Estudo de polimorfismos nos genes TP53 e p21(WAF1) e do perfil imunohistoquímico das proteínas p53, p21(WAF1), p16(INK4a) e ciclina D1 pela técnica de Tissue Microarray (TMA) e sua importância para o desenvolvimento e/ou severidade das neoplasias cervicais

O câncer de colo do útero é o terceiro tipo de câncer mais frequente em mulheres no mundo, e a infecção persistente pelo papilomavirus humano (HPV) oncogênico é condição necessária, mas não suficiente para seu desenvolvimento. As oncoproteínas virais E6 e E7 interferem direta ou indiretamente na ação de várias proteínas celulares. Entretanto, as variantes proteicas, resultantes de polimorfismos genéticos, podem apresentar comportamento distinto mediante a infecção pelo HPV. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar possíveis associações entre polimorfismos nos genes TP53 (p53 PIN3, p53 72C>G) e p21 (p21 31C>A) e o desenvolvimento de neoplasias cervicais, considerando os níveis de expressão das proteínas p53, p21, p16 e ciclina D1, e fatores de risco clássicos para o câncer cervical. Foram selecionadas 466 mulheres residentes no Rio de Janeiro, 281 com diagnóstico histopatológico de neoplasia cervical de baixo (LSIL) e alto grau (HSIL) e câncer (grupo de casos) e 185 sem história atual ou pregressa de alteração citológica do colo uterino (grupo controle). A técnica de PCR-RFLP (reação em cadeia da polimerase - polimorfismo de comprimento de fragmento de restrição), foi empregada na análise dos polimorfismos p53 72C>G e p21 31C>A, usando as enzimas de restrição BstUI e BsmaI, respectivamente. A avaliação do polimorfismo p53 PIN3 (duplicação de 16 pb) foi feita por meio da análise eletroforética direta dos produtos de PCR. A expressão das proteínas p53, p21, p16, ciclina D1 e Ki-67 e a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-HPV 16 e HPV pool foram avaliadas por imunohistoquímica (Tissue Microarray - TMA) em 196 biópsias do grupo de casos. O grupo controle se mostrou em equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg em relação aos três polimorfismos avaliados. As distribuições genotípicas e alélicas relativas a p53 PIN3 e p53 72C>G nos grupos controles e de casos não apresentaram diferenças significativas, embora o genótipo p53 72CC tenha aumentado o risco atribuído ao uso de contraceptivos das pacientes apresentarem lesões mais severas (OR=4,33; IC 95%=1,19-15,83). O genótipo p21 31CA(Ser/Arg) conferiu proteção ao desenvolvimento de HSIL ou câncer (OR=0,61, IC 95%=0,39-0,97), e modificou o efeito de fatores de risco associados à severidade das lesões. A interação multiplicativa de alelos mostrou que a combinação p53 PIN3A1, p53 72C(Pro) e p21 31C(Ser), representou risco (OR=1,67, IC95%=1,03-2,72) e a combinação p53 PIN3A1, p53 72C(Pro) e p21 31A(Arg) conferiu efeito protetor (OR=0,26, IC95%=0,08-0,78) para o desenvolvimento de HSIL e câncer cervical. Observou-se correlação positiva da expressão de p16 e p21 e negativa da ciclina D1 com o grau da lesão. A distribuição epitelial de p16, Ki-67, p21 e p53 se mostrou associada à severidade da lesão. Os polimorfismos analisados não apresentaram associação com a expressão dos biomarcadores ou positividade para HPV. Nossos resultados sugerem a importância do polimorfismo p21 31C>A para o desenvolvimento das neoplasias cervicais e ausência de correlação dos polimorfismos p53 PIN3 e p53 72C>G com a carcinogênese cervical, embora alguns genótipos tenham se comportado como modificadores de risco. Nossos resultados de TMA corroboram o potencial de uso de biomarcadores do ciclo celular para diferenciar as lesões precursoras do câncer cervical.

疣粒野生稻居群遗传结构及其形成与维持机制的研究

结合野外生态调查与分子标记检测，本文探讨了显性遗传标记应用于居群遗传学研究时实验与数据分析需要注意的问题，并在此基础上对中国分布的疣粒野生稻（Oryza granulata Nees et Am. ex Watt.）居群遗传多样性与居群遗传结构进行了研究。然后从metapopulation结构动态、无性系生长和物种形成等角度研究了遗传结构的空间格局与生态学、系统学因素之间的相互作用，并将研究的空间尺度从聚群内（colony）、居群内、地区内推广到地区间和整个物种水平，反映了在不同空间等级上疣粒野生稻相异的进化模式。最后，综合上述结果，提出了保护疣粒野生稻的原则和策略。结果如下： 1．根据对分布于中国云南和海南33个分布点疣粒野生稻居群所做的野外生态学调查，该物种目前在中国的30个县（市）有分布，比1978-1982年全国野生稻普查时增加了3个县市（海南通什、云南思茅和勐腊）。疣粒野生稻具有较强的耐荫和抗旱能力，在群落总盖度为90-210%范围内生长良好。它是一种典型的适应中度干扰的物种，生长于有一定干扰的斑块状生境中。疣粒野生稻在群落内的分布格局为聚集型，其居群密度较小（1.13-2.95株/m2），依靠重力下落和动物传播种子。由于对热区资源的掠夺性开发，总计有12.9%的居群已因人为干扰而灭绝，83.9%的居群处于严重的危胁之下，处于濒危状态。对疣粒野生稻的破坏在不同地区间程度不同，生境恶化和放牧是造成其居群灭绝的最主要原因，对其进行保护已经迫在眉睫。在调查的基础上，本研究建立了含该物种34个居群共1109份个体样品的总DNA库，作为易位保护的一种措施，主要用于居群遗传学和保护生物学研究。 2．利用上述总DNA库中的材料，首先采用随机扩增多态（RAPD）对几类显性标记的居群遗传结构参数进行了比较。在衡量遗传多样性水平时，多态位点比率（PPB）会低估变异的程度，其价值不如Shannon多样性指数和Nei多样性指数。在计算个体之间的遗传关系时，Mantel检测表明17种相似性系数之间存在极显著的相关性。同时，基于Φst。遗传距离的分子方差分析（AMOVA）和基于Hardy-Weinberg平衡假设的Nei氏遗传距离分析的结果间具有显著的相关性，它们都适用于对疣粒野生稻居群遗传结构进行研究，且在使用后者时应对数据进行Lynch-Milligan矫正，剔除隐性基因型（0）频率小于3/N（N为样本总数）的条带数据，以矫正显性遗传方式对变异估计偏低的影响。此外，各类遗传结构分析参数之间的高度相关性也与疣粒野生稻居群内遗传多样性低，杂合体比率较低有密切关系。 利用RAPD和inter-简单重复序列（ISSR）对来自中国20个居群疣粒野生稻混合样品，以及海南（M5）和云南（M27）两个居群各20个植株的遗传多样性进行了检测。ISSR的实验稳定性优于RAPD，且总的来说它能检测到更多的遗传变异。前者与它在PCR反应时退火温度较高，引物．模板复合物较稳定有关;而后者则与其引物靶序列容易在细胞分裂中产生突变有关。Mantel检测结果表明，衡量样品间的遗传关系时，这两种标记的分析结果在物种水平存在极显著的相关性（r = 0.917, t = 12789），而在居群水平不相关（r < 0.200）。这不但与它们所扩增的相应基因组片断的变异方式及在居群内分辩率下降有关，同时也反映了疣粒野生稻居群内和居群间存在着不同的进化模式。 3．利用RAPD和ISSR标记，对中国20个居群疣粒野生稻混合样品的遗传多样性进行了研究。RAPD和ISSR分别扩增出209和122条PCR条带，其中各有64.1l％（134条带）和72.95％（89条带）为多态条带。基于Jaccard系数的UPGMA分析表明，同一地区内居群的遗传变异比较小。20个居群按来源聚为云南与海南两类，其间产生了一定程度的遗传分化。这种遗传多样性分布的特点可能与其起源、分布格局、交配系统和种子散布方式有关。此外，尽管混合取样会低估一定的遗传变异能力，也不能得到关于居群内的遗传结构情况，但它仍然是一种获取遗传多样性信息的高效方法，适用于对研究材料进行日常管理和评价。 4．按照居群取样的方法，利用RAPD对来自中国云南和海南的20个疣粒野生稻居群共396个植株进行了遗传结构分析。联合ISSR，对其中5个居群初步的分析表明该物种在居群内的遗传多样性水平很低，RAPD的多态位点比率（PPB）在居群内从4.52％到13.06％;而ISSR的PPB值在居群内从7.08％-26.55％。AMOVA分析表明，对于RAPD来说，云南与海南两地区之间遗传变异的量占总变异量的73.85％，地区之内占19.45％，而居群内仅占6.70％。对于ISSR，疣粒野生稻地区间，地区内和居群内遗传变异的分布比率分别为49.26％、38.070A和12.66％。UPGMA聚类将同一居群内的个体聚为一支，并将居群按来源分为云南和海南两类。由于疣粒野生稻在群落内的分布为典型的metapopulation格局，伴随各聚群（colony）在群落次生演替过程中周转（灭绝与定植）时发生的遗传漂变、建立者效应和居群内强烈的近交是造成其居群内遗传多样性极低的主要原因。 5．利用10个ISSR标记对中国4个疣粒野生稻居群内的无性系生长与基因型遗传多样性进行了分析。在小尺度取样（个体间隔1.0-1.5m）的情况下，所有居群中均检测到明显的无性系生长现象。参与无性系生长的个体百分比在各居群中从25％-60％不等，Simpson多样性指数表明疣粒野生稻居群内的基因型多样性保持在较高水平（0.837-0.958）。尽管如此，AMOVA对居群内遗传变异进行方差剖分的结果表明参与无性生长的个体所含有的变异量平均只占总变异量的16.7%。因此，疣粒野生稻居群内遗传变异的来源主要依靠有性生殖来维持。同时，处于人为中度干扰之下的疣粒野生稻居群不但个体密度较高，其居群遗传多样性也未因此而降低。 6．在假设RAPD在同一种及其近缘种内PCR产物同源性较高的前提下，利用该技术对来自世界的23份O. granulata和O. meyeriana样品进行了遗传多样性分析和系统学研究。在物种水平，O. granulata具有非常高的遗传多样性（多态位点比率达83.54％），表明该物种进化历史中存在大规模居群瓶颈效应的可能性较小。O.gramulata与O. meyeriana各居群的遗传分化与岛屿形成导致的地理隔离之间有密切的关系。基于Nei & Li遗传相似性系数，利用Neighbor-Joining和UPGMA聚类法构建的两个系统树并不完全一致。主坐标分析（PCoA）支持NJ法的结果：来自O.meyeriana的两个样品倾向于聚为一类，并获得bootstrap分析的支持，但它们的遗传变异范围并未超出O. granulata。因此，我们的结果支持将这两个种进行归并。 7．由于疣粒野生稻在物种水平的遗传多样性非常高，变异主要存在于各地区之间，因此要最大程度地维持该物种遗传多样性，使之不发生遗传侵蚀意味着保护应该针对整个物种的分布区进行。对于分布于中国的居群来说，一方面由于变异主要存在于云南和海南两地区之间，另一方面由于地区内和居群内的遗传多样性相对较低，因此，云南和海南应做为中国保护该物种的两个中心。此外，由于一定程度的人为干扰有利于为该物种创造适宜生境，增加其居群密度，且不会致使遗传变异能力下降，因此在实施就地保护时应充分考虑将其与当地的经济开发项目相结合，达到自然保护与地方经济可持续发展的目的。

Population structure of king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) around peninsular Florida, as revealed by microsatellite DNA

A total of 1006 king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) representing 20 discrete samples collected between 1996 and 1998 along the east (Atlantic) and west (Gulf) coasts of Florida and the Florida Keys were assayed for allelic variation at seven nuclear-encoded microsatellites. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations were found for six of the microsatellites, and genotypes at all microsatellites were independent. Allele distributions at each microsatellite were independent of sex and age of individuals. Homogeneity tests of spatial distributions of alleles at the microsatellites revealed two weakly divergent “genetic” subpopulations or stocks of king mackerel in Florida waters—one along the Atlantic coast and one along the Gulf coast. Homogeneity tests of allele distributions when samples were pooled along seasonal (temporal) boundaries, consistent with the temporal boundaries used currently for stock assessment and allocation of the king mackerel resource, were nonsignificant. The degree of genetic divergence between the two “genetic” stocks was small: on average, only 0.19% of the total genetic variance across all samples assayed occurred between the two regions. Cluster analysis, assignment tests, and spatial autocorrelation analysis did not generate patterns that were consistent with either geographic or spatial-temporal boundaries. King mackerel sampled from the Florida Keys could not be assigned unequivocally to either “genetic” stock. The genetic data were not consistent with current spatial-temporal boundaries employed in stock assessment and allocation of the king mackerel resource. The genetic differences between king mackerel in the Atlantic versus those in the Gulf most likely stem from reduced gene flow (migration) between the Atlantic and Gulf in relation to gene flow (migration) along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of peninsular Florida. This difference is consistent with findings for other marine fishes where data indicate that the southern Florida peninsula serves (or has served) as a biogeographic boundary.

Investigation of anti-lock braking strategies for heavy goods vehicles

An articulated lorry was instrumented in order to measure its performance in straight-line braking. The trailer was fitted with two interchangeable tandem axle sub-chassis, one with an air suspension and the other with a steel monoleaf four-spring suspension. The brakes were only applied to the trailer axles, which were fitted with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), with the brake torque controlled in response to anticipated locking of the leading axle of the tandem. The vehicle with the air suspension was observed to have significantly better braking performance than the steel suspension, and to generate smaller inter-axle load transfer and smaller vertical dynamic tyre forces. Computer models of the two suspensions were developed, including their brakes and anti-lock systems. The models were found to reproduce most of the important features of the experimental results. It was concluded that the poor braking performance of the steel four-spring suspension was mainly due to interaction between the ABS and inter-axle load transfer effects. The effect of road roughness was investigated and it was found that vehicle stopping distances can increase significantly with increasing road roughness. Two alternative anti-lock braking control strategies were simulated. It was found that independent sensing and actuation of the ABS system on each wheel greatly reduced the difference in stopping distances between the air and steel suspensions. A control strategy based on limiting wheel slip was least susceptible to the effects of road roughness.

Population genetic structure of Rutilus frisii kutum in Caspian Sea using biometry and microsatellite molecular technique

In order to carry out Biometric studies, 75 samples were caught from 3 locations ( Tajan river, Sefidrud and Shirud) using Salic and the length (±1 mm) and weights (± 5 gr) of samples were determined. Using One-way ANOVA by SPPSS software, there wasn’t significant difference between locations in length and fecondity (P ≥0.01(, but there was significant difference between Shirud and tajan samples with sefidrud in weight ) P≤0.01(. In order to carry out genetic variation studies, 210 fish were caught from 3 different regions of the Iranian coastline (Khoshkrud, Tonekabon, Gorganrud) and 1 region in Azerbaijan (Waters of the Caspian Sea close to Kura River mouth) during 2008-2009 . Genomic DNA was extracted of fin using the phenol-chloroform. The quantity and quality of DNA from samples were assessed by spectrophptometer and 1% agarose gel electro-phoresis. PCR was carried out using 15 paired microsatellite primers. PCR products were separated on 8% polyacrylamide gels that were stained using silver nitrate. Molecular weight calculate using UVTech software. The recorded microsatellite genotypes were used as input data for the GENALEX software version 6 package in order to calculate allele and genotype frequencies, observed (Ho) and (He) expected heterozygosities and to test for deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Genetic distance between two populations was estimated from Nei standard genetic distance and genetic similarity index (Nei, 1972). Genetic differentiation between populations was also evaluated by the calculation of pairwise estimates of Fst and Rst values. From 15 SSR markers were used in this investigation, 9 of them were polymorph. Average of expected and observed heterozygosity was 0.54 and 0.49 respectively. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations were observed in all of location except Anzali lagoon- autumn in AF277576 and EF144125, Khoshkrud in EF144125 and Gorganrud and Kura in AF277576. Using Fst and Rst there was significant difference between locations ) P≤0.01(. According to Fst , the highest population differentiation (Fst= 0.217) was between Gorganrud and Khoshkrud that have the lowest Nm and the lowest (Fst= 0.086) was between Gorganrud and Tonekabon that have the highest Nm. Using Rst the highest population differentiation (Rst= 0.271) was between Tonekabon and spring Anzali lagoon and the lowest (Rst= 0.026) was between Tonekabon and Autumn Anzali 159 lagoon. Also the difference between Spring Anzali lagoon and Autumn Anzali lagoon was noticeable (Fst=0.15). AMOVA analysis with consideration of 2 sampling regions (Iran and Azerbaijan) and 7 sampling locations (Iran: Khoshkrud, Tonekabon, Gorganrud, Spring Anzali lagoon and Autumn Anzali lagoon ; Azerbaijan: the Kura mouth) revealed that almost all of the variance in data namely 83% )P≤0.01( was within locations, Genetic variances among locations was 14% )P≤0.01( and among regions was 3% )P≤0.01(. The genetic distance was the highest (0.646) between Gorganrud and Autumn Anzali lagoon populations, whereas the lowest distance (0.237) was between Gorganrud and Tonekabon River. Result obtained from the present study show that at least 2 different population of Rutilus frissi kutum are found in the Caspian sea,which are including the kura river population and the southern Caspian sea samples and it appears that there is more than one population in southern Caspian sea that should be attantioned in artifical reproduction Center and stoke rebilding.

The genetic diversity of Acipenser stellatus populations in the Caspian Sea was studied using microsatellite technique

A total of 361 caudal fin samples were collected from adult A. stellatus specimens caught in the north Caspian Sea, including specimens from Kazakhstan (Ural River), Russia (Volga River), Azerbaijan (Kura River), specimens caught in the south Caspian Sea including specimens from Fishery Zone 1 (from Astara to Anzali), Fishery Zone 2 (from Anzali to Ramsar), Fishery Zone 3 (from Nowshahr to Babolsar), Fishery Zone 4 (from Miyankaleh to Gomishan) as well as from specimens caught in Turkmenistan (all specimens were collected during the sturgeon stock assessment survey). About 2 g of fin tissue was removed from each caudal fin sample, stored in 96% ethyl alcohol and transferred to the genetic laboratory of the International Sturgeon Research Institute. Genomic DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform method. The quality and quantity of DNA was assessed using 1% Agarose gel electrophoresis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted on the target DNA using 15 paired microsatellite primer. PCR products were electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gels (6%) that were stained using silver nitrate. Electrophoretic patterns and DNA bands were analyzed with BioCapt software. Allele count and frequency, genetic diversity, expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity allele number, and the effective allele number, genetic similarity and genetic distance, FST and RST were calculated. The Hardy Wienberg Equilibrium based on X2 and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) at 10% confidence level was calculated using the Gene Alex software. Dendrogram for genetic distances and identities were calculated using TFPGA program for any level of the hierarchy. It is evident from the results obtained that the 15 paired primers studied, polymorphism was observed in 10 pairs in 12 loci, while one locus did not produce DNA bands. Mean allele number was 13.6. Mean observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.86 and 0.642, respectively. It was also seen that specimens from all regions were not in Hardy Wienberg Equilibrium in most of the loci (P≤0.001). Highest Fst (0.063) was observed when comparing specimens from Fishery Zone 2 and Fishery Zone 4 (Nm=3.7) and lowest FST (0.028) was observed when comparing specimens from the Volga River and those from the Ural River (8.7). Significant differences (P<0.01) were observed between RST recorded in the specimens studied. Highest genetic distance (0.604) and lowest genetic resemblance (0.547) were observed between specimens from Fishery zones 2 and 4. Lowest genetic distance (0.311) and highest genetic resemblance (0.733) was observed between specimens from Turkmenistan and specimens from Fishery zone 1. Based on the genetic dendrogeram tree derived by applying UPGMA algorithm, A. stellatus specimens from Fishery zone 2 or in other words specimens from the Sepidrud River belong to one cluster which divides into two clusters, one of which includes specimens from Fishery zones 1, 3 and 4 and specimens from Turkmenistan while the other cluster includes specimens from Ural, Volga and Kura Rivers. It is thus evident that the main population of this species belongs to the Sepidrud River. Results obtained from the present study show that at least eight different populations of A. stellatus are found in the north and south Caspian Sea, four of which are known populations including the Ural River population, the Volga River population, the Kura River population and the Sepidrud River populations. The four other populations identified belonging to Fishery zones 1, 3, and 4 and to Turkmenistan are most probably late or early spawners of the spring run and autumn run of each of the major rivers mentioned. Specific markers were also identified for each of the populations identified. The Ural River population can be identified using primers Spl-68, 54b and Spl-104, 163 170, 173, the Volga River population can be identified using primers LS-54b and Spl-104, 170, 173 113a and similarly the population from the Kura River can be identified using primers LS-34, 54b and Spl-163, 173 and that from the Sepidrud River can be identified using primers LS-19, 34, 54b and Spl-105, 113b. This study gives evidence of the presence of different populations of this species and calls for serious measures to be taken to protect the genetic stocks of these populations. Considering that the population of A. stellatus in Fishery zone 2 is an independent population of the Sepidrud River in the Gilan Province, the catch of these fishes in the region needs to be controlled and regulated in order to restore the declining stocks of this species.