There is a need for improved reproductive toxicology assays that do not require large numbers of animals but are sensitive and informative. Therefore, Staput velocity-sedimentation separation followed by culture of specific mouse testicular cells was used as such a system. The specificity of separation was assessed using immunocytochemistry to identify spermatids, spermatocytes and spermatogonia. The efficacy of the system to detect toxicity was then evaluated by analysing the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by the terminal uridine-deoxynucleotide end-labelling (TUNEL) assay to show the rate of apoptosis induced among the different types of germ cells. We found that 2 h of treatment at both 1¿M and 10¿M induced increases of over ~10-fold in the percentage of apoptotic cells (p¿0.001), confirming that testicular germ cells are prone to apoptosis at very low concentrations of H2O2. It was also demonstrated for the first time for this compound that spermatogonia are significantly more susceptible than spermatocytes, which are more affected than spermatids. This reflects the proportion of actively dividing cells in these cell types, suggesting a mechanism for the differential sensitivity. The approach should thus form the basis of a useful test system for reproductive and genetic toxicology in the future.

Heating milk to high temperatures such as 140 ºC, as used in ultra high temperature (UHT) processing, causes physical and chemical changes in the milk. The production of a cooked flavour is a major change which reduces consumer acceptance of the UHT milk. It has been correlated with the formation of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) that result from milk proteins, principally the whey proteins β-lactoglobulin, containing the the sulphur amino acids cystine, cysteine and methionine. The VSCs in milk, whose concentrations are in the parts per billion to parts per million range, are highly reactive, easily oxidised, and sensitive to heat during thermal processing and analysis; this makes them a challenge to analyse. A sensitive method based on gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detection coupled with headspace sampling by solid phase microextraction (SPME/GC/PFPD) was developed to detect these compounds in commercial UHT milk and to investigate their production and disappearance during heating and storage. The SPME/GC/PFPD procedure was optimised using different extraction time (15 min, 30 min, & 60 min) – temperature (30 oC, 45 oC & 60 oC) combinations with CAR/PDMS fibre to obtain maximum sensitivity. A short extraction time (15 min) at low temperature (30 oC) was chosen to provide high sensitivity for detecting all VSCs in UHT milk without introducing artefactual VSCs. The extraction method and GC run time (16 min) make this method simple and fast. Nine VSCs were detected in commercial indirectly processed UHT milk, skim and whole. These are hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbonyl sulphide (COS), methanethiol (MeSH), dimethyl sulphide (DMS), carbon disulphide (CS2), dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), dimethyl sulphone (Me2SO2) and dimethyl trisulphide (DMTS). An additional unknown compound was detected but could not be identified by GC/MS because its concentration was below the detection limit of the MS detector. The concentrations of H2S, DMS and DMTS were higher than their threshold values indicating their importance in milk flavour, especially cooked flavour. Several attempts have been made to reduce the cooked flavour in UHT milk. In the current research, the use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to oxidise the VSCs and thereby reduce cooked flavour was investigated. H2O2 is used as a milk preservative and is generally recognised as safe (GRAS) in USA. Several concentrations of H2O2 (0.001%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.02% & 0.03%) were added to milk to assess its effects on VSCs and on whey proteins denaturation in UHT milk. H2O2 effectively reduced the concentration of all VSCs, except DMDS which was increased, presumably by oxidation of MeSH. H2S was completely oxidised or reduced below its threshold value. Low concentrations of H2O2 (0.001% & 0.005%) had no effect on, or decreased, the extent of denaturation of β-lactoglobulin when added after or before processing, respectively. Some UHT plants use severe heating conditions, leading to high levels of denaturation of whey proteins, particularly β-Lg, the main source of the VSCs in milk. Correlations between heat severity, β-Lg denaturation and individual VSC generation were investigated in milk batch-heated at 80 oC and 90 oC, and UHT milk processed at 120-150 oC. In accordance with previous reports, β-Lg was more heat-sensitive than α-La. Only five VSCs were detected. The concentrations of H2S and MeSH correlated well with denaturation of β-Lg and α-La. DMS concentration correlated well with β-Lg in UHT milk but not in the batch-heated milk. CS2 did not show a good correlation with heat intensity and appeared to plateau out after a certain level of heating. Conversely, COS and MeSH seemed to require a certain minimum amount of heat before generation commenced; this corresponded to denaturation of β-Lg above 49% and 89% respectively at 80 oC. The higher concentrations of DMS and H2S in UHT milk compared with batch-heated samples having similar degrees of denaturation suggested other possible sources for their production and the importance of the heat severity in generating them. For example, at high heat intensity, S-methylmethionine and thiamine could be sources of DMS and H2S respectively. Furthermore, in whole milk as used in this work, milk fat globule membrane proteins are another source of VSCs. The outcome of this study will help UHT manufacturers to understand the production and disappearance of the VSCs in commercial UHT milk and how to adjust the processing conditions to avoid generation of cooked flavour. Additionally, the promising results of using low concentrations of H2O2 to oxidise the VSCs will provide the industry with another means of reducing cooked flavour. Before H2O2 use is implemented in UHT processing, future studies are required to evaluate all of its effects, including sporicidal effects. Overall, this study makes a contribution to finding a solution to the cooked flavour problem in UHT milk, thereby increasing market share of this milk in countries such as Australia, the UK and North America where cooked flavour is the main barrier to its consumer acceptance.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Mississippi State University. Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Biomass production is spatially distributed resulting in high transportation costs when moving dedicated biomass crops and crop residues. A multifaceted approach was taken to address this issue as the low bulk and energy density of biomass limits transportation efficiency. Two systems were analyzed for the conversion of biomass into a denser feedstock applicable to on-farm use. Pelletization was able to densify the material into a solid fuel. Using a pilot scale flat ring pellet mill, the density of the material was able to be increased to at least 4.4 times that of uncompressed material. Pellet durability was found to be strongly related to the moisture content of the material entering the mill. Unlike with ring roller pellet mills, a higher durability was typically seen forbiomass materials with a preconditioned moisture content of 20% (w.b.). From a liquid fuel standpoint, the conversion of lignocellulosic material into biobutanol on-farm was the second method investigated. For the pretreatment of biomass, alkaline hydrogen peroxide spray was demonstrated to be an effective enhancer of saccharification. The viability of on-farm biobutanol preprocessing bunker facilities within Kentucky was analyzed using Geographic Information systems (GIS) to specifically address transportation related factors. The spatial variability of corn field production, size, and location were resolved by utilizing ModelBuilder to combine the various forms of data and their attributes. Centralized and Distributed preprocessing with Centralized refining (DC) transportation systems were compared. Centralized was defined as transport of corn stover directly from the field to a refinery. Distributed-Centralized was specified as going from the field to the biobutanol bunker with corn stover and from the bunker to the refinery with a dewatered crude biobutanol solution. For the DC design, the location of the field and refinery were fixed with the biobutanol bunker location being variable and dependent upon differing maximum transportation (8-80 km) cutoffs for biomass transport from the field to biobutanol bunkers. The DC designs demonstrated a lower (38 - 59%) total transportation cost with a reduced fuel use and CO2 emissions compared to the centralized system.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-04-28 / Introdução: EROs são produzidas durante o metabolismo normal das células, tendo funções fisiológicas importantes como a sinalização celular. Porém, em uma situação que leve o organismo a uma produção exagerada de EROs, temos o chamado estresse oxidativo, que tem ação deletéria às células, podendo levar à apoptose ou à senescência celular . A vitamina C é um dos principais agentes antioxidantes do organismo, atuando em todas as formas de estresse oxidativo. Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar o efeito da vitamina C em cultura de fibroblastos humanos dérmicos submetida ao estresse oxidativo pelo peróxido de hidrogênio. Método: O método constitui-se no isolamento e cultivo de fibroblastos humanos dérmico em seis grupos: controle, Vitamina C+, Vitamina C -, H2O2, Vitamina C + H2O2, Vitamina C - H2O2. Os fibroblastos foram submetidos ao estresse oxidativo pela suplementação de H2O2 ao meio de cultura por 2 horas. Foram avaliados a proliferação pelo MTT, a senescência celular pela marcação da enzima beta-galoctosidase, a apoptose celular e a liberação de EROs pela citometria de fluxo. Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram que o peróxido de hidrogênio aumentou significantemente a senescência celular e a apoptose nos fibroblastos. A vitamina C diminuiu significantemente a indução da senescência celular somente no estado intracelular. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que a vitamina C não protegeu os fibroblastos humanos dérmicos cultivados contra o estresse oxidativo induzido pelo H2O2 e que a Vitamina C intracelular levou a uma diminuição da indução da senescência celular. / Introduction: ROS are produced during normal cell metabolism, and have physiological functions such as cell signaling. However, in a situation that leads the body to an overproduction of ROS, we have the so called oxidative stress, which has deleterious effects on cells and may lead to apoptosis or cell senescence. Vitamin C is one of the major antioxidants in the body, acting in all forms of oxidative stress. Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C in cultured human dermal fibroblasts subjected to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Methods: The method consisted in the isolation and cultivation of human dermal fibroblasts into six groups: control, vitamin C (+), Vitamin C (-), H2O2, Vitamin C (+) H2O2, Vitamin C (-) H2O2. Fibroblasts were submitted to oxidative stress by the addition of H2O2 to the culture medium for 2 hours. The following points were evaluated: cell proliferation by MTT, cell senescence by marking the enzyme beta-galactosidase, cell apoptosis and the release of free radicals by flow cytometry. Results: The results demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide significantly increased senescence and apoptosis in fibroblasts, and that vitamin C only decreased induced cell senescence significantly when intracellular. Conclusion: We concluded that vitamin C did not protect cultured human dermal fibroblasts against oxidative stress induced by H2O2 and that intracellular vitamin C led to a decrease in the induction of cell senescence. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Résumé non communiqué par le doctorant. / Résumé non communiqué par le doctorant.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / The main hypothesis in this study is the development of a nanocomposite mediated amperometric biosensor for detection of hydrogen peroxide. The aim is to combine the electrochemical properties of both polyaniline and ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate into highly conductive nano composites capable of exhibiting electrochemistry in non acidic media; shuttling electrons between HRP and GCE for biosensor applications. / South Africa

Submitted by Priscila Nascimento (pnascimento@icict.fiocruz.br) on 2012-11-30T12:31:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 beatriz-cyranka.pdf: 1720638 bytes, checksum: c436adb348584d5a5a8213fccdef6ea6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-11-30T12:31:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 beatriz-cyranka.pdf: 1720638 bytes, checksum: c436adb348584d5a5a8213fccdef6ea6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. / Novas tecnologias, como o sistema isolador para ensaios de esterilidade vieram a contribuir com a incorporação de um melhor desempenho destes ensaios no controle de qualidade das indústrias farmacêuticas.Este trabalho teve como objetivo a verificação do processo de biodescontaminação dentro do sistema isolador de Bio-Manguinhos, utilizado como agente esterilizante o gás de peróxido de hidrogênio. Foram utilizadas como biocarga para redução de contaminação microbiológica três concentrações dos microrganismos, Candida albicansATCC 10231, Clostridium sporogenesATCC 11437 eMicrococcus luteusATCC 9341, impregnadas em discos de filtro de celulose. Os estudos de cinética de crescimento dos microrganismos foram realizados para um melhor entendimento do seumetabolismo, bem como aspectos gerais de crescimento que contribuíram para ressaltar que a Candida albicans inicia sua fase exponencial de crescimento na segunda hora do cultivo e finaliza esta etapa na sexta hora do cultivo, com produção máxima de células viáveis, fato observado também no microrganismo Micrococccus luteus. Para o cultivo doClostridium sporogenes o crescimento foi mais lento com uma curva de crescimento com 60 horas de cultivo total. A produção de maior número de células para o Clostridiumfoi alcançada na vigésima quarta hora de cultivo, assim como a maior produção de esporos. Foi estabelecida, ao longo da curva de crescimento, a relação entre densidade ótica e número de células viáveis, relação essa importante para o estabelecimento das condições do estudo em relação à biocarga empregada de cada microrganismo no momento do desafio no sistema isolador. A capacidade de descontaminação avaliada dentro do sistema isolador com o biocida peróxido de hidrogênio revelou o tempo de exposição ao gás de 10 minutos, como resultado final satisfatório apresentando redução total da carga microbiana com destruição total das células viáveis, assim como as formas esporuladas do Clostridium sporogenes. Desta forma conclui-se que o peróxido de hidrogênioé um biocida de eficácia comprovada, nas variáveis deste estudo e o processode descontaminação no sistema isolador de Bio-Manguinhos é compatível comsua atividade finalística na produção de insumos para a saúde. / New technologies such as isolator system for sterility tests came to help with the incorporation of a better performance of these kinds of tests in quality control of pharmaceutical companies. This study aimed to verify the decontamination process within the system isolator of Bio-Manguinhos, usinghydrogen peroxide gas as a sterilizing agent. Three concentrations of microorganisms were used as bioburden for the microbiological contamination reduction, Candida albicansATCC 10231, Clostridium sporogenesATCC 11437 and Micrococcus luteusATCC 9341, impregnated in cellulose filter discs. Studies of growth kinetics of microorganisms were carried out to a better understanding of theirmetabolism, as well as general aspects of growth that contributed to emphasize that the Candida albicansbegins its exponential growth phase in the second hour of cultivation and this step ends at the sixth hour cultivation, with maximum yield of viable cells, this was also observed in the Micrococcus luteusmicroorganism. For the Clostridium sporogenescultivation, growth was slower with a 60 hours growth curve of total culture. The production of more cells for Clostridiumwas achieved in the twenty-fourth hour of cultivation, as well as the maximum spores production. It was established along the growth curve the relationship between optical density and numberof viable cells, this relationship was important to establish the conditions of the study related to the bioburden of each microorganism used to challenge the isolator system. The decontamination capacity evaluated within the isolator system with the hydrogen peroxide biocide showed that the gas exposure time of 10 minutes wassatisfactory demonstrating total reduction of the microbial load with total destruction of viable cells, as well as the sporulated forms of Clostridium sporogenes. Thus it is concluded that hydrogen peroxide is a proved effective biocide, in the variables of this study and decontamination process in the Bio-Manguinhos insulator system is compatible with its main activity in the production of health supplies.

Parmi les stratégies visant à contrôler la croissance de microorganismes pathogènes dans un aliment, la biopréservation qui s’appuie sur l’utilisation des capacités inhibitrices d’autres microorganismes offre une grande diversité d’opportunités. Il est cependant nécessaire de comprendre les mécanismes moléculaires et physiologiques régissant l’antagonisme du microorganisme protecteur vis-à-vis de la bactérie indésirable. L’objectif de cette thèse était de caractériser l’antagonisme de L. garvieae N201, isolé de fromage, vis-à-vis de souches de S. aureus par des approches in vitro : génomique, transcriptomique (ciblée concernant S. aureus, globale concernant L. garvieae) et phénotypique. Un acteur avait déjà été identifié : le peroxyde d’hydrogène (H2O2) produit par L. garvieae sous un niveau d’aération élevé. Lors de ces travaux de thèse, il a été montré que le peroxyde d’hydrogène serait également produit par L. garvieae sous une faible aération en quantité faible (indétectable par spectrophotométrie) mais suffisante pour induire une inhibition de S. aureus. Les gènes de production du H2O2 de L. garvieae (poxB, sodA) seraient exprimés constitutivement quel que soit le niveau d’aération. Les gènes de dégradation du H2O2 (katA, sodA, ahpC / ahpF) seraient plutôt surexprimés sous une faible aération, suggérant leur rôle dans un mode de contrôle de la concentration en H2O2 autogène par L. garvieae. En parallèle, trois autres mécanismes potentiellement impliqués dans l’antagonisme ont été mis en évidence : i) la répression de gènes de réponse au stress (clpC, ctsR, dnaK) de S. aureus par L. garvieae et l’aération, ii) la répression de gènes de division cellulaire de S. aureus (mraZ, mraW, potentiellement le cluster dcw) par L. garvieae, iii) la production d’un effecteur extracellulaire par L. garvieae dont la nature reste à caractériser. Ajouté à cela, la présence de L. garvieae modulerait l’expression des principaux gènes de virulence de S. aureus, réprimant ceux codant pour les entérotoxines sous une faible aération. Ainsi, la souche L. garvieae N201 s’est révélée être une candidate intéressante comme agent de biopréservation. Cependant, son innocuité pour l’Homme devra être vérifiée et son antagonisme sur S. aureus devra être évalué en matrice alimentaire. Les données générées ainsi que la démarche développée pourront être utilisées afin d’étudier des interactions entre d’autres espèces d’intérêt et dans des écosystèmes différents. / Among strategies aiming to control the growth of spoilage microorganisms in food, the biopreservation is based on the inhibitory capacities of other microorganisms and presents a considerable variety of opportunities. A good understanding of the molecular and physiologic mechanisms underlying the antagonism of the preservative microorganism against the spoilage bacterium is also required. This thesis aimed to characterize the antagonism of L. garvieae N201 dairy strain against S. aureus strains combining in vitro strategies: genomic, transcriptomic (targeted concerning S. aureus, global concerning L. garvieae) and phenotypic. The involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced by L. garvieae under high aeration was already known. Although H2O2 concentration was undetectable using spectrophotometry method, it was produced by L. garvieae under low aeration at sufficient concentration to induce S. aureus inhibition. L. garvieae H2O2 -synthesis genes (poxB, sodA) seemed constitutively expressed whatever the aeration level. L. garvieae H2O2-degradation (katA, sodA, ahpC / ahpF) genes were overexpressed under low aeration, suggesting their involvement in control of autogenous H2O2 level. In parallel, three other mechanisms may be involved in this antagonistic relationship: i) the repression of S. aureus stress-response genes (clpC, ctsR, dnaK) by L. garvieae and / or under high aeration, ii) the repression of S. aureus cell-division genes (mraZ, mraW and probably the dcw cluster) by L. garvieae, iii), the production by L. garvieae of an extracellular effector which has to be characterized. Additionally, L. garvieae can modulate the expression of S. aureus major virulence genes, repressing those coding for enterotoxins under low aeration. Thus, L. garvieae N201 turned out to be an interesting candidate for biopreservative applications. However, its safety for humans should be approved and its antagonism against S. aureus has to be investigated in food matrices. The data resulting from this work may be used to study other interactions between other valuable species and in other ecosystems.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O objetivo deste estudo in vivo foi avaliar comparativamente três técnicas de clareamento de dentes polpados quanto ao grau de cor final alcançado, sensibilidade dental e satisfação pessoal de operadores e pacientes. Indivíduos jovens de mesma faixa etária e padrão de higiene bucal foram selecionados e divididos aleatoriamente entre os grupos (G1; n=7) caseiro, com regime de uso de 8 h/dia/4 semanas; (G2; n=7) consultório, com regime de clareamento de 4 sessões semanais de 2 aplicações de 15 min cada e; (G3; n=6) associado, com caseiro e consultório combinados. Para as técnicas caseira e de consultório foram utilizados peróxido de carbamida a 16% (WhitegoldHome/Dentsply) e peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% (Whitegold Office/Dentsply), respectivamente. Os registros de cor foram obtidos por um único operador antes e após o emprego da cada técnica utilizando escala de cores Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master e máquina fotográfica digital profissional (EOS Rebel XT Canon), com ajustes de iluminação, flash e distância focal padronizados. O nível de clareamento foi avaliado por unidades de mudança de cor (luminosidade) na escala de cores, além do número de tons alcançados nas imagens digitais e mudança de cor no sistema CIE L*a*b* por meio do software ScanWhite. Os dados foram tratados estatisticamente pelos testes não paramétricos de Kruskal Wallis e dos sinais (p&#8804;0,05). Os registros de sensibilidade dental trans e pós operatória e da satisfação pessoal dos operadores e pacientes foram preenchidos individualmente em questionário unidimensional ao final de cada sessão. Foram atribuídos escores para a avaliação final da sensibilidade dental, conforme: 0=ausente; 1=leve; 2=moderada e; 3=severa. Os dados foram tratados estatisticamente pelo teste Kruskal Wallis. As médias das variações de unidades de mudança de cor da escala Vita e do software foram, respectivamente: G1) 4,57 (IC1,34), 27,14 (IC12,03); G2) 2,86 (IC0,99), 21,29 (IC14,27); G3) 4 (IC1,82), 25,33 (IC10,70). Na comparação entre os métodos de avaliação de cor, os p-valores do teste dos sinais foram 0,453, 0,453 e 0,687 para os grupos 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente. As médias da variação total de cor (&#8710;E) foram, respectivamente: G1) 8,79(IC4,18), G2) 7,10(IC3,53) e G3) 9,74 (IC4,07). Não foi determinada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos. Os postos médios do nível de sensibilidade foram: G1 = 9,64; G2 = 11,58; e G3 = 10,43, e o p-valor = 0,807. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre grupos. Conclui-se que as técnicas caseiro, consultório e associada foram igualmente eficazes quanto ao nível de cor final, de acordo com os métodos objetivos e subjetivos utilizados. O nível de sensibilidade dental foi o mesmo independentemente da técnica utilizada. Todos os indivíduos registraram satisfação ao final do clareamento. / The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluated three techniques of vital teeth bleaching on the degree of final color achieved, tooth sensitivity and personal satisfaction of operators and patients. Young individuals of the same age were randomly divided into groups (G1; n=7) at-home: 8h/day/week; (G2; n=7) in-office: 4 weekly sessions of 2 applications of 15 min each one and; (G3; n=6) associated: home/office simultaneously. For at-home and in-office techniques were used carbamide peroxide 16% (WhiteGold Home/Dentsply) and hydrogen peroxide 35 % (Whitegold Office/Dentsply), respectively. The records of color were obtained by a single operator before and after bleaching using the scale Vita Bleachedguide 3D Master and digital camera Canon Rebel XT, with lighting, flash and focal distance standardized. The level of bleaching was evaluated by unit change in color scale and the number of tones achieved and change of color in the CIE L*a*b* by using the software ScanWhite. The data were treated statistically by the nonparametric Kruskal Wallis and signs (p<0,05). The records of tooth sensitivity during and after bleaching and personal satisfaction of operators and patients were filled out in one-dimensional questionnaires at the end of each session, individually. Scores for the final evaluation of tooth sensitivity were assigned: 0=absent, 1=mild, 2=moderate and 3=severe. The data were treated statistically by Kruskal Wallis. The average variation of unit change in color scale Vita and software were: G1) 4.57 (CI 1.34), 27.14 (CI 12.03); G2) 2.86 (CI 0.99), 21.29 (CI 14.27); G3) 4 (CI 1.82), 25.33 (CI 10.70). The p-values of the signal test were 0.453, 0.453 and 0.687 for the 1, 2 and 3 groups, respectively. The average of the total variation in color (&#8710;E) were, respectively: G1) 8.79(CI4.18), G2) 7.10(CI3.53) and G3) 9.74(CI4,07). No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups. The mid-rank of sensitivity of the groups were: G1=9.64, G2=11.58, G3=10.43; and p-valor=0,807. No statistically difference was determined between the groups. All subjects reported satisfaction at the end of the bleaching. We conclude that objective methods (ScanWhite) and subjective (Vita scale) to determine the level of color bleaching were equally effective and no difference between them. The level of tooth sensitivity was the same regardless of the technique.