Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune disease, characterized by peripheral and symmetrical polyarthritis that leads to joint destruction and deformity due to erosion of cartilage and bone. This is a common disease that affects approximately 1% of the world population and is more common in women than men, however, its peak incidence occurs between the fourth and sixth decades of life. Large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been identified in the synovial fluid of RA patients, and such large amounts may lead to oxidative damage of hyaluronic acid, lipid, cartilage matrix and DNA. The accumulation of ROS in the cells, also serves as major intracellular signaling molecules that amplify the inflammatory response synovium proliferative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and also other markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in 16 patients with RA and 20 healthy controls. IMA levels were significantly higher in RA patients than healthy controls (0.495 ± 0.01 vs 0.433 ± 0.02 ABSU, P=0.038). No significant differences were observed for the other markers studied. Thus it was concluded that besides RA being related to inflammation, elevated levels of IMA in RA patients suggest that this pathology promotes increased oxidative stress. / A artrite reumatoide (AR) é uma doença inflamatória crônica, de caráter autoimune, caracterizada por poliartrite periférica e simétrica, que leva à deformidade e destruição das articulações devido à erosão da cartilagem e do osso. Esta é uma doença comum que afeta aproximadamente 1% da população mundial, sendo mais frequente em mulheres do que nos homens, no entanto, seu pico de incidência ocorre entre a quarta e sexta décadas de vida. Grandes quantidades de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) foram identificadas no fluido sinovial de pacientes com AR, e essa grande quantidade pode levar a dano oxidativo ao ácido hialurônico, lipídios, matriz da cartilagem e ao DNA. O acumulo de EROs nas células, também serve como importantes moléculas sinalizadoras intracelulares que amplificam a resposta inflamatória - proliferativa sinovial. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os níveis de albumina modificada pela isquemia (IMA) e outros marcadores de estresse oxidativo e inflamação em 16 pacientes com AR e 20 controles saudáveis. Os níveis de IMA foram significativamente maiores no grupo de pacientes com AR do que os controles saudáveis (0.495 ± 0.01 vs 0.433 ± 0.02 ABSU, P=0.038). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas para os outros marcadores estudados. Desta forma, foi possível concluir que além da AR estar relacionada com a inflamação, os níveis elevados de IMA em pacientes com AR, sugerem que esta patologia promova o aumento do estresse oxidativo.

Dans ce travail, le comportement des protéines de pois vis-à-vis de la gélification enzymatique par la transglutaminase microbienne (MTGase) a été évalué à l’état natif et après dénaturation (réduction chimique ou thermo-dénaturation). L’application finale concernait la formation de microparticules protéiques permettant d’encapsuler la riboflavine, choisie comme molécule active hydrophile modèle. Le procédé d’extraction des fractions protéiques de pois a été optimisé de manière à affecter le moins possible la structure des protéines et de récupérer des fractions natives riches en albumines (Alb) et en globulines (Glob), ou leur mélange. La mise en place des méthodes de suivi de la réaction enzymatique a permis de mettre en évidence leur complémentarité ainsi que leurs limites. Deux nouvelles méthodes de suivi de la réticulation enzymatique ont été développées. L’une basé sur la RMN permet la détermination simultanée de la quantité du fragment glutamine-lysine, produit de la réaction enzymatique, et le degré de réticulation ; l’autre méthode, basée sur les techniques de mesure de taille (SDS-PAGE et DLS), permet de visualiser les liaisons intramoléculaires. L’étude du traitement enzymatique appliqué aux fractions Alb et Glob de pois à l’état natif et dénaturé, ainsi qu’en mélange natif, a montré que la réaction enzymatique est fortement liée à la structure et à la conformation des protéines. Contrairement à la fraction Alb, la fraction Glob constitue un bon substrat pour la MTGase et la réticulation met en jeu des sous-unités constitutives des globulines différentes pour chaque condition de traitement. Néanmoins, la fraction Alb peut être utilisée en tant que booster de réaction enzymatique ce qui peut faire l’objet d’une voie innovante d’amélioration de la susceptibilité des protéines vis-à-vis de la MTGase. Le mécanisme semble basé sur un phénomène d’affinité sélective. Les bonnes propriétés mécaniques et de capacité de rétention d’eau du gel de la fraction protéique de pois totale ont été exploitées pour produire des microparticules à partir de la dispersion de la solution protéique sous forme d’émulsion suivie d’une gélification enzymatique par la MTGase. Les microparticules ont été pratiquement insolubles dans les milieux gastro-intestinaux en absence d’enzymes et lentement dégradable en présence d’enzymes. La libération de la riboflavine est gouvernée par un phénomène de diffusion en absence d’enzyme et de dégradation de support en présence d’enzymes selon des cinétiques compatibles avec des applications nutraceutiques. / In this work, pea proteins behavior toward enzymatic gelation by microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) was studied at native state and after denaturation (chemical reduction or thermal denaturation). The final application was the formation of protein microparticules to encapsulate riboflavin, chosen as hydrophilic active molecule model. The extraction process of the pea protein fractions has been optimized in such a way to minimize as possible protein denaturation and recover native fractions rich in albumin (Alb) and globulin (Glob) or a mixture of both.The setting up of the enzymatic reaction monitoring methods has brought out their complementarity as well as their limits. Two new monitoring methods of enzymatic cross-linking reaction have been developed. The first one, based on the NMR, allows to the simultaneous determination of the glutamine-lysine isopeptide bond, product of the enzymatic reaction, and the degree of crosslinking; the second method, based on size measuring techniques (SDS-PAGE and DLS), permit to view the intramolecular links. The study of enzymatic treatment applied to pea Alb and Glob at the native and denatured states, as well as thier native mixture showed that the enzymatic reaction is strongly related to the structure and conformation of proteins. Unlike Alb, the Glob fraction is a good substrate to transglutaminase and crosslinking reaction involves different subunits constituting globulins for each treatment condition. However, the Alb can be used as a booster of enzyme reaction which can be an innovative way for improving the proteins susceptibility toward transglutaminase treatment. The mechanism seems to be based on a selective affinity phenomenon. The good mechanical properties and water holding capacity of total pea proteins gel have been exploited to produce microparticles from a water-in-oil emulsion followed by enzymatic gelation. The produced microparticles were practically insoluble in gastrointestinal media in the absence of enzymes and slowly degradable in the presence of enzymes. The release mechanisms of riboflavin in digestive environments are governed by a diffusion phenomenon in the absence of enzymes and by support degradation phenomenon in the presence of enzymes according to kinetics compatible with nutraceutical applications.

Les hypersensibilités allergiques médicamenteuses sont des pathologies mettant en jeu le système immunitaire et induites par la prise de médicaments. Notre travail s’est décomposé en quatre étapes successives : 1- Nous avons classé les β-lactamines en fonction de leurs champs moléculaires, et obtenons un dendrogramme de 4 familles, validé par les données cliniques. Nous avons également réalisé une étude de 3D-QSAR visant à connaître les parties du médicament impliquées dans la pathologie, et à prédire l’allergénicité des β-lactamines. 2- Partant de l’hypothèse que les β-lactamines sont des haptènes, nous avons étudié leur réactivité vis-à-vis d’acides aminés de type lysine et sérine. Nous avons ensuite réalisé des expériences de « docking » afin de définir les interactions entre le médicament et l’albumine sérique humaine. Nous concluons que les sites des lysines 190 et 212 sont les plus adaptés pour la fixation covalente de la drogue et avons validé cette analyse par des méthodes mixtes QM/MM. Enfin, grâce à notre logiciel SuMo, nous avons déterminé d’autres protéines candidates pour l’hapténisation. 3- S’agissant des HyperSensibilités Allergiques Immédiates, nous avons modélisé les différents partenaires que sont les IgE, la β-lactamine portée ou non par une protéine. Nous avons envisagé plusieurs modes de reconnaissance. D’autre part, nous avons analysé les modifications de la protéine, induites par la fixation de la drogue. 4- Concernant les HSA retardées, nous avons émis plusieurs scénarios de reconnaissance de la β-lactamine par le TCR. Nous avons modélisé différents complexes impliquant le TCR, le peptide hapténisé par le médicament, un ion éventuel, ainsi que le CMH, et les soumettons à des dynamiques moléculaires afin d’en étudier la pertinence. D’autre part, nous avons déterminé plusieurs peptides, issus des protéines d’hapténisation et susceptibles de présenter le médicament au TCR, via le CMH. L’ensemble des résultats obtenus est ou sera validé par des expériences in vitro et in vivo. / Drug hypersensitivity is an immune-mediated reaction to a drug. Our work was divided into four stages: 1 - We have classified β-lactam antibiotics based on their molecular fields, and obtained a dendrogram of 4 families, validated by clinical data. We also conducted a 3D-QSAR study to determine what parts of the drug are involved in the pathology and to predict the allergenicity of β- lactams. 2 - Under the assumption that β-lactam antibiotics are haptens, we studied their reactivity in comparison with lysine and serine. We then conducted "docking" experiments to define the interactions between the drug and human serum albumin. We conclude that lysine 190 and 212 are the most suitable sites for the covalent binding of the drugs. We validate this analysis by mixed QM / MM methods. Finally, thanks to our software SuMo, we have found other candidate proteins for haptenization. 3 - Regarding immediate hypersensitivity reactions, we modeled the IgE, the β-lactam and the haptenized protein. We considered several modes of recognition. Secondly, we analyzed the structural changes of the protein induced by the binding of the drug. 4 - Concerning delayed reactions, we considered different scenarios for the recognition of β-lactam by the TCR. We modeled complexes involving the TCR, the peptide haptenized by the β-lactam, a possible ion, and the MHC. We investigated them with molecular dynamics to study their relevance. On the other hand, we have identified many peptides derived from haptenization proteins and able to present the drug to the TCR through the MHC. The validity of the obtained results is or will be confirmed using experiments in vitro and in vivo.

[ES] El cáncer es una de las principales causas de muerte a nivel mundial. Los tratamientos anticancerígenos generalmente usados tienen diversos efectos secundarios producidos por su baja especificidad. Esta es una de las razones por las que se sigue en continua búsqueda de nuevos tratamientos. Dentro de estas nuevas investigaciones se encuentra el extenso campo de la nanomedicina, es decir, el estudio de nuevos materiales a escala nanométrica. Esta permite reducir dichos efectos secundarios aumentando la selectividad y especificidad de los tratamientos. Dentro de los nanomateriales se encuentran las nanopartículas de upconversion que son capaces de absorber luz en el infrarrojo cercano y emitirla en la región ultravioleta-visible. Por otro lado, desde el principio de la historia de la medicina la luz se ha empleado como forma de tratamiento teniendo un rol muy importante. Un inconveniente para dichos tratamientos suele ser la necesidad de emplear luz de la región ultravioleta-visible, pues las biomoléculas son capaces de absorber y produce daño celular. En este contexto, la presente Tesis Doctoral se centra en el estudio de nuevas formas de tratamiento anticancerígeno combinando nanomedicina y luz. Para ello se han desarrollado nuevos fármacos fototóxicos y nuevos materiales capaces de ser activados mediante luz infrarroja cercana. En primer lugar, se sintetizaron nuevas fluoroquinolonas para explorar sus propiedades fototóxicas para su uso en fotoquimioterapia (Capítulo 3 de la Tesis). Se estudiaron las características fotofísicas y fotoquímicas de los nuevos compuestos, además de su capacidad para producir mayor fototoxicidad en las células en comparación con las fluoroquinolonas como la lomefloxacina mediante la aplicación de luz ultravioleta. En base a los resultados obtenidos se realizó un estudio para determinar las diferencias entre las interacciones de algunas fluoroquinolonas dihalogenadas, incluidas las comentadas anteriormente, y biomoléculas como ADN y proteínas. La reactividad de sus intermedios fotogenerados también se estudió en el Capítulo 4. Tras conocer en profundidad la capacidad fototóxica de los nuevos fármacos, en el Capítulo 5 se llevó a cabo el diseño de un nanosistema compuesto por fluoroquinolonas y nanopartículas de conversión ascendente. Se demostró la alta capacidad fototóxica de este nuevo nanosistema. De esta manera, se generó actividad fototóxica a partir de una fluoroquinolona sin el uso de luz ultravioleta Por otro lado, la formación de profármacos abre la puerta a la administración selectiva de fármacos contra el cáncer. Los profármacos consisten en la unión fotolábil de una molécula capaz de ser activada por la luz y el fármaco de interés. Sin embargo, un conocimiento profundo de las propiedades fotofísicas y fotoquímicas del fotodisparador y de los potenciales redox de ambos miembros de la diada puede ser crucial para obtener la fotoliberación deseada. Así, en el Capítulo 6, se destacó la relevancia de estos datos utilizando un profármaco formado por un derivado de cumarina como molécula fotoactivable y colchicina como fármaco. Finalmente, en el Capítulo 7 se exploró la síntesis de un nuevo nanosistema que contiene un profármaco formado por un derivado de cumarina unido al fármaco contra el cáncer clorambucilo y nanopartículas biocomatibles de conversión ascendente. La adición de albúmina de suero humano como recubrimiento de las nanopartículas cumple la doble función de obtener nanopartículas biocompatibles y ser el lugar de carga del profármaco. / [CA] El càncer és una de les principals causes de mort a nivell mundial. Els tractaments anticancerígens generalment usats tenen diversos efectes secundaris produïts per la seva baixa especificitat. Aquesta és una de les raons per les que se segueix en contínua recerca de nous tractaments. Dins d'aquestes noves investigacions es troba l'extens camp de la nanomedicina, és a dir, l'estudi de nous materials a escala nanomètrica. Aquesta permet reduir aquests efectes secundaris augmentant la selectivitat i especificitat dels tractaments. Dins dels nanomaterials es troben les nanopartícules de upconversion que són capaços d'absorbir llum en l'infraroig proper i emetre-la en la regió ultraviolada-visible. D'altra banda, des del principi de la història de la medicina la llum s'ha emprat com a forma de tractament tenint un paper molt important. Un inconvenient per aquests tractaments sol ser la necessitat d'emprar llum de la regió ultraviolada-visible, ja que les biomolècules són capaços d'absorbir-la i produïr dany cel·lular. En aquest context, la present Tesi Doctoral es centra en l'estudi de noves formes de tractament anticancerigen combinant nanomedicina i llum. Per això s'han desenvolupat nous fàrmacs fototòxics i nous materials capaços de ser activats mitjançant llum infraroja propera. En primer lloc, es van sintetitzar noves fluoroquinolones per explorar les seves propietats fototòxiques per al seu ús en fotoquimioteràpia (Capítol 3 de la Tesi). Es van estudiar les característiques fotofísiques i fotoquímiques dels nous compostos, a més de la seva capacitat per produir major fototoxicitat en les cèl·lules en comparació amb les fluoroquinolones com la lomefloxacina mitjançant l'aplicació de llum ultraviolada. En base als resultats obtinguts es va realitzar un estudi per determinar les diferències entre les interaccions d'algunes fluoroquinolones dihalogenades, incloses les comentades anteriorment, i biomolècules com ADN i proteïnes. La reactivitat de les seves intermedis fotogenerats també es va estudiar en el Capítol 4. Després de conèixer en profunditat la capacitat fototòxica dels nous fàrmacs, en el Capítol 5 es va dur a terme el disseny d'un nanosistema compost per fluoroquinolones i nanopartícules de upconversion. Es va demostrar l'alta capacitat fototòxica d'aquest nou nanosistema. D'aquesta manera, es va generar activitat fototòxica a partir d'una fluoroquinolona sense l'ús de llum ultraviolada D'altra banda, la formació de profàrmacs obre la porta a l'administració selectiva de fàrmacs contra el càncer. Els profàrmacs consisteixen en la unió fotolábil d'una molècula capaç de ser activada per la llum i el fàrmac d'interès. No obstant això, un coneixement profund de les propietats fotofísiques i fotoquímiques del fotodisparador i dels potencials redox de tots dos membres de la diada pot ser crucial per obtenir el fotoalliberament desitjada. Així, en el Capítol 6, es va destacar la rellevància d'aquestes dades utilitzant un profàrmac format per un derivat de cumarina com a molècula fotoactivable i colquicina com a fàrmac. Finalment, en el Capítol 7 es va explorar la síntesi d'un nou nanosistema que conté un profàrmac format per un derivat de cumarina unit a l'fàrmac contra el càncer clorambucilo i nanopartícules biocomatibles de upconversion. L'addició d'albúmina de sèrum humà com a recobriment de les nanopartícules compleix la doble funció d'obtenir nanopartícules biocompatibles i ser el lloc de càrrega del profàrmac. / [EN] Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Generally used anticancer treatments have various side effects produced by their low specificity. This is one of the reasons why the search for new treatments continues. Within these new investigations is the extensive field of nanomedicine, which can be explained as the study of new materials on a nanometric scale. It can be translated in the reduction of these side effects by increasing the selectivity and specificity of the treatments. Among the nanomaterials are upconversion nanoparticles that are capable of absorbing light in the near infrared and emit it in the ultraviolet-visible region. On the other hand, since the beginning of the history of medicine, light has been used as a form of treatment, having a very important role. A drawback for such treatments is sometimes the need to use light from the ultraviolet-visible region since biomolecules are capable of absorbing and causing cell damage. In this context, this Doctoral Thesis focuses on the study of new forms of anticancer treatment combining nanomedicine and light. For this, new phototoxic drugs and new materials capable of being activated by near infrared light have been developed. First, new fluoroquinolones were synthesized to explore their phototoxic properties for using in photochemotherapy (Chapter 3 of the Thesis). The photophysical and photochemical characteristics of the new compounds were studied, in addition to their ability to produce greater phototoxicity in cells than fluoroquinolones such as lomefloxacin by applying ultraviolet light. Based on the results obtained, a study was carried out to determine the differences between the interactions of some dihalogenated fluoroquinolones including the above commented, and biomolecules such as DNA and proteins. The reactivity of their photo-generated intermediates was also studied in Chapter 4. After a deep knowledge of the phototoxic capacity of the new drugs, design of a nanosystem composed of fluoroquinolones and upconversion nanoparticles was carried out in Chapter 5. The high phototoxic capacity of this new nanosystem was demonstrated. In this way phototoxic activity was generated from a fluoroquinolone without the use of ultraviolet light. On the other hand, the formation of prodrugs opens a door to the selective administration of anticancer drugs. Prodrugs consist of the photolabile binding of a molecule capable of being activated by light and the drug of interest. However, a knowledge of the photophysical and photochemical properties of the phototrigger as well as the redox potentials of both members of the dyad can be crucial to obtain the desired photorelease. Thus, in Chapter 6, the relevance of these data was highlighted using a prodrug formed by a coumarin derivative as a photoactivatable molecule and colchicine as a drug. Finally, in Chapter 7 the synthesis of a new nanosystem containing a prodrug formed by a derivative of coumarin linked to the anticancer drug chlorambucil, and upconversion biocompatible nanoparticles was explored. The addition of human serum albumin as a coating for the nanoparticles fulfills the dual function of obtaining biocompatible nanoparticles and being the loading site for the prodrug. / Anaya González, C. (2021). Design of New Up-conversion Systems for Anticancer Therapies [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/172665 / TESIS

No description available.

This thesis, which is a continuation of the previous Bachelor thesis, is dedicated to the study of polyelectrolyte complexes between hyaluronan (HA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Interactions between HA and BSA and a formation of complexes were studied by SEC-MALLS method, where a molar mass, a root mean square (rms) radius, a hydronamic radius and an intrinsic viscosity of particles of the system were defined. Furthermore the interactions were studied by calorimetric measurement ITC, where thermodynamic character of complex formation was determined. Additionally, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering methods (DLS and ELS) were applied, where hydrodynamic radius and a value of the zeta potential were defined. Also the effect of higher temperature on the character and complex formation was examined by SEC-MALLS and ITC measurements. The interactions were confirmed at any of the used media, but with different efficiency. It was also proved that complexes become smaller in their radii and viscosity with growing BSA concentration. Furthermore it was proved, that the high ionic strength hinders surface charges of HA and BSA molecules and minimizes their mutual interactions. At the higher ionic strength the radii of the complexes, their intrinsic viscosity and zeta potential are increased. The higher temperature has only minimal effect on the formation of the complexes.

Ce travail de thèse a été consacré au développement de nouvelles méthodologies de caractérisation des affinités intermoléculaires par le biais de la calorimétrie de titration isotherme (ITC), après validation de systèmes modèles par l'intermédiaire des spectroscopies UV-visible, RMN et de l'électrophorèse capillaire. Nous avons en particulier montré que la mise en place et le couplage d'expériences non conventionnelles avec les protocoles classiques permettait d'améliorer la caractérisation calorimétrique, avec notamment une diminution parfois spectaculaire des incertitudes liées aux paramètres thermodynamiques. Ce potentiel de l'analyse globale d'expériences différenciées a été évalué sur un plan théorique, permettant ainsi la définition et l'optimisation des expériences à mettre en oeuvre en fonction du type de complexe étudié. L'exploitation expérimentale de ces stratégies a également permis l'étude de complexations problématiques sur le plan analytique, dans le cadre de complexes impliquant des molécules telles que les cyclodextrines ou l'albumine, et s'inscrivant dans des applications liés aux domaines de l'environnement et de la santé. Ainsi, nos stratégies ont levé les difficultés liées aux complexes athermiques, aux complexes de faibles affinités, aux équilibres multiples et aux faibles solubilités de l'un ou l'autre des partenaires de la complexation. Enfin, l'évaluation d'un nouveau modèle de traitement thermo-cinétique du thermogramme ITC a été réalisée, accroissant encore le potentiel de cette technique vis-à-vis de la caractérisation des interactions moléculaires. / This work was dedicated to the development of new isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) methodologies for the characterization of intramolecula affinities, after validation of model system via capillary electrophoresis, UV-visible and NMR spectroscopy. We have demonstrated that the coupling of unconventional experiments with the conventional protocols generally improves the calorimetric characterization, with a dramatic decrease of the uncertainties on thermodynamic parameters. The potential of global analysis applied to differentiated experiments was evaluated on a theoretical level, allowing the definition of optimal experiments, depending on the type of studied complex. These strategies also enabled, on a experimental point of view, the study of complexations which cannot be analyzed by conventional approaches, in the case of complexes involving cyclodextrins or albumin. Indeed, our strategies overcomes the difficulties associated with athermic complexes, with complexes of low affinity, with multiple equilibria and with the low solubility of interacting partners. Finally, the evaluation of a new thermo-kinetic treatment of ITC thermograms has been achieved, further increasing the potential of this technique in the characterization of molecular interactions.

The cancer recognition (CARE) antibody (Ab) test is a serologic assay for a specific IgM that is elevated in cancer patients. All tests are measured using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of human serum. The target polypeptide in the CARE Ab test is the IgM binding epitope (LT-11) of the CARE antigen (Ag) consisting of a 16 mer structure that has been produced synthetically. The mean relative concentration (MRC) is determined relative to standard, normalized human plasma. Non-parametric analysis showed median MRC values of healthy volunteers (HVs) with no history of cancer (n=47), family history of cancer (n=126) and a previous cancer history (n=24) to be 26, 34 and 46, respectively. It was determined that there was no significance found among the medians of the three HV groups (P=0.53). The specificity of the HV types was between 87 and 98%. Benign/non-cancer surgical patients (n=27) had a median value of 20 with a specificity of 96%. The cancer patients (n=61) had a median value of 246 with a sensitivity of 89%. There was a significant difference between the HV and cancer patients (P<0.0001) as well as between the benign/surgical non-cancerous group and cancer patients (P<0.0001). The IgM antibody is heat stable at room temperature for two days versus being frozen at -80°C (r2=0.97). Either serum or plasma samples may be used in the CARE Ab test (r2=0.92). The CARE Ab was almost exclusively IgM with no serum conversion to IgG in sequential measurements of patients with cancer over a six-month period. Preliminary data from patients undergoing post-operative cancer treatment showed that decreasing Ab levels revealed patients negative for residual cancer or undergoing remission, while relapsing patients show an increase in Ab levels. A return to a positive Ab level shortly after treatment is a poor prognostic sign while in advanced cancers the Ab levels may be depressed significantly.

Für die Untersuchung standen 20 tragende Booroola*Merinofleischschaf Kreuzungsgenotypen, meist pluripar, zwischen 2 und 6 Jahren zur Verfügung. Während der Trächtigkeit wurden in wöchentlichem Abstand die Größenveränderungen der Plazentomdurchmesser mittels transkutaner und transrektaler Ultrasonographie erfasst und Blutproben genommen. Post partum erfolgte die detaillierte Auswertung der Plazenta nach Anzahl und Durchmesser der Kotyledonen und des Kotyledonen- und Sekundinengewichts. Aus den gewonnenen Daten wurden Plazentomwachstumskurven im Verlauf der Trächtigkeit erstellt. Die Blutproben wurden hormonanalytisch auf Progesteron, 17ß-Östradiol, und IGF-1, sowie stoffwechselphysiologisch auf die, den Eiweiß- und Energiehaushalt charakterisierenden Substanzen Albumin, Gesamteiweiß, Harnstoff, BHB, Bilirubin und Glukose untersucht. Zudem erfolgte die Bestimmung von Substanzen, die in der Trächtigkeit stark beansprucht werden, wie ASAT, Calcium, Eisen und Cholesterol. Die Auswertung sämtlicher Daten erfolgte in Abhängigkeit von Wurfgröße (WG) und Wurfgewichtsklassen (WGK). Der größte Einfluss von WG und WGK auf die Plazenta zeigt sich bei der Auswertung der morphologischen Aspekte. Dabei sind in erster Linie eine Vergrößerung der Plazentomdurchmesser von uni- zu triparen Tieren sowie von WGK 1 zur WGK 3 festzustellen. In den jeweils höchsten Klassen fällt der Durchmesser wieder. Zudem nimmt in der Regel mit steigender WG und WGK die Anzahl der Plazentome mit kleinen Durchmessern (1-20 mm)ab, die Anzahl der Plazentome mit großen Durchmessern (20-50 mm) dagegen zu. Tripare Tiere und WGK 3 weisen die meisten Plazentome mit den größten Durchmessern (40-50 mm) auf. Bei der Gesamtkontaktfläche zeigt sich ein Anstieg der Fläche von uni- bis zu quadriparen Tieren und der WGK 1 bis WGK 4. Nur WGK 5 weist eine gegenüber WGK 4 verminderte Gesamtkontaktfläche auf. Unabhängig von WG und WGK verkleinern sich die Plazentomdurchmesser und die Gesamtkontaktflächen p.p. gegenüber den Plazentomdurchmessern und Gesamtkontaktflächen a.p. WG und WGK beeinflussen den Hormonhaushalt mäßig. Dabei zeigt sich der größte Einfluss beim Progesteron. Die kleinste WG bzw. WGK präsentiert die niedrigsten Progesteronkonzentrationen. Beim 17ß-Östradiol ist der Verlauf aller Konzentrationskurven im gesamten Trächtigkeitsverlauf und beim IGF-1 ab dem 100. Tag p.c. einheitlich. Durch WG oder WGK werden bei den Booroola*MF Kreuzungsgenotypen keine den Stoffwechsel charakterisierenden Substanzen in einer auffallenden oder für die Tierart untypischen Weise verändert. Die Anzahl Feten bzw. die WGK zeigen im vorliegenden Datenmaterial keinen gravierenden Einfluss auf den maternalen Stoffwechsel während der Gravidität. / The analysis was founded on 20 pregnant Booroola* Merino Mutton crossbreed sheep between 2 and 6 years, most of them pluriparous. During pregnancy the variations of size of the placentomdiameters were drawn up on a weekly basis using transcutaneous and transrectal ultrasonography. Samples of blood were taken likewise in a weekly rhythm. After birth a detailed examination of the placentae followed, considering especially their number and diameter as well as the weight of the cotyledons and the secundinae. The gained data were used to create placentom-growth-diagrams during pregnancy. The samples of blood were hormonally analysed with regard to progesterone, estradiol and IGF-1 as well as to the substances that characterize the protein- and energy metabolism as there are: albumin, protein, urea, BHB, bilirubin, glucose. Moreover substances which are highly required during pregnancy were determined as e.g. ASAT, calcium, iron, cholesterol. The evaluation of all the gained data was made in dependence on the littersize (LS) and total litterweight (TLW). The major influence of the LS and TLW on the placenta is noticed at the morphological aspects. The placentomdiameter increase from uni- to triparous ewes and from TLW 1 to TLW 3. On the other hand the placentomdiameters decrease in the highest groups. With an increase of LS and TLW the amound of placentoms with small diameters (1-20 mm) generally decreased in favour of the placentoms with big diameters (20-50 mm). Triparous ewes and TLW 3 show most of the placentoms with the largest diameters (40-50 mm). The "total contact area" demonstrates an increase from uni-to quadriparous ewes and TLW 1 to TLW 4. Only TLW 5 has a smaller "total contact area" as TLW 4. Independent of LS and TLW of the Booroola* Merino Mutton crossbreed sheep the placentomdiameter and the "total contact area" decrease p.p. in comparison to the placentomdiameter and "total contact area" a.p. The influence of LS and TLW on the endocrinological system is moderate. The highest influence is proved concerning progesterone, the smallest LS and TLW show the lowest blood-progesterone concentration. In contrast to this, the estradiol concentration of both groups seems to be uniform during the whole pregnancy and equally the IGF-1 concentration from the 100 day p.c. None of the metabolism characterising substances seems to be affected by the LS or TLW. The littersize as well as the litterweight do not influence in the gained data the maternal metabolism during pregnancy.

For any drug candidate to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it must meet strict standards for safety and efficacy. While the field of nuclear medicine is over 100 years old, traditional methods such as external beams or systematic administration have rarely met these standards or have limited application. Ligand-targeted therapy and diagnostics, or “theranostics,” has emerged in the past several decades as an exciting field that offers new possibilities to design drugs that are both safe and effective. When applied to nuclear medicine, the field of ligand-targeted radioactive theranostics is younger still, with many critical lessons being discovered and applied currently. This dissertation outlines the necessary principles of radioactive theranostic drug design, then demonstrates the application of several more recent techniques to improve both the efficacy and safety of radioactive theranostics targeting two high priority oncological targets: fibroblast activation protein alpha and folate receptor.