The purpose of this experiment was to determine if nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) is a suitable application for the differentiation of body fluids that might comprise a forensic evidence sample. NASBA is a sensitive RNA transcription based amplification system. NASBA could theorhetically be used for bodily fluid identification based upon amplification of tissue-specific mRNA transcripts present in a given forensic sample.Amplification of both Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 1 (MMPmRNA transcripts were used to determine that NASBA could amplify body fluid transcripts and whether it could distinguish between menstrual and non-menstrual blood, respectively. GAPDH is a housekeeping gene that is constituently expressed and its mRNA transcripts could therefore be used to determine whether non-menstrual blood could be amplified using the NASBA procedure. MMP 11 is a menstrual cycle-specific gene associated with endometrial breakdown. Using the mRNA transcripts from MMP 11, NASBA could be utilized for menstrual blood identification. In this study, non-menstrual and menstrual blood samples were analyzed with NASBA both in the presence and absence of chemical contamination. Contaminants utilized ranged from commercial automotive wax, transmission fluid, brake fluid, artificial tears, hand soap, 10% bleach, and the luminol blood detecting reagent. Non-menstrual blood was aliquoted onto a 1 cm x 1 cm cotton cloth for contamination, while menstrual blood was provided on a 1 cm x 1 cm area of sterile menstrual pad. All samples underwent Tri reagent extraction to obtain RNA samples for NASBA amplification.With respect to NASBA amplification data, non-menstrual blood data (from extracted RNA and unextracted blood samples) revealed the highest levels of amplification as shown in relative fluorescence units (RFU). Uncontaminated menstrual blood revealed the second highest amplification data. In the presence of chemical contamination, high levels of amplification were observed when samples were contaminated with brake fluid and commercial hand soap. Moderately low amplification was observed with samples contaminated with transmission fluid, 10% bleach, and artificial tears. NASBA amplification was completely inhibited in the presence of automotive wax and luminol. Cycle threshold (CO values for each amplification result were also obtained from each reaction. Smaller Ct values correspond to a higher NASBAreaction efficiency and therefore larger amplification values. The Ct values obtained for each amplified sample correlate strongly with the amount of amplification observed from reaction. Based upon the results of this experiment, NASBA should be considered as a novel tool for forensic evidence analysis. / Department of Biology

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Chemistry

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Biology

The general purpose this study has been to determine the perception of MBA students on quality lecturing. Business schools are concerned about how learners evaluate the lecturing experiences in order to monitor the quality of the lecturing. Student evaluations are assumed to mirror relative stable views which hold implications for how tertiary institutions act upon and reward the educational practices of lecturers. It is evident from prior research that broad reaching claims concerning student satisfaction cover large alternatives in terms of a construct being evaluated. Links between what is measured, and how this information should be utilised, are not always well-defined. Previous studies suggest that student satisfaction and perception is a multifaceted concept consisting of several complex dimensions. The true muscle of lecturing is crucial leadership ability. It is not just a lecture or a presentation. Lecturing is a set of skills. It is not just about a gift. It is a set of practices that should be rehearsed, mastered and delivered. A lecturer will certainly not deliver a faultless lecture, but might bring an influential and current lecture. The skill set of lecturing is both a skill and a discipline. A lecturer should learn and practices the discipline; then the skill will be conquered. Everyone can be a powerful and skillful presenter, but it will take time, rehearsal and vigor to overcome mediocrity. The management of business schools should comprehend the importance of quality lecturing. Without emphasis on lecturing, the perceived quality of a business school could be misconceived by students. Quality lecturing should always be a focus point and the emphasis on improved effectiveness by management. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Messenger RNA (mRNA) posttranscriptional regulation has been implicated in the development and/or progression of several diseases including many types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, vascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Differential regulation of Androgen Receptor (AR) mRNA has been associated specifically with prostate cancer progression. In this thesis, molecular beacons were developed to allow for the detection of the expression and localization of AR mRNA in live prostate cancer cells. These beacons were then applied as a tool for studying how AR mRNA regulation is involved in prostate cancer growth and advancement. Two AR mRNA targeted beacons were designed and tested in solution and in live cells to determine their functionality. The beacon-based approach for AR mRNA detection was then optimized through the use of the two beacons in tandem and alteration of their backbone chemistry. A series of validation tests were performed on these beacons, including testing their abilities to: 1) produce a feasible localization pattern, 2) discriminate between AR positive (AR+) and AR negative (AR-) prostate cancer cell lines and 3) follow stimulus-induced changes in AR mRNA expression. Based on these results, a dual chimeric beacon approach was selected to determine the role of AR mRNA regulation in two systems that represent important stages in prostate cancer growth and progression: 1) hormone stimulation of androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells and 2) progression of androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells to the androgen-independent state. Our results suggest that changes in AR mRNA expression, organization, and localization may be indicative of molecular mechanisms involved in these critical transitions associated with prostate cancer progression. Taken together, this work provides a feasibility study for visualizing changes in AR mRNA state as a diagnostic measure for evaluating the aggressiveness of the disease and demonstrates the possible utility of therapeutically targeting AR mRNA regulation in order to prevent prostate cancer advancement.

Bibliography: leaves 141-182. / xi, 182, [36] leaves, [12] leaves of plates : 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 analyse the molecular events associated with CD8+ T lymphocyte activity in HSV infected sensory ganglia. The role of CD8+ T cells in cytokine responses to ganglionic HSV infection is investigated, with particular reference to the Th1/Th2 paradigm and a known anti-viral mediator, IFN-[gamma]. A non-directed method of mRNA analysis is applied to HSV infected ganglia with the specific aim of identifying transcripts that may be associated with CD8+ T cell activity in the nervous system. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, 1997

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-189).

Thesis (Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics) -- University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-131). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2002. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.