MILHOME, Marcus Vinicius Liberato. Interação da frutalina com neoplasias de tireóide. Estudo comparativo com marcadores tumorais em uso. 2008. 112 f. Tese (Doutorado em bioquímica)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2008. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-07-20T17:58:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_tese_mvlmilhome.pdf: 9609801 bytes, checksum: c941b15b38e13278f721f7bd633a3802 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-07-26T20:27:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_tese_mvlmilhome.pdf: 9609801 bytes, checksum: c941b15b38e13278f721f7bd633a3802 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-26T20:27:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2008_tese_mvlmilhome.pdf: 9609801 bytes, checksum: c941b15b38e13278f721f7bd633a3802 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Increased interest has been devoted to cell surface carbohydrates, since they are related to cell differentiation and maturation. Cell transformation in malignant tumors is associated to altered surface membranes, particularly with an abnormal composition of glycoconjugates, determining characteristics of neoplastic cells as invasive behavior and metastasis. Lectins, proteins widely distributed in the plant and animal kingdom, have the distinctive property of binding to carbohydrates of specific structure and configuration. Lectins have been used as tools in many areas of diagnostic investigation especially related to changes in the expression of membrane and cytoplasmatic carbohydrates. The aim of this work was to compare the binding pattern of the biotinilated frutalin, Artocarpus incisa α-galatose binding lectin (FTL-B), with the markers usually available (CK19, HBME-1, GAL3) and the new papillary thyroid carcinoma marker 373-E1 in various thyroid lesions and normal thyroid tissue. FTL-B was obtained by affinity chromatography and biotinilated. CK19, GAL3 and HBME-1 were obtained from Novocastra Laboratories, Ltd., UK and 373-E1 from Labvision, UK. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues were used to build tissue macro-arrays that were cut at 2 µm and stained using FTL-B, CK19, GAL3, HBME-1 and 373-E1 by strepABC-HRP method. The cases included papillary carcinoma (90), follicular carcinoma (6), Hürthle cell carcinoma (2), anaplastic carcinoma (4), nodal metastasis of papillary carcinoma (6), Hürthle cell adenoma (2), follicular adenoma (3), goiter (4) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (3). There was no staining on benign thyroid lesions or normal thyroid tissue using FTL-B or the usual markers. Papillary carcinoma and metastasis from papillary carcinoma showed strong membranar stain using FTL-B. FTL-B and the usual markers showed similar binding pattern suggesting that FTL-B could be used as a thyroid tumoral marker similar to GAL3, CK19, HBME-1 and 373-E1. / O interesse nos carboidratos de superfície celular tem aumentado devido ao fato de estarem relacionados a diferenciação e maturação celular. A transformação celular em neoplasias malignas está associado a alterações na superfície de membranas celulares, particularmente na composição dos glicoconjugados, determinando sua capacidade em relação a invasividade e potencial metastático. Lectinas, proteinas amplamente distribuidas nos reinos animal e vegetal, tem a capacidade de ligarem-se a carboidratos de estrutura e configuração específicas. Tem sido utilizadas como ferramentas em muitas áreas de investigação diagnóstica especialmente naquelas relacionadas a mudanças na expressão de carboidratos no citoplasma e na membrana celulares. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o padrão de ligação da frutalina, lectina α-galactose ligante de Artocarpus incisa, biotinilada (FTL-B) com os marcadores usuais (CK19, GAL3, HBME-1) e o novo marcador para carcinomas papilares da tireóide, 373-E1, em várias lesões malignas e benignas da tireóide e em tecido tireoidiano normal. FTL-B foi obtida por cromatografia de afinidade e biotinilada. CK19, GAL3 e HBME-1 foram obtidos de Novocastra Laboratories, Ltd., UK e 373-E1 de Labvision, UK. Lesões tireoidianas e tecido tireoidiano normal em parafina foram utilizados para a construção de tissue micro-arrays os quais foram cortados a 2 µm e marcados com CK19, GAL3, HBME-1 e 373-E1 pelo método imuno-histoquímico da estreptoavidina-biotina-peroxidase e com FTL-B por método lectino-histoquímico. As lesões incluíam carcinomas papilares (90 casos), carcinomas foliculares (6 casos), carcinoma de células de Hürthle (2 casos), carcinoma anaplásico (4 casos), metástases linfonodais de carcinomas papilares (6 casos), adenoma de células de Hürthle (2 casos), adenomas foliculares (3 casos), bócio (4 casos) e tireoidite de Hashimoto (3 casos). Não houve marcação em tecido tireoidiano normal ou nas lesões benignas usando FTL-B ou os marcadores usuais. Carcinomas papilares e metástases de carcinomas papilares marcaram fortemente a membrana celular com FTL-B. Os marcadores usuais e FTL-B mostraram padrões de marcação semelhantes, sugerindo que FTL-B poderia ser usada como um marcador tumoral da mesma forma que CK19, GAL3, HBME-1 e 373-E1.

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Student: Katarína Tripská Supervisor: prof. PharmDr. Petr Pávek, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: miRNAs as diagnostic markers after treatment with glucocorticoids in rheumatology MicroRNAs are important class of non-coding RNAs that play important role in modulation of expression of multiple genes at a post-transcriptional level. Their deregulation contributes to many immune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. This thesis represents the most recent knowledge about functions of microRNAs in pathogenesis of these disorders and results were obtained by review of scientific literature published on PubMed database. The most perspective microRNAs in rheumatoid arthritis seem to be miR-16, miR-21, miR- 146a, miR-150 a miR-223. In lupus miR-148, miR-126, miR-21, miR-155, miR-125a a miR- 146 will probably find their useage as biomarkers. Systemic sclerosis is less examined diseases and we know most about miR-29 in the disease. Since the research of microRNA as diagnostic biomarkers is only at the beginning, it is most likely, that with the time there will be more and more of new microRNAs helping us clarify pathogenesis of each disorder. We can suppose...

O Diabetes Mellitus (DM) é uma doença metabólica que implica em altas incidências de mortalidade e morbidade. A hiperglicemia crônica é responsável pelo surgimento de inúmeras complicações em longo prazo nestes pacientes. Atualmente, é recomendado por diretrizes internacionais que pacientes com DM sejam monitorados e manejados em seu tratamento a partir dos níveis de hemoglobina glicada (A1C). A A1C é formada por reações não enzimáticas de glicação na hemoglobina, refletindo a glicemia dos últimos 120 dias. A A1C possui forte associação com os desfechos clínicos no DM e apresenta uma excelente padronização de seus métodos analíticos. Contudo, diversas situações clínicas podem interferir falsamente em seus níveis e prejudicar a interpretação de seus resultados, como em anemias (carenciais ou hemolíticas), hemoglobinopatias, gravidez, doença renal crônica, etc. Por outro lado, a albumina glicada (AG) é uma frutosamina formada por glicações na albumina e reflete uma glicemia média de cerca de 2 a 3 semanas. A AG não é influenciada pela concentração de outras proteínas no plasma e também não sofre interferência pelas condições que afetam a A1C. Este marcador tem sido fortemente avaliado como uma ferramenta alternativa para a A1C, a partir da análise de seus níveis por um novo método enzimático descrito em 2002. Estudos tem demonstrado uma forte associação entre estes dois marcadores e grande semelhança em predizer as complicações do DM. Entretanto, a AG se mostra melhor para avaliar flutuações nos níveis de glicose e a resposta ao tratamento terapêutico. Neste trabalho, foi avaliado o desempenho analítico de dois kits enzimáticos de AG e realizado uma comparação entre os métodos, encontrando excelentes resultados. Ainda, foi determinado o intervalo de referência para os níveis de AG em brasileiros saudáveis. A forte correlação encontrada entre AG e A1C demonstra que a AG pode ser um teste útil para o controle glicêmico no DM, principalmente quando a A1C não é recomendada. / Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease with high incidence rates of mortality and morbidity. Chronic hyperglycemia is responsible for several long-term complications in these patients. Currently, international guidelines recommend that glycemic monitoring in DM should be performed by glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels, to provide a correct clinical conduction. A1C is relative to non-enzymatic glycation reactions in hemoglobin and reflects the glucose levels from the last 120 days. It is well established the great association between A1C and clinical outcomes in DM, besides, its analytical methods present an excellent standardization. However, some conditions may influence and imply misinterpretation in A1C results, such as anemia, hemoglobinophaties, pregnancy, chronic renal disease, etc. On the other hand, glycated albumin (GA) is a fructosamine produced by glycation reactions in albumin and it reflects a mean glycemia at around 2 to 3 weeks. GA is not influenced by the concentrations of other plasma proteins, as well as by those conditions that interfere in A1C. GA has been strongly evaluated as an alternative marker to A1C, through its quantitative measurement by an enzymatic methodology described in 2002. Recent studies have demonstrated a high association between GA and A1C and a great similarity between these tests in predicting DM future complications. Nevertheless, GA has showed be better to assess the glucose fluctuations in blood and the response to treatment. This study evaluated the analytical performance of two GA enzymatic kits and also executed a methods comparison, and found excellent results. Also, we established the reference range for GA levels in healthy Brazilians. The high correlation found between GA and A1C indicates that GA could be a useful test for glycemic control in DM, especially when A1C is unreliable.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-09-30Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:33:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 utsunomiya_ath_me_jabo.pdf: 1152493 bytes, checksum: 3f817736ec374e78cf3c1f57eaeab65b (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Um grande volume de informações de marcadores SNPs vem sendo produzidos e aplicados a metodologias de avaliação genética animal. A quantidade de informações disponíveis faz-se um desafio, pois armazená-las e processar-las é demandante computacionalmente. Então, propôs-se com este trabalho 2 algoritmos (MLOCO e MSNP) para simular dados SNPs como alternativa de minimizar a demanda por processamento e consumo de memória computacional. MLOCO simula SNP como um loco que possui configuração de alelos, posição no genoma e efeitos sobre a expressão de fenótipos (nulos para SNP). MSNP simula SNP apenas como loco que possui configuração de alelos e posição no genoma. Ao nível de cromossomo, para MLOCO, poligenes, QTLs e SNPs são armazenados em um único vetor de acordo com suas localizações. Para MSNP, poligenes, QTLs e SNPs também são armazenados de acordo com suas localizações, porém em vetores específicos para cada tipo de loco. Considerando o consumo de memória, MLOCO é menos eficiente porque armazena um número de variáveis maior (efeito do loco, mesmo que seja zero). MSNP não armazena esta variável. Quanto à velocidade de processamento, MLOCO é mais eficiente porque os locos são armazenados de maneira seqüencial, facilitando a amostragem dos alelos devido a variável “posição”, para formação de um gameta e consequentemente um indivíduo. Como o fator limitante na realização de simulações e utilizações de dados é a memória RAM, o MSNP é a melhor alternativa para simular dados SNPs / A large amount of information of SNPs markers have been produced and applied methodologies in genetic evaluation. The amount of information available makes it challenging, for storing and processing them is computationally expansive. So, it was proposed in this paper two algorithms (MLOCO and MSNP) to simulate data SNPs as an alternative to minimize the demand for processing and consumption of computer memory. MLOCO simulates SNP as a locus that has configuration of alleles, position in the genome and its effects on the expression phenotypes (null for SNP). MSNP SNP simulates only locus that has position and configuration of alleles. At the level of the chromosome to MLOCO, polygenes, QTLs and SNPs are stored in a single vector according to their locations. To MSNP, polygenes, QTLs and SNPs are also stored according to their locations, but in specific vectors for each locus type. Whereas the memory consumption, MLOCO is less efficient because stores a greater number of variables (locus effect, even if it is zero). MSNP does not store this variable. As for processing speed, MLOCO is more efficient because the loci are stored sequentially, facilitating the sampling of alleles due to the variable position to form a gamete and hence an individual. As the limiting factor in simulations and use data is the RAM memory, the MSNP is the best alternative for simulating SNPs data

O Diabetes Mellitus (DM) é uma doença metabólica que implica em altas incidências de mortalidade e morbidade. A hiperglicemia crônica é responsável pelo surgimento de inúmeras complicações em longo prazo nestes pacientes. Atualmente, é recomendado por diretrizes internacionais que pacientes com DM sejam monitorados e manejados em seu tratamento a partir dos níveis de hemoglobina glicada (A1C). A A1C é formada por reações não enzimáticas de glicação na hemoglobina, refletindo a glicemia dos últimos 120 dias. A A1C possui forte associação com os desfechos clínicos no DM e apresenta uma excelente padronização de seus métodos analíticos. Contudo, diversas situações clínicas podem interferir falsamente em seus níveis e prejudicar a interpretação de seus resultados, como em anemias (carenciais ou hemolíticas), hemoglobinopatias, gravidez, doença renal crônica, etc. Por outro lado, a albumina glicada (AG) é uma frutosamina formada por glicações na albumina e reflete uma glicemia média de cerca de 2 a 3 semanas. A AG não é influenciada pela concentração de outras proteínas no plasma e também não sofre interferência pelas condições que afetam a A1C. Este marcador tem sido fortemente avaliado como uma ferramenta alternativa para a A1C, a partir da análise de seus níveis por um novo método enzimático descrito em 2002. Estudos tem demonstrado uma forte associação entre estes dois marcadores e grande semelhança em predizer as complicações do DM. Entretanto, a AG se mostra melhor para avaliar flutuações nos níveis de glicose e a resposta ao tratamento terapêutico. Neste trabalho, foi avaliado o desempenho analítico de dois kits enzimáticos de AG e realizado uma comparação entre os métodos, encontrando excelentes resultados. Ainda, foi determinado o intervalo de referência para os níveis de AG em brasileiros saudáveis. A forte correlação encontrada entre AG e A1C demonstra que a AG pode ser um teste útil para o controle glicêmico no DM, principalmente quando a A1C não é recomendada. / Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease with high incidence rates of mortality and morbidity. Chronic hyperglycemia is responsible for several long-term complications in these patients. Currently, international guidelines recommend that glycemic monitoring in DM should be performed by glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels, to provide a correct clinical conduction. A1C is relative to non-enzymatic glycation reactions in hemoglobin and reflects the glucose levels from the last 120 days. It is well established the great association between A1C and clinical outcomes in DM, besides, its analytical methods present an excellent standardization. However, some conditions may influence and imply misinterpretation in A1C results, such as anemia, hemoglobinophaties, pregnancy, chronic renal disease, etc. On the other hand, glycated albumin (GA) is a fructosamine produced by glycation reactions in albumin and it reflects a mean glycemia at around 2 to 3 weeks. GA is not influenced by the concentrations of other plasma proteins, as well as by those conditions that interfere in A1C. GA has been strongly evaluated as an alternative marker to A1C, through its quantitative measurement by an enzymatic methodology described in 2002. Recent studies have demonstrated a high association between GA and A1C and a great similarity between these tests in predicting DM future complications. Nevertheless, GA has showed be better to assess the glucose fluctuations in blood and the response to treatment. This study evaluated the analytical performance of two GA enzymatic kits and also executed a methods comparison, and found excellent results. Also, we established the reference range for GA levels in healthy Brazilians. The high correlation found between GA and A1C indicates that GA could be a useful test for glycemic control in DM, especially when A1C is unreliable.

O cerrado brasileiro é um dos biomas de maior riqueza e endemismo de plantas, mas com alto índice de desmatamento nas últimas décadas, o que resultou na fragmentação dos habtats e na ameaça de extinção de centenas de espécies vegetais. Dentre estas espécies ameaçadas está Anacardium humile, conhecida como cajuzinho-do-campo, uma planta caméfita de ampla distribuição pelo país, servindo de alimento para o homem e para alguns animais e apresentando propriedades medicinais. Estudos sobre a estrutura de populações de Anacardium humile são escassos na literatura, e seu entendimento é fundamental para a preservação e conservação da espécie. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve dois objetivos: 1) em duas fitofisionomias de cerrado distintas, estimar a abundância de ramets da espécie, seu padrão de distribuição espacial em macro e microescala, e a influencia da porcentagem de abertura do dossel na determinação deste padrão; 2) a construção de uma biblioteca genômica enriquecida de microssatélites para a espécie e o desenho de primers a partir desta biblioteca, a fim de isolar locos com potencial para uso como marcadores genéticos. Com relação ao primeiro objetivo, três parcelas de 0,5 ha, divididas em 200 subparcelas, foram instaladas (duas num fragmento de cerrado típico à cerradão e uma num fragmento de cerrado aberto), e todos os ramets da espécie foram amostrados por contagem, sendo discriminados os com e sem ataque de Contarinia sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Fotografias foram tiradas do centro de cada parcela para determinar a porcentagem de abertura do dossel. A abundância de ramets foi maior nas áreas mais abertas, mas a incidência de ataque de Contarinia sp foi maior no fragmento mais fechado. As análises de macroescala (Índice de Dispersão) e de microescala (Autocorrelação Espacial) mostraram que os ramets da espécie apresentam padrão agregado em ambas as áreas, mas que essa agregação, em microescala, não está relacionada à porcentagem de abertura do dossel, embora haja diferenças significativas para este ultimo fator entre os grids, indicando que o padrão é devido à sua forma de vida. Já em relação ao segundo objetivo, a construção da biblioteca genômica enriquecida de microssatélites resultou em 180 clones, dos quais 84 foram seqüenciados, sendo detectadas 23 sequências contendo microssatélites, o que representa um enriquecimento da biblioteca de 27,38%. Foram desenhados 15 pares de primers dentre os 34 microssatélites obtidos, mas apenas 7 pares amplificaram. Destes, cinco pares foram visualizados em acrilamida, e um loco polimórfico foi observado. O número de clones obtidos está dentro do observado em estudos com outras espécies da família Anacardiaceae, mostrando a eficiência do protocolo. Problemas com a otimização de reagentes podem ter impedido a amplificação de alguns primers, uma vez que os procedimentos para o desenho dos mesmos foram adequados. Os resultados de polimorfismo são preliminares, devido ao número baixo de indivíduos avaliados. Ao menos um loco apresenta potencial como marcador genético. / Brazilian cerrado is one of the richest and plants endemism biomes, but with a high deforestation in the last decades, resulted in habitats fragmentation and extinction threat of hundreds of plant species. Among these threatened species is Anacardium humile, known as cajuzinho-do-campo, a camephyth plant with a wide distribution through the country, which serves as aliment to man and some animals and presents some medical properties. Studies about Anacardium humiles populations structure are very scarce in the literature, and its understanding is fundamental to the preservation and conservation of the species. Thus, the present work had two objectives: 1) in two distincts cerrado plant physiognomies, estimate the abundance of species ramets, its spatial distribution pattern in macro and microscale, and the influence of canopy openness percentage in the determination of this pattern; 2) construction of a genomic enriched library with microsatellites to the species and primers design from this library, to isolate loci with potential to be used as genetic markers. In relation to the first objective, three 0,5 ha quadrats, divided in 200 contiguous quadrats of 25 m2, were installed (two in a typical cerrado to cerradão fragment and one in an open cerrado fragment), and all species ramets were sampled by count, being differentiated in with and without Contarinia sp attack ((Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Photographies of the center of each parcel were taken to determinate the percentage of canopys openness. The abundance of ramets were higher in the most opened areas, but the incidence of Contarinia sp attack were higher in the closest fragment. Macroscale (Dispersion Index) and microscale analysis (Spatial Autocorrelation) showed that species ramets present an aggregated pattern in both areas, but this aggregation is not related to the percentage of canopys openness, although there are significant differences to this last factor among the grids, indicating that pattern is due to its way of life. In relation to the second objective, the construction of genomic library enriched with microsatellites resulted in 180 clones, which 84 were sequenced, being detected 23 sequences containing microsatellites, representing a librarys enrichment of 27,38%. 15 primers pairs were designed among the 34 obtained microsatellites, but only 7 pairs amplified. From these, five pairs were visualized in acrylamide, and one polymorphic loco was observed. The number of obtained clones is in accordance with the observed in studies with another species from Anacardiaceae family, showing protocols efficiency. Problems with the optimization of reagents may have impeded the amplification of some primers, once that procedures to their design were suitable. Polymorphism results are preliminaries, due to low number of evaluated individuals. At least one loco presents potential as genetic marker.

Abstract Bladder cancer when superficial has a good prognosis but it has a high recurrence risk and about 10–15% of the superficial carcinomas will progress into muscle invasive or metastatic type. The most powerful factor for predicting the behavior of bladder carcinoma is the stage of the tumor. Invasion to the lamina propria increases the risk of recurrence and progress to muscle-invasive tumor. Also grade of the tumor and tumor multiplicity associates with high risk for recurrence. New markers are still needed to find those patients who need more and better treatments to avoid the recurrence and progress. The need for new non-invasive markers to diminish the need for frequent cystoscopy in follow-up is also obvious. Gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 are known to associate to tumor invasion and progression. Also their tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 take part in these diversified processes and metastasis formation. In the present work the expression and clinical value of gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were evaluated in bladder carcinoma. Primary tissue samples of 121 patients were analyzed for expression of MMP-2 and/or MMP-9 using immunohistochemistry. The serum samples of 87 patients who were treated in the Oncology Department of Oulu University Hospital were collected and studied with ELISA. The control group consisted of 44 healthy volunteers. Overexperssion of MMP-2 protein correlated significantly to disease-specific survival and showed an independent prognostic value as a biomarker. High MMP-9 expression instead correlated to favorable overall survival of bladder cancer patients. Circulating proMMP-2, TIMP-2 and MMP-2:TIMP-2 complex levels were lower in cancer patients than in healthy volunteers in control group. High levels of all these three markers correlated with better prognosis in bladder cancer patients.

Abstract Traditional clinicopathological factors are not accurate enough to predict the behavior of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The most powerful indicator of prognosis is the stage of the disease. New prognostic markers have, however, been searched for in order to better identify patient groups in need of different treatments or follow-up. Gelatinases (MMP-2, -9) are endopeptidases associated with tumor invasion and angiogenesis, and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1, -2) are also linked to cancer cell invasion and metastasis formation. In some cancer types they are even prognostic and relate with a more aggressive clinical course of the disease. In the present work the expression and the clinical significance of tumor tissue and circulating immunoreactive proteins for MMP-2, -9, TIMP-1 and -2 were assessed in HNSCC. The study group included 74 patients with HNSCC and 44 healthy controls. The expression of immunoreactive proteins was examined in paraffin-embedded tumor sections by immunohistochemical staining using specific antibodies, and the pretreatment serum levels of those proteins were quantitatively measured by ELISA assay. Immunohistochemical overexpression of MMP-9 in tumor was for the first time found to predict the prognosis for shortened survival in HNSCC, the cause-specific survival rates being 45% and 92% and relapse-free survival being 42% and 79% in MMP-9 positive or negative cases, respectively. Additionally, tissue TIMP-1, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 positivity were all also linked with poorer survival of patients with HNSCC. However, these differences remained less distinct than with MMP-9. The expression of gelatinases and their inhibitors in tumor tissue was also an indicator for later lymph node or hematogenic relapses in HNSCC patients. Circulating MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were significantly higher in HNSCC patients than in healthy controls. Further, the cause-specific and relapse-free survival rates were lower among HNSCC patients with high MMP-9 and TIMP-1 serum levels compared to patients with low levels of circulating MMP-9 and TIMP-1. A significant correlation was shown between circulating MMP-9 and MMP-9 immunohistochemical staining in the corresponding tumors. No correlation was found between tissue or circulating levels of gelatinases or their inhibitors and the traditional clinical or histopathological factors, except for the association between tissue and circulating TIMP-1 and the size of the primary tumor. Taken together, these results suggest that tissue expression of gelatinases and their inhibitors as well as pretreatment circulating MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels could be prognostic in estimation of the clinical course of HNSCC. The results indicate further studies are needed with larger patient materials.

The GINS complex (a heterotetramer of Sld5, Psf1, Psf2 and Psf3) is a highly conserved DNA replication factor required for the initiation and elongation of DNA replication. GINS is believed to associate with Cdc45 and MCM proteins on replicating DNA. The interaction between GINS and MCM is also conserved in archaea. In my thesis, I explore the subcellular localisation of the GINS complex in relation to the MCM proteins and sites of DNA replication by high-resolution confocal microscopy. For these studies, I generated and carefully validated purified rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal antibodies; these show a specific staining pattern by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. At high-resolution, all GINS antibodies produced a focal nuclear pattern, similar to that seen for the MCMs. However, confusingly, colocalisation between GINS and MCMs and between the GINS subunits themselves is poor. Investigations are continuing to understand this conundrum. Given the value of MCM proteins as specific and sensitive markers for cancer screening, I investigated whether GINS subunits also have potential diagnostic value. Sld5 and Psf3 expression is restricted to the proliferative compartment in normal tissue, but is found in the majority of cells in a wide range of dysplastic and malignant tissues, including cervix, colon and bladder. In vitro studies of tissue culture cells and cell lysates incubated in urine suggest that Sld5 protein is more stable than Mcm2 in harsh extracellular environments. In an ongoing pilot clinical study of Sld5 protein as a potential biomarker, Sld5 is readily and specifically detectable in the cellular fraction of the samples from prostate and bladder cancer patients. Work is ongoing to evaluate Sld5 protein levels in the supernatant portion of those same urine samples as an easy-to-screen diagnostic/prognostic marker for male urogenital cancers. Owing to their stability, GINS proteins hold promise as independent or complementary markers to the MCM proteins for cancer screening in harsh extracellular environments such as urine.

Vision-based positioning systems are founded primarily on a simple image processing technique of identifying various visually significant key-points in an image and relating them to a known coordinate system in a scene. Fiducial markers are used as a means of providing the scene with a number of specific key-points, or features, such that computer vision algorithms can quickly identify them within a captured image. This thesis proposes a reliable vision-based positioning system which utilizes a unique pseudo-random fiducial marker. The marker itself offers 49 distinct feature points to be used in position estimation. Detection of the designed marker occurs after an integrated process of adaptive thresholding, k-means clustering, color classification, and data verification. The ultimate goal behind such a system would be for indoor localization implementation in low cost autonomous mobile platforms.