Au sein du noyau, l'ADN est organise en chromatine dont l'unité de base est le nucléosome. La structure de la chromatine est très dynamique, ce qui est nécessaire pour la plupart des opérations qui se produisent dans l'ADN telles que la réplication, la transcription, la réparation et la recombinaison. Le nucléosome est constitué de deux dimères H2A/H2B et deux dimères H3/H4 associés avec 147 paires de bases d'ADN. La protéine Nap1 est un chaperon d'histone H2A/H2B impliquée dans l'assemblage et démontage des nucléosomes. Nap1 protège les interactions non spécifiques entre l'ADN chargé négativement et les dimères H2A/H2B chargés positivement, afin de permettre la formation de la structure ordonnée des nucléosomes. Lors de l'assemblage des nucléosomes, les dimères d'histones H3/H4 sont déposés en premier lieu, suivi par le dépôt de dimères H2A/H2B. Lors du démontage du nucléosome, les dimères H2A/H2B sont retirés avant le retrait des dimères H3/H4. La determination de la structure du complexe Nap1-H2A/H2B pourra permettre une meilleure compréhension du processus d'assemblage du nucléosome. Dans cette étude, nous voulons comprendre comment le chaperon Nap1 cible spécifiquement les dimères d'histones H2A/H2B pour l'assemblage des nucléosomes. Notre objectif est de caractériser la structure et la fonction du complexe de Nap1-H2A/H2B. Ainsi nous nous sommes tout d'abord intéresse à la stoechiometrie de ce complexe. Nous avons trouvé qu'un dimère de Nap1 s'associe à un dimère H2A/H2B (Nap1_2-H2A/H2B). D'autre part, l'analyse par spectrométrie de masse non-dénaturante a montré que ce complexe de base peut s'oligomériser et contenir jusqu'à 6 copies de Nap1_2-H2A/H2B. L'analyse de ce complexe par spectrométrie de masse non-dénaturant a montré que ce complexe peu oligomériser dans un grand complexe contenant jusqu'à 6 copies de Nap1_2-H2A/H2B. Nous avons également obtenu la première structure cristalline à basse résolution de ce complexe. L'analyse du même complexe par microscopie électronique à coloration négative a révélé la présence en solution du même oligomère que dans l'unité asymétrique du cristal, qui contient aussi 6 copies de Nap1_2-H2A/H2B. Ainsi, nous avons pu mettre en évidence de nouvelles interfaces d'interaction entre les différents composants de ce complexe qui nous permettent de mieux comprendre le processus d'assemblage des nucléosomes. Le remodelage de la chromatine permet l'expression des gènes eucaryotes. Ce remodelage nécessite des enzymes telles que des histone acétyltransférases (HAT) et les chaperons d'histones. Les HATs acétylent les chaînes latérales des lysines. Il a été proposé que les HATs et les histones chaperons agissent en synergie pour moduler la structure de la chromatine pendant la transcription. La HAT p300 a été proposé d'interagir avec l'histone chaperon Nap1. Nous avons entrepris de caractériser cette interaction. Malheureusement, nos expériences n'ont pas pu détecter d'interaction directe entre ces protéines. / Assembly of chromatin is an essential process that concerns most DNA transactions in eukaryotic cells. The basic repeating unit of chromatin are nucleosomes, macromolecular complexes that consist of a histone octamer that organizes 147 bp of DNA in two superhelical turns. Although, the structures of nucleosomes are known in detail, their assembly is poorly understood. In vivo, nucleosome assembly is orchestrated by ATP-dependent remodelling enzymes, histone-modifying enzymes and a number of at least partially redundant histone chaperones. Histone chaperons are a structurally diverse class of proteins that direct the productive assembly and disassembly of nucleosomes by facilitating histone deposition and exchange. The currently accepted model is that nucleosome assembly is a sequential process that begins with the interaction of H3/H4 with DNA to form a (H3/H4)2 tetramer-DNA complex. The addition of two H2A/H2B dimers completes a canonical nucleosome. High-resolution structures of histone chaperons in complex with H3/H4 histones have resulted in detailed insights into the process of nucleosome assembly. However, our understanding of the mechanism of nucleosome assembly has been hampered by the as yet limited number of co-crystal structures of histone–chaperone complexes. In particular it remains unclear how histone chaperons mediate H2A/H2B deposition to complete nucleosome assembly. In this work, we have investigated the role of the H2A/H2B chaperon Nap1 (Nucleosome assembly protein 1) in nucleosome assembly. We have determined the crystal structure of the complex between Nap1 and H2A/H2B and analysed the assembly by various biophysical methods. The structure shows that a Nap1 dimer binds to one copy of H2A/H2B (Nap1_2-H2A/H2B). A large ~550 kDa macromolecular assembly containing 6 copies of the Nap12-H2A/H2B complex is seen in the asymmetric crystallographic unit. We confirmed by both non-denaturing mass spectroscopy and negative stain electron microscopy studies that this assembly is the predominant form of the Nap1_2-H2A/H2B complex in solution. We further investigated the potential interplay between p300-mediated histone acetylation and nucleosome assembly. Together, the structure and associated functional analysis provide a detailed mechanism for the Nap1 chaperon activity, its role in H2A/H2B deposition and in nucleosome assembly.

A doença venosa crônica (DVC) é uma desordem complexa que compreende sinais e sintomas que variam das telangiectasias às úlceras ativas. A DVC é classificada de acordo com aspectos clínicos, etiológicos, anatômicos e fisiopatológicos (CEAP) em sete classes variando de C0 à C6. A principal causa da DVC é a hipertensão venosa que altera o fluxo venoso e, consequentemente, a força de cisalhamento que induz alterações fenotípicas nas células endoteliais que passam a expressar mediadores pró-inflamatórios e pró-trombóticos, que levam à adesão de leucócitos, ao aumento do estresse oxidativo, da permeabilidade vascular e do dano endotelial e ao remodelamento tecidual e vascular.Em virtude dos inúmeros mecanismos e da diversidade de moléculas envolvidas na patogênese e progressão da DVC, é essencial conhecer a interação entre elas e também saber quais são as moléculas (biomarcadores) que se correlacionam positivamente ou negativamente com a gravidade da doença. Foram avaliados os níveis de Interleucina-6 (IL-6), sL-selectina, sE-selectina, sP-selectina, molécula de adesão intercelular-1solúvel (sICAM-1), molécula de adesão das células vasculares-1 solúvel (sVCAM-1), ativador tecidual do plasminogênio (tPA), atividade do inibidor do ativador do plasminogênio-1 (PAI-1), trombomodulina solúvel (sTM), fator de von Willebrand (vWF), metaloproteinase de matriz (MMP)-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, inibidor tecidual das MMPs -1 (TIMP-1), angiopoietina-1 e -2, sTie-2 e s-Endoglina e fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular (VEGF) no sangue coletado da veia braquial de 173 mulheres com DVC primária divididas em grupos C2, C3, C4 e C4 menopausadas (C4m) e de 18 voluntárias saudáveis (grupo C0a). Foram também analisados os níveis urinários de ent-prostaglandina F2α nesses grupos. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas com relação às concentrações sanguíneas e urinárias de sE-selectina, sP-selectina, sICAM-1, atividade de PAI-1, MMP-3, razão TIMP-1/MMP-3, angiopoietin-2, razão angiopoietina-1/angiopoietina-2, s-Endoglina e ent-prostaglandina F2α entre os grupos estudados, possivelmente devido à alta variabilidade na concentração desses biomarcadores entre as participantes do mesmo grupo. Entretanto, as concentrações sanguíneas de IL-6 sL-selectina, sVCAM-1, tPA, vWF, sTM, MMP2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, razão TIMP-1/MMP-2, razão TIMP-1/MMP-9, angiopoietina-1 e VEGF foram estatisticamente diferentes entre os grupos. Não foi identificado nenhum biomarcador que se correlacionasse diretamente ou inversamente com a progressão da DVC, provavelmente devido à diversidade de fatores envolvidos e à complexa interação entre eles durante o curso da doença. / Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) is a complex disorder, which encompasses signs and symptoms that vary from telangiectasias to active ulcers. The CVD is classified according Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomical and Pathophysiological (CEAP) aspects into seven classes varying from C0 to C6. The main cause of CVD is venous hypertension, which alters venous flow and consequently, shear stress. Abnormal shear stress induces phenotypic changes in endothelial cells that start to express pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic mediators that lead to leukocyte adhesion, oxidative stress, increased vascular permeability and endothelial cell damage and tissue and vascular remodeling. Due to several mechanisms and the diversity of molecules involved in the pathogenesis and progression of CVD, is essential to know the interplay between them and which are the molecules (biomarkers) that correlate positively and negatively with the severity of the disease. We investigated the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), sL-selectin, sE-selectin, sP-selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity, soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), von Willebrand factor (vWf), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metaloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), angiopoietin-1 and -2, sTie-2, s-Endoglin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the blood taken from the brachial vein of 173 patients with primary CVD divided into C2, C3, C4 and menopaused C4 (C4m) groups and 18 healthy volunteers (C0a group).We also investigated the urinary levels of ent-prostaglandin F2α in these groups. There was no statistically significant difference between groups with respect to blood or urinary levels of sE-selectin, sP-selectin, sICAM-1, PAI-1 activity, MMP-3, TIMP-1/MMP-3 ratio, angiopoietin-2, angiopoietin-1/angiopoietin-2 ratio, s-Endoglin and ent-prostaglandin F2α, likely due to the high variability of these biomarkers concentration among participants within the same group. However, blood levels of IL-6, sL-selectin, sVCAM-1, tPA, vWF, sTM, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-1/MMP-2 ratio, TIMP-1/MMP-9 ratio, angiopoietin-1 and VEGF were statistically different between groups. It was not identified any biomarker that correlated directly or inversely with the progression of CVD, probably due to the diversity of factors involved and the complex interplay between them in the course of the disease.

Wong Wai Kuen. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2001-2002, design report." / Includes bibliographical references. / Chapter 1.0 --- Foreword / Chapter 1.0.1 --- Synopsis / Chapter 1.0.2 --- Thesis statement / Chapter 2.0 --- Architectural Belief / Chapter 3.0 --- Project Background / Chapter 3.0.1 --- Historical context / Chapter 3.0.2 --- Concern & possibilities / Chapter 4.0 --- Selections / Chapter 4.0.1 --- Selection of building prototype / Chapter 4.0.2 --- Pre-selection of site / Chapter 4.0.3 --- Testing methodology / Chapter 4.0.4 --- Final selection of site & Building / Chapter 4.0.5 --- Analysis of final site / Chapter 4.0.6 --- Existing building plans & structure / Chapter 5.0 --- Design Methodology / Chapter 5.0.1 --- Design goal / Chapter 5.0.2 --- Design Principles & challenges / Chapter 6.0 --- Project Design / Chapter 6.0.1 --- Designs of the site / Chapter 6.0.2 --- Design of the selected building / Chapter 6.0.3. --- Lighting tests / Chapter 6.0.4. --- Final design / Chapter 7.0 --- Appendix / Chapter 7.0.1 --- Precedent studies / Chapter 7.0.2 --- Bibliogragphy

No description available.

Call number: LD2668 .R4 1986 N45 / Master of Regional and Community Planning

M. Tech. Architecture / The design of a digital, genealogical archival repository in Pretoria West for the preservation of South African family histories, that will inter alia, provide free public access to such archived material, is proposed. Oppression brought about by colonialism and apartheid in South Africa ultimately led to domination by one racial group, resulting in the inadequate documentation of the personal histories of the majority of the population; an omission which may be remediated by the archiving of family histories. Archival buildings are custodians of the valuable items of heritage for future generations. However, due to the strenuous and time intensive nature of the genealogical research process, the National Archives and Records Service does not, currently, effectively address this lack, which has led to this field of research being privately practiced. An archive of family history to be housed in Pretoria West, an industrial area characterised by vacant and abandoned buildings in need of intervention, is proposed. The design seeks to adapt a grain silo which forms a part of an old flour mill complex on Charlotte Maxeke Street. An exploration into the building's past as a place which stores, secures and protects the contents within it, led to its selection as a suitable host for an archive which will utilise the preservative functional logic of the silo as a place of storage and security.

Increasingly the role of epigenetic machinery as a bridge between underlying DNA sequence and cellular phenotype is being discovered. The establishment of a myriad of unique cellular types sharing identical gene sequences in a multicellular organism gives a broad sense for the inherent role of epigenetic influence on cell differentiation. Importantly, the epigenetic mechanisms involved in establishing cell identity unsurprisingly contribute to diseased states, including cancer. Recent research continues to elucidate contributory roles of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA regulation, in human cancers. Additionally, chromatin remodelers, such as the Nucleosome Remodeling Factor (NURF), have been identified as important regulators for normal cell biology. While much has been done to identify and characterize the role of NURF chromatin remodeling complex as a key regulator of development in a number of model organisms, little has been published on the implications of NURF in diseases such as cancer. Our preliminary data shows dysregulation of E-cadherins, N-cadherins, and MHC-I genes in Bptf (an essential subunit of NURF) knocked down murine breast cancer cell lines. These proteins have well documented roles in the development and metastatic progression of cancers. To study the effect of Bptf knockdown on the development and progression of cancer we injected Bptf knocked down mouse breast cancer cell lines, 4T1, 66cl4, and 67NR, into syngenic BALB/c mice. Our findings reveal decreased tumor growth in 66cl4 and 67NR as measured by tumor weight at 3-4 weeks post injection. Tumor growth did not appear to be significantly affected in 4T1 challenged mice. However, mice inoculated with Bptf knockdown 4T1 cell lines have decreased metastasis to lungs as compared to control while metastasis of 66cl4 tumors to the lungs appear unaffected. To assess the role of the immune system in decreasing tumor growth in BALB/c mice, we injected 66cl4 tumors into NOD-SCID-Gamma (NSG) immune deficient mice. The tumors from these mice show no difference in tumor growth between Bptf knockdown and control tumors, implicating a role for the immune system regulating the decreased tumor weight in BALB/c mice. To delineate which immune cell effector may impede breast cancer carcinogenesis, we performed an in vitro natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity assay against 66cl4 tumors and found greater susceptibility to NK killing in Bptf knockdown tumors.

Lei Mei Yan Louisa. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 1997-98, design report." / Includes bibliographical references. / Introduction / Chapter 1.0 --- Background / Chapter 1.1. --- Historical / Chapter 1.2. --- Urban fabric / Chapter 1.3. --- Rural area / Project analysis / Chapter 20.0 --- Subject analysis / Chapter 2.1. --- Physical Conditions / Chapter 2.2. --- Preliminary Geo-technical Assessments of the Potential for Underground Space Development in Hong Kong / Chapter 2.3. --- Geologically / Chapter 2.4. --- Use of underground space in Hong Kong / Chapter 2.5. --- Studies for underground space development / Chapter 2.6. --- Conditions in underground space design / Chapter 2.7. --- Ground Condition / Chapter 2.8. --- Open space allocation in Hong Kong / Chapter 2.8.1. --- Evaluation of deficiencies / Chapter 2.8.2. --- Degradation of public open space / Chapter 2.8.3. --- Decentralized Open space / Chapter 2.8.4. --- Centralized Open space / Chapter 2.8.5. --- Lack of transitional area / Chapter 2.9. --- Hypothesis / Chapter 2.9.1. --- Conceptualization / Chapter 3.0 --- Site / Context analysis / Chapter 3.1. --- Site Criteria / Chapter 3.2. --- Site Analysis (macroscopic consideration) / Chapter 3.3. --- Site constraints (Sai Ying Pun & Sheung Wan) / Chapter 3.4. --- Site potential development (information from Land Development Corporation)- urban renewal strategy / Chapter 3.5. --- Constraints in codes and master plan / Chapter 3.5.1. --- Planning and Site Constraints / Chapter 3.6. --- Historical Background / Chapter 3.6.1. --- History and Records / Chapter 3.6.2. --- Geology of the existing site (King George Memorial Park) / Chapter 4.0 --- Client / users analysis / Chapter 4.1. --- Research organizational / Chapter 4.2. --- Bubble diagrams and spatial arrangement / Chapter 4.3. --- Schedule of Accommodation / Process / Description of the evolution of the final project / Chapter 5.1. --- Essential objectives / Chapter 5.2. --- The underground complex and its nodes / Chapter 5.2.1. --- Exploratory concepts / Chapter 5.2.2. --- Design Strategy and Senarios / Chapter 5.2.3. --- Urban design issues and goals / Chapter 5.2.4. --- Building design issues and goals / Chapter 5.2.5. --- Evolution of the building / Final Project / Chapter 6.1. --- The underground space strategy / Chapter 6.2. --- Underground complex and re-design air-raid precaution tunnels / Chapter 6.3. --- Nodes and urban linkage / Chapter 6.4. --- Lists of drawing files / Conclusion / Appendices / Chapter 8.1. --- Urban underground space design methodology- hypothesis / Chapter 8.2. --- Precedent Studies / Chapter 8.3. --- Bilbliography

Un 1er travail a étudié les effets osseux mandibulaires de l’injection unilatérale dans les muscles masticateurs de toxine botulique (BTX) chez le rat adulte. Ceci entraine une perte osseuse mandibulaire condylienne et alvéolaire homolatérale importante. Une hypertrophie osseuse de l’enthèse d’insertion mandibulaire du muscle digastrique a été observée et pourrait correspondre à une étiologie pour les tori. Les effets de la BTX sur le cartilage articulaire condylien mandibulaire dans le même modèle animal ont été recherchés par analyse microtomographique du cartilage articulaire après augmentation de contraste à l’acétate d’uranyle. Aucune différence d’épaisseur cartilagineuse n’a été mise en évidence entre les groupes contrôles et BTX.Le 3ème travail a consisté en l’étude histologique et microtomographique des tori mandibulaires chez l’homme.Les tori sont différents des exostoses des os longs par plusieurs caractéristiques (dont l’absence de Fe et Al dans la matrice osseuse) et une asymétrie du remodelage osseux a été mise en évidence.La 4ème partie a consisté en l’étude de la qualité osseuse et de la microvascularisation alvéolaire dans un modèle animal d’ostéonécrose mandibulaire (ONM) aux bisphosphonates (BP). Des signes cliniques et microtomographiques d’ONM ont été observés dans la majorité des cas. La minéralisation osseuse était plus élevée après imprégnation en BP. La microvascularisation osseuse alvéolaire apparaissait augmentée après avulsion dentaire chez les animaux contrôles mais pas chez les animaux ayant reçu des BP témoignant ainsi d’un effet anti angiogénique in vivo des BP qui pourrait jouer un rôle dans la physiopathologie de l’ONM. / First, bone changes at the mandible were studied after a unilateral botulinum toxin (BTX) injection in masticatory muscles in adult rats. A major alveolar and condylar bone loss was evidenced. The occurrence of a hypertrophic bone metaplasia at the digastric muscle enthesis was evidenced as well. This could constitute an etiological factor for tori. Then, condylar articular cartilage changes at the mandible were studied in the same BTX animal model, using microtomography after contrast enhancement of cartilage with uranyl acetate. Cartilage thickness measurement showed no difference when comparing control and BTX groups.A third work studied mandibular tori in human using histologic and microtomographic techniques. Tori appeared different from long bone exostoses by several characteristics (absence of Fe and Al in the bone matrix) and a specific asymmetric bone remodeling was evidenced.The fourth part consisted in the study of alveolar mandibular vascularization and quality of the bonematrix in an animal model of osteonecrosis of the jaws(ONJ) after bisphosphonates (BP) injections. Clinical and microtomographic signs of ONJ were found in mostof the cases. An increased mineralization of the alveolar bone was observed after BP impregnation. Microvascularization was increased after tooth extraction in the alveolar bone of control animals but it was impaired in ZA treated rats. Such an in vivo antiangiogenic effect of BPs could play a role in the pathophysiology of ONJ.

Wong Yuen Wai. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2006-2007, design report." / Prologue / Observation --- p.6 / Background / Living in Hong Kong --- p.10 / Architecture Reborn --- p.12 / Industrial Buildings in Hong Kong --- p.14 / The Site / General Information --- p.22 / Precedent Study / Gifu Kitagata Apartment by Kazuyo Sejima --- p.38 / User Preference Study / Programme Requirement --- p.42 / Scale & Proportion --- p.44 / Tectonic Analysis / Volume --- p.49 / Space --- p.67 / Strategy --- p.81 / Conclusion --- p.100