M.Sc. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

4 Abstract The main goal of my thesis was to create our own proposals for laboratory work in biology of unicellular organisms (Protista). I designed the laboratory tasks, so that they can be mastered by the pupils of sixth year of primary school. Creating the proposals for laboratory exercises was preceded by the work in the laboratory at Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Education, the Department of Biology and Environmental Studies. In the laboratory, I verified the methods of cultivation of selected representatives of ciliates (Paramecium caudatum), amoebae (Amoeba proteus) and euglenids (Euglena gracilis) and selected methods of dyeing their different organels. Key words: protists, Paramecium caudatum, Amoeba proteus, Euglena gracilis, cultivation, dying

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:08:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MarcelinoGVpdf.pdf: 1501043 bytes, checksum: 4189a4e35d01ba02dd420f3bab764b2d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-08-28 / The biofilms microbial forms of association are responsible for generating, accelerating and / or induce the process of corrosion. The damage generated in the petroleum industry for this type of corrosion is significatives, representing major investment for your control. The aim of this study was to evaluate such tests antibiograms the effects of extracts of Jatropha curcas and essential oil of Lippia gracilis Schauer on microrganisms isolated from water samples and, thereafter, select the most effective natural product for further evaluation of biofilms formed in dynamic system. Extracts of J. curcas were not efficient on the complete inhibition of microbial growth in tests type antibiogram, and essential oil of L. gracilis Schauer most effective and determined for the other tests. A standard concentration of essential oil of 20 μL was chosen and established for the evaluation of the biofilms and the rate of corrosion. The biocide effect was determined by microbial counts of five types of microorganisms: aerobic bacteria, precipitating iron, total anaerobic, sulphate reducers (BRS) and fungi. The rate of corrosion was measured by loss of mass. Molecular identification and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. The data showed reduction to zero of the most probable number (MPN) of bacteria precipitating iron and BRS from 115 and 113 minutes of contact, respectively. There was also inhibited in fungi, reducing to zero the rate of colony-forming units (CFU) from 74 minutes of exposure. However, for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria there was no significant difference in the time of exposure to the essential oil, remaining constant. The rate of corrosion was also influenced by the presence of oil. The essential oil of L. gracilis was shown to be potentially effective / Os biofilmes s?o formas de associa??o microbiana respons?veis por gerar, acelerar e/ou induzir o processo de corros?o. Os danos gerados na ind?stria de petr?leo por esse tipo de corros?o s?o significativos, representando grandes investimentos para seu controle. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar em testes tipo antibiograma os efeitos dos extratos de Jatropha curcas e do ?leo essencial de Lippia gracilis Schauer sobre microrganismos isolados de amostras de ?gua e, apartir de ent?o, selecionar o produto natural mais efetivo para posterior avalia??o sobre biofilmes formados em sistema din?mico. Os extratos de J. curcas n?o foram eficientes sobre a inibi??o completa do crescimento microbiano em testes tipo antibiogramas, sendo o ?leo essencial mais efetivo e determinado para os demais testes. Uma concentra??o padr?o do ?leo essencial de 20 μL foi escolhida e estabelecida para a avalia??o sobre os biofilmes e sobre a taxa de corros?o. O efeito biocida foi determinado pela contagem microbiana de cinco tipos de microrganismos: bact?rias aer?bicas, precipitadoras de ferro, anaer?bicas, redutoras de sulfato (BRS) e fungos. A taxa de corros?o foi calculada por perda de massa. Identifica??o molecular e micrografias eletr?nicas de varredura (MEV) foram realizadas. Os dados mostraram redu??o a zero do n?mero mais prov?vel (NMP) de bact?rias precipitadoras de ferro e BRS a partir de 115 e 113 minutos de contato, respectivamente. Tamb?m houve inibi??o sobre fungos, reduzindo para zero a taxa de unidades formadoras de col?nias (UFC) a partir de 74 minutos de exposi??o. Entretanto, para bact?rias aer?bicas e anaer?bicas n?o houve diferen?a significativa para o tempo de exposi??o com o ?leo essencial, permanecendo constante. A taxa de corros?o tamb?m foi influenciada pela presen?a do ?leo. O ?leo essencial de L. gracilis Schauer mostrou-se potencialmente efetivo

Medicinal plants are one of the most important sources of drugs used in the pharmaceutical industry. Among traditional medicinal plants of the Brazilian northeastern, Lippia gracilis Schauer (Verbenaceae) had been used for several medicinal purposes. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil (EO) of L. gracilis, as such to evaluate it in vitro and in vivo anticancer potential. For that, the leaf essential oil (EO) of L. gracilis was prepared using hydrodistillation followed by GC MS analysis. The cytotoxic effects of EO and its components (thymol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene and myrcene) have been assessed in HepG2, K562 and B16-F10 tumor cells as such in non- tumoral (PBMC). The effects of EO on cell proliferation and apoptosis induction were investigated in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, mice bearing Sarcoma 180 tumor cells were used to confirm its in vivo effectiveness. The results showed that the EO composition was characterized by the presence of thymol as major constituent which exhibited promising cytotoxicity against the all tumor cells tested, whereas its investigated components presented low cytotoxic potential. Moreover, EO treatment caused G1 arrest in HepG2 cells accompanied by the induction of DNA fragmentation without affecting cell membrane integrity. Cell morphology consistent with apoptosis and a remarkable activation of caspase-3 were also observed, suggesting induction of caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death. In vivo antitumor study showed tumor growth inhibition rates of 38.5 41.9%. In conclusion, the EO, which has thymol as its major constituent, possesses significant in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. These data suggest that leaf essential oil of L. gracilis is a potential medicinal resource, which may ultimately be used in cancer treatment. / As plantas medicinais são uma das mais importantes fontes de medicamentos para a indústria farmacêutica. Entre as plantas utilizadas na medicina popular no nordeste do Brasil, a Lippia gracilis Schauer (Verbenaceae) é uma das mais tradicionais e tem sido usada para diversos propósitos. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo geral avaliar o potencial anticâncer do óleo essencial (OE) das folhas de L. gracilis em modelos experimentais in vitro e in vivo. O OE foi extraído por hidrodestilação e a análise química foi feita por CG/EM. Os efeitos citotóxicos do OE e dos seus componentes, timol, p-cimeno, γ-terpineno e mirceno, foram avaliados em células tumorais das linhagens HepG2, B16-F10 e K562, bem como em células não-tumorais (PBMCs). O efeito do OE na proliferação celular e na indução de apoptose foram investigados nas células HepG2. Além disso, camundongos transplantados com células do tumor Sarcoma 180 foram usados para confirmar sua eficácia in vivo. Os resultados mostraram que o OE apresentou o timol como composto químico majoritário e demonstrou promissora citotoxidade contra todas as células tumorais testadas. Por outro lado, os seus componentes investigados, apresentaram efeito citotóxico pouco potente. Além disso, o tratamento com o OE acarretou parada do ciclo celular das células HepG2 na fase G1, acompanhada por indução de fragmentação do DNA, sem afetar a integridade da membrana. Morfologia celular consistente com apoptose e uma notável ativação de caspase-3, também foram observadas, sugerindo indução de morte celular por apoptose dependente de caspase. O estudo da atividade antitumoral in vivo mostrou inibição do crescimento tumoral com taxas de 38,5% 41,9%. Assim, o OE apresentou o timol como principal constituinte e demonstrou significativa atividade antitumoral in vitro e in vivo. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que o OE das folhas de L. gracilis é um potencial recurso medicinal, que pode vir a ser empregado no tratamento do câncer.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-05-12T20:06:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TatianePenha.pdf: 1070731 bytes, checksum: 317d377ddfce7d741b49eecde3cf7ec4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T20:06:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TatianePenha.pdf: 1070731 bytes, checksum: 317d377ddfce7d741b49eecde3cf7ec4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-10-31 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão (FAPEMA) / The tick Rhipicephalus microplus, found in tropical and subtropical regions, has caused great harm to the Brazilian livestock. The damage caused by this tick the Brazilian livestock exceeds three billion dollars. Verbenaceae Lippia genus, especially the species L. sidoides and L. gracilis, have been reported with potential activity in larvae and R. microplus females. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acaricide activity of L. sidoides and L. gracilis essential oils and its major compounds thymol and carvacrol and characterize morphological changes in ovaries of R. microplus females from lethal concentrations 50 (LC50) and 75% (LC75) of the study population. After selection of the genotypes (LGRA-106, LGRA-201, LSDI-102 and LSDI-103), groups of 10 engorged females were subjected to the immersion test in essential oils at different concentrations and DMSO 3% was used for the control. After seven days, the ticks were dissected in phosphate buffer solution and the ovaries were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for a period of 24 hours. The tissues were dehydrated and embedded in plastic molds Leica resin for histological analysis. The results visualization and characterization of the ovary and the different stages of development of oocytes. In the control group, treated with 3% DMSO, changes in the tissues have not been verified. In groups treated with the L. gracillis oils and L. sidoides oils, vacuolization was observed in oocytes II, III, IV and V, cell membrane disintegration in oocytes II, III, IV and V, with complete morphological deformation of oocytes IV and V. The major compounds, thymol and carvacrol seem to be actively working on these changes. The results showed activity of the different genotypes of the essential oils and their major compounds in larvae and females of R. microplus and allowed to elucidate the mechanism of action of the same in the oogenesis of the females, leading to believe that the compounds tested are promising for the development of acaricide products. / O carrapato Rhipicephalus microplus, encontrado em regiões tropicais e subtropicais, ocasionam mais de três bilhões de dólares à pecuária brasileira. Óleos essenciais de Verbenáceas do gênero Lippia, especialmente Lippia sidoides e Lippia gracilis, têm sido descritos com potencial atividade carrapaticida e interferindo na reprodução de diferentes espécies de carrapatos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a atividade carrapaticida dos óleos essenciais de L. sidoides e L. gracilis e seus compostos majoritários timol e carvacrol, selecionando os genótipos que apresentam maiores atividades contra o carrapato bovino e caracterizar as alterações morfológicas dos ovários de fêmeas de R. microplus a partir das concentrações letais para 50 (CL50) e 75% (CL 75) da população estudada. Após a seleção dos genótipos (LGRA-106, LGRA-201, LSDI-102 e LSDI-103, grupos de 10 fêmeas ingurgitadas foram submetidas ao teste de imersão em óleos essenciais em diferentes concentrações e para o controle foi utilizado DMSO 3%. Após sete dias, as fêmeas foram dissecadas em solução tampão fosfato e os ovários foram fixados em glutaraldeído 2,5% por um período de 24 horas. Os tecidos foram desidratados e incluídos em moldes plásticos de resina Leica para análise histológica. Os resultados permitiram a visualização e caracterização do ovário e dos diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento dos ovócitos. No grupo controle (DMSO 3%), não foram verificadas alterações nos tecidos. Nos grupos tratados com os óleos de L. gracillis e L. sidoides foram observadas vacuolizações de ovócitos II, III, IV e V, desintegração de membrana plasmática em ovócitos II, III, IV e V, com completa deformidade morfológica de ovócitos IV e V. Os compostos majoritários, timol e carvacrol parecem estar atuando ativamente nessas alterações. Os resultados obtidos mostraram atividade dos diferentes genótipos dos óleos essenciais e seus compostos majoritários em larvas e fêmeas de R. microplus e permitiu elucidar o mecanismo de ação dos mesmos na oogêse das fêmeas, levando a crer que os compostos testados são promissores para o desenvolvimento de produtos carrapaticidas.

University, Diss., 2000--Konstanz.

Thesis (MSc (Plant Biotechnology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The photosynthetic protist Euglena gracilis synthesizes a storage carbohydrate named paramylon, a glucan consisting only of β-(1-3)-glycosidic linkages. The enzyme that produces paramylon is a glycosyltransferase commonly known as paramylon synthase (EC 2.4.1.34; UDP-glucose: 1,3-β-D-glucan 3-β-D-glucosyl transferase). This enzyme uses UDP-glucose as its main substrate. In 2001, Bäumer et al. isolated and partially purified paramylon synthase, but never presented any sequence information. Hence, the main aim of this project was to isolate and characterize the gene(s) coding for the paramylon synthase. Different approaches were taken in order to isolate and characterize the gene(s). In the first part of the study molecular techniques were used to try and identify the gene. The two methods used were library screening and PCR amplification. Different libraries were screened using either functional staining or an affinity probe. The second method concentrated on the use of degenerate oligonucleotides, based on the amino acid sequences of conserved regions from known β-(1-3)-glucan synthase genes from various organisms, to PCR amplify the gene sequence from Euglena. These approaches were not successful in the isolation of the gene(s). In the second part of the study protein purification techniques were used in an attempt to obtain de novo protein sequence from the purified paramylon synthase enzyme. Several protein purification techniques were tried with the most successful being preparative ultra centrifugation followed either by sucrose density centrifugation or product entrapment (a type of affinity purification). These resulted in partial purification of the paramylon synthase protein. The partially purified proteins were separated using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the polypeptides able to bind the precursor, UDP-glucose, were identified using a radiolabeled isotope of UDP-glucose. These polypeptides were subjected to LC-MS-MS in order to obtain sequence information from them. One tryptic fragment showed high homology to β-(1,3)-glucan synthase genes from different yeasts.

Thesis (MSc (Plant Biotechnology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Title page: Dept. of Genetics, Faculty of Science / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Recent advances in medical pharmacology have identified the immune-potentiating effects of β-1,3-glucans on mammalian immune systems. Extensive research has identified and described the mechanisms of action and receptor binding specificity of different β-1,3-glucans as well as their structural and functional relationships. Molecular mass, solubility, structural order, degree of branching as well as chemical modification all determine the effectiveness of the β-1,3-glucan immune-modulating activities, which typically include; macrophage activation, antibody adjuvant activities, reduction of LDL-cholesterol, leukocyte mitogenic activities, cytokine and chemokine production as well as antiviral and antitumor activities. Currently β-1,3-glucans have been sold commercially under the name β-glucan, mostly in the form of Betafectin, a genetically modified yeast derived β-1,3-glucan. Recent studies of different β-1,3-glucans have identified the pharmacological activities of paramylon, a Euglena derived β-1,3-glucan. Although paramylon has relatively low immune-stimulating activities, chemical modification of the paramylon granule increased immune-potentiation with specific antimicrobial and anti-HIV activities. Due to these specific immune-potentiating activities, paramylon is novel in terms of both structure as well as functional activity. In terms of biotechnological application, paramylon is greatly favoured as it is synthesized as an insoluble membrane bound granule in the cytosol of Euglena where most plant and fungal β-1,3-glucan synthases are cell membrane bound highly regulated multifunctional complexes, synthesizing β-1,3-glucan as cell wall components. Due to the novel granular nature of paramylon, expression in other systems with genetic modification could potentially further increase immuno-potentiating activities. In this study, different approaches were attempted in order to identify the genes involved in paramylon synthesis including; constructing and screening a Euglena gracilis cDNA library, sequence analysis of the purified proteins as well as transcription analysis of the sequenced transcriptome and genome of E. gracilis. Putative candidates that encode subunits of the paramylon synthase complex have been identified. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Onlangse vordering in mediese farmakologie het die immuun-stimulerende effek van β-1,3-glukane op die soogdier immuunsisteem geïdentifiseer. Intensiewe navorsing het die meganisme van die werking en reseptor bindingspesifisiteit van verskillende β-1,3-glukane, asook hulle struktuur en funksionele verhoudings, geïdentifiseer. Die molekulêre massa, oplosbaarheid, strukturele orientasie, mate van vertakking asook chemiese modifikasies bepaal almal die effektiwiteit van die β-1,3-glukaan immuun-modulerende aktiwiteite. Tipiese immuno-moduleringsaktiwiteite sluit makrofaag aktivering, teenliggaampie adjuvant aktiwiteite, verlaging van LDL-cholesterol, leukosiet mitogeniese aktiwiteite, sitokien en chemokien produksie asook anti-virale en antitumor aktiwiteite in. Huidiglik word β-1,3-glukane onder die naam β-glukaan verkoop meestal in die vorm van Betafectin, ‘n geneties gemodifiseerde gis wat van β-1,3-glukaan afkomstig is. Onlangse studies van verskillende β-1,3-glukane het die farmakologiese aktiwiteit van paramylon, ‘n Euglena afkomstige β-1,3-glukaan geïdentifiseer. Alhoewel paramylon relatiewe lae immuun-stimulerende aktiweite toon, verhoog chemiese modifikasies van die paramylon granules immuun-stimulering, spesifiek die anti-mikrobiese en anti-MIV aktiwiteite. Weens hierdie spesifieke immuun-stimulerende aktiweite, word paramylon as nuut beskou veral in terme van beide struktuur asook funksionele aktiwiteit. In terme van biotegnologiese toepassing, verkry paramylon voorkeur aangesien dit as ‘n onoplosbare membraangebonde granule in die sitosol van Euglena gesintetiseer word terwyl meeste plant en fungus β-1,3-glukaan sintases hoogs gereguleerde multifunksionele selmembraan gebonde komplekse is wat β-1,3-glukaan asook ander selwand komponente sintetiseer. Weens die unieke granulêre natuur van paramylon, sal uitdrukking in ander sisteme ‘n moontlike industrie skep waar deur die transgeniese uitdrukking van granulêre paramylon verdere verbetering van die immuun-stimulerings aktiwiteite kan lei. In hierdie studie is verskillende benaderings aangewend om die gene wat by paramylon sintese betrokke is te identifiseer, dit sluit in die konstruksie en sifting van ‘n E. gracilis cDNS biblioteek, aminosuur volgorde analise van gesuiwerde proteiene asook die transkripsionele analise van die volgorde van die transkriptoom en genoom van E. gracilis. Moontelike kandidate wat vir die subeenhede van die paramylon syntase kompleks kodeer is geïdentifiseer.

The aim of my thesis was experimental prove of the influence of mycorrhizal product in the production of nursery propagation by herbaceous cuttings. On trial were selected three plant species, Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko', Forsythia x intermedia 'Maluch' and Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'. The experiment was based on two dates, and was conducted of the Institution of cultivation and reproducing of garden plants of Garden faculty of the Mendel University in Lednice. Evaluation was carried out in two variants, after three repetitions. The first variant was a control without mycorrhizal product, the second was supplemented with mycorrhizal fungi. It evaluated the number of roots, number of branched roots, cuttings and mortality rate of colonization. Differences in rooting and branching roots were among species, and between terms. The positive effect of mycorrhizal fungi was at Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' and Forsythia x intermedia 'Maluch'.