O carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) é a quinta neoplasia maligna mais frequente no mundo, sendo que, em mais de 80% dos casos, seu aparecimento está relacionado à presença de cirrose hepática (CH). A infecção crônica pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC) é uma das principais causas de cirrose hepática no mundo e, consequentemente, de CHC. Este estudo caso-controle foi baseado na análise de variáveis clínicas, bioquímicas e sorológicas de 31 pacientes cirróticos pelo VHC com CHC de pequeno tamanho (<= 3 cm, tamanho médio = 22 mm) comparando-os com grupo controle de 62 pacientes cirróticos pelo VHC sem CHC, pareados por idade e sexo. Os principais objetivos foram identificar marcadores auxiliares ao diagnóstico de CHC e desenvolver um modelo linear para o diagnóstico presuntivo de CHC de pequeno tamanho. Os dados levantados foram submetidos à análise univariada. Demonstramos diferenças significantes entre os dois grupos com relação à presença de marcadores de infecção pregressa pelo vírus da hepatite B; às dosagens séricas de aspartato aminotransferase, de alanina aminotransferase, de gamaglutamil transpeptidase; à contagem de plaquetas, fibrinogênio plasmático, alfafetoproteína e resposta virológica sustentada ao tratamento com interferon. As variáveis significantes foram submetidas à análise multivariada com procedimento de regressão logística \"stepwise\" para ajustar o modelo linear. Esta análise multivariada selecionou duas variáveis preditoras para o diagnóstico de CHC, a aspartato aminotransferase e a alfa-fetoproteína, com uma probabilidade de 0,26; sensibilidade de 74,2% e especificidade de 66,1%. Entretanto este modelo linear, devido a sua baixa probabilidade, não pode ser empregado para o diagnóstico de CHC, porém potencializa a identificação de um grupo de pacientes com maior risco para o seu desenvolvimento, merecendo assim um programa de rastreamento mais cuidadoso / Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cause of cancer worldwilde. In 80% of cases HCC develop in cirrhotic livers. Hepatitis C virus infection is considered one of the main causes of liver cirrhosis and HCC. We conducted a case-control study involved 31 small HCC cases (<= 3 cm, mean size = 22 mm) and 62 age and gender matched control HCV liver cirrhosis subjects. All included patients (case and controls) were HCV positive (confirmed by RT-PCR). The present study was based on the comparison of clinical, biochemical and serological data in these patients. Our aims were to identify auxiliar parameters for the diagnosis of HCC and develop a linear model that predict the diagnosis of HCC. Data were submitted to an univariate analysis. Significant differences between the groups were observed in relation to markers of hepatitis B past infection, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gammaglutamyltransferase, platelet count, fibrinogen, alpha-fetoprotein and sustained response after Interferon therapy. The significant variables were submitted to a multivariate analysis with stepwise logistic regression procedure to adjust a linear model to estimate the probability of diagnosis of HCC. Two significant variables to HCC prediction were found, the aspartate aminotransferase and alpha-fetoprotein adjusted a linear model that allows HCC diagnosis with 0,26 probability, 74,2% sensibility and 66% specificity. However, because this model has low probability, it cannot make the HCC diagnosis but allows identify the potential group of patients with major risk to rise HCC, so that deserves more accurate surveillance strategy

Chan Chun-pong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 171-176). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / 摘要 --- p.iii / Abbreviation --- p.iv / Table of contents --- p.v / List of figures --- p.xi / List of tables --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Liver disorders in Asia Pacific region --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Classification of liver disorders --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Hepatitis --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.1.1 --- Hepatitis A virus infection --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.1.2 --- Hepatitis B virus infection --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.1.3 --- Hepatitis C virus infection --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.1.4 --- Hepatitis D virus infection --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.1.5 --- Hepatitis E virus infection --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Cancer of the liver --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- Hepatocellular carcinoma --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- Cholangiocarcinoma --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.2.3 --- Metastatic liver cancer --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4 --- Conventional treatment of liver disorders --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5 --- Role of traditional Chinese medicines in hepatoprotective functions --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Abri Herba (Abrus Cantoniensis Hance) --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Rhizoma Coptidis (Coptidis chinensis Franch) --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Fructus Forsythia (Forsythia suspense (Thunb) Vahl) --- p.22 / Chapter 1.6 --- Molecular studies of hepatoprotective effects of TCMs --- p.26 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Roles of detoxofication enzymes in hepatoprotection --- p.27 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Studies of growth-related genes in cell cycle control --- p.29 / Chapter 1.7 --- Aims of project --- p.32 / Chapter 1.8 --- Application of the project --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Methods and materials --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1 --- Screening of traditional Chinese medicines --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Preparation of TCMs --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of aqueous extracts of TCMs --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Preparation of active components of TCMs --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3 --- In vitro assays --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Cell culture --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Cytotoxicity test --- p.40 / Chapter 2.4 --- Screening of expressed gene induced by TCMs --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- RNA preparation --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- cDNA array hybridization --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Reverse Transcription --- p.43 / Chapter 2.5 --- Confirmation of expressed genes induced by TCMs --- p.44 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Semi-quantitative PCR analysis --- p.44 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Northern blot analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 2.6 --- Studies of effects of TCMs in gene expression --- p.47 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Dosage-course study --- p.47 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Time-course study --- p.48 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results --- p.50 / Chapter 3.1 --- "Cytotoxicity test of A.H., R.C. and F.F" --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2 --- "Molecular screening of expressed gene induced by A.H., R.C., F.F" --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3 --- Confirmation of expressed gene using semi-quantitative RT- PCR --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Dosage-course and time-course studies of A.H. using RT- PCR --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Dosage-course and time-course studies of R.C. using RT- PCR --- p.94 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Dosage-course and time-course studies of A.H. using RT- PCR --- p.113 / Chapter 3.4 --- Confirmation of expressed gene using northern blot anaylsis --- p.118 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Dosage-course and time-course studies of effects of A.H. and L- abrine in Northern blot analysis --- p.118 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Dosage-course and time-course studies of effects of R.C. and berberine in Northern blot analysis --- p.129 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Dosage-course and time-course studies of effects of F.Fin Northern blot analysis --- p.147 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.152 / Chapter 4.1 --- "Roles of A.H., R.C. and F.F. in treatment and prevention of liver disorders" --- p.153 / Chapter 4.2 --- "Cytotoxicity effect A.H., R.C., and F.F. in liver cells" --- p.153 / Chapter 4.3 --- Effects of herbal medicines on the transcription of mRNA in liver cells --- p.155 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Effects of treatment of A.H. in liver at transcriptional level … --- p.155 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Effects of treatment of R.C. in liver at transcriptional level … --- p.156 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Effects of treatment of R.C. in liver at transcriptional level --- p.157 / Chapter 4.4 --- Comparison of results of RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis --- p.157 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Comparison of the effects of time and dosage-course studies of DTD expression induced by A.H. and L-abrine --- p.157 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Comparison of the effects of time and dosage-course studies of p21;cip;waf1 expression induced by A.H. and L-abrine --- p.158 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Comparison of the effects of time and dosage-course studies of c-myc responsive protein; rcl expression induced by R.C. and berberine --- p.159 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Comparison of the effects of time and dosage-course studies of GST Ya expression induced by R.C. and berberine --- p.160 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Comparison of the effects of time and dosage-course studies of GST 7-7 expression induced by F.F --- p.160 / Chapter 4.5 --- Biochemical significance of genes induced by hepatoprotective TCMs --- p.161 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Roles of significant expression of detoxifying enzymes induced by TCMs in liver cells --- p.161 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Roles of induction of growth-related c-myc responsive protein; rcl in R.C. treated liver cells --- p.167 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Roles of increased p21;cip;waf1 expression in A.H. treated liver cells --- p.168 / Chapter 4.6 --- Conclusion --- p.169

Hu, Baoguang. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-143). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Cheung Hoi Hung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-166). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.I / ABSTRACT --- p.II / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.IV / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.VII / LIST OF TABLES --- p.IX / CONTENTS --- p.X / Chapter CHAPTER ONE: --- GENERAL INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Non-coding RNAs in transcriptional output --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Diverse functions of non-coding RNAs --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- HI9: imprinted non-coding RNA --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objective --- p.7 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO: --- The ROLE OF H19 RNA IN MDR1 EXPRESSION OF HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA HepG2 CELLS / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 2.1.1 --- H19-Igf2 locus as a model for genomic imprinting --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- HI9 as a non-protein coding regulatory RNA --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Controversial roles of H19 RNA --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Novel role of H19 RNA in drug resistance --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Materials --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Methods / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Cell culture --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Plasmid construction and stable cell transfection --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.2.3 --- Transient gene transfection --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.2.4 --- RNA isolation and RT-PCR --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.2.5 --- MTT drug sensitivity assay --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2.6 --- Western blot analysis --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Differential expression of H19 RNA in different human cancer cell lines --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- R-HepG2 cells over-expressed P-glycoprotein and H19 RNA --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Development of H19-silenced cell lines in HepG2 cells by RNA interference --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Altered drug sensitivity in H19-silenced cells --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Expression of P-glycoprotein in H19-silenced cells --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Overexpression of H19 RNA in HepG2 cells --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Induction of H19 RNA and MDR1 in HepG2 cells --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 2.4.1 --- H19 regulation of MDR1 associated drug resistance --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- The puzzle of riboregulation in drug resistance --- p.40 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE: --- The ROLES OF PTB AND IMP1 IN H19-RELATED MDR1 EXPRESSION OF HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA HepG2 CELLS / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 3.1.1 --- H19 RNA binding proteins --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Materials --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Methods / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Cell culture --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Plasmid construction and stable cell transfection --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- RNA extraction and RT-PCR --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2.4 --- MTT drug sensitivity assay --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2.5 --- Western blot analysis --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2.6 --- Real-time PCR analysis of gene expression --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.2.7 --- DOX efflux assay --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results / Chapter 3.3.1 --- PTB knockdown increased P-glycoprotein expression --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- IMP1 knockdown decreased MDR1 /P-glycoprotein expression --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Altered drug sensitivity in IMP 1 -knockdown cells --- p.60 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Antagonistic effect of PTB and IMP1 on H19/MDR1 expressions --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Complexity of riboregulation --- p.65 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR: --- IDENTIFICATION OF H19 RNA BINDING PROTEINS FROM HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA HepG2 CELLS / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Overview of RNA-protein interactions --- p.69 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Methodology in the study of RNA-protein interactions --- p.71 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Identification of RNA-binding proteins --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Materials --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Methods / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- Screening of H19 cDNA from human placenta cDNA library --- p.78 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Preparation of nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts from HepG2 cells / Chapter 4.2.2.3 --- In vitro RNA transcription and RNA labeling --- p.80 / Chapter 4.2.2.4 --- RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay --- p.81 / Chapter 4.2.2.5 --- In vitro UV-crosslinking assay --- p.82 / Chapter 4.2.2.6 --- Preparation of RNA-affinity column and isolation of RNA binding proteins --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.2.7 --- In-gel digestion and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry --- p.84 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Screening of H19 cDNA and preparation ofH19 RNA --- p.86 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis of H19 RNA with HepG2 cytoplasmic extract --- p.87 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- UV-crosslinking of H19 RNA with HepG2 nuclear and cytoplasmic extract --- p.90 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Isolation of H19 RNA binding proteins by RNA-affmity chromatography --- p.94 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Confirmation of PTB and IMP1 as H19 RNA binding protein --- p.96 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis of isolated H19 RNA binding proteins --- p.96 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 4.4.1 --- RNA-protein interactions: an initial step for mechanistic study --- p.99 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- In vitro and in vivo methods for isolation of RNA binding proteins --- p.101 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Novel role of hnRNP M protein in H19 RNA binding --- p.103 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE: --- THE ROLE OF PTB IN APOPTOSIS / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Overview of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein in RNA processing and post-transcriptional gene regulation --- p.106 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Evidences of polyrimidine-tract binding protein in the regulation of apoptosis --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and methods / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Materials --- p.111 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Methods / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- Cell culture --- p.114 / Chapter 5.2.2.2 --- Stable cell transfection in A431 cells --- p.114 / Chapter 5.2.2.3 --- Western Blot analysis --- p.114 / Chapter 5.2.2.4 --- MTT drug sensitivity assay --- p.114 / Chapter 5.2.2.5 --- DNA fragmentation assay --- p.115 / Chapter 5.2.2.6 --- Flow cytometry analysis of apoptosis --- p.115 / Chapter 5.2.2.7 --- Caspase activity assay --- p.116 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Taxol as an apoptosis inducer in HepG2 cells --- p.117 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- PTB was cleaved during Taxol-induced apoptosis --- p.118 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- PTB knockdown increased Taxol cytotoxicity and apoptosis --- p.118 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Effect of PTB knockdown on drug sensitivity of cells --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Effect of PTB knockdown on other drug-induced apoptosis --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.6 --- Effect of PTB knockdown on the basal expressions of genes in apoptosis pathway --- p.126 / Chapter 5.3.7 --- The role of caspase-9 activation in PTB-regulated apoptosis --- p.129 / Chapter 5.3.8 --- The effect of PTB knockdown on pro-caspase-9 expression and Taxol-induced apoptosis in A431 cells --- p.133 / Chapter 5.3.9 --- The role of PTB in the regulation of intrinsic apoptosis pathway --- p.136 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 5.4.1 --- The role of PTB in intrinsic apoptosis pathway --- p.138 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- PTB in regulation of pro-caspase-9 expression --- p.139 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX: --- GENERAL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION / Chapter 6.1 --- H19 as a potential target in anti-cancer gene therapy --- p.143 / Chapter 6.2 --- Conclusion --- p.144 / Chapter 6.3 --- Unanswered questions and future work --- p.145 / Chapter 6.4 --- A proposed model for H19 pathway --- p.148 / REFERENCES --- p.151

Both mRNA and protein expression levels of P-glycoprotein, one of the major factors involved in drug resistance, was decreased in Pa-treated R-HepG2 cells. The chemo-sensitivity of these MDR cells towards doxorubicin would be enhanced by pretreatment of Pa. / In the study, 35 TCMs with historical background in treating liver diseases were screened. S. barbata was chosen for intensive studies based on its significant anti-hepatoma activity. Using bioassay-guided purification approach, an active component, pheophorbide a (Pa) - a chlorophyll derivative, was isolated from Scutellaria barbata. / Motivated by the severe health hazards worldwide caused by liver cancer, and the pronounced side effects of some recent anti-hepatoma agents in clinical treatment, we have initiated a research project in screening safe and effective agents from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of hepatoma. The main objective of this research is to define the in vitro and in vivo anti-proliferative activities and to identify the action mechanisms of a TCM, the aerial part of Scutellaria barbata , in human hepatoma cells (HepG2 and Hep3B cells). / Pa exhibited anti-proliferative effects on HepG2 and Hep3B cells, through cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, with IC50 values being 12.5 and 25.7 muM respectively. However, Pa produced insignificant cytotoxic effect on WRL-68 cells, a normal hepatic cell line. Pa also caused cell death in R-HepG2 cells, a multi-drug resistant (MDR) cell line developed from HepG2 cells. Microarray analysis indicated that a hypothetical protein FLJ10803 was found to be down-regulated upon the treatment of Pa on HepG2 cells. The sub-cellular localization of FLJ10803 was demonstrated by over-expression of the GFP fusion protein in HepG2 cells. / The anti-tumor effects of Pa could be enhanced by photodynamic therapy (PDT) approach, presumably due to the rapid generation of reactive oxygen species in the drug-binding site. Pa-PDT showed potent cytotoxicity on hepatoma cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B, with IC50 values being 0.4 and 1.5 muM, respectively. The antitumor effects were confirmed by studies using animal model, where Pa treatment (300mug/kg/day, s.c.) could significantly inhibit the growth of Hep3B cells in nude mice after PDT treatment in vivo. Fluorescent imaging showed that Pa was located at the mitochondria, and the induction of cell death was found to be initiated by the mitochondrial dependent apoptotic pathway. Results of 2D-gel analysis suggested that Pa-PDT activated an immune-marker expression pathway that results in an over expression of HLA class I proteinsin Pa-PDT treated HepG2 cells. / To conclude, Pa may be a candidate for further development into an anti-hepatomic agent for clinical application. / Tang, Ming Kuen. / "September 2007." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-08, Section: B, page: 4742. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 227-243). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

By means of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, overexpression of ZNF146 was detected in two human HCC cell lines HepG2 and Hep3B and a clear relationship between HCC and overexpression of ZNF146 has been established. Subcellular localization of ZNF146 protein in liver cells was studied by generation and expression of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein. The nuclear localization and the reported DNA binding ability of ZNF146 protein provided a hint that ZNF146 may carry out its function in the cell system by interacting with specific genomic DNA sequences. Recombinant ZNF146 protein was expressed using bacterial and yeast system for the genomic DNA pull down assay in the identification of potential interacting genomic DNA sequences. Several potential genomic DNA sequences that interact with ZNF146 were identified and the gene MDM2 is the one of the candidates that is directly related to human carcinogenesis. MDM2 is a negative regulator of the tumor suppresser protein p53. Deregulation of MDM2 will impair the cell's ability in cell cycle arrest, DNA repair and apoptosis upon induced DNA damage. / Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of primary malignant liver tumor. And is one of the most frequent malignancies worldwide. The focus of this research project is the characterization of a Kruppel zinc finger protein, zinc Finger Protein 146 (ZNF146) using HCC as a disease model. The aim of this project is to understand the functional role ZNF146 and try to explore the mechanism of how ZNF146 might be involved in the carcinogenesis of HCC. / In order to have a better understanding with the protein ZNF146, SUMOylation properties of this protein has been studied. SUMO1 modification on ZNF146 has already been reported. And in our study, experimental result demonstrated that ZNF146 is also modified by SUMO2 and SUMO3 in liver cells. Other than the SUMOylation sites for SUMO1 protein which has been reported, modification sites for SUMO2 at the K247 and K275 positions were mapped, while K191R, K219R, K247R, K256R and K275R, five positions were mapped for SUMO3 modification. A more complete picture of the SUMOylation properties of ZNF146 has been revealed. Since we hypothesized that ZNF146 is related to the p53 tumor suppressor, cell cycle control and DNA repair pathway, a cell cycle study using flow cytometry was performed for the investigation of the effect on cell cycle regulation by ZNF146 overexpression. In our study, ZNF146 overexpression promoted the G1/S transition in the cell division cycle, which indicated that liver cells were more active for the progression of cell cycle. / On the other hand, using cDNA microarray technology expression profiles of ZNF146 overexpressing and non-overexpressing liver cell lines were compared and with real-time polymerase chain reaction, six candidate genes CRLF1, IFI44, ST6GAL1, LOC441601, IL18 and RAD17 were confirmed with their deregulation induced by the overexpression of ZNF146. Four of the candidates, IFI44, LOC441601, IL18 and RAD17 were found to be related to the p53 tumor suppressor activity or DNA damage, repair response and control. This observation, together with the result of genomic DNA pull down assay, gives us a hint that ZNF146 is possibly involved in liver carcinogenesis by affecting DNA repair and cell cycle control upon induced DNA damage. / The gene ZNF146 codes for a member of the Kruppel zinc finger proteins, however ZNF146 protein is different from most members of the Kruppel zinc finger proteins subfamily. It encodes a 33 kDa protein solely composed of 10 zinc finger motifs and is devoid of any non-zinc finger regulatory domain for interactions with other proteins. ZNF146 overexpression has been reported in a number of cancers including colon cancer and pancreatic carcinoma. However, the functional role of ZNF146 overexpression in tumorigenesis is yet to be solved and not much research on how ZNF146 might be invovled in the establishment of HCC was published. / To conclude, the experimental results of this study support the hypothesis that ZNF146 overexpression may deregulating the cell division cycle and some genes differentially regulated upon over-expression of ZNF146 are related to the regulations of DNA damage response. Future research on ZNF146 can be focused on the detail regulatory pathway of ZNF146 overexpression and its interaction between the p53 tumor suppressor, DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation, and a fuller picture of how ZNF146 overexpression might induce hepatocarcinogenesis can be revealed. / Yeung, Tsz Lun. / Adviser: Miu Yee (Mary) Waye. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3329. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 287-304). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Wu Xiujuan. / "May 2004." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 294-314). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

INTRODUÇÃO: Enquanto a análise de sobrevida tradicional estima inadequadamente o prognóstico futuro dada alguma sobrevida inicial, a sobrevida condicional ajusta a sobrevida futura pela já observada, permitindo a compreensão da distribuição temporal do impacto dos preditores. OBJETIVOS: Estimar e analisar as sobrevidas global e livre de doença até o décimo ano pós-operatório; identificar preditores independentes destes desfechos; estimar e analisar as sobrevidas condicionais global e livre de doença de cinco anos dada a sobrevida até o quinto ano pós-operatório; analisar o comportamento dos preditores dos desfechos ao longo do tempo. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo envolvendo 13 centros brasileiros. Dados clínicos, radiológicos e anatomopatológicos foram considerados. Utilizou-se o método de Kaplan-Meier com o teste log-rank para comparar fatores e a regressão de Cox obteve a razão de riscos. A sobrevida condicional foi calculada a partir das tábuas de sobrevida e a diferença padronizada reavaliou as variáveis consideradas significativas. RESULTADOS: 1157 pacientes foram incluídos. A sobrevida global de 1, 3, 5, 7 e 10 anos foi 78,6%, 72,3%, 66,0%, 61,3% e 59,4%, respectivamente. Foram preditoras de sobrevida global: idade [HR 1,04 (IC 95% 1,02-1,06), p 0.000], sexo feminino [HR 1,35 (IC 95% 1,02-1,79), p 0.038], recidiva pós-operatória do CHC [HR 1,35 (IC 95% 1,08-1,79), p 0.003], diâmetro do maior nódulo viável no explante [HR 1,01 (IC95% 1,01-1,02), p 0.006], invasão vascular não discriminada [HR 3,18 (IC95% 1,48-6,85), p 0.004], invasão micro [HR 1,65 (IC 95% 1,27-2,15), p 0.001] e macrovascular [HR 2,25 (IC 95% 1,30-3,89), p 0.000]. A sobrevida condicional global de 5 anos ao final do 1°, 3° e 5° anos foi 79,5%, 82,2% e 90,0%, respectivamente. As variáveis preditoras na análise univariada tiveram comportamento errático ao longo do tempo. A sobrevida atuarial livre de doença em 1, 3, 5, 7 e 10 anos foi 94,2%, 90,1%, 89,8%, 87,5% e 87,5%, respectivamente. Foram preditoras de sobrevida livre de doença: nível sérico de alfa-fetoproteína no diagnóstico [HR 1,0 (IC 95% 1,01-1,02), p 0.000], CHC dentro do critério de Milão no diagnóstico [HR 0,42 (IC 95% 0,22-0,80), p 0.008], explante dentro do critério de Milão [HR 0,34 (IC 95% 0,17-0,68), p 0.002], explante com neoplasia pouco diferenciada ou hepatocolangiocarcinoma [HR 3,04 (IC 95% 1,75-5,30), p 0.000], invasão vascular não discriminada [HR 15,72 (IC 95% 3,44-71,83), p 0.000], invasão micro [HR 3,40 (IC 95% 1,83-6,28), p 0.000] e macrovascular [HR 11,96 (IC 95% 5,20-27,47), p 0.000]. A sobrevida condicional livre de doença de 5 anos ao final do 1°, 3° e 5° anos foi 94,1%, 97,1% e 97,4%, respectivamente. Variáveis preditoras na análise univariada em geral tem maior impacto no primeiro ou segundo ano. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados do transplante no Brasil foram comparáveis àqueles observados nos EUA e Europa. Considerando-se as perdas precoces, as curvas de sobrevida pelo método Kaplan-Meier foram pessimistas e a análise de sobrevida condicional fornece outra perspectiva para estes dados. O comportamento das variáveis determinantes de prognóstico não é uniforme ao longo do tempo / INTRODUCTION: Traditional survival analysis provides inadequate estimates of the future prognosis for patients with accrued survival. Conversely, conditional survival adjusts future survival by the already accrued survival. It provides insights into the temporal distribution of the effect of predictors. OBJECTIVES: To estimate and to analyse overall and disease free survival until the 10th post-operative year; to identify independent predictors of these outcomes; to estimate and to analyse 5-year overall and disease free conditional survival until the 5th post-operative year; to analyse the behaviour of the predictors of outcomes during follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective cohort from 13 Brazilian transplantation centers. Clinical, radiological, and anatomopathological data were considered. The Kaplan-Meier method with the longrank test for the comparison of factors was applied and the Cox proportional hazards model provided the hazard ratios. Conditional survival was calculated through life tables, while differences between significative variables were reassessed by the standardized difference. RESULTS: 1157 patients were included. Overall survival in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years was 78.6%, 72.3%, 66.0%, 61.3%, and 59.4%, respectively. 350 (30.3%) deaths were observed, 240 (68.6%) in the 1st year. Overall survival was independently predicted by age [HR 1.04 (95% CI 1.02-1.06), p 0.000], female sex [HR 1.35 (95% CI 1.02-1.79), p 0.038], post-operative HCC recurrence [HR 1.35 (95% CI 1.08-1.79), p 0.003], diameter of the largest viable nodule on the explant [HR 1.01 (95% CI 1.01-1.02), p 0.006], non-discriminated vascular invasion [HR 3.18 (95% CI 1.48-6.85), p 0.004], micro [HR 1.65 (95% CI 1.27-2.15), p 0.001] and macrovascular invasion [HR 2.25 (95% CI 1.30-3.89), p 0.000]. 5-year overall conditional survival at the end of the 1st, 3rd and 5th post-operative years was 79.5%, 82.2%, and 90.0%, respectively. Predictors of overall survival identified on univariate analysis presented an erratic behaviour over time. Disease free survival in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years was 94.2%, 90.1%, 89.8%, 87.5%, and 87.5%, respectively. 97 (8.4%) reccurrences occurred. Disease free survival was independently predicted by serum alpha-fetoprotein upon diagnosis [HR 1.0 (95% CI 1.01-1.02), p 0.000], HCC within the Milan criteria upon diagnosis [HR 0.42 (95% CI 0.22-0.80), p 0.008], explant within the Milan criteria [HR 0.34 (95% CI 0.17-0.68), p 0.002], undifferentiated tumor or hepatocholangiocarcinoma on the explant [HR 3.04 (95% CI 1.75-5.30), p 0.000], non-discriminated vascular invasion [HR 15.72 (95% CI 3.44-71.83), p 0.000], micro [HR 3.40 (95% CI 1.83-6.28), p 0.000], and macrovascular invasion [HR 11.96 (95% CI 5.20-27.47), p 0.000]. 5-year disease free conditional survival at the end of the 1st, 3rd and 5th post-operative years was 94.1%, 97.1%, and 97.4%, respectively. Predictors of recurrence on the univariate analysis usually presented with greater impact during the 1st or 2nd post-operative year. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of liver transplantation in Brazil were comparable to those from the US and Europe. Survival estimates through the Kaplan-Meier method were pessimistic due to greater early losses. Conditional survival offers a different perspective for the same data. The behaviour of predictive values varies over time

Leung, Jackie. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-131). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 論文摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / List of publications --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.vi / Table of Contents --- p.ix / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Liver cancer --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1. --- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2. --- Lung Cancer --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3. --- Pteris semipinnata L --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4. --- Extract of PsL: 5F --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5. --- Animal models in chemotherapy researches --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.1. --- Model of HCC --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.2. --- Model of lung cancer --- p.15 / Chapter 1.6. --- Apoptosis: Significance of programmed cell death --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6.1. --- The extrinsic pathway --- p.18 / Chapter 1.6.2. --- The intrinsic pathway --- p.19 / Chapter 1.7. --- Apoptotic molecules related to this study --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7.1. --- Bcl-2 family --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7.1.1. --- Bax --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7.1.2. --- Bcl-2 --- p.23 / Chapter 1.7.2. --- Nuclear factor kappa B --- p.25 / Chapter 1.7.3. --- Inducible nitric oxide synthase --- p.27 / Chapter 1.8. --- Side-effects of chemotherapy --- p.29 / Chapter 1.8.1. --- Chemotherapy and liver dysfunction --- p.30 / Chapter 1.8.2. --- Nephrotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents --- p.31 / Chapter 1.9. --- Aim of study --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Materials and Methodology --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1. --- Animals --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.1. --- HCC model --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.2. --- Lung cancer model --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2. --- Tumors induction --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- HCC induction in C3H/HeJ mice --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Lung cancer induction in A/J mice --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3. --- 5F preparation --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4. --- 5F treatment --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5. --- Harvest of samples and tissues --- p.41 / Chapter 2.6. --- Tumor assessment --- p.43 / Chapter 2.7. --- Investigation of apoptosis and cell proliferation --- p.44 / Chapter 2.8. --- Immunohistochemistry --- p.47 / Chapter 2.9. --- Biochemical test --- p.51 / Chapter 2.9.1. --- Liver Function Tests (LFT) --- p.52 / Chapter 2.9.1.1. --- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) & Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) --- p.52 / Chapter 2.9.2. --- Renal Function Test (RFT) --- p.53 / Chapter 2.9.2.1. --- Serum creatinine level (CRE) --- p.53 / Chapter 2.9.2.2. --- Blood Urea Nitrogen index (BUN) --- p.54 / Chapter 2.10. --- Statistical analysis --- p.55 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results --- p.56 / Chapter 3.1. --- Anti-tumor effect of 5F is dose- dependent --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2. --- 5F reduces cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in-vivo --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3. --- Effects of 5F on apoptotic signaling molecules --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- 5F up-regulates pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- 5F down-regulates anti-apoptotic NF-kappa B and Bcl-2 --- p.76 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- 5F up-regulated iNOS in HCC but not in lung cancer --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3.4. --- Regulation on Erk1/2 was associated with treatment of 5F --- p.93 / Chapter 3.4. --- Side-effect studies of 5F --- p.97 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Discussion --- p.105 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Conclusion --- p.116 / Bibliography --- p.117

Chau, Kin Fan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-119). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.II / 摘要 --- p.VI / Acknowledgements --- p.IX / List of figures --- p.X / List of Abbreviations --- p.XII / Table of Contents --- p.XV / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Incidence and etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Structure of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Hepatitis B X protein (HBx) and HCC --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- HBx and Apoptosis --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5 --- The role of Bcl-2 family in apoptosis and cell survival --- p.10 / Chapter 1.6 --- "Bid, the BH3-domain only protein" --- p.14 / Chapter 1.7 --- Dual Functions of Bid --- p.16 / Chapter 1.8 --- The relationship between Bid and HBx --- p.19 / Chapter 1.9 --- Hypoxia and HCC --- p.21 / Chapter 1.10 --- Hypoxia and HBx --- p.25 / Chapter 1.11 --- Hypoxia and Bid --- p.28 / Chapter 1.12 --- Aim of study --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Methods and materials / Chapter 2.1 --- Confirmation of the culture of the stable cell lines --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2 --- Doxorubicin treatment to the cell lines --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3 --- Culture of the cell lines under hypoxic conditions --- p.35 / Chapter 2.4 --- Protein sample preparations --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5 --- Determination of protein samples --- p.38 / Chapter 2.6 --- Sodium dodecyl sulfate 226}0ؤ polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS- PAGE) --- p.39 / Chapter 2.7 --- Transfer of protein to nitrocellulose membranes --- p.39 / Chapter 2.8 --- Western blot analysis of proteins --- p.41 / Chapter 2.8.1. --- Antibodies --- p.41 / Chapter 2.8.2. --- Determination of expression profiles of desired proteins by immunoblotting --- p.45 / Chapter 2.9 --- "Measurement of cell viability by MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay" --- p.46 / Chapter 2.10 --- Determination of cell proliferation by BrdU proliferation assay --- p.47 / Chapter 2.11 --- Detection of apoptosis of the cell lines by TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling) --- p.50 / Chapter 2.12 --- Determination of the involvement of p38 MAPK in the generation of truncated Bid by p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 --- p.52 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Confirmation of plasmids and the stable cell lines --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2 --- Morphology and the basic parameters of the cells with full-length HBx or mutant HBx --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3 --- Cell viability under doxorubicin treatment with or without hypoxia --- p.59 / Chapter 3.4 --- Determination of cell proliferation under stress --- p.70 / Chapter 3.5 --- Expression profiles of various proteins in the stable cell lines under doxorubicin treatment with or without hypoxia --- p.74 / Chapter 3.5.1. --- Verification of hypoxia --- p.74 / Chapter 3.5.2. --- Pro-apoptotic proteins --- p.74 / Chapter 3.5.3. --- Anti-apoptotic proteins --- p.74 / Chapter 3.6 --- Determination of apoptosis of various cell lines under stress --- p.82 / Chapter 3.7 --- "p38 MAPK, but not Akt, was activated by doxorubicin" --- p.87 / Chapter 3.8 --- The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 could attenuate the cleavage of Bid --- p.89 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Discussion --- p.92 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Conclusion and future prospective --- p.103 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- References --- p.106