Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Full text release at OhioLINK's ETD Center delayed at author's request

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2004.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2008. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 46-06, page: 3221. Adviser: Eric Boerwinkle. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on May 13, 2006). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Nov. 5, 2009). Thesis advisor: Thomas J. Near. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Η Μυασθένεια είναι μια αυτοάνοση νόσος της νευρομυϊκής σύναψης που χαρακτηρίζεται από την παραγωγή αυτοαντισωμάτων έναντι, συνήθως, του AChR, καθώς και άλλων πρωτεϊνών της σύναψης. Στην παρούσα εργασία, πραγματοποιήθηκε μελέτη γενετικής συσχέτισης για την ταυτοποίηση πολυμορφισμών που πιθανώς εμπλέκονται στην εκδήλωση της Μυασθένειας. Για το σκοπό αυτό, επιλέχθηκαν πολυμορφισμοί οι οποίοι εδράζονται σε γονίδια που αποτελούν σημαντικούς ρυθμιστές της ανοσολογικής απόκρισης και έχουν προηγουμένως συσχετισθεί με άλλες αυτοάνοσες νόσους. Τα υποψήφια γονίδια είναι τα: interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF-5), TNFα-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3) και interleukin-10 (IL-10). Στη μελέτη συμμετείχαν 101 μυασθενείς και ισάριθμα υγιή άτομα ως ομάδα αναφοράς, όλοι ελληνικής καταγωγής. Οι μέθοδοι γονοτύπησης που εφαρμόσθηκαν περιλαμβάνουν τον προσδιορισμό αλληλουχίας κατά Sanger, την HRM ανάλυση, την PCR-RFLP και την PCR σε συνδυασμό με ηλεκτροφόρηση σε αγαρόζη, στην περίπτωση ενός in/del 30 bp. Μια στατιστική τάση συσχέτισης (p=0.068) ανιχνεύθηκε για τους πολυμορφισμούς στον υποκινητή της IL-10 μεταξύ των μυασθενών με πρώιμη ηλικία έναρξης της νόσου (early-onset) και αυτών που εμφάνισαν τη νόσο ηλικιακά αργότερα (late-onset). Για τους υπόλοιπους πολυμορφισμούς που μελετήθηκαν, δεν παρατηρήθηκαν στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφορές. Η μελέτη αυτή αποτελεί την πρώτη προσπάθεια συσχέτισης πολυμορφισμών των γονιδίων IRF-5 και TNFAIP3 με τη Μυασθένεια, σε οποιονδήποτε πληθυσμό. Όσον αφορά τους πολυμορφισμούς του υποκινητή της IL-10, περαιτέρω μελέτες σε πολυπληθέστερες ομάδες πιθανώς να αποκαλύψουν μια στατιστικώς ισχυρότερη συσχέτιση. / Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies against proteins of the postsynaptic membrane, in the neuromuscular junction. The contribution of genetic factors to MG susceptibility has been evaluated through family and twin studies, however, the precise genetic background of the disease remains elusive. We conducted a case-control association study in 101 unrelated MG patients, of Hellenic origin and 101 healthy volunteers in order to assess the involvement of common genetic variants in susceptibility to MG. We focused on three candidate genes which have been clearly associated with several autoimmune diseases, aiming to investigate their potential implication in MG pathogenesis. These are interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF-5), TNFα-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3), also known as A20, and interleukin-10 (IL-10), key molecules in the regulation of immune function. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP, direct automated sequencing, High Resolution Melt curve Analysis (HRM) and PCR-agarose gel electrophoresis analysis in the case of a 30 bp in/del polymorphism. A statistical trend of association (p=0.068) between IL-10 promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the subgroups of early and late-onset MG patients was revealed. No statistically significant differences were observed in the rest of the variants examined. As far as we are aware, this is the first worldwide attempt to address the possible association between IRF-5 and TNFAIP3 common genetic variants and the genetic basis of MG.

Thesis (MSc (Genetics))—University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / In South Africa, pre-eclampsia is the second highest cause of maternal deaths. The incidence of this disease in the Western Cape alone is 6.8% and places a large burden of health care facilities. The placenta and implantation thereof is thought to play the most significant role in the onset of this disease. Among the many theories for its aetiology, is the acknowledged two - stage theory. This is based on evidence that pre-eclamptic placentas demonstrate altered remodelling and invasion into the uterine endometrium and myometrium. The sub-optimal endometrium invasion leads to less oxygenation of the placental environment causing transient hypoxia. Consequently, the placenta is thought to release unknown factors into the maternal circulation which then culminates in clinical features associated with pre-eclampsia. Neurokinin B is thought to be one of these placental factors and subsequently binds to the NKB receptor in the maternal system. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthase has recently been shown to activate this receptor. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of neurokinin B (TAC3) and the neurokinin B receptor (TACR3) genes in the predisposition of pre-eclampsia and their interaction with eNOS in the South African coloured population together with a matched control cohort.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Fusarium spp. is the causal agent of root rot in several crops. In no tillage system, compacted areas favor the incidence of these diseases. These fungi can also infect the grains and produce mycotoxins. Trichoderma spp. has shown promising results and can be used in the integrated management of diseases caused by soilborne pathogens. The aims of this study was to quantify and correlate populations of Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp. and others (fungi and bacteria) with physical characteristics indicative of soil compaction in the crops of oat and soybean; identify morphological and molecularly isolates of Fusarium spp.; genetically characterize isolates of Trichoderma spp.; assess the efficiency of in vitro and in vivo control of Trichoderma spp. versus Fusarium spp. ; and quantify the production of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) by Fusarium spp. Soil samples were collected at Victor Graeff (RS) in an area previously mapped regarding to soil compaction. The samples were taken at three depths (0-5, 5-10, and 10-15 cm) and in six compaction levels established by the measures of resistance to penetration (Rp) (points with higher Rp: 3.4, 4.6, and 5.0 MPa, and lower Rp: 0.3, 1.3, and 2.2 MPa). The samples were evaluated for fungal and microbial population (serial dilutions) and soil physical characteristics. Fungi of the genus Fusarium and Trichoderma, when present in serial dilutions, were isolated for further molecular and morphological identification (based on TEF-1α and ITS regions, respectively). Tests were performed in vitro (direct confrontation) and in vivo (in oat and soybean) to evaluate the control efficiency of Trichoderma spp. versus Fusarium spp. The production of DON and ZEA was measured by Elisa and immunoaffinity columns, respectively. In oat grown after soybean the population and physical characteristics of the soil were showed higher correlation, with the largest populations of Fusarium spp. and Trichoderma spp. found in depths of 5-10 and 10-15 cm, respectively. 13 species of Fusarium were identified and the TEF-1α region was efficient for the distinction among them. T. koningiopsis, T. tomentosum and T. asperellum were identified, totaling five isolates and all of them showed good potential for controlling Fusarium spp. in soybean. In oat, stood out as root growth promoters, increasing the fresh weight of seedlings. In soybean isolates of F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum were pathogenic and caused damping off of seedlings. For oat, the isolates of F. graminearum did not provide the observation of such symptoms. F. graminearum and F. solani produced both DON and ZEA, while F. proliferatum and F. oxysporum produced ZEA. / Fusarium spp. é o agente causal de podridões radiculares em diversas culturas. No sistema plantio direto, áreas compactadas favorecem a incidência dessas doenças. Esses fungos podem também infectar os grãos e produzir micotoxinas. Trichoderma spp. vem apresentando resultados promissores e pode ser utilizado no manejo integrado de doenças provocadas por patógenos de solo. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: quantificar e correlacionar populações de Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp. e outros (fungos e bactérias) em um solo com características físicas indicativas de compactação, nos cultivos de aveia preta e soja; identificar morfológica e molecularmente os isolados de Fusarium spp.; caracterizar geneticamente isolados de Trichoderma spp.; testar a eficiência de controle in vitro e in vivo de Trichoderma spp. versus Fusarium spp.; e quantificar a produção de deoxinivalenol (DON) e zearalenona (ZEA) pelos isolados de Fusarium spp. Amostras de solo foram coletadas no município de Victor Graeff (RS) em uma área previamente mapeada quanto à compactação do solo. As coletas foram feitas em três profundidades (0-5; 5-10 e 10-15 cm) e em seis níveis de compactação estabelecidos pelas medidas de resistência à penetração (Rp) (pontos com maior Rp: 3,4; 4,6 e 5,0 MPa; e menor Rp: 0,3; 1,3 e 2,2 MPa). Nas amostras coletadas foram realizadas avaliações de população fúngica e microbiana (diluições seriais) e de características físicas do solo. Fungos dos gêneros Fusarium e Trichoderma, quando presentes nas diluições seriais, foram isolados para posterior identificação morfológica e molecular (baseada nas regiões TEF-1α e ITS, respectivamente). Foram realizados testes in vitro (confrontação direta) e in vivo (em aveia preta e soja) para avaliar a eficiência de controle de Trichoderma spp. versus Fusarium spp. A produção de DON e ZEA foi verificada pelo método Elisa e colunas de imunoafinidade, respectivamente. Em aveia preta cultivada após a soja, as características físicas e populacionais do solo se correlacionaram mais pronunciadamente, sendo que maiores populações de Fusarium spp. e Trichoderma spp. foram encontradas nas profundidades 5-10 e 10-15 cm, respectivamente. Identificaram-se 13 espécies de Fusarium e a região TEF-1α foi eficiente para sua distinção. T. koningiopsis, T. tomentosum e T. asperellum foram identificados, totalizando cinco isolados e todos eles apresentaram bom potencial de controle de Fusarium spp. em soja. Em aveia preta, destacaram-se como promotores de crescimento radicular, incrementando o peso fresco de plântulas. Em soja, isolados de F. oxysporum e F. proliferatum foram patogênicos e provocaram tombamento de plântulas. Para aveia, os isolados de F. graminearum não proporcionaram a observação desse sintoma. F. graminearum e F. solani produziram tanto DON quanto ZEA, enquanto que F. proliferatum e F. oxysporum produziram apenas ZEA.