Troponin I (TnI), like many striated muscle contractile proteins, consists of multiple isoforms encoded by a multigene family whose members are differentially expressed in the different striated muscle cell types. Two TnI genes, TnIfast and TnIslow, are expressed in skeletal muscle the former in fast muscle fibers, the latter in slow fibers. The tissue- and fiber-type-specificities of the TnI fast and slow genes are driven by transcriptional enhancer elements: a Slow Upstream Regulatory Element (SURE) upstream of the TnIslow gene and a fast Intronic Regulatory Element (IRE) within the first intron of the TnIfast gene. Within the 144 bp IRE, there are 4 known cis elements, and the aim of this work was to initiate the studies to map the element(s) that are chiefly responsible for directing the fast-fiber-specificity of IRE-driven gene expression. This was approached by making IRE end-deletion constructs lacking either the left-most or right-most IRE cis-element. These IRE derivatives were coupled to a reporter gene consisting of a minimal (enhancer-dependent) TnIfast promoter linked to E. coli beta-galactosidase coding sequences. The transcriptional activity of these constructs was first evaluated in cell culture transfection experiments, and then by in vivo gene transfer into adult mouse skeletal muscles. The conclusion of these experiments was that fast-fiber-specificity of IRE-driven gene expression resides in the left-most 30 bp of the IRE, a region including an E-box binding site for myogenic regulatory factors of the MyoD family.

The present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between perinatal complications and subsequent development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral characteristics. The biological mothers of 74 children diagnosed with ADHD and 77 children displaying no characteristics of the disorder completed the Maternal Perinatal Scale (MPS), the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Parent Rating Scales (BASC-PRS), and a demographic survey. In addition, the biological mothers of 120 children with no characteristics of ADHD or any other behavior disorders completed only the MPS so that exploratory factor analysis of the MPS could be completed.Following factor analysis, stepwise discriminant analysis of the resulting five factors was utilized to explore the nature of the relationship between such perinatal factors and ADHD. Results of this analysis indicated that emotional factors, or the amount of stress encountered during pregnancy and the degree to Relationship Between Perinatal Complications 3 was planned, were the items that maximized the separation between the ADHD and Non-ADHD groups. Additional discrimination between the groups was attributed to the extent of insult or trauma to the developing fetus and the outcome of prior pregnancies. ADHD children were also found to have experienced twice as many behavioral, social, or medical problems, and were more likely to reach developmental milestones with delays.Stepwise discriminant analysis also revealed the Attention Problems and Hyperactivity scales of the BASC-PRS were most significant in differentiating between the ADHD and Non-ADHD subjects. Using the BASC-PRS resulted in approximately 90% of the total sample being correctly classified as ADHD or Non-ADHD. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that emotional factors and the general health of both the mother and the developing fetus were the best predictors of later behavioral patterns reported on the BASC-PRS. / Human Performance Laboratory

Bibliography: leaves 216-239. / xiv, 246 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The aim of this thesis is to examine the relationship between vascular reactivity, contractile proteins and blood pressure development in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). In addition, the influence of angiotensin II on blood pressure and vascular structure and function is investigated. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, 1997

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Kinesiology and Health Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR29625

Thesis (M. App. Sc.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.E.C.E.)--University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 122-126).

Thesis (M.Sc.). / Written for the Dept. of Biology. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/01/14). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 150-159).

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Bibliography: leaves 107-118.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Sept. 16, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.