Th. Univ. Fribourg Suisse, 2008. / Bibliogr.

Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) is an oncofoetal protein which is constitutively produced by both epithelial and stromal cells during foetal development, not expressed by the majority of their normal adult counterparts, but re-expressed during pathological processes such as cancer and wound healing. Scotland has the highest occurrence of oral cancers in the UK; the incidence is still increasing, but patient survival remains very poor. The expression of MSF in oral tumours has not been previously reported. The aims of this study were: • To determine the effects of MSF on the migration of oral tumour cell lines and normal stromal cells in culture (chapter 3), • To ascertain the possible presence, diagnostic and prognostic value of MSF in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC; chapter 4), and salivary gland tumours (SGT; chapter 5). • To identify the putative MSF receptors in oral tumour cell lines (chapter 6). For tissue culture studies, the effects of rhMSF (wild type and mutant proteins) were examined on human cell lines TYS, HSG, Endo 742 and FSF44. These cells were derived from OSCC, SGT, microvascular endothelial cells and skin fibroblasts, respectively. For ex-vivo studies, paraffin embedded archival specimens of OSCC and SGT were stained with specific MSF antibodies and the level of staining was assessed by consensus of 2-4 independent observers. The association between MSF expression and patient survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests. Results presented in this thesis indicate that TYS and HSG cells secrete bioactive MSF in culture. rhMSF stimulated the migration of these tumour cells. The use of mutant proteins demonstrated marked differences among the cells examined: Five bioactive motifs (4x IGD and 1x HEEGH) were required for MSF bioactivity on TYS and HSG cells, whereas only one of these motifs was required for Endo 742 and two for FSF44. MSF+aa and MSF-aa showed the same migration-stimulating activity, but differ in their interaction with the MSF-inhibitor Neutrophil Gelatinase-Asscciated Lipocalin (NGAL). NGAL was shown to bind to and inhibit MSF+aa, but not MSF-aa. The bioactivity of MSF+aa and MSF-aa was inhibited by Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-7 (IGFBP7), MSF-function-neutralising antibody and antibody to the integrin avß3. This integrin was identified in the cell membrane material bound to MSF, suggesting that avß3 is a receptor for MSF.

Abstract While Niue’s resident population is below 1,500, New Zealand’s Niuean population now exceeds 22,000. The vast and recent out-migration is resulting in many changes to on-island Niuean society and culture. Much research on Polynesian migration focuses on out-migrants and their new place of living, especially in relation to Tongan and Samoan migration. While drawing on the theoretical insights of previous research, this thesis focuses on the less researched Polynesian nation of Niue as the cultural homeland of Niuean out-migrants, to investigate how their on-island culture is changing as a result of the significant out-migration of its residents that began in the late 1960s. It uses the analytical lens of culture and migration to understand in greater detail the social and cultural changes in Niue by the contemporary migration. Using ethnographic field research the thesis examines and analyses the impact of ‘cultural migration’ in relation to the central aspects of on-island Niuean social and cultural change, ranging from everyday life occurrences to once in a lifetime events. The thesis examines changes involving such items as language, Niuean youth haircutting and ear-piercing ceremonies, food habits, Niuean entertainment, arts and crafts, family and more. From ethnographic data collected in Niue and among the out-migrant Niuean community in New Zealand, the thesis argues that on-island Niueans are taking on the characteristics of out-migrant Niueans. Although New Zealand administered Niue for many years and still has a role in Niue’s status as a Pacific island-nation, Niueans themselves have been most responsible for the changes influencing their on-island society and culture.

Inaug.-diss.--Berlin, 1912. / Cover title. Lebenslauf. "Text und kuzer Auszug aus den Tafeln des Anhanges." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D.Ed.) in Higher Educational Leadership--University of Maine, 2009. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 189-196).

Diss. Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2006.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of History, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on March 27, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 259-279). Also issued in print.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-64).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Also available in print.