The diploma thesis deals with the issue of nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron (nZVI) application for the chemically assisted phytostabilization of zinc (Zn) in order to decrease mobility of this element in the environment. The interactions of nZVI and Zn have been investigated during the experiments using tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), which were grown in a hydroponic solution. Furthermore, the effects of the interactions on the uptake of water, macronutrients and iron (Fe) have been assessed. The use of nZVI proved to be an effective solution for the stabilization of lower concentrations of Zn (100 micromol) in the root system or for purposes of the assisted phytoremediation. However, the impact of nZVI was not significant high concentrations of Zn (500 micromol). During the application of Zn at increased concentrations a decrease in water uptake has been observed, which can limit the macronutrient uptake. It is necessary to pay attention to further research and study the effects of the nanoparticles application and their interactions in the environment.

Single crystals of iron with 20, 28 and 40 at. % aluminium were deformed in compression at room temperature. The later two alloys were deformed also at temperatures in the range of yield stress anomaly. Room temperature deformation was carried under the atomic force microscope (AFM) and the evolution of surface was recorded in-situ. Samples deformed at elevated temperatures were investigated by AFM after the deformation. Dislocation structures in deformed samples were then investigated in transmission electron microscope (TEM). Observations of surface (AFM) and bulk (TEM) are compared. Results of both techniques mutually agree and support the interpretation of observed phenomena. Several original analysis methods were developed. Most notably the stereographic reconstruction, which was applied to dislocation structures and carbide particles present in investigated alloys. Model explaining the distribution of carbide particle axes is presented. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Biochemical Sciences Candidate: Lucie Liptáková Supervisor: RNDr. Pavlína Hašková, Ph.D. Title of master thesis: In vitro study of newly synthesized potential cardioprotective drugs Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are in an organism generated under normal or pathological conditions. There are antioxidant mechanisms, which protects the organism from their harmful effect. In case of imbalance between ROS/RNS production and antioxidant mechanisms, an oxidative stress is initiated. The oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular desease. In consequence of higher presence of mitochondria and lower presence of antioxidants cardiomyocytes are more sensitive to the oxidative stress. Iron, by catalysing radical's reactions, significantly participates on formation and development of oxidative stress. Elimination of the free iron by iron chelators is one option how to prevent or moderate oxidative stress. The aim of this master theses was to study cardioprotective effect in presence of H2O2 and own toxicity of newly synthetized aroylhydrazone iron chelators (H21, H22, H23, H24, H25 and H26) on rat embryotic cardiomyoblasts H9c2. Protective and toxic...

v angličtině Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Student: Michela Morkusová Supervisor: Přemysl Mladěnka, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Chelation ability of experimentally used iron chelators Iron is a vital element, playing many important functions in the body. Its presence in too low or too high quantities is harmful. The body has no excretion route for iron, and in certain circumstances, excess iron can accumulate in body tissues. Iron is present in the body in excess particularly in individuals undergoing frequent blood transfusions or having genetically based diseases associated with iron overload (hemochromatosis). Iron excess is medically treated by administration of iron chelators. Such substances can find wider therapeutic use as well, e.g. in individuals with acute myocardial infarction or with tumours. This Thesis was aimed at determining the stoichiometric ratio in the complexes of two experimental chelators, salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (SIH) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), with iron(II) and iron(III) ions at four different pathophysiologically significant pH levels (4.5, 5.5, 6.8 and 7.5). Spectrophotometry was used as the analytical method. In the processing stage, various new...

The metabolism of iron ions is a crucial process in all living organisms and its correct regulation is essential for basic life functions. Homeostasis of iron ions is closely regulated, it usually appears as a component of various proteins and plays role in many oxidation-reduction reactions. Naegleria gruberi is a non-pathogenic, free living protozoon, that serves as a laboratory model for closely related pathogenic Naegleria fowleri. This work focuses on the study of selected metabolites of N. gruberi, that were possible to detect and quantify by the means of modern metabolomic methods, and the influence on culture cultivated in environment with lack of iron ions was shown. The discovery of effect of this condition on the energetic metabolism of this protozoan is an important aspect of understanding the biological processes on cellular level. This method proved a significant influence on certain metabolites and modification of certain metabolic pathways as a direct effect of decreased availability of iron ions. Second part of this work was focused on the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, that was found in the genome of this protozoon. Unusual aspects of this enzyme include a N-terminal mitochondrial presequence, prompting about mitochondrial localization, and utilization of iron ion as a prosthetic...

Trichomonas vaginalis is a human pathogen that affects annually approximately 258 million people worldwide. This parasite possesses organelles of mitochondrial origin called hydrogenosomes, which generate ATP under anaerobic conditions. The identification of the protein content at the subcellular level may provide new targets for antiparasitic drugs developments as well as it contributes for our understanding of the organelles function and evolution. The availability of protocols for organelles purification and the complete genome sequence allow the study of the organellar proteomes using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics, providing a powerful strategy that combine cell biology and proteomics. In our research, we used several approaches to identify the protein composition in hydrogenosomes and mitosomes. We performed transcriptomic and proteomic analysis to investigate the molecular responses of Trichomonas vaginalis upon iron availability. Furthermore, the changes in the proteome during the development of metronidazole resistance were also studied. The organelles separated by differential and Optiprep-sucrose gradient centrifugation were analyzed with nano- RP-HPLC/MALDI-TOF/TOF. We also used Triton X-114 phase partitioning to separate membrane proteins and iTRAQ technique to label the peptides...

Title: NMR in magnetic systems Author: Petr Křišťan Department: Department of Low Temperature Physics Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Helena Štěpánková, CSc. Abstract: Magnetically ordered iron oxides, namely magnetite, maghemite, hexagonal ferrite M or system Fe-B, with nano or submicron dimensions of particles are the main subject of study of the presented thesis. The materials were investigated mainly by 57 Fe nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The results were thoroughly analyzed and compared with the results obtained by other methods (Mössbauer spectroscopy, ZFC/FC magnetic measurement, X-ray diffraction or TEM). In case of the maghemite nanoparticles a regular distribution of vacancies in octahedral positions was verified by the help of NMR in external magnetic fields and at various temperatures. The experi- mental results were also compared with ab-initio calculations. In thin layers of barium M type hexaferrite, effects of reduced particle size on 57 Fe NMR spectra were observed. The NMR methods were also successfully applied to investigation of system FeMoCuB of amorphous and nanocrystalline ribbons, where 57 Fe NMR was able to resolve formation of different phases in depen- dence on the process of preparation. Due to different NMR excitation condi- tions of signal from strontium M type hexaferrite and maghemite,...

Wood impregnation is one of the oldest and the most frequently used techniques to protect the wood. This treatment offers a wide range of protection depending on used impregnants (preservatives). Impregnation can make the wood more resistant to decay, less flammable, more dimensionally stable, harder, stronger, more UV stable resistant and many more. Generally, the aims of this thesis is to give a new and modern approaches to already known technologies. The experimental part have been carried out using laboratory vacuum-pressure impregnation plant and many other devices. Almost all treatments and measurement have been done in laboratories of Research centre in Útěchov. The different wood species e.g. European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and hybrid poplar (Populus hybrids) have been studied. The patented solution shows the method of the treatment and colouring of wood containing tannins, characterized by impregnation with a product containing iron oxide nanoparticles, in a concentration of 0.4 g/l to 42 g/l, an average particle size in the range of 1 to 100 nm, and a liquid medium. Impregnation can be performed as pressure impregnation, followed by soaking, or the product can be applied by brushing or spraying. This method is an alternative to wood ammonification. The tests (Paper I) shows following results. Both nanoiron and ammonia treatments tested induced darker colouring of oak wood, more intensive darkening was observed in case of the nano-iron treatment. The native oak showed a steep drop in lightness ca 25-50 hours of exposure followed by gradual re-increase during further exposure to the artificial sunlight. The darker surfaces generated by tannin reacting chemically with iron and ammonia evidently faded in the course of light exposure. In case of chromatic parameters a* and b*, the AT (ammonia treatment) oak more or less copied the colour change progress of native oak. On the contrary, the NIT (nanoiron treatment) wood showed a double increase in both parameters. The colour of NIT wood after light exposure was more or less equivalent to the original colour of the ammonium-treated. Distinct reddening of NIT oak may be caused by oxidation of non-precipitated iron particles. The antifungal effects of copper and silver nanoparticles against two wood-rotting fungi were investigated with following results (Paper II). The highest value of retention was observed for pine sapwood (~ 2 kg/m3) for both nanoparticle solutions. The amount of nanoparticles in the wood did not increase proportionally with an increasing concentration, but only 1.5-2 times increase was reached. An average leaching of 15% to 35% was observed for copper nanoparticles, depending on used wood species and concentration. Significantly lower leaching (max. 15 %) was observed for pine sapwood impregnated by silver nanoparticles with a concentration of 3 g/l. The highest antifungal effect (under 5 % of mass loss) against both tested fungi was found for nano-copper treatment at the concentration of 3 g/l. However, this effect of treatment seems to be almost negligible after the leaching test. Therefore, this study aims to present fundamental material properties of wood treated with copper and silver nanoparticles, and provide groundwork for further research (e.g. fixation of substances in the wood structure, etc.). In this study (Paper III), selected physical and mechanical properties, i.e., density profile, bending strength, hardness and moisture absorption were investigated for Lignamon (i), which was obtained from the Czech industrial production. Selected properties were also investigated using steam-densified beech (ii) and native beech (iii) and compared with each other. Densitometry of Lignamon showed a large variability of the density profile compared to the density profile of only densified beech. It is affected by the degree of densification, temperature and moisture gradients, and their relationship to the glass transition of the wood cell wall. Modulus of elasticity, hardness, moisture exclusion and anti-swelling efficiency of Lignamon are enhanced compared to densified beech. The enhanced dimension stability and lower hygroscopicity of Lignamon are probably caused by heat treatment during the process. Further investigation will be carried out with self-produced Lignamon samples. The paper IV deals with the effect of vacuum-pressure impregnation of poplar wood (Populus alba L.) by aqueous solutions of sucrose and sodium chloride on its physical properties. The most satisfying final properties were achieved in impregnation of sucrose with concentration of 6.25 g/100 ml H2O. The retention was 31 kg/m3 (WPG around 8 %). The values of ASE (anti-swelling efficiency) reached to 36 % and MEE (moisture exclusion efficiency) was reduced by 33 %. In Paper V, MW and conventional acetylation of wood was carried out to determine its efficacy on the material properties. Both MW and conventional heating positively affected the selected material properties. The results showed that no significant differences were found between MW and conventional heating; therefore, MW heating can be used as a valid replacement in the acetylation process. MW power of 2 kW and 0.1 m/min conveyor speed were the optimum conditions for MW acetylation. These process parameters resulted in 39.4 % ASE (T) and 35.2 % ASE (R) for beech and 38.0 % ASE (T) and 16.3 % ASE (R) for poplar samples. This work provides insight into the details of wood acetylation using MW heating. The study (Paper VI) aims to evaluate the antifungal activity of extractive compounds obtained with fexIKA accelerate extraction process. Results showed that the extractive compounds obtained from black locust heartwood were able to increase the native durability of European beech from class 5 (i.e. not durable with an average mass loss of 43.6 %) to class 3 (i.e. moderately durable with an average mass loss of 12.7 %). The final Paper VII shows following results. After impregnation with residual liquids and leaching, high amounts of TT (thermal treatment) and HTC (hydrothermal carbonisation) solution were washed out, whereas Pyrolysis liquids stayed with 25 % to 40 % remaining in the wood. Volumetric swelling in 65 % relative humidity at 20 °C was reduced from 6.5 % in untreated poplar to 5 % in impregnated samples with process residues of thermal treatment using 180 °C or 200 °C. The processes using HTC liquids from Miscanthus sp. (Misc.) or Sawdust showed reduction to 3-3.5 % and Pyrolysis liquid treatment to 2.5 %. After exposure to fungi, the mass loss of untreated Beech (30-35 %) and Poplar (40-50 %) was reduced to 2 % in case of Pyrolysis- and 4 % in case of TT-treatment.

Aim of this thesis was to design and prepare polymer-coated monodisperse Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a safe and non-toxic contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and heat mediator for hyperthermia. Uniform superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by thermal decomposition of Fe(III) oleate, mandelate, or glucuronate in high- boiling solvents at temperature >285 řC. Size of the particles was controlled in the range of 8- 27 nm by changing reaction parameters, i.e., temperature, type of iron precursor, and concentration of stabilizer (oleic acid and/or oleylamine), while preserving uniformity of the nanoparticles. Because particles contained hydrophobic stabilizer on the surface, they were dispersible only in organic solvents. To ensure water dispersibility, oleic acid on the particle surface was replaced by hydrophilic and biocompatible methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(3-O-methacryloyl-α-D-glucopyranose) by ligand exchange. Polymers were previously terminated with anchoring-end groups (hydroxamic or phosphonic) to provide firm bonding to iron atoms on the particle surface. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were also hydrophilized by encapsulation into a silica shell by reverse microemulsion method. Tetramethyl orthosilicate was used to prepare Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles, which were...

Superparamagnetic -Fe2O3 nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation of ferric and ferrous salts with a base. Resulting nanoparticles were coated with shells, such as poly(N,N- dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAAm), neat and functionalized silica (SiO2 and SiO2-NH2), and polyaniline (PANI). PDMAAm shell was introduced by modification of iron oxide nanoparticle surface with an initiator and N,N-dimethylacrylamide was polymerized producing -Fe2O3&PDMAAm core-shell particles. In case of SiO2-NH2 shell, tetramethyl orthosilicate was used to yield -Fe2O3&SiO2 nanoparticles, which were subsequently modified by (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane to prepare γ-Fe2O3&SiO2-NH2 particles. Oxidation of aniline hydrochloride with ammonium persulfate in an aqueous solution of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) in the presence of iron oxides produced -Fe2O3&PANI nanoparticles. Finally, the last type of the particles was based on thionin-modified poly(carboxymethyl methacrylate) (PCMMA&Th). The particles were characterized by techniques, such as scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to determine the particle morphology and hydrodynamic diameter. The presence of the functional groups, chemical composition, and the iron content were investigated by Fourier-transform...