Univ., Diss., 2010--Marburg.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xviii, 157 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes bibliographical references (p. 125-157). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (M.C.E.)--University of Delaware, 2007. / Principal faculty advisor: Dionisios G. Vlachos, Dept. of Chemical Engineering. Includes bibliographical references.

Techn. University, Diss., 2005--Dresden.

University, Diss., 2006--Giessen. / Zeichendarst. im Sachtitel teilw. nicht vorlagegemäß wiedergegeben.

Copies of author's previously published articles inserted behind back end-papers. Bibliography: leaves 139-160. Identifies and characterises specific residues of biGFBP-2 that comprises the IGF binding site.

Tumour development is dependent upon the formation of an adequate blood supply through angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most potent and specific pro-angiogenic factors associated with tumour development. Vascular endothelial growth factor is elevated in dogs with a variety of neoplastic tumours and has been linked to an increased risk for metastasis and a poorer prognosis in several tumours. Spirocerca lupi (S. lupi) is a nematode of canids which infests the oesophagus where it forms a nodule. The oesophageal nodule can develop into a neoplastic tumour namely osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma or anaplastic sarcoma. The pathogenesis of the neoplastic transformation is poorly understood. Diagnosis of neoplastic transformation can be challenging and is based on endoscopy-guided biopsies which are invasive, expensive and may yield non diagnostic samples. The aim of this prospective study was to determine if serum and plasma VEGF levels could be used to distinguish between neoplastic and non-neoplastic spirocercosis. Twenty four dogs were enrolled in the study, 9 with non-neoplastic, 9 with neoplastic spirocercosis, and 6 control dogs. Plasma and serum samples for VEGF analysis were collected at diagnosis. Measurement of VEGF was done using a canine VEGF Quantikine ELISA kit. Statistical analysis to compare the means of the VEGF concentrations between the groups was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis followed by the Dunn’s test. Significance was set at p<0.05 The median plasma VEGF concentration of the dogs with neoplastic spirocercosis 629pg/ml (range 282 – 2366) was higher than the median plasma VEGF concentrations of both the non-neoplastic 0pg/ml (range 0 – 716) and controls 0pg/ml (range 0 – 0) (p<0.001). The median serum VEGF concentration of the neoplastic dogs 69pg/ml (range 0 – 212) was higher than the serum VEGF concentrations in the non-neoplastic 0pg/ml (range 0 – 44.13) and control 0pg/ml (range 0 – 39.4) (p=0.001). Plasma VEGF at a cut off value of 250pg/ml was determined to have a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 77.8%, a PPV of 81.8% and a NPV of 100% for determining neoplastic transformation. Serum VEGF at a cut off value of 25pg/ml was determined to have a sensitivity of 88.9%, specificity of 100%, a PPV of 100% and a NPV of 90% for determining neoplastic transformation. Both plasma and serum VEGF concentrations can be used to differentiate between non-neoplastic and neoplastic spirocercosis. Plasma VEGF concentrations were higher than serum VEGF concentrations, contrary to what is reported in literature. Both plasma and serum VEGF concentrations can, therefore, potentially be used for diagnosis of neoplastic vs. non-neoplastic cases in canine spirocercosis. There is a need to perform more studies to determine cut-off concentrations that would maximize the sensitivity and specificity for determining neoplastic transformation in canine spirocercosis as well as to determine the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of the neoplastic transformation. Copyright / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / unrestricted

The growth of vertebrates is primarily regulated by the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) system, but not in isolation. The central question of this dissertation was how do other hormones peripheral to the GH-IGF system interact with the system, including feedbacks by GH and IGF themselves on various tissues in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)? The representative hormones selected were thyroxine, cortisol, and the sex steroids testosterone and estrogen, along with GH and IGF. These hormones were chosen because they are known to affect overall growth and development during specific life events, but exactly what target genes and what mechanisms are involved are only at the early stages of being delineated in fish. Liver and gill tissues were selected as representative tissues to assess the in vitro effects on growth-related genes of the GH-IGF system. A total of more than thirty experiments were conducted, including time- and concentration-response, inhibitory studies, hormone combination studies, and radio-receptor binding assays. Hormones were applied to whole tissue cultures and real-time quantitative-PCR was used to measure hormonal effects on GHR, IGF, and IGFR1 genes. Microsomal preparations were treated with selected hormones and radio-labeled GH or IGF. A gamma counter was used to measure receptor-ligand activity. GH and IGF were found to possess autocrine and/or paracrine actions in self-regulating target growth genes. Thyroxine had no direct effects on targeted growth genes but may interact with other molecules or hormones to elicit its effects on growth and development. Cortisol directly influenced target growth genes in a tissue-specific and isoform-specific manner. Finally, sex steroids differentially regulated the growth genes: estradiol inhibited growth genes while testosterone directly stimulated growth genes. These findings contribute to understanding how hormones peripheral to the GH-IGF system interact with the growth system. / National Science Foundation grant IOS 0920116 to Dr. Mark Sheridan

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Medicine) / Classical epithelio-mesenchymal interactions are said to result in root development. These interactions may be regulated by a number of growth factors. Fibroblast growth factors (FGF’s), members of a highly conserved family of polypeptides, the heparin binding growth factors (HBGF’s) are known to play a crucial role during the development of certain vertebrate organs, including the tooth. Previously, FGF-2, 3, 4, and 8 have been shown to play a role in crown development. The aim of this study was therefore to elucidate the spatial and temporal expression of FGF-2 in the developing root. Parasagittal sections of the maxillary and mandibular arches of six age groups of post-natal mice (days 9, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 24) were cut and the developing roots of the incisor and molar teeth identified. Immunocytochemistry utilizing anti-FGF-2 was performed on sections of teeth from all stages using the strept-avidin biotin technique. Appropriate positive, negative and absorption controls were performed to ensure the specificity of the antibody. FGF-2 was immunolocalized in the cytoplasm and nuclei of the odontoblasts, fibroblasts of the periodontal ligament and pulp chamber, as well as in the osteoblasts surrounding developing bone at all the stages examined. Intense staining for FGF-2 was observed in differentiating odontoblasts at the apical end and the furcation zone of the developing root. FGF-2 localization was also observed in the cytoplasm of the ameloblasts on days 9, 10 and 12 and in cementoblasts on day 16, 20 and 24. The spatio-temporal expression pattern of FGF-2 in the developing mouse tooth root suggests that FGF-2 with other signaling molecules previously reported such as bone morphogenetic proteins-2, 3 and 7 (BMP-2, 3 and 7) participate in the signaling network during the tooth root development. / IT2018