by Choi Kim Ming, Arthur. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-91). / Abstract also in Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / CONTENTS --- p.ii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.v / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vi / SUMMARY --- p.viii / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Brief Review on Nephrolithiasis --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Mechanism of nephrolithiasis --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2 --- Biochemical states leading to nephrolithiasis --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3 --- Inhibitors of nephrolithiasis --- p.10 / Chapter 3. --- Biochemistry of Citrate --- p.13 / Chapter 3.1 --- Basic aspects --- p.13 / Chapter 3.2 --- The role of kidney in citrate metabolism --- p.14 / Chapter 3.3 --- The role of kidney in citrate excretion --- p.17 / Chapter 3.4 --- Altered urinary citrate excretion --- p.18 / Chapter 4. --- Hypocitraturia as a Risk Factor of Nephrolithiasis --- p.21 / Chapter 4.1 --- Experimental and clinical evidence on the role of citrate as a stone inhibitor --- p.21 / Chapter 4.2 --- Mechanism of the inhibitory activity of citrate against nephrolithiasis --- p.22 / Chapter 4.3 --- Clinical conditions associated with hypocitraturiain nephrolithiasis --- p.22 / Chapter 5. --- Analytical Methods for Urinary Citrate Assays --- p.27 / Chapter 5.1 --- Enzyme-spectrophotometric methods --- p.27 / Chapter 5.2 --- High performance ion chromatography --- p.30 / Chapter 5.3 --- Capillary electrophoresis and indirect ultraviolet absorbance detection --- p.31 / Chapter 5.4 --- Comparison on the analytical methods --- p.32 / Chapter 6. --- Quantitation of Urinary Citrate --- p.35 / Chapter 6.1 --- Principle of the assay --- p.35 / Chapter 6.2 --- Instrumentation --- p.35 / Chapter 6.3 --- Preparation of reagents and standards --- p.37 / Chapter 6.4 --- Specimen collection & storage --- p.41 / Chapter 6.5 --- Sample preparation --- p.42 / Chapter 6.6 --- Assay protocol for urinary citrate --- p.43 / Chapter 6.7 --- Factors affecting the assay performance --- p.45 / Chapter 6.8 --- Evaluation of urine citrate assay --- p.45 / Chapter 7. --- Results of Evaluation of the Urine Citrate Assay --- p.50 / Chapter 7.1 --- Calibration --- p.50 / Chapter 7.2 --- Imprecision --- p.50 / Chapter 7.3 --- Linearity --- p.53 / Chapter 7.4 --- Recovery --- p.53 / Chapter 7.5 --- Detection limit --- p.53 / Chapter 7.6 --- Carryover --- p.58 / Chapter 7.7 --- Interference studies --- p.58 / Chapter 7.8 --- Correlation study --- p.60 / Chapter 7.9 --- Discussion on the methodology --- p.63 / Chapter 8. --- Study in Control Subjects --- p.65 / Chapter 8.1 --- Subjects --- p.65 / Chapter 8.2 --- Method of evaluation --- p.65 / Chapter 8.3 --- Results of the control subjects --- p.67 / Chapter 8.4 --- Discussion --- p.67 / Chapter 9. --- Study in Chinese patients with Nephrolithiasis --- p.72 / Chapter 9.1 --- Subjects --- p.72 / Chapter 9.2 --- Method of the patients study --- p.72 / Chapter 9.3 --- Results of the patients study --- p.72 / Chapter 9.4 --- Discussion --- p.77 / Chapter 10. --- General Discussion and Suggestions for Further Studies --- p.80 / Chapter 11. --- Conclusion --- p.84 / Chapter 12. --- References --- p.85

Lee Siu-wah. / Thesis submitted in: December 1999. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [106]-116). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (in English) --- p.i / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.ix / List of Tables --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Etiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Viral Infection --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1.1 --- Hepatitis B Virus --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1.2 --- Hepatitis C Virus --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Cirrhosis and Chronic Inflammation --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Aflatoxin --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3 --- Genetic Studies of Hepatocellular Carcinoma --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Conventional Cytogenetics --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Molecular Cytogenetics --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Molecular Genetic Studies --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.3.1 --- Proto-oncogenes --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.3.2 --- Tumour Suppressor Genes --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.3.3 --- Cell Cycle Genes --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4 --- Background of Study --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objectives of Study --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Material and Methods --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- Analysis of Chromosomal Imbalances by Comparative Genomic Hybridization --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Comparative Genomic Hybridization --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Methods / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Preparation of Normal Metaphases --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Extraction of High Molecular Weight DNA --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.2.3 --- Labeling of DNA by Nick Translation --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.2.4 --- Labeling Efficiency --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.2.5 --- Preparation of Probe --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2.6 --- Hybridization --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.2.7 --- Washing and Detection of Signals --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.2.8 --- Image Acquisition and Analysis --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.2.9 --- Control Experiments --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3 --- Positional Mapping of Novel Amplicon by Interphase Cytogenetics --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Fluorescence in situ Hybridization --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Using Yeast Artificial Chromosomes (YAC) as Probe --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Methods --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Culture of Yeast Artificial Chromosomes --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Extraction of Total YAC DNA --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.3.3 --- Verification of YAC Clones for Chimerism by FISH --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.3.4 --- Inter-Alu-PCR --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Assessment of Genetic Changes in HCC by Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) --- p.57 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Patients and Specimens --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Comparative Genomic Hybridization --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Overall Copy Number Aberrations in 67 HCC and Surrounding Cirrhotic Tissues --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- TNM Staging --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Tumour Size --- p.72 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Serum AFP Elevation --- p.72 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Chromosomal Aberrations in HCC arising from Cirrhotic and Non- cirrhotic Livers --- p.72 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.73 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Recurrent Gains --- p.73 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Recurrent Losses --- p.75 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Tumour Progression --- p.76 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion --- p.78 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Positional Mapping of a Novel Amplicon on Chromosome 1q21-q25 by Interphase Cytogenetics --- p.79 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.80 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials --- p.82 / Chapter 4.3 --- Methods --- p.82 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Preparation of Paraffin-embedded Tissue Sections --- p.82 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Verification of YAC Probes for Chimerism --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Hybridization Efficiency of Test and Reference Probes --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Slide Pretreatment and FISH with YAC Probes --- p.88 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Scoring of FISH Signals --- p.88 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.89 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Relative Copy Number Gain --- p.89 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Intratumour Heterogeneity --- p.90 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.90 / Chapter 4.6 --- Further Studies --- p.104 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Fine Mapping of Chromosomal Region 1 q21 --- p.104 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- Isolation of Novel Genes in the Amplicon --- p.105 / Chapter 4.6.3 --- Expression Status of the EDC Genes --- p.105 / References --- p.106

Lam Wai-Chun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [64]-[73]). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (in English) --- p.i-ii / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iii -iv / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of contents --- p.vi -ix / List of Figures --- p.x / List of Tables --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xi -xii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) --- p.1-2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Major risk factors of HCC / Chapter (1) --- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) --- p.2-4 / Chapter (2) --- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) --- p.5-6 / Chapter (3) --- Cirrhosis --- p.6 / Chapter (4) --- Dietary alfatoxin B1 (AFB1) --- p.6 -7 / Chapter (5) --- Alcoholic consumption --- p.7 / Chapter (6) --- Iron overload --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- Genetic aberrations in HCC --- p.8-9 / Chapter (1) --- Chromosomal loss --- p.10-13 / Chapter (2) --- Chromosomal gains --- p.13-15 / Chapter 1.4 --- roposed study --- p.15 / Chapter (1) --- Hypomethylation of heterochromatin in chromosome 1q copy number gain. --- p.16 / Chapter (2) --- ositional mapping on 1q21 - q22 by interphase cytogenetics. --- p.16-17 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Southern Blot Analysis for Satellite DNA Hypomethylation. --- p.18-19 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- ositional Mapping by Interphase Cytogenetics. --- p.19 -24 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Southern Blot Analysis for Satellite DNA Hypomethylation / Chapter (1) --- Extraction of high molecular weight DNA --- p.25 / Chapter (2) --- DNA digestion with methyl-sensitive restriction enzyme --- p.25 -26 / Chapter (3) --- Control for the complete DNA digestion. --- p.26 / Chapter (4) --- Southern Blotting. --- p.26 -27 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- ositional Mapping by Interphase Cytogenetics / Chapter (1) --- Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC) --- p.28 -29 / Chapter (i) --- YAC culturing --- p.29 -30 / Chapter (ii) --- YAC DNA extraction --- p.30 -31 / Chapter (iii) --- Inter-Alu-Polymerase Chain Reaction --- p.32 -33 / Chapter (2) --- -1 derived Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (PAC) --- p.34 / Chapter (i) --- AC culturing and DNA extraction --- p.34 -35 / Chapter (3) --- FISHrobe labeling by nick translation. --- p.35 / Chapter (4) --- FISHrobereparation --- p.36 / Chapter (5) --- Dot-blot analysis. --- p.36 -37 / Chapter (6) --- Verification of the YAC andACrobes by metaphase FISH --- p.37 / Chapter (7) --- Hybridization efficiency test --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Southern Blot Analysis for Satellite DNA Hypomethylation / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.39 -40 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter (1) --- atients --- p.41 / Chapter (2) --- Mathyl-sensitive restriction enzyme digestion. --- p.42 / Chapter (3) --- Classical satellite 2 DNArobe labeling and hybridization. --- p.42 -43 / Chapter (4) --- Membrane washing and signal detection. --- p.43 / Chapter (5) --- Signal detection and reference ratio determination. --- p.43 -44 / Chapter (6) --- Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) --- p.44 -45 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results / Chapter (1) --- Heterochromatin hypomethylation and 1q12 breakpoint. --- p.45 / Chapter (2) --- Heterochromatin hypomethylation in adjacent hepatitis Infected liver tissue. --- p.46 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.47-51 / Chapter Chapter4 --- ositional Mapping of 1q21 - q22 by Interphase Cytogenetics / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.52-53 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter (1) --- atients --- p.53 / Chapter (2) --- YAC clones --- p.53 -54 / Chapter (3) --- AC clones --- p.55 / Chapter (4) --- Formalin-fixedaraffin-embedded tissue sections pretreatment. --- p.55 / Chapter (5) --- Hybridization --- p.56 / Chapter (6) --- Signal detection --- p.56 -57 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results / Chapter (1) --- Relative copy number gain on YAC examined. --- p.57 -59 / Chapter (2) --- AC findings --- p.60 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.60 -63 / References

by Ray, Kit Ng. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-121). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgments --- p.iv / Abbreviations --- p.x / List of Figures --- p.xii / List of Tables --- p.xiv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Hepatitis B Virus X Protein (HBx) --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- The Genomic Structure of HBx --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- The HBx Protein Structure --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Subcellular Localization of HBx --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Possible Functions of HBx --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- Etiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4 --- Relationship between HCC and HBx --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5 --- Aims of Study --- p.14 / Chapter 1.6 --- The Basis of Tet-On System --- p.15 / Chapter 1.7 --- The Basis of DNA Microarray --- p.18 / Chapter 1.8 --- The Basis of Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis --- p.20 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Construction of a Tet-On HBx Expressing Cell Model --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Cloning of HBx Gene into pTRE2 Vector --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- PCR of HBx Gene --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- Purification of the PCR Product --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.1.3 --- Restriction Enzyme Digestion --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.1.4 --- Ligation of HBx into pTRE Vector --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.1.5 --- Transformation of the Ligation Product into Competent Cells --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Preparation of the Plasmid DNA --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- DNA Sequencing of the Cloned Plasmid DNA --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Cell Culture of AML12 Cell Line --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Transfection of pTet-On Vector into AML12 Cells --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Selection of the Transfected AML12 Cells by G418 --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Single Clone Isolation --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.6.1 --- Luciferase Assay for Selection of Highly Inducible Clones --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Second Transfection of pTRE-HBx Plasmid --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- Selection of the Transfected Cells by Hygromycin --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.9 --- Second Single Clone Isolation --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.10 --- Total RNA Isolation --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.11 --- DNase I Digestion --- p.30 / Chapter 2.1.12 --- First-Strand cDNA Synthesis --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.13 --- RT-PCR of HBx Gene --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.14 --- Northern Blotting --- p.32 / Chapter 2.1.15 --- Preparation of the Probe --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.16 --- Northern Blot Hybridization --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.17 --- 3H-Thymidine Incorporation Assay --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.18 --- Analysis of Cell Cycle by Flow Cytometry --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Microarray Analysis of Differential Gene Expression upon HBx Induction --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Sample Preparation for Microarray Analysis --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Probe Labelling --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Microarray Hybridization --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- RT-PCR of the Candidate Genes --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Northern Blot Analysis of the Candidate Genes --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3 --- Two-Dimensional (2D) Gel Electrophoretic Analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Protein Sample Preparation for 2D Gel Electrophoresis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- First-Dimension Isoelectric Focusing (IEF) --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Second-Dimension SDS-PAGE --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Silver Stain of 2D Gel --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Mass Spectroscopic Analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4 --- Subcellular Localization of HBx --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Cloning of HBx into Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) Expression Vector --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Transfection of GFP-HBx --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Propidium Iodide (PI) Staining --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Mitochondria Staining --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Subcellular Localization Study using Epi-Fluorescent Microscopy --- p.45 / Chapter 2.5 --- Analysis of Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential --- p.46 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Construction of Tet-On AML12 Cell Line of HBx Gene --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2 --- Characterization of the HBx-Expressing Cell Model --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- 3H-Thymidine Proliferation Assay --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Cell Cycle Analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3 --- Microarray Analysis of Differential Gene Expression Pattern upon HBx Induction --- p.57 / Chapter 3.4 --- Northern Blot Analysis and RT-PCR of the Candidate Genes --- p.65 / Chapter 3.5 --- Differential Protein Expression Pattern under HBx Induction --- p.70 / Chapter 3.6 --- Subcellular Localization of HBx --- p.77 / Chapter 3.7 --- Analysis of Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion / Chapter 4.1 --- Conditional HBx-Expressing Cell Model --- p.84 / Chapter 4.2 --- The Effects of HBx in Clone X18 --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Proliferative Effect of HBx --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Deregulation of G2/M Checkpoint by HBx --- p.86 / Chapter 4.3 --- Early Differential Gene Expression due to HBx Induction --- p.88 / Chapter 4.4 --- The Relationship of the Potential Candidate Genes and Cancer Development --- p.90 / Chapter 4.5 --- The Protein Expression Pattern due to HBx Induction --- p.93 / Chapter 4.6 --- The Subcellular Localization of HBx --- p.96 / Chapter 4.7 --- The Possible Involvement of HBx in Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential --- p.98 / Chapter 4.8 --- Conclusions --- p.101 / Chapter 4.9 --- Future Prospects --- p.104 / Appendix --- p.107 / References --- p.112

Au Chi Chuen. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-169). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.i / Table of Contents --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.v / 論文摘要 --- p.vii / Abbreviations --- p.viii / List of Figures --- p.ix / List of Tables --- p.x / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- General introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Hepatitis B virus and Hepatocellular carcinoma --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Pathogenesis of HBV related HCC --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Current screening test and tumor markers --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5 --- Expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing --- p.13 / Chapter 1.6 --- Aim of the present study --- p.15 / Chapter 1.7 --- Characterization of KIAA0022 --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Construction of liver HCC and normal counterpart libraries --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2 --- Plating out the human liver cDNA libraries --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3 --- PCR amplification of clones human liver cancer and the normal counterpart cDNA libraries --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4 --- Cycle sequencing of cloned human liver cancer and the normal counterpart cDNA libraries --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Dye-primer cycle sequencing (Pharmacia) --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1.1 --- Using Pharmacia LBKA.L.F. DNA sequencer --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1.2 --- Using Li-Cor 4200 Automated DNA sequencer --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Dye-terminator cycle sequencing (Pharmacia) --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5 --- Sequences analysis --- p.23 / Chapter 2.6 --- Cloning of full-length cDNA of KIAA0022 --- p.24 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Amplification of KIAA0022 gene using PCR --- p.24 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Purification of the PCR product --- p.25 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Ligation --- p.25 / Chapter 2.6.4 --- One Shot® TOP 10 Chemical Transformation --- p.25 / Chapter 2.6.5 --- Small-scale preparation of the plasmid DNA --- p.26 / Chapter 2.6.6 --- Large-scale preparation of the plasmid DNA Table of Contents (continued) --- p.26 / Chapter 2.6.7 --- DNA sequencing of the full-length cDNA of KIAA0022 --- p.28 / Chapter 2.7 --- Northern Hybridization --- p.29 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- The Human multiple tissue Northern Blot --- p.29 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Synthesis of the radiolabeled DNA probe --- p.29 / Chapter 2.7.3 --- Hybridization of the Northern blot --- p.30 / Chapter 2.8 --- Subcellular localization of KIAA0022 by tagging with green fluorescence protein (GFP) --- p.30 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Amplification and purification of the KIAA0022 gene product --- p.30 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Restriction enzymes digestion --- p.31 / Chapter 2.8.3 --- DNA ligation --- p.31 / Chapter 2.8.4 --- Preparation of the Escherichia coli competent cells for transformation --- p.31 / Chapter 2.8.5 --- Transformation of the plasmid DNA into competent Escherichia coli cells --- p.32 / Chapter 2.8.6 --- Small-scale preparation of the plasmid DNA --- p.32 / Chapter 2.8.7 --- Large-scale preparation of the plasmid DNA --- p.32 / Chapter 2.8.8 --- DNA sequencing of the cloned plasmid DNA --- p.33 / Chapter 2.8.9 --- Transfection --- p.33 / Chapter 2.8.10 --- Fluorescence microscopy examination --- p.33 / Chapter 2.9 --- Yeast two-hybrid screening assay --- p.34 / Chapter 2.9.1 --- "Cloning of the KIAA0022 gene into the yeast two-hybrid DNA-BD vector, pGBKT7" --- p.34 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- Small-scale transformation of pGBKT7-KIAA0022 plasmid --- p.34 / Chapter 2.9.2.1 --- Preparation of yeast competent cells --- p.34 / Chapter 2.9.2.2 --- Transformation of the pGBKT7-KIAA 0022 plasmid into the yeast strain PJ69-2A --- p.35 / Chapter 2.9.3 --- Screening a pretransformed library by yeast mating --- p.35 / Chapter 2.9.4 --- β -Galactosidase analysis - colony lift filter assay --- p.36 / Chapter 2.9.5 --- Analysis of yeast plasmid inserts using PCR and DNA sequencing --- p.37 / Chapter 2.9.5.1 --- PCR --- p.37 / Chapter 2.9.5.2 --- DNA sequencing --- p.37 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Results of ESTs sequencing in normal counterpart and HCC libraries --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- The sequencing results of the normal counterpart cDNA clones --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Sequencing results of the human liver cancer cDNA clones --- p.41 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- The accuracy of the automated sequencing technique --- p.41 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Catalogue of normal counterpart ESTs --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Catalogue of liver cancer ESTs --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2 --- Identification of genes differentially expressed in HCC using in silico method --- p.115 / Chapter 3.3 --- Sequence analysis of KIAA0022 --- p.121 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Structural analysis of KIAA0022 --- p.121 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Homology alignment --- p.122 / Chapter 3.4 --- Tissue distribution and expression profile of KIAA0022 using Northern blot analysis --- p.132 / Chapter 3.5 --- Subcellular localization of the KIAA0022 tagging by green fluorescence protein --- p.134 / Chapter 3.6 --- Yeast two-hybrid screening assay --- p.136 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion / Chapter 4.1 --- Large-scale partial cDNA sequencing --- p.138 / Chapter 4.2 --- Characterization of ESTs --- p.139 / Chapter 4.3 --- Identification of genes differentially expressed in liver cancer using Poisson probability --- p.143 / Chapter 4.4 --- Characterization of KIAA0022 --- p.154 / Reference --- p.157 / Appendix --- p.170

Ko Kin Ming Jeffery. / Thesis submitted in: July 2005. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-111). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of Contents --- p.ix / List of Tables --- p.xiii / List of Figures --- p.xv / List of Abbreviations --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Malignant Lymphoma --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma --- p.1 / Chapter 1.3 --- Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- General Features of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Morphologic variants of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- Centroblastic vairant --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- Immunoblastic variant --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.2.3 --- Anaplastic variant --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Immunophenotype of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.3.1 --- Lineage-associated antigens --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.3.1.1 --- B-cell lineage antigens --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.3.1.2 --- T-cell lineage antigens --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.3.2 --- Antigen involved in regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.3.2.1 --- Proliferation markers --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.3.2.2 --- Cell cycle regulators --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.3.2.3 --- Protein controlling apoptosis --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Subtypes of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.4.1 --- Classification method of DLBCL subtypes --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.4.1.1 --- DNA microarray --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.4.1.2 --- Immunohistochemistry pattern --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.4.1.2.1 --- CD10 --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.4.1.2.2 --- Bcl-6 --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.4.1.2.3 --- CD138 --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.4.1.2.4 --- MUM1/IRF4 --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.4.2 --- Prognosis of 、DLBCL subtypes --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4 --- Interleukin 10 --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- The IL-10 gene --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- IL-10 promoter --- p.23 / Chapter 1.5 --- IL-10 receptor --- p.24 / Chapter 1.6 --- Cellular Signaling Pathways Regulated by IL-10 --- p.25 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Jak/Stat Pathway --- p.25 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Inhibition of NF B pathway --- p.26 / Chapter 1.7 --- Function of IL-10 --- p.27 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Effects of IL-10 on immune cells in vitro --- p.27 / Chapter 1.7.2 --- Effects of IL-10 on B-cells --- p.28 / Chapter 1.8 --- IL-10 and IL-10 receptor in malignant diseases --- p.29 / Chapter 1.8.1 --- Melanoma --- p.29 / Chapter 1.8.2 --- Carcinoma --- p.30 / Chapter 1.8.3 --- Lymphoma --- p.30 / Chapter 1.9 --- Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) --- p.33 / Chapter 1.9.1 --- SNPs in cancer research --- p.34 / Chapter 1.9.1.1 --- Susceptibility to cancer and SNPs --- p.35 / Chapter 1.9.1.2 --- Outcome and SNPs --- p.35 / Chapter 1.10 --- SNP in the IL-10 promoter --- p.36 / Chapter 1.11 --- IL-10 promoter SNP in DLBCL --- p.37 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Aims of Study --- p.39 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Materials and Methods --- p.41 / Chapter 3.1 --- Sample Recruitment --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2 --- DNA preparation for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Isolation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) from buffy coat from blood of normal control group --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Preparation for NHL and DLBCL samples from paraffin-embedded sections for DNA extraction --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- DNA extraction for SNP analysis --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3 --- SNP analysis by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Amplification of target site by PCR --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- SNP analysis --- p.45 / Chapter 3.4 --- Determination of haplotypic frequency --- p.50 / Chapter 3.5 --- Classification of DLBCL by immunohistochemistry --- p.50 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Staining pattern of CD10 --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Staining pattern of Bcl-6 --- p.54 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Staining pattern of CD138 --- p.55 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Staining pattern of MUM1/IRF4 --- p.56 / Chapter 3.6 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.57 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Results --- p.58 / Chapter 4.1 --- SNPs of IL-10 promoter in normal controls --- p.58 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Allelic Frequencies and genotype distributions --- p.58 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Haplotypic Frequencies of normal controls --- p.58 / Chapter 4.2 --- SNP of the IL-10 promoter in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Allelic frequencies and genotype distributions --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Haplolypic frequencies --- p.61 / Chapter 4.4 --- SNPs of the IL-10 promoter in DLBCL --- p.62 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Allelic frequencies and genotype distributions --- p.62 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Haplotypic frequencies --- p.64 / Chapter 4.5 --- SNP of the IL-10 promoter in different subtypes of DLBCL --- p.65 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Classification of DLBCL by immunohistochemistry --- p.65 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- SNP of the IL-10 promoter in Germinal Center DLBCL (GC-DLBCL) --- p.67 / Chapter 4.5.2.1 --- Allelic frequencies and genotype distributions --- p.67 / Chapter 4.5.1.2 --- Haplotypic frequencies --- p.69 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- SNP of the IL-10 promoter in Activated Germinal Center DLBCL (AGC-DLBCL) --- p.70 / Chapter 4.5.2.1 --- Allelic frequencies and genotype distributions --- p.70 / Chapter 4.5.2.2 --- Haplotypic frequencies --- p.72 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- SNP of the IL-10 promoter in Activated non-Germinal Center DLBCL (ANGC-DLBCL) --- p.73 / Chapter 4.5.3.1 --- Allelic frequencies and genotype distributions --- p.73 / Chapter 4.5.3.2 --- Haplotypic frequencies --- p.75 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- SNP of the IL-10 promoter in Unclassified DLBCL (UC-DLBCL). --- p.76 / Chapter 4.5.4.1 --- Allelic frequencies and genotype distributions --- p.76 / Chapter 4.5.4.2 --- Haplotypic frequencies --- p.78 / Chapter 4.6 --- Summary of SNP of the IL-10 promoter in DLBCL subtypes --- p.79 / Chapter 4.7 --- Overall survival analysis --- p.80 / Chapter 4.7.1 --- Clinical data of DLBCL --- p.80 / Chapter 4.7.2 --- Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Analysis in DLBCL --- p.81 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Discussion --- p.88 / Chapter 5.1 --- SNP for low IL-10 production in Hong Kong population --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2 --- NHL in low IL-10 production population --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- The relationship between IL-10 and NHL --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Allelic frequencies and haplotype of the IL-10 promoter in NHL --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3 --- Classification of DLBCL --- p.91 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Current prognostic analysis --- p.91 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- DLBCL subtypes distribution in Hong Kong is different from Caucasian --- p.92 / Chapter 5.4 --- IL-10 and DLBCL --- p.93 / Chapter 5.5 --- SNP of IL-10 promoter in DLBCL subtypes --- p.94 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Allelic frequencies and haplotype of DLBCL subtypes --- p.94 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Rare haplotypes were discovered in DLBCL --- p.94 / Chapter 5.6 --- Overall survival Analysis --- p.95 / Chapter 5.6.1 --- Univariate Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Analysis --- p.95 / Chapter 5.6.2 --- Bivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Analysis --- p.96 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- Conclusion --- p.97 / References --- p.99

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T14:27:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Antonio Alone Maia.pdf: 1544608 bytes, checksum: 1f7096be45b8738b8c3b55b9a59685c7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-16 / ADVENIAT / During the period of colonization most African cultural practices were discouraged in the name of civilization. Nevertheless, the local knowledge is part of the culture and the culture is something alive and active that people carry inside themselves. The colonial regime changed, but its track and politics somehow remained commanding in the new local governments in the period of independence and post independence. But the people, who had suffered before because of the colonial situation, then by the civil war, never gave up living its culture the way they inherited from their ancestors in matters of knowledge, relationship and behavior. This research talks concretely about the Mozambican people. The aim of this research is to talk about Nyungwe s cultural etiologies of health, disease and cure from an anthropological and theological point of view: attendance, treatment and cure. Where do people find response for daily situations related to health? When a woman does not get pregnant, or a man does not manage to make a woman pregnant, how does biomedicine handle this issue? If the woman gets pregnant and does not manage to have the baby or if she has a spontaneous abortion during pregnancy period, how do the doctors from the hospital as well as the traditional doctor deal with this problem? The research aims as well to point out the role of the ancestors, traditional doctors within nyungwe s culture and from these categories to set a Christology reflection according to African and not Western ways / Durante o período colonial muitas práticas culturais dos povos africanos foram combatidas em nome da civilização. No entanto, os saberes locais fazem parte da cultura e a cultura é algo vivo e atuante que o povo carrega dentro de si. Mudou o regime colonial, mas seus rastos e suas políticas ficaram de alguma forma imperando nos novos governos locais nos períodos da independência e pós- independência. Mas o povo que antes sofrera com a situação colonial e depois com as guerras civis, nunca deixou de viver a sua cultura da forma como foi herdada dos seus antepassados em matéria de saberes, relacionamento e regras de conduta. É do povo moçambicano que a pesquisa está falando concretamente. A pesquisa pretende falar das etiologias de saúde, doença e cura na cultura Nyungwe, com um olhar antropológico-teológico: atendimento, tratamento e cura. Onde é que as pessoas encontram resposta para as situações quotidianas relacionadas à saúde? Quando uma mulher não consegue ficar grávida ou um homem não consegue engravidar uma mulher, como é que a biomedicina lida com essa situação? Se uma mulher fica grávida e não consegue ganhar o nenê ou quando ela tem abortos espontâneos no período da gravidez, como é que os médicos da medicina hospitalar assim como os médicos tradicionais lidam com esse problema? A pesquisa quer também trazer à tona o papel dos ancestrais, dos médicos tradicionais dentro da cultura Nyungwe e a partir destas categorias re-pensar a cristologia nos moldes africanos e não ocidentais

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

Introdução: O câncer de mama tem se mostrado a neoplasia mais incidente entre as mulheres de todo o mundo. Entretanto, percebe-se que a incidência apresenta grande variação geográfica, sugerindo que a ação dos fatores de risco varie acentuadamente entre as diferentes populações. Assim, estudos em determinadas populações sobre os seus fatores determinantes para câncer de mama podem contribuir para melhorar as estratégias de saúde pública, reduzindo sua morbi-mortalidade. Objetivo: Avaliar potenciais fatores de risco para câncer de mama em uma população de Porto Alegre e construir um modelo multivariado com estes fatores para predição de risco de câncer de mama. Delineamento: Estudo de coorte de base populacional. Método: Foram selecionadas 4.242 mulheres com idades entre 40 e 69 anos, sem história pregressa de câncer de mama, em atendimento em unidades básicas de saúde de Porto Alegre, as quais foram submetidas a rastreamento mamográfico. Elas foram avaliadas em relação aos seguintes fatores de risco: raça, tabagismo, etilismo, idade da menarca, idade do nascimento do primeiro filho, número de gestações, idade da última gestação, tempo de amamentação, história de ooforectomia e histerectomia, idade da menopausa, tempo de uso de reposição hormonal, uso de contraceptivo hormonal, histórico de biópsias mamárias, história familiar, peso e altura. A coleta de dados referente aos potenciais fatores de risco para câncer de mama foi realizada em dois momentos distintos, sendo a primeira coleta realizada durante o período de recrutamento das participantes compreendido entre os anos de 2004 e 2006 nas unidades básicas de saúde e a segunda coleta de dados foi realizada no momento em que as participantes compareciam ao centro de referência para a primeira visita de rastreamento mamográfico. As variáveis coletadas em ambos os momentos eram complementares, porém algumas variáveis estavam presentes em ambos os instrumentos de coleta de dados, as quais foram analisadas apenas as variáveis coletadas no segundo momento por serem mais atuais. As variáveis categóricas foram descritas por frequências e percentuais. As variáveis quantitativas com distribuição simétrica foram descritas pela média e o desvio padrão e as variáveis com distribuição assimétrica pela mediana e o intervalo interquartil (percentis 25 e 75). A associação entre câncer de mama e potenciais fatores de risco foi avaliada através de um modelo logístico multivariado. Em todas estas análises, um valor de p abaixo de 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo e foi analisado e considerado o IC95%. Resultados: Um total de 73 participantes de 4.242 apresentaram diagnóstico de câncer de mama. A análise multivariada considerando todas as pacientes, de 40-69 anos, mostrou que quanto maior a idade (OR=1,08, 95%IC: 1,04-1,12), maior a altura (OR=1,04, 95%IC: 1,00-1,09) e história de biópsia mamária anterior (OR=2,66, 95%IC: 1,38-5,13) estavam associadas a desenvolvimento de câncer de mama. Por outro lado, o número de gestações (OR=0,87, 95%IC: 0,78-0,98) e uso de terapia de reposição hormonal (OR=0,39, 95%IC: 0,20-0,75) foram associados como fator protetor para câncer de mama. Adicionalmente, realizamos análise separando as participantes em grupos de 40-49 anos e 50-69 anos, pois algum fator de risco poderia ter comportamento específico nestas faixas etárias. Nenhum fator de risco adicional foi identificado com esta estratificação etária, sendo que alguns fatores perderam significância estatística. No grupo de 40-49 anos, altura e biópsia mamária anterior mantiveram-se como fatores de risco. No grupo de 50-69, biópsia mamária anterior manteve-se como fator de risco e número de gestações e uso de terapia de reposição hormonal mantiveram-se como fator protetor. Diversas sub-análises não contribuíram para o entendimento como reposição hormonal o qual foi identificado como fator protetor. Conclusão: Em nosso estudo o modelo de predição de risco indica que devem ser avaliadas as seguintes variáveis nesta população específica de 40 a 69 anos: idade, altura, realização de biópsias mamárias anteriores, número de gestações e utilização de terapia de reposição hormonal. Estes achados estão de acordo com a literatura e agregados a outros estudos podem ajudar a compreender melhor o modelo causal de câncer de mama na região sul do Brasil. / Introduction: Breast cancer has been the most common cancer among women worldwide. However, it is clear that the incidence has great geographic variation, which suggests that the action of risk factors varies substantially between different populations. Thus, studies on the determining factors for breast cancer in certain populations may contribute to improve public health strategies and reduce morbimortality. Objective: Assess potential risk factors for breast cancer in a population in southern Brazil and build a multivariate model using these factors for breast cancer risk prediction. Methods: 4,242 women aged between 40 and 69 years without a history of breast cancer were selected at primary healthcare facilities in Porto Alegre and submitted to mammographic screening. They were evaluated for the following risk factors: race, smoking, alcohol consumption, age at menarche, age at the birth of first child, number of pregnancies, age at the last pregnancy, duration of breastfeeding, history of oophorectomy and hysterectomy, age at menopause, duration of hormone replacement therapy, use of hormonal contraceptives, history of breast biopsies, family history, weight and height. The collection of data related to potential risk factors for breast cancer was conducted at two different times. The first collection was held during the recruitment of participants from 2004 to 2006 at primary healthcare units and the second data collection was performed at the time the participants went to the reference center for the first mammographic screening visit. The variables collected at both times were complementary, but some variables were present in both data collection instruments, and only the variables collected in the second phase were analyzed because they were more current. Categorical variables were described as frequencies and percentages. Quantitative variables with symmetric distribution were described as the mean and standard deviation, and variables with asymmetrical distribution as median and interquartile range (25th and 75th percentiles). The association between breast cancer and potential risk factors was evaluated using a multivariate logistic model. In all these analyses, a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant with a 95% CI. Results: A total of 73 participants among 4,242 had a breast cancer diagnosis. The multivariate analysis considering all patients aged 40-69 years showed that older age (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04-1.12), higher height (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.09) and history of previous breast biopsy (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.38 - 5.13) were associated with the development of breast cancer. Conversely, the number of pregnancies (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.98) and use of hormone replacement therapy (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.20 - 0 75) were associated as a protective factor for breast cancer. Additionally, we performed an analysis separating the participants into groups of 40-49 years old and 50-69 years old, since a risk factor could have a specific behavior in these age groups. No additional risk factors were identified within this age bracket, and some factors lost statistical significance. In the 40-49 year old group, height and previous breast biopsy remained as risk factors. In the 50-69 year old group, a previous breast biopsy remained as a risk factor and the number of pregnancies and use of hormone replacement therapy remained as a protective factor. A number of sub-analyses did not help us understand why or how hormone replacement acted as a protective factor. Conclusion: In our study, the risk prediction model indicates that the following variables should be assessed in this specific population from 40 to 69 years old: age, height, having had previous breast biopsies, number of pregnancies, and use of hormone replacement therapy. These findings are consistent with the literature and combined with other studies may help to better understand the causal model of breast cancer in southern Brazil.

Chan Wai-Hon. / "September 2000." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-156). / 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.