Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2018-12-21T13:19:49Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Pamela Thaisa.pdf: 1195732 bytes, checksum: 0da9cde7a5b7b6d64fcef7d3e8a47ff0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-21T13:19:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Pamela Thaisa.pdf: 1195732 bytes, checksum: 0da9cde7a5b7b6d64fcef7d3e8a47ff0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-09-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A germinação das sementes de cevada é essencial para a produção do malte e a degradação enzimática do amido em açúcares solúveis é parte do processo de germinação dessas sementes. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o parâmetro fisiológico de sementes de cevada, através de testes de germinação e de vigor, em função de diferentes momentos de colheita, armazenadas ou não, e a influência da expressão diferencial dos genes, que codificam as enzimas α-amilase e β-amilase. Assim, as sementes das cultivares BRS Cauê e Irina foram produzidas em 2017 e colhidas aos 99 (32% de água), 104 (19,18% de água), 107 (17,92% de água) e 114 (15,89% de água) dias após a semeadura (DAS) para BRS Cauê e 102 (32,76% de água), 107 (20,27% de água), 121 (13,63% de água) e 127 (17,43% de água) DAS para a Irina. A qualidade das sementes foi avaliada logo após a colheita e após o armazenamento por 111 dias (BRS Cauê) e 107 dias (Irina). As sementes mantiveram dormência, principalmente na avaliação inicial; a qualidade das sementes foi superior quando colhidas aos 114 DAS (15,89% de água) para as sementes da cultivar BRS Cauê e aos 107 (20,27% de água) para Irina, sem variação da qualidade das sementes avaliadas após o armazenamento. O nível da expressão diferencial do gene da α-amilase para as sementes da cultivar BRS Cauê colhidas aos 114 DAS foi superior, independentemente da época de avaliação e aos 99 DAS inicialmente. Para Irina os maiores níveis de expressão foram obtidos quando as sementes foram colhidas aos 127 DAS. O nível de expressão do gene da β-amilase foi superior para as sementes colhidas aos 99 DAS para BRS Cauê e aos 102 DAS para Irina avaliadas logo após a colheita, com redução após o armazenamento. A dormência das sementes favoreceu a manutenção da qualidade fisiológica, independentemente do momento em que foram colhidas. Não é possível estabelecer correlação entre os resultados dos testes de germinação e de vigor das sementes de cevada e a expressão gênica para este experimento, evidenciando a complexidade dessa relação e a necessidade de mais estudos que possam melhor elucida-la. / The germination of the barley seeds is essential for the production of malt and enzyme degradation of the starch to soluble sugars, makes part of this seed germination process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological parameters of barley seeds, from germination and vigor tests, depending of the harvests close to physiological maturity, stored or not, and the influence of the differential expression of the genes which codify to α amylase and β-amylase enzymes. The seeds of BRS Cauê and Irina were cultivate in 2017 and harvested at 99 (32% water), 104 (19.18% water), 107 (17.92% water) and 114 (15.89% water) days after sowing (DAS) to BRS Cauê and 102 (32.76% water), 107 (20.27% water), 121 (13.63% water) and 127 (17.43 % water) DAS to Irina. The seed quality was evaluated immediately after harvesting and storage for 111 days (BRS Cauê) and 107 days (Irina). The seeds kept dormancy, mainly in the initial evaluation; (15.89% water) for seeds from BRS Cauê and 107 (20.27% water) for Irina, without variation in the quality of the seeds evaluated after storage. The differential expression level of gene coding to α-amylase, to the seeds of BRS Cauê harvested at 114 DAS, was higher, regardless of the evaluation time and the 99 DAS. For Irina the highest levels of expression were obtained when the seeds were harvested at 127 DAS. The level of expression of the gene coding to β-amylase was higher for seeds harvested at 99 DAS for BRS Cauê and 102 DAS for Irina initially evaluated, with decrease after storage. Seed dormancy favored the maintenance of seed quality, regardless of when they were harvested. It is not possible to establish a correlation between the results of germination and vigor tests of barley seeds and gene expression for this experiment, evidencing the complexity of this relationship and the requirement for research that can better elucidate it.

Este artigo analisa a eficiência do gasto público em educação nos municípios brasileiros para o ano de 2011. Utilizaram-se os resultados da Prova Brasil para as disciplinas de matemática e língua portuguesa como medida de produto e foi feita a construção de uma fronteira de eficiência através dos métodos DEA e FDH. Os resultados mostram que a distribuição da eficiência não é uniforme, sendo as regiões Norte e Nordeste menos eficientes que as demais, notadamente em relação ao Sul e ao Sudeste. Na análise dos determinantes da eficiência, os resultados indicam que número de professores com ensino superior e IDHM contribuem positivamente para maior eficiência, ao passo que o abandono escolar e a distorção idade-série impactam negativamente. Via regressão quantílica, evidencia-se que o efeito dessas variáveis é distinto em função dos quantis da distribuição da eficiência. Interpretações adicionais dos resultados são obtidos através do método de fronteira Order-α. O estudo sugere que, a partir de um determinado nível, não há evidência de que maior gasto público implique aumento da aprendizagem. Uma melhor aplicação dos recursos pode elevar a nota das provas sem aumento de gasto público. / This paper analyzes the e ciency of public spending on education in Brazilian municipalities for the year 2011. The results of the Prova Brazil for math and portuguese language were used as product measure and the construction of an e cient frontier was made through DEA and FDH methods. The results show that the distribution of e ciency is not uniform. The North and Northeast regions are more ine cient than others, especially with respect to South and Southeast. In the analysis of the determinants of e ciency, the results indicate that the number of teachers with higher education and IDHM contribute positively to greater e ciency, while school dropouts and age/grade distortion impact negatively. By quantile regression, it is evident that the effect of these variables is di erent depending on the quantile distribution e ciency. Additional interpretations of the results are obtained through the partial frontier approaches, with Order-α method. This study suggests that, from a certain level, there is no evidence that higher levels of public spending implies increased learning. A better use of resources can raise the test scores without increasing public spending.

A ortopedia e a odontologia têm especial interesse às tecnologias biocompatíveis que apresentam a fase alfa do fosfato tricálcico (α-TCP), pois estas são capazes de formar hidroxiapatita deficiente em cálcio, similar à óssea. Porém, a baixa resistência mecânica limita sua aplicação. A fim de superar essa limitação, foi agregada acrilamida ao cimento α-TCP, com redutor de líquido, originando o cimento α-TCP de dupla pega. A partir disso foram desenvolvidos compostos à base de cimento de α-TCP e α-TCP de dupla pega agregados dos fármacos sulfato de gentamicina, cloridratos de lidocaína, bupivacaína e levobupivacaína e testada sua funcionalidade como sistemas de liberação de fármacos. Não existem dados bibliográficos sobre liberação de fármacos por sistemas de cimento α-TCP de dupla pega. A metodologia utilizada foi qualiquantitativa. Para as diferenças analíticas considerou-se o intervalo de confiança de 95% com nível de significância menor que 5% (p<0,05). O estudo compreendeu três fases. Na Fase 1 foram elaborados corpos de prova à base de cimento α-TCP e α-TCP de dupla pega com e sem (grupo-controle) adição de fármacos. Na Fase 2 os biomateriais estudados foram caracterizados por difração de raios X, espectroscopia de absorção no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, resistência mecânica a compressão axial, densidade, porosidade e absorção de líquido; sendo também proposta a análise da porosidade por meio de imagens. A Fase 3 corresponde ao estudo da cinética da liberação dos fármacos in vitro, onde os corpos de prova foram imersos em solução tampão fosfato pH 7,0 e as amostras analisadas por meio de UV-vis. A liberação do antibiótico também foi avaliada por Espectroscopia de Impedância Eletroquímica (EIS), como proposta inovadora. Conforme os resultados, ambos os cimentos funcionaram como sistemas de liberação dos fármacos. Tanto o sistema hidrogel, quanto os fármacos não modificaram as propriedades estruturais do cimento. O sistema com hidrogel apresentou melhor resistência mecânica. A difusão Fickiana foi o principal mecanismo envolvido no processo de liberação dos fármacos, com menor influência do relaxamento das cadeias. A técnica de EIS mostrou-se promissora para avaliação de liberação de fármacos. / To better regulate it is necessary to know the new Technologies. Orthopedics and dentistry have demonstrated special interest in biocompatible technologies that present the alpha phase of tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP), whit can form calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (like bone hydroxyapatite). However, its application is limited by the low mechanical resistance. To overcome this limitation, acrylic hydrogel containing liquid reducer was added to the α-TCP cement, resulting in the α-TCP double setting cement. From this, composites of α-TCP and α-TCP double setting cements aggregates of the drugs gentamicin sulfate, lidocaine, bupivacaine and levobupivacaine hydrochlorides were developed and the functionality drug delivery systems was tested. There isn't bibliographic data about drugs release systems by α-TCP double setting cement. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were applied. For the analytical differences, we considered the 95% confidence interval with a level of significance lower than 5% (p <0.05). It comprised three different phases. In Phase 1, an α-TCP and α-TCP double setting cement specimens were prepared with and without (control group) drugs addition. In Phase 2, the studied biomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, compression mechanical resistance, density, porosity and liquid absorption, being also proposed of the porosity analysis by images. The Phase 3 corresponds to the study of the in vitro drug release kinetics. The specimens were immersed in phosphate buffer solution pH 7.0 and the samples analyzed by UV-vis. As an innovative proposal, drug release was also assessed using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). According to the results, both cements functioned as controlled drug delivery systems. The hydrogel improved the properties of cement moreover the drugs did not impair these properties. Fick diffusion was the main mechanism involved in the process of drug release by composites, with a minor influence of polymer chain relaxation. The EIS technique proved to be promising for the evaluation of drug release.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as propriedades biológicas de cimentos experimentais a base de resina metacrilato contendo α-tricálcio fosfato (α-TCP) ou hidroxiapatita nanoparticulada (HAp) in vitro e in vivo. Para isto, os cimentos experimentais foram avaliados e comparados com AH Plus (AHP). Na etapa in vitro, os materiais foram mantidos em contato com meio de cultura por 24 horas, coletados e avaliados na concentração de 10%. Células-tronco da papila apical humana (SCAPs) foram submetidas aos ensaios de viabilidade brometo de 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazólio)-2,5-difenil tetrazólio (MTT) e sulfurodamina B (SRB) no período de 24 horas; e a bioatividade foi avaliada pela atividade da enzima fosfatase alcalina (ALP) e deposição de nódulos mineralizados pelo corante vermelho de Alizarina (AR), nos períodos de 1, 5, 10 e 15 dias. Na etapa in vivo, os materiais foram inseridos em tubos de polietileno e colocados no tecido subcutâneo de ratos para avaliação da reação inflamatória, sendo utilizado um tubo vazio como controle e avaliados os períodos de 7, 30 e 90 dias; para avaliação da deposição óssea, os cimentos α-TCP e AHP foram inseridos em cavidades confeccionadas no fêmur de ratos, sendo utilizada uma cavidade vazia como controle e avaliados os períodos de 30 e 90 dias. Para o ensaio de viabilidade e ensaios in vivo, foram utilizados os testes de Kruskal-Wallis e post hoc de Dunn; para avaliação da bioatividade in vitro foram utilizados os testes ANOVA e post hoc de Tukey (P < 0.05). HAp e AHP não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas entre si em ambos os ensaios de citotoxicidade (P> 0,05) e o α-TCP apresentou menor resultado de viabilidade no teste MTT, sendo estatisticamente diferente dos outros (P <0,05). Os ensaios de bioatividade demonstraram aumento na atividade da ALP em todos os grupos (P < 0.05). Observou-se semelhança entre os grupos no primeiro período (P > 0.05), AHP apresentou menores valores em 5 dias (P < 0.05), α-TCP apresentou os maiores valores em 10 dias (P < 0.05), e em 15 dias este cimento foi superior ao AHP (P < 0.05). AR mostrou aumento na quantidade de depósitos mineralizados após 5 dias (P < 0.05). Não houve diferença entre os grupos em 1 dia (P > 0.05), α-TCP, HAp e controle foram semelhantes aos 5 dias (P > 0.05), e em 10 e 15 dias, α-TCP apresentou os maiores valores, sendo diferente dos outros cimentos (P > 0.05). Na avaliação da resposta inflamatória in vivo, observou-se diminuição da inflamação e aumento de fibras colágenas em todos os grupos. Em 7 dias, α-TCP e HAp mostraram resultados semelhantes ao controle CT (P>0.05) e diferentes do AHP (P < 0.05), que foi o único grupo a apresentar células-gigantes neste período. Na avaliação da deposição óssea, houve aumento na deposição de 30 para 90 dias nos grupos α-TCP e controle (P < 0.05), e estes grupos apresentaram resultados semelhantes em 90 dias (P > 0.05), diferindo do AHP (P < 0.05). Conclui-se que a associação de fosfatos de cálcio à resina metacrilato apresentou bons resultados de biocompatibilidade e bioatividade in vitro e in vivo, apresentando potencial para serem utilizados como cimentos obturadores na prática clínica. / This study aimed to evaluate the biological properties of experimental sealers containing α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) or nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite (HAp) in a methacrylate resin-base in vitro and in vivo. For this, the experimental sealers were evaluated and compared with AH Plus (AHP). At the in vitro assays, the materials were kept in contact with culture medium for 24 hours, collected and evaluated at concentrations of 100% and 10%. Stem cells from human apical papilla (SCAPs) were submitted to 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and sulfurodamine B (SRB) viability assays for 24 hour; and bioactivity was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity (ALP) and deposition of mineralized nodules by Alizarin Red staining (AR), for 1, 5, 10 and 15 days. At in vivo assays, the materials were inserted in polyethylene tubes and placed in subcutaneous tissue of rats to evaluate the inflammatory reaction, using an empty tube as control and evaluating the periods of 7, 30 and 90 days; to evaluate bone deposition, α-TCP and AHP cements were inserted into cavities made in the femur of rats, using an empty cavity as control and evaluating the periods of 30 and 90 days. For viability and in vivo assays, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s post hoc tests were used; for bioactivity, ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests were used (P < 0.05). HAp and AHP did not presented statistical differences from each other in both citotoxicity assays (P > 0.05), and α-TCP presented a lower viability result in MTT assay, being statistically different from the other sealers (P < 0.05). The bioactivity assays showed an increase in ALP activity for all groups (P < 0.05). Similar results were found between the groups at the first period (P > 0.05), AHP had the lowest values at 5 days (P < 0.05), α-TCP presented the highest values at 10 days (P < 0.05), and at 15 days, this sealer’s values were higher than AHP (P < 0.05). AR showed an increase in the amount of mineralized deposits after 5 days for all sealers (P < 0.05). No difference between groups were found at 1 day (P > 0.05), α-TCP, HAp and control were similar at 5 days (P > 0.05), and at 10 and 15 days, α-TCP presented the highest values, being different of the other sealers (P > 0.05). Regarding the evaluation of the inflammatory response in vivo, there was a decrease in inflammation and increase of collagen fibers in all groups. At 7 days, α-TCP and HAp showed similar results to the control (P > 0.05) and different from AHP (P < 0.05), which was the only group to present giant cells in this period. In the evaluation of bone deposition, there was an increase in deposition from 30 to 90 days for α-TCP and control groups (P < 0.05), and these groups presented similar results in 90 days (P > 0.05), differing from the AHP (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the association of calcium phosphates and methacrylate resin showed good biocompatibility and bioactivity results in vitro and in vivo, presenting potential to be used as endodontic sealers in clinical practice.

No description available.

The protein-protein interactions (PPIs) occur when two or more proteins are bound together. Also, this protein-protein interactions (PPIs) cause the various biological processes in the body. Due to this reason, abilities of controlling or inhibiting PPIs can give us promising advantages like (1) better understanding of biological systems, (2) development of new diagnostic approaches for health or disease, and (3) establishment of novel molecular therapeutics. Many proteins adopt the secondary structures, where most of protein-protein interactions take place. -Helices and -sheets are the prevalent secondary conformations, but there are extended secondary structures such as -hairpins, -turns, 310 helix, and so on. As a result, construction of molecules mimicking these protein secondary structures is tractable target for drug design. Moreover, in drug discovery, designing peptidomimetics or non-peptidic mimetics is a popular strategy instead using peptides or truncated peptides because peptides or truncated peptides are prone to proteolysis and degraded in the body. Also, peptidomimetics and non-peptidic mimetics have not only the similar topology as peptides but also resistance to proteolysis. Due to these advantages, in this study, peptidomimetics or non-peptidic mimetics were synthesized and tested for different targets: (1) synthesis of non-peptidic -helical mimetics for p53-MDM2 inhibition, (2) solution-phase synthesis of -hairpin peptide for the inhibition of multiple myeloma cells (MM) adhesion, and (3) synthesis of -hairpin peptoid-peptide hybrids. The synthesis in all three different studies was succeeded, but they still need some improvements. For instance, non-peptidic -helical mimetics, terpyrimidyl derivatives, were synthesized successfully, but they did not show any bioactivity against p53-MDM2. Also, they have a solubility problem. Based on these results, it is necessary to improve the pharmacokinetic properties and bioactivity by changing the substituents on the rings or structures. The -hairpin peptide for the second case already showed good bioactivity against multiple myeloma (MM). For the next level of bio-study, the considerable amount of a -hairpin peptide was demanded. In order to make the substantial -hairpin peptide, the solution phase peptide synthesis was chosen instead of the solid phase peptide synthesis because of the cost-effect. Two methodology were tried for the solution-phase peptide synthesis: (1) segment ligation and (2) continuous synthesis. In the former case, the -hairpin peptide synthesis was successful, but, in the latter case, it is necessary to investigate the appropriate coupling reagents for each step. Peptoid-peptide hybrids has been one of the popular peptidomimetics in the last two decades. Also, mimicking the peptide secondary structure in peptoids has been studied extensively these days. The combination of these two factors was the goal for the third case. Because peptoid-peptide hybrids with a secondary structure can be recognizable by native proteins and resistant to proteolysis. So far, three sets of peptoid-peptide hybrids were synthesize and checked the secondary structure formation by using NMR. However, there was no indication of the secondary structure formation in the three sets of peptoid-peptide hybrids. This result suggests that it is necessary to introduce the more constrained components in peptoid-peptide hybrids. In the above three chapters, it has been tried to find the new drug candidates by synthesizing peptidomimetics or non-peptidic mimetics. Even though the synthesis was successful, some intended results such as the bioactivity or the secondary structure formation were not obtained. However, these results can give us the inspirations to improve properties of peptidomimetics or non-peptidic mimetics for a certain purpose, which leads to earn the intended results and eventually find new drug candidates.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal primary central nervous system tumor, with median survival after diagnosis of less than 12 months because dissemination into the brain parenchyma limits the long-term effectiveness of surgical resection, and because GBM cells are resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. This sad dismal prognosis for patients with GBM emphasizes the need for greater understand of the fundamental biology of the disease. Invasion is one of the major causes of treatment failure and death from glioma, because disseminated tumor cells provide the seeds for tumor recurrence. Inflammation is increasingly recognized as an important component of invasion. In the brain, inflammation can occur by activation of microglia, the resident macrophages of the brain, or by tumor-associated blood macrophages. Therefore, we hypothesize that activity of the innate immune system in the brain can influence tumor progression by secreting cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α). In this study, we show that patient-derived glioma spheres undergo morphological changes in response to TNF‑α that are associated with changes in migration behavior in vitro. These morphological changes include appearance of tumor islands in site different from where the primary tumor cells were seeded. We further showed that TNF‑α treated cells significantly increased expression of cell adhesion molecules such as CD44 and VCAM-1. Furthermore, we demonstrate increased cell density also caused increased in expression of cell adhesion molecules. The extent to which these are recapitulated in vivo will be investigated.

The problem of age gelation in ultra-high temperature (U1IT) sterilized milk retentate (ultrafiltered 3x concentrated) is investigated in this work. Transmission electron microscopy (1EM), utilizing the microcube encapsulation technique and protocols for immunolocalization of milk proteins, provides insight into the phenomenon of age gelation ofUHT-sterilized, ultrafiltered (UF) milk retentate. Primary antibodies (specific for the native as well as the complexed forms of milk proteins) and secondary antibodies (conjugated to gold probes) are used to elucidate the positions of the milk proteins in various samples of milk from the stage of milking through UHT sterilization and storage for 12 months, by which time gelation had occurred. The movement of the milk proteins is charted and these data are used to determine the role of the proteins in age gelation of UHT-sterilized UF milk retentate. Heat-denatured β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin form complexes within the serum as well as with the casein components of the micelles. UHT sterilization not only denatures β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin, but catalyzes the reaction of these whey proteins and K-casein, leading to the successful formation of the complex. Complexing of β-lactoglobulin and K-casein competitively weakens the complex of K-casein to other casein fractions of the micelle. This leads to migration of K-casein from the micelle to the serum, compromising the role of K-casein in stabilizing the casein proteins within the micellar moiety. The time-dependent loss of K-casein from the micelle would expose the calcium-insoluble micellar αs1-casein and β-casein to the serum calcium. Subsequent to this, some αs1-casein and β-casein are also released from the micelles, and gelation of the milk occurs. No information was obtained on location of αs2-casein. The release of K-casein from the micelles thus apparently represents the critical factor in the phenomenon of age gelation in UHT-sterilized milk concentrates.

Morbus Fabry ist eine X-chromosomal vererbte, lysosomale Speicherkrankheit, die durch einen Mangel an α-Galaktosidase A hervorgerufen wird. Der Enzymdefekt führt zu einer progressiven intrazellulären Akkumulation von Glykosphingolipiden, die sich epithelial, glomerulär und interstitiell ablagern. Dadurch kommt es frühzeitig zu Organschäden wie Niereninsuffizienz, Myokardinfarkt und zerebralem Insult. Seit 2001 ist eine exogene Substitution mit humaner, rekombinant hergestellter α-Galaktosidase A (Replagal® und Fabrazyme®) verfügbar. Die vorliegende Dissertation erfasst objektiv, systematisch und standardisiert das in der Praxis relevante Auftreten von unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen unter der Enzymersatztherapie. Zusätzlich werden anhand von Geschlecht, Prämedikation, Lebensalter, Therapie- und Infusionsdauer beide Präparate auf ihre Verträglichkeit miteinander verglichen und ihr Einfluss auf unerwünschte Arzneimittelwirkungen untersucht. / The dissertation is about the tolerance of long-term enzyme replacement therapy in patients with Morbus Fabry. Also the influence of sex, premedication, age and duration of infusion on the tolerace of replacement therapy was determined.

The use of enamines continues to be an important tool in organic syntheses as both a catalyst and reactant. The addition of metal catalysts coupled with enamine catalysis has generated many reactions that normally would not occur separately. However, catalysts' incompatibility is an issue that we wish to solve allowing new chemistry to occur without hindrance. The use of enamines has continued to be a well-studied area of organic chemistry, but the field is ripe for different types of enamines to gain the spotlight. Enaminones are enamines with both nucleophilic and electrophilic properties. They allow reactions that are normally not possible with enamines to become obtainable. Chapter 1 is a brief introduction on enamines and the reason they gained so much attention. Then ends with enaminones and what makes them interesting reactants. Chapter 2 described a new synthesis for the tricyclic synthesis of chromanes using a novel bifunctional catalyst system of enamine-metal Lewis acid giving great yields (up to 87 %yield) and excellent stereoselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Chapter 3 covered new reactions for ring-open cyclopropane (up to 94% yield), tetrahydroquinolinones (up to 84% yield) and enantiospecific tetrahydroquinolinones (up to 84% yield and 97% ee) using α-enaminone and donor-acceptor cyclopropanes. Finally, Chapter 4 focused a new method for synthesizing benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octanes with an added sterically bulky quaternary center and imine functionalization giving yields between 36-73% yield using α-enaminone with alkylidene malonates.