Le transfert d'ooplasme est une nouvelle technique de reproduction (NTR) qUI bouscule les fondements utilisés pour encadrer les modifications génétiques chez l'humain. Par l'intervention dans le matériel génétique contenu dans les mitochondries des cellules, ce nouveau procédé implique la création d'enfant issus du matériel génétique de trois parents. L'exemple est intéressant en ce qu'il permet à la fois d'analyser une situation spécifique aux enjeux éthiques et sociaux considérables, mais également de poser une réflexion plus générale sur les modes d'encadrement des NTR et leur impact sur la liberté de la recherche scientifique. Les théories sociologiques issues de l'analyse de la technoscience permettent de démontrer d'une part un enthousiasme pour la recherche et d'autre part les craintes de sa dérive. L'hypothèse du pluralisme normatif, issue de ces craintes et de l'incapacité du droit à parvenir à les calmer, permet de mettre en lumière la multiplication des normes destinées à encadrer la recherche scientifique. Cette pléthore de normes est responsable d'une confusion dans l'interprétation des différents principes qui les justifient (dignité humaine, innocuité, bienfait thérapeutique), d'autant plus qu'elles doivent être conciliées entre les niveaux international, régional et national. Cette réflexion éthique sur la limitation de la liberté de la recherche par l'encadrement des NTR permet la démonstration des véritables enjeux qu'impliquent la génétique de la reproduction et propose un regard neuf sur la façon de l'envisager. / Ooplasm transfer is a new reproductive technique that jostles the basis of human gene modification. This new fertility treatment involved the transplantation of genetic material included in mitochondrion, and results in new-born with DNA from three different persons. This technique brings important sociological and ethical dilemmas. It also raises a critical discussion on how new reproductive techniques are regulated and how that regulation limits the freedom of research. Sociological theories about technosciences have shown that there is a great enthusiasm for research in society, but also great concerns on its excess. Those concerns have generated a multiplication of norms in order to control possible abuses of researchers. The multiplication of norms limits not only the freedom of research, but is also responsible for the confusion in interpreting the principles that justify them (human dignity, innocuity, health benefits), especial1y when these principles have to be reconciled at the national, regional and international level. This study is an ethical reflection on limits imposed on the freedom of research in the new reproductive genetics area. By using ooplasmic transfer as an example, this work addresses main issues of reproductive genetic and proposes a new way of understanding and considering genetics in the socio-economical context of technoscientific societies. / "Mémoire présenté à la faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de maîtrise en droit (LL.M.) option droit, biotechnologies et société"

The purpose of this experiment was to examine changes in strength and power measures accompanying traditional and ballistic training during in-season competition. Fourteen collegiate women volleyball players were trained for 11 weeks with periodized traditional and ballistic resistance training. There was a 5% decrease (p<0.05) in approach jump and reach height during the traditional training period (pre to mid), and a 5% increase (p<0.05) during the ballistic training period (mid to post), but values were not different from pre to post. There were significant decreases (p<0.05) in contact time during drop jumps (15% mid to post) and minimum dip height in countermovement jumps (7% mid to post and 16% pre to post) during ballistic training. Traditional resistance training displayed significant decreases in speed related measures, while ballistic training displayed significant increases in these same variables. A combination of traditional and ballistic training can maintain jump height over the competitive season. / Department of Biology

This study assembles COI barcodes from 1814 specimens from the shorebird order, Charadriiformes and examines variation relative to time, rate of evolution and taxonomic level. In the suborder Scolopaci, 95% of sampled species were identified correctly. COI barcode variation within monotypic species was low (0-1% maximum distance) but showed a wide range within polytypic species (0-5%). Preliminary Charadrii results suggest similar trends but success is reduced in the third suborder, Lari. Rates of COI evolution are found to be lowest in the Lari and this leads to reduced species identification in recently radiated families: just 49% of the Laridae and 57% of the Stercoraridae are identified but 100% of the older Alcidae. In the faster Scolopaci, subspecies are at the limit of resolution with some well differentiated subspecies not distinguished by barcodes. The interplay of evolutionary rates, divergence dates and gene flow appears to determine COI barcode differentiation between taxa.

This study assembles COI barcodes from 1814 specimens from the shorebird order, Charadriiformes and examines variation relative to time, rate of evolution and taxonomic level. In the suborder Scolopaci, 95% of sampled species were identified correctly. COI barcode variation within monotypic species was low (0-1% maximum distance) but showed a wide range within polytypic species (0-5%). Preliminary Charadrii results suggest similar trends but success is reduced in the third suborder, Lari. Rates of COI evolution are found to be lowest in the Lari and this leads to reduced species identification in recently radiated families: just 49% of the Laridae and 57% of the Stercoraridae are identified but 100% of the older Alcidae. In the faster Scolopaci, subspecies are at the limit of resolution with some well differentiated subspecies not distinguished by barcodes. The interplay of evolutionary rates, divergence dates and gene flow appears to determine COI barcode differentiation between taxa.

Aquest treball es centra en el coneixement de l'estructura poblacional de tres espècies piscícoles de la família Scombridae, el bonítol (Sarda sarda), la bacora (Thunnus alalunga) i la tonyina (Thunnus thynnus) en la seva distribució de l'atlàntic i el mediterrani. / This work focuses on understanding the population structure of three fish species of the family Scombridae, bonito (Sarda sarda), the figs (Thunnus alalunga) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) distribution in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Two main themes to the avian research presented in this thesis are, 1. Deep resolution of birds generally, and 2. Investigation of specific aspects of the New Zealand avifauna. More specifically, this thesis covers phylogeny, and predictions about palaeognaths, pigeons, pelecaniforms and passerines. Significant progress is made in resolving the basal branches of Neoaves. This thesis examines whether the six-way basal Neoavian split of Cracraft (2001) is, in principle, resolvable. New mitochondrial genomes are added to improve taxon sampling, break up long branches, and allow testing of the prior assumptions of six Neoavian groups. This research shows the six-way split is resolvable, although more work is required for specific details. From a life-history perspective, it is interesting that the two bird-of-prey groups (falcons and buzzards) are very divergent, and may not be sister groups. Molecular dating supports major diversification of at least 12 Neoavian lineages in the Late Cretaceous. Additionally, novel avian mitochondrial gene orders are investigated and a hypothesis put forward suggesting gene conversion and stable intermediate forms allows an apparently rare event (gene rearrangement) to occur multiple times within Neoaves. One of Cracraft’s six groups, informally called the ‘Conglomerati’, is particularly difficult to resolve. The pigeons (Columbiformes) lie within the ‘Conglomerati’, and this chapter examines two aspects along the continuum of pigeon evolution. Firstly the large South Pacific fruit pigeon radiation is examined with mid-length mitochondrial sequences. This clade contains a third of all pigeon species, and has been very successful in island colonisation throughout South East Asia and the Pacific. Secondly, candidates for the closest relative of pigeons are tested using analysis of whole mitochondrial genomes. Highest support was found for the grouping of sandgrouse and pigeon, although they are clearly very divergent. Also within the ‘Conglomerati’ is the traditional order Pelecaniformes, and their close allies the Ciconiiformes. These orders (the P&C) are part of an adaptive radiation of seabird water-carnivores, including loons, penguins, petrels and albatrosses. This group is separate from the large shorebird water-carnivore group; although both appear to have begun radiating abut 70 million years ago. The tropicbird represents a separate, convergent life history and is not part of the Pelecaniformes, nor within the larger seabird water-carnivore group. Resolution of the basal phylogeny of oscine passerines is important for interpreting the radiation of this group out of the Australasian region. Many endemic New Zealand oscine passerines belong to ‘basal corvid’ lineages, but have not previously been investigated with mitochondrial DNA. This chapter shows that many ‘basal corvid’ lineages are actually ‘basal passerine’ lineages, and there is a discrepancy between nuclear Rag-1 phylogenies (the most commonly used gene in passerine phylogenetics) and other phylogenies, including mitochondrial, that requires further investigation. Taken as a whole, this thesis adds significantly to our understanding of the evolution of birds, and provides a foundation for future research, not only of phylogenetic relationships, but also of avian life history, long-term niche stability and macroevolution.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2009. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

In this paper I report on a study whose principal aim is to understand the development and decline of the southern Peruvian Nasca culture in the upper Río Grande de Nasca drainage, and its cultural and biological affinities to the preceding Paracas culture. Ancient DNA analyses were conducted on over 300 pre-Columbian individuals from various cemeteries in southern Perú, from periods ranging from the Formative Period to the Middle Horizon. Our results show that the Nasca populations are close related to those of the preceding Paracas culture, and combined with archaeological data, suggest that the Nasca culture was autochthonous to the Río Grande drainage. Furthermore, one can observe how changes in socioeconomic complexity influence the genetic diversity. The pre-Columbian coastal populations of southern Perú differ significantly from both ancient highland and all present-day Peruvian populations. The genetic differentiation between the main cultural areas of western South America seems to fade with the Middle Horizon. / Se presenta aquí un estudio cuyo objetivo principal es la comprensión del desarrollo y decadencia de la cultura Nasca en la parte alta de la cuenca del Río Grande de Nasca, así como sus afinidades biológicas y culturales con su antecesora, la cultura Paracas. Se realizaron análisis de ADN antiguo en más de 300 individuos procedentes de varios cementerios prehispánicos del sur del Perú correspondientes a un lapso que se inicia en el Período Formativo y alcanza el Horizonte Medio. Los resultados muestran que las poblaciones nasca son cercanas a las de su cultura precedente. Esta información, combinada con los datos arqueológicos, sugiere que la cultura Nasca se desarrolló, de manera autóctona, en la cuenca del Río Grande. Más aún, se puede observar que los cambios socioeconómicos de este período influyeron en la diversidad genética. Las poblaciones prehispánicas costeñas del sur del Perú difieren, significativamente, de las antiguas poblaciones de la sierra y de las poblaciones peruanas actuales. La diferenciación genética entre las principales áreas culturales de la parte oeste de Sudamérica parece desaparecer en el Horizonte Medio.

Introdução. Danos no DNA mitocondrial (DNAmt) têm sido descritos em pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC). Estes danos podem ser avaliados através da deleção 4977pb do DNAmt em diversos tecidos. Métodos. Identificamos a prevalência da deleção 4977pb do DNAmt através da técnica da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) no sangue de pacientes com DRC em tratamento conservador (creatinina >2mg/dl) ou submetidos a hemodiálise. Resultados. A freqüência da ocorrência da deleção do DNAmt foi de 73.1% (38/52) nos pacientes com DRC submetidos a hemodiálise, 57.1% (27/42) nos pacientes com DRC em tratamento conservador e 27.8% (15/54) nos controles (P< 0.001). Não encontramos aumento da freqüência desta deleção em relação a idade dos pacientes com DRC (P= 0.54) ou ao tempo de diálise (P= 0.70). Conclusão. Danos no DNAmt podem ser induzidos pela DRC em especial nos pacientes submetidos a hemodiálise. Desta forma, a deleção 4977pb do DNAmt pode servir como um marcador de danos moleculares em pacientes com DRC. / Background. Damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been described in patients with chronic renal disease (CRD). The presence of mtDNA 4977bp deletion in many different tissues can serve as a marker of this damage. Methods. Polymerase chain reaction techniques (PCR) were used to identify the prevalence of 4977bp deletion in mtDNA from the blood of hemodialysis patients or patients with CRD receiving conservative treatment. Results. The frequency of 4977bp deletion in mtDNA was 73.1% (38/52) in patients undergoing hemodialysis, 57.1% (27/42) in patients with CRD receiving conservative treatment and 27.8% (15/54) in control samples (P< 0.001). Higher frequencies of this mutation were not associated with patient age (P= 0.54) or time on dialysis (P= 0.70). Conclusion. Damage to mtDNA can be induced in CRD, especially in patients undergoing dialysis. Thus, mtDNA with 4977bp deletion can serve as a marker of molecular damage in patients with CRD.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:20:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4055.pdf: 2221514 bytes, checksum: 7deb1678d13ce68f90502cabfae9d5ca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-28 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Bees are obligatory floral visitors and are considered the main pollinators of angiosperms. The increasing interest in the services of bees has led to efforts to develop management strategies for conservation purposes. The sustainable use of pollinators requires knowledge on the regional diversity of floral visitors obtained from the identification of the agents responsible for the effective pollination of crops. Furthermore, understanding the reproductive biology and population structure of these species as well as the factors that enable the colonization of certain areas by a species of bee are necessary requirements to designing management and conservation strategies. To test the hypothesis that a certain area may be colonized by a small number of maternal lineages of female founders of a species of stingless bee, samples from 73 nests of Partamona helleri (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) located on the Brazilian campuses of the Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar, n = 34), Universidade de São Paulo in São Paulo (USP-SP, n = 14) and Universidade de São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto (USP-RP, n = 25) were analyzed for two mitochondrial genes cytochrome b (cyt b) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) in order to determine the number of different haplotypes. A fragment of the cytochrome b (485 bp) and cytochrome oxidase (611 bp) genes was sequenced for all nests sampled. The analysis of nucleotide sequences identified only one cyt b haplotype in samples from UFSCar and a second haplotype, distinct from the former by a base substitution, in samples from USP-SP, while samples from USP-RP exhibited three distinct haplotypes, one of which was shared by the samples from UFSCar. Among the nucleotide substitutions, some resulted in amino acid changes in the product of the cyt b gene. A similar result was observed with the COI gene. Fst values estimated for the mitochondrial DNA from the cyt b and COI genes were 31.8% and 36.1%, respectively. The estimated rate of nucleotide substitution for cyt b was higher than that found for COI. Thus, the former gene was found to be less conserved than the latter in stingless bees. The larger number of haplotypes observed in the samples from USP-RP may be due to the introduction of colonies from other regions of the country. To determine the occurrence of population structure for nuclear genes, the samples were also examined for several microsatellite loci. Among the 18 heterologous microsatellites loci tested, only four Mbi215, Mbi278, Mbi232 and Mbi254 exhibited genetic variation. The prospection of species-specific microsatellite loci for Partamona helleri using the enrichment method for the construction of DNA libraries allowed characterizing seven new loci. Samples from 73 nests (two workers per colony) were analyzed for eleven microsatellite loci. The populations exhibited significant differentiation (Fst = 0.129, P = 0.000). Fst values estimated for mitochondrial genes and nuclear genes (microsatellites) were compared to establish whether there is evidence for differential male and female dispersal ability in this species. No evidence was found of sex-asymmetrical dispersal (colonizing females are colonizers; males are dispersers). Analysis of phenotypic segregation in the progenies of several nests revealed the occurrence of monandry in the species studied and, consequently, a simple sociogenetic structure monogyny/monandry. The presence of 'foreign' workers was rarely observed in the nests analyzed. / As abelhas, por serem visitantes florais obrigatórios, são consideradas os principais agentes polinizadores das angiospermas. O crescente interesse pelos serviços das abelhas tem gerado esforços para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de manejo para fins conservacionistas. A utilização sustentável dos polinizadores requer o conhecimento da diversidade regional dos visitantes florais obtido mediante a identificação dos agentes efetivos responsáveis pela polinização das culturas. Além disso, conhecer a biologia reprodutiva e a estrutura populacional dessas espécies, bem como elucidar quais os fatores que tornam possível a colonização de certa área por uma espécie de abelha, são requisitos necessários para o delineamento de estratégias de manejo e conservação. Visando verificar a hipótese de que certa área pode ser colonizada por um número reduzido de linhagens maternas das fêmeas fundadoras de uma espécie de abelha sem ferrão , amostras de 73 ninhos de Partamona helleri (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) localizados nos Campi da Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar, n = 34), da Universidade de São Paulo em São Paulo (USP-SP, n = 14) e da Universidade de São Paulo em Ribeirão Preto (USP-RP, n = 25) foram analisadas para dois genes mitocondriais, citocromo B (cyt b) e citocromo oxidase I (COI), com o fim de determinar o número de diferentes haplótipos. Um fragmento dos genes citocromo b e citocromo oxidase I, de 485 pb e 611 pb, respectivamente, foram seqüenciados para todos os ninhos amostrados. A análise das seqüências nucleotídicas permitiu identificar somente um haplótipo de cyt b para as amostras da UFSCar e um haplótipo, distinto do anterior por uma substituição de base, privativo das colônias do Campus da USP-SP; ao contrário, as amostras da USP-RP apresentaram três haplótipos distintos, um dos quais compartilhado com as amostras da UFSCar. Dentre as substituições nucleotídicas identificadas, algumas resultaram em alterações de aminoácidos no produto do gene cyt b. Resultado similar foi observado para o gene COI. Os valores do Fst estimado para o DNA mitocondrial a partir dos genes cyt b e COI foram iguais a 31,8% e 36,1%, respectivamente. A taxa de substituição nucleotídica estimada foi maior para cyt b em comparação com COI; dessa forma, o primeiro gene parece ser menos conservado em relação ao outro nas abelhas sem ferrão. O maior número de haplótipos observados na USP-RP pode ser resultante da introdução no local de colônias trazidas de outras regiões do país. A fim de verificar a ocorrência de estruturação populacional para genes nucleares, estas amostras foram igualmente analisadas para vários locos microssatélites. Dentre 18 microssatélites heterólogos testados, somente quatro - Mbi215, Mbi278, Mbi232 e Mbi254 - apresentaram variação genética. A prospecção de locos microssatélites específicos para Partamona helleri, utilizando o método do enriquecimento para a construção de bibliotecas de DNA, permitiu caracterizar sete locos espécie-específicos. Amostras dos 73 ninhos (duas operárias por colônia) foram analisadas para estes onze locos microssatélites. As populações apresentaram significativa diferenciação interpopulacional (Fst = 0,129; P = 0,000). Os valores do Fst estimados para genes mitocondriais e para genes nucleares (microssatélites) foram comparados para estabelecer se há evidências de dispersão diferencial de machos e fêmeas na espécie. Não foram detectadas evidências de dispersão sexo-assimétrica (fêmeas colonizadoras, marchos dispersores). Análises da segregação fenotípica nas progênies de vários ninhos revelaram a ocorrência de monandria na espécie estudada e, portanto, uma estrutura sociogenética simples - monoginia/monandria. A presença de operárias estranhas aos ninhos analisados foi raramente observada.