Thesis (M.Sc. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023 / Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of citric acid inclusion level in the diet on growth performance, carcass weight, tibia bone breaking strength and ash content of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 35 days. The first experiment determined the effect of citric acid inclusion level in the diet on growth performance traits of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. The experiment commenced with 200 male day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens with an initial average live weight of 40±1.6g per chick. The chicks were assigned to five treatment groups in a completely randomized design, each replicated five times, and each replicate having ten chicks. The citric acid inclusion levels were at 0, 12.5, 25 or 50g per kg DM of feed. The second experiment determined the effect of citric acid inclusion level in the diet on growth performance, carcass weight, tibia bone breaking strength and ash content traits of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 to 35 days. The experiment commenced with 180 male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 22 days. The chickens were assigned to four treatment groups, each having three replicate pens of eight chickens per replicate in a completely randomized design. Data was analysed using the General Linear model (GLM) procedures of the Statistical Analysis of System, version 9.3.1 software program. Where there were significant differences (P<0.05) between the treatment means, Tukey Multiple Comparison Test was used for mean separation. Citric acid inclusion in the starter diets improved (P<0.05) live weight and growth rate of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. Citric acid inclusion in the starter diets did not affect (P>0.05) daily feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged one to 21 days. The inclusion of citric acid did affect (P<0.05) live weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and growth rate of chickens aged 22 to 35 days. Citric acid inclusion levels used in the present study influenced (P<0.05) DM and CP digestibility, ME intake and N-retention of male broiler chickens aged 22 to 35 days. The results of the current study showed that citric acid inclusion in a diet improved (P<0.05) chicken bone morphology. Thus, positive relationships were observed between citric acid inclusion level and right tibia bone weight, diameter, calcium, phosphorous and Magnesium contents of chicken bones aged 35 days. There were positive relationships between citric acid inclusion level and breast weight of male Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 35 days. Further studies are recommended to ascertain these findings. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

No description available.

<i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> is a protozoan parasite historically associated with waterborne and more recently foodborne outbreaks of diarrheal illness. Contamination of certain foods, such as unpasteurized apple cider, with infective oocysts may occur as oocysts are shed in the feces of common ruminants like cattle and deer that graze in and around orchards. Cryptosporidiosis can result in a severe illness for previously healthy individuals and a life-threatening illness in immunocompromised individuals. Disease occurs after the ingestion of small infective oocysts (4 to 5 mm in size). The relatively thick membrane of the oocysts allows them to be resistant to chlorine and many other environmental pressures, making oocysts difficult to inactivate. In this study, alternative treatments to pasteurization were evaluated for their ability to inhibit <i>C. parvum</i> oocyst viability in fruit juices. Oocyst viability was analyzed with a cell culture infectivity assay, using a human illeocecal cell line (HCT-8) that is most similar to human infection. The percent inhibition of infection by each treatment was determined along with the corresponding log reduction for the treatments found to be most effective. Infection by treated oocysts was compared to that of control untreated oocysts. Cell monolayers were infected with 10⁶ treated oocysts or a series of 10-fold dilutions. Parasitic life stages were visualized using an immunohistochemistry system and 100 microscope fields counted per monolayer. Organic acids and H₂O₂ were added on a wt/vol basis to apple cider, orange juice, and grape juices. Malic, citric, and tartaric acids at concentrations from 1%-5% inhibited <i>C. parvum</i> infectivity of HCT-8 cells by up to 88%. Concentrations ranging from 0.025%-3% H₂O₂ were evaluated where addition of 0.025% H₂O₂ to each juice resulted in a >5 log reduction of C. parvum infectivity as determined with an MPN-based cell culture infectivity assay. Treating apple cider, orange juice, and grape juice with ozone for a time period of 30 seconds up to 15 minutes at 6° and 22°C (0.9 g/L flow rate) inhibited C. parvum viability to > 90% as monitored in the cell culture assay. It is hypothesized that oocyst wall proteins that are necessary for infection are oxidized by the reactive oxygen species generated from the decomposition of the ozone and hydrogen peroxide treatments. These treatments or combinations thereof may offer potential alternatives to traditional pasteurization for fruit juices to successfully inhibit <i>C. parvum</i> viability. / Ph. D.

Tesis por compendio / [EN] Different strategies were used to improve physical properties of corn starch based films, with glycerol (30%) as plasticizer, based on increasing their hydrophobic character in order to reduce the materials' water sensitivity. Starch was blended with different components (surfactants and more hydrophobic polymers), with and without compatibilizers, to obtain blend films through different processing techniques (casting, melt blending, compression molding and extrusion). Bilayer film formation by compression molding with starch and poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) was also studied. The addition of surfactants to starch films obtained by casting gave rise to a decrease in water vapor permeability (WVP), but an increase in the film fragility was observed. Surfactants with lower hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), solid at room temperature, promoted a fine microstructure in the matrix with smaller lipid particle, which enhanced water vapor barrier properties. Thermo-processing was used to obtain the other films due to its broader industrial application. Starch blends with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) showed an HPMC dispersed phase in the starch matrix and better water barrier properties, but they were more permeable to oxygen, especially when they contained citric acid (CA) as compatibilizer. CA induced cross-linking in the polymeric matrix, thus slightly increasing film hardness, but decreasing its extensibility. The incorporation of PCL in different ratios to starch films obtained by compression molding gave rise to polymer phase separation, although a small PCL miscibility in the starch rich phase was detected, which reduced the glass transition temperature of the starch phase. The structural heterogeneity and lack of interfacial adhesion between polymers gave rise to fragile films. Nevertheless, small amounts of PCL (10%) reinforced the matrix (increase in the elastic modulus). When the PCL ratio increased, WVP was reduced but oxygen permeability increased. The incorporation of CA as compatibilizer of these blends provoked an increase in the water solubility of the films, by hydrolysis, and improved the mechanical properties of the films when PCL ratio was low (10%), but it did not affect the film barrier properties. The incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) to the blends with a low proportion of PCL did not imply an improvement in the film properties, since it promoted phase separation. Starch-PCL blends with 1:0.05 mass ratio, without compatibilizer, were quite homogenous and exhibited good mechanical properties and stability. In order to incorporate greater amounts of PCL, thus improving film hydrophobicity and stability, PCL was chemically modified by grafting glycidyl methacrylate or glycidyl methacrylate and maleic anhydride (PCL-g), to be used as compatibilizers. Films with 20 % PCL and 2.5 or 5 % of PCL-g showed very good mechanical and barrier properties and stability, inhibiting starch retrogradation. Their barrier properties met the food packaging requirements for a wide number of food products. Bilayer films obtained by compression molding of starch (or starch with 5% PCL) and PCL layers showed very low WVP and oxygen permeability and adequate mechanical properties. The adhesion of bilayers was greatly improved by the application of ascorbic acid and, especially, potassium sorbate, as aqueous solutions, at the interface before compression molding. These compounds, in turn, imparted antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, respectively, to the films, thus improving their potential use as active packaging material for food uses. / [ES] Se han utilizado diversas estrategias para mejorar las propiedades físicas de films a base de almidón de maíz, con glicerol (30 %) como plastificante, basadas en el incremento de su carácter hidrofóbico, para reducir su sensibilidad al agua. El almidón se mezcló con diferentes compuestos (surfactantes y polímeros más hidrofóbicos), con y sin compatilizadores, para la obtención de films mixtos por diferentes técnicas de procesado (casting, mezclado en fundido, moldeo por compresión y extrusión). Se estudió también la formación de films bicapa almidón-poli-e-caprolactona (PCL) mediante moldeo por compresión. La adición de surfactantes a los films de almidón elaborados por casting dio lugar a una disminución de su permeabilidad al vapor de agua (WVP), pero aumentó su fragilidad. Los surfactantes con menor balance hidrófilo-lipófilo (HLB), y sólidos a temperatura ambiente, proporcionaron una microestructura de los films con menor tamaño de partícula, que potenció las propiedades barrera al vapor de agua. Por su mayor aplicabilidad industrial, se emplearon técnicas de termo-procesado para la obtención del resto de films estudiados. Los obtenidos por mezcla con hidroxipropil metilcelulosa (HPMC) presentaron una fase dispersa de HPMC en la matriz de almidón y mejores propiedades barrera al vapor de agua, pero fueron algo más permeables al oxígeno, sobre todo cuando se incorporó ácido cítrico (CA) como compatibilizador. Este provocó entrecruzamiento en la matriz polimérica, incrementado ligeramente su dureza y reduciendo su extensibilidad. La incorporación de PCL en diferentes proporciones a los films de almidón obtenidos por termo-compresión, dio lugar a la separación de fases polímericas, detectándose una pequeña miscibilidad de la PCL en la fase rica en almidón que redujo la temperatura de transición vítrea de la fase amilácea. La heterogeneidad de su estructura y la falta de adhesión entre fases dio lugar a films demasiado frágiles, aunque en pequeña proporción (10%), la PCL reforzó la matriz (aumentó el módulo de elasticidad). Al aumentar la proporción de PCL, disminuyó la WVP de los films, pero aumentó la permeabilidad al oxígeno. La incorporación de CA como compatibilizador de estas mezclas aumentó la solubilidad en agua de los films por efecto de hidrólisis y supuso una mejora en las propiedades mecánicas de los films con baja proporción de PCL (10 %), pero no afectó a sus propiedades barrera. La incorporación de polietilenglicol (PEG 4000) a las mezclas con baja proporción de PCL no mejoró las propiedades de los films, potenciando la separación de fases. Las mezclas almidón:PCL con proporción másica 1:0.05, sin compatibilizador, fueron bastante homogéneas y exhibieron buen comportamiento mecánico y estabilidad. Para incorporar una mayor proporción de PCL, y mejorar la hidrofobicidad y estabilidad de los films, se modificó la PCL por reacción con glicidil metacrilato o anhídrido maleico y glicidil metacrilato (PCL-g), para su uso como compatibilizadores. Los films con 20% de PCL y 2.5 y 5 % de los PCL-g presentaron muy buenas propiedades mecánicas y de barrera al vapor de agua y a los gases y buena estabilidad al inhibir la retrogradación del almidón. Sus propiedades de barrera cumplieron con los requisitos de envasado de un número importante de productos alimentarios. La obtención de films bicapa por termo-compresión a partir de almidón (o almidón con 5% PCL) y PCL proporcionó un material con muy baja permeabilidad al vapor de agua y al oxígeno y buenas propiedades mecánicas. La adhesión entre las capas mejoró en gran medida con la incorporación de ácido ascórbico, y sobre todo de sorbato potásico, en la interfase en forma de disolución acuosa antes de la termo-compresión. Estos compuestos impartieron, a su vez, propiedades antioxidantes y antimicrobianas, respectivamente, a los films, mejorando su uso potencial para el envasad / [CA] S'han utilitzat diverses estratègies per a millorar les propietats físiques de films a base de midó de dacsa, amb glicerol (30 %) com plastificant, basades en l'increment del seu caràcter hidrofòbic, per a reduir la seua sensibilitat a l'aigüa. El midó es va mesclar amb diferents compostos (surfactants i polímers més hidrofòbics), amb i sense compatibilitzadors, per l'obtenció de films mixtos mitjançant diferents tècniques de processat (càsting, mesclat en fos, modelatge per compressió i extrusió). Es va estudiar també la formació de films bicapa midó-poli-e-caprolactona (PCL) mitjançant modelatge per compressió. L'addició de surfactants als films de midó elaborats per càsting va donar lloc a una disminució de la seua permeabilitat al vapor d'aigüa (WVP), però va augmentar la seua fragilitat. Els surfactants amb menor balanç hidròfil-lipòfil (HLB), i sòlids a temperatura ambient, varen proporcionar una microestructura dels films amb menor grandària de partícula, que varen potenciar les propietats barrera al vapor d'aigüa. Per la seua major aplicabilitat industrial, es van emprar tècniques de termo-processat per l'obtenció de la resta de films estudiats. Aquells obtinguts per mescla amb hidroxipropil-metilcellulosa (HPMC) varen presentar una fase dispersa de HPMC en la matriu de midó i millors propietats barrera al vapor d'aigüa, però varen ser un poc més permeables a l'oxigen, sobretot quan es va incorporar àcid cítric (CA) com compatibilitzador. Aquest va provocar entrecreuament en la matriu polimérica, incrementant lleugerament la seua duresa i reduïnt la seua extensibilitat. La incorporació de PCL en diferents proporcions als films de midó obtinguts per termo-compressió, va donar lloc a la separació de fases polimèriques, detectant-se una xicoteta miscibilitat de la PCL en la fase rica en midó que va reduir la temperatura de transició vítria de la fase amilàcea. L'heterogeneïtat de la seua estructura i la falta d'adhesió entre fases va donar lloc a films massa fràgils, encara que en xicoteta proporció (10%), la PCL va reforçar la matriu (augmentant el mòdul d'elasticitat). Al augmentar la proporció de PCL, va disminuir la WVP dels films, però va augmentar la permeabilitat a l'oxigen. La incorporació de CA com compatibilitzador d'aquestes mescles va augmentar la solubilitat en aigüa dels films per efecte d'hidròlisi i va suposar una millora en les propietats mecàniques dels films amb baixa proporció de PCL (10 %), però no va afectar les propietats barrera. La incorporació de polietilenglicol (PEG 4000) a les mescles amb baixa proporció de PCL no va millorar les propietats dels films, potenciant la separació de fases. Les mescles midó:PCL amb proporció màssica 1:0.05, sense compatibilitzador, varen ser prou homogènies i varen exhibir un bon comportament mecànic i una bona estabilitat. Per a incorporar una major proporció de PCL i millorar l'hidrofobicitat i estabilitat dels films, es va modificar la PCL per reacció amb glicidil metacrilat o anhídrid maleic i glicidil metacrilat (PCL-g), per al seu ús com compatibilitzadors. Els films amb 20% de PCL i 2.5 i 5 % dels PCL-g varen presentar molt bones propietats mecàniques i de barrera al vapor d'aigüa i als gasos i bona estabilitat al inhibir la retrogradació del midó. Les seues propietats de barrera varen complir amb els requisits d'envasament d'un nombre important de productes alimentaris. L'obtenció de films bicapa per termo-compressió a partir de midó (o midó amb 5% PCL) i PCL va proporcionar un material amb molt baixa permeabilitat al vapor d'aigüa i al oxigen i bones propietats mecàniques. L'adhesió entre les capes va millorar en gran mesura amb l'incorporació d'àcid ascòrbic, i sobretot de sorbat de potassi, en la interfase en forma de dissolució aquosa abans de la termocompressió. Aquestos compostos varen impartir, a la vegada, propietats antioxidants i antimicrobianes, respec / Ortega Toro, R. (2015). DESARROLLO Y CARACTERIZACION DE PELÍCULAS DE ALMIDÓN DE MAÍZ POR MEZCLADO CON COMPUESTOS MÁS HIDROFÓBICOS [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/52521 / Compendio

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), a capacidade de remoção da smear layer dos terços médio e apical do canal radicular utilizando soluções quelantes e desmineralizantes e, quantificar, por meio da espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama, a concentração de íons cálcio presentes nessas soluções após suas utilizações. Vinte e cinco caninos superiores foram preparados pela técnica Free Tip Preparation com 4 instrumentos acima do inicial e irrigados com hipoclorito de sódio 1% a cada troca de instrumento. Os dentes foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 4 grupos, conforme protocolo utilizado para a irrigação final: G1 - EDTA 15%, G2 - quitosana 0,2%, G3 - ácido cítrico 10%, G4 - ácido acético 1%. O grupo controle (G5) não recebeu irrigação. Foram utilizados 5 mL de cada solução por 3 minutos. Após percorrer toda extensão do canal radicular a solução extravasada pelo forame foi coletada e encaminhada para análise espectrométrica. Os espécimes foram seccionados longitudinalmente e preparados para análise em MEV. As fotomicrografias obtidas foram avaliadas qualitativamente por três examinadores, que atribuíram escores às imagens, conforme a quantidade de smear layer. Os dados obtidos pela MEV foram analisados estatisticamente por meio do Teste de Kruskal-Wallis e Dunn. Para avaliação da espectrometria utilizou-se Tukey-Kramer (one-Way ANOVA). Os resultados mostraram que o EDTA 15%, quitosana 0,2% e ácido cítrico 10% removeram a smear layer de forma semelhante entre si e estatisticamente diferente (p<0,05) do ácido ácético 1% e controle. Não houve diferença na capacidade de limpeza das soluções quando os terços médio e apical foram comparados. A maior concentração de íons cálcio foi observada no grupo do EDTA 15% e quitosana 0,2%, sem diferença entre ambos. O grupo do ácido acético 1% apresentou as menores concentrações e o ácido cítrico 10%, concentrações intermediárias e diferentes estatísticamente dos dois grupos (p<0,01). Concluiu-se que as soluções de EDTA 15%, quitosana 0,2% e ácido cítrico 10% foram eficientes na remoção da smear layer do terço médio e apical do canal radicular. As soluções de EDTA 15% e quitosana 0,2% promoveram o maior efeito desmineralizante, seguidas pelo ácido cítrico 10% e acido acético 1%. / This study aimed to evaluate, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the ability to remove the smear layer from the apical and middle thirds of the root canal using chelators and demineralizing solutions, and quantify, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry flame, the concentration of calcium ions present in these solutions after their use. Twenty-five canines were prepared by Free Tip Preparation Technique with four instruments above the initial and irrigated with 1% sodium hypochlorite in each change of instrument. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups, according to the protocol used for the final irrigation: G1 - EDTA 15%, G2 - 0.2% chitosan, G3 - citric acid 10%, G4 - 1% acetic acid. The control group (G5) did not receive irrigation. We used 5 mL of each solution for 3 minutes. After irrigating the entire length of the root canal through the apical foramen, the solution was collected and sent to spectrometric analysis. The specimens were sectioned longitudinally and prepared for SEM analysis. The photomicrographs were qualitatively evaluated by three observers, who attributed scores to the images, equivalent to the amount of smear layer removal. The data obtained by SEM was statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests. To evaluate the spectrometer, the Tukey-Kramer (one-way ANOVA) was used. The results showed that 15% EDTA, 0.2% chitosan and 10% citric acid had a similar smear layer removal with statistically different (p <0.05) when compared to 1% acetic acid and the control group. There was no difference between the solutions cleaning ability when the middle and apical thirds were compared. The highest concentration of calcium ions was observed in 15% EDTA group and 0.2% chitosan, with no statistical difference between them. The 1% acetic acid group had the lowest concentration and the 10% citric acid intermediate concentrations with statistical difference between each other (p <0.01). It can be concluded that the solutions of 15% EDTA, 0.2% chitosan and 10% citric acid were effective in removing the smear layer of the middle and apical thirds of the root canal. 15% EDTA solutions and 0.2% chitosan promoted the greatest effect on the demineralization, followed by 10% citric acid and 1% acetic acid.

Desde a invenção do primeiro polímero sintético por John Wesley em 1868, vem crescendo continuamente a utilização desta classe de materiais. Atualmente, é grande o interesse em agregar aos mesmos atributos mais nobres, tais como sua utilização em dispositivos biológicos, qualidade de rápida degradação e, mais recentemente, a preferência por aqueles provenientes de matéria prima renovável, que possam diminuir o impacto ambiental gerado pelo uso de petróleo e derivados. O objetivo deste trabalho é sintetizar materiais provenientes de fonte de matéria prima renovável e de fácil degradação, através de sínteses enzimáticas, evitando assim o uso de catalisadores metálicos tóxicos. Além disso, pretendeu-se agregar moléculas biologicamente ativas, de forma que os produtos finais possam exibir propriedades farmacológicas. As substâncias bioativas selecionadas para este trabalho foram: pantenol, ácido azeláico, ácido cítrico, e pantolactona. Destas moléculas, foram sintetizados 8 materiais poliméricos: poli(azelato de pantenila), poli(adipato de pantenila), poli(adipato de isosorbila-co-pantenila), poli(azelato de isosorbila), poli(adipato-co-azelato de isosorbila), poli(citrato de isosorbila), poli(adipato de isosorbila-co-citrato) e oligômero de polipantolactona. Todos os materiais foram sintetizados utilizando a enzima Candida antarctica fração B (CAL-B) como catalisador, em solvente orgânico, utilizando peneira molecular para remoção do subproduto da reação. As caracterizações foram feitas através de RMN-1H, MALDI-ToF e GPC. / Since the invention of the first synthetic polymer by John Wesley in 1868, the use of this class of materials has continuously grown. Currently, there is a great interest in adding nobler attributes to these materials, such as their use in biological devices, quality of rapid degradation and, more recently, the preference for those made from renewable feedstock, reducing the environmental impact generated by the use oil and derivatives. The objective of this work is to create materials of renewable material origin and easy degradation, using enzymatic catalysis thus avoiding the use of toxic metal catalysts. Furthermore, we intended to add biologically active molecules, so that the final products may exhibit pharmacological properties. The bioactive substances selected for this study were: panthenol, azelaic acid, citric acid, and pantolactone. From these molecules eight different polymeric materials were synthesized: poly(pantenyl azelate), poly(pantenyl adipate), poly(isosorbyl-co-pantenyl adipate), poly(isosorbyl azelate), poly(isosorbyl adipate-co-azelate) poly(isosorbyl citrate), poly(isosorbyl adipate-co-citrate) and oligomer of polypantolactone. All materials were synthesized using the enzyme Candida antarctica fraction B (CAL-B) as catalyst in organic solvent using molecular sieves to remove the byproduct of the reaction. The characterizations were made by 1H NMR, MALDI-ToF and SEC.

Introdução: Diversas evidências apontam para um papel da disfunção mitocondrial no Transtorno de Humor Bipolar (THB), mas pouco se sabe sobre isso no THB de início recente. Na mitocôndria a atividade da cadeia transportadora de elétrons (CTE) atua juntamente com o ciclo do ácido cítrico na produção de energia, mas não está claro se estão alteradas no THB. O DNA mitocondrial (DNAmt) codifica diversas proteínas da CTE e está associado ao estresse oxidativo, mas nunca foi avaliado em pacientes no THB in vivo. O estresse oxidativo está associado ao THB e à disfunção mitocondrial, mas não se sabe muito das atividades das enzimas antioxidantes no THB de início recente. O óxido nítrico (NO) é uma molécula com efeitos neuromoduladores, mas com um papel no THB ainda não elucidado. O lítio é um tratamento padrão-ouro no THB, tendo mostrado efeitos neuroprotetores. Apesar disso, pouco se conhece do efeito do lítio na CTE, nas enzimas do ciclo do ácido cítrico, no conteúdo de DNAmt e na regulação de NO em humanos. Também não está claro o papel antioxidante do lítio no THB. Metódos: Pacientes com THB em depressão (n=31), não medicados em sua maioria (84%), foram tratados por 6 semanas com lítio. Antes e depois do tratamento, verificaram-se em leucócitos as atividades dos complexos I-IV da CTE, atividades das enzimas citrato sintase, succinato desidrogenase e malato desidrogenase e também o conteúdo de DNAmt; em plasma foram analisados os níveis de NO, substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) e as atividades de catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GPx), superóxido dismutase (SOD) e razão de SOD/CAT. Os pacientes com depressão bipolar foram comparados com 28 controles saudáveis. Resultados: Em comparação com controles, os pacientes com THB tiveram um aumento de GPx (p < 0,001) e CAT (p=0,005) e uma diminuição de SOD/CAT (p=0,001), sem outras diferenças nos demais biomarcadores. Pacientes com THB I mostraram uma diminuição de citrato sintase (p=0,02) e uma discreta diminuição do conteúdo de DNAmt (p=0,05) em comparação com o THB II; o conteúdo de DNAmt esteve ligeiramente diminuído no THB I comparado com controles (p=0,05). Do início ao fim do tratamento com lítio houve aumento da atividade do complexo I da CTE (p=0,02), diminuição de TBARS (p=0,02) e SOD (p=0,03) e aumento de NO (p=0,02), sem haver alteração de outros parâmetros. Depois do tratamento, o TBARS se mostrou diminuído em respondedores comparados a não respondedores (p=0,02) e diminuído no THB II em comparação com o THB I (p=0,04). Discussão: No THB de início recente, houve poucas alterações em biomarcadores. Os achados sugerem aumento de CAT e GPx na depressão bipolar de início recente e uma diminuição de conteúdo mitocondrial no THB I comparado com o THB II, que devem ser confirmadas por outros estudos. Os resultados reforçam um papel neuroprotetor do lítio, sugerindo que a droga aumente a atividade do complexo I da CTE mitocondrial e aumente os níveis de NO na depressão bipolar. Além disso, o lítio reforçou o seu papel antioxidante e modulador das enzimas antioxidantes no THB / Background: Several evidences point to a role for mitochondrial dysfunction in Bipolar Disorder (BD), but few is known about it on short-term BD. In mitochondria the electron transport chain (ETC) acts jointly with citric acid cycle to produce energy, but it is not clear if they are altered in BD. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes several ETC proteins and is associated with oxidative stress, but it was never evaluated in BD in vivo. Oxidative stress is associated with BD and with mitochondrial dysfunction, but few is known about the activities of antioxidant enzymes in short-term BD. Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule with neuromodulatory effects, but with an unclear role in BD. Lithium is a gold-standard treatment for BD, which has shown neuroprotective effects. However, few is known about lithium effect on ETC, citric acid cycle, mtDNA content, and NO regulation in humans. Also, lithium\'s antioxidant role in BD is unclear. Methods: Patients with BD depression (n=31) unmedicated in majority (84%) received lithium treatment for 6 weeks. Before and after treatment, in leukocytes the activities of ETC complex I-IV, citrate synthase, succinate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase, and mtDNA content were evaluated; in plasma, NO levels, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and SOD/CAT ratio were evaluated. Bipolar depression patients were compared with 28 healthy controls. Results: When compared with controls, BD patients showed an increase in GPx (p < 0.001) and CAT (p=0.005) and a decrease in SOD/CAT (p=0.001), but showed no difference for other biomarkers. Patients with BD I showed a decrease in citrate synthase (p=0.02) and a slight decrease in mtDNA content (p=0.05) when compared to BD II; mtDNA content was slightly decreased in BD I compared to controls (p=0.05). From baseline to endpoint, there was an increase in ETC complex I activity (p=0.02), a decrease in TBARS (p=0.02) and SOD (p=0.03) and an increase in NO (p=0.02), without change in other parameters. After treatment, TBARS was decreased in responders compared to non-responders (p=0.02) and decreased in BD II compared to BD I (p=0.04). Discussion: In short-term BD few alterations were observed on biomarkers. The findings suggest increase on CAT and GPX in short-term bipolar depression and mitochondrial content decrease in BD I when compared to BD II, which deserve other studies for confirmation. The results reinforce a lithium\'s neuroprotective role and suggest that lithium increases ETC complex I activity and NO levels in bipolar depression. Moreover, lithium reinforced its role as antioxidant and as a modulator of antioxidant enzymes in BD

Die Adsorption von Additiven an den Oberflächen eines Kristallisates wird als eine hauptsächliche Ursache für die Beeinflussung von Kristallwachstum und Morphologie angesehen und spielt bei vielen Kristallisationsprozessen eine entscheidende Rolle. Gerade für die Calciumsulfate, die im Millionen-Tonnen-Maßstab jährlich in Deutschland verarbeitet werden, stellt der Additiv-Einsatz einen Hauptkostenfaktor dar, während gleichzeitig die Additivwirkung mechanistisch nicht ausreichend gut verstanden und damit derzeit nicht vorhersagbar ist. Zur Erlangung eines besseren Verständnisses wurden mit Hilfe von molekulardynamischen Computersimulationen die Prozesse in den Grenzflächen zwischen festen Calciumsulfaten und wässriger Additivlösung auf atomarer Ebene analysiert. Wesentlicher Untersuchungsschwerpunkt war dabei die Rolle des polaren Lösungsmittels Wasser auf die Wechselwirkung zwischen verschiedenen ionischen Additivspezies und den Salzkristallen.

Μελετήθηκε ο μεταβολισμός της γλυκερόλης στη ζύμη Yarrowia lipolytica ACA–DC 50109 με έμφαση στη μετατροπή της σε λιπίδια και κιτρικό οξύ, μεταβολικά προϊόντα που παρουσιάζουν ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον για τη βιοτεχνολογία. Σε καλλιέργειες που πραγματοποιήθηκαν σε βιοαντιδραστήρα διαλείποντος έργου, επί πολλαπλώς περιοριστικού μέσου, διαπιστώθηκε η ύπαρξη τριών διακριτών φάσεων αύξησης που χαρακτηρίζονται από ιδιαίτερα μορφολογικά και βιοχημικά χαρακτηριστικά: η φάση βιοσύνθεσης κυτταρικής μάζας (κατά την οποία συντέθηκαν 4–4,5 g/l βιομάζας), η ελαιογόνος φάση (κατά την οποία πραγματοποιήθηκε συσσώρευση λιπιδίων 20–22% wt/wt επί ξηρής βιομάζας, 90% wt/wt των οποίων ήταν ουδέτερα) και η φάση παραγωγής κιτρικού οξέος (κατά την οποία εκκρίθηκαν στο περιβάλλον της αύξησης 14–30 g/l κιτρικού οξέος). Κατά τη διάρκεια των ανωτέρω φάσεων η ζύμη διήλθε από διάφορα μορφολογικά στάδια: μικρού μήκους αληθή μυκήλια και ψευδομυκήλια που κυριάρχησαν των κυττάρων ζύμης κατά τη φάση βιοσύνθεσης κυτταρικής μάζας, ευμεγέθη κύτταρα κατά τη φάση της ελαιογένεσης και μικρού μεγέθους κύτταρα ζύμης κατά τη φάση παραγωγής κιτρικού οξέος. Η γλυκερόλη διαπερνά την κυτταροπλασματική μεμβράνη με διευκολυνόμενη διάχυση και καταβολίζεται μέσω των αντιδράσεων της κινάσης της γλυκερόλης – GK και της NAD+ εξαρτώμενης αφυδρογονάσης της 3–P–γλυκερόλης. Την υψηλή ενεργότητα της NAD+ εξαρτώμενης ισοκιτρικής αφυδρογονάσης (NAD+–ICDH) κατά τη διάρκεια της φάσης βιοσύνθεσης κυτταρικής μάζας διαδέχθηκε σημαντική πτώση της ενεργότητάς της, επάγοντας τη λιπογένεση. Απρόσμενη αποδόμηση των αποθεματικών (ουδέτερων) λιπιδίων και σημαντική βιοσύνθεση γλυκολιπιδίων, σφιγγολιπιδίων και φωσφολιπιδίων – Ρ παρατηρήθηκε κατά τη διάρκεια της φάσης παραγωγής κιτρικού οξέος, φάση κατά την οποία η ενεργότητα της GK είχε μειωθεί σημαντικά ενώ η ενεργότητα της NAD+–ICDH είχε σχεδόν μηδενιστεί. Το ελαϊκό οξύ ήταν το κυριότερο λιπαρό οξύ ενώ η φωσφατιδυλχολίνη – PC το κύριο Ρ. Σε συνεχές σύστημα καλλιέργειας επί θρεπτικού υλικού περιοριστικού σε άζωτο, βιοσυντέθηκαν περιορισμένες μόνο ποσότητες λιπιδίων (~10% wt/wt, επί της ξηρής βιομάζας), γεγονός που μπορεί αποδοθεί στο ότι δεν υπήρχε μια περιοχή του ειδικού ρυθμού αραίωσης (D, h–1) στην οποία τα ένζυμα – κλειδιά που εμπλέκονται στη λιπογένεση (όπως η ΑΤΡ:κιτρική λυάση – ATP:CL και το μηλικό ένζυμο – ME) να παρουσιάζουν συγχρόνως υψηλές ενεργότητες, ενώ η ενεργότητα της NAD+–ICDH μειώθηκε, όχι όμως σημαντικά, στους χαμηλούς D. Η ενεργότητα της ATP:CL χαρακτηρίστηκε από υψηλές τιμές (60–300 Units/mg DW) σε D 0,033 h–1 ενώ οι μέγιστες τιμές ενεργότητας του ME (650 Units/mg DW) εμφανίστηκαν σε D=0,104 h–1. Τα λιπίδια της ζύμης ήταν περισσότερο ακόρεστα σε ενδιάμεσες τιμές D. Σε όλους τους D η φωσφατιδυλαιθανολαμίνη – PE, η φωσφατιδυλινοσιτόλη – PI και η PC αντιπροσωπεύουν τις κυριότερες κλάσεις των Ρ. Όσον αφορά τη μορφολογία της ζύμης, βρέθηκε ότι σε D<0,055 h–1 επικρατούσαν αληθή μυκήλια και ψευδομυκήλια ενώ σε D 0,055 h–1 παρατηρήθηκαν μόνο κύτταρα ζύμης. Σε πειράματα που πραγματοποιήθηκαν επί θρεπτικού υλικού περιοριστικού σε άζωτο, σε D=0,026 h–1, σε διαφορετικές συγκεντρώσεις διαλυμένου οξυγόνου – DO παρατηρήθηκε αυξημένο ποσοστό του κλάσματος των Ρ επί των ολικών λιπιδίων στις ακραίες σε τιμές DO ( 70% και 7%). Ανεξάρτητα των τιμών DO η PC ήταν η κλάση με το μεγαλύτερο ποσοστό, ακολουθούμενη από την PI και PE. Ειδικότερα το ποσοστό της ΡΕ παρουσιάστηκε ιδιαίτερα αυξημένο σε ενδιάμεσες τιμές DO (20% και 30%). Σε DΟ 50% επικρατούσαν αληθή μυκήλια και ψευδομυκήλια ενώ σε DΟ 50% εμφανίστηκαν στην καλλιέργεια περισσότερα κύτταρα ζύμης. Σε πειράματα που πραγματοποιήθηκαν σε D=0,026 h–1 βρέθηκε ότι ο περιορισμός της αύξησης από ιχνοστοιχεία όπως το μαγνήσιο και το ασβέστιο τα οποία εμπλέκονται σε πολλαπλές κυτταρικές λειτουργίες, είχαν δυσμενή επίδραση στη φυσιολογία της ζύμης, ωστόσο η σύσταση των λιπιδίων σε λιπαρά οξέα δεν επηρεάστηκε από τη φύση του περιοριστικού για την αύξηση παράγοντα. Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή φιλοδοξεί να συμβάλει στη μελέτη της φυσιολογίας των ελαιογόνων μικροοργανισμών και στη χρήση της γλυκερόλης ως υποστρώματος σε μελλοντικές βιοτεχνολογικές εφαρμογές. / In this thesis the metabolism of glycerol in Yarrowia lipolytica ACA–DC 50109, with emphasis on glycerol conversion into value–added biotechnological products, such as single cell oils and citric acid, was studied. The growth of Y. lipolytica was studied in bioreactor batch cultures in multiple limited medium and three distinct phases were identified during growth cycle. In each phase, yeast cells were characterized by specific morphological and biochemical features: biomass formation phase (in which 4–4.5 g/l of biomass were synthesized), lipogenic phase (in which 20–22% lipids wt/wt in dry weight were accumulated in biomass, containing 90% wt/wt neutral lipids) and citric acid production phase (in which 14–30 g/l of citric acid were secreted in the growth environment). Distinct cellular forms of Y. lipolytica were developed during the above phases: in biomass formation phase short true mycelia and pseudo–mycelia were predominant while a few yeast–like cells were observed, in lipogenic phase large obese cells were predominant and in citric acid production phase cells size was diminished. Glycerol passes into the microbial cell by facilitated diffusion. Y. lipolytica successfully converts glycerol via phosphorylation pathway, in which glycerol kinase (GK) and glycerol–3–P–dehydrogenase are implicated. Though high activity of NAD+ dependent isocitric dehydrogenase (NAD+–ICDH) was detected during biomass formation phase, this activity was significantly decreased afterwards inducing lipogenesis. Surprisingly, storage (neutral) lipid turnover and synthesis of glycolipids, sphingolipids and phospholipids – Ρ simultaneously occurred with citric acid production, and happened when GK activity was considerably reduced and NAD+–ICDH activity was minimised. Oleic acid was the major fatty acid in all lipid fractions and phosphatidylcholine – PC was the main Ρ. In continuous culture in nitrogen limited medium Y. lipolytica accumulated low quantities of lipids (~10% w/w, in dry weight), maybe due to the fact that there was not a region of specific dilution rate (D, h–1) in which the key–enzymes that are implicated in lipogenesis (i.e. ΑΤΡ:citrate lyase – ATP:CL and malic enzyme – ME) presented simultaneously high activity while NAD+–ICDH activity was insignificantly decreased in low D. ATP:CL presented high activity (60–300 Units/mg DW) in D 0,033 h–1 while ME presented maximum activity (650 Units/mg DW) in D=0,104 h–1. Lipids were more unsaturated in intermediate D values while phosphatidylethanolamine – PE, phosphatidylinositol – PI and PC are the main Ρ classes. As far as the morphology is concerned, in D<0,055 h–1 short true mycelia and pseudo–mycelia were predominant in culture medium while in D 0,055 h–1 only yeast cells were observed. In experiments performed in nitrogen limited medium in D=0,026 h–1 in different dissolved oxygen – DO concentrations, it was found that in extreme DO values ( 70% and 7%) the percentage of P was increased. Independently the DO concentration PC was the main class followed by PI and PE. The morphology of Y. lipolytica was influenced by the different concentration of DO and it was observed that in DΟ 50% short true mycelia and pseudo–mycelia were predominant in culture medium while in DΟ 50% more yeast cells were appeared. In experiments performed in D=0,026 h–1, it was found that the absence of micronutrients from the growth medium, i.e. magnesium and calcium that are implicated in multiple cellular functions, had severe effects in yeast physiology, while the fatty acid composition of cellular lipids was not affected by the nature of the growth limiting factor. The present thesis aspires to contribute in the study of oleaginous microorganisms’ physiology and in use of glycerol as substrate in future biotechnological applications.

Submitted by Eliseu Antonio Cavalini null (cavaliniea1356@ig.com.br) on 2017-01-08T01:45:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Dout V Final.pdf: 2360887 bytes, checksum: 17f60dc9305936e9dd9ea3744d049148 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-01-11T13:28:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 cavalini_ea_dr_guara.pdf: 2360887 bytes, checksum: 17f60dc9305936e9dd9ea3744d049148 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-11T13:28:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 cavalini_ea_dr_guara.pdf: 2360887 bytes, checksum: 17f60dc9305936e9dd9ea3744d049148 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-09 / Plasmas de gases e / ou vapores orgânicos produzem filmes finos ou pós apresentando características poliméricas, especialmente quando os plasmas são derivados de monômeros das famílias dos hidrocarbonetos alcoóis, siloxanos, silazanos, e outro. Neste trabalho, os filmes finos foram obtidos a partir da mistura de ácido cítrico-etilenoglicol-metal complexador depositado a plasma, com 13,56 MHz de radiofrequência na potência de 10 a 50 W e pressão fixada a 10 Pa. Os resultados da análise de espectroscopia de infravermelho FTIR mostrou que os grupos vibracionais dos filmes estavam preservados, mas com modificações em suas estruturas moleculares. Foram observados nos resultados obtidos por espectroscopia fotoelétrica de raios-X modificações na composição química da ligação oxigênio-carbono e oxigênio-hidrogênio com variação da potência de 10 a 50 W. A taxa de deposição dos filmes finos diminuiu de 0,10 a 0,08 nm/minuto com o aumento da potência de 10 a 50 W. As propriedades óticas das amostras como o índice de refração, coeficiente de absorção, gap ótico foram investigados por espectroscopia UV- visível. Destas análises foram possíveis obter valores n de 1,54 a 1,50 e energia do gap entre 4,75 e 4,85 eV. A técnica de ângulos de contato e foi utilizada para investigar a molhabilidade das amostras, que apresentaram caráter hidrofílico em todas as condições de deposição dos filmes. A técnica de EDS foi usada para investigar as composições químicas das amostras. Além disso, os filmes obtidos apresentaram valores de condutividade elétrica superior a 10-8 (Ωcm)-1 e constantes dielétricas entre 2,4 e 2,7. / Plasmas from gases and / or organic vapors produce thin films or powders presenting polymeric characteristics, especially when the plasmas are derived from monomers of the families of hydrocarbons, alcohols, siloxanes, silazanes, and others. In this work, thin films were obtained by citric acid / ethylene glycol / complex metal deposited by 13.56 MHz RF plasma at 10 and 50 W fixed pressure 10 Pa. FTIR spectroscopy showed that the main vibrational groups of the films were preserved, but with modifications in their molecular structures. It was observed by X –ray photoelectron spectroscopy chemical composition modifications in oxygen – carbon and oxygen – hydrogen bond while the deposition power changed from 10 to 50 W. The deposition rate of the samples decreased from 0.10 to 0.08 nm / minute while the RF power increases from 10 to 50 W. The samples optical properties as refractive index n, absorption coefficient, optical gap Eg were investigated by UV – Visible spectroscopy. From these analysis were possible to obtain values of n from 1.54 to 1.50 and Eg between 4.75 and 4.85 eV. Contact angle and surface energy measurements were used to investigate the wettability of composite Polymer films, for all depositions conditions the films presented hydrophilic character. EDS was used investigate components of the samples. Moreover, the film showed electrical conductivity values greater than 10-8(Ωcm)-1 and dielectric constant between 2.2 and 2.7.