Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-133) / Microfiche. / xvi, 133 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-122). / Microfiche. / x, 122 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Addendum inserted (leaf 170 verso) / Some illustrations are on unnumbered leaves. / Bibliography: leaves 151-170. / xiv, 170, [25] leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Lymphocyte 5'-ectonucleotidase (NT) was selected as a mechanism to explain the phenomenon of stress-induced immunosuppression. The findings indicates that NT is a good marker of stress induced immune suppression and correlates negatively with depression scores such as the Beck Depression Inventory, and psychological distress as measured by the TMD scores, and STAI-trait. The suppression of NT appears to be mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), and is consistent with the finding of normal NT levels in melancholic patients with high antioxidant intake, the heightened inflammatory responses, the low levels of zinc, the low ascorbate stores, and the down regulation of glucocorticoid receptors reported to occur in stress/depressed patients. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Psychology, 1997?

Includes bibliography / 118, [78] leaves, [1] leaf of plates : ill ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, 1984

Bibliography: leaves 197-274. / 274, [146] leaves, [9] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Aims to characterize the cell-mediated immune response to Salmonella infection in mice, by comparing the antigen presenting cell activity of peritoneal cells (PCs) obtained from infected mice with that of PCs from normal mice and analysing the T cell subsets induced by primary and secondary Salmonella infections. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, 1993?

xiii, 161, xxxiii leaves : ill., tables ; 26 cm / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Microbiology, 1975

Bibliography: leaves 113-144. / ix, 144 leaves, [56] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Investigates the functions of the maternal, protein secretions of the endoparasitoid wasps Venturia canescens Gravenhorst regarding their role in providing protection against the host's immune system. Also investigates mucinous protein secretions on the egg surface and coagulation reactions and their role in protecting eggs against host cellular attacks. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Applied & Molecular Ecology, 2002

Doctor of Philosophy / Profound perturbation of epithelial structure is a characteristic feature of the immunopatholoical response to bacterial antigens considered to be central in the pathogenesis of the destructive lesion of periodontitis. The pathological basis for the disturbance of epithelial structure is not understood. It was demonstrated that the structural integrity and functional differentiation of the lining epithelium is compromised in relation to inflammatory changes associated with destructive periodontitis. In the pathological lining epithelium of the periodontal pocket there was a marked reduction of epithelial cadherin important in intercellular adhesion, of involucrin, a marker of terminal differentiation, and of the gap junction connexions that form intercellular communication channels. These changes were associated with alterations of filamentous actin expression, collectively indicating profound perturbation of epithelial structure. The data reported support the concept that the ability of the pathological lining epithelium to function as an effective barrier against the ingress of microbial products into the tissues is severely compromised (Ye et al., 2000). In addition, a recent study (Ye et al., 2003) by Western analysis of serum IgG from all 22 patients with chronic periodontitis tested indicated recognition of multiple epithelial components in individual patterns. In contrast, subjects with a healthy periodontium displayed only trace recognition of epithelial antigens. Levels of epithelial-reactive antibodies were significantly correlated with attachment loss as an indication of disease activity. To investigate a possible relationship between the bacterial flora adjacent to the diseased sites and the presence of epithelial-reactive antibodies, subgingival plague samples were taken from deep periodontal pockets and cultured anaerobically. Gram positive bacteria containing antigens potentially cross-reactive with epithelial cells were reproducibly isolated by probing membrane colony lifts with affinity-isolated (epitheial-specific) antibodies. The bacteria were identified as streptococci (S. mitis, S. constellatus and two S. intermedius strains) and Actinomyces (A. georgiae, and A. sp. oral clone) by 16S rDNA sequence homology. Recognition by affinity-isolated antibodies of antigens from the captured organisms was confirmed by Western analysis. Conversely, absorption of affinity-isolated antibodies with bacterial species specifically reduced subsequent recognition of epithelial antigens. To identify the auto-antigens, a human keratinocyte cDNA expression library in Lambda phage was probed using a pooled sera. Groups of responders were detected for CD24 (a recently described adhesion molecule also known as P-selectin ligand), antioxidant protein 2 (a newly recognised member of the thiol-dependment anti-oxidant proteins), lavtate dehydrogenase A, the transcription factor NFAT5, and for three genes encoding novel proteins. Six identified bacteria, especially S intermedius were demonstrated to absorb antibodies reaching with identified auto-antigens in patterns varying between individuals. This evidence indicated that during the course of periodontits, subjects develop increased levels of antibodies to common oral bacteria amongst which are included tissue cross-reactive antigens. Periodontitis could therefore present a risk for the subsequent initiation or exacerbation of a broad spectrum of disease processes including autoimmune, inflammatory, proliferative and degenerative disorders.

Immunocontraception, or contraception mediated by the immune system, is being widely studied as an alternative, humane form of population control. The induction of an immune response against a specific component of the mammalian oocyte, termed zona pellucida (ZP) has been shown to be an effective immunocontraceptive in several species. Comparatively little work has been done investigating the use of ZP antigens in the domestic cat. This study aimed to investigate porcine ZP(B+C) and feline ZPA, B and C as immunogens in the domestic cat, and further to elucidate their effects on reproduction. Immunisation of female cats with porcine ZP(B+C) failed to elicit a detectable antibody response as assessed by ELISA, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, there was no effect on the structure of the ovaries nor on breeding performance. Feline ZPA, B and C were cloned into the pkCMVint.polyli mammalian expression vector and used to immunise female cats. ELISA revealed that immunisation with either pkCMVint.fZP(B+C) or pkCMVint.fZPA DNA (Treated) resulted in a low-level circulating antibody response, which was apparently short-lived. Immunoblotting did not reveal any common pattern of recognition of antigenic polypeptides between responding animals. Ovaries from fZP Treated animals, however, showed antibody binding specifically on the ZP of follicles from late primary / early secondary, through to antral stages. Despite the antibody binding, the overall structure of the ovaries remained unaffected in all but two of the fZP Treated cats. Two fZPA immunised cats exhibited ovaries that had no recognisable follicular structures, however, the observed abnormalities could not be conclusively linked to fZPA immunisation. Overall, a significant lymphoproliferative response was shown in fZP Treated cats when compared with Controls. Fertility was not significantly affected in fZP Treated cats, although there was a tendency towards increased incidence of unsuccessful matings or pregnancies. The fZP DNA preparations studied here exhibit potential as an immunocontraceptive, with the ability to generate a lymphoproliferative response against fZP and elicit antibodies specifically recognizing fZP in situ. Further studies should continue to investigate the immunogenicity of, and characterise the immune response against, such fZP DNA preparations.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Public Health, 1999? / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-135).