Orientador: Mario de Oliveira Neto / Resumo: A biomassa lignocelulósica pode ser usada para a produção de energia ou de novos bioprodutos potenciais substitutos de químicos convencionais. Porém a conversão dos polissacarídeos estruturais presentes na parede celular vegetal das células que compõe a biomassa não é simples. Isto se deve principalmente pela presença da lignina, que juntamente com a hemicelulose, formam uma estrutura coesa de microfibrilas que entrelaçam a celulose. Compostos que inibem as enzimas celulolíticas, incluindo fenólicos solúveis (derivados da lignina), açúcares solúveis, aldeídos de furano e ácidos fracos são gerados durante os diversos pré-tratamentos utilizados atualmente. Neste estudo, observamos como os fenólicos solúveis interagem com -glicosidases. Para isso, combinamos simulações de ensaio enzimático, docking molecular e dinâmica molecular para descrever o processo de ligação. Notavelmente, o ácido tânico, um dos fenólicos solúveis estudados, foi a molécula com maior poder inibitório em comparação com todos os demais fenólicos. Possivelmente devido ao seu comprimento e suas substituições de grupos químicos. A alta presença de anéis aromáticos e grupos hidroxilas no ácido tânico, leva a maior interação entre as moléculas e consequente inibição/desativação das β-glicosidases bacterianas, enquanto os grupos carboxílicos presentes nos demais fenólicos alteram os efeitos físico-químicos aumentando a hidrofobicidade; criando cargas eletrostáticas e aumentando a ligação de hidrogênio, afetando a... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass can be transformed to chemicals or energy products. However converting polysaccharides present on the cell wall can be limitated due to the high recalcitrance caused by the presence of lignin. Compounds that inhibit enzymes, including lignin-derived phenolics, soluble sugars, furan aldehydes, and weak acids, are generated during the various pre-treatments currently used. In this study was observed how the soluble phenolics generated significantly impede the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. For this were combine enzymatic assay, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to describe the binding process between soluble phenolics and bacterial β-glycosidases. Notably, tannic acid, one of the soluble phenolics generated, was the strongest inhibitory molecule in comparison with all phenolics studied. Possibly because of its length and its substitutions of chemical groups. The high presence of aromatic rings and hydroxyl groups in tannic acid leads to greater interaction between the molecules and consequent inhibition / deactivation of bacterial β-glycosidases. Taken together, our studies of the interaction suggest that there is a high correlation between exposed hydrophobic surface areas and the number of binding sites on the inhibition of βglucosidases. These data may provide a useful basis for future biotechnological applications of microbial β-glucosidases, especially in the field of biofuel production. / Doutor

ALTO (Accélérateur Linéaire et Tandem d’Orsay) est une installation équipée de deux accélérateurs pour la recherche et les applications industrielles (un tandem de 15 MV et une accélérateur linéaire). Mon travail de thèse consiste à l’instrumentation pour la recherche fondamentale de la partie accélérateur linéaire d’ALTO qui fournir des faisceaux de noyaux radioactifs. Les faisceaux de noyaux radioactifs riches en neutrons sont produits par la technique de séparation isotopique en ligne (ISOL). Cette méthode de production permet trois types d’expérience : la mesure de masse, l’orientation nucléaire et les expériences de décroissances radioactives. Parmi ces trois types d’expériences, j’ai participé aux développements de deux nouvelles plateformes expérimentales dans le cadre du projet de l’instrumentation de l’installation ISOL d’ALTO. Le premier, BEDO (BEta Decay studies in Orsay) est un ensemble de détecteurs dédié à la spectroscopie β-γ des noyaux décroissants par désintégration β produits par ALTO. Je présente ici, la mise en fonctionnement de cette plateforme expérimentale, ses caractéristiques techniques et les développements d’outils permettant d’aboutir aux premiers résultats. Pour cette expérience un faisceau de la masse 82 a été produit, saisissant cette opportunité, une ré-investigation de la décroissance de ⁸²Ge vers ⁸²As a permis d’établir un nouveau schéma de niveaux pour ⁸²As et de donner les premières indications de la présence d’états issus de configurations intruses dans les isotones impair-impair N=49. Le second projet développé est POLAREX (POLARization of EXotic nuclei), il s’agit d’une plateforme expérimentale dédiée aux expériences d’orientation nucléaire. Mon travail traite ici de l’entière réhabilitation du cryostat à dilution ³He-⁴He (élément principal et le plus complexe de l’installation) et des développements techniques et R&D apportés à l’ensemble de la plateforme. L’ensemble de ces contributions a permis la validation du fonctionnement de l’installation avec les premières mesures physiques sur les noyaux de ⁵⁴Mn, ⁵⁶Co, ⁵⁷Co créés par activation d’une feuille de Fer avec des deutons produits par le Tandem. / ALTO (Accélérateur Linéaire et Tandem d’Orsay) is a facility composed of two accelerators dedicated to research and industrial applications. There is a 15 MV tandem and a linear accelerator. My PhD work was to develop the instrumentation of the linear accelerator part of ALTO which provides radioactive beams for fundamental research. These radioactive beams are produced using the Isotope Separation On-Line method (ISOL). This technique allows three kinds of experiments: mass measurement, nuclear orientation and radioactivity experiments. Among those three types of experiments, I worked on the development of two new experimental platforms for the ALTO instrumentation. The first one, BEDO (BEta Decay studies in Orsay) is an ensemble of detectors dedicated to β-γ spectroscopy of β-decaying nuclei produced by ALTO. I present in this thesis, the commissioning of this new experimental set-up, its technical characteristics and the tools development leading to the first results. For this commissioning experiment a mass 82 radioactive beam was produced, taking this opportunity the ⁸²Ge vers ⁸²As decay was re-investigated allowing to establish a new level scheme for ⁸²As and giving the first evidences for the presence of intruder states in the N=49 odd-odd isotones. The second project, which is developed, is POLAREX (POLARization of EXotic nuclei), a new facility for nuclear orientation experiments. My thesis deals with the entire reconditioning of a ³He-⁴He dilution refrigerator (major and most complex element of the facility) and R&D and technical developments of the platform. These contributions allowed the successful commissioning of the new experimental platform with the first physical measurements on ⁵⁴Mn, ⁵⁶Co, ⁵⁷Co created by activation of an iron foil with deuterons produced by the Tandem.

Ce travail scientifique a abordé la problématique du vieillissement des îlots pancréatiques et l’effet de la senescence endothéliale et des microparticules (MPs) sur la fonction des îlots. Nous avons exploré l’impact du vieillissement du pancréas sur la morphologie, le devenir et la fonction de l’îlot pancréatique par analyse comparative entre pancréas de rats jeunes et d’âge moyen et le rôle des MPs endothéliales pro-sénescentes sur la fonction des îlots et leur sénescence prématurée. Nos résultats in vivo montrent que le pancréas est un organe précocement sensible au stress oxydant s’accumulant avec l’âge. Il conduit à la surexpression des marqueurs procoagulants et de senescence sans apparition d’apoptose. In vitro, les MPs de cellules endothéliales sénescentes ont un effet pro-sénescent sur les îlots pancréatiques isolés de rats jeunes avec une activité SA-β-galactosidase caractéristique, la surexpression des marqueurs p53, p21 et p16 et la réduction de la capacité de la sécrétion d’insuline en réponse au glucose. L’ensemble de nos résultats in vivo et in vitro désigne la contribution de la sénescence endothéliale comme une cause probable à la dysfonction de greffon. / This scientific work has tackled the question of the pancreatic islets aging and the effect of endothelial senescence and microparticles (MPs) on islet function. We investigated the impact of aging on pancreas morphology, fate and on the function of the pancreatic islet by comparative analysis between pancreas in young and middle-aged rats, as well as the role of pro-senescent endothelial MPs on islet function and their premature senescence. Our in vivo data show that the pancreas is an early sensitive organ to oxidative stress accumulating with age and leading to overexpression of the procoagulant and senescence markers without appearance of apoptosis. In vitro, MPs of senescent endothelial cells have a pro-senescent effect on pancreatic islets isolated from young rats with characteristic SA-β-galactosidase activity, overexpression of p53, p21 and p16 markers and reducing the ability of insulin secretion in response to glucose. Altogether, our in vivo and in vitro data indicate the contribution of endothelial senescence as a possible contributor to graft dysfunction.

Different catalytic approaches have been applied to new -lactams preparations. olefin metathesis has been successfully performed with 3--methylidene--lactams. It was verified that 3--methylidene--lactams olefin metathesis is applicable to preparation of biologically active -lactam of Ezetimibe-type.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2014-10-10T21:54:56Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Saulo José Linhares de Siqueira - 2012.pdf: 3918109 bytes, checksum: cfb7931590a50ed74838d6c8cefab1ee (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-10-13T20:44:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Saulo José Linhares de Siqueira - 2012.pdf: 3918109 bytes, checksum: cfb7931590a50ed74838d6c8cefab1ee (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-13T20:44:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Saulo José Linhares de Siqueira - 2012.pdf: 3918109 bytes, checksum: cfb7931590a50ed74838d6c8cefab1ee (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-30 / Species of Trichoderma are commercially applied as biological control agents and are antagonists of important plant pathogenic fungi (as Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia and Fusarium species) due to its mycoparasitic characteristics. Research has been performed to have a better comprehension of molecular aspects of the biocontrol mechanisms performed by Trichoderma and to find isolates with high antagonistic potential against plant pathogens. In the present study the expression of mycoparasitism-related genes was performed T. asperellum T00 and T. harzianum ALL42 (Enzimologia group ICB/UFG fungal collection) that have great potential as biocontrol agent. Each chapter of this work refers to one of the species studied. In Chapter 1 T. asperellum isolate T00, known to produce high levels of cell wall degrading enzymes, has its β-1,3-glucanases enzymes and genes (tag83 and tag27) studied. The gene tag27 was cloned and characterized and codes to an 27kDa endo-β-1,3glucanase with and 285 aminoacids and 96% similar to a glucanases from T.atroviride. The enzyme was detected when T. asperellum was grown in Rhizoctonia solani or Sclerotinia sclerotiorum cell wall-containing media but not in Fusarium oxysporum cell wall-containing media. The tag83 and tag27 genes was repressed in media containing glucose as carbon source and upregulated in cell wall containing media and during plate confrontation tests with pathogenic fungi. Chapter 2 shows T. harzianum isolate ALL42 genes involved in mycoparasitism against R. solani or S. sclerotiorum detected using subtractive hybridization approach. T. harzianum was grown with R. solani or S. sclerotiorum cell wall as carbon source and the RNA used both as tester and driver in each of two subtractive library constructed. Sequencing analysis resulted in 47 genes related with growth in R. solani cell wall media and 114 genes related with growth in S. sclerotiorum cell wall media. To confirm the obtained data, 18 genes were tested by quantitative real time RT-PCR and 9 were differentially expressed in the same condition of the library they were detected. Five of these genes were also differentially expressed during plate confrontation assay with the respective pathogen, two of them expressed during contact with R. solani (cutinase and alginate lyase) and 3 during contact with S. sclerotiorum (hsp98, serin endopeptidase and a hypotetic gene). The results presented in this study provides additional information about the role of 1,3glucanase genes in mycoparasitism and of other genes related to antagonism against specific pathogens, providing helpful insights in the mechanism of biocontrol performed by Trichoderma. / Espécies do gênero Trichoderma são eficientes antagonistas de fungos fitopatogênicos, como as espécies Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia e Fusarium, e são comercializados como agentes de controle biológico principalmente por sua característica de micoparasita. Muitos estudos têm sido feitos para compreender as bases moleculares dos mecanismos de biocontrole de Trichoderma e também para encontrar espécies com alto potencial de antagonismo contra fitopatógenos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a expressão de genes relacionados ao micoparasitismo de T. asperellum T00 e T. harzianum ALL42 (Enzimologia ICB/UFG) que possuem potencial para uso como agente de biocontrole. Este trabalho foi dividido em dois capítulos. O Capítulo 1 se refere ao fungo T. asperellum T00 e suas β-1,3-glicanases (TAG83 e TAG27) que degradam componentes da parede celular de fungos fitopatógenos. O gene tag27 codifica para uma endo-β-1,3glicanase de 27kDa que possui 285 resíduos de aminoácidos e apresentou 96% de similaridade com uma enzima de T. atroviride. A enzima foi secretada em meio de cultura contendo parede celular de Rhizoctonia solani e Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, mas não em meio com parede de Fusarium oxysporum. A expressão dos genes tag83 e tag27 foi reprimida na presença de glicose e ativada tanto na presença de parede celular dos fitopatógenos quanto durante o contato entre os fungos em placa. O Capítulo 2 trata do fungo T. harzianum isolado ALL42 e de genes identificados pela técnica de hibridização subtrativa relacionados especificamente ao biocontrole contra R. solani e S. sclerotiorum. Foram construídas duas bibliotecas subtrativas sendo que os RNAs utilizados como condição teste e controle da subtração foram obtidos de T. harzianum crescido em meio contendo parede celular de R. solani ou S. sclerotiorum. As bibliotecas foram sequenciadas resultando em 47 genes relacionados ao crescimento em meio com R. solani e 114 genes relacionados ao crescimento em meio com S. sclerotiorum. Dos 18 genes escolhidos para validação da biblioteca por RT-PCR em tempo real, 9 se mostraram diferencialmente expressos na condição correspondente à biblioteca em que foram identificados. Dentre estes, 5 genes se mostraram também diferencialmente expressos em experimento de confronto em placa, 2 deles mais expressos contra R. solani (cutinase e alginato liase) e 3 contra S. sclerotiorum (hsp98, serina endopeptidase e um de função hipotética). Os resultados obtidos com as duas linhagens fornecem informações adicionais sobre genes de β-1,3-glicanases, conhecidamente envolvidos no processo de micoparasitismo, e sobre genes relacionados ao antagonismo de patógenos específicos, além de contribuir para o conhecimento relacionado ao biocontrole realizado por fungos do gênero Trichoderma.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-05-05T20:54:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JohnnySousa.pdf: 5039364 bytes, checksum: 4ccdef1692ea6e61c3afd0e3c56d979f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-05T20:54:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JohnnySousa.pdf: 5039364 bytes, checksum: 4ccdef1692ea6e61c3afd0e3c56d979f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-12 / In this work a study on the influence of silver (Ag+ ) in the crystal structure of the crystal β - alanine. The introduction of doping in a crystal lattice can change its physical properties and its growth habit. These changes in the structure can optimize the technological applications of these crystals. The crystals of β - alanine and pure β - alanine doped with silver ions (Ag +) were grown by the method of slow evaporation of solvent resulting in good quality crystals. Characterization was carried measured by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and Raman scattering at room temperature and at high temperatures. After twenty days of rest, we obtained the pure and doped crystal growth in a solution with pH 6.2 and 6.8. With the diffractogram of the pure and doped and analyzes the Rietveld method, it was found that at room temperature the β -pure Alanine and doped with Ag + crystallize in the space group of orthorhombic structure P, b, c, a (61) , α, β, γ = 90 °. The refinement of quality parameters were satisfactory, with RWP = 14.32% and S = 1.23 for the pure sample and RWP = 18.16% and S = 1.38. The thermal analysis DTA and TGA showed that pure sample has thermal stability to 180 ° C and a weight loss of 80% between 180ºC and 332ºC with first endothermic event at 202.16 °C. And for the doped mass loss percentage is maintained, but the sample showed a lower thermal stability to 165 ° C first endothermic event at 193.49 ° C. DSC analysis revealed that pure sample undergoes fusion 206.49 ° C and 196.02 ° C in sample doped and that there is no thermal event that features a phase transition before melting. The Raman scattering study was conducted with temperatures in three spectral regions with gradually increasing temperature (40 ° C to 170 ° C). The first 40 cm -1 to 300 cm -1 , corresponding to modes of external vibration the second at 500 cm-1 and 1500 cm-1 and the third at 2800 cm-1 and 3100 cm -1 que are related to the vibration modes internal. The measurements showed that there was a weakening of the intermolecular bonds in the crystal of β - alanine doped with Ag+ ions, and that all the dynamic study is being described by two bands of lower power modes of the network once. Thus, the crystals have good transparency and optical studies can be applied in non-linear optics. / Neste trabalho foi realizado um estudo sobre a influência dos íons (Ag+) na estrutura cristalina do cristal de β – alanina. A introdução de dopantes em uma rede cristalina pode alterar suas propriedades físicas ou seu hábito de crescimento. Estas mudanças na estrutura podem otimizar as aplicações tecnológicas destes cristais. Os cristais de β – alanina pura e β – alanina dopada com íons prata (Ag+) foram crescidos pelo método da evaporação lenta do solvente resultando em cristais de boa qualidade. Medidas de caracterização por difração de raios-X, termogravimetria, análise térmica diferencial, calorimetria exploratória diferencial e espalhamento Raman à temperatura ambiente e a altas temperaturas. Após vinte dias de repouso, obteve-se os cristais puro e dopado em uma solução de crescimento com pH igual a 6.2 e 6.8. Com o difratograma da amostra pura e dopada e as análises do método Rietveld, constatou-se que à temperatura ambiente a β – alanina pura e dopada com Ag+ cristalizam-se numa estrutura ortorrômbica de grupo espacial P,b,c,a (61) , α, β, γ = 90°. Os parâmetros de qualidade do refinamento foram satisfatórios, com Rwp = 14,32% e S = 1,23 para a amostra pura e Rwp = 18,16% e S = 1,38. As análises térmicas de TGA e DTA mostraram que a amostra pura apresenta uma estabilidade térmica até 180ºC e uma perda de massa de 80% entre 180 ºC e 332ºC com primeiro evento endotérmico em 202,16 ºC. E para a amostra dopada os percentuais de perda de massa são mantidos, porém a amostra apresentou uma estabilidade térmica menor, 165ºC com primeiro evento endotérmico em 193,49 ºC. As analises de DSC revelaram que a amostra pura sofre fusão em 206,49 ºC e a amostra dopada em 196,02 ºC e que não há nenhum evento térmico que caracterize uma transição de fase antes da fusão. O estudo de espalhamento Raman com altas temperaturas foi realizado em três regiões espectrais com elevação gradual da temperatura (40°C a 170°C). A primeira em 40 cm-1 a 300 cm-1 , correspondente aos modos de vibração externa a segunda em 500 cm-1 e 1500 cm-1 e a terceira em 2800 cm-1 e 3100 cm-1 que estão relacionadas aos modos de vibração interna. As medidas mostraram que houve um enfraquecimento nas ligações intermoleculares do cristal de β – alanina dopada com íons Ag+ e que toda a dinâmica do estudo esta sendo descrita pelas duas bandas de menor energia dos modos de rede. Assim, os cristais possuem boa transparência e com estudos óticos podem ser aplicados na optica não linear.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T14:17:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Camila.pdf: 1579699 bytes, checksum: 81aed6e2676f0085056d80a67c1ae83e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-01 / The growing number of overweight and obesity has led to an increase in the number of patients with insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus type 2. MSG obese rats were glucose intolerant, insulin resistant and theirs pancreatic islets secrete more insulin in response to glucose. Subdiafragmatic vagotomy changes the response of islets to glucose and improves glucose homeostasis, supporting the hypothesis that an unbalance of autonomic nervous system with increased parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) action but a decreased sympathetic nervous system function. Studies showed that the PNS is also involved in β-cell proliferation. Therefore, we investigated of PNS participation, using a subdiafragmatic vagal denervation, upon pancreatic β-cell function and mass regulation, and the body glucose control disruption in MSG-obese rats. For this, Male Wistar rats received during the first five days of life monosodium glutamate (MSG) or saline. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy was performed at 30 days of life. At 90 days of age, we verified static insulin secretion, pancreas morphometric, ERK expression in islets, glucose homeostasis and lipidis. The MSG treatment caused obesity at 90 days of life. MSG rats presented lower body weight and nasoanal length, increased Lee index and fat depots, normoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance when compared to CTL. Vagotomy performed at 30-days of age prevented obesity, fat deposition in the liver and ameliorated glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in adult MVAG rats in relation to MSG rats. Islets from MSG rats secreted more insulin at stimulatory glucose concentrations than CTL islets. Histological analysis showed that pancreatic islets from MSG rats were lower with a reduction in β-cell area without modification in α-cell content when compared with CTL. Also, MSG group presented an increased number of pancreatic islets per mm2, with higher number of islets, which may contributes to the higher islet and β-cell relative mass in the MSG pancreas. These effects were associated with enhanced proliferation in MSG group. The number of MVAG pancreatic islet were less than MSG. Vagotomoy performed at 30-days of age, reduced islet and β-cell area in the pancreas from 90-days old CVAG rats. Finally, the relative islet and β-cell mass in MVAG and CVAG rats was similar to CTL. Here we verified if ERK was involved in β-cell replication in MSG rats, but presented no alteration. We demonstrate for the first time that adult MSG rats showed enhanced pancreatic β-cell proliferation which contributes to the higher islet insulin secretion in response to glucose. The vagus nerve is the main factor involved in such a process, since vagotomy performed at 30 days of age prevented islet morphological alterations in adult MVAG rats. Possibly this increase PNS activity in MSG endocrine pancreas is responsible to hyperinsulinemia that enhanced fat storage, damaged glucose homeostasis and insulin action in MSG obesity. / O crescente número de pessoas com sobrepeso e obesidade tem levado ao aumento no número de pacientes com resistência à insulina (RI) e portadores do Diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Ratos obesos MSG são intolerantes à glicose (Gli), RI e suas ilhotas pancreáticas secretam mais insulina em resposta à concentrações de Gli. A vagotomia subdiafragamática altera a responsividade das ilhotas à Gli e melhora a homeostase glicêmica nestes animais, sugerindo um desbalanço do sistema nervoso autonômico, com aumento do tônus parassimpático e redução do simpático. Estudos demonstram que o sistema nervoso parassimpático (SNP) possui efeito na proliferação das células β-pancreáticas. Desta forma, investigamos a participação do SNP, através da vagotomia subdiafragmática, no metabolismo energético e na proliferação das ilhotas e de células β-pancreáticas de ratos obesos-MSG. Para isto, ratos Wistar machos receberem durante os cinco primeiros dias de vida glutamato monossódico (grupo MSG) ou salina (grupo CTL). A vagotomia subdiafragmática foi realizada aos 30 dias de vida formando os grupos MVAG e CVAG. Aos 90 dias, verificamos a secreção estática de insulina, homeostase glicêmica e lipídica, morfometria do pâncreas e conteúdo proteico da ERK nas ilhotas. Ratos MSG apresentaram redução do peso corporal e comprimento nasoanal, aumento do índice de Lee e acúmulo de gordura, normoglicêmia, hiperinsulinemia, dislipidemia, intolerância à Gli e RI comparados aos CTL. A vagotomia realizada aos 30 dias de vida preveniu obesidade, acúmulo de gordura no fígado e melhorou a tolerância à Gli e a sensibilidade à insulina em ratos MVAG adultos em relação aos ratos MSG. As ilhotas dos animais MSG secretaram mais insulina quando estimulada pela Gli, em relação aos animais CTL. As análises histológicas mostram que as ilhotas pancreáticas dos animais MSG são menores com redução da área das células β sem alteração nas células α em relação aos CTL. O grupo MSG apresenta um aumento do número das ilhotas por mm2, que pode estar contribuindo com o aumento da massa relativa das ilhotas e das células β. Esse efeito está associado ao aumento da proliferação no grupo MSG. O número de ilhotas foi menor nos MVAG em relação aos MSG. A vagotomia realizada aos 30 dias de vida reduziu a área das ilhotas e das células β aos 90 dias de vida nos animais CVAG. Finalmente, a massa relativa das ilhotas e da células β no MVAG e CVAG foram similares ao CTL. Verificamos se a ERK estava envolvida na proliferação das células β nos ratos MSG, porém não apresentaram alterações desta proteína. Pela primeira vez demonstramos que ratos MSG apresentam aumento da proliferação das células β que contribui com o aumento da secreção de insulina em resposta à Gli. O nervo vago é o principal fator envolvido neste processo, visto que a vagotomia realizada aos 30 dias de vida preveniu as alterações morfológicas das ilhotas nos ratos MVAG adultos.

This work will look at two factors that add to the diversity of carbapenem resistant bacteria. First, it focuses on the diversity of carbapenemase resistance plasmids. 446 plasmids were characterized by size, gene content and replicon groups. We identified that on average, over 30% of the encoded proteins on each plasmid have an unknown function. Plasmid sizes ranged from 1.6kb to 500kb, with an average of around 100kb and median of 80kb. Additionally, six replicon groups account for 80% of all the carbapenemase resistance plasmids. We also highlight the lack of data available for carbapenemase carrying plasmids from bacterial genera other than Escherichia and Klebsiella, and plasmids that carry the New Delhi metallo-β- lactamase or the Verona-integron encoded metallo-β-lactamase. Second, we characterized the β-lactamase diversity of a single carbapenemase resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. This isolate encodes six distinct β-lactamases, all of which are functional, and three of which are redundant. Additionally, we determined that the CTX-M-15 cephalosporinase imparts a greater fitness when grown in aztreonam (a monobactam) than ceftazidime (a cephalosporin). Finally, we show that individually, these β-lactamases do not account for the elevated levels of resistance seen in the parent strain, indicating that the passive resistance mechanisms (i.e. efflux pumps, altered membrane porins) may play a larger role than originally thought.

Lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer on earth, is potentially a replaceable source for bulky fuels and chemical feedstocks. There have been numerous reports on methods for the oxidative cleavage of β-O-4 linkages but relatively few reports of how those methods affect other linkages that are present in lignin. We investigated how the β-1 and β-5 linkages respond under oxidative conditions proposed for lignin deconstruction based on their effect on β-O-4 linkages. Mechanochemical treatment of lignin can greatly improve the yield of monomer products and we applied a mechanochemical approach, using powerful ring-and-puck milling to promote lignin degradation. Along with similar production of monomers in a much shorter period than what we observed in previous ball-milling process, much more unexpected reactions were taking place during the current mechanochemical process. Lignin is a promising feedstock for epoxy resins since lignin-derived aromatic monomers usually bear hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. We are working on utilizing these mono-aromatic compounds and highly-functionalized-lignin as precursors for preparation of epoxy thermosets. We are interested in investigating the properties of thermosets by utilizing the actual isolated monomer streams from raw lignin. We expect to observe attractive thermal and mechanical properties from these lignin-derived epoxy thermosets compare to that of the commercialized but currently limited-used BPA-based epoxy resins.

Les corticosurrénalomes (CS), bien que rares, sont des tumeurs malignes du cortex surrénalien très agressives. Environ 30% des patients atteints de cancer surrénalien présentent des métastases au diagnostic et leur survie à 5 ans est inférieure à 20%. Les mécanismes à l’origine de la progression cancéreuse ne sont pas complètement élucidés. Leur compréhension est pourtant un préalable à la mise au point de traitements adaptés. Les mutations du gène P53 font parties des altérations génétiques les plus fréquentes dans les CS. Dans ce contexte, il est légitime d'étudier l'effet de l'inactivation de P53 spécifiquement dans les surrénales de souris. L'antigène T du virus SV40 est un oncogène qui se lie et inhibe P53 et RB. Le laboratoire dispose de souris transgéniques (modèle AdTAg) exprimant l’antigène T de SV40 dans le cortex surrénal qui développent des tumeursévolutives. L’objectif de ce travail était de caractériser l’ontogenèse de ces tumeurs et d’explorer les modifications cellulaires et moléculaires qui accompagnent leur progression maligne notamment en lien avec les signalisations β-caténine et IGF2/mTOR. Les souris AdTAg développent des tumeurs surrénaliennes récapitulant l’ensemble des caractéristiques décrites pour les CS humains. En effet, elles présentent une surmortalité à partir de 22 semaines associée à la survenue de métastases pulmonaires et hépatiques. Les tumeurs sont à l'origine d'une hypercorticostéronémie témoignant de leur différenciation stéroïdogénique. L'analyse du score de Weiss à différents stades montre une évolution de la bénignité vers la malignité. Cette progression tumorale s’accompagne d’une activation précoce de la voie mTOR et tardive de la voie Wnt/β-caténine. Ces deux voies de signalisation pourraient donc constituer des cibles thérapeutiques intéressantes. La deuxième partie du projet visait à utiliser ce modèle murin pour tester une thérapie anticancéreuse applicable au carcinome surrénalien. La rapamycine, un inhibiteur de mTOR, inhibe la prolifération cellulaire et induit une apoptose des cellules tumorales. Après 3 mois de traitement, une réduction significative du volume tumoral est constatée ainsi que la normalisation des taux de corticostérone. Nous avons également évalué l'effet antitumoral d'inhibiteurs de la voie Wnt/β-caténine: la quercetine et le PRI-724. La quercetine stoppe la progression tumorale en inhibant la prolifération cellulaire. Elle prolonge significativement la survie des souris AdTAg. Cependant, nous n'avons pas de preuve moléculaire d'inhibition de la voie Wnt/β-caténine dans les surrénales AdTAg et les mécanismes d'action de la molécule restent à élucider. A l'inverse, le PRI-724 semble être un inhibiteur spécifique de la voieWnt/β-caténine capable de bloquer l'interaction CBP/β-caténine. Un traitement de 2 mois permet une réduction significative du volume tumoral chez les souris AdTAg. La baisse d'expression de certains gènes cibles de l'interaction CBP/β-caténine témoigne d'une inhibition de la voie. Les résultats obtenus avec les inhibiteurs des voies mTOR et Wnt/β-caténine dans le modèle murin de CS sont prometteurs. L'utilisation de ces molécules pourrait donc être envisagée dans le traitement du CS. / Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare aggressive malignant tumor of adrenal cortex. 30% of patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis and the 5 year-survival rate is obtained inonly 20%. Unfortunately, the mechanisms of tumorigenesis are not well identified. Understanding these mechanisms could offer perspectives for new targeted therapies improving the survival in these patients. P53 inactivation in the adrenal cortex seems a good target to study its role in the tumorigenesis. Large T antigen of SV40 virus is an oncogene that fixes and inhibits P53 and RB. Our laboratory has mouse models expressing this antigen (AdTAg mouse model) in the adrenal cortex and developping progressive adrenal tumors. The initial objective was to characterize the ontogeny of these tumors, studying their molecular characteristics, especially β-catenin and IGF2/mTOR signaling, during the malignant progression. AdTAg mouse models develop adrenocortical tumors with characteristics that are identical to human ACC. They present pulmonary and liver metastases that lead to increased mortality rate from 22 weeks old. These tumors lead to hypercorticism that suggest their steroidogenic differentiation. Weiss score analyses indifferent ages show that these tumors progress from benign to malignant ones, associated with a precocious activation of mTOR pathway and tardive activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These pathways are thus interesting therapeutic targets. The second part of this thesis was concentrated on the anti-cancer treatment trials. Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor inhibits cell proliferation and increases cell apoptosis in these tumors. After 3 months of treatment, the tumor burden was significantly reduced and corticosterone levels were normalized. We have also evaluated effects of Wnt/ β-catenininhibitors, Quercetin and PRI-742, in our mouse models. Quercetin inhibits tumor proliferation and progression and it extends the survival rate of AdTAg mice. Surprisingly, this effect was independent of Wnt/β-catenin activity and the molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Inversely, PRI-724 seems to be a specific inhibitor of this pathway, blocking the interaction between CBP and β-catenin. A treatment of 2 months reduced significantly the tumor volume in AdTAg mice. This effect was through the inhibition of CBP and β-catenininteraction and signaling. These results encourage using the inhibitors of mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathway offering promising targets to improve the survival in patients with ACC.