Temperate Midwestern oak savannas are considered imperiled ecosystems with < 1 % remaining since the time of European settlement and are identified as critical areas for preservation. Restoration of Midwestern oak savannas is challenging due to the lack of accurate historical data, few intact remnants remaining to study, and lack of restoration ecology studies. A plant trait-based approach was used to evaluate the ability of six C3 and three C4 native bunchgrasses to restore functionality to a remnant savanna–woodland of the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. The response and effect framework was used to assess the response of the nine native grasses according to the habitat filters of interannual precipitation, inter- vs. intra-specific competition, and simulated grazing. The effect traits associated with plant-soil nitrogen and carbon cycling were also assessed. The response traits of interannual competition and inter- vs. intra-specific competition along with the effect traits plant-soil nitrogen and carbon cycling were measured in a monoculture experiment conducted at Griffith Woods WMA. The simulated grazing or clipping experiment was conducted over three months in a heated greenhouse experiment. Four of the C3 species were of the genus Elymus which had significant differences in life history traits compared to the other species and made them particularly well adapted to the Bluegrass Savanna-Woodland. The Elymus species were not well adapted to the most intense clipping treatment. For the other two C3 species, C. latifolium would be a better competitor than D. clandestinum under normal conditions. D. clandestinum had the most number of plastic traits and was the only species to exhibit all three grazing strategies. Comparing the C4 species, T. flavus and P. anceps grew well in the monoculture but A. virginicus did not. The life history traits of A. virginicus does not make this species a good candidate for restoration at this site. The three C4 species were well adapted to clipping. The results of this study suggest that the C3 species, particularly the Elymus, are well adapted to the eutrophic mesic conditions of the Bluegrass Savanna-Woodland, and that the C4 species are better adapted to disturbance.

Genetic as well as environmental factors are believed to be of importance in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are a number of previous studies of genetic markers in RA, but so far no genetic linkage and only a few associations have been found. Of the associations only one (with the HLA antigen DR4) appears to be well documented. In most previous association studies the patients have not been divided according to sex and family history of RA. In this investigation the HLA antigens A, B and DR and five serum protein systems (Bf, C3, Pi, Hp and Tf) were studied in patients with erosive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), from northern Sweden. Special attention was paid to variations in the strength of associations accord­ing to sex and family history of polyarthritis. The following results were found:  The frequency of the HLA antigen B27 was significantly increased in the North-Swedish population (16.6%) and among patients with a family history of polyarthritis (42.6%). In agree­ment with previous investigations a significantly increased frequency of the DR4 antigen was found in the RA patients.  In the properdin factor B (Bf) system the S phenotype was found to be significantly in­creased in male patients and in patients with a family history of polyarthritis, more severe form of RA and high titres of rheumatoid factor.  No significant differences with respect to phenotype or gene frequencies were found in the C3 complement system. Thus, the association between RA and C3 found in previous investiga­tions was not confirmed.  A significant increase of rare alpha-1-antitrypsin (Pi) types (MS, MZ, MF and SZ) was found among RA patients. However, the increase concerned mainly Z heterozygotes and was more strongly pronounced among male patients.  In the haptoglobin system a significant increase of the Hp^ gene and the Hp2-2 type was found among patients with a family history of polyarthritis, more pronounced among males.  A significant increase of the transferrin gene and of the 2 type was found among male RA patients, more pronounced among patients with a family history of polyarthritis. In 6 out of 8 gene loci studied significant associations were found, which is in agreement with a multifactorial etiology of RA. The results were largely in agreement with the hypothesis that associations would be expected to be stronger in males and in patients with a family history of polyarthritis. A notable finding was the high frequency of first degree relatives (around 40%) with symmetric peripheral polyarthritis of which more than 70% had a diagnosis of RA verified by hospital records. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1985, härtill 6 uppsatser.</p> / digitalisering@umu

Intercropping, defined as two or more crops grown on the same land area at the same time, is a sustainable alternative to sole crops. Intercropping has been associated with multiple benefits, such as increased nutrient and soil organic carbon (SOC) cycling, decreased soil erosion and increased carbon (C) sequestration. A common intercropping practice is to integrate cereal and legume crops such as maize (Zea mays L.), and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Most studies on intercropping have focused on yield, weed control, and land use efficiency in the tropics. Few studies have researched C and nitrogen (N) dynamics in temperate intercrops, with respect to soybean and maize residue stabilization. Soil from Balcarce, Argentina, was incubated for 140 days with soybean, maize, or no residue. Throughout the incubation, results illustrated the effect of residue application upon the soil, specifically through significantly higher amounts of light fraction (LF) C and LFN concentrations, soil microbial biomass (SMB) C and SMBN concentrations, higher microbial diversity, lower N2O production rates, in addition to distinct isotopic values in soil fractions and CO2 (p<0.05). Furthermore, it was observed from δ15N-TN and δ15N-LF that treatments with soybean residues included had higher N cycling (p<0.05), emphasizing the importance of including N-fixing legumes in complex agroecosystems. Significant changes over time in SMB and SMCS characteristics, and isotope values (p<0.05) indicated the preferential utilization of relatively young and easily accessible litter. Furthermore, the loss of labile material over the incubation resulted in more recalcitrant forms (such as older C and lignin) to be utilized. Slightly higher SOC, TN, LFC and LFN concentrations, as well as lower CO2 production rates suggested 2:3 (rows of maize:rows of soybean) as a more desirable intercrop design for C sequestration. The 1:2 intercrop design was observed to be more beneficial for microbial community structure, furthering the idea that intercropping is a beneficial alternative to sole cropping. This study improves knowledge in residue stabilization and C sequestration in complex agroecosystems, providing encouragement for the implementation of more sustainable management practices.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T15:07:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo5620_1.pdf: 8916043 bytes, checksum: 669ed68c15dd8910790b9473691f2d57 (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Na ausência de um sistema imune adaptativo propriamente dito, os cnidários se valem de uma série de mecanismos bioquímicos e celulares que coletivamente compreendem sistemas da imunidade inata e são utilizados para o reconhecimento de micro-organismos, tanto parasitas quanto simbiontes. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar se precursores gênicos relacionados a três polipeptídios envolvidos na resposta inata (CTL: lectina do tipo C, MBL: lectina ligante de manose e C3: componente 3 do sistema complemento) seriam expressos em Palythoa caribaeorum. Tendo como base dados moleculares descritos na literatura para os cnidários Nematostella vectensis, Pocillopora damicornis, Acropora millepora e Swiftia exserta, foram utilizadas duas estratégias metodológicas distintas para responder tal proposição: (1) síntese direta de cDNA a partir do RNAm e amplificação dos homólogos por RT-PCR e (2) construção de uma biblioteca de cDNA para propagação e resgate dos precursores completos (full length cDNAs). Ao todo, foram obtidos 11 produtos de RT-PCR (cDNAs amplificados), dos quais um se refere a um segmento similar a um domínio do receptor de imunoglobulinas das células NK (KIR), encontrado em gorilas. A presença de um domínio semelhante a KIR em P. caribaeorum sugeriria a existência de formas alternativas de imunidade antecipatória em cnidários. Tão importante quanto esse achado foi a obtenção de amplicons de CTL. Dessa forma, os níveis de expressão de transcritos de CTL foram comparados entre colônias sadias e doentes (em processo de branqueamento) de P. caribaeorum. Os resultados para o ensaio de expressão diferencial mostraram que a CTL teve uma expressão aumentada entre 63,2 e 65,5% nas colônias branqueadas, o que sugere um possível papel na resposta ao branqueamento, uma vez que essas moléculas participam do processo de reconhecimento celular. Esse resultado pode ser interpretado de duas formas: o aumento na transcrição de CTL após o branqueamento seria uma tentativa de proteção imediata contra patógenos ou estaria envolvido no recrutamento de novos simbiontes. Como um todo, o estudo de moléculas polipeptídicas da imunidade de cnidários é de importância considerável. Não somente fornece dados sobre a ancestralidade e evolução das reações imunes, mas também serve de base para uma série de aplicações de caráter científico e biotecnológico, que vão desde o monitoramento e conservação de espécies marinhas até estudos voltados ao tratamento e cura de doenças que acometem vertebrados superiores

Le syndrome hémolytique et urémique atypique (SHU) et les glomérulonéphrites à dépôts de C3 sont des pathologies rares. Le SHU atypique est une pathologie aigüe sévère, responsable de microangiopathie thrombotique rénale glomérulaire et artériolaire. La glomérulonéphrite à dépôts de C3 (GNC3) est une pathologie chronique responsable d’une protéinurie et d’une insuffisance rénale chronique qui évolue sur plusieurs années. Ces pathologies sont secondaires soit à un défaut de régulation soit à une hyperactivation de la voie alterne du complément. Dans ces deux pathologies, le risque de récidive après transplantation rénale est élevé et responsable d’une perte de greffon. L’objectif de ma thèse a été de rechercher des marqueurs prédictifs de récidive et de sévérité conditionnant le pronostic de la transplantation rénale pour ces deux pathologies complément–dépendantes. Une approche à la fois clinique, biologique et génétique a permis de déterminer pour le SHU atypique : les facteurs de risque génétique de récidive, de déterminer pour la première fois que la présence de l’haplotype homozygote du Facteur H (gtgt) est associée à risque de récidive et de préciser les conséquences fonctionnelles des mutations. Ce travail a contribué à établir les recommandations du traitement chez les patients transplantés pour un SHU atypique. Les facteurs de risque de récidives des glomérulonéphrites à C3 ont été recherchés à partir d’une large cohorte de patients que j’ai créée. Ce travail a permis de mettre en évidence une corrélation entre l’hyperactivation de la voie alterne du complément (élévation du C5b9 soluble, C3 plasmatique bas), la présence de dépôts (C3, C5b9) dans le rein en post transplantation et la sévérité de la récidive. La consommation de C3 en phase fluide, la présence d’un sC5b9 élevé et la présence de C5b9 in situ sont associées à une récidive sévère. Enfin, j’ai participé à la première description de mutations de DGKE dans le SHU atypique. J’ai mis au point la technique d’immunohistochimie permettant de détecter et localiser DGKE dans les cellules endothéliales et podocytaires rénales. Ce travail a permis de montrer que le DGKE est présent dans l’endothélium rénal, élément essentiel du mécanisme physiopathologique du SHU atypique. Le DGKE est apporté par le rein transplanté et permet de corriger le risque de récidive après transplantation chez les patients déficitaires. / Pas de résumé en anglais

The thesis is focused on the development of JSF framework providing components for complex data visualizations. Its objective consists of the implementation of the API for creating JSF components rendering complex charts based on the JavaScript library C3.js and subsequent implementation of a set of chart components using this API. The contribution of this thesis is a library providing a tool for creating new JSF components based on C3.js together with a set of ready to use components. It begins with research of relevant JSF libraries, following with API analysis and design. Based on that is API implemented, in which a component set is then created. As a part of this work is a user guide, API reference guide and presentation web of implemented components.

The master's thesis is focused on the study of response of the intracellular pH of the yeast cells on various external environments, primarily in a relation to the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, CCCP. To measure the intracellular pH of the yeast cells we used a genetically coded fluorescent probe the ratiometric pHluorin. Using the method of synchronously scanned fluorescent spectra we were able to measure the intracellular pH of the cells with high precision. As a part of these experiments we also studied the influence of ionic strength of the cell suspensions buffers on the surface potential as well as the influence of the mineral salt KCl on the depolarization of the yeast membranes and cytosolic acidification induced by the protonophore CCCP. We examined the changes of cytosolic pH as such but we also used the measured pH as an indicator of the processes and the state of environment outside the cell. One of the most notable outcomes of this thesis is a new method of monitoring the value of the surface potential of the yeast cells by measuring the titration curves of cytosolic acidification induced by the protonophore CCCP.

No description available.

Plants produce a rich variety of natural products to face environmental constraints. Enzymes of the cytochrome P450 CYP98 family are key actors in the production of phenolic bioactive compounds. They hydroxylate phenolic esters for lignin biosynthesis in angiosperms, but also produce various other bioactive phenolics. We characterized CYP98s from a moss, a lycopod, a fern, a conifer, a basal angiosperm, a monocot and from two eudicots. We found that substrate preference of the enzymes has changed during evolution of land plants with typical lignin-related activities only appearing in angiosperms, suggesting that ferns, similar to lycopods, produce lignin through an alternative route. A moss CYP98 knock-out mutant revealed coumaroyl-threonate as CYP98 substrate in vivo and showed a severe phenotype. Multiple CYP98s per species exist only in the angiosperms, where we generally found one isoform presumably involved in the biosynthesis of monolignols, and additional isoforms, resulting from independent duplications, with a broad range of functions in vitro / Graduate / 2017-08-31

An intact complement system is essential for the initiation of a normal antibody response. Antibodies can regulate their own production against the antigens that they are specific for. Both IgG3 and IgM are able to enhance the antibody response via complement. Here, we have compared the fate of OVA-TNP (ovalbumin-2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) administered intravenously to mice either alone or in complex with monoclonal IgG3 anti-TNP. IgG3-antigen complexes bind to marginal zone (MZ) B cells via complement receptors 1 and 2 (CR1/2) and are transported into splenic follicles. The majority (50% - 90%) of the antigens is deposited on follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and the antigen distribution pattern is strikingly similar to peripheral dendrites/processes of FDC already 2 h after immunization. The development of germinal centers (GC) induced by IgG3-antigen complexes is impaired in mice lacking CR1/2. Experiments on bone marrow chimeric mice show that CR1/2 expression on both MZ B cells and FDC is required for optimal IgG3-mediated enhancement of antibody responses. Complement factors C3 and C1q are essential for OVA-TNP delivery and deposition on splenic FDC. The production of IgG anti-OVA is abrogated in mice lacking CR1/2, C1q, and C3. Further, IgG3-antigen complexes dramatically upregulate the memory response against OVA-TNP by inducing OVA-specific memory cells. Besides small protein OVA, IgG3 can also upregulate humoral responses against large soluble keyhole limpet hemocyanin. To further study the role of MZ B-cells and CR1/2 in enhancement of antibody responses, a knock-in mouse strain, Cμ13, was used. IgM in this mouse strain is unable to activate complement due to a point mutation in the constant µ-heavy chain. Cμ13 mice have a higher proportion of MZ B cells, with higher CR1/2 expression, than wild-type mice. More IgG3-immune complexes are captured by MZ B cells and deposited on FDC in Cμ13 than in WT mice. In spite of this, IgG3 did not enhance the primary antibody response more efficiently in Cμ13 mice. The existence of endogenous IgM-mediated feedback regulation was suggested by the observation that GC development and antibody responses, after priming and boosting with suboptimal doses of SRBC, was lower in Cμ13 than in WT mice.