Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on September 29, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-141). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thèse (M.Sc.)--Université Laval, 2003. / Bibliogr.: f. 94-118. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-134). Also available online through Digital Dissertations.

Th. 3e cycle--Physicochim. des macromolécules synthétiques et nat. et de leurs oligomères--Lille 1, 1980. N°: 870.

OLIVEIRA, Rodrigo Vasconcelos de. Proteínas espermáticas e dinâmica da cromatina em ruminantes: relação com a fertilidade em touros e com o uso de castanha de caju na dieta de ovinos. 2013. 119 f. Tese (doutorado em zootecnia)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2013. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-04-22T19:42:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_tese_rvoliveira.pdf: 1755876 bytes, checksum: 938cdae211bb3c2ecc1a2c8db23536a9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-05-27T17:54:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_tese_rvoliveira.pdf: 1755876 bytes, checksum: 938cdae211bb3c2ecc1a2c8db23536a9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-27T17:54:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_tese_rvoliveira.pdf: 1755876 bytes, checksum: 938cdae211bb3c2ecc1a2c8db23536a9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / The ruminant fertility is influenced by intrinsic sperm factors, like chromatin or proteins. Considering that the reproductive efficiency is dependent on a balanced and feasible nutrition, the cashew nut meal (CNM) is a low cost byproduct that must be analyzed for possible effects on sperm chromatin and proteins.Study 1:. The objectives of study 1 were to determine failures of chromatin condensation, expression levels and cellular localizations of histones; H3.3, H2B and H4, respectively in spermatozoa from low (LF) vs. high fertility (HF) bulls. The data were analyzed by t test and Pearson correlation (P < 0.05). We demonstrated that aniline blue staining was different within LF (1.73 (0.55, 0.19)) and HF Groups (0.67 (0.17, 0.06) (P < 0.0001), which was also negatively correlated with in vivo bull fertility (r = -0.90; P < 0.0001). Although those histones were consistently immune-detectable and specifically localized in bull sperm, this was not different between the two groups. Except H2B variants, H3.3 and H4 showed 100% identity and conserved among bovine, mouse and human. The H2B variants were more conserved between bovine and human than those of mouse. In conclusion, we showed that H2B, H3.3 and H4 were detectable in bull spermatozoa and that sperm chromatin condensation status, changed by histone retention, is related with bull fertility. Study 2: The objectives of study 2 were evaluate the effects of 13% of CNM inclusion in the diet of Morada Nova rams on the semen parameters, chromatin integrity and sperm proteins. Twenty rams were distributed in two equal groups: cashew nut group (CNG) and control group (COG) that received 13% and 0% of CNM in the diet for 90 days, respectively. The groups were compared for live weight, scrotal circumference, seminal parameters, chromatin integrity and sperm protein profile at 0, 45 and 90 days of the experiment. The data were evaluated by GLM for repeated measures (P < 0.05). At 90 days, CNG (69.00% (7.38; 2.33)) presented percentage of motile sperm superior than control group (60,00% (9,43; 2,98)) (P<0.05). There was not effect from the diet with CNM on chromatin integrity. But, the percentages of protein expression from ODF1 and H2B were larger in the CNG (P<0.05). The proteins: ODF1, GPX4, FTL and H2B were negatively correlated with sperm chromatin quality. In conclusion, the cashew nut meal did not affect negatively the semen quality. / A fertilidade em ruminantes é influenciada por fatores intrínsecos espermáticos como a cromatina e as proteínas. Considerando que a eficiência reprodutiva do macho depende de uma nutrição balanceada e viável, o farelo de castanha de caju (FCC) é um subproduto de baixo custo que deve ser analisado quanto a possíveis efeitos na integridade cromatínica e proteica dos espermatozoides. Estudo 1: O estudo 1 teve como objetivos determinar: falhas na condensação da cromatina, níveis de expressão e localização celular das histonas: H3.3, H2b e H4B, respectivamente, em espermatozoides de touros de baixa (BF) e alta fertilidade (AF). Os dados foram avaliados pelo teste t e correlação de Pearson (P < 0,05). Os resultados do teste do azul de anilina foram diferentes entre os grupos BF (1.73 (0.55, 0.19)) e AF (0,67 (0,17, 0,06) (P < 0,0001), os quais também foram negativamente correlacionados com a fertilidade in vivo de touros (r = -0,90; P < 0,0001). Apesar das histonas terem sido consistentemente imunodetectadas e localizadas nos espermatozoides, estas não apresentaram diferenças entre os grupos. As proteínas H3.3 e H4 apresentaram 100% de identidade e foram conservadas entre bovinos, murinos e seres humanos. Entretanto, as variantes H2B foram mais conservadas entre touros e humanos do que entre humanos e camundongos. Em conclusão, as proteínas H2B, H3.3 e H4 foram detectáveis em espermatozoides de touros e a condensação da cromatina espermática, alterada pela retenção de histonas, é relacionada com a fertilidade de touros. Estudo 2: O estudo 2 objetivou avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de 13% de FCC na dieta de carneiros Morada Nova sobre as características seminais, integridade de cromatina e perfil das proteínas espermáticas. Vinte carneiros foram divididos em dois grupos: castanha (GCA) e controle (GCO).que receberam na dieta 13% e 0% de FCC durante 90 dias, respectivamente. Os grupos foram comparados quanto ao peso vivo, circunferência escrotal, parâmetros seminais, integridade de cromatina e perfil das proteínas espermáticas aos 0, 45 e 90 dias de experimento. Os dados foram analisados pelo método GLM para medidas repetidas (P < 0,05). Aos 90 dias o GCA (69,00% (7,38; 2,33) apresentou porcentagem de espermatozoides móveis superior ao GCO (60,00% (9,43; 2,98)) (P<0.05). Não houve efeito da dieta contendo FCC sobre a integridade da cromatina. Porém, os percentuais das proteínas ODF1 e H2B foram mais elevados nos carneiros do GCA (P < 0,05). As proteínas: ODF1, GPX4, FTL e H2B foram negativamente correlacionadas com a qualidade da cromatina espermática. Em conclusão, a inclusão de FCC na dieta de carneiros não afetou negativamente a qualidade seminal.

Sepsis is among the most prevalent diagnosed critical illnesses in the United States today. Although advances have reduced the overall morbidity and mortality associated with this illness, the enormous number of deaths associated with it shows a need for improved diagnostic and therapeutic optionsgent. Our laboratory has utilized RNA based technologies to aid in the treatment of histone induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome seen in sepsis. Histones are proteins found in the nucleus of every cell in our body and have been shown to be released during sepsis. Such release induces damage to other cells, causing a feed forward cycle that results in organ failure and death. Several therapeutics have been utilized to neutralize histones but have shown considerable toxicity. This thesis describes the generation of single stranded RNA aptamers to bind and neutralize histone mediate damage without unwanted toxicity. We demonstrate that our aptamers selectively bind to histones but not serum proteins. In addition, we establish that our aptamers can neutralize all histone mediated cellular response in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we determined that our aptamers are able inhibit the histone feed forward cycle in a temporal fashion in our murine model of multiple organ dysfunction. This novel therapeutic demonstrates the selectivity and effectiveness needed to inhibit histones in several critical illnesses.

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