published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that both Radix Rubiae and realgar were capable of inducing cellular apoptosis on HaCaT cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner as shown by morphological inspection, DNA fragmentation, TUNEL assay, cell cycle analysis, annexin V---PI staining and Western blot analysis. HPLC fingerprintings were constructed for quality control of the Radix Rubiae extract using mollugin as the chemical marker. Further phytochemical study found that ethyl acetate fraction of this herb possessed potent growth inhibition on HaCaT cells, with IC50 of 0.9 microg/ml. However, the chemical compounds obtained from commercial sources including mollugin, alizarin, purpurin, and quinizarin failed to induce growth inhibition. Meanwhile, arsenic trioxide, arsenic pentoxide and arsenic iodide, three arsenic salts presented in realgar, had significant anti-proliferative effect on HaCaT cells, with IC50 values of 2.4, 16 and 6.8 microM, respectively; and cellular apoptosis was found to be the underlying mechanism for the observed growth inhibitory activity. Furthermore, Radix Rubiae, realgar and arsenic compounds were also revealed to possess growth inhibition when evaluated in a PHA-activated PBMC model, and all of the substances except arsenic pentoxide significantly attenuated the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-y, TNF-alpha and IL-2 in PBMC, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect. The in vivo mouse tail model experiments demonstrated that arsenic trioxide, arsenic pentoxide and arsenic iodide were able to markedly induce mouse tail keratinocyte differentiation, while such differentiation-modulating effect observed in the fraction of Radix Rubiae was only marginal. / In summary, Radix Rubiae and realgar extracts and three arsenic compounds have been identified and characterized as potential anti-psoriatic agents. The discoveries from the present PhD project not only help put the traditional use of these medicinal substances for psoriasis treatment on a scientific footing, but also open up new opportunities for their development into novel anti-psoriatic therapies. / Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting approximately 2-3% of the population worldwide, is characterized histologically by hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes. Many conventional therapies are offered for psoriasis treatment but there exist problems such as unsatisfactory efficacy, side effects and drug resistance. Many patients therefore turn to alternative and complementary medicines for help. Traditionally, Chinese herbal medicine has been extensively used to treat psoriasis and produced promising clinical results. The present PhD study was conducted to investigate psoriasis-treating Chinese herbal medicines with an aim to identify effective anti-psoriatic agents. Sixty Chinese medicinal materials were selected for the screening project based on their ethnomedical use in psoriasis. The ethanolic extracts of these medicinal substances were evaluated for their anti-proliferative action on cultured HaCaT human keratinocytes using microplate SRB and MTT assays. Among them, the root of Rubia cordifolia L. (Radix Rubiae) and realgar were found to have significant anti-proliferative effects, with IC50 values of 1.4 and 6.6 microg/ml, respectively as measured by MTT assay, while they exerted mild significant cytotoxicity on the human fibroblast Hs-68 cell line. / Tse, Wai Pui. / Advisers: C. T. Che; Z. X. Lin. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-09, Section: B, page: . / Thesis submitted in: October 2008. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 298-340). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Chan, Wing Hin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-143). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / 摘要 --- p.vi / Table of Content --- p.viii / List of Figures --- p.xiv / List of Tables --- p.xvi / Abbreviations --- p.xviii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Food and herb authentication --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Background and definition --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Importance of species identification in food and herb authentication --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2.1 --- Primary health care --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2.2 --- Food and herb safety --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2.3 --- Conservation --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Methods for species identification in food and herb authentication --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3.1 --- Morphological identification --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.3.2 --- Chemical analysis --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.3.3 --- Molecular analysis --- p.9 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Legislation --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.4.1 --- Labeling ´ب --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.4.2 --- Chinese medicine : --- p.12 / Chapter 1.1.4.3 --- Conservation --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2 --- Dongchongxiacao --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Background information of Dongchongxiacao --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Classification of fungal part of Dongchongxiacao --- p.14 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Dongchongxiacao as a Traditional Chinese Medicine. --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- The Dongchongxiacao market --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Adulteration and contamination of Dongchongxiacao --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- Authentication of Dongchongxiacao --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2.6.1 --- Morphological identification --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2.6.2 --- Chemical analysis --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2.6.3 --- Molecular analysis --- p.22 / Chapter 1.2.6.3.1 --- "FINS analysis with genomic ITS, nrLSU, EF-lα and rpbl regions for fungal analyses" --- p.22 / Chapter 1.2.6.3.2 --- FINS analysis with mitochondrial CytB and COI regions for caterpillar analyses --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3 --- Abalone --- p.26 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Background information of abalone --- p.26 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Abalone as food --- p.27 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- The abalone market --- p.28 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Adulteration of abalone --- p.31 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- Authentication of abalone --- p.32 / Chapter 1.3.5.1 --- Morphological identification --- p.32 / Chapter 1.3.5.2 --- Chemical analysis --- p.32 / Chapter 1.3.5.3 --- Molecular analysis --- p.33 / Chapter 1.3.5.3.1 --- FINS analysis with mitochondrial COI and 16S rDNA --- p.33 / Chapter 1.3.5.3.2 --- Haliotis-specific detection --- p.34 / Chapter 1.4 --- Aim and Objectives --- p.35 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials used in this sutdy --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Dongchongxiacao and Cordyceps samples --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Downloaded sequences from NCBI database included in Dongchongxiacao study. --- p.45 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Abalone and gastropod samples --- p.48 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Downloaded sequences from NCBI database included in abalone study --- p.54 / Chapter 2.2 --- Reagents and equipments : --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Chemical test on the presence of potassium alum in Dongchongxiacao --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Sample preparation and DNA extraction --- p.57 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Polymerase Chain Reaction --- p.57 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Agarose gel electrophoresis and Gene Clean --- p.57 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Cloning --- p.58 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Cycle sequencing --- p.58 / Chapter 2.3 --- Experimental procedures --- p.58 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Morphological observation of Dongchongxiacao and abalone --- p.59 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Chemical test of potassium in Dongchongxiacao --- p.59 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Sample preparation and DNA extraction --- p.60 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Polymerase Chain Reaction --- p.61 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Agarose gel electrophoresis and Gene Clean --- p.64 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Cloning --- p.65 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Cycle sequencing --- p.67 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- Sequence analyses --- p.67 / Chapter 2.3.9 --- Haliotis-specific primer design and PCR test --- p.68 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1 --- Dongchongxiacao --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Morphological observations --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Chemical test of potassium alum --- p.77 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Sequence analyses --- p.79 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- The dendrograms --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2 --- Abalone --- p.91 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Morphological observations --- p.91 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Sequence analyses --- p.92 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- The dendrograms --- p.94 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Haliotis-specific PCR --- p.96 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.98 / Chapter 4.1 --- Dongchongxiacao --- p.98 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Species identification of Dongchongxiacao and related Cordyceps species --- p.98 / Chapter 4.1.1.1 --- Ophiocordyceps sinensis --- p.98 / Chapter 4.1.1.2 --- Cordyceps gunnii --- p.100 / Chapter 4.1.1.3 --- Metacordyceps taii --- p.102 / Chapter 4.1.1.4 --- Cordyceps militaris --- p.103 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Adulteration of Dongchongxiacao and labeling --- p.104 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Hosts of Dongchongxiacao fungi and relationship between them --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2 --- Abalone --- p.109 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Species identification of abalones and other gastropod species by FINS analysis --- p.109 / Chapter 4.2.1.1 --- Haliotis species --- p.109 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.1 --- Haliotis diversicolor --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.2 --- Haliotis discus --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.3 --- Haliotis asinina --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.4 --- Haliotis rufescens --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.5 --- Haliotis midae --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.6 --- Haliotis madaka --- p.112 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.7 --- Haliotis rubra --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.8 --- Haliotis iris --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.9 --- Haliotis corrugata --- p.114 / Chapter 4.2.1.2 --- Concholepas concholepas --- p.114 / Chapter 4.2.1.3 --- Hemifusus species --- p.115 / Chapter 4.2.1.4 --- """Dried abalone slice"" samples (D1 to D3) and canned top-shell (E5)" --- p.115 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Haliotis-speciflc PCR --- p.115 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Adulteration of abalone and labeling --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3 --- Significance and limitation of molecular approaches in authentication of food and herbs --- p.117 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- FINS analysis --- p.117 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- High interspecific variability but low intraspecific variations --- p.118 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Amplification with universal primers --- p.118 / Chapter 4.3.1.3 --- Insufficient DNA sequence available in database --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.1.4 --- Contamination by foreign DNA and amplification of undesirable DNA in sample mixture --- p.120 / Chapter 4.3.1.5 --- Amplification of degraded DNA --- p.121 / Chapter 4.3.1.6 --- Suggested regions for authentication of Dongchongxiacao and abalone based on FINS analysis results --- p.121 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- PCR with specific primers for targeted amplicons --- p.122 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Other limitations of molecular approaches in authentication of food and herbs --- p.123 / Chapter 4.4 --- Further investigation --- p.124 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.124 / References : --- p.126 / Chapter Appendix 1 --- Sequence alignment of 16S rDNA gene sequences of abalone for Haliotis-specific primer design --- p.144 / Chapter Appendix 2 --- Accession numbers of sequences of Dongchongxiacao and Cordyceps samples in this study --- p.149 / Chapter Appendix 3 --- Search results of CytB sequences of caterpillar host of Cordyceps samples based on BLAST search results from GenBank --- p.150 / Chapter Appendix 4 --- Search results of COI sequences of caterpillar host of Cordyceps samples based on BLAST search results from GenBank --- p.151 / Chapter Appendix 5 --- Search results of COI sequences of caterpillar host of Cordyceps samples based on BLAST search results from GenBank --- p.152 / Chapter Appendix 6 --- Sequence alignment of ITS sequences of Cordyceps samples and related sequences --- p.153 / Chapter Appendix 7 --- Sequence alignment of nrLSU sequences of Cordyceps samples and related sequences --- p.161 / Chapter Appendix 8 --- Sequence alignment of EF-lα sequences of Cordyceps samples and related sequences --- p.168 / Chapter Appendix 9 --- Sequence alignment of rpbl sequences of Cordyceps samples and related sequences --- p.173 / Chapter Appendix 10 --- "Sequence alignment of combined dataset of three regions (nrLSU, EF-lα and rpbl) of Cordyceps samples and related sequences" --- p.179 / Chapter Appendix 11 --- Sequences alignment of CytB sequences of caterpillar host of Cordyceps samples and related sequences --- p.188 / Chapter Appendix 12 --- Sequence alignment of COI sequences of caterpillar host of Cordyceps samples and related sequences --- p.191 / Chapter Appendix 13 --- Sequence alignment of COI sequences of Cordyceps samples D12-2 and D14 and related sequences --- p.195 / Chapter Appendix 14 --- Sequence distance matrix of ITS sequences of Cordyceps samples and related samples based on K2P algorithm --- p.196 / Chapter Appendix 15 --- Sequence distance matrix of nrLSU sequences of Cordyceps samples and related samples based on K2P algorithm --- p.203 / Chapter Appendix 16 --- Sequence distance matrix of EF-lα sequences of Cordyceps samples and related samples based on K2P algorithm --- p.208 / Chapter Appendix 17 --- Sequence distance matrix of rpbl sequences of Cordyceps samples and related samples based on K2P algorithm --- p.213 / Chapter Appendix 18 --- "Sequence distance matrix of combined dataset of three regions (nrLSU, EF-lα and rpbl) sequences of Cordyceps samples and related samples based on K2P algorithm" --- p.217 / Chapter Appendix 19 --- Sequence distance matrix of CytB sequences of caterpillar host of Cordyceps samples and related samples based on K2P algorithm --- p.219 / Chapter Appendix 20 --- Sequence distance matrix of COI sequences of caterpillar host of Cordyceps samples and related samples based on K2P algorithm --- p.223 / Chapter Appendix 21 --- Sequence alignment of chloroplast trnH-psbA sequences of Cordyceps sample D12-2 and related sequences --- p.226 / Chapter Appendix 22 --- Accession numbers of sequences of abalone and gastropod samples in this study --- p.227 / Chapter Appendix 23 --- Search results of 16S rDNA sequences of the abalone and gastropod samples based on BLAST search results from GenBank --- p.228 / Chapter Appendix 24 --- Search results of COI sequences of the abalone and gastropod samples based on BLAST search results from GenBank --- p.229 / Chapter Appendix 25 --- Search results of COI sequences of the abalone and gastropod samples based on BOLD-IDS --- p.230 / Chapter Appendix 26 --- Sequence alignment of 16S sequences of abalone samples and related sequences --- p.231 / Chapter Appendix 27 --- Sequence alignment of COI sequences of abalone samples and related sequences --- p.234 / Chapter Appendix 28 --- Sequence alignment of COI sequences of abalone product sample D2 and related sequences --- p.238 / Chapter Appendix 29 --- Sequence distance matrix of 16S sequences of abalone samples and related samples based on K2P algorithm --- p.239 / Chapter Appendix 30 --- Sequence distance matrix of COI sequences of abalone samples and related samples based on K2P algorithm --- p.243

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

University of Macau / Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences

To determine whether the three Siegesbeckia plants can all serve as the origins of HS, we compared their fingerprint chromatograms and inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediators. Chemical analyses showed that the three species have different profiles, although they have common peaks in their fingerprint chromatograms. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) of the common peaks demonstrated that all samples of the three species tend to be species-dependently grouped and separated. Ten components contributing to the species discrimination were identified, of which 8 are long-chain fatty acids/esters, and 2 are darutoside and hythiemoside A. Inhibitory effects of the three species on NO production and IL-6 secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages are different, with SG being the most and SP the least potent. These chemical and bioactivity assays support the notion that the three Siegesbeckia species cannot be equally used as the plant origins of HS.;This work provides a chemical and pharmacological basis for determining whether the three Siegesbeckia genus herbs SP, SO and SG can all serve as the origins of HS; and also provides pharmacological justifications for the clinical application of HS in treating inflammatory disorders.

Yip Pui Ying. / Thesis submitted in: November 2004. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-184). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgment --- p.v / Abbreviations --- p.vii / Table of contents --- p.viii / List of Figures --- p.xii / List of Tables --- p.xvii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- The importance of characterization of Chinese medicinal materials and the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Methods for characterization of Chinese medicinal materials --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3. --- Molecular characterization of Chinese medicinal materials --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.1. --- DNA sequencing --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.2. --- DNA fingerprinting --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.3. --- Nucleic acid hybridization --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4. --- Objectives --- p.20 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Characterization of Plant and Fungal Materials by rDNA ITS Sequence Analysis --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1. --- Introduction --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Chinese medicinal materials used in this study --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.1.1. --- Plants and fungi for interspecific ITS study --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.1.2. --- Plant for intraspecific ITS study and locality study --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Extraction of total DNA --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- PCR amplification of ITS1 and ITS2 regions of rRNA gene --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.4. --- Purification of PCR products --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.5. --- Cloning using pCR-Script´ёØ Amp SK(+) Cloning Kit --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.5.1. --- Polishing --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.5.2. --- Ligation of inserts into pCR-Script´ёØ Amp SK(+) cloning vector --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.5.3. --- Transformation --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.5.4. --- PCR screening of white colonies --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.5.5. --- Purification of PCR screening products --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.6. --- Sequencing of ITS regions --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.6.1. --- Cycle sequencing reaction --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.6.2. --- Purification of sequencing extension products --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.6.3. --- Electrophoresis by genetic analyzer --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.7. --- Sequence analysis and alignment --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3. --- Results --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- Extraction of total DNA --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.2. --- PCR amplification of ITS1 and ITS2 regions of rRNA gene --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.2.1. --- Interspecific ITS study --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.2.2. --- Intraspecific ITS study --- p.46 / Chapter 2.3.3. --- Sequence analysis and alignment --- p.47 / Chapter 2.3.3.1. --- Interspecific ITS study --- p.47 / Chapter 2.3.3.2. --- Intraspecific ITS study --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4. --- Discussions --- p.60 / Chapter 2.4.1. --- rDNA regions used for studying Chinese medicinal materials --- p.60 / Chapter 2.4.2. --- The results agreed with previously published works --- p.60 / Chapter 2.4.3. --- Explanation of interspecific results within the Ganoderma genus --- p.60 / Chapter 2.4.4. --- Implications from interspecific comparisons --- p.60 / Chapter 2.4.5. --- Implications from intraspecific comparisons --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- .Characterization of Astragalus membranaceus by DNA Fingerprinting / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Extraction of total DNA --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Generation and detection of DNA fingerprints by AP-PCR --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Analysis of DNA fingerprints --- p.63 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.63 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Generation of DNA fingerprints by AP-PCR --- p.63 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Fingerprint analysis --- p.69 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.85 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- RP-PCR has been used on Chinese medicinal materials --- p.85 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- AP-PCR used instead of RAPD --- p.85 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Reproducibility and amount of bands --- p.86 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Alternatives of electrophoresis process --- p.88 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Explanation of results --- p.88 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Distinguishing Neimengu and Shanxi samples --- p.89 / Chapter 3.4.7 --- Further studies --- p.90 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Characterization of Plant and Fungal Materials by DNA-DNA Hybridization on Microarrays --- p.91 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Samples for microarray study --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Extraction of total DNA --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Amplification and sequencing of ITS 1 region of rRNA gene --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Preparation of labeled probe --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Amplification of ITS1 fragments --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Preparation of slides --- p.103 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Hybridization and washing --- p.104 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Scanning and data analysis --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- DNA extraction --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Amplification and sequencing of ITS1 region of rRNA gene --- p.107 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Preparation of labeled probe and amplification of ITS1 fragments… --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Preparation of slides --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Scanning and data analysis --- p.116 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.134 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Implications --- p.134 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Applying the findings --- p.134 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Ways to maximize specificity --- p.137 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Optimisation --- p.138 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Microarray may be more advantageous over sequencing --- p.138 / Chapter Chapter Five --- General Discussion and Summary --- p.140 / Chapter 5.1. --- Objectives of this study --- p.140 / Chapter 5.2. --- rDNA ITS sequencing --- p.140 / Chapter 5.2.1. --- Description of the approach and summary of the results --- p.140 / Chapter 5.2.2. --- Implications from the results --- p.140 / Chapter 5.2.3. --- Advantages and limitations of DNA sequencing --- p.141 / Chapter 5.3. --- AP-PCR fingerprinting --- p.141 / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Description of the approach and summary of the results --- p.141 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Advantages and limitations of DNA fingerprinting --- p.142 / Chapter 5.4. --- DNA-DNA hybridization on microarrays --- p.143 / Chapter 5.4.1. --- Description of the approach and summary of the results --- p.143 / Chapter 5.4.2. --- Implications from the results --- p.143 / Chapter 5.4.3. --- Advantages and limitations of DNA hybridization on microarrays. --- p.144 / Chapter 5.5. --- Overall summary --- p.144 / Chapter 5.6. --- Future studies --- p.146 / References --- p.147 / Appendix --- p.185