<p>Due to the political, economic, and technological changes brought on by the processes of globalization, since the mid-1990s, civil society groups have increasingly chosen to target corporate actors. This thesis focuses on the circumstances under which civil society groups have chosen to target corporate actors in addition to and instead of states. How corporate actors respond to activist demands and the factors that shape how they approach corporate social responsibility and the environment are also examined. This thesis uses a political economic opportunity structure approach to understand the relationship between civil society groups and corporate actors. While activist networks are increasingly targeting corporate actors, they also continue to target the state to achieve their objectives. This two prong strategy has been effective for activist networks because it allows them to take advantage of weaknesses found in both political and industry opportunity structures. However, while the impact of activist networks is shaped by the structural environment in which they operate, activist networks also create new opportunities through the strategic use of frames and tactics to draw attention to and create support for the issues with which they are concerned. Two case studies involving the global environmental movement and corporate actors are examined in this thesis. The first case study focuses on a global network of activists opposed to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the network’s interactions with states and a variety of corporations in their campaign to prevent the introduction of GMOs into the environment. The second case study examines the activities of a network of activists concerned about the environmental impacts of electronic waste (the e-waste network). The e-waste network sought to ensure the proper disposal of electronic waste and increase the sustainability of the electronics industry through the targeting of states and corporations.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Biotechnologies potentially have significant benefits for developing countries but many countries lack complete regulatory processes to allow their release. In evaluating the potential benefits of genetically modified crops, one must be able to measure the true cost of regulations in addition to the other costs associated with bringing the crop to market. The objectives of this paper are to (1) identify the direct costs of the regulation of Bt eggplant, Bt rice, ringspot virus resistant (PRSV) papaya and virus resistant tomatoes in the Philippines, and (2) estimate the opportunity cost of time lost in the regulatory process. The study compares the cost of regulations as they differ by factors such as the existence of previous studies on the product or the intention for export or domestic use. It is hypothesized that the costs are greater for products that are intended for export or human consumption or are produced by the private sector. It is also hypothesized that these factors increase the time to complete the regulatory process, therefore increasing the opportunity cost of time. This study evaluates the economic impact of the GMO regulatory process on the change in producer surplus, the net present value and the internal rate return using an economic surplus model. Scientists and other experts in the field of GMOs and regulation were interviewed to obtain the necessary data on the regulatory process. The evaluation was carried out for four different commodities in the Philippines, Bt Rice, Bt Eggplant, PRSV Papaya and MVR Tomato. The results for the open economy model revealed a change in producer surplus, as a result of the GMO research, of $418.3 million for Bt Rice and $353.7 million for PRSV Papaya. The closed economy model of Bt Eggplant has a change in producer surplus of $25.1 million and a change in total surplus of $40.8 million while the result for the change in producer surplus for MVR Tomato is $19.3 million and the change in total surplus is $51.6 million. A sensitivity analysis of the results was then carried out in which the elasticity of supply, the cost of regulation, and the release date were each varied in order to show the welfare impact of such changes. The sensitivity analysis revealed limited changes in surplus when elasticity and regulatory costs were changed. However, changing the date of release or commercialization resulted in monumental changes in surplus. / Master of Science

No description available.

Abstracts in English, Xhosa and Zulu / This quantitative study explores procedural knowledge, perception of GM food products and factors that influence the purchasing decision of 326 respondents by means of a questionnaire. Recruitment of the respondents was done by approaching various businesses and Schools in Mooi River to which the questionnaire was distributed to their respective personnel. The respondents’ showed that they were not very knowledgeable of GM food products, but were not particularly ignorant either. The results also showed that they did not look for any GM-related information from various sources and believed that scientists were the most credible source of GM-related information. In general, the respondents did not perceive GM food products as having any nutritional benefits; did not perceive GM food products to provide an economic benefit, except to increase food supplies by boosting the economy through the implementation of biotechnology; and perceived longer shelf life as a beneficial GM food product quality. The respondents also feared the susceptibility to cancer, toxicity, allergic reactions, alterations in kidney functions, immune malfunction and especially infertility problems after consumption of GM food products. The respondents did not show particular fear towards the ethical aspects of GM food products, except in that GM food products are produced in an unethical manner. Fear was also not shown towards the consumption aspects of GM food products including scepticism towards the safety GM food products and possible threats to living things. The respondents indicated that increased food supplies through the production of GM food products, possible cancer development after consumption, allergenicity, reduced usage of pesticides and harmful effect on the environment were GM-related factors that would influence their purchasing decision of GM food products. The general GM-related barriers that influenced the respondents purchasing decision of GM food products included not looking out for GM food products in particular, knowing too little about GM food products, not having a particular interest in GM food products and never knowing if a product contains a GM component or not. / Esi sifundo, nesiqhutywa ngokuqwalasela amanani ezenzeko, saphanda ngolwazi lwendlela ebonwa ngayo inkqubo yeemveliso zokutya zeGM (iimveliso ezinyangwe ngobuchule obaziwa ngelesiNgesi elithi genetically modified) kwakunye neemeko eziphembelela izigqibo zokuthenga ezi mveliso, zigqibo ezo zathathwa ngabathathi nxaxheba abangama-326 nabathi baphendula uluhlu lwemibuzo. Ukuloba/ukurhwebesha abathathi nxaxheba kwenziwa ngokucela uncedo kumashishini nezikolo eziseMooi River. Abathathi nxaxheba baveza ukuba abanalwazi kakuhle ngeemveliso zokutya zeGM, kodwa banalo ufifana. Iziphumo zadiza ukuba azange baphande ulwazi olumalunga nonyango lweemveliso kwaye babekholelwa ukuba iingcali zenzululwazi zizo ezaziyimithombo yolwazi ethembekileyo malunga nalo mbandela. Ngokuthe gabalala, abathathi nxaxheba babengaziboni ziluncedo kwisondlo okanye kuqoqosho ezi mveliso zokutya zeGM, kwaye babelindele ukuba ezi mveliso zandise ukutya okuveliswayo ngokukhuthaza ezoqoqosho ngokusebenzisa ubuchwepheshe bezendalo, (ibiotechnology). Babecinga ukuba uphawu oluluncedo lokutya okuveliswe ngeendlela zeGM kukuba kuhlala ixesha elide, akonakali msinya. Abathathi nxaxheba babesoyika ukuba bangasifumana lula isifo somhlaza, bangafumana ukutyhefeka kokutya, ukusoleka (iallergy), ukuchaphazeleka kokusebenza kwezintso, ubuthathaka bamajoni omzimba, okanye ubuthathaka benzala emva kokutya iimveliso zokutya zeGM. Abazange babonakalise uloyiko olumandla malunga nombandela weenqobo zesimilo ezayanyaniswa neemveliso zokutya zeGM, ngaphandle kokuba ezi mveliso ziveliswa ngendlela engenasimilo sisulungekileyo. Kwakhona, abazange babonakalise loyiko malunga nokutya iimveliso zokutya zeGM, bengazange bakrokrele ukungakhuseleki kwezi mveliso okanye ukuba yingozi kwazo kwezinye izidalwa. Abathathi nxaxheba baxela ukuba izigqibo zabo zokuthenga iimveliso zokutya zeGM zingaphenjelelwa kukucinga ngokwanda kokutya okuveliswayo, ukuvela komhlaza emva kokuzitya, ukusolwa, ukucutha ukusebenzisa izibulali zinambuzane kunye neziphumo ezinobungozi kwindalo esingqongileyo. Imiqobo jikelele engqamene nonyango lweGM neyaphembelela izigqibo zabathathi nxaxheba malunga nokuthenga iimveliso zokutya zeGM ziquka ukwazi kancinci ngeemveliso zokutya zeGM, kukungabi namdla kwiimveliso zokutya zeGM nokuba ubani angabi nalwazi lokuba imveliso ethile inalo na unyango lweGM okanye ayinalo. / Lolu cwaningo olugxile kwinani luye lwaphenya ulwazi olumayelana nolwazi lwengqubo, umqondo omayelana nenhlobo yokudla okuguquliwe (GM food) kanye nezinto ezinomthelela phezu kwesinqumo sokuthenga sabaphenduli bemibuzo abanga-326, lokhu kwenziwe ngokusebenzisa umbhalo oqukethe imibuzo. Abaphenduli bemibuzo batholwe ngokunxenxa amabhizinisi kanye nezikole ezihlukahlukene endaweni yaseMooi River. Abaphenduli bemibuzo bakhombisile ukuthi babenganalwazi ngemikhiqizo yokudla eguquliwe (GM), kanti laba baphenduli abazange bakhombise ukungabambisani nalolu cwaningo. Imiphumela iyakhombisa ukuthi abaphenduli abazange bafune ukuthola noma yiluphi ulwazi olumayelana Nokudla kwe-GM kwimithombo eyahlukahlukene kanti baye bakholwa ukuthi ososayensi bayimithombo yolwazi ethembekayo. Empeleni, abaphenduli abazange baqonde imikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM njengokudla okunenzuzo yomsoco noma inzuzo yezomnotho kanti bebelidele le mikhiqizo ukuba yongeze inani lokudla elithunyelwayo ngokuxhasa umnotho ngokusebenzisa uhlelo lwe--biotechnology. Bakholelwa ekutheni umkhiqizo uhlale isikhathi eside emasheluvini, lokho okuyinzuzo kwikhwalithi yemikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM. Abaphenduli baye besaba ukungenwa yisifo somdlavuza, ushevu, ukuguliswa yinhlobo yokudla okuthile, ukushintshana kokusebenza kwezinso, ukungasebenzi kahle kwamasosha omzimba kanti ikakhulu izinkinga zokwehluleka ukuzala ngemuva kokudla imikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM. Abaphenduli abazange bakhombise ukwesaba mayelana nokuziphatha kwimikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM, ngaphandle kokuthi nje le mikhiqizo ikhiqizwa ngendlela ephambene nomthetho. Abaphenduli abazange futhi bakhombise ukwesaba mayelana nodaba lokudliwa komkhiqizo wokudla kwe-GM,kuxutshwa phakathi ukuthandabuza mayelana nokuphepha kwale mikhiqizo kanye nalokho okungahle kuphazamise izinto eziphilayo. Abaphenduli baye bakhombisa ukuthi imizamo yokuthi kube nokudla okuningi ngokukhiqiza imikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM, amathuba wokuphathwa yisifo somdlavuza ngemuva kokudla lokho kudla, ukungathandwa wukudla okuthize, ukunciphiswa kwezinga lokusebenziswa kwezibulalizinambuzane kanye nomphumela oyingozi phezu kwemvelo bekuyizinto ezihlobene nokudla kwe-GM lokho okuzoshintsha indlea yabo yokuthenga imikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM. Izihibhe ezejwayelekile ezihlobene ne-GM eziye zashintsha isinqumo sabaphenduli sokuthenga imikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM bekuxuba phakathi ukuphuma bayofuna ikakhulu imikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM, luncane kakhulu ulwazi abanalo ngemikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM, kuxuba ukungathandi imikhiqizo yokudla kwe-GM kanye nokungazi ukuba ngabe umkhiqizo wequkethe umkhakha we-GM noma akunjalo. / Life and Consumer Sciences / M.A. (Consumer Science)

The purpose of this thesis is to analyse Sweden’s first GMO-legislation which was implemented in 1994. The legislation was created because of Swedens commitment to the EES-agreement, but also because of the necessity for GMO-legislation. The analysis is based on Ulrich Beck’s theory which stipulates that highly developed societies are no longer industrial societies but instead have become risk societies, which also has a connection to and is strongly influenced by the precautionary principle. In a risk society the logic of risk production dominates the logic of wealth production and the regulations and actions of governments correlate to this perspective. The questions the analysis seeks to answer are how the actors involved in the making of Sweden’s first comprehensive GMO-legislation has considered, judged and finally chosen to handle the potential risks associated with gene technology. The results show that Sweden had a distinctive focus on risk, which also had a strong connection to ethics, which in the end was about how big of a risk could be accepted based on the moral resonsibility for the environment. In some parts Sweden took the restrictions further than required for by the EES-agreement based on the risk approach. The legislation can be characterized as being surrounded by an epistemological problem, due the lack of definitive knowledge about GMOs at the time. These results also support the view found by earlier research, when it comes to how Sweden has handled the issues surrounding GMOs during an early stage. / Uppsatsens syfte är att utifrån ett riskperspektiv analysera Sveriges första heltäckande GMO-lagstiftning vilken antogs 1994. Lagstiftningen skapades som ett resultat av Sveriges åtaganden via EES-avtalet, men också utifrån nödvändigheten av att skapa en heltäckande GMO-lag. Undersökningen bygger på Ulrich Becks teori om att välutvecklade samhällen har gått från att vara industrisamhällen till att bli risksamhällen. I risksamhället dominerar riskproduktionens logik över rikedomsproduktionens logik där regeringars och myndigheters agerande styrs utifrån detta perspektiv. Frågor som undersökningen söker svar på är hur de aktörer som var inblandade i skapandet av Sveriges första heltäckande GMO-lag resonerat kring, bedömt och slutligen hanterat de risker som ansågs finnas med gentekniken. Resultatet visar att Sverige hade ett uttalat fokus på risker som i förlängningen går tillbaka till etiska frågor, där vilka risker som kunde accepteras utifrån det moraliska ansvaret för miljön stod i centrum. I vissa delar så införde Sverige en striktare lagstiftning än vad EES-avtalet krävde utifrån ett riskperspektiv. Lagstiftningen kan sägas ha karaktäriserats av ett epistemologiskt problem, vilket var en följd av den okunskap som förelåg vid tidpunkten. Detta stödjer också den tidigare forskningens uppfattningar kring hur Sverige hanterat frågan med GMO på ett tidigt stadium.

En Argentine, la biotechnologie agricole, spécialement le soya transgénique, a été adoptée de façon fulgurante et elle a provoqué un fort choc dans l’économie nationale et dans la société. Actuellement, dû à la gravité des conséquences de ce phénomène, les médias, et la presse en particulier, ont fait écho du débat. Le but général de cette étude est d’analyser le débat de société sur ce phénomène dans la presse écrite argentine. Pour ce faire, trois objectifs spécifiques ont été retenus : dresser un portrait général du discours; comprendre le contexte politique et économique qui a permis l’insertion de la biotechnologie agricole en Argentine; et analyser les enjeux socioéthiques subjacents au problème des biotechnologies. Pour répondre à ces objectifs, on a effectué une analyse de contenu du discours social circonscrit à la presse écrite argentine entre les années 1999- 2006. La démarche privilégiée inclut la classification des articles de journaux par l’utilisation de mots-clés et l’assignation à des catégories thématiques avec l’assistance des techniques d’analyse de texte par ordinateur. Les résultats de cette étude signalent pour la période étudiée une importante couverture journalistique des biotechnologies agricoles, couverture qui, en général, a été favorable. La quantité d’articles augmente avec les années et montre un virage important des sujets commerciaux à des questions politiques. Le débat autour des conséquences environnementales et sociales de l’application du nouveau modèle agricole sont pauvrement représentées et montrent une apparition plus tardive dans les journaux argentins. Cependant, cela pourrait s’expliquer par un déplacement dans l’axe de la discussion des biotechnologies vers la sojisation qui devient l’enjeu central du débat autour du phénomène agricole. / In Argentina, agricultural biotechnology – especially transgenic soya – has been widely adopted causing a strong impact on the national economy and society. Today, because of its important impact, the media and the written press in particular have published substantial material on this phenomenon of agricultural biotechnology. The overall objective of this study is to analyze the social debate on this phenomenon in the Argentinean written press. To this end, three specific objectives were retained: to provide an overview of the discourse; to understand the political and economic context that permitted the inclusion of agricultural biotechnology in Argentina; and to analyze the socio-ethical issues underlying the integration of biotechnology into Argentinean agriculture. To meet these objectives, I conducted a content analysis of social discourse in the Argentinean press during the years 1999-2006. I classified articles using keywords and constructed thematic categories using computer-assisted text analysis techniques. The results of this study show a wide coverage of agricultural biotechnology with a generally positive presentation. The number of articles increases over time and shows a major shift from a discussion of economic to political issues. The debate over the environmental, social and ethical consequences of the implementation of this new agricultural model is poorly represented and has a late appearance in the press. However, this could be explained by a change in the focus of discussion from biotechnology to sojisation, which includes many of these issues and which has become the focus of debate about agriculture.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade, a quantidade e a capacidade de amplificação por PCR de DNA extraído de grãos de soja e milho, seus derivados e produtos acabados contendo como ingredientes obtidos desses grãos, com vistas à detecção de resíduos de organismos geneticamente modificados em alimentos. Para a amplificação de DNA pela PCR convencional, não houve melhor adequação de um protocolo de extração. Ambos métodos, CTAB e coluna de sílica tiveram desempenho comparável para as 32 matrizes avaliadas. A técnica de PCR em tempo real se mostrou mais sensível à qualidade do DNA testado e nesse contexto, o método CTAB se mostrou mais eficiente do que o método de coluna de sílica. Independentemente do método de extração utilizado não foi possível detectar DNA em óleos de soja e milho e em alguns derivados de amido, sugerindo que a aplicabilidade da lei de rotulagem pode esbarrar num entrave técnico no caso de algumas matrizes alimentares altamente processadas. / The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality, the quantity and the amplifiability by PCR of DNA isolated from soybean and maize grains and their by-products targeting the detection of genetically modified organisms in food. PCR amplification of DNA samples isolated either from CTAB and silica-column extraction methods achieved comparable performances. Both extraction methods showed similar results for the 32 tested matrices. The DNA amplification by real time PCR appeared to be affected by the quality of the isolated DNA. In this context, the CTAB extraction method showed to be more suitable when compared to the silica-column method. No DNA was amplified from soy and maize oils, as well as from some starch by-products, regardless the DNA extraction method used. It suggests that, the labeling requirement may rely on technical issues considering some high processed foodstuffs.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o perfil de metabolização de açúcares por linhagens de S. cerevisiae amplamente utilizadas no setor sucroalcoleiro (CAT-1 e BG-1) e uma linhagem geneticamente modificada (HCJ 003) com o propósito de sobreexpressar invertase intracelular e ainda contém transportadores de sacarose de alta afinidade. Para tal estudo foi realizado 1 ensaio de fermentação simulando as condições industriais de produção de etanol com reciclos de células e mosto misto constituído de melaço e caldo de cana (50% de cada fonte) a 19% de ART. O ensaio de fermentação foi constituído por 4 ciclos sendo os 3 primeiros ciclos destinados a avaliação das cepas CAT -1 e HCJ 003 a qual é diplóide e sobre-expressa somente a invertase intracelular quanto aos diversos parâmetros do processo de fermentação. O 4° ciclo fermentativo foi destinado ao estudo do perfil de metabolização dos açúcares, onde analisou-se os teores de sacarose, glicose e frutose, bem como a formação de glicerol e o teor de trealose na biomassa das linhagens CAT -1, HCJ 003 e BG-1 (ambas com atividades de invertase distintas). No estudo comparativo dos parâmetros fermentativos a cepa HCJ 003 produziu de forma consistente, menos biomassa e mais etanol do que a cepa CAT-1. O rendimento fermentativo em etanol foi maior para a cepa HCJ 003. O fato de transportar a sacarose para o interior da célula faz com que seja gerado apenas 3 moles de ATP (em vez de 4 ATP). Portanto, para repor o ATP que deixa de ser gerado, há um maior direcionamento do metabolismo para as vias fermentativas e conseqüentemente mais etanol é produzido aumentando-se o rendimento da fermentação. No estudo do perfil de metabolização dos açúcares para as cepas CAT -1, HCJ 003 e BG-1 mostrou que a cepa BG -1 hidrolisou mais rapidamente a sacarose devido à alta atividade de invertase e também apresentou quantidades superiores de glicerol em resposta ao aumento da pressão osmótica do meio de fermentação. Já a CAT -1 apresentou maiores níveis de trealose o que pode ser um indicativo da sua maior dominância durante o processo industrial brasileiro. Assim este trabalho resultou no perfil de metabolização de cepas com diferente atividade de invertase e mostrou que a cepa HCJ 003 embora seja uma derivada de uma linhagem laboratorial manteve-se adaptada às condições do processo obtendo-se rendimento superior à CAT-1. / The aim of tis work was to evaluate the metabolic profile of sugars using Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains widely used in industry of sugars and ethanol (CAT-1 e BG-1) and a genetically modified strain in purpose to over-express intracellular invertase and also contains sucrose transporters with high afinity. For this study, 1 test were performed simulating industrial fermentation for ethanol production using cell recycle and mixed must with molasses and sugar cane (50% of each compound) for 19% TRS. The fermentation experiment were composed of 4 recycles and in first 3 cycles were intended for the evaluation of the strains CAT-1 and HCJ 003 wich is diploid and overexpres just the intracellular invertase on the various parameters of the fermentation process. The 4th recycle was designed to study the profile of metabolism of sugars, where were analysed the levels of sucrose, glucose and frutose, as well as the formation of glycerol and trehalose content in biomass of the strains CAT -1, HCJ 003 and BG -1 (all of them with different invertase activity). In the evaluation of the strains on the various parameters of the fermentation process, the strain HCJ 003 produced consistently less biomass and more ethanol than CAT-1. The yield of ethanol fermentation was higher for the strain HCJ 003. The fact that this strain transport sucrose into the cells makes it generated only 3 moles of ATP (instead 4 ATP). So to restore the ATP that is no generated, there is an increase targeting of the metabolism to fermentative pathways and therefore more ethanol is produced increasing the efficiency of fermentation. In the profile of metabolism of sugars to the strains CAT -1 HCJ 003 and BG-1 showed that the strain BG -1 hydrolyzed more rapidly the sucrose due to high invertase activity and also showed higher amounts of glycerol in response to increased osmotic pressure of the fermentation medium. Already CAT -1 showed higher levels of trehalose, which may be indicative of its most dominant during the Brazilian industry. So this work resulted in the profile of metabolism of different strains with invertase activity and showed that strain 003 Hcj although a derivative of a laboratory strain remained adapted to the conditions of the process resulting in higher yield to CAT-1.

Camundongos foram selecionados geneticamente para alta (AIRmax) ou baixa (AIRmin) resposta inflamatória aguda, sendo utilizados em experimentos de regeneração tecidual. Foi observado que AIRmax apresentam uma regeneração rápida do tecido da orelha em relação aos AIRmin, sugerindo a existência de loci reguladores comuns para ambos fenótipos de inflamação e regeneração do tecido. Neste estudo investigamos o fenótipo inflamatório e o perfil de expressão gênica global em AIRmax e AIRmin durante a fase inicial da regeneração do tecido da orelha. A análise histológica mostrou que AIRmax apresentam uma regeneração completa, com formação de ilhas de cartilagem e glândulas sebáceas no centro da área regenerada. Os AIRmin não apresentam regeneração. Os dados obtidos sobre edema de orelha e níveis de MPO foram maiores em AIRmax quando comparados com AIRmin (P <0,001). A análise de expressão gênica global mostrou 794 genes ativados e 528 genes reprimidos em AIRmax, enquanto 1.086 genes ativados e 1.145 genes reprimidos nos AIRmin, 48 horas após a lesão. AIRmax e AIRmin apresentaram alta modulação de genes sobrerrepresentados em temas biológicos para resposta inflamatória, adesão celular e quimiotaxia (Gene Ontology). No entanto, foi observado uma baixa modulação de genes sobrerrepresentados para o transporte em AIRmax e para taxia, contração muscular e ciclo de ubiquitina em AIRmin. Nas regiões próximas ao QTL anteriormente encontrado no cromossomo 1, foram observados genes diferencialmente expressos como Stat1, Casp8, Hspe1 e Il1r2, enquanto Lect1, Fndc3 e Egr3 foram detectados no cromossomo 14. Os experimentos com qPCR mostram uma alta expressão de Il-1<font face=\"Symbol\">b, Il-8rb e Mmp9 em AIRmax e Cxcl2, Tnfa e Tgfb em AIRmin. Concluímos que os animais AIRmax e AIRmin apresentam (nos cromossomos 1 e 14) genes inflamatórios diferencialmente expressos que podem estar envolvidos nos fenótipos de resposta inflamatória aguda e regeneração do tecido da orelha. / Mice selected for high (AIRmax) or low (AIRmin) acute inflammatory response were used in tissue regeneration experiments. It was observed that AIRmax present faster ear tissue regeneration than AIRmin mice, suggesting the involvement of common regulatory loci for both inflammation and ear tissue regeneration phenotypes. In the study we investigated some inflammatory phenotypes and global gene expression profiles in AIRmax and AIRmin mice during the initial phase of the ear tissue regeneration. The histological analyses showed that AIRmax regeneration was complete, and cartilage islands and sebaceous glands were formed in the middle of the regenerated area. AIRmin mice displayed not regeneration. Ear thickness oedema and MPO levels were higher in AIRmax than AIRmin mice (P< 0.001). Global expression analysis showed 794 activated and 528 repressed genes in AIRmax, while 1086 activated and 1145 repressed genes were observed in AIRmin mice 48 hours after injury. AIRmax and AIRmin mice presented up-regulated genes over-represented in inflammatory response, cell adhesion and chemotaxis biological themes (Gene ontology). However, down-modulated genes were significant over-represented for transportation in AIRmax and for taxis, muscle contraction and cycle ubiquitin in AIRmin mice. In the previously QTL regions detected on chromosome 1 differentially-expressed Stat1, Casp8, Hspe1 and Il1r2 genes were found, while Lect1, Fndc3 and Egr3 were detected on chromosome 14. qPCR experiments showed high expression of Il-1<font face=\"Symbol\">b, Il-8rb and Mmp9 in AIRmax and Cxcl2, Tnfa, and Tgfb1 in AIRmin mice. We conclude that AIRmax and AIRmin mice presented several (some on chromosomes 1 and 14) differentially-expressed inflammatory genes which could be involved in the acute inflammatory response and ear tissue regeneration phenotypes.

Algodão geneticamente modificado que expressa a toxina Cry1Ac de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner tem sido plantado no Brasil desde 2006. Entre as pragas-alvo da tecnologia, Alabama argillacea (Hüeb.) é uma espécie monófoga e apresenta alto potencial de risco de evolução da resistência. Para a implantação de um programa de manejo da resistência de A. argillacea à toxina Cry1Ac no Brasil, os principais objetivos do trabalho foram: a) estabelecer a linhas-básicas de suscetibilidade à toxina Cry1Ac em populações de A. argillacea e definir concentrações diagnósticas para o monitoramento da resistência e b) isolar e caracterizar locos microssatélites para avaliar a variabilidade e estruturação genética de populações de A. argillacea no Brasil. As linhas-básicas de suscetibilidade foram estimadas por meio de bioensaio de imersão de discos de folhas em soluções contendo a toxina Cry1Ac para populações de A. argillacea coletadas nos estados da Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul, durante as safras agrícolas de 2008 e 2009. Foram isolados e caracterizados dez locos microssatélites. Para avaliar a variabilidade genética foram estimadas as heterozigosidades observadas e esperadas. Para o estudo da estruturação genética foram estimadas as estatísticas F e feita a análise de agrupamento (distância de Nei) e análise Bayesiana. Baseado na estimativa da CL50 foram encontradas variações naturais de até seis vezes na suscetibilidade à toxina Cry1Ac entre as populações testadas. A partir da análise conjunta dos dados de concentração-mortalidade das populações testadas, foram definidas as concentrações diagnósticas de 10 e 32 µg de Cry1Ac/ml de água para futuros programas de monitoramento da resistência. O número médio de alelos por loco foi de 7,1 (variando de dois a 23 alelos). As heterozigosidades observada e esperada médias foram de 0,532 e 0,329. O índice de fixação intrapopulacional médio (f FIS) foi de 0,268, com variação entre os locos de -0,008 a 0,736. O índice de fixação da espécie (FIS) estimado através da análise de variância foi de 0,244 (IC 95% de 0,093 a 0,418). O valor de FST estimado foi de 0,036 (IC 95% de 0,007 a 0,080). Esse valor de FST não diferiu significativamente de zero, indicando a ausência de estruturação genética. Contudo foi detectado certo grau de endogamia intrapopulacional. A estruturação espacial da variabilidade genética não foi detectada, pois as populações avaliadas apresentaram uma coesão que é mantida pela alta taxa de migração (6,7 migrantes por geração). Entretanto, foi identificada indícios de estruturação genética determinada pelo tempo, uma vez que tanto o agrupamento baseado em distâncias genéticas quanto à análise Bayesiana identificaram grupos que são formados por populações coletadas em safras agrícolas diferentes. As causas ligadas a essa mudança na variabilidade genética não puderam ser identificadas, entretanto pode se inferir que possivelmente causas naturais ou práticas de manejo estejam determinando eventos de gargalo genético. Devido ao intenso fluxo gênico entre populações de A. argillacea no Brasil, estratégias de manejo da resistência devem ser implantadas no âmbito nacional. / Genetically modified cotton expressing Cry1Ac toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner has been planted in Brazil since 2006. Among target pests of this technology, Alabama argillacea (Hüeb.) is a monophagous species and offers a high potential risk of resistance evolution. In order to implement a resistance management program of A. argillacea to Cry1Ac toxin in Brazil, the objectives of this research were: a) to establish baseline susceptibility to Cry1Ac toxin in A. argillacea populations and define diagnostic concentrations for resistance monitoring and b) to isolate and characterize microsatellite loci to evaluate the variability and genetic structure of A. argillacea populations in Brazil. The baseline susceptibility data were estimated with leaf-disc bioassays by dipping into different concentration of Cry1Ac solution. Populations of A. argillacea were collected in Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul States, during 2008 and 2009 cotton-growing seasons. Ten microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized. The genetic variability was evaluated estimating observed and expected heterozygosities. For the studied of genetic structure, the F statistics was estimated, and Cluster analysis (Nei´s distance) and Bayesian analysis were performed. Based on estimation of LC50, natural variation up to 6-fold was detected in the susceptibility to Cry1Ac among tested populations. Based on analysis of concentration-mortality data by combining all populations, diagnostic concentrations of 10 and 32 µg of Cry1Ac/ml of water were defined for monitoring resistance. The mean number of alleles per loci was 7.1 (varying from 2 to 23 alleles). The observed and expected heterozigosities was 0,523 e 0, 395. The mean intrapopulation fixation index (f FIS) 0,268, varying from -0.008 to 0.736 between loci. The species fixation index (FIS) estimated by analysis of variance was 0.244(95% CI of 0.093 to 0.418). The estimated value of FST was 0.036 (95% CI of 0.007 to 0.080). The FST value was not significantly different from zero, indicating absence of genetic structure However, some degree of intrapopulational inbreeding was detected. Spatial structure of genetic variability was not detected because tested populations showed cohesion kept by high migration rate (6.7 migrants per generation). However, evidence of genetic structure across time was detected by Cluster analysis of genetic distance as well as by Bayesian analysis with group formation by population collection seasons. Factors affecting changes in genetic variability were not identified; however, natural factors or management practices may be determining some genetic bottleneck events. Due to intense gene flow among A. argillacea populations in Brazil, resistance management strategies must be implemented in a national basis.