Pompe disease is a rare autosomal recessive condition caused by a deficiency in lysosomal alpha glucosidase. It is a progressive and often fatal muscular disease with wide variation in clinical presentation. Two broad clinical categories of Pompe disease have been identified; infantile- and late- onset. In the past decade, enzyme replacement therapy has shown promising results in treating the underlying pathology, resulting in improved clinical outcome. Clinical trials indicating that initiation of treatment at an earlier disease stage leads to a higher chance of preventing permanent damage have led to the proposition of introducing newborn screening for Pompe disease. All forms of Pompe disease are caused by the same pathology, and thus newborn screening has the potential to identify those affected with the more severe infantile-onset form as well as those with late-onset disease who may not present with symptoms until late in life. / The aim of this study was to investigate attitudes towards newborn screening for Pompe disease among affected adults, their family members and parents of ‘healthy’ children. Affected adults were recruited through support groups in Australia, the United Kingdom and United States; family members of affected adults were recruited from Australia; and parents of ‘healthy’ children were recruited through maternal child health clinics in Victoria, Australia. Participants completed questionnaires exploring their experiences of Pompe disease and/or newborn screening and their attitudes towards newborn screening for Pompe disease. / Support for newborn screening for Pompe disease was high among adults with Pompe disease (85.4%), parents of ‘healthy’ children (93.9%) and all three family members of affected adults who participated in this study. However, when offered a theoretical screening test that would only identify infantile-onset Pompe disease, 42.1% of adults with Pompe disease and 53.1% of parents of ‘healthy’ children preferred this screen, indicating that these stakeholders have some concerns regarding detection of late-onset disease in infancy. Factors influencing attitudes were investigated and support for newborn screening in affected adults was highly correlated with age of onset of disease; a preference to have been diagnosed in infancy; a belief that an earlier diagnosis would have made symptoms easier to cope with; and a stronger confidence in the efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy. / Potential benefits of diagnosis of late-onset disease in infancy were identified as being able to avoid the diagnosis odyssey, access enzyme replacement therapy at the optimal time, and allow individuals to make appropriate life choices. Participants identified increased anxiety in parents and the potential for over-protectiveness, in addition to possible discrimination, as harms of newborn screening for Pompe disease. / Families in which an infant is identified with the potential for late-onset Pompe disease will need assistance to adapt to and manage this diagnosis, so that anxiety is minimised and unnecessary limitations are not placed on the child. Whilst potential medical and psychosocial benefits can result from newborn screening, it is important to carefully consider the potential for harm and the resources required to appropriately manage these so that ultimately benefit outweighs harm.

Excess sediment in streams is harmful to the environment, economy, and human health. Streambanks account for an estimated 7-92% of sediment and 6-93% of total-phosphorus loads to streams depending on the watershed. Stream stabilization through stream restoration has become a common practice to satisfy the 2010 Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL) due its value in credits received per dollar spent. Bank erosion is most commonly credited through the Bank Assessment for Non-point source Consequences of Sediment (BANCS) framework, an empirically-derived model that predicts bankfull bank erosion rates using Bank Erodibility Hazard Index (BEHI), an indicator of bank stability, and Near-Bank Stress (NBS), an indicator of applied flow energy at bankfull discharge. This study assessed the BANCS framework in the Valley and Ridge physiographic province where it has not previously been applied. The spatial and temporal variability of erosion data was assessed to determine the impact of different erosion measurement schemes on bank erosion estimates and BANCS curves, and alternate NBS methods that capture flow energy beyond bankfull were applied. Three years of monthly erosion data on 64 streambanks were used to assess the spatial and temporal variability of erosion measurements and subsequently develop the erosion curves. Predicted erosion rates were then compared to measured erosion rates on three banks in the Valley and Ridge of Southwest Virginia. Analysis of spatial variability suggests bank retreat measurements should be made every three channel widths to reliably quantify reach-scale load estimates. Furthermore, a minimum monitoring period of 12 months is recommended to ensure seasonal patterns in bank retreat are captured. These results also bring into question the efficacy of the BANCS model as a crediting tool, as the developed statistical relationships between erosion rates, BEHI, and multiple NBS methods were not statistically significant. The limited number of significant curves had low r2 values (r2 < 0.1) indicating measures of NBS and BEHI do not adequately explain the natural variability of bank retreat in the Valley and Ridge of Southwest Virginia. / Master of Science / While sediment naturally occurs in streams, too much sediment in these systems is harmful to the environment, economy, and human health. Streambanks contribute an estimated 7-92% of sediment pollution into streams. Stabilizing streambanks with stream restoration has become a common practice to reduce sediment for the 2010 Chesapeake Bay pollutant diet. The sediment reduction of bank stabilization is most commonly estimated with the Bank Assessment for Non-point source Consequences of Sediment (BANCS) framework, a model that predicts bank erosion rates using Bank Erodibility Hazard Index (BEHI), an indicator of bank stability, and Near-Bank Stress (NBS), an indicator of flow energy when the stream channel is full of water. This study assessed the BANCS framework in the Southwest (SW) Virginia where it has not previously been applied. In this process, the variability of the erosion data in space and time was assessed to determine the impact of different erosion measurement methodologies on bank erosion estimates and BANCS equations. Additionally, alternate NBS methods that represent flow energy below, at, and above the channel being full were tested. Three years of erosion data on 64 streambanks were used to assess the variability of erosion measurements in space and time and create new BANCS erosion equations. Predicted erosion rates using the new erosion equations were then compared to measured erosion rates on three banks in the area. Analysis of variability in space suggests bank retreat measurements should be made every three channel widths to reliably estimate erosion volume along a length of stream. Furthermore, a minimum measuring period of 12 months is recommended to ensure seasonal differences in bank retreat are captured. The results also bring into question the effectiveness of the BANCS model as a tool to estimate sediment reduction for the Chesapeake Bay pollutant diet, as the developed equations between erosion rates, BEHI, and multiple NBS methods were not significant. The limited number of significant curves had low r2 values (r2 < 0.1) indicating the measures of NBS and BEHI do not explain the natural variability of bank retreat in the study area.

The halogenated derivatives of heterocyclic compounds (haloarenes) are highly utilized in many fields of chemistry, including drug discovery, medicinal, and material chemistry. There are a variety of ways to functionalize an aromatic system and introduce halogen substituent into the ring. However, electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) has been the focus of growing attention, particularly for electronrich substrates. Electrophilic aromatic bromination protocols are one of the most important electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions. However, preparation of bromoarenes classically recommends the use of highly oxidative agents along with utilizing various metal catalysts in a halogenated solvent. The corrosive and toxic nature of these reagents and need of harsh conditions for these protocols make their utility less desirable in current practice. Furthermore, lack of regioselectivity for most substituted aromatics is the other distinguished drawback, since most products contain ortho/para directors which afford a mixture of isomers. The innovation of our procedure for the bromination of various substituted aromatic compounds is twofold in that highly regiospecific para-bromination of activated aryls by treatment with NBS has been accomplished. Although various reaction mediums, such as cyclohexane, acetone, and acetonitrile has been used in this procedure, the significant high yields of the product formation along with the very short reaction times using acetonitrile make this approach more attractive. That this regiospecific p-substitution takes place under such mild conditions leads us to question whether it is EAS.

The largest group of plant disease resistance (R) genes that share similar structures contains a predicted nucleotide-binding site (NBS) domain. NBS domains of this class of R genes show highly conserved amino acid motifs, which makes it possible to isolate resistance gene analogs (RGAs) by PCR with degenerate primers and homology searches from public databases. Multiple combinations of degenerate primers were designed from three conserved motifs (one motif was used for a subgroup-specific primer design) in the NBS regions of R genes of various plants. All combinations of primer pairs were used to amplify genomic DNA from sorghum. TIR-specific primer combinations showed no PCR amplification in sorghum. Homology searches identified many NBS-encoding sequences among the expressed or genomic molecular database entries for sorghum. Motif analysis of the sorghum NBS sequences that were identified in this study revealed eight major conserved motifs plus two additional highly conserved motifs, but no TIR-specific motifs. Phylogenetic analysis of sorghum NBS sequences showed tree topology typical of NBS-LRR genes, including clustered nodes and longbranch lengths. Eleven distinct families of NBS sequences, representing a highly diverse sample, were isolated from Sorghum bicolor. With two exceptions, sorghum RGA families appeared to be closely related in sequence to at least one R-gene cloned from other species. In addition, deduced amino acid sequences of sorghum RGAs showed strong sequence similarity to almost all known non-TIR (Toll/Interleukin 1 Receptor)- type R-genes. Mapping with sorghum RGA markers revealed one linkage group containing four out of ten randomly selected markers, suggesting non-random distribution of NBS sequences in the sorghum genome. Rice sequences homologous to sorghum NBS sequences were found from two-way BLAST searches. Some of them were shown to be orthologs, when determined by using phylogenetic approaches which combined five different evolution models and tree-building methods.

Master of Science (Nanoscience) / Neuroblastomas (NBs) are the most common solid extra-cranial tumours diagnosed in childhood and characterized by a high risk of tumour relapse. Like in other tumour types, there are major concerns about the specificity and safety of available drugs used for the treatment of NBs, especially because of potential damage to the developing brain. Many plant-derived bioactive compounds have proved effective for cancer treatment but are not delivered to tumour sites in sufficient amounts due to compromised tumour vasculature characterized by leaky capillary walls. Betulinic acid (BetA) is one such naturally-occurring anti-tumour compound with minimum to no cytotoxic effects in healthy cells and rodents. BetA is however insoluble in water and most aqueous solutions, thereby limiting its therapeutic potential as a pharmaceutical product. Liposomes are self-assembling closed colloidal structures composed of one or more concentric lipid bilayers surrounding a central aqueous core. The unique ability of liposomes to entrap hydrophilic molecules into the core and hydrophobic molecules into the bilayers renders them attractive for drug delivery systems. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are non-reducing cyclic oligosaccharides which proximate a truncated core, with features of a hydrophophilic outer surface and hydrophobic inner cavity for forming host-guest inclusion complexes with poorly water soluble molecules. CDs and liposomes have recently gained interest as novel drug delivery vehicles by allowing lipophilic/non-polar molecules into the aqueous core of liposomes, hence improving the therapeutic load, bioavailability and efficacy of many poorly water-soluble drugs. The aim of the study was to develop nano-drug delivery systems for BetA in order to treat human neuroblastoma (NB) cancer cell lines. This was achieved through the preparation of BetA liposomes (BetAL) and improving the percent entrapment efficiency (% EE) of BetA in liposomes through double entrapment of BetA and gamma cyclodextrin BetA inclusion complex (γ-CD-BetA) into liposomes (γ-CD-BetAL). We hypothesized that the γ-CD-BetAL would produce an increased % EE compared to BetAL, hence higher cytotoxic effects. Empty liposomes (EL), BetAL and γ-CD-BetAL were synthesized using the thin film hydration method followed by manual extrusion. Spectroscopic and electron microscopic characterization of these liposome formulations showed size distributions of 1-4 μm (before extrusion) and less than 200 nm (after extrusion). As the liposome size decreased, the zeta-potential (measurement of liposome stability) decreased contributing to a less stable liposomal formulation. Low starting BetA concentrations were found to be more effective in entrapping higher amounts of BetA in liposomes while the incorporation of γ-CD-BetA into liposomes enhanced the % EE when compared to BetAL, although this was not statistically significant. Cell viability studies using the WST-1 assay showed a time-and concentration-dependent decrease in SK-N-BE(2) and Kelly NB cell lines exposed to free BetA, BetAL and γ-CD-BetAL at concentrations of 5-20 ug/ml for 24, 48 and 72 hours treatment durations. The observed cytotoxicity of liposomes was dependant on the % EE of BetA. The γ-CD-BetAL was more effective in reducing cell viability in SK-N-BE(2) cells than BetAL whereas BetAL was more effective in KELLY cells at 48-72 hours. Exposure of all cells to EL showed no toxicity while free BetA was more effective overall than the respective liposomal formulations. The estimated IC₅₀ values following exposure to free BetA and BetAL were similar and both showed remarkable statistically significant decrease in NB cell viability, thus providing a basis for new hope in the effective treatment of NBs.

Diploma thesis is entitled Monetary policy of NBS and convergence to EMU. Introductory theoretical section describes the development of monetary unions in the past and the causes of their extinction. Subsequently, it is devoted to the foundation of the European Monetary Union in various stages, of its crisis and transition to the ERM II exchange rate system. It characterizes the nominal Maastricht criteria in theory. Following chapters constitute the practical part of the thesis. Chapters 2-4 discuss the monetary policy of the NBS and its roles and objectives. They outline monetary policy of NBS in the individual periods followed by an evaluation of measures and compliance with the main objectives, such as exchange rate stability, inflation targeting and inflation targeting in ERM II. The last chapter discusses the costs and benefits of euro, their comparison and evaluation of the appropriateness of the timing of entry into EMU. Real convergence is emphasised and represented by GDP per capita, the adjustment of price levels, employment and foreign trade. Nominal convergence is represented by Maastricht convergence criteria and their implementation. The development of various criteria is compared with the countries of V4 -- Czech republic, Poland and Hungary. Finally it summarises the overall functioning of the National Bank in the field of monetary policy, the appreciation of the euro advantages and appropriateness of the timing.

No description available.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-07-12T13:20:38Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação_FlaviaAraujo_2015_VersãoFinal.pdf: 4388867 bytes, checksum: 1ebc175e90318442d9eb1b8a4a688b3c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-12T13:20:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação_FlaviaAraujo_2015_VersãoFinal.pdf: 4388867 bytes, checksum: 1ebc175e90318442d9eb1b8a4a688b3c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-02 / FACEPE / A cultura do feijão-caupi [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] apresenta importância econômica em nível internacional, entretanto ela é frequentemente acometida por uma diversidade de patógenos. Nesse contexto a família gênica NBS-LRR de genes de Resistência (R) se destaca devido ao seu papel fundamental na defesa das plantas contra o ataque de patógenos, sendo a maior e mais diversificada família desse grupo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar genes NBS-LRR em feijão-caupi, desenvolver marcadores moleculares RGA (Resistance Gene Analogs) e validar genes diferencialmente expressos em uma interação planta-vírus. Inicialmente, sequências candidatas para genes NBS-LRR foram obtidas no banco de dados NordEST, procedendo-se com a anotação dos dados, tradução e identificação dos domínios conservados por meio de ferramentas in silico. Um total de 57 sequências NBS-LRR completas foi identificado em feijão-caupi. Como as proteínas codificadas pelos genes R apresentam domínios e motivos conservados, foi possível desenvolver marcadores RGAs usando as sequências de feijão-caupi como sonda contra o banco de Phaseolus vulgaris L. Foram desenhados 16 pares de iniciadores para P. vulgaris, identificando-se um percentual de 87,5% de transferibilidade para o feijão-caupi. Destes, dois foram polimórficos e apresentaram segregação mendeliana em uma população de mapeamento para o vírus do mosaico severo do feijão-caupi (CPSMV). Os 57 candidatos foram ancorados nos 20 pseudocromossomos de Glycine max (L.) Merr., verificando-se repetições in tandem deste grupo gênico. A análise de expressão gênica diferencial in silico foi realizada utilizando dados de RNAseq e SuperSAGE. A validação da expressão gênica via RT-qPCR foi através do desenho de primers, com os dados de SuperSAGE, onde três genes alvo apresentaram indução nos níveis de expressão após 16 horas da inoculação com o patógeno. Esses resultados mostram-se valiosos para o melhoramento genético do feijão-caupi. / The cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] culture has an international economic importance, however it is often affected by a diversity of pathogens. In this context the NBS-LRR family of resistance (R) genes stands out because of its key role in plant defense against pathogen attack, being the largest and most diverse family of this group. The present work aimed the characterization of NBS-LRR genes from cowpea, the development of RGA (resistance gene analogs) markers and the validation of differentially expressed genes in plant-virus interaction. Initially, NBS-LRR gene candidate sequences were obtained from NordEST database, proceeding with data annotation, translation and identification of conserved domains through in silico methods. A total of 57 NBS-LRR complete sequences were identified for cowpea. Since R-gene encoded proteins exhibit conserved domains and motifs, it was possible to develop RGA markers using cowpea sequences as probes against Phaseolus vulgaris L. Sixteen primer pairs of P. vulgaris were designed, from which 87.5% were transferable to cowpea. From those, two were polymorphic and showed Mendelian segregation in a mapping population for the cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV). The 57 candidates were anchored in the 20 Glycine max (L.) Merr. pseudo-chromosomes, revealing in tandem repetitions for this group of gene. Differential gene expression analysis in silico was performed using data from RNAseq and SuperSAGE. The validation of gene expression by RT-qPCR was carried out after design of primers using SuperSAGE data, from which three target genes presented induction in expression levels at 16 hours after the pathogen inoculation. These results represent valuable data for the genetic improvement of cowpea.

The master thesis focuses on the influence of common European currency in Slovakia. Slovakia represents small transitive economy with high degree of openness and long-term experience from participation in common monetary union. The aim of the thesis is to analyse observed and potential benefits and costs that are emerging from adoption of common European currency in Slovakia. The analysis is based not only on quantified determinants, but also on the basis of observed alternative evaluation criteria, which are providing complex picture of macroeconomic development and performance of Slovak economy in comparison with other countries of Eurozone and European Union. Analyses that are used in the thesis are based on theoretical findings that are described in the first chapter. This chapter deals with criteria defined by the theory of optimal monetary unions, real convergence, but also with the most significant benefits and costs defined by the European Commission and economic theory. The thesis deals with the monetary politics in Slovakia before and after 2009 with focus on loss of autonomous monetary policy as the most significant cost of entry to European Monetary Union and also with analysis of the nominal convergence criteria that are needed to accept in case of adopting common European currency.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-10-05T13:55:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 joaosuendermoreira.pdf: 2727096 bytes, checksum: 15959d5ff7f375e41f8c2bc20e5308fe (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-10-05T13:58:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 joaosuendermoreira.pdf: 2727096 bytes, checksum: 15959d5ff7f375e41f8c2bc20e5308fe (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-05T13:58:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 joaosuendermoreira.pdf: 2727096 bytes, checksum: 15959d5ff7f375e41f8c2bc20e5308fe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-12 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Um dos principais problemas mundiais na agricultura está diretamente relacionado às enormes perdas na produção causada por fungos fitopatogenicos, onde sua infecção nas culturas se dá desde o plantio até a pós- colheita. O fungo Botrytis cinerea, causador do mofo cinzento em mais de 200 espécies de plantas é um grande problema no agronegócio em todo o mundo. O uso de fungicidas é o principal método de controle em plantas, enquanto os resultados obtidos de imediato e a facilidade de aplicação justificam o seu uso. No entanto, o uso contínuo de fungicidas pode promover a seleção de fungos resistentes além de causar a contaminação de ecossistemas. Com o objetivo de encontrar uma solução para esse problema, diversos estudos tem se concentrado na busca de novas alternativas de controle, como por exemplo, as proteínas de plantas com atividades antifúngicas (AFPs). Nesse sentido, uma seleção de peptídeos antimicrobianos de flores, folhas e sementes de espécies do gênero Lippia bem como o isolamento de peptídeos antifúngicos de flores de Lippia sidoides foi o objetivo desse trabalho. Neste trabalho, a purificação e identificação de dois novos peptídeos de aproximadamente 10 kDa e 15 kDa de flores de Alecrim-pimenta (Lippia sidoides) foi descrito. As flores de L. sidoides, depois de secadas em estufa a 25o por cinco dias, foram submetidas à extração de proteínas com solução de HCl 0,1% e NaCl 0,6M, seguido por precipitação com sulfato de amônia (100%). Após a precipitação, o extrato foi dialisado contra água destilada (cut off 1,0 kDa) e liofilizado. A fração rica foi aplicada em cromatografia hidrofóbica Octyl-sepharose, seguida por cromatografia de fase-reversa de HPLC (Vydac C18-TP). Bioensaios com EB, e fração PR in vitro indicaram a inibição do crescimento do fungo Botrytis cinerea. As sequências N-terminal, obtidas por degradação de Edman, seguidas por alinhamento indicam que esses dois peptídeos podem ser classificados com proteínas R NBS-LRR. Esta descoberta pode contribuir, futuramente, para o desenvolvimento de produtos biotecnológicos como drogas antifúngicas e plantas transgênicas com resistência elevada a fungos patogênicos. / One of the major global issues in agriculture could be directly related to the severe production crop losses caused by phytopathogenic fungi, especially when infection affects post-harvest cultures. In this view, the fungus Botrytis cinerea is able to cause gray mold in more than 200 species of plants, being considered a major problem for the agribusiness. The use of fungicides is a primary fungi control method in plants, due to velocity and facility of application. However, the continuous use of fungicides may promote the selection of resistant fungi and also the ecosystems contamination. Aiming to find different solutions to this problem, several studies have focused on the search for new alternatives to fungi control, such as plant proteins with antifungal activities (AFPs). In this view, a selection of antimicrobial peptides from flowers, leaves and seeds from Lippia genus and further isolation of antifungal peptides from Lippia sidoides flowers was focused in this work. In this work, the purification and identification of two novel peptides of approximately 10 kDa and 15 kDa from flowers of rosemary-pepper (L. sidoides) was described. L. sidoides flowers were oven dried at 25 oC for 5 days, following protein extraction with a solution containing 0.1% HCl 0.6 M NaCl, and further ammonium sulfate precipitation (100%). After precipitation the extract was dialyzed against distilled water (cut off 1.0 kDa) and lyophilized. The rich fraction was applied onto an Octyl-Sepharose hydrophobic chromatography, followed by HPLC reversed-phase chromatography (Vydac C18-TP). Bioassays using crude extract and in vitro PR fraction indicated the inhibition of Botrytis cinerea growth. N-termini sequences, obtained by the Edman degradation, followed by alignment indicate that these two peptides can be classified as NBS-LRR R proteins. This discovery may help in a near future to the development of biotechnology products such as antifungal drugs and transgenic plants with enhanced resistance to fungal pathogens.