A patogênese da Fibrose Pulmonar Idiopática (FPI/PIU), doença fibroproliferativa crônica, é caracterizada por um processo de reparação anormal com acentuada deposição de matriz extra celular. Neste contexto, a importância das alterações vasculares na evolução da FPI/PIU permanece controversa.O presente estudo objetiva quantificar as alterações histopatológicas da macro e microcirculação pulmonar na FPI/PIU e seu valor prognóstico. Foram avaliados retrospectivamente as biópsias pulmonares e a sobrevida de 36 pacientes com FPI/PIU. Na biópsia pulmonar, as lesões do parênquima foram analisadas através da quantificação do grau de atividade fibrogênica (leve, moderado e acentuado). A quantificação das alterações vasculares foi feita isoladamente nas áreas normais, de colapso alveolar e de fibrose mural organizante. A macrocirculação foi estudada através da análise semiquantitativa das artérias pré acinares quanto ao grau de lesão vascular, grau de oclusão e da espessura da parede do vaso, e quantificação de fibras elásticas e de colágeno vasculares. No estudo da microcirculação, os capilares foram analisados quanto a densidade capilar, através de imunomarcador endotelial (CD34), e a disfunção endotelial, através do aumento da expressão de moléculas de adesão (VCAM1, ICAM1, E-Selectina). As biópsias de 5 pulmões normais foram utilizadas como controles. À análise da macrocirculação, quanto maior o grau de atividade fibrogênica, mais acentuado foi o grau de lesão vascular (p=0,007), da espessura (p<0,05) e da quantificação de fibras de colágeno (p<0,001) e elástica (p=0,002) vasculares. Quanto à microcirculação, a densidade microvascular (CD34) nas áreas de pulmão normal (p<0,001) e colapso alveolar (p<0,01) foram maiores que no grupo controle. Pacientes com atividade fibrogênica leve (p=0,2) e moderada (p=0,08) apresentaram tendência a aumento da densidade vascular nas áreas normais comparados aos pacientes com atividade fibrogênica acentuada. A disfunção endoletial (VCAM1, ICAM1 e E-selectina) foi maior em pacientes com FPI/PIU que em controles normais (p<0,05), e ocorreu, principalmente, nas áreas de fibrose mural organizante. A disfunção endotelial (VCAM1+) nas áreas normais aumentou conforme maior o grau de atividade fibrogênica (p=0,01). Pacientes com maior quantificação de fibras de colágeno e elástica na parede do vaso (p=0,04; p=0,03; Teste Log Rank) e maior disfunção endotelial (VCAM1+) nas áreas fibrose mural organizante (p=0,027) apresentaram menor sobrevida. A maior densidade microvascular nas áreas não fibróticas correlacionou-se com sobrevida maior (p=0,04). Observamos a existência de remodelamento vascular na macro e microcirculação pulmonar dos pacientes com fibrose pulmonar idiopática que ocorre de maneira heterogênea e paralela ao remodelamento parenquimatoso. Essas alterações correlacionam-se com a sobrevida, permitindo formular uma hipótese de participação dos eventos vasculares na patogênese da FPI/UIP / The Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF/UIP), a chronic fibroproliferative disease, is characterized by a process of impaired wound healing with extracellular matrix deposition. In this context, the importance of the vascular alterations in the evolution of IPF/UIP remains controversial. The present study aims to quantify the histopatological alterations in the pulmonary macro and microcirculation in IPF/UIP and their prognostic value. Pulmonary biopsies and the survival of 36 patients with IPF/UIP were evaluated retrospectivately. In the pulmonary biopsy, the parenchyma remodeling was analyzed through the quantification of the fibrogenic activity level (minimal, moderate and severe). The quantification of the vascular alterations was done isolately in the normal, alveolar collapsed and mural-organizing fibrosing areas. The macrocirculation was studied through the semiquantitative analysis of pre acinar artery, according to the degree of vascular lesion, occlusion and thickness of the vessel wall, and quantification of vascular collagen and elastic deposition. Microcirculation analysis was performed measuring capillary density (CD34), and endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1, ICAM1, E-Selectina). The biopsies of 5 normal lungs were used as control. Macrocirculation analysis showed that degree of fibrogenic activity directly correlated with: degree of vascular lesion (p=0,007), thickness of vessel wall (p<0,05) and quantification of vascular collagen (p<0,001) and elastic fibers (p=0,002). Regarding microcirculation, the capillary vascular density (CD34) in normal (p<0,001) and alveolar collapsed (p<0,01) areas were higher than control group. Patients with minimal (p=0,2) and moderate (p=0,08) fibrogenic activity had a tendency to higher vascular density in normal areas compared to patients with severe fibrogenic activity. The endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1, ICAM1, E-selectina) was more intense in patients with IPF/PIU than normal controls (p<0,05), and it occurred, mainly, in mural-organizing fibrosing areas. In normal areas, endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1+) correlated with the degree of fibrogenic activity (p=0,01). Shorter survival correlated with collagen and elastic fibers deposition in wall vessels (p=0,04; p=0,03 Test Log Rank) and endothelial dysfunction (VCAM1+) in mural-organizing fibrosing areas (p=0,027), while microvascular density in non-fibrotic areas was related to longer survival (p=0,04). We observed the presence of vascular remodeling in pulmonary macro and microcirculation of IPF patients, which occurs in a heterogeneous and parallel way with parenchyma remodeling. These alterations were related to survival, enabling us to formulate a hypothesis of the participation of vascular events on IPF pathogenesis

The mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell. Therefore, it is critical to the homeostasis of the cell that populations of mitochondria that are damaged or in excess are degraded. The process of targeted elimination of damaged or excess mitochondria by autophagy is called mitophagy. In this report, analysis of the mitophagy regulators PINK1/PARKIN and BNIP3L and their roles are assessed in the lens. PARKIN, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, has been shown to play a role in directing damaged mitochondria for degradation. While BNIP3L, an outer mitochondrial membrane protein, increases in expression in response to excess mitochondria and organelle degradation during cellular differentiation. We have shown that PARKIN is both induced and translocates from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria in human epithelial lens cells upon oxidative stress exposure. In addition, our findings also show that overexpression of BNIP3L causes premature clearance of mitochondria and other organelles, while loss of BNIP3L results in lack of clearance. Prior to this work, PARKIN mediated mitophagy had not been shown to act as a protective cellular response to oxidative stress in the lens. This project also resulted in the novel finding that BNIP3L-mediated mitophagy mechanisms are required for targeted organelle degradation in the lens. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015 / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

by Rebecca McGreal. / Vita. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web. / The central premise of this dissertation is that the small heat shock protein (sHSP), (Sa(BB-crystallin is essential for lens and retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cell function and oxidative stress defense. To date, the mechanism by which it confers protection is not known. We hypothesize that these functions could occur through its ability to protect mitochondrial function in lens and RPE cells. To test this hypothesis, we examined the expression of (Sa(BB-crystallin/sHSP in lens and RPE cells, we observed its localization in the cells, we examined translocation to the mitochondria in these cells upon oxidative stress treatment, we determined its ability to form complexes with and protect cytochrome c (cyt c) against damage, and we observed its ability to preserve mitochondrial function under oxidative stress conditions in lens and RPE cells. In addition to these studies, we examined the effect of mutations of (Sa(BB-crystallin/sHSP on its cellular localization and translocation patterns under oxidative stress, its in vivo and in vitro chaperone activity, and its ability to protect cyt c against oxidation. Our data demonstrated that (Sa(BB-crystallin/sHSP is expressed at high levels in the mitochondria of lens and RPE cells and specifically translocates to the mitochondria under oxidative stress conditions. We demonstrate that (Sa(BB-crystallin/sHSP complexes with cyt c and protects it against oxidative inactivation. Finally, we demonstrate that (Sa(BB-crystallin/sHSP directly protects mitochondria against oxidative inactivation in lens and RPE cells. Since oxidative stress is a key component of lens cataract formation and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), these data provide a new paradigm for understanding the etiology of these diseases.

The function and role of PAK6, serine/threonone kinase, in cancer progressionhas not yet been clearly identified. Several studies reveal that PAK6 may participate in key changes contributing to cancer progression such as cell survival, cell motility, and invasiveness. Basedon the membrane localization of PAK6 in prostate and breast cancer cells,we speculated that PAK6 plays a rolein cancer progression cells by localizing on the membrane and modifying proteins linked to motility and proliferation. We isolated the raft domain of breast cancer cells expressing either wild type (WT), constitutively active (SN), or kinase dead PAK6 (KM) and found that PAK6 is a membrane associated kinase which translocates from the plasma membrane to the cytosol when activated. The downstream effects of PAK6 are unknown ; however, results from cell proliferation assays suggest a growth regulatory mechanism. / by JoAnn Roberts. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Determinamos o comportamento destes mediadores em pacientes com insuficiência aórtica crônica importante ( IAo ). Materal e métodos:Analisamos 89 portadores de Insuficiência Aórtica crônica importante, média etária de 33,6±11,5 anos, 84,6% sexo masculino, 60% assintomáticos, todos de etiologia reumática . Os pacientes foram submetidos a avaliação clínica e ecocardiográfica. Os valores médios foram: diâmetro diastólico (DD ) do ventrículo esquerdo ( VE ) de 71,9±8,3mm e o diâmetro sistólico ( DS ) do VE de 50,4±9,3mm, e a fração de ejeção ( FE ) do VE de 0,64±0,11. Realizamos a dosagem de Fator de Necrose Tumoral ( TNF ), seus receptores solúveis tipo I e II ( sTNFRI e sTNFR II ) , Interleucina-6 ( IL-6 ), seu receptor ( IL-6R), interleucina 1-beta ( IL-1beta ) , seu antagonista ( IL1-RA ) e endotelina-1 ( ET-1 ). Comparamos com níveis séricos de controles saudáveis. Conjuntamenete analisamos o polimorfismo genético do gene do TNF, localizado a -308 pares de bases do sítio de iniciação. Resultados: Os níveis séricos de TNF forma significativamente maiores em pacientes com IAo do que em controles normais ( 92,65±110,24 pg/ml contra 1,67±1,21 em controles normais, p < 0,001 ). Tiveram comportamentos similares os níveis séricos de sTNFRI ( 894,75±348,87pg/ml vs 521,42±395.13pg/ml em controles, p=0,007 ) e IL-6 ( 7,17±7,78pg/ml vs 0,81±0,38pg/ml, p=0,0001 ). Observamos correlação significativa entre níveis de sTNFRII e DDVE ( r=-0,329, p=0,038 ) e DSVE ( r=-0,352, p=0,027). Não observamos relação de níveis séricos de citocinas com sintomas. As outras citocinas não guardaram relação com parâmetros de gometria e função ventricular. A presença do alelo 2 do polimorfismo genético do TNF associou-se a paciente assintomáticos com IAo. Conclusão: Demonstramos níveis elevados de citocinas proinflamatórias em pacientes com IAo em relação a controles normais. Os níveis de sTNFRII diminuem com o aumento dos diâmetros ventriculares. A presença do alelo 2 do polimorfismo -308 do TNF associa-se a pacientes assintomáticos com IAo / Background - Proinflamatory cytokines are implied in the phisiopatology of heart failure secoundary to ischaemic or idiophatic dilated cardiomiopathy, but there are few studies regarding these mediators in valular heart disease. We determined the behaivour of proinflamatory cytokines and their antagonists in patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation ( IAo ) Methods - We analised 89 patients with IAo mean age 33.6±11.5 years, 84.6% male, 60% asymptomatic, all of rheumatic etiology. Patients were evaluated clinnicaly and by echocardiography. Mean values were : left ventricular ( LV ) diastolic diameter ( DD ) 71.9±8.3mm, LV systolic diameter ( SD ) 50.4±9.3mm and ejection fraction 0.64±0.11. We made the plasma dosages of tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF ), its soluble receptors type I and II ( sTNFRI and sTNFR II ) , Interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) and its receptor ( IL-6R ), Interleukin 1-beta ( IL-1beta ) , its antagonist ( IL1-RA ) and endothelin-1 ( ET-1 ). Plasma levels were compared to healthy controls. We also analysed the TNF gene polimorphism, located at - 308 base pairs from the initation site. Results - Plasma TNF levels were significantly increased in IAo patients in telation to normal controls (92.65±110.24 pg/ml vs 1.67±1.21 pg/ml in controls, p < 0.001 ). Similar behaivour was observed with IL-6 (7.17±7.78pg/ml in IAo patients vs 0,81±0,38pg/ml in controls , p=0.0001 ) and sTNFRI (894.75±348.87pg/ml vs 521.42±395.13pg/ml in controls, p=0,007 ). We observed and significant relation between sTNFRII levels and LVDD ( r=-0,329, p=0,038 ) e LVSD ( r=-0,352, p=0,027). Levels of cytokines were similar in asymptomatic and sympromatic patients and the other cytokines had no relation to ventricular diameters or function. Presence of the alele 2 of the -308 TNF polimorphism was associated to asymptomatic patients. Conclusion - We showed increased plasma levels of proinflamatory cytokines in patients with IAo in relation to normal controls. There was an decrease of sTNFRII levels with increase in ventricular diameters. The presence of the alele 2 of the -308 TNF polimorphism was associated to asymtomatic patients

INTRODUÇÃO: O edema peritumoral (EP) está presente em aproximadamente 60% dos meningiomas. Os fatores responsáveis pela formação do edema e sua importância clínica permanecem como foco de discussão. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a correlação entre a presença de edema com características clínicas, cirúrgicas, radiológicas e recorrência tumoral. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 61 pacientes portadores de meningiomas benignos submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico pelo Grupo de Tumores Encefálicos e Metástases do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Foram incluídos no estudo os portadores de meningiomas benignos submetidos a ressecção tumoral completa (Simpson 1 e 2). Foram excluídos pacientes portadores de meningiomas malignos ou atípicos e aqueles localizados em tubérculo selar, seio cavernoso, forame magno, intraventriculares e região petroclival. RESULTADOS: Encontramos correlação entre as maiores medidas de edema peritumoral e recorrência tumoral (p = 0,042) e tumores com margens irregulares (p < 0,011) na análise bivariada. Além disso, os pacientes que apresentaram maiores volumes tumorais apresentaram maiores medidas de edema (p = 0,035) e nos pacientes com menores medidas de edema a localização tentorial foi mais freqüente (p = 0,032). Verificamos que ao estudo de regressão logística, o EP apresenta correlação com tumores maiores que 40 cm3 (Odds ratio=15,977), crises convulsivas (Odds ratio=3,469) e para cada cm3 acrescida ao tamanho tumoral o risco de edema cresce 1,082 vez (Odds ratio). CONCLUSÕES: Considerando os resultados obtidos, o EP esteve associado a maior recorrência tumoral, tumores multilobulados, grandes e a presença de crises convulsivas. A localização tentorial mostrou-se como um fator protetor ao EP. O EP pode estar associado a um potencial invasivo aumentado em meningiomas. Desta forma, o seu estudo aprofundado poderá trazer dados adicionais para o esclarecimento dos mecanismos de formação dos meningiomas e de seu comportamento biológico levando ao melhor manejo clínico dos pacientes. / INTRODUCTION: Approximately 60% of meningiomas are associated with peritumoral edema.Various causative factors have been discussed in the literature. PURPOSES: Investigate the correlation of peritumoral edema with clinical, radiological and surgical aspects, and recurrence rate of meningiomas. METHODS: Sixty one benign meningiomas submitted to surgical treatment by the Group of Brain Tumors and Metastasis of the Division of Neurosurgery of the Hospital das Clínicas of São Paulo Medical School of São Paulo University. All patients underwent complete surgical ressection (Simpson 1 and 2) and were excluded the atypical and malignant hystopathological grades. The tumors located in the cavernous sinus, tuberculum sellae region, foramen magnum region, ventricular space and petroclival region were excluded. RESULTS: Edema extention had a positive correlation with the higher recurrence rates (p = 0,042) and with the presence of irregular margins (p < 0,011) on bivariate analysis. Meningiomas with greater edema sizes also showed correlation with large meningiomas (p = 0,035) and the ones with smaller edema sizes correlated with the tentorial location (p=0,032). Multivariate analysis showed an association between peritumoral brain edema and the presence of seizures (Odds ratio=3,469), large meningiomas (Odds ratio=15,977), and for each cubic centimeter added to its size, the risk of edema increased 1,082 times (Odds ratio). CONCLUSION: Peritumoral brain edema correlated with recurrence, irregular margins, seizures and larger tumors. The tentorial location demonstrated smaller edema sizes. Peritumoral brain edema may be related to meningioma\'s invading potentiality and may play a role in the recurrence pontential of the tumor. As a consequence, it\'s reasonable to consider edema\'s presence as an additional factor to be taken into account when arranging layout of strategies for meningiomas treatment.

Li, Martin. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-208). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

by Chan Wing-Wah, Anita. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-55). / LIST OF TABLES / LIST OF FIGURES / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS / ABSTRACT / Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- General functions of copper --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Absorption and hepatic metabolism of copper --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Distribution of copper among components of human serum --- p.2 / Chapter 1.4 --- Plasma copper concentration in disease --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Patients with various tumours --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Patients with gynaecological tumours --- p.4 / Chapter 1.5 --- Serum caeruloplasmin concentration in various malignancies --- p.5 / Chapter 1.6 --- Aim of the study --- p.6 / Chapter 1.7 --- Introduction to some laboratory methods --- p.7 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry --- p.7 / Chapter 1.7.2 --- Electrothermal (flameless) atomic absorption spectrophotometry --- p.7 / Chapter 1.7.3 --- Separation of the non-protein bound (free) copper --- p.8 / Chapter CHAPTER 2. --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of the ultrafiltrate --- p.12 / Chapter i. --- Ultrafiltration --- p.12 / Chapter ii. --- Determination of protein in the ultrafiltrate --- p.12 / Chapter iii. --- Verification for copper binding property of the YMT membranes --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Establishment of the method for the determination of copper by the graphite furnace atomic absorption --- p.13 / Chapter i. --- Parameters --- p.13 / Chapter ii. --- Method evaluation --- p.13 / Chapter a. --- Precision: within-run precision between-day precision --- p.13 / Chapter b. --- Recovery --- p.15 / Chapter c. --- Linearity --- p.15 / Chapter d. --- Detection limit --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Determination of ultrafiltrable copper concentration --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Effect of storage --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Comparison between healthy male and female subjects --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Determination of serum total copper and caeruloplasmin --- p.17 / Chapter i. --- Determination of total copper --- p.17 / Chapter ii. --- Determination of caeruloplasmin --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3 --- Blood specimens --- p.18 / Chapter 2.4 --- Patient samples --- p.18 / Chapter 2.5 --- Control subjects --- p.18 / Chapter 2.6 --- Statistics --- p.19 / Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- RESULTS --- p.20 / Chapter 3.1 --- Some experimental studies about the YMT membranes --- p.20 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Membrane leakage --- p.20 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Verification for copper binding property of the YMT membranes --- p.20 / Chapter 3.2 --- Method evaluation --- p.20 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Standard addition --- p.20 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Precision --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Recovery --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Linearity --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Detection limit --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Effect of storage of specimens --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Comparison between healthy male and female subjects --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3 --- "Results of ultrafiltrable (free) copper, total copper and caeruloplasmin" --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- "Serum total copper, caeruloplasmin and ultrafiltrable (free) copper in patients with gynaecological malignancies and control subjects" --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- "Relationship between total copper, caerulo- plasmin and ultrafiltrable (free) copper concentration" --- p.35 / Chapter 3.4 --- "Results of ultrafiltrable (free) copper, total copper and caeruloplasmin versus FIGO stage" --- p.41 / Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- DISCUSSION --- p.45 / Chapter 4.1 --- About the ultrafiltration --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2 --- Validation of the method performance --- p.46 / Chapter 4.3 --- "Discussion on ultrafiltrable (free) copper, total copper and caeruloplasmin concentration in patients with gynaecological malignancies" --- p.48 / REFERENCE --- p.51

Wong Yin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [110]-126). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.VI / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.X / GLOSSARY --- p.XI / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Sudden infant death syndrome --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Definition --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Epidemiology of sudden infant death syndrome --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Pathologic findings --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Theories of causation --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Associations of SIDS with temperature and hyperthermia --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.6 --- Associations of sudden infant death syndrome with infection --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.7 --- Association of sudden infant death syndrome with sleep state --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2 --- Overview of cytokines --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Definition --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Classification of cytokines --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Biological activities --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Cytokines and temperature --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Cytokines and infection --- p.22 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- Cytokines and smoking --- p.23 / Chapter 1.2.7 --- Cytokines and sleep/arousal --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3 --- Hypothesis and aims of the study --- p.27 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1 --- Overview of methods in piglet experiments --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2 --- Pilot study design --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Study Groups --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Temperature controller --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- PowerLab system --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Experimental set up --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Provisional ethical approval --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3 --- Problems and results of pilot experiments --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- What is baseline body temperature of neonatal rat? --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- What type of anaesthesic agent to use? --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- What dose of ketamine to use? --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Dilution of ketamine --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Temperature calibration --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- What is optimal neonatal rat age to use? --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Which method of blood collection to use? --- p.45 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- What method to raise body temperature? --- p.47 / Chapter 2.3.9 --- Summary results --- p.48 / Chapter 2.4 --- Final study design --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Study animal --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Final Study Groups --- p.50 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Final ethical approval --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Muramyl dipeptide --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Recalibration of Temperature Controller --- p.57 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Data collection --- p.58 / Chapter 2.4.7 --- Blood collection and Storage --- p.58 / Chapter 2.4.8 --- Study timetable --- p.59 / Chapter 2.5 --- Cytokines analysis --- p.59 / Chapter 2.5.1. --- Methods of Quantitative Enzyme Immunoassay --- p.59 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Base theories of Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) --- p.60 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Procedure for cytokines assay --- p.61 / Chapter 2.6 --- Histology --- p.65 / Chapter 2.6.1. --- Macroscopic --- p.65 / Chapter 2.6.2. --- Microscopic --- p.65 / Chapter 2.7 --- Data handling and statistical analysis --- p.66 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESULTS --- p.67 / Chapter 3.1 --- Group (body weight) characteristics --- p.67 / Chapter 3.2 --- Serum concentration of IL- 6，IL-1 β --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3 --- Temperature --- p.78 / Chapter 3.4 --- Mortality rate --- p.80 / Chapter 3.5 --- Cardio-respiratory parameters --- p.85 / Chapter 3.6 --- Macroscopic findings at postmortem --- p.87 / Chapter 3.7 --- Histology --- p.91 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.96 / Chapter 4.1 --- Study Model --- p.96 / Chapter 4.11 --- Core temperature of newborn rat --- p.95 / Chapter 4.12 --- Temperature calibration --- p.97 / Chapter 4.13 --- Respiratory and pulse rate measurements --- p.93 / Chapter 4.14 --- Measurement of sleep state --- p.99 / Chapter 4.2 --- Animal age and weight --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3 --- Cytokines response to heating --- p.101 / Chapter 4.4 --- Cytokine response to MDP --- p.104 / Chapter 4.5 --- "Hyperthermia, MDP and mortality" --- p.106 / Chapter 4.6 --- Further study --- p.107 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- CONCLUSION --- p.109 / Chapter 5.1 --- Small animal model of hyperthermia --- p.109 / Chapter 5.2 --- Hyperthermia and MDP elicit cytokine response --- p.109 / Chapter 5.3 --- Hyperthermia and MDP increase mortality rate --- p.109 / REFERENCES --- p.110 / APPENDICES --- p.A / Appendix 1: Experimental record --- p.A / Appendix 2 : Planned Study Timetable --- p.C / Appendix 3: PowerLab System --- p.E

Chan Chi-keung. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-107). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x / Chapter 1. --- Literature Review --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Oncogenic anatomy of the prostate gland --- p.1 / Chapter 1.3 --- Characteristics of prostate cancer --- p.7 / Chapter 1.4 --- Incidences of prostate cancer --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5 --- Risk factors for prostate cancer --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Endogenous risk factors --- p.14 / Chapter (A) --- Age --- p.14 / Chapter (B) --- Race --- p.16 / Chapter (C) --- Family history --- p.21 / Chapter (D) --- Hormonal factors --- p.24 / Chapter (I) --- Androgen --- p.24 / Chapter (II) --- Vitamin D --- p.32 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Exogenous risk factors --- p.41 / Chapter (A) --- Dietary factors --- p.41 / Chapter (B) --- Body Mass Index & physical condition --- p.44 / Chapter (C) --- Occupation --- p.46 / Chapter (D) --- Vasectomy --- p.47 / Chapter (E) --- Others --- p.48 / Chapter 2. --- Introduction to the project --- p.49 / Chapter 3. --- Objectives --- p.50 / Chapter 4. --- Materials and Methods --- p.51 / Chapter 4.1 --- Prostate cancer cases --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2 --- Controls --- p.52 / Chapter (A) --- Benign prostatic hyperplasia --- p.52 / Chapter (B) --- Population control --- p.52 / Chapter 4.3 --- DNA extraction --- p.53 / Chapter 4.4 --- Amplification of target DNA --- p.54 / Chapter 4.5 --- Allele typing --- p.55 / Chapter 4.6 --- Statistical analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 5. --- Results --- p.60 / Chapter 5.1 --- Optimization of DNA extraction --- p.60 / Chapter 5.2 --- Optimization of PCR condition --- p.61 / Chapter 5.3 --- Allele typing --- p.65 / Chapter 5.4 --- Characteristics of subjects samples --- p.68 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Age of subjects and tumor grading --- p.68 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Genotype typing --- p.69 / Chapter (A) --- Bsm genotype --- p.69 / Chapter (B) --- Fok genotype --- p.69 / Chapter 6. --- Discussions --- p.73 / Chapter 6.1 --- Technical issues --- p.73 / Chapter (A) --- DNA extraction --- p.73 / Chapter (B) --- Primer design --- p.76 / Chapter (C) --- Determination of the optimal PCR condition --- p.77 / Chapter (D) --- Restriction enzyme digestion --- p.82 / Chapter 6.2 --- Age distribution of prostate cancer patients --- p.83 / Chapter 6.3 --- Genotype frequency --- p.84 / Chapter 6.4 --- Histopathological samples of case and control --- p.87 / Chapter 6.5 --- Vitamin D receptor genotypes and prostate cancer --- p.89 / Chapter 7. --- Conclusions --- p.92 / Chapter 8. --- References --- p.93