Background: Immunological events due to infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) perturb mitochondrial function which augments virus-induced metabolic imbalances. Organic acids, established biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction have not yet been studied as indicators of HIV-induced changes in this organelle. In this study, mass spectrometry (MS) was used to determine the organic acid profile and flow cytometry the corresponding immune changes in biofluids of clinically stable patients, with the aim of identifying HIV-influenced molecules which could potentially be developed into diagnostic and/or prognostic markers. Methodology and Results: Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine HIV-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by means of organic acid profiling of sera, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and urine. The Metabolomics Ion-based Data Extraction Algorithm (MET-IDEA) proved more suitable for data analysis than other software packages. The biofluids analyzed differed in the type of metabolites identified but provided related biological information. An overlap in the metabolic profiles of HIV seronegative (HIV-) and seropositive (HIV+) groups was observed. When cases in the advanced stage of the disease were included an improved separation between the groups was observed. Metabolites altered as a result of HIV infection were representative of disrupted mitochondrial metabolism, changes in lipid, sugar, energy and neurometabolism as well as oxidative stress. Metabolite detection was found to be influenced by viral load. Corresponding immune parameters were measured by detecting oxidative stress, apoptosis and cytokine changes. As expected, the HIV+ individuals experience constant oxidative stress. Significantly higher amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS, p =0.004) were detected in infected sera. Apoptosis in the HIV+ cells was significantly higher than that occurring in the HIV- cells (p< 0.0001). When gating T cells, a greater percentage apoptosis was measured in the CD8 positive cell population (p=0.0269). Since the CD4 cells of the patient group were not depleted these cells were able to produce the soluble factor needed for apoptosis to occur in CD8 cells. In vitro stimulation of the infected PBMCs with viral peptides led to an increase in the percentage T cells which produced intracellular interferon gamma (IFN-γ). The T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2 and Th17 cytokine profile in aliquots of HIV and HIV+ sera measured using Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) technology and analyzed using multivariate statistics, correctly classified over 70 % of the cases as HIV- or HIV+. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 were found to be the key immune markers altered during HIV infection. Analyzing cytokines in this manner follows a cytokinomics approach. Conclusion: Organic acids detected agree with the oxidative, apoptotic and cytokine responses. The impact of HIV on the metabolic signature and immune system is detectable in the early asymptomatic phase of infection by using MS, flow cytometry and spectroscopy. The observed changes share a biochemical relationship and are supportive of the link between the metabolic and immune systems. The data was collected using different forms of spectroscopy and spectrometry and these approaches may therefore have a future in the management of HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Biochemistry / unrestricted

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaves 93-110.

We are living in the information age and this has had an effect on both science and theology. Our understanding of the fundamental role of information has increased significantly. One can even say that information has become an overarching metaphor in the world of science. This dissertation gives an overview of the impact of the information-based scientific world-view on the dialogue between science and theology. The study investigates the metaphorical use of information concepts to secure a better understanding of God's action in the world and the role that information plays in the processes of life. The focus is on the role of biological information, and its relation to divine action is investigated. The scientific importance of information and the possible impact of information concepts on the science and theology dialogue of the future are discussed. / Systematic Theology & Theological Ethics / M. Th.(Systematic Theology)

We are living in the information age and this has had an effect on both science and theology. Our understanding of the fundamental role of information has increased significantly. One can even say that information has become an overarching metaphor in the world of science. This dissertation gives an overview of the impact of the information-based scientific world-view on the dialogue between science and theology. The study investigates the metaphorical use of information concepts to secure a better understanding of God's action in the world and the role that information plays in the processes of life. The focus is on the role of biological information, and its relation to divine action is investigated. The scientific importance of information and the possible impact of information concepts on the science and theology dialogue of the future are discussed. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th.(Systematic Theology)

Denna studie syftar till att belysa vilken biologisk information som finns i bilderböcker riktade till förskolebarn i åldern 3-6 år. Bilderböckerna har genom en innehållsanalys analyserats utifrån textens och bildens innehåll för att besvara syftet. Sammanlagt har 4 bilderböcker analyserats. Resultatet visar att bilderböckerna innehåller tydliga teman där ofta djur och växter skildras återkommande genom både text och bild. Majoriteten av bilderböckerna förmänskligade djuren i text men främst sker förmänskligandet genom illustrationerna. Bilderböckerna innehåller biologisk information som ofta berör djurens levnadssätt samt beskriver biologiska processer. Resultatet visar även att bilderböckernas innehåll varierar, någon bok beskrev biologiska föremål outsagt genom illustrationer, medan andra bilderböcker skildrade innehållet uttryckligt med hjälp av text och bild.     Studien bidrar med kunskap om vilken biologisk information som bilderböcker kan innehålla samt vilka teman som är vanligt förekommande. Resultatet tyder på att bilderböcker kan vara användbart i förskolans undervisning förutsatt att pedagogerna har kunskaper gällande det innehåll bilderböcker presenterar. / This study aims to shed light on biological information that can be found in picture books targeted to preschool children aged 3-6 years. The picture books have been analyzed using a content analysis. Based on the text and picture content, 4 picture books have been analyzed with the purpose to answer the study’s aim.  The results show that the picture books contain obvious themes where animals and plants often are described by both image and text. Most picture books depicted animals anthropomorphically in text, however most anthropomorphism in the picture books takes place though the pictures. Results also show that picture books contain biological information that often describes animals’ way of life and different biological processes. The results also show that the content of picture books varies. Some picture books described biological objects indirectly through illustrations, while other picture books described the content explicitly by using both text and pictures.  The study contributes with knowledge of which biological information picture books have. Furthermore the study shows which themes are common in picture books aimed at preschoolers. The results indicate that picture books can be useful in preschool education, provided that preschool teachers are aware of the type of information that picture books present.

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