Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Cornell University, January, 2009. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Analytic Health Sciences) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-60). Free to UCD affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Cornell University, January, 2009. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 167-195).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Cornell University, August, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-147).

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2008. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaves 90-93.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-139).

Orientador: Carmen Silvia Passos Lima, Fernando Ferreira Costa / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T11:53:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nascimento_Helvia_D.pdf: 1845231 bytes, checksum: 16f227072d706aacb01f06165bd8a553 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na origem do adenocarcinoma de cólon esporádico (ACE) ainda não estão completamente elucidados. Recentemente, o método da análise seriada da expressão gênica (SAGE) foi descrito como eficaz para identificar a expressão total de genes de tipos celulares diversos, mas esta análise não foi realizada em células epiteliais purificadas do ACE moderadamente diferenciado. Nós caracterizamos pelo método SAGE a expressão gênica total de células epiteliais neoplásicas do cólon de um paciente com ACE moderadamente diferenciado (SAGE CC) e de células epiteliais normais do cólon de um paciente com megacólon chagásico (SAGE CN). Foram geradas, após o seqüenciamento automático, 44.004 e 43.570 tags totais das bibliotecas SAGE CC e SAGE CN, representando 16.484 e 13.479 tags únicas, respectivamente. Na comparação entre as bibliotecas, 171 transcritos diferencialmente expressos foram identificados (P< 0,001; expressão diferencial = 5), incluindo 10% de transcritos que podem representar genes não descritos. As expressões de 10 genes diferencialmente expressos foram quantificadas pela reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (qPCR) na amostra de células epiteliais neoplásicas (SAGE CC), com o intuito de validar os resultados obtidos pelo SAGE, e, posteriormente, em amostras de células epiteliais de outros cinco pacientes com o mesmo tipo de doença. As expressões foram concordantes em 80% dos genes (CEACAM6, KLK6, LYZ, PFN1, S100A8, S100A9, VIL2 e ZFHX1B) e discordantes nos demais 20% (PLA1A e ZNF277). As expressões dos genes de interesse, quantificadas pelos dois métodos, foram similares na amostra SAGE CC e nas amostras dos demais pacientes com a doença. Foram observadas expressões anormais de genes envolvidos com a proliferação e diferenciação celular e com a resposta ao stress em células epiteliais neoplásicas. Foram também visualizadas expressões anormais de genes não relacionados com a doença e de genes ainda não identificados. Em conjunto, os nossos resultados podem contribuir para a identificação de genes relacionados com a origem ou a progressão do ACE moderadamente diferenciado e, ainda, para a descoberta de agentes terapêuticos específicos que controlem a proliferação anormal das células neoplásicas. / Abstract: The molecular mechanisms involved in sporadic colon adenocarcinoma (SCA) are still not completely elucidated. Recently, the serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) method has allowed the global analysis of genes expressed in diverse cellular types but there are no studies in purified epithelial cells of SCA moderately differenciated. We have characterized through SAGE the global gene expression of neoplastic epithelial cells from a SCA moderately differenciated patient (SAGE CC) and normal epithelial cells from a megacolon patient (SAGE CN). After automatic sequencing, a total of 44.004 tags from SAGE CC and 43.570 tags from SAGE CN profiles were generated, representing 16.484 and 13.479 unique tags, respectively. Comparing both profiles, 171 differentially expressed transcripts were identified (P< 0.001; fold = 5), including 10.0% that may represent novel transcripts. The expression of 10 selected genes was further investigated by realtime polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in the SCA moderately differenciated epithelial cells sample (SAGE CC), with the purpose of to validate the results obtained by the SAGE method, and also in five epithelial cells samples from the same type of SCA patients. Similar expressions were seen in 80% (CEACAM6, KLK6, LYZ, PFN1, S100A8, S100A9, VIL2 e ZFHX1B) and discordant expressions were seen in 20% (PLA1A e ZNF277) of analysed genes. On SAGE CC sample and samples of the SCA patients, all genes presented similar expressions measured by both methods. We observed abnormal expression of genes involved with cell proliferation and differentiation, and with response to stress in neoplastic epithelial cells. Also, were found abnormal expressions of genes not related with the disease and not identified genes. Together, our results may contribute for the identification of genes involved in the origin or progression of SCA moderately differenciated, as well as for the discovery of new therapeutical agents, with specific action on abnormal proliferation of the neoplastic cells. / Doutorado / Ciencias Basicas / Doutor em Clínica Médica

Coral reef biodiversity is threatened by rapidly changing anthropogenic activities and natural perturbations, leading to massive ecological and economic consequences ranging from the loss of fisheries to coastal erosion. It is necessary to understand corals responses to environmental changes in order to determine management programs on appropriate spatial and temporal scales to address these issues. Coral larvae are the product of sexual reproduction, have the potential to recruit to new areas, and are fundamental in maintaining genetic diversity. These larvae are subjected to variations in local environmental conditions until they settle, inducing specific larval molecular response patterns. One factor that influences coral health is salinity. Low salinities can alter cell homeostasis creating stress in cells. In the natural environment larvae may be exposed to low salinities due to heavy rainfall or run-off. This study investigated larvae responses to low salinity and characterized gene expression in the reef-building coral Porites astreoides using a coral stress-focused microarray. Nine batches of 250+ larvae from three different colonies were collected and immediately exposed in an acute hyposalinity experiment. Samples from two treatments of 25 and 30 ppt, and a control at 35 ppt were used in this study. After experimental exposure these samples were stored in RNAlater® and molecular analysis was performed. The RNA from the samples was extracted, purified and hybridized to a coral stress-focused microarray. Statistical analysis indicates 72 genes were differentially expressed across treatments (p<0.003, analysis of variance). The hierarchical cluster analysis groups together the larvae exposed to salinities of 30 and 35 ppt indicating both treatments induced similar patterns of gene expression. Larvae responses to 30 ppt are minimal, suggesting larvae can tolerate acute exposures to 30 ppt salinity levels. In contrast, the lower salinity (25 ppt) induced a strong response in both the coral and zooxanthellae. The coral larvae up-regulated stress response genes and down-regulated genes associated with normal cell functioning. Additionally, the zooxanthellae down-regulated genes associated with photosynthesis. These results suggest larvae may be vulnerable to bleaching, which may affect the ability of larvae to successfully undergo metamorphosis and survive at low salinities. However, this has yet to be confirmed with complementary techniques. Long-term studies are recommended to examine the effects of hyposalinity on larvae at different time scales and life history stages.