Hydatidiform mole (HM) is an abnormal human pregnancy characterized by cystic degeneration of chorionic villi and absence of embryo. It has been correctly proposed that deregulation of imprinted genes, expressed in a parent-of-origin specific pattern, leads to this pathology due to the fact that biparental and androgenetic HMs are indistinguishable at the phenotypic level. To determine the extent of the abnormal DNA methylation in two biparental moles from a family with a mutation in NALP7, we assessed long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), inactive X-linked genes and three tumour suppressor genes and demonstrated their normal levels of methylation. Since the identification of the NALP7 as the causative gene of recurrent HMs, the role of inflammation and immunity has come into light as a possible cause of this disease. Due to the known role of NALP7 in cytokine processing, we addressed the ability of the patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to secrete cytokines in response to stimulation with various antigenic molecules. We found a reduced level of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha secretion by the patients' PBMCs suggesting that abnormal processing of several cytokines may underlie this disease.

Protected areas are increasingly becoming islands of habitat surrounded by seas of cultivation and development. Mole National Park, Ghana’s premier park, has an emerging nature-based tourism that is not large when compared to park tourism in other African countries. The park attracts many tourists seeking to observe charismatic wildlife such as elephants. However, many of the species that are attractive to tourists can create problems for adjacent communities. The overarching focus of this study was on how human-wildlife interactions impact on nature-based tourism in order to inform tourism development in Mole National Park and in nearby communities. The study was designed to address the following research questions: (1) How do human-wildlife interactions impact on nature-based tourism in Mole National Park and in nearby communities? (2) How do adjacent communities perceive the concerns and benefits of living near Mole National Park, and what factors explain the differences in perception of these concerns and benefits? and (3) How do park-adjacent communities perceive wildlife impact, and how are the perceptions of wildlife shaped by culture, involvement in a community conservation area, and a community’s distance from the park? A variety of research instruments such as key informant interviews, focus groups, field observations, and surveys were used to gather data from tourists and the diverse range of communities that surround Mole National Park. The study revealed high levels of tourist satisfaction with fundamental attractions such as wildlife and the environment. However, managerial deficiencies were noted in terms of infrastructure and services. CREMA (a variant of community-based natural resource management) influence communities to have positive attitude towards the park and tolerate wildlife because of the benefits they gain or perceive they will potentially gain. Communities closer to the park although have concerns, rated benefits higher than communities farther away from the park. Cultural valuation of animals also influence people’s interactions with wildlife. For example, taboo and totemic animals are revered and tolerated, not killed or eaten, although the same species may be considered problematic in other communities. Park ranger patrols, protecting water bodies, and livestock pens were rated as effective enhancement and mitigation measures of human-wildlife interactions. Properly developed nature-based tourism in and around PAs can serve both conservation and development outcomes. However, the success of PAs as a conservation strategy depends to some extent on the support of the nearby communities. Park-adjacent communities’ valuation of wildlife and the perception of concerns and benefits are important in the conservation process. Therefore, efforts should be made to ensure that concerns do not outweigh the benefits of living near PAs. Also tourism development in PAs should benefit nearby communities to offset the negative impacts of PAs on adjacent communities. / Graduate / 0366 / eyacquah@yahoo.com

Thesis (M.Sc. (Biochemistry))--Mahidol University, 1984.

Thesis (M.Sc (Biochemistry))--Mahidol University, 1982.

This Ph.D. thesis focuses on the ecology and activity of mesic Afrotropic mole-rats. In particular, ecological characteristics in habitats of two mole-rat species with different social system, the solitary Heliophobius argenteocinereus and social Fukomys whytei, were analysed in an area of sympatry and the results are discussed in relation with available ecological data on other species. Two studies bring to light novel data on the ecology and behaviour of the free-living largest social bathyergid, the giant mole-rat Fukomys mechowii, especially in relation to ecological characteristics in its natural habitat, burrow system architecture, kin structure and spatial and temporal activity patterns. In the final study, new data on the field metabolism of the silvery mole-rat H. argenteocinereus are presented. These new findings are discussed in further detail and expand upon existing explanations for low resting metabolism in subterranean rodents and the differences in field metabolism in relation to seasonality of habitat.

Magnetoreception in rodents was studied in this Ph.D. thesis. Behavioural evidence for compass magnetic orientation was found in two subterranean African rodents: the social giant mole-rat (Fukomys mechowii) and solitary silvery mole-rat (Heliophobius argenteocinereus) and epigeic rodent bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus). The study is also focused on the role of magnetic orientation in solving the orientation task in Morris water maze in bank vole.

Subterranean rodents are interesting model group for studying of the circadian timing system due to their cryptic lifestyle and challenging living conditions. The filed data indicate that the locomotor activity of the silvery mole-rat (Heliophobius argenteocinereus) is influenced by temperature cycle, but the confirmation in laboratory study was to date missing.

Introdução: As fissuras orofaciais estão entre as anomalias congênitas mais comuns e compreendem uma grande variabilidade de formas clínicas, sendo as fissuras labiopalatinas as mais comuns. A incidência de patologias da orelha média é elevada em pacientes com fissuras labiopalatinas ou palatina isolada. Nestes pacientes, pode haver uma inserção anômala da musculatura do véu palatino na tuba auditiva além de alterações estruturais na cartilagem e no lúmen da tuba. A disfunção tubária persistente ocasiona pressão intratimpânica negativa a qual leva ao início de sucessivas alterações na orelha média, muitas vezes irreversível. Objetivo: Descrever as alterações otológicas de 180 pacientes com fissura labiopalatina ou palatina isolada acompanhados no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Métodos: Analisaram-se 180 pacientes que consultaram no Ambulatório de Otorrinolaringologia e Fissura Palatina no período de agosto de 2001 a outubro de 2002. Além de uma história detalhada, foi realizada otoscopia com descrição detalhada dos achados e otomicroscopia sempre que possível. A análise estatística foi efetivada com o teste t de Student e o Quiquadrado, e quando necessário, foi utilizado o teste exato de Fisher. Resultados: Detectou-se 130 pacientes (72,2%) sem queixas otorrinolaringológicas na primeira avaliação. Observamos que 109 pacientes (70,3%) apresentavam fenda envolvendo o lábio e o palato e 46 pacientes (29,7%) apresentavam apenas comprometimento isolado do palato. A prevalência geral de alterações à otoscopia foi de 77,5%. Efusão na orelha média esteve presente em 80 pacientes (46,2%), otite média crônica colesteatomatosa em 11 (6,4%) e não colesteatomatosa em 9 (5,2%). Retração moderada/ severa foi o principal achado em 24 pacientes (13,9%). Observou-se uma associação linear entre a faixa etária e a presença dessas patologias. À medida que aumenta a faixa etária diminui a ocorrência de efusão na orelha média e aumenta a ocorrência de patologias mais crônicas como retração moderada/ severa, otite crônica com ou sem a presença de colesteatoma. A avaliação otorrinolaringológica continuada do paciente com fenda no palato permite a intervenção sempre que necessária e a manutenção da integridade da orelha média. / Introduction: Orofacial clefts are among the most frequent congenital anomalies, and encompass a wide variety of clinical presentations, of which labiopalatine clefts are the most common. The incidence of middle ear diseases is high in patients with labiopalatine or palatine clefts. In these patients, there is an anomalous insertion of the musculature of the palatine veil in the auditory tube, and also structural abnormalities in the cartilage and lumen of the tube. Persistent tubarian dysfunction causes a negative intratimpanic pressure which in turn gives rise to a series of sequential and often irreversible abnormalities in the middle ear. Objective: To describe otologic findings in 180 patients with labiopalatine ofrpalatine clefts evaluated and followed at Hospital de Clinicas, Porto Alegre. Methods: One hundred and eighty patients followed at the Otolaryngology and Cleft Palate Clinic from August 2001 and October 2002 were studied. Patients were evaluated with a detailed history, accurate registration of the otoscopic findings and, whenever possible, with otomicroscopy. Statistical analysis was performed with Student’s t , Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: One-hundred and thirty patients (72.2%) had no otolaryngologic complaints at the initial evaluation. We observed that 109 patients (70.3%) had both labial and palatal clefts, while 46 patients (29.7%) had isolated palatal clefts. The overall incidence of otoscopic abnormalities was 77.5%. In 80 patients (46.2%), there was middle ear effusion, in 11 (6.4%) there was chronic cholesteatomatous otitis media, and in 9 (5.2%) noncholesteatomatous otitis media. In 24 patients (13.9%), moderate to severe retraction of the timpanic membrane was the main finding. There was a linear correlation between patient age and the presence of otolaryngologic findings; middle ear effusions were less frequent with increasing age, whereas the occurrence of chronic conditions such as moderate/severe retraction and otitis media with or without cholesteatoma were more common among older patients. Continued otolaryngological evaluation of the patients with cleft palate allows for early intervention and for the preservation of the integrity of the middle ear of these patients.

Pectobactérias (Pectobacterium spp. e Dickeya spp.) são os agentes causais da canela-preta e podridão-mole, e Ralstonia solanacearum da murcha bacteriana. A principal fonte de inóculo dessas doenças é o tubérculo-semente assintomático. As importações brasileiras de tubérculo-semente podem representar um risco à cultura. Tubérculos-semente livres de patógenos é considerada a melhor estratégia para manejar essas doenças. Entrentanto, métodos sensíveis para detecção desses patógenos são necessários. Sendo assim, o principal objetivo dessa pesquisa foi desenvolver e validar um método para detecção de pectobactérias e R. solanacearum presentes em baixa densidade populacional em tubérculos de batata, através de qPCR. A qPCR foi realizada com sondas de hidrólise (sondas TaqMan® MGB) e fluoróforo intercalante de DNA fita-dupla (SYBR Green I). Esse método poderá ser utilizado como uma ferramenta em estudos epidemiológicos, programas de certificação e inspeção quarentenária. O uso de cartões FTA para a coleta e extração do DNA dos tubérculos foi testado, utilizando três métodos de transferência de amostras: pressão direta; cone triturado em PBS; e fragmentos retirados com seringa e triturados em PBS. O primeiro método foi o mais sensível, proporcionando um limite de detecção por PCR de 1x102 UFC.mL-1. Oligonucleotídeos iniciadores foram desenhados para as bactérias-alvo, exceto para R. solanacearum, na qual se usou os oligonucleotídeos iniciadores OLI1/Y2 em PCR e qPCR. Dickeya spp. (54,9%) e R. solanacearum (52,9%) apresentaram a maior incidência nas 206 amostras analisadas por qPCR, seguidas por P. brasiliensis (16,5%), P. atrosepticum (9,2%), P. carotovorum (6,3%) e P. betavasculorum (1,9%). Esta última trata-se do primeiro registro em batata no Brasil. Associações entre as espécies bacterianas nos tubérculos também foram verificadas, onde Dickeya spp. e R. solanacearum foram encontradas em associação (24,8%) nos tubérculos, mas estavam presentes isoladamente em 20,8 e 13,4%, respectivamente. Dentro desse contexto, a presença de uma população bacteriana heterogênea nos tecidos vasculares dos tubérculos foi demonstrada. / Pectobacteria (Pectobacterium spp. and Dickeya spp.) are the causal agent of blackleg and soft rot, and R. solanacearum of bacterial wilt, in potato crop. The main source of inocula is symptomless seed potato tuber. The Brazilian imports of seed potato may pose a risk to the crop. Pathogen-free seed is the best strategy to manage these diseases. Therefore high-sensitive methods for detection of these bacteria are mandatory. Thus, the main objective of this study was to develop and validate a method for detection of pectobacteria and R. solanacearum present in low population density in potato tubers, by qPCR (absolute quantification) in assay with hydrolysis probes (TaqMan® MGB probes) and double-stranded DNA binding dye (SYBR Green I). This method can be used as a tool in epidemiological studies, certification programs, and quarantine inspection. The use of FTA cards to collection, and DNA extraction was tested using three methods: direct pressure, cone crushed in PBS, and small pieces removed with syringe and crushed in PBS. The first method was the most sensitive, providing a limit of detection by PCR of 1x102 CFU.mL-1. Primers were designed for target bacterial species, except for R. solanacearum, in which was used OLI1/Y2 primers for PCR and qPCR. Dickeya spp. (54.9%) and R. solanacearum (52.9%) had the highest incidence in the 206 samples analyzed by qPCR, followed by P. brasiliensis (16.5%), P. atrosepticum (9.2%), P. carotovorum (6.3%) and P. betavasculorum (1.9%). The occurrence of P. betavasculorum in potato is the first record of potato in Brazil. Associations between bacterial species in the tubers were also found, where Dickeya spp. and R. solanacearum were found in association (24.8%) in the tubers, but were present alone in 20.8 and 13.4%, respectively. Within this context, the presence of a heterogeneous bacterial population in the vascular tissues of the tubers was demonstrated.

Until recently, it was assumed that African mole-rats search for food randomly, as it is in concordance with Aridity food distribution hypothesis. However, recent studies indicate that some subterranean rodent species including mole-rats could be able to use plant chemicals (kairomones) for food localization. In my master thesis I conducted a battery of experiments on four mole-rat species to prove, that these species also posses the ability of kairomone guided foraging independently of their social organization.