Is Supplemental Leucine Intake Associated with Enhanced Post Exercise Muscle Protein Synthesis and Attenuated Muscle Protein Breakdown? Knight AD, Benardot D, Thompson W, and Henes ST Introduction: The role of individual amino acids on protein synthesis and their impact on physical performance is of high importance to athletes and to those studying the science of sports nutrition. Leucine, one of three branched-chain amino acids, is a frequently researched amino acid because of its potential stimulatory effect on muscle protein synthesis (MPS) following exercise in humans. Purpose: Although there have been many studies conducted on leucine’s muscle stimulatory effect, questions remain as to the efficacy and feasibility of leucine as an MPS catalyst. Contributing to these questions are the widely varied dosing and timing strategies that different researchers have employed. It is the purpose of this thesis, therefore, to assess the differences in study protocols and shed light on the potential effectiveness on leucine as a MPS stimulator. Central to this issue is whether supplemental leucine intake is associated with enhanced post exercise MPS and, if so, what associated factors, including timing and level of intake, are most likely to influence this effect. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature on leucine and its effect on MPS was performed. Studies were organized into similar topics, with an assessment and summary of effect produced for each topic area. A general conclusion was made that was based on the summary of each topic area. Results: Leucine is involved in protein metabolism regulation through its role in stimulating the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascade and by indicating energy and amino acid availability. It functions to initiate MPS and decrease muscle protein breakdown by downregulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system, lysosomal activity, and/or increasing circulating insulin. Conclusions: Supplementation with the amino acid leucine effectively enhances MPS and attenuates muscle protein degradation in humans following bouts of physical exertion. Leucine intake in amounts greater than that found in ~20g whole protein saturates MPS and increases leucine oxidation. For this reason, an upper limit of leucine intake should be established. While leucine successfully increases MPS, it remains unclear whether this translates to enhanced physical performance, an area that requires more studies to be conducted.

This work attempted to detect chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulants via electrochemistry utilizing two approaches. The first approach consisted of a ferrocene (Fc) amino acid derivative film on Au surfaces. The molecule [(BocHN)Fc(CO)CSA]2 was electrodeposited onto Au microelectrodes through a SAu bond. Once immobilized, the Fc amino acid derivative was Boc deprotected allowing for the amino group to react with the target molecule. Detection of the target simulant was monitored by cyclic voltammetry (CV) while following the formal potential of the Fc molecule, which is influenced by its immediate electronic microenvironment. Reaction with either 1 mM diethyl cyanophosphonate (DECP) or 2 chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2 CEES), both effectively simulants for the CWAs Tabun nerve agent and blistering sulfur mustard respectively, was not observed. However, detection of 1 mM acetyl chloride was achieved by observing a potential anodic shift from 217 ± 6 mV, for the Boc deprotected form, to 388 ± 7 mV for the reacted state of the molecule. The lack of reactivity with the Fc amino acid system was hypothesized as a kinetic issue.<p> In the second approach, the electrochemistry of gas generated naked Ag nanoparticles (NPs) deposited on indium tin oxide covered glass plates is compared to bulk polycrystalline Ag. The nano specific electrochemistry of Ag NPs has been identified and includes the preferential formation of â oxides. In 100 mM KOH supporting electrolyte, disruption of â oxide formation is exploited to test for the presence of 1 mM DECP resulting in the dissolution of Ag via cyanide complexes leading to a CV signal decrease. While in 8.0 M KOH, â oxide formation is enhanced leading to testing capabilities for 1 mM 2 CEES resulting in the disappearance of the â oxide peak and the appearance of surface oxide peak during CV. Analogous electrochemistry is not observed on polycrystalline bulk Ag.

The research addressed in this thesis is focused on the solubility and pseudo-polymorphic transition of L-serine in mixed water-methanol systems. Cooling re-crystallizations were carried out that varied both temperature and methanol concentration. Solubilities were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. It is found that the solubility increased with increase in temperature and decreased drastically with methanol concentration. The effect of temperature at which there is a transition of L-serine crystals from the rod-shaped (anhydrous) form to hexagonal (monohydrate) form was confirmed and that transition temperatures decreased with methanol concentrations in a non-linear manner. The solubility data were correlated and plotted using the vant Hoff equation and the enthalpy and entropy of dissolution were determined. These values increased with increase in methanol concentration. The solid crystals were analyzed by optical microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The rod-shaped crystals were identified to be anhydrous L-serine, while the hexagonal crystals were L-serine monohydrate. Dehydration of the monohydrated crystals in their solid-state was examined and the onset of such phenomenon was known to start once the crystals were removed from the solutions.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of dietary protein quality on the growth of juvenile cobia Rachycentron canadum. Experiment I was to find out the maximum level of steam dried blood meal and spray dried blood meal can be used in the diet for juvenile cobia. Experiment II examined how juvenile cobia utilizes supplemental amino acids. In Experiment I, 9 test diets were evaluated. In the first group, steam dried blood meal was used to partially replace fish meal. The replacement levels were 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% of the fish meal protein. In the second group, crystalline methionine, which was 0.1 and 0.2% of the diets, was added respectively to 2 diets in which 20 and 40% of the fish meal protein was replaced by blood meal. In the third group, spray dried blood meal was used to replace fish meal protein at 20 and 40% instead of steam dried blood meal. Juvenile cobia with an initial weight of 72g were fed with the test diets for 8 weeks. The results showed that the percent weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein utilization ratio (NPU) were significantly reduced (P¡Õ0.05) when the replacement level was increased from 20% to 30%. Spray dried blood meal was more effectively than steam dried blood meal was at high replacement level (40%) than low replacement level (20%). Supplementation of crystalline methionine in the cobia diet had no positive effects. In Experiment II, 8 test diets were studied. The control diet contained only fish meal as the sole protein source. The other seven diets all contained steam dried blood meal which replaced 30% of fish meal protein. In the first group of 3 diets, (1) crystalline methionine, (2) crystalline methionine and crystalline isoleucine, (3) crystalline methionine, crystalline isoleucine and crystalline arginine were added, respectively. Two diets were supplemented with (1) microencapsulated (glycerol monostearate) methionine, (2) microencapsulated methionine and microencapsulated isoleucine. Two diets were supplemented with (1) microcoated (cellulose acetate phthalate) methionine, (2) microcoated methionine and microcoated isoleucine. Juvenile cobia with an initial weight of 33g were fed with the test diets for 8 weeks. The results showed that when the fish meal was partially replaced and amino acids were added, the PWG, SGR, FCR, PER and NPU of the cobia were significantly reduced compared to the control group (P¡Õ0.05). In conclusion, steam dried blood meal could effectively replace fish meal up to 20% of the fish meal protein, which was 6.2% of the diet. Spray dried blood meal showed better effects on the growth of fish than steam dried blood meal when given at high level. The two types of blood meal were no difference when the replacement levels were low. Juvenile cobia were not able to effectively use the different types of amino acids evaluated in the experiments.

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The amide unit constitutes the backbone of proteins, and it is present in a large number of pharmaceutically active molecules, polymeric materials such as nylon and Kevlar, as well as in food additives like aspartame. Amides are produced in enormous amounts every year, thus, environmentally friendly and selective methods for their formation are of great importance. This thesis deals with the direct formation of amides from non-activated carboxylic acids and amines with the aid of group (IV) metal complexes. Water is the only by-product of this environmentally benign process. This fact stands in contrast to the most common methods for amide formation to date, which involve the use of waste-intensive, expensive and often toxic coupling reagents. The catalytic protocols presented herein use titanium, zirconium and hafnium complexes under mild reaction conditions to produce amides in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, carbamates are demonstrated to be suitable sources of gaseous amines for the formation of primary and tertiary amides under catalytic conditions. In addition, preliminary results from on-going mechanistic investigations of the zirconium- and hafnium-catalyzed processes are presented. / Amidbindningen är en kemisk enhet som utgör ryggraden i proteiner, och som även återfinns i en stor mängd läkemedelsmolekyler, polymera material som nylon och Kevlar, samt i tillsatser i livsmedelsindustrin, exempelvis aspartam. Amider produceras i enorma mängder varje år, och det är av stor vikt att utveckla miljövänliga och selektiva metoder för deras framställning. Denna avhandling behandlar direkt amidering av icke-aktiverade karboxylsyror och aminer med hjälp av katalytiska mängder metallkomplex, baserade på titan, zirkonium och hafnium. Den enda biprodukten från denna amideringsreaktion är vatten. Jämfört med de metoder som generellt används idag för amidsyntes, så är de presenterade metoderna avsevärt mer miljövänliga med avseende på toxicitet hos reagensen såväl som på mängden avfall som genereras. Dessutom redovisas här en katalytisk metod för syntes av primära och tertiära amider genom att använda olika karbamat som källa till gasformiga aminer, vilka annars kan vara praktiskt svåra att arbeta med. Preliminära resultat från en pågående mekanistisk studie av de zirkonium- och hafnium-katalyserade processerna är också inkluderade. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Accepted.</p>

Pseudoephedrine is well established as a chiral auxiliary in the alkylation of amide enolates to form tertiary and quaternary carbon stereocenters. However, due to its facile transformation into the illegal narcotic methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine is either illegal or highly regulated in many countries, which limits its use in academic and industrial settings. To address this issue, pseudoephenamine has been developed as a replacement for pseudoephedrine in organic synthesis. This new auxiliary suffers no regulatory issues and exhibits several practical advantages over pseudoephedrine, including the high diastereoselectivities observed in alkylation reactions forming quaternary carbon stereocenters, the propensity for pseudoephenamine amides to be free-flowing crystalline solids, and the sharp, well-defined peaks that typically compose the 1H NMR spectra of these amides. / Chemistry and Chemical Biology

published_or_final_version / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

Darbo tikslas – nustatyti aminorūgščių, esančių skystųjų amidinio azoto trąšų sudėtyje, panaudotų papildomam žieminių kviečių tręšimui per lapus poveikį augalų biologiniam potencialui. Ginamieji disertacijos teiginiai: 1. Aminorūgščių trąšos skatina žieminių kviečių lapų fotosintezės aktyvumą bei didina fotosintetinių rodiklių parametrus. 2. Skirtingų aminorūgščių koncentracijų tirpalai, naudojami įvairiais augalų vystymosi tarpsniais, nevienodai įtakoja žieminių kviečių grūdų derlingumą. 3. Aminorūgštys, naudojamos tręšimui per lapus, teigiamai veikia žieminių kviečių grūdų kokybę bei baltymų ir aminorūgščių kiekybinę ir kokybinę sudėtį. / Aim of the work The study was designed to establish the effects of amino acids, present in the composition of liquid amide nitrogen fertilizers, applied as additional foliar feeding on winter wheat. Proposition to be defended: 1. Amino acid fertilization promotes winter wheat leaf photosynthetic activity and increases parameters of photosynthetic indicators. 2. Different concentrations of amino acids applied at various plant growth stages highlight the differences of their efficacy for winter wheat grain yield. 3. Foliar–applied amino acids positively affect winter wheat grain quality and quantitative and qualitative composition of proteins and amino acids.

No description available.