No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

We investigated the transferability of 20 Fragaria vesca microsatellite primer pairs to 13 Fragaria vesca accessions, six Fragaria species and ten commercially important species in Rosaceae. Genetic diversity studies were carried among 16 diploid Fragaria accessions using these polymorphic microsatellites. The average number of alleles amplified for a polymorphic locus was 4.7 with maximum being 8.0 and minimum being 3.0. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.84 with an average of 0.28. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.33 to 0.91 with an average of 0.76. Power of discrimination varied from 0.43 to 0.92 with an average of 0.78. Transferability of microsatellites to F. orientalis (4x) and F. Ã ananassa (8x) was high, i.e., 18 (90%) primers produced amplicons. Cross species amplification within Rosaceae using these primers showed limited transference. Four microsatellites showed amplification for different species in Rosaceae. Products generated by UDF-003 and UDF-018 primers were sequenced. Sequencing results for UDF-018 showed that three species, i.e., Pyrus calleryana, Prunus persica and Rubus idaeus contained the expected microsatellite whereas another four, i.e., Cotoneaster salicifolius, Rosa rugosa, Amelanchier arborea and Potentilla fruticosa had conserved regions resulting in generation of amplicons. For UDF 003, Spirea xbumalda and Prunus persica did not contain a microsatellite although there was some sequence similarity with Fragaria. Size homoplasy, i.e., alleles of identical size with different numbers of repeats within the SSR was observed among Fragaria and Rosaceae species for primer UDF-018, suggesting a need for caution when interpreting SSR variation from band migration in the absence of DNA sequences. / Master of Science

Observed and expected heterozygosity (H) levels for ten electrophoretic blood marker loci and expected H for seven red blood cell (RBC) anitgen/antibody loci were examined for 20 years in American Standardbred and 30 years in American Saddlebred horses. Standardbreds were classed by gait, Trotter and Pacer, and evaluated separately in most analyses. 4,404 Trotters and 12,271 Pacers were found to have statistically highly significant losses of mean total observed H through time for the ten electrophoretic loci (P<0.005), although in Trotters the loss was more extreme (P<<0.001). Loss of H in 5984 Saddlebreds was not significant (P=0.259). Correlations of RBC expected H through time showed decreases in all three groups.

Protein product tumor suppressor PALB2 gene plays a major role in pathway of DNA repair of double-strand breaks throught the homologous recombination mechanism. Significance of its pathogenic variants in hereditary forms of breast cancer in BRCA1/2- negative patients in families with multiple breast cancers may be in the Czech Republic comparable with the BRCA2 gene. A role of the PALB2 gene in sporadic breast cancer occurence, which represent 90 - 95 % of all cancers, is still unknown. This thesis focuses on inactivation pathway of tumor suppressor PALB2 in the sporadic breast cancer by a mechanism of allelic loss detecting by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of corresponding microsatellite markers and hypermethylation of promoter region as the most common mechanisms of inactivation tumor suppressors in early tumorigenesis. In a group of 51 nonselected patients with sporadic breast cancer we found four samples with PALB2 locus allelic loss. These samples were analyzed for somatic mutations. No mutation was found. There is no evidence of promotor hypermethylation in any of the samples. Our data suggest a role of the PALB2 gene inactivation in a minority group of sporadic breast cancers.

Lam Wai-Chun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [64]-[73]). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (in English) --- p.i-ii / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iii -iv / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of contents --- p.vi -ix / List of Figures --- p.x / List of Tables --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xi -xii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) --- p.1-2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Major risk factors of HCC / Chapter (1) --- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) --- p.2-4 / Chapter (2) --- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) --- p.5-6 / Chapter (3) --- Cirrhosis --- p.6 / Chapter (4) --- Dietary alfatoxin B1 (AFB1) --- p.6 -7 / Chapter (5) --- Alcoholic consumption --- p.7 / Chapter (6) --- Iron overload --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- Genetic aberrations in HCC --- p.8-9 / Chapter (1) --- Chromosomal loss --- p.10-13 / Chapter (2) --- Chromosomal gains --- p.13-15 / Chapter 1.4 --- roposed study --- p.15 / Chapter (1) --- Hypomethylation of heterochromatin in chromosome 1q copy number gain. --- p.16 / Chapter (2) --- ositional mapping on 1q21 - q22 by interphase cytogenetics. --- p.16-17 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Southern Blot Analysis for Satellite DNA Hypomethylation. --- p.18-19 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- ositional Mapping by Interphase Cytogenetics. --- p.19 -24 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Southern Blot Analysis for Satellite DNA Hypomethylation / Chapter (1) --- Extraction of high molecular weight DNA --- p.25 / Chapter (2) --- DNA digestion with methyl-sensitive restriction enzyme --- p.25 -26 / Chapter (3) --- Control for the complete DNA digestion. --- p.26 / Chapter (4) --- Southern Blotting. --- p.26 -27 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- ositional Mapping by Interphase Cytogenetics / Chapter (1) --- Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC) --- p.28 -29 / Chapter (i) --- YAC culturing --- p.29 -30 / Chapter (ii) --- YAC DNA extraction --- p.30 -31 / Chapter (iii) --- Inter-Alu-Polymerase Chain Reaction --- p.32 -33 / Chapter (2) --- -1 derived Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (PAC) --- p.34 / Chapter (i) --- AC culturing and DNA extraction --- p.34 -35 / Chapter (3) --- FISHrobe labeling by nick translation. --- p.35 / Chapter (4) --- FISHrobereparation --- p.36 / Chapter (5) --- Dot-blot analysis. --- p.36 -37 / Chapter (6) --- Verification of the YAC andACrobes by metaphase FISH --- p.37 / Chapter (7) --- Hybridization efficiency test --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Southern Blot Analysis for Satellite DNA Hypomethylation / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.39 -40 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter (1) --- atients --- p.41 / Chapter (2) --- Mathyl-sensitive restriction enzyme digestion. --- p.42 / Chapter (3) --- Classical satellite 2 DNArobe labeling and hybridization. --- p.42 -43 / Chapter (4) --- Membrane washing and signal detection. --- p.43 / Chapter (5) --- Signal detection and reference ratio determination. --- p.43 -44 / Chapter (6) --- Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) --- p.44 -45 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results / Chapter (1) --- Heterochromatin hypomethylation and 1q12 breakpoint. --- p.45 / Chapter (2) --- Heterochromatin hypomethylation in adjacent hepatitis Infected liver tissue. --- p.46 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.47-51 / Chapter Chapter4 --- ositional Mapping of 1q21 - q22 by Interphase Cytogenetics / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.52-53 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter (1) --- atients --- p.53 / Chapter (2) --- YAC clones --- p.53 -54 / Chapter (3) --- AC clones --- p.55 / Chapter (4) --- Formalin-fixedaraffin-embedded tissue sections pretreatment. --- p.55 / Chapter (5) --- Hybridization --- p.56 / Chapter (6) --- Signal detection --- p.56 -57 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results / Chapter (1) --- Relative copy number gain on YAC examined. --- p.57 -59 / Chapter (2) --- AC findings --- p.60 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.60 -63 / References

Li Ching-wan. / Thesis submitted in: November 2001. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-130). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACTS (ENGLISH/CHINESE) --- p.iii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xiii / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xiv / Chapter CHAPTER1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1. --- Liver Cancer --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Hepatocellular Carcinoma --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Types of Liver Cancer --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Epidemiology --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2.1. --- Geographical Distribution --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2.2. --- Age and Gender Distribution --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3. --- Etiologic Factors --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3.1. --- Chronic Infection with Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) Viruses --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3.2. --- Aflatoxin B1 --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.3.3. --- Alcohol --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3.4. --- Summary --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3. --- HCC in Hong Kong --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4. --- Role of Viral Hepatitis B in HCC --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.1. --- HBV Genome --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.2. --- Consequences of HBV DNA Integration --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.2.1. --- HBV Integration --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.2.2. --- Transactivation of Cellular Genes by HBV DNA --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4.2.3. --- Chromosomal DNA Instability --- p.20 / Chapter 1.5. --- Genetic Alterations in HCC --- p.21 / Chapter 1.5.1. --- Tumor Suppressor Gene --- p.21 / Chapter 1.5.2. --- Proto-oncogene --- p.23 / Chapter 1.5.3. --- Genetic Studies in HCC --- p.23 / Chapter 1.5.3.1. --- Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) --- p.25 / Chapter 1.5.3.2. --- Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) --- p.26 / Chapter 1.5.3.3. --- Array CGH --- p.26 / Chapter 1.5.4. --- Large-Scale Genetic Analysis in HCC --- p.27 / Chapter CHAPTER2 --- RATIONALE IN THIS STUDY --- p.35 / Chapter CHAPTER3 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS / Chapter 3.1. --- Patients and Materials --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.1. --- DNA Extraction --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2. --- Loss of Heterozygosity Analysis on Chromosome 4q --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Microsatellite Markers --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Amplification of Target Sequences by PCR --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.2.1. --- 5-end Labeling Primers --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.2.2. --- Amplification of Target Sequences --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- Denaturing Polyacrylamide Gel --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.3.1. --- Electrophoresis --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.4. --- Detection of Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.5. --- Duplex PCR Analysis of Homozygous Deletion --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3. --- Amplification Analysis by Array-CGH --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Nick-Translation --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Hybridization --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Imaging and Data Analysis --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.4. --- Determination of Normal Range for All Cases --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3.5. --- Assessment of Data Quality --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4. --- Statistical Analysis --- p.52 / Chapter CHAPTER4 --- RESULTS / Chapter 4.1. --- Loss of Heterozygosity Analysis on Chromosome 4q --- p.53 / Chapter 4.1.1. --- Region I of Smallest Common Deletion Region --- p.54 / Chapter 4.1.2. --- Region II of Smallest Common Deletion Region --- p.54 / Chapter 4.2. --- Amplification Analysis by Array-CGH --- p.62 / Chapter CHAPTER5 --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 5.1. --- LOH Analysis on Chromosome 4q --- p.73 / Chapter 5.1.1. --- LOH of Chromosome 4q in Various Cancers --- p.74 / Chapter 5.1.1.1. --- Hepatocellular Carcinomas --- p.74 / Chapter 5.1.1.2. --- Other Neoplasia --- p.76 / Chapter 5.1.2. --- Functional Studies on Chromosome 4 --- p.76 / Chapter 5.1.3. --- Putative Tumor Suppressors on Chromosome 4q --- p.80 / Chapter 5.1.3.1. --- Region I (4q27-q28.1) --- p.80 / Chapter 5.1.3.1.1. --- MAD2L1 (4q27) --- p.80 / Chapter 5.1.3.2. --- Region II (4q35.2) --- p.81 / Chapter 5.1.3.2.1. --- INGlL(4q35.1) --- p.81 / Chapter 5.1.3.2.2. --- FAT (4q34-q35) --- p.81 / Chapter 5.1.3.2.3. --- Caspase 3 (4q35) --- p.82 / Chapter 5.1.4. --- Limitation of this Study --- p.83 / Chapter 5.1.4.1. --- Markers --- p.83 / Chapter 5.1.4.1.1. --- Limitation of the Markers --- p.83 / Chapter 5.1.4.1.2. --- Location of the Microsatellite Markers --- p.83 / Chapter 5.1.4.2. --- Tissue Samples --- p.84 / Chapter 5.1.4.2.1. --- Normal Reference --- p.84 / Chapter 5.1.4.2.2. --- Pathologic Characterization --- p.85 / Chapter 5.1.5. --- Future Studies --- p.85 / Chapter 5.1.5.1. --- Improvement of the Experiment --- p.85 / Chapter 5.1.5.2. --- Extension of the Present Study --- p.86 / Chapter 5.2. --- Amplification Analysis by Array-CGH --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2.1. --- Amplicons Showing Amplification in HCC --- p.89 / Chapter 5.2.1.1. --- Locus of 17q23 --- p.89 / Chapter 5.2.1.1.1. --- D17S1670 --- p.89 / Chapter 5.2.1.1.2. --- RPS6KB1 --- p.91 / Chapter 5.2.1.2. --- Locus of 1q25-q31 --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2.1.2.1. --- LAMC2 --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2.1.3. --- Locus of 3q26.3 --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2.1.3.1. --- PIK3CA --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2.1.4. --- Locus of 8p22 --- p.94 / Chapter 5.2.1.4.1. --- CTSB --- p.94 / Chapter 5.2.1.5. --- Locus of 6q22 --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2.1.5.1. --- MYB --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2.1.6. --- Locus of 20ql3 --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.1.6.1. --- CSE1L --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.1.7. --- Locus of Ip36.2-p35.1 --- p.97 / Chapter 5.2.1.7.1. --- FGR --- p.97 / Chapter 5.2.1.8. --- Locus of 7q21.1 --- p.98 / Chapter 5.2.1.8.1. --- PGY1 --- p.98 / Chapter 5.2.2. --- Amplicons Showing Deletion in HCC --- p.99 / Chapter 5.2.2.1. --- Loss at 11ql3 and 14q32.3 --- p.99 / Chapter 5.2.3. --- Limitation of the Study --- p.100 / Chapter 5.2.3.1. --- Samples and Materials --- p.100 / Chapter 5.2.4. --- Further Study --- p.101 / Chapter 5.2.4.1. --- Confirmation of the Result in Various Levels --- p.101 / Chapter 5.2.4.2. --- Assessment of the Significant Losses on Chromosomes 11ql3 and 14ql3 --- p.101 / Chapter 5.2.5. --- Application of Microarray in Genetic Studies --- p.102 / Chapter 5.2.5.1. --- Deletion Analysis --- p.102 / Chapter 5.2.5.2 --- Tissue Microarray --- p.103 / Chapter 5.2.5.3. --- cDNA Microarray --- p.103 / Chapter chapter6 --- references --- p.104

OBJETIVO: A perda de heterozigosidade (LOH) é capaz de avaliar as alterações genéticas de lesões potencialmente malignas. Este ensaio avalia as regiões cromossômicas polimórficas que estão próximas ou na região dos oncogenes e genes supressores de tumor conhecidos. Os objetivos desta tese foram três principais: 1) Avaliar a frequência de perda de heterozigosidade de leucoplasias bucais com diferentes graus de severidade histopatológico em regiões cromossômicas próximas aos genes supressores de tumores. 2) Comparar e correlacionar o perfil de perda de heterozigosidade entre indivíduos da British Columbia (Canadá) e Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil). 3) Avaliar os danos ao DNA que podem ocorrer durante o processamento e armazenamento das amostras de tecido parafinado. MÉTODOS: Amostras de leucoplasia bucal (com e sem displasias), fixadas em formalina tamponada 10% e parafinadas, obtidas nos laboratório de patologia bucal do Canadá e do Brasil foram selecionadas e microdissectadas. Procedeu-se a extração de DNA, amplificação por PCR das seguintes regiões microssatélites: 4q (D4S243, FABP2), 9p21 (IFNA, D9S171, D9S1748, D9S1751), 17p11.2 (CHRNB1) e 17p13.1 (tp53 e D17S786). Após o produto do PCR foi separado e visualizado em gel de poliacrilamida por autoradiografia. RESULTADOS: Observou-se uma forte correlação entre o perfil de perda de heterozigosidade entre indivíduos com leucoplasia bucal de ambos os países, independentemente da etnicidade. Além disso, pode-se notar que amostras de tecidos parafinados submetidos a mais de 24 horas de fixação em formalina tamponada 10% não serão, em sua maioria, boas amostras para análises de DNA. CONCLUSÃO: As lesões potencialmente malignas, provavelmente não são influenciadas em sua etiopatogênia pelas diferenças étnicas. O modelo de risco genético validado por Zhang e colaboradores (2012) parece ser aplicável em nossa comunidade, sendo necessário a sua validação, respeitando procedimentos técnicos padronizados. Ainda, vale ressaltar, que é imprescindível que a comunidade científica passe a adotar metodologias que preservem o material genético das peças dos bancos de tecidos parafinados, que são de inestimável valor para a pesquisa biomédica. / OBJECTIVE: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) can evaluate genetic alterations of pre-malignant lesions. This assay evaluates the chromosomal polymorphic regions that are present in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. The main objectives of this thesis were: 1) Evaluate the frequency of LOH of oral leukoplakias with different histopathological degrees at chromosomal regions of tumor suppressor genes. 2) Compare the profile of LOH between individuals from British Columbia (Canada) and Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). 3) Evaluate the DNA damage that may occur with FFPE (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) tissues. METHODS: FFPE samples of oral leukoplakia (with and without dysplasia), obtained in Canadian and Brazilian oral pathology laboratories were selected and microdissected. DNA extraction and PCR amplification of the following microsatellite regions were conducted: 4q (D4S243, FABP2), 9p21 (IFNA, D9S171, D9S1748, D9S1751), 17p11.2 (CHRNB1) and 17p13.1 (tp53 and D17S786). PCR products were separated and visualized on polyacrylamide gel by autoradiography. RESULTS: A strong correlation between the LOH profile among individuals with oral leukoplakia from both countries was observed, regardless ethnicity. Furthermore, FFPE tissues subjected to more than 24 hours of fixation in 10% buffered formalin are not, generally, good samples for DNA analysis. CONCLUSION: Pre-malignant lesions etiopathogenesis may not be influenced by ethnicity. The genetic risk model validated by Zhang et al. (2012) seems to be applicable in our community, requiring its own validation, respecting standardized procedures. Still, it is important to emphasize that it is imperative that a scientific community adopts methodologies that preserve the genetic material FFPE tissues that are an invaluable resource for biomedical research.

Sociality is widespread across the animal kingdom and explanations for its incidence and persistence are numerous. Whilst various drivers of sociality have been identified and tested, controversies remain and we are still far from a complete understanding of the mechanisms underlying social structure. Here I use a combination of field observations on a free-living population of feral horses Equus caballus and laboratory behavioural experiments on the Pacific beetle roach Diploptera punctata to investigate the drivers of sociality in these species. I explore four key aspects of sociality: the influences of kinship on sociality and social development, the strength and persistence of social bonds, the relationship between inbreeding avoidance and dispersal and the potential influence of individuals on social structure. Whilst kinship is a major driver of social structure in most mammalian species, I present evidence in Chapter Three that horse society is not structured by levels of kinship; however, in Chapter Five, I show that kinship levels to potential mates are significant in female dispersal choices in this species. In Chapter Eight, I provide evidence for significant effects of kinship to companions upon social and physical development in D. punctata, indicating a clear potential benefit of kin-based associations. The stability of social bonds can have substantial effects upon social structure. In Chapter Three, I show that the bonds between female horses show significant stability and are formed independently to kinship levels, a rare result in a non-primate species. I also provide evidence consistent with the hypothesis that these bonds are driven by male harassment. Similarly, in D. punctata, I find in Chapter Eight that female clustering occurs within resting aggregations and that the most likely explanation is the avoidance of male harassment. I therefore propose that this driver of female sociality may be a highly prevalent force structuring animal societies. Inbreeding depression has been demonstrated in a variety of species and contexts. Here I show in Chapter Five that in horses, female dispersal is likely to be influenced by kinship levels with potential mates. In Chapter Four, I then show that more heterozygous males have a higher reproductive success, most likely due to their ability to utilise a larger home range. Finally, local population structure can be highly influenced by individual association choices and behaviour. In Chapter Two, I show that in horses, mothers may allow their sons to postpone dispersal by the maintenance of stronger mother-son bonds, permitting an extended period of social learning. In Chapter Seven, I demonstrate that consistent inter-individual variation in personality traits exists in D. punctata which is stable across life stages, despite age effects on the strength of boldness. This is a source of variation which may be extremely important for decision-making social groups. My main conclusion from this work is that male harassment is often a key driver of sociality which may frequently be overlooked. I also demonstrate that the effects of kinship are far-ranging but not omnipresent. This thesis therefore makes a major contribution to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying animal sociality and presents clear potential avenues for future research.