Cervical cancer is a common gynaecological malignancy worldwide, with more than 450,000 incidences every year. Its etiology has been well documented to be associated with persistent infection with high-risk genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV). The carcinoma can be screened by convention Pap smear and liquid-based cytology. Although preventable, cervical cancer remains a primary cause of death from cancer in developing countries where cytological screening is not so available. In the past decades, many studies have been carried out to explore molecular screening or diagnosis of cervical cancer, such as HPV DNA testing, histological or cytological biomarkers. Micro RNAs, small non-coding RNA molecules of 18-25 nucleotides in length, areaberrantly expressed in various cancers. MiR-143 was reported consistently downregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines, but its functional roles in cervical carcinogenesis has not been clearly illustrated. Ten miR-143 downstream target genes were chosen and their expression levels in five cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, SiHa, CaSki, C4-I and C33A) were investigated. In general, the gene expressions of candidates are upregulated in our cell lines with lowmiR-143 level. To further identify specific miR-143 targets in cervical cancer for biomarkers, protein expressions of TARDBP, ERK5, KRAS and PHF6were significantly downregulated upon miR-143 overexpression. Hence, miR-143 level is inversely correlated with the mRNA and protein expressions of these target genes. Immunohistochemical study of ERK5 and TARDBP on FFPE samples including normal cervix, CINs and SCC cases showed that both ERK5 and TARDBP were positively stained in SCC samples, whereas weaker staining was found in CINs (both LSILs and HSILs) for both antigens. Thus, the intensity of positive staining ascended with the histological grading: LSIL, HSIL and SCC samples. Such differential expression pattern supports ERK5 and TARDBP as specific markers for high grade cancerous lesions. In summary, two targets of miR-143, ERK5 and TARDBP, could be specific markers for high-grade lesion of cervical cancer. This is supported by their transcript and protein expressions inversely associated with miR-143 level, and that their strong immunohistochemical positivity in SCC samples. Their underlying molecular mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis and possible future applications require more in-depth researches. / published_or_final_version / Pathology / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

published_or_final_version / Pathology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Head and neck cancers account for 3% of all newly diagnosed cancers, of which 90% are squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Improvements in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy have done little to improve the mortality of this disease over the past 20 years while current clinicopathological predictors of disease outcome are sub-optimal. Identifying molecular targets of prognostic and therapeutic significance in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) may help direct novel therapies to patients whom it is most likely to benefit. Accrued knowledge of the biology of HNSCC has highlighted specific aberrations in pRb and p53 pathways which warrant further study. An immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) in a cohort of 145 patients with SCC of the anterior tongue was performed. Protein expression of the pRb and p53 pathways and related molecules that directly or indirectly influence cell cycle progression at the G1/S phase checkpoint was assessed. We determined that over-expression of E2F-1 occurred in &gt35% of these cancers and associated with improved overall survival on univariate analysis. The strongest multivariate model included: regional lymph node status, tumour grade, p16INK4A, cyclin D1 and p14ARF. This is the first study to determine that p14ARF is an independent marker of both improved diseasefree survival and overall survival in a cohort of SCC of the anterior tongue. Unrecognized molecular heterogeneity is thought to account for the unpredictable clinical response to ZD1839, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. We explored the anti-proliferative effects following ZD1839 treatment alone or in combination with radiotherapy in cyclin D1 and E2F-1 over-expressing SCC9 HNSCC cells. SCC9 cells over-expressing cyclin D1 or E2F-1 were highly resistant to ZD1839 treatment, while E2F-1 clones were also radioresistant. Combined therapy in SCC9 controls had a greater anti-proliferative effect than each individual treatment. These data showed that cyclin D1 and E2F-1 may have utility as markers of ZD1839 resistance. The data in this thesis contribute to our knowledge of the clinical behaviour and molecular pathology of HNSCC. Specifically the molecular data identifies novel markers of outcome in SCC of the anterior tongue such as p14ARF, and therapeutic response to ZD1839 such as cyclin D1 and E2F-1. This study addresses in part, the current issues and limitations of management in HNSCC and has the potential to contribute to strategies that may be developed to improve the outcome for patients who develop HNSCC in the future.

Head and neck cancers account for 3% of all newly diagnosed cancers, of which 90% are squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Improvements in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy have done little to improve the mortality of this disease over the past 20 years while current clinicopathological predictors of disease outcome are sub-optimal. Identifying molecular targets of prognostic and therapeutic significance in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) may help direct novel therapies to patients whom it is most likely to benefit. Accrued knowledge of the biology of HNSCC has highlighted specific aberrations in pRb and p53 pathways which warrant further study. An immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) in a cohort of 145 patients with SCC of the anterior tongue was performed. Protein expression of the pRb and p53 pathways and related molecules that directly or indirectly influence cell cycle progression at the G1/S phase checkpoint was assessed. We determined that over-expression of E2F-1 occurred in &gt35% of these cancers and associated with improved overall survival on univariate analysis. The strongest multivariate model included: regional lymph node status, tumour grade, p16INK4A, cyclin D1 and p14ARF. This is the first study to determine that p14ARF is an independent marker of both improved diseasefree survival and overall survival in a cohort of SCC of the anterior tongue. Unrecognized molecular heterogeneity is thought to account for the unpredictable clinical response to ZD1839, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. We explored the anti-proliferative effects following ZD1839 treatment alone or in combination with radiotherapy in cyclin D1 and E2F-1 over-expressing SCC9 HNSCC cells. SCC9 cells over-expressing cyclin D1 or E2F-1 were highly resistant to ZD1839 treatment, while E2F-1 clones were also radioresistant. Combined therapy in SCC9 controls had a greater anti-proliferative effect than each individual treatment. These data showed that cyclin D1 and E2F-1 may have utility as markers of ZD1839 resistance. The data in this thesis contribute to our knowledge of the clinical behaviour and molecular pathology of HNSCC. Specifically the molecular data identifies novel markers of outcome in SCC of the anterior tongue such as p14ARF, and therapeutic response to ZD1839 such as cyclin D1 and E2F-1. This study addresses in part, the current issues and limitations of management in HNSCC and has the potential to contribute to strategies that may be developed to improve the outcome for patients who develop HNSCC in the future.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brandeis University, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 29, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Also available online.

Orientador: Rosangela Zacarias Machado / Banca: Marcos Rogério André / Banca: Rosely dos Santos Malafronte / Banca: Ana Patrícia Yatsuda Natsui / Banca: Tiago Wilson Patriarca Mineo / Resumo: A malária é a endemia de maior impacto na Saúde Pública de países tropicais, devido à alta morbidade e mortalidade. Considerando a malária como uma zoonose, nos quais primatas podem funcionar como reservatórios de espécies de Plasmodium que podem infectar seres humanos nos levam a realizar estudos de malária em primatas com inquestionável relevância. Sabendo-se que geralmente a distribuição da malária humana e de primatas segue a mesma distribuição dos anofelinos, mosquitos vetores, neste trabalho investigaram-se a presença de Plasmodium spp. em primatas neotropicais e em anofelinos na Ilha de São Luís, Estado do Maranhão, Brasil. Colheram-se amostras de sangue de primatas neotropicais do CETAS-São Luís (n=141) e de vida livre (n=20) da Reserva Particular Sítio Aguahy, município de São José de Ribamar. Mosquitos anofelinos foram capturados nesta mesma reserva (n=380) e no Sítio Mangalho (n=36), localizado na Área de Proteção Ambiental do Maracanã, município de São Luís, totalizando em 54 ―pools‖. As amostras de sangue de primatas foram submetidas a testes morfológicos, sorológicos (RIFI e ELISA-teste) e moleculares (qPCR e PCR convencional) para identificação de Plasmodium. Os ―pools‖ de mosquitos foram ensaiados por testes moleculares para identificação de Plasmodium. Cinco primatas tiveram lâminas positivas (3,10%) com observação de formas trofozoíticas. Na RIFI quatro amostras de soro de primatas sororreagiram frente ao antígeno de P. malariae. Amplificaram para Plasmodium sp. na qPCR 34,16% (55/161) das amostras de primatas. Na PCR convencional 30,43% (49/161) foram positivas, sendo 47 (47/49) para P. brasilianum/P. malariae e 2 (2/49) para P. simium/P. vivax. Foram sequenciadas quatro amostras de DNA de primatas, que apresentaram identidade com P. malariae (n=2),com Plasmodium ZOOBH (n=1) e com P. falciparum (n=1). Três ―pools‖ de anofelinos foram positivos para Plasmodium na... / Abstract: Malaria is a disease of greater impact on Public Health in tropical countries because of the high morbidity and mortality. Considering malaria as a zoonosis in which primates can act as reservoirs of species of Plasmodium that can infect humans lead us to conduct malaria studies in primates with unquestionable relevance. It is generally know that the distribution of human and primate malaria following the same distribution of Anopheles mosquitoes vectors, in this study we investigated the presence of Plasmodium spp. in neotropical primates and Anopheles in São Luís Island, Maranhão State, Brazil. Samples were blood neotropical primates CETAS-São Luís (n = 141) and wild life (n = 20) Private Reserve Sítio Aguahy, São José de Ribamar. Anopheles mosquitoes were captured in the same reserve (n = 380) and Mangalho site (n = 36), located in the Environmental Protection Area of the Maracanã, São Luís, totaling 54 pools. The primate blood samples were subjected to morphological, serological (IFA and ELISA-test) and molecular (qPCR and conventional PCR) to identify Plasmodium. The "pools" of mosquitoes were assayed by testing for molecular identification of Plasmodium. Five primates had positive slides (3.10%) with observation trofozoíticas forms. In IFA four primate serum samples sororreagiram against the antigen of P. malariae. Amplified Plasmodium sp. qPCR at 34.16% (55/161) of samples of primates. In conventional PCR 30.43% (49/161) were positive, 47 (47/49) for P. brasilianum/P. malariae and 2 (2/49) to P.simium/P. vivax. Were sequenced DNA samples from four primates which showed identity with P. malariae (n = 2), Plasmodium ZOOBH (n = 1) and P. falciparum (n = 1). Three pools of Anopheles were positive for Plasmodium in qPCR (3/54) and conventional PCR. The sequencing samples showed identity to P. falciparum (n = 1), P. vivax (n = 1) and Plasmodium ZOOBH (EF090276). Due to the continued and increasing encroachment to forests by ... / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-06T13:03:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-06-22. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-10-06T13:19:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000848356.pdf: 1331001 bytes, checksum: d6e3659c184a0dc66b218b791f493b49 (MD5) / A malária é a endemia de maior impacto na Saúde Pública de países tropicais, devido à alta morbidade e mortalidade. Considerando a malária como uma zoonose, nos quais primatas podem funcionar como reservatórios de espécies de Plasmodium que podem infectar seres humanos nos levam a realizar estudos de malária em primatas com inquestionável relevância. Sabendo-se que geralmente a distribuição da malária humana e de primatas segue a mesma distribuição dos anofelinos, mosquitos vetores, neste trabalho investigaram-se a presença de Plasmodium spp. em primatas neotropicais e em anofelinos na Ilha de São Luís, Estado do Maranhão, Brasil. Colheram-se amostras de sangue de primatas neotropicais do CETAS-São Luís (n=141) e de vida livre (n=20) da Reserva Particular Sítio Aguahy, município de São José de Ribamar. Mosquitos anofelinos foram capturados nesta mesma reserva (n=380) e no Sítio Mangalho (n=36), localizado na Área de Proteção Ambiental do Maracanã, município de São Luís, totalizando em 54 ―pools‖. As amostras de sangue de primatas foram submetidas a testes morfológicos, sorológicos (RIFI e ELISA-teste) e moleculares (qPCR e PCR convencional) para identificação de Plasmodium. Os ―pools‖ de mosquitos foram ensaiados por testes moleculares para identificação de Plasmodium. Cinco primatas tiveram lâminas positivas (3,10%) com observação de formas trofozoíticas. Na RIFI quatro amostras de soro de primatas sororreagiram frente ao antígeno de P. malariae. Amplificaram para Plasmodium sp. na qPCR 34,16% (55/161) das amostras de primatas. Na PCR convencional 30,43% (49/161) foram positivas, sendo 47 (47/49) para P. brasilianum/P. malariae e 2 (2/49) para P. simium/P. vivax. Foram sequenciadas quatro amostras de DNA de primatas, que apresentaram identidade com P. malariae (n=2),com Plasmodium ZOOBH (n=1) e com P. falciparum (n=1). Três ―pools‖ de anofelinos foram positivos para Plasmodium na... / Malaria is a disease of greater impact on Public Health in tropical countries because of the high morbidity and mortality. Considering malaria as a zoonosis in which primates can act as reservoirs of species of Plasmodium that can infect humans lead us to conduct malaria studies in primates with unquestionable relevance. It is generally know that the distribution of human and primate malaria following the same distribution of Anopheles mosquitoes vectors, in this study we investigated the presence of Plasmodium spp. in neotropical primates and Anopheles in São Luís Island, Maranhão State, Brazil. Samples were blood neotropical primates CETAS-São Luís (n = 141) and wild life (n = 20) Private Reserve Sítio Aguahy, São José de Ribamar. Anopheles mosquitoes were captured in the same reserve (n = 380) and Mangalho site (n = 36), located in the Environmental Protection Area of the Maracanã, São Luís, totaling 54 pools. The primate blood samples were subjected to morphological, serological (IFA and ELISA-test) and molecular (qPCR and conventional PCR) to identify Plasmodium. The pools of mosquitoes were assayed by testing for molecular identification of Plasmodium. Five primates had positive slides (3.10%) with observation trofozoíticas forms. In IFA four primate serum samples sororreagiram against the antigen of P. malariae. Amplified Plasmodium sp. qPCR at 34.16% (55/161) of samples of primates. In conventional PCR 30.43% (49/161) were positive, 47 (47/49) for P. brasilianum/P. malariae and 2 (2/49) to P.simium/P. vivax. Were sequenced DNA samples from four primates which showed identity with P. malariae (n = 2), Plasmodium ZOOBH (n = 1) and P. falciparum (n = 1). Three pools of Anopheles were positive for Plasmodium in qPCR (3/54) and conventional PCR. The sequencing samples showed identity to P. falciparum (n = 1), P. vivax (n = 1) and Plasmodium ZOOBH (EF090276). Due to the continued and increasing encroachment to forests by ...

Cercariae of the genus Trichobilharzia can penetrate not only the skin of definitive hosts (ducks), but they are also able to penetrate the skin of accidental hosts (mammals). As a result of the penetration, the inflammatory response known as cercarial dermatitis appears. The goal of our thesis is to detect parasite DNA in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of infected ducks, and also in the serum of infected mice. By using PCR with primers designed for a tandem repeated sequence, we were able to detect 1 femtograms of parasite DNA isolated from sera of infected ducks. We were able to amplify parasite DNA only from 16 samples of sera and cerebrospinal fluid of the infected ducks, but we were not able to do so with the serum of mice. Sera of infected mice were also tested by ELISA and Western blot. The homogenates of T. regenti (TRhc), T. szidati (TShc) and S. mansoni (SMhc) cercariae were selected as an antigen. The results showed progressive increase in the level of IgM antibody from 10 days after 1st infection and also increase of the level of IgG from the 2nd infection. 10 days after the 4th infection, the level of IgM and IgG gradually declined, but the level of antibodies 100 days after the 4th infection was still higher if compared to uninfected mice. Results from Western blot analysis...

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Hirschsprung's disease, or aganglionic megacolon, is a common cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates and is associated with the congenital absence of intrinsic ganglion cells in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses of the gastrointestinal tract. The affected area is usually restricted to the distal part of the colon (short segment disease), but total colonic or intestinal involvement occurs in some patients (long segment disease). DNA analysis was performed on samples from 53 unrelated sporadic HSCR patients to search for mutations in RET proto-oncogene, endothelin-B receptor (EDNRB) and endothelin-3 (EDN3) genes. The patients were from different ethnic groups in South Africa, including 29 coloured, 14 white (Caucasian) and 9 black individuals. The origin of 1 patient was unknown. PCR HEX-SSCP analysis of the RET protooncogene revealed one previously described (P973L) and five novel mutations (V202M, E480K, IVS10-2A1G, D771N, IVS19-9Crr), likely to cause or contribute to the HSCR phenotype. Nine polymorphisms were also identified in the RET protooncogene, of which four were novel (IVS6+56deIG, IVS13-29Crr, IVS16-38deIG, X1159) and five previously described (A45, A432, L769, S904, R982). All the mobility shifts detected in the EDNRB gene represented polymorph isms (A60T, S184, 1187, V234, L277, IVS3-6Crr, IVS4+3A1G). No sequence variants were identified in the EDN3 gene. The majority of mutations in the RET proto-oncogene (28.6%) were identified in coloured patients while no mutations were identified in black patients. A mutation in RET was identified in two of 14 patients (14%) presenting with HSCR and Down's syndrome compared to 6 mutations identified in 9 of 39 patients (23%) with only HSCR. The fact that Down's syndrome patients have a high chance of developing HSCR, implies the involvement of modifier gene(s) in a HSCR/Oown's syndrome phenotype. This study demonstrated that, within the South African HSCR patient population, the RET proto-oncogene is the major susceptibility gene, whereas EDNRB and EDN3 may contribute only to a minority of cases. In 81% of patients no disease-causing mutation could be identified, which is in keeping with the heterogeneous nature of HSCR. The identification of mutations in HSCR patients would in future lead to improved and accurate counselling of South African HSCR patients and their families. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hirschsprung se siekte (HSCR), ook bekend as aganglionosis megakolon, is 'n algemene oorsaak van intestinale obstruksie in pasgeborenes en word geassosieer met die kongenitale afwesigheid van intrinsieke ganglion selle, in die miênteries en submukosa pleksus van die gastrointestinale kanaal. Alhoewel die aangetaste deel hoofsaaklik by die distale area van die kolon geleê is (kort segment siekte), kom totale koloniese of intestinale betrokkenheid ook in sommige pasiënte voor (lang segment tipe). Molekulêre ONS analise van 53 nie-verwante Suid Afrikaanse sporadiese HSCR pasiênte (29 kleurlinge, 14 blankes, 9 swartes en 1 individu van onbekende oorsprong) is uitgevoer in die RET proto-onkogeen, endoteel-B reseptor (EDNRB) en endoteel-3 (EDN3) gene. Heterodupleks-enkel string konformasie polimorfisme (HEX-SSCP) analise van polimerase ketting reaksie (PKR) geamplifiseerde produkte van die RET proto-onkogeen het gelei tot die identifikasie van vyf nuwe mutasies (V202M, E480K, IVS10-2A1G, D771N, IVS19-9CIT) en een bekende mutasie (P973L). Vier nuwe polimorfismes (IVS6+56deIG, IVS13-29Crr, IVS16-38deIG, X1159) en vyf bekende polimorfismes (A45, A432, L769, S904, R982) is ook aangetoon. Sewe polimorfismes (A60T, S184, 1187, V234, L277, IVS3-6CIT, IVS4+3A1G) is in die EDNRB geen geïdentifiseer. Geen veranderinge is in die EDN3 geen waargeneem nie. Die meerderheid mutasies waargeneem in die RET protoonkogeen is in die kleurling populasie (28.6%) waargeneem, terwyl geen mutasies in die swart populasie geïdentifiseer is nie. 'n RET mutasie is in twee van 14 (14%) pasiênte met 'n HSCR en Down's sindroom fenotipe waargeneem, in vergelyking met mutasies geïdentifiseer in 9 van 39 pasiënte (23%) met slegs HSCR. Die algemene voorkoms van Down's sindroom met HSCR, impliseer die rol van ander gene in die HSCRI Down's sindroom fenotipe. Die meerderheid mutasies wat aanleiding gee tot die HSCR fenotipe kom voor in die RET proto-onkogeen (19%), terwyl slegs polimorfismes in die EDNRB geen waargeneem is. Geen HEX-SSCP bandpatroon veranderinge is in die EDN3 geen waargeneem nie. Ongeveer 81% van die Suid Afrikaanse HSCR pasiënte was mutasie-negatief wat dui op die heterogene aard van die siekte. In die toekoms sal analise van siekte-verwante mutasies in die RET geen lei tot akkurate diagnose en verbeterde genetiese voorligting van HSCR in die Suid-Afrikaanse populasie.