were deaf, 30 were blind, 99 were mentally retarded and 80 were physically handicapped. Several new entities, considered unique to the area and a consequence of either consanguinity or the founder effect, were documented. Karyotyping on selected individuals was undertaken in the laboratories of the Department of Human Genetics, University of Cape Town. A molecular genetic study of a large family with X-linked deafness of Nance, conducted by the same laboratory, revealed tight linkage with the probe pDP34; linkage analysis was performed on patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The collation of these original data, the delineation of the new genetic conditions and an analysis of the results form the subject of this thesis and provide a basis for the future development of genetic services on Mauritius.

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