Abstract Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common finding in the general population and is present in approximately one quarter of adults. The potential role of PFO in the pathogenesis of ischaemic brain infarction of unknown aetiology in young adults has been investigated during the past 15 years, and associations with other diseases have been proposed. The most plausible mechanism of stroke associated with PFO is paradoxical embolism, but there is uncertainty about this because a venous source of emboli is seldom identified. If the theory of venous emboli is relevant, prothrombotic states should be associated with PFO and ischaemic stroke. Relatively little is known about the risk factors of cryptogenic brain infarction, although this subgroup of stroke is relatively common. As the present diagnostic methods for detecting PFO have certain limitations, new non-invasive, simple and reliable methods would be useful. Two new methods examined here, the dye dilution method and ear oximetry, were both found to be feasible and to be highly specific and sensitive in relation to the present gold standard, contrast transoesophageal echocardiography. A case-control study among adult patients with PFO and cryptogenic brain infarction showed the presence of a prothrombotic state, particularly factor V Leiden and prothrombin G2021OA gene mutation, to be associated with an increased risk of stroke, and migraine was also identified as a risk factor. Associations with the classical risk factors for venous thrombosis and Valsalva manoeuvre-like activities at the onset of stroke were also observed. The results lend support to the theory that paradoxical embolism is one of the pathogenic mechanisms behind cryptogenic brain infarction with associated PFO. In another case-control study among adult patients with cryptogenic brain infarction but without associated PFO, prothrombotic states were not identified as risk factors, except that an association was found between elevated factor VIII activity and stroke. The major independent risk factors for such cryptogenic strokes were current cigarette smoking, hypertension and a low level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The first report of a functioning photo-electrochemical solar cell in 1991 attracted a lot of interest from scientists and industrial groups. From an industrial point of view these so-called dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCs) offered the promise of moderate efficiency devices at ultra-low costs, owing to simple processing methods and the use of inexpensive materials. From an academic viewpoint, DSCs raised important scientific questions around the fundamental processes governing their operation and how these processes influence the photon-to-electron conversion efficiency of the cell. Major successes have since been achieved in understanding these processes, however the conversion efficiency of the best manufactured DSCs remains around 11%, significantly lower than that of their silicon photovoltaic counterparts. In traditional DSCs, charge generation is achieved by ultrafast electron injection from a photo-excited ruthenium-based dye molecule into the conduction band of a film of TiO₂ nanoparticles, subsequent dye regeneration by an I⁻ /I⁻₃ containing redox electrolyte and finally hole transportation to a platinum-coated counter electrode. The low DSC efficiencies are attributed to scattering of electrons at the interface between two TiO₂ nanoparticles leading to recombination with holes present in the redox electrolyte. Recent studies have shown that the application of films of highly ordered TiO₂ nanotubes instead of nanoparticles has the potential to improve the overall conversion efficiency of the cell. This is ascribed to the one-dimensional nature of nanotubes, which provides a linear transportation route for electrons generated during operation of the DSC. As a result the recombination probability of the electrons with nearby holes in the device is decreased. This work investigated the synthesis of Al₂O₃-coated TiO₂ nanotubes via the anodisation technique for application in DSCs. TiO₂ nanotube arrays with an average length of 15 μm, diameter of 50 nm and wall thickness of 15 nm were synthesised via anodisation using an organic neutral electrolyte consisting of 2 M H₂O + 0.15 M NH₄F + ethylene glycol (EG) at an applied voltage of 60 V for 6 hours. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs showed that anodisation at these conditions yields nanotubes with smooth walls and hexagonally shaped, closed bottoms. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that the as-anodised nanotubes were amorphous and as such were annealed at 450 °C for 2 hours in air at atmospheric pressure, which yielded crystalline anatase TiO₂ nanotubes. Highresolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) images revealed that the nanotube walls comprised of individual nano-sized TiO₂ crystallites. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy showed that the optical properties, especially the bandgap of the TiO₂ nanotubes are dependent on the crystallinity, which in turn was dependent on the structural characteristics, such as the wall thickness, diameter and length. The PL measurements were supplemented by Raman spectra, which revealed an increased in the quantum confinement of the optical phonon modes of the nanotubes synthesised at low anodisation voltages, consequently yielding a larger bandgap The annealed nanotubes were then coated with a thin layer of alumina (Al₂O₃) using a simple sol-gel dip coating method, effectively used to coat films of nanoparticles. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the average nanotube diameter increased post sol-gel deposition, which suggests that the nanotubes are coated with a layer of Al₂O₃. This was confirmed with HR-TEM, in conjunction with selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and XRD analyses, which showed the coating of the nanotube walls with a thin layer of amorphous Al₂O₃ with a thickness between 4 and 7 nm. Ultraviolet-visible (UVvis) absorbance spectra showed that the dye-adsorption ability of the nanotubes are enhanced by the Al₂O₃ coating and hence is a viable material for solar cell application. Upon application in the DSC, it was found by means of photo-current density – voltage (I – V) measurements that a DSC fabricated with a 15 μm thick layer of bare TiO₂ nanotubes has a photon-to-light conversion efficiency of 4.56%, which increased to 4.88% after coating the nanotubes with a layer of alumina. However, these devices had poorer conversion efficiencies than bare and Al₂O₃-coated TiO₂ nanoparticle based DSCs, which boasted with efficiencies of 6.54 and 7.26%, respectively. The low efficiencies of the TiO₂ nanotube based DSCs are ascribed to the low surface area of the layer of nanotubes, which yielded low photocurrent densities. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the electron lifetime in the alumina coated nanotubes are almost 20 times greater than in a bare layer of nanoparticles. In addition, it was also found that the charge transfer resistance at the interface of the TiO₂/dye/electrolyte is the lowest for an Al₂O₃-coated TiO₂ layer.

Cyanine dyes are attractive photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy due to their ease of structure modification and intense absorption in the near-infrared range. Photosensitizers that can bind to DNA and absorb at long enough wavelengths of light to deeply penetrate biological tissue are in high demand for treatment of cancer and other diseases. The following study analyzes the DNA interactions of three pentamethine cyanine dyes with very similar structures, all of which absorb light at wavelengths longer than 800 nm. The work described involves an extensive study of the photocleavage abilities and DNA binding characteristics of these dyes. Our lead compound was a bromophenyl meso substituted symmetrical quinoline cyanine dye. Spectroscopic data, gel electrophoresis experiments and other studies were used to provide evidence of DNA binding mode, ROS production, and of dye-sensitized DNA photocleavage at the unprecedented wavelength of 850 nm.

L’étude cinétique a permis de déterminer le temps d’équilibre atteint lors de la fixation du benzopurpurine 4B sur chaque composé, ainsi que l’ordre de la réaction et la nature du mécanisme de diffusion. Cette adsorption est favorisée par un milieu légèrement basique, et l’augmentation de la température a un effet positif sur l’amélioration des performances maximales de la fixation. L’étude des isothermes d’adsorption de ce colorant, a été établie pour déterminer l’efficacité de cette nouvelle classe d’adsorbants. Ces dernières sont de type L, et les donnés de sorption ont été traitées selon plusieurs modèles, afin de mieux comprendre le mécanisme d'adsorption du colorant sur les différents matériaux. L’analyse des résultats de l’étude thermodynamiques a montré que l’adsorption du colorant sur les différents composés est un phénomène spontané, endothermique et favorable, régie par une adsorption physique pour les matériaux CoFe-CO3/Ec, CoFe-CO3/A et MgAl-CO32- et par une adsorption physico-chimique pour les matériaux CoFe-Ac/p, CoNiFe-Ac/p , et MgAl-500. Ces résultats ont été confirmés par les analyses DRX et IR des différents matériaux avant et après adsorption. En comparant les résultats obtenus pour l’adsorption du colorant sur les différents matériaux, le composé CoNiFe-Ac/p constitue le meilleur adsorbant avec une capacité d’adsorption d’environ 593mg/g. Par conséquent, et compte tenu de l’ensemble des résultats fournis par cette étude, l’hydrolyse forcée en milieu polyol, s’avère une méthode très efficace pour l’élaboration des hydroxydes doubles lamellaire à base de métaux de transition avec une morphologie contrôlée, de taille nanométrique présentant un faible taux d’agglomération, et par conséquent une bonne dispersion de particules et un meilleur pouvoir adsorbant. Ces caractéristiques peuvent être à l’origine de l’application de ces matériaux avec succès dans l’élimination des colorants contenant dans les effluents industriels. / New layered double hydroxides (LDHs) CoFe-Ac, CoNiFe-Ac, ZnNiFe-Ac and ZnCoFe-Acwith MII/MIII molar ratio of 3, and acetate ions in the interlayer region have been preparedusing forced hydrolysis of acetate metallic salts in a polyol medium. The structure,morphology and properties of as-prepared product were investigated by X-ray Diffraction(XRD), FT-IR Spectroscopy, elemental analysis, transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM),Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (DTA, TGA) and V-visibleSpectroscopy: showed that these nanocomposites present the typical features of hydrotalcitelikestructure, exhibit a turbostratic character and the intercalation of acetate anions into theinterlayer domain has been successfully done, giving an interlayer spacing value of 12.70,12.47, 13.64 and 14.69 Å for CoFe-Ac, CoNiFe-Ac, ZnNiFe-Ac and ZnCoFe-Acrespectively.We can note that there is some difference between the interlayer spacing for all synthesizedphases. That can be explained by the arrangement of inserted species (anions + water) indifferent orientation in the interlayer domain.57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry allows concluding the presence of Fe3+ cations which occupyoctahedral sites and confirming the absence of Fe2+ in the as-prepared compounds.In order to check the capacity of our materials synthesized in polyol medium to exchange theacetate anions inserted in their interlamellar space, anionic exchange in aqueous medium waseffected for CoFe-Ac compound as à model of synthesized LDH. All the physicochemicalmethods of analysis (DRX, IR, ATD/ATG and elemental analysis) carried out on the materialCoFe- Ac /EC (exchanged). The comparison with a lamellar phase containing oFeCO3/Asynthesized in aqueous medium, show a layered double hydroxide compound with aturbostratic disorder, and a new interlamellar distance d003 = 7.67Å which correspondsperfectly with the presence of the carbonate anions and the water molecules in the interfeuilletfield.In the second part of this study, we are interested to examine the capacities of these kinds ofmaterials for the adsorption of an anion dye benzopurpurine-4B-. The adsorption of direct red2 by CoFe-Ac, CoNiFe-Ac LDHs has been examined in order to measure the capability ofthis new organic/inorganic nanomaterial to eliminate this highly toxic azoic class of anionicdyes from wastewater. The sorption capacities of LDHs for Benzopurpurine4B are also compared with those of other adsorbents : CoFe- Ac /Ec, CoFeCO3/A (synthesized in aqueous medium), Mg-Al-CO3/A and its calcined product at 500°C “Mg-Al-500”. The quantity of dye eliminated was found to depend on contact time, pH, initial concentration of dye and heating temperature. The thermodynamic parameters ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° werecalculated to predict the nature of adsorption. Results suggested that the Benzopurpurine 4B adsorption on different compounds was a spontaneous and endothermic process. Adsorption kinetic data were tested using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovitch’sequation and intra-particle diffusion models. Kinetic studies for all cases showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second order reaction. Studies revealed that intra-particle diffusion played an important role in the mechanism of dye adsorption by MgAl-500. Theequilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, Elovitch, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Redlich-Peterson and Toth isotherm models. [...] Taking these results into account, we can conclude that prepared LDHs by forced hydrolysis in a polyol medium can be used successfully in the removal of anionic dyes from aqueous solutions.

The importance of sensing Nitric Oxide (NO) in physiology and medicine has led us to explore the reactivity of NO with organometallic Re dyes. Rhenium complexes were synthesized with the ability to react with NO and sense it under physiological conditions. Fluorescent 1,10-phenantroline complexes (phen)Re(PPh3)(CO)2OSO2CF3 (1) and (phen)Re(CH3CN)(CO)2OSO2CF3 (3) can sense NO in the range of 10 - 150 mM showing a decrease in fluorescence response at 514 nm and 532 nm respectively, upon NO-donor addition (lexc = 360 nm). (phen)Re(THF)(CO)2OSO2CF3 (2) showed a ratiometric response with a decrease in fluorescence intensity at 585 nm and an increase at 445 nm. These complexes were characterized by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and 19F‑NMR. The quantum yields (F) and lifetimes (t) were also determined. On the basis of 19F‑NMR and 1H-NMR spectroscopic evidence, the proposed mechanism of action involves dissociation of CF3SO3- (abbreviated as OTf-) together with PPh3, (for 1), THF (for 2), or CH3CN (for 3). Fluorescence microscopy showed that 1 permeates through the cell membrane of rat aortic endothelial cells (RAOEC) and 2 gives increase in cell fluorescence response at 450 nm when exogenous NO is added to RAOEC. The Re complexes of dppz (dppz = 2,2’-dipyrido[3,2-a:2,3’-c]phenazine) (dppz)Re(THF)(CO)2OSO2CF3 (A2) and (dppz)Re(CH3CN)(CO)2OSO2CF3) (A3) were synthesized using the same methods as for complexes 1 and 3. Even though the dppz complexes exhibited similar behavior than the phenanthroline analogs, the signal changes were small and the results were inconclusive. The a-Diimine Re complexes of Xy-DAD (XyDAD = 1,4-bis-[2,6-dimethylphenyl]-1,4-diazo-1,3-butadiene) (Xy-DAD)Re(THF)(CO)2OSO2CF3 (8) and (Xy-DAD)Re(CH3CN)(CO)2OSO2CF3 (9) showed reactivity with NO and CN- with a response in the visible range of the absorption spectrum. These diazadiene (DAD) complexes showed decreased reactivity with NO and CN- in the presence of oxidants. The i-PrDAD complexes (i-PrDAD = 1,4‑bis-[2,6-diisopropylphenyl]-1,4-diazo-1,3-butadiene) (i‑Pr‑DAD)Re(THF)(CO)2OTf (10) and (i‑Pr‑DAD)Re(CH3CN)(CO)2OTf (11) exhibited similar behavior with the Xy-DAD analogs, but the spectral changes were much smaller and the results were inconclusive. The ESI-MS Mass Spectrometry studies of the phenanthroline complexes 1, and 2, after reaction with NO-donor showed that 1 and 2 react with NO to give [Re(CO)2(NO)2S2]+ species, while (phen)Re(CO)3Cl and (phen)Re(CO)3OSO2CF3 do not show any metal-NO containing products, which is consistent with the fluorescence studies.

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / Aim and Objectives: To assess the effect of bleaching on the marginal integrity of Class V composite resin restorations. To determine the effect of a 6% hydrogen peroxide over the counter and a 38% hydrogen peroxide in-office vital bleaching treatment products on the microleakage of Class V composite restorations. / South Africa

O objetivo do presente estudo foi utilizar o extrato de jabuticaba microencapsulado como corante e avaliar o seu potencial antimicrobiano e antioxidante em produtos cárneos embutidos do tipo linguiça frescal e mortadela, em substituição ao corante tradicionalmente utilizado carmim de cochonilha. Uma primeira etapa consistiu na avaliação in vitro da capacidade antioxidante e antimicrobiana do extrato de jabuticaba aquoso e microencapsulado. O extrato de jabuticaba foi obtido a partir do resíduo do despolpamento da fruta, com posterior desidratação (microencapsulação) por spray dryer, utilizando maltodextrina como agente carreador. A caracterização foi efetuada por determinação do teor de antocianinas e identificação destas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) e espectrometria de massas (MS), determinação da sua capacidade antioxidante pelos métodos Folin-Ciocalteu, capacidade redutora do ferro no plasma (FRAP) e capacidade antioxidante pelo radical DPPH. As características físicas avaliadas no extrato aquoso foram o valor de pH e o teor de sólidos solúveis. O potencial antimicrobiano foi determinado pelo método da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) sobre as bactérias Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli e Salmonella Enteritidis. O extrato de jabuticaba microencapsulado (EJM) foi utilizado para a elaboração de linguiça frescal e mortadela em duas diferentes concentrações: 2 e 4% de EJM para a linguiça frescal e 2% para mortadela. A linguiça frescal (à base de carne suína) e a mortadela (à base de carne bovina e carne mecanicamente separada de frango) foram avaliadas quanto à estabilidade durante armazenamento refrigerado a 1±1 e 4±1°C, por 15 e 56 dias, respectivamente. Os produtos foram caracterizados quanto à composição centesimal e foram realizadas análises físico-químicas, microbiológicas e sensoriais. Os resultados encontrados para a linguiça frescal confirmaram que o uso de 2% e 4% de EJM contribuíram para reduzir a oxidação lipídica durante os 15 dias de armazenamento e nas análises microbiológicas o EJM contribuiu para reduzir a contagem de microrganismos por quatro dias quando comparado com a linguiça controle (sem adição de EJM). A análise sensorial comprovou que 2% de EJM não comprometeu a maioria dos atributos sensoriais avaliados, com exceção da coloração mais escura. Recomenda-se, portanto, a utilização de 2% de EJM na produção de linguiça frescal. Nas mortadelas, os resultados não diferiram quando se comparou os produtos com 2% de EJM e sem adição do extrato (controle), porém, a utilização de 2% de EJM pode ser considerada uma alternativa interessante devido as demandas atuais por novas fontes de baixo custo e a utilização de pigmentos naturais que possam ser benéficos à saúde. Com estes resultados, pode-se dizer que o aproveitamento de cascas de jabuticaba oriundos do processamento da fruta, na forma de extrato microencapsulado, pode representar uma boa alternativa como corante natural, trazendo uma nova concepção da utilização de produtos mais saudáveis em linguiça frescal e mortadela. / The objective of this study was to use jabuticaba extract microencapsulated as dye and evaluate its antimicrobial and antioxidant potential in fresh sausage and mortadella, replacing the traditionally used dye cochineal carmine. The first step was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of aqueous and microencapsulated jabuticaba extract. The extract was obtained from the the waste of fruit pulping, with subsequent dehydration (microencapsulation) by spray dryer using maltodextrin as carrier agent. The characterization was carried out by determining and identifying anthocyanins by high-performance liquid chromatography (CLAE) and mass spectrometry (MS), determining the antioxidant capacity by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, reducing capacity of iron in plasma (FRAP) and antioxidant activity by DPPH radical. Physical characteristics evaluated in the aqueous extract were pH value and soluble solids content. The antimicrobial potential was determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enteritidis. Microencapsulated jabuticaba extract (MJE) was used for the preparation of fresh sausage and mortadella in two different concentrations: 2 and 4% EJM for fresh sausage and 2% for mortadella. The fresh sausage (pork) and mortadella (beef and mechanically separated meat chicken) were evaluated for stability during refrigerated storage at 1±1 and 4±1°C for 15 and 56 days, respectively. The products were characterized for centesimal composition and were carried out physical-chemical, microbiological and sensorial analysis. The results for fresh sausage confirmed that the use of 2% and 4% EJM contributed to reduce lipid oxidation during the 15 days of storage and MJE contributed to reduce the microorganisms counts for four days when compared to the control sausage. Sensory analysis proved that 2% MJE did not compromise the majority of sensory attributes evaluated, but the darker color. It is recommended, therefore, the use of 2% MJE for producing fresh sausages. Regarding mortadella, the results did not differ when compared 2% EJM and control, attesting that the 2% EJM can be considered an interesting alternative because of the current demands for new low-cost sources and using natural pigments, what can be beneficial to health. Considering the results, it can be state that the use of jabuticaba peel from fruit processing as microencapsulated extract can represent a good alternative as a natural dye, bringing a new conception of healthier products in fresh sausage and mortadella.

Global threats to treatment of bacterial infections due to antibiotic resistance (AR) have been on the rise in recent years. Current diagnostic tests identify bacteria by using blood culture, which takes more than 24 hours. This study focuses on the fluorescent labeling of DNA derived from bacterial AR genes (KPC & VIM) and other model DNAs using oligreen dye (OG) and molecular beacons (MB). A NanoDrop 3300 fluorospectrometer was used to take fluorescence measurements. Linear dynamic range and labeling efficiency were dependent on the following optimized conditions: dilution factor of OG (200 fold), buffer (20 mM Tris HCl, pH 8), and heat treatment of 95 °C for 15 min.Fluorescence analysis of a target DNA with a designed MB showed signal-to-background of 10 with our buffer only and 20 with our buffer and 25% ethanol. I also demonstrated a simple microfluidic device capable of detecting AR genes using model DNAs, magnetic beads, and designed MBs for assays of µ50 L volume. This study provides a first step towards detecting MB-DNA complexes by a simple, low cost, and fast non-amplified method, which may be used to detect AR genes in clinical samples in the future.

A new rapid computer assisted micro-titer plate interferon assay system was developed and characterized for use in high capacity clinical and research applications. The biological aspect of the assay was a modification of the assay methods of Finter, Armstrong and McManus. It was an application of spectrophotometric quantification of the reduction of viral cytopathic effect (CPE) as reflected by neutral red dye uptake by viable cells. A computer program was developed for the extrapolation of raw data to reference interferon units.

Oshima N, Yamada Y, Nagayama S, Kawada K, Hasegawa S, et al. (2014) Induction of Cancer Stem Cell Properties in Colon Cancer Cells by Defined Factors. PLoS ONE 9(7): e101735. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0101735 / 京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第18547号 / 医博第3940号 / 新制||医||1006(附属図書館) / 31447 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 千葉 勉, 教授 野田 亮, 教授 武藤 学 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM