Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-24T19:22:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AdrianaPostiglione.pdf: 1074589 bytes, checksum: ebd4e6efb3931ba759be23147fe7f4b2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-07-22 / Color match is one of the most important characteristics of the aesthetics restorative materials. Color stability is a demanding characteristic of the restorative material as though as it indicates its chemical stability. The purpose of this research is to verify the color stability of five aesthetic restorative materials when immersed in coffee solution and the efficiency of professional prophylaxis on pigmentation reduction after the staining. There were built 71 specimens, divided in five groups,made of one direct composite resin (Tetric Ceram – Ivoclar/Vivadent – G1), three indirect composite resins (Targis – voclar/Vivadent – G2; Resilab Master – Wilcos – G3; belleGlass HP – Kerr – G4) and one porcelain (IPS Empress 2 – Ivoclar/Vivadent – G5), with the dimensions of 17 mm x 1mm. The specimens were immersed in staining media of coffee for 15 days, stored in controlled temperature of 37±1C at dark. In the sequency, they received a professional prophylaxis with sodium bicarbonate. The evaluations were made after 1, 7 e 15 days and after the prophylaxis, by means of reflectance spectrophotometry. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA (p<0,001) and post-hoc tests with estathistical difference between G1 / G3 and the other groups; G2 / G4 and the other groups; and G5 and all the others. It was concluded that G1 e G3 showed the greatest color changes, lollowed by G2 and G4 and G5 showed the smallest changes. Professional prophylaxis was efficient to reduce the staining for all the materials tested. / A estabilidade de cor é indispensável para a durabilidade do tratamento restaurador estético. O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar a estabilidade de cor de cinco materiais restauradores submetidos a meio corante de café e a eficácia da profilaxia em reduzir a pigmentação decorrente do meio corante. Foram confeccionados 71 corpos-de-prova, divididos em cinco grupos (G1- resina composta Tetric Ceram – Ivoclar/Vivadent , G2, G3 e G4- resinas laboratoriais de segunda geração, respectivamente Targis – Ivoclar/Vivadent; Resilab Máster – Wilcos; belleGlass HP – Kerr e G5- porcelana IPS Empress 2 – Ivoclar/vivadent) , com 17 mm de diâmetro por 1 mm de espessura. Os corpos-de-prova foram mantidos imersos em solução de café por 15 dias, em estufa com temperatura controlada de 37± 1 C ao abrigo da luz. Na seqüência, foram submetidos a profilaxia com bicarbonato de sódio. As avaliações foram realizadas depois de 1, 7 e 15 dias e após profilaxia, por espectrofotometria de reflectância. A variável E foi avaliada em relação aos fatores período experimental e tempo, utilizando-se teste ANOVA a dois critérios (p<0,001). Ao se proceder aos testes pot-hoc constatou-se diferenças significativas entre G1 e G3 e os demais, entre G2 e G4 e os demais e entre G5 e todos os restantes. Concluiu-se que G1 e G3 apresentaram as maiores alterações de cor, enquanto que G2 e G4, postos intermediários e G5, apresentou a menor alteração, que foi mais intensa nos períodos de 1 dia e 7 dias para todos os materiais. A profilaxia foi eficiente para reduzir a alteração de cor.

Esta tese de doutorado descreve um novo modelo para o acoplamento de difusão química contínua e eventos celulares discretos dentro de um ambiente de simulação biologicamente inspirado. Nosso objetivo é definir e explorar um conjunto minimalista de recursos que também são expressivos, permitindo a criação de padrões 2D complexos usando apenas poucas regras. Por não nos restringirmos a uma grade estática ou regular, mostramos que muitos fenômenos diferentes podem ser simulados, como sistemas tradicionais de reação-difusão, autômatos celulares e padrões de pigmentação de seres vivos. Em particular, demonstramos que a adição de saturação química aumenta significativamente a gama de padrões simulados usando reação-difusão, incluindo padrões que não eram possíveis anteriormente. Nossos resultados sugerem um possível modelo universal que pode integrar abordagens de formação de padrões anteriores, fornecendo nova base para experimentação e texturas de aparência realista para uso geral em Computação Gráfica. / This doctoral thesis describes a novel model for coupling continuous chemical diffusion and discrete cellular events inside a biologically inspired simulation environment. Our goal is to define and explore a minimalist set of features that are also expressive, enabling the creation of complex 2D patterns using just a few rules. By not being constrained into a static or regular grid, we show that many different phenomena can be simulated, such as traditional reaction-diffusion systems, cellular automata, and pigmentation patterns from living beings. In particular, we demonstrate that adding chemical saturation increases significantly the range of simulated patterns using reaction-diffusion, including patterns not possible before. Our results suggest a possible universal model that can integrate previous pattern formation approaches, providing new ground for experimentation and realistic-looking textures for general use in Computer Graphics.

O melanoma é uma doença complexa, associada com diversos fatores de risco genéticos e ambientais. Este o tipo mais agressivo de câncer de pele e origina-se nos melanócitos, as células da pele produtoras de pigmento nos mamíferos. Polimorfismos de base única (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms - SNPs) presentes em genes envolvidos na pigmentação têm sido descritos envolvidos na modulação de risco para o melanoma, porém o conhecimento neste campo ainda é bastante limitado. Neste estudo, foi avaliado o efeito de quatro SNPs em quatro genes de pigmentação: TYR (rs1126809), HERC2 (rs1129038), SLC24A5 (rs1426654) e SLC45A2 (rs16891982) no aumento de risco para melanoma, usando análises de regressão logística multivariada e redução de dimensão multifatorial (MDR), em uma abordagem caso-controle. Em 255 indivíduos (120 pacientes com melanoma e 135 controles sem melanoma) provenientes do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, identificamos associação com o risco para melanoma em três dos quatro SNPs investigados (HERC2 rs1129038, P=0.017; SLC24A5 rs1426654, P<0.001; e SLC45A2 rs16891982, P=0.002). Além disso, a interação entre rs1426654 e rs16891982 (genótipos AA e GG, respectivamente), aumentou significamente o risco para melanoma nas análises de regressão logística multivariada e análises de MDR [OR = 6.936 (CI 95%: 1.607 – 50.294), P= 0.022]. Estes resultados contribuem para o conhecimento atual, indicando que esses SNPs contribuem para o aumento de risco de desenvolvimento de melanoma. / The melanoma is a complex disease, associated with several environmental and genetic risk factors. This is the most aggressive type of skin cancer and originates in melanocytes, the pigment producing skin cells in mammals. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pigmentation genes have been describe in melanoma risk modulation but our knowledge in the field is still limited. Here, we assessed the effect of SNPs in four pigmentation genes – TYR (rs1126809), HERC2 (rs1129038), SLC24A5 (rs1426654), and SLC45A2 (rs16891982) on increase of melanoma risk using multivariate logistic regression and a multifactorial dimension reduction (MDR) analysis, in a case-control approach. In 255 individuals (120 melanoma patients and 135 controls free melanoma) from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, we identified an association of melanoma risk with three of the four SNPs studied (HERC2 rs1129038, P=0.017; SLC24A5 rs1426654, P<0.001; and SLC45A2 rs16891982, P=0.002). In addition, the interaction between rs1426654 and rs16891982 (AA and GG genotypes, respectively) significantly increased the risk of melanoma [OR = 6.936 (CI 95%: 1.607 – 50.294), P= 0.022] in both MRD and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Our results contribute to the current knowledge, indicating that SNPs contribute to the increase risk of melanoma.

Submitted by MAGNUN ANTONIO PENARIOL DA SILVA null (penariol@fca.unesp.br) on 2017-03-20T14:07:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE FINAL MAGNUN.pdf: 1184516 bytes, checksum: 33f0c41c91f8f4d05c677615ccd2d145 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-03-22T13:27:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_map_dr_bot.pdf: 1184516 bytes, checksum: 33f0c41c91f8f4d05c677615ccd2d145 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-22T13:27:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_map_dr_bot.pdf: 1184516 bytes, checksum: 33f0c41c91f8f4d05c677615ccd2d145 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-10-06 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / A cultura do crambe começou a ser estudada no Brasil por apresentar elevado teor de óleo nos grãos. A produção é totalmente mecanizada e de baixo custo por utilizar as ferramentas disponíveis para outras espécies. O crambe é uma cultura de inverno, então se torna também uma excelente opção para o cultivo em safrinha. No entanto a cultivar desenvolvida para a comercialização no país apresenta maturação irregular dos grãos, o que se torna um problema tanto para a colheita quanto para os processos pós-colheita, por não se haver uma época ideal para colheita mecanizada sem que ocorram perdas durante esta etapa, ou ainda durante a secagem e armazenamento. Diante do exposto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi acompanhar o processo de secagem dos grãos de crambe, e ainda o período de 12 meses de armazenamento, relacionando esses processos com a dinâmica de formação de lipídeos dos grãos, os sistemas antioxidantes, o acúmulo de açúcares, lipídeos e proteínas ao longo do desenvolvimento, os estresses ocasionados pela secagem e a pigmentação durante o armazenamento. Para isso, um experimento foi instalado na área de produção da Fazenda Experimental Lageado, onde utilizou-se para semeadura sementes de crambe da cultivar FMS Brilhante (Fundação Mato Grosso do Sul), na qual o processo foi acompanhado semanalmente verificando os teores de água dos grãos (82, 74, 60, 40, 30, 20 e 10%) que foram submetidos à diferentes métodos de secagem (testemunha, natural, secagem em estufa à 30ºC e secagem em estufa à 40ºC). Para melhor entendimento dos dados obtidos este trabalho foi dividido em quatro capítulos. O primeiro capítulo trata-se de uma revisão de literatura a respeito dos processos de desenvolvimento, secagem e armazenamento de grãos de crambe. O segundo capítulo estudou a dinâmica de formação de lipídeos nestes grãos. No terceiro capítulo avaliou-se o acúmulo das principais reservas (proteínas, açúcares e lipídeos) e os danos oxidativos ocasionados pela secagem dos grãos. E no quarto o foco foi verificar se o tempo de armazenamento afeta as reservas, pigmentação e a atividade enzimática dos grãos. Conclui-se que a maior reserva encontrada em grãos de crambe são os lipídeos, seguido por açúcares e proteínas, os grãos de crambe apresentam maior acúmulo de lipídeos aos 49 dias após a floração, a secagem à 80 ºC provoca danos aos grãos e que os grãos de crambe começam aumentar o conteúdo de pigmentos à partir dos 6 meses de armazenamento. / The culture of crambe began to be studied in Brazil by a high oil content in grain. The production is fully mechanized and low cost to use the tools available for other species. It is a winter crop, then it also makes an excellent choice for growing in off-season. However cultivating developed for sale in the country is irregular grain maturity, which becomes a problem for both the harvest time to post-harvest processes, not be an ideal time for mechanized harvesting without incurring losses during this step or during drying and storage. Given the above, the objective of this study was to follow up the development process of crambe grain, and also the steps of drying and storage, linking these processes with the dynamics of grain lipid formation, antioxidant systems, the accumulation of sugars , lipids and proteins throughout the development of the stresses caused by drying and pigmentation during storage. For this, an experiment was conducted in the area of Fazenda Experimental Lageado. We used to cultivate the crambe sowing seeds FMS Brilhante (Fundação Mato Grosso do Sul), in which the process was monitored weekly by checking the water content of grains (82, 74, 60, 40, 30, 20 and 10%) which were subjected to different drying methods (control, natural drying oven at 30 ° C and dried at 40 ° C). For better understanding of the data from this study was divided into four chapters. The first chapter it is a literature review about the development processes, drying and crambe grain storage. The second chapter studied the dynamics of the formation of lipids in these grains. In the third chapter, we evaluated the accumulation of the main reserves (proteins, sugars and lipids) and the oxidative damage caused by the drying of the beans. And in the room the focus was to determine whether the storage time affects the reserves, pigmentation and the enzymatic activity of the grains. It follows that the largest reserve found in crambe grains are lipids, followed by sugars and proteins, crambe grains have higher accumulation of lipids at 49 days after flowering, drying at 80 ° C causes damage to the beans and that crambe grains begin to increase the content of pigments from 6 months of storage. / CNPq: 140263/2013-6

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o comportamento morfológico e a expressão das proteínas S-100, Melan-A, HMB-45, Ki-67, PCNA e p53, em 25 neoplasias melanocíticas de equinos. Informações clínicas (gênero, raça, pelagem, idade e localização da lesão) e morfológicas (características celulares, pigmentares, nucleares, de nucléolo, de melanófagos, presença de invasão e necrose) dos animais foram coletadas. Para a expressão das proteínas por imunoistoquímica foi confeccionado um bloco de microarranjo de tecidos das amostras teciduais, juntamente com os controles positivos das reações. A avaliação da expressão das proteínas S100, HMB-45 e Melan-A foi baseada em um escore, e a das proteínas Ki-67, PCNA e p53 foi feita por contagem de células. Animais SRD (16/25, 64%), de raça Lusitana (6/25, 24%), Árabe (2/25, 8%) e Sueca (1/25, 4%) fizeram parte deste estudo, todos tordilhos e a maioria machos (18/25, 72%). A idade dos animais variou de 4 a 24 anos (média de 13 anos). A região perianal (13/25, 52%) foi a que mais apresentou neoplasias. Na análise morfológica houve predomínio de neoplasias com celularidade moderada (52%) e intensa (40%), distribuição difusa e em feixes (52%), ausência de figuras de mitose (96,0%) e predomínio de células epitelióides e fusiformes no mesmo tumor (80%). A atipia nuclear era discreta (48%) e moderada (44%), com núcleos de formato arredondado e alongado em um mesmo tumor (76%) e cromatina dispersa (60%). Os nucléolos eram múltiplos e, em sua maioria, proeminentes (88%). Observou-se predomínio de células tumorais de pigmentação intensa (68%), distribuição difusa e localização em derme (100%). A maioria dos casos apresentou alta celularidade de macrógafos (64%) e distribuição difusa (96%). Quanto à expressão de proteínas para melanócitos por imunoistoquímica, 44% dos casos apresentaram expressão moderada a forte de S100, 56% apresentaram expressão fraca de HMB-45 e 64% apresentaram expressão negativa de Melan-A. Houve positividade de 72% dos casos para pelo menos dois dos anticorpos citados acima. Os anticorpos de proliferação celular Ki-67 e PCNA tiveram média de acima. Os anticorpos de proliferação celular Ki-67 e PCNA tiveram média de positividade de 0,0005% e 15,7%, respectivamente. A análise da expressão de p53 teve média de 6,1% de positividade. Houve associação estatisticamente positiva entre a celularidade dos macrófagos com S100 e com p53. Em conclusão: 1. os dados clínicos obtidos reproduzem o comportamento biológico das neoplasias melanocíticas em equinos, exceto pela idade dos animais; 2. as neoplasias equinas se assemelham a nevos azuis celulares em humanos e melanocitomas em cães; 3. o microarranjo de tecidos mostrou-se uma maneira econômica, rápida e com menos variáveis técnicas; 4. a utilização de um painel de anticorpos de melanócitos é pertinente na diferenciação entre tumores melanocíticos e não melanocíticos, reproduzindo o painel diagnóstico utilizado em literatura humana e canina; 5. o índice de proliferação celular encontrado sugere que os dois anticorpos (Ki-67 e PCNA) podem ser usados na contagem de células em atividade mitótica e 6. a proteína p53 tem maior relação com a parada do ciclo celular que a observada em outros estudos em equinos, podendo indicar um comportamento biológico diferente do apresentado em cães e humanos. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological behavior, and expression of the following proteins: S-100, Melan-A, HMB-45, Ki-67, PCNA and p53, in 25 equine melanocytic neoplasms. Clinical (gender, breed, coat color, age and lesions location) and morphological (cellular, pigment, nuclear, nucleoli, melanophages, invasion and necrosis) data were collected. A tissue microarray block, embedded in paraffin, with equine tissue samples and positive controls, was elaborated for protein expression through immunohistochemistry. The evaluation of S100, HMB-45 and Melan-A was based on a score, and for Ki-67, PCNA and p53 it was based on cellular count. Breeds were: Mixed breed (16/25, 64%), Lusitano (6/25, 24%), Arab (2/25, 8%) and Swedich (1/25, 4%). All animals were gray and the majority males (18/25, 72%). Age varied from 4 to 24 years old (mean=13 years). The perianal region (13/25, 52%) was the most common location. Morphological analysis have shown neoplasms with predominantly moderate (52%) and intense (40%) cellularity, diffuse and fascicles distribution (52%), no mitoses figures (96%) and predominance of epithelioid and spindle cells in the same tumor (80%). There was discrete (48%) and moderate (44%) nuclear atypia, round and elongated nucleus in the same tumor (76%), and disperse chromatin (60%). Nucleoli were multiple and prominent in the majority of cases (88%). Tumor cells with diffuse and intense pigmentation, with dermal location (100%) were predominant. High cellularity of macrophages (64%) with diffuse distribution (96%) was mostly seen. The protein expression for melanocytes have shown 44% of moderate to strong expression for S100 protein, 56% of weak expression for HMB-45 protein and 64% of negative expression for Melan-A protein. It was found positivity for more than two antibodies in 72% of equine melanocytic neoplasms. The proliferation antibodies Ki-67 and PCNA had mean positivity of 0,0005% and 15,7%, respectively. The p53 expression had mean positivity of 6,1%. Macrophages cellularity was statistically associated with S100 and p53. In conclusion: 1. clinical data obtain reproduce the biological behavior of equine Macrophages celllularity was statistically associated with S100 and p53. In conclusion: 1. clinical data obtain reproduce the biological behavior of equine melanocytic neoplasms, excepting the animals age; 2. equine melanocytic neoplasms assemble to human cellular blue nevi and dogs melanocytoma; 3. the tissue microarray was shown to be an economic, rapid and less variable technique; 4. using a panel for antibodies for melanocytes is relevant to differentiate melanocytic and not melanocytic tumors, reproducing the diagnosis panel used in human and canine literature; 5. the proliferation index found suggests that both antibodies (Ki-67 and PCNA) could be used in mitotic activity cell count; and 6. p53 protein has more relation with cellular cycle stop than in other equine studies, probably indicating a different biological behavior than the presented in humans and dogs.

Antirrhinum majus is a model plant used in flower pigmentation studies. Anthocyanin pigment production is mainly controlled by regulation of transcription of the anthocyanin biosynthetic genes. Two types of transcription factors, M Y B and bHLH, together with a WD40 type co-regulator have been shown to regulate the transcription of the anthocyanin biosynthetic genes. In antirrhinum, in addition to the wild type Rosea 1 phenotype, in which pigmentation occurs throughout the inner and outer epidermis of the petal , other complex pigmentation patterns are observed, such as anthocyanins being produced only in the outer (abaxial) epidermis of both lobes and upper tube region of the dorsal petals (roseadorsea phenotype). The major objective of this research project was to understand the genetic regulatory system leading to the development of the two different floral pigmentation patterns in antirrhinum as a means to understanding differential regulation of gene expression in similar cells. Promoter deletion analysis coupled with linker scanning mutagenesis identified the - 1 62 bp to - 1 20 bp region of the Rosea l promoter as i mportant for the regulation of the Rosea l gene. Four putative transcription factor-binding sites within this region : a Wbox, a pyrimidine box, a DOF and a WRKY transcription factor binding site were shown to be important for Rosea l gene regulation. Promoter deletion analysis carried out on the rosea ldorsea promoter showed that the proximal 1 87 bp deletion was, surprisingly, not responsible for the roseadorsea phenotype. Cloning and characterisation of the Rosea l promoter sequence from various Antirrhinum species and accessions verified this finding. The rosealdorsea promoter analysis also indicated that - 1 5 1 bp of the promoter was sufficient for its expression as well as for the maintenance of petal specific expression. The rosea ldorsea allele was also shown to encode a functional protein . In situ hybridisation analysis showed that Rosea l transcripts were present in the inner and outer epidermis of the petal tissue of both wild type and roseadorsea petal tissue. Vascular expression of the Roseal mRNA is indicative of regulation of this gene through sugar or hormonal cues. However, rosea ldorsea transcript levels (in roseadorsea) were much lower than Roseal (wild type). Lowered expression of rosea ldorsea transcripts may be responsible for the overall weak pigmentation in the roseadorsea flowers. Analysis of the intron sequences of the two alleles revealed that many sequence changes were present in the intron 2 of rosea l dorsea. These changes may lead to instability or the lower expression of the rosea l dorsea mRNA and may be responsible for the roseadorsea phenotype. Another possibility is that a fourth Myb gene may be responsible for the roseadorsea phenotype. The role of the Deficiens gene in direct regulation of Rosea l was analysed by RNAi and bioinformatics-based methods. The presence of potential MADS box binding sites in the intron 2 region of the Roseal allele indicated that Rosea l might be directly regulated by Deficiens. Initial experiments using transient assays did not support this suggestion. However, silencing of Deficiens in wild type antirrhinum buds led to the loss of anthocyanin pigments in the petals. Further analysis of the RNAi tissue using SEM revealed that the proper development of conical shaped epidermal cells was also affected . The RNAi tissue also developed chlorophyll pigments underscoring the plasticity of petal identity. This work demonstrated that proper expression of Deficiens is required throughout flowering for anthocyanin pigment production as well as maintenance of petal cell identity. The current investigation revealed that the higher order regulation of the Rosea l alleles in antirrhinum petals is much more complex than initially postulated.

Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone metabolism and many cellular and immunological processes, and low vitamin D levels have been associated with several chronic and infectious diseases. Previous studies have reported that many otherwise healthy adults of European ancestry living in Canada have low vitamin D concentrations during the wintertime. However, individuals of non-European ancestry are at a higher risk of having low vitamin D levels. This thesis examined vitamin D status in a sample of young adults of diverse ancestry living in the Greater Toronto Area. In my research I found that: 1) vitamin D levels (measured as 25(OH)D concentrations) are low in Canadian young adults, particularly in those of non-European ancestry; 2) vitamin D intakes, which were estimated to be on average higher than current Health Canada recommendations of 200 International Units (IU) per day, were inadequate to maintain optimal vitamin D levels year-round; 3) vitamin D levels undergo large seasonal changes. Winter 25(OH)D concentrations are substantially lower than those observed during the fall; 4) vitamin D intake is an important year-round predictor of 25(OH)D concentrations, but skin pigmentation and sun exposure are also important predictors during the times when UVB is adequate for cutaneous synthesis; and 5) vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) polymorphisms are significant predictors of 25(OH)D concentrations, but their effects vary by ancestry and season, indicating gene-environment interaction effects. My research shows that higher vitamin D intakes are needed to offset the seasonal drop in vitamin D levels and to ensure adequate vitamin D levels year-round for those at higher risk of insufficiency.

Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone metabolism and many cellular and immunological processes, and low vitamin D levels have been associated with several chronic and infectious diseases. Previous studies have reported that many otherwise healthy adults of European ancestry living in Canada have low vitamin D concentrations during the wintertime. However, individuals of non-European ancestry are at a higher risk of having low vitamin D levels. This thesis examined vitamin D status in a sample of young adults of diverse ancestry living in the Greater Toronto Area. In my research I found that: 1) vitamin D levels (measured as 25(OH)D concentrations) are low in Canadian young adults, particularly in those of non-European ancestry; 2) vitamin D intakes, which were estimated to be on average higher than current Health Canada recommendations of 200 International Units (IU) per day, were inadequate to maintain optimal vitamin D levels year-round; 3) vitamin D levels undergo large seasonal changes. Winter 25(OH)D concentrations are substantially lower than those observed during the fall; 4) vitamin D intake is an important year-round predictor of 25(OH)D concentrations, but skin pigmentation and sun exposure are also important predictors during the times when UVB is adequate for cutaneous synthesis; and 5) vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) polymorphisms are significant predictors of 25(OH)D concentrations, but their effects vary by ancestry and season, indicating gene-environment interaction effects. My research shows that higher vitamin D intakes are needed to offset the seasonal drop in vitamin D levels and to ensure adequate vitamin D levels year-round for those at higher risk of insufficiency.

Predation is a strong dective force on invertebrate prey. Asellus aquaticus differs in pigmentation reed and submerged vegetation habitats in lakes. Light pigmented individuals al vegetation dominated by Chara sp. while dark pigmented individuals dominate in the reeds. These differences have been hypothesized to result from background matching. Predation pressure from fish is belived to be highest in Chara sp., while invertebrate predators are more common in the reeds. In this study I investigatedif predation from perch and damselfly larvae create different se1ection pressure on pigmentation and size of the Asellus, and if selection is affected by the structure of the habitat. The study vas carried out in aquaria in a loboratory. Regarding predation from perch a tendancy to be selective against dark pigmented individuals in Chara substrate was seen. Mortality increased with body size in Asellus, regardless of pigmentation. In the experiment mortality of Asellus decreased with body length. The results illdicate that it is not as important for Asellus to be cryptic in the reeds since it is not exposed to visual predation on the same level as in the Chara sp. where it is preferable to be small and cryptic. In the reed, large individuals are probably favorued since common predators, such as damselfly larvae, are size-limited in their prey choice.

Domestication is the process by which animals become adapted to the environment provided by humans. The process of domestication has let to a number of correlated behavioural, morphological and physiological changes among many domesticated animal species. An example is the changes of plumage colour in the chicken. Plumage colour is one of the most readily observable traits that make distinction between breeds as well as between strains within a breed. Understanding the genetic architecture of pigmentation traits or indeed any trait is always a great challenge in evolutionary biology. The main aim of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the red and metallic green coloration in the chicken plumage. In this study, a total of 572 F8 intercross chickens between Red Junglefowl and White Leghorn were used. Phenotypic measurements were done using a combination of digital photography and photography manipulating software. Moreover, all birds were genotyped with 657 molecular markers, covering 30 autosomes. The total map distance covered was 11228 cM and the average interval distance was 17 cM. In this analysis, a total of six QTLs (4 for red and 2 for metallic green colour) were detected on four different chromosomes: 2, 3 11 and 14. For red colour, the most significant QTL was detected on chromosome 2 at 165 cM. An additional QTL was also detected on the same chromosome at 540 cM. Two more QTLs were detected on chromosomes 11 and 14 at 24 and 203 cM respectively. Additionally, two epistatic pairs of QTLs were also detected. The identified four QTLs together can explain approximately 36% of the phenotypic variance in this trait. In addition, for metallic green colour, one significant and one suggestive QTLs were detected on chromosomes 2 and 3 at 399 and 247 cM respectively. Moreover, significant epistatic interactions between these two QTLs were detected. Furthermore, these two QTLs together can explain approximately 24% of the phenotypic variance in this trait. These findings suggest that the expression of pigmentation in the chicken plumage is highly influenced by both the epistatic actions and pleiotropic effects of different QTLs located on different chromosomes.