While all women hope to deliver a healthy baby, approximately 3-5% babies are affected by birth defects. Birth defects can occur naturally or be induced by teratogens. Alcohol is a known teratogen that causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), the most commonly known cause of neurobehavioural and neurodevelopmental deficits. Individuals affected with FASD are likely to be involved with or require additional assistance from healthcare, education, social services, and justice sectors. Due to this immense burden, effective prevention of FASD can have a major public impact. Prevention of FASD can occur at different levels: primary prevention (preventing alcohol-induced birth defects from occurring in the first place); secondary prevention (preventing alcohol-induced birth defects from developing or progressing); tertiary prevention (improving the outcome of individuals affected with FASD); and quaternary prevention (preventing another child from being affected with FASD). The objective of this thesis was to explore a multilevel birth defect and FASD prevention strategy. Primary prevention by was investigated by maternal multivitamin supplementation to optimize fetal growing conditions, as alcoholics are commonly deficient in nutrients. A meta-analysis of maternal multivitamin supplementation demonstrated a decreased risk for certain congenital anomalies and pediatric cancers. Secondary prevention was investigated by a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled evaluating the ability of high doses of antioxidants (vitamin C and vitamin E) to mitigate the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. The study was ceased due to safety concerns regarding high doses of vitamin C and vitamin E in preeclamptic studies. Tertiary prevention was investigated by anonymous meconium screening of babies of Grey-Bruce, Ontario residents delivering at or transferred to St. Joseph’s Health Care in London, Ontario. A 30% prevalence of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) positive meconium was observed at this high-risk unit. Meconium screening is also a means of quaternary prevention since positive screens also identify mothers who were unable to stop consuming alcohol after 13 weeks of pregnancy, and therefore are at risk of delivering another child who is prenatally exposed to alcohol. The identification and engagement of these mothers into treatment programs constitutes primary prevention of FASD in subsequent pregnancies.

While all women hope to deliver a healthy baby, approximately 3-5% babies are affected by birth defects. Birth defects can occur naturally or be induced by teratogens. Alcohol is a known teratogen that causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), the most commonly known cause of neurobehavioural and neurodevelopmental deficits. Individuals affected with FASD are likely to be involved with or require additional assistance from healthcare, education, social services, and justice sectors. Due to this immense burden, effective prevention of FASD can have a major public impact. Prevention of FASD can occur at different levels: primary prevention (preventing alcohol-induced birth defects from occurring in the first place); secondary prevention (preventing alcohol-induced birth defects from developing or progressing); tertiary prevention (improving the outcome of individuals affected with FASD); and quaternary prevention (preventing another child from being affected with FASD). The objective of this thesis was to explore a multilevel birth defect and FASD prevention strategy. Primary prevention by was investigated by maternal multivitamin supplementation to optimize fetal growing conditions, as alcoholics are commonly deficient in nutrients. A meta-analysis of maternal multivitamin supplementation demonstrated a decreased risk for certain congenital anomalies and pediatric cancers. Secondary prevention was investigated by a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled evaluating the ability of high doses of antioxidants (vitamin C and vitamin E) to mitigate the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. The study was ceased due to safety concerns regarding high doses of vitamin C and vitamin E in preeclamptic studies. Tertiary prevention was investigated by anonymous meconium screening of babies of Grey-Bruce, Ontario residents delivering at or transferred to St. Joseph’s Health Care in London, Ontario. A 30% prevalence of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) positive meconium was observed at this high-risk unit. Meconium screening is also a means of quaternary prevention since positive screens also identify mothers who were unable to stop consuming alcohol after 13 weeks of pregnancy, and therefore are at risk of delivering another child who is prenatally exposed to alcohol. The identification and engagement of these mothers into treatment programs constitutes primary prevention of FASD in subsequent pregnancies.

Submitted by THAÍS DOS SANTOS DE ALMEIDA null (ms.almeidaunesp@gmail.com) on 2016-06-23T18:30:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO Versão Final 23.06.2016.pdf: 2427944 bytes, checksum: 7d0fd3e8b7622649cec5ade2e7459c4c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-06-27T18:16:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 almeida_ts_me_guara.pdf: 2427944 bytes, checksum: 7d0fd3e8b7622649cec5ade2e7459c4c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-27T18:16:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 almeida_ts_me_guara.pdf: 2427944 bytes, checksum: 7d0fd3e8b7622649cec5ade2e7459c4c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Dentre os biocombustíveis hoje explorados, o biodiesel vem se destacando como uma alternativa ao óleo diesel derivado do petróleo por ser um combustível renovável, biodegradável e não tóxico. Atualmente, a produção desse biocombustível é quase que 100 % via transesterificação alcalina em fase homogênea de triglicerídeos presentes em óleos vegetais. Entretanto, cerca de 70 % do preço final do biodiesel é resultado do custo dessas matérias-primas. Desse modo, desenvolver tecnologias de usabilidade máxima e compatibilidade ambiental para diversas matérias-primas baratas, como gorduras animais e rejeitos de óleo de cozinha, as quais têm alto teor de ácidos graxos livres e são incompatíveis com catalisadores alcalinos, torna-se cada vez mais importante. As tecnologias de produção disponíveis empregam catalisadores ácidos minerais homogêneos (ácidos Brönsted), os quais são corrosivos, não recicláveis, e resultam em grande geração de resíduos e efluentes nas etapas de neutralização e de separação. Neste trabalho, investigamos a atividade catalítica de três complexos metálicos exibindo caráter ácido de Lewis: dibutil diacetato de estanho, brometo de estanho e cloreto de estanho. Testamos esses complexos catalíticos na alcoólise de óleos de soja e de pinhão-manso, visando à obtenção de uma mistura de ésteres alquílicos de ácidos graxos (biodiesel), empregando metanol e, também, etanol, a fim de valorizar essa matéria-prima nacional. Também avaliamos a atividade catalítica desses complexos comparando com a transesterificação catalítica clássica básica (NaOH) e ácida (H2SO4). Além do tipo de catalisador, estudamos também a concentração do catalisador (0,5, 1,0 e 2,0 %) e a temperatura (50 e 120 ºC), para uma razão molar de óleo:álcool 1:6 e tempo de reação de 6 horas. O infravermelho revelou as principais bandas referentes aos ésteres metílicos e etílicos e as análises de rendimento dos biodieseis produzidos foram realizadas por cromatografia gasosa. / Among biofuels exploited nowadays, biodiesel has emerged as an alternative to diesel fuel derived from petroleum for being a renewable fuel, biodegradable and nontoxic. Currently, the production of this biofuel is almost 100 % via alkaline transesterification in homogeneous phase of triglycerides present in vegetable oils. However, about 70 % of the final price of biodiesel is due to the cost of these raw materials. Thus, developing technologies of maximum usability and environmental compatibility for a variety of cheap raw materials, such as animal fats and cooking oil waste, which have a high content of free fatty acids and are incompatible with alkaline catalysts, it becomes increasingly important. The available production technologies employ homogeneous catalysts mineral acids (Brönsted acids) which are corrosive, not being recyclable and result in great waste generation and effluents in neutralization and separation steps. In this work, we investigated the catalytic activity of three metal complexes exhibiting Lewis acid character: tin dibutyl diacetate, tin bromide and tin chloride. We tested these catalytic complexes in the alcoholysis of soybean oil and jatropha curcas oil, in order to obtain a mixture of alkyl esters of fatty acids (biodiesel) using methanol and also ethanol, in order to enhance this national raw material. We also evaluated the catalytic activity of these complexes compared to the basic classical catalytic transesterification (NaOH) and acid (H2SO4). Besides the catalyst type, we also studied the catalyst concentration (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 %) and temperature (50 and 120 °C) for a molar ratio of oil: ethanol 1:6 and reaction time of 6 hours. The infrared revealed the main bands related to the methyl and ethyl esters and the performance analysis of biodiesels produced were carried out by gas chromatography.

Orientador: Newton Luiz Dias Filho / Resumo: Dentre os biocombustíveis hoje explorados, o biodiesel vem se destacando como uma alternativa ao óleo diesel derivado do petróleo por ser um combustível renovável, biodegradável e não tóxico. Atualmente, a produção desse biocombustível é quase que 100 % via transesterificação alcalina em fase homogênea de triglicerídeos presentes em óleos vegetais. Entretanto, cerca de 70 % do preço final do biodiesel é resultado do custo dessas matérias-primas. Desse modo, desenvolver tecnologias de usabilidade máxima e compatibilidade ambiental para diversas matérias-primas baratas, como gorduras animais e rejeitos de óleo de cozinha, as quais têm alto teor de ácidos graxos livres e são incompatíveis com catalisadores alcalinos, torna-se cada vez mais importante. As tecnologias de produção disponíveis empregam catalisadores ácidos minerais homogêneos (ácidos Brönsted), os quais são corrosivos, não recicláveis, e resultam em grande geração de resíduos e efluentes nas etapas de neutralização e de separação. Neste trabalho, investigamos a atividade catalítica de três complexos metálicos exibindo caráter ácido de Lewis: dibutil diacetato de estanho, brometo de estanho e cloreto de estanho. Testamos esses complexos catalíticos na alcoólise de óleos de soja e de pinhão-manso, visando à obtenção de uma mistura de ésteres alquílicos de ácidos graxos (biodiesel), empregando metanol e, também, etanol, a fim de valorizar essa matéria-prima nacional. Também avaliamos a atividade catalítica desses compl... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Among biofuels exploited nowadays, biodiesel has emerged as an alternative to diesel fuel derived from petroleum for being a renewable fuel, biodegradable and nontoxic. Currently, the production of this biofuel is almost 100 % via alkaline transesterification in homogeneous phase of triglycerides present in vegetable oils. However, about 70 % of the final price of biodiesel is due to the cost of these raw materials. Thus, developing technologies of maximum usability and environmental compatibility for a variety of cheap raw materials, such as animal fats and cooking oil waste, which have a high content of free fatty acids and are incompatible with alkaline catalysts, it becomes increasingly important. The available production technologies employ homogeneous catalysts mineral acids (Brönsted acids) which are corrosive, not being recyclable and result in great waste generation and effluents in neutralization and separation steps. In this work, we investigated the catalytic activity of three metal complexes exhibiting Lewis acid character: tin dibutyl diacetate, tin bromide and tin chloride. We tested these catalytic complexes in the alcoholysis of soybean oil and jatropha curcas oil, in order to obtain a mixture of alkyl esters of fatty acids (biodiesel) using methanol and also ethanol, in order to enhance this national raw material. We also evaluated the catalytic activity of these complexes compared to the basic classical catalytic transesterification (NaOH) and acid (H2SO4).... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Dans le cadre d’une réduction d’émission de gaz à effets de serre, la possibilité d’introduire une quantité de biodiesel dans les diesels dits « traditionnels », c’est-à-dire issus des énergies fossiles est une possibilité envisagée par les groupes pétroliers. Cependant, la connaissance des propriétés thermophysiques des fluides sous pression est mince, que ce soient des mélanges ou des corps purs, où peu de données expérimentales existent. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, une nouvelle sonde de mesures des propriétés acoustiques sous pression a été développée dans le but de réaliser des mesures de toutes les propriétés thermophysiques en utilisant un volume d’échantillon minimum grâce à la fois, à une technique de mesure de vitesse du son via l’utilisation de transducteurs piézoélectriques et de viscosité via l’utilisation de cristaux de quartz. Si cette thèse s’inscrit dans une démarche visant à travailler sur les biodiesels et leurs corps purs, la sonde développée au cours de ces trois ans est amenée à être expérimentée dans un avenir proche, sur des fluides directement issus de champs pétroliers et/ou de synthèses, sous pression afin de déterminer des propriétés thermophysiques mais également des équilibres de phase sous pression. / Key words : speed of sound, compressibility, density, viscosity, biodiesel, methyl and ethyl esters, pressure.In the context of reduction of exhaust gases, the possibility to introduce a quantity of biodiesel inside traditional diesel from fossils fuels is one of the step taken by petroleum societies. However, the knowledge of thermophysical properties of fluids is scant, for mixture and pure compounds, where few data exist. In this work, a new measurement probe under high pressure, has been developed in the aim to realize measurements of thermophysical properties using a minimum volume sample, thanks a technique of measurements of speed of sound using piezoelectric transducers and viscosity using quartz crystals. If this thesis is focused on the work on the biodiesels and their pure components, this probe will be experimented, in a near future, on fluids directly from oil fields and/or syntheses ones under pressure, in the aim to determine thermophysical properties but also phase equilibria.

A produção de biodiesel em larga escala deve impulsionar a pesquisa e desenvolvimento de tecnologias mais limpas e de menor custo relacionadas à obtenção e controle de qualidade desse combustível. A extração de óleo de soja com o solvente etanol resulta na produção de uma miscela rica em óleo, semi-refinada, que pode ser diretamente esterificável para produzir ésteres etílicos, sem a necessidade de evaporação do solvente. A transesterificação de miscelas por catálise heterogênea pode adicionar os benefícios do reaproveitamento do catalisador. O objetivo deste trabalho foi promover a otimização da transesterificação de miscelas etanólicas ricas em óleo de soja sob catálise heterogênea do fosfato de potássio tribásico (K3PO4), analisar o rendimento obtido com reutilizações do catalisador recuperado e promover sua regeneração. Foi realizada a adequação de uma técnica para quantificação do teor de ésteres, envolvendo separação por cromatografia em camada delgada associada à análise de coloração por espectrofotometria. Amostras de biodiesel de teor de ésteres conhecido foram oxidadas pela ação do dicromato de potássio em ácido sulfúrico, quantificando-se a mudança de cor do reagente de laranja para verde. O dicromato ácido foi capaz de oxidar completamente a fração isolada de ésteres, determinando os teores corretamente, à variação máxima de 2,05%, estabelecendo uma relação fixa de 0,08?g de dicromato consumido para cada ?g de biodiesel. A transesterificação com K3PO4 foi otimizada, alcançando rendimentos de 96,4% nas condições de RM 1:12, catalisador 5% e agitação 400rpm em 100 minutos de reação. O K3PO4 é um catalisador prático, pois sua utilização não requer etapas de preparação, no entanto apresentou indícios de solubilização no meio reacional. Os rendimentos obtidos com catalisador reutilizado foram baixos para todos os tratamentos de lavagem, sendo a lavagem moderada o escolhido devido a menor variabilidade de massa recuperada após as reutilizações. O catalisador regenerado resultou em rendimentos de 58,72%, equivalente a 84% do obtido com catalisador novo. O K3PO4 teve sua atividade prejudicada pelos fenômenos de saponificação e emulsificação, exigindo que mudanças sejam realizadas para que sua reutilização seja viável. A utilização de catalisadores heterogêneos e miscelas etanólicas lipídicas tem o potencial para redução dos custos de produção devido a obtenção de óleo vegetal sem a necessidade de refino e ao reaproveitamento de catalisador. / Large scale biodiesel production motivates research and development of cleaner low cost technologies related to the manufacture and quality control of this fuel. The extraction of soybean oil with the solvent ethanol results in the production of a rich in oil semi-refined miscella that can be directly esterified to produce ethyl esters, without the need of solvent evaporation. The transesterification of micellae by heterogeneous catalysis can add the benefits of reusing the catalyst. The aim of this work was to promote optimization of the transesterification of ethanolic soybean oil miscellae under heterogeneous catalysis of tripotassium phosphate (K3PO4), analyze the yield of reaction with reused catalyst and promote its regeneration. A technique for quantification of the ester content involving separation with thin layer chromatography and color analysis by spectrophotometry was also performed. Biodiesel samples of known ester content were oxidized by the potassium dichromate in sulfuric acid, and the change in color of the reagent from orange to green was quantified. The acid dichromate was able to completely oxidize the isolated fraction esters, correctly determining their content with a maximum variation of 2.05%, and revealing a fixed relation of 0,08?g of dichromate consumed per ?g of biodiesel. The transesterification with K3PO4 was optimized, reaching yields of 96.4% under the conditions of 1:12 molar ratio, 5% catalyst and 400rpm stirring in 100 minutes of reaction. The use of K3PO4 does not require preparation steps, but showed evidence of solubility in the reaction medium. Yields obtained with reused catalyst were low for all treatments, being the moderate washing (LM) chosen due to lower variability of mass recovered after reuses. The regenerated catalyst resulted in yields of 58.72%, equivalent to 84% of that obtained with fresh catalyst. The K3PO4 had its activity impaired by saponification and emulsification phenomena, requiring changes to make its reuse feasible. The use of heterogeneous catalysts with ethanolic rich in oil miscellae has the potential to reduce production costs due to the production of vegetable oil without the need of refining and the reuse of solid catalyst.

In this study, pharmaceutical-grade and food-grade linker-based lecithin self-emulsifying delivery systems (SEDS) were developed with a combination of lipophilic and hydrophilic linkers. These additives at suggested concentrations are safe for pharmaceutical and food applications. The ratio of surfactant lecithin and linkers in these systems was optimized to develop surfactant in oil preconcentrates. The preconcentrates containing different surfactant concentrations and oil were diluted with fed state simulated intestinal fluid to produce pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and to identify the formulations that produced self-emulsifying or self-microemulsifying delivery systems. Optimal SEDS preconcentrates were evaluated using a dialyzer model to simulate intestinal uptake. An uptake of 39.6 mg/cm2 for the pharmaceutical-grade SEDS was obtained within 72 minutes, which promises substantial improvement in the bioavailability of hydrophobic actives. The optimal uptake of 12.2 mg/cm2 for food-grade SEDS suggests enhancement in the bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids.

Cocaethylene (CE) is a cocaine metabolite formed during alcohol and cocaine co-consumption. To our knowledge, no previous studies were conducted assessing CE as a biomarker indicating chronic excessive alcohol consumption in a suspected high-risk population. In this study, we hypothesized that hair CE can be an effective marker for alcohol consumption in a high-risk population. We recorded cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and CE levels in hair samples from individuals, establishing the predictive value of CE by comparing it to hair levels of the widely used hair fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), direct markers of chronic excessive alcohol consumption. CE had 14.04% sensitivity and 95.18% specificity in samples separating FAEE positive/negative results. The positive predictive value was 0.66, showing that the results for individuals with CE positive results were more than likely to be FAEE positive, but not conclusively. Thus, CE cannot be used as a definitive marker, indicating chronic excessive alcohol consumption.

Diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is challenging and typically requires confirmation of in utero alcohol exposure. Due to the poor reliability of maternal self-reports, biomarkers have emerged to address the problem of obtaining exposure history. A relatively novel method for detecting prenatal alcohol exposure is analysis of meconium for fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), which are non-oxidative ethanol metabolites. Screening newborns using meconium FAEEs may facilitate early diagnosis and intervention in alcohol-affected individuals. The overall objective of this thesis is to further investigate, validate, and assess the clinical utility of meconium FAEE analysis as a screening tool for the identification of neonates at-risk for FASD. This objective was addressed in four separate studies. The first study assessed whether meconium FAEE concentrations can be predictive of ethanol-induced organ injury in fetal sheep, and determined that the levels of these esters could be used to identify fetuses at-risk for organ dysfunction that do not display overt physical signs of ethanol teratogenicity. The second study investigated the effect of delayed meconium collection and contamination with postnatal stool on FAEE analysis, and determined it to be a risk factor for false positive test results. In the third study, maternal willingness to partake in an open meconium screening program was assessed and found to be low enough to diminish the utility of meconium FAEE testing for population-based open screening. Lastly, a systematic review examining the capacity for FAEE synthesis and the enzymology of this non-oxidative metabolic pathway in mammalian organs and tissues revealed that FAEE synthesis is mediated by numerous enzymes and isoenzymes, many of which have other primary physiological functions, and that their contribution to overall FAEE-synthesis may be tissue-specific. Overall, the results of this research provide new information on the benefits, limitations, and utility of meconium FAEE testing as a screening tool for identifying prenatal alcohol exposure − a test that may be of great clinical value in the diagnosis and management of FASD.

Diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is challenging and typically requires confirmation of in utero alcohol exposure. Due to the poor reliability of maternal self-reports, biomarkers have emerged to address the problem of obtaining exposure history. A relatively novel method for detecting prenatal alcohol exposure is analysis of meconium for fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), which are non-oxidative ethanol metabolites. Screening newborns using meconium FAEEs may facilitate early diagnosis and intervention in alcohol-affected individuals. The overall objective of this thesis is to further investigate, validate, and assess the clinical utility of meconium FAEE analysis as a screening tool for the identification of neonates at-risk for FASD. This objective was addressed in four separate studies. The first study assessed whether meconium FAEE concentrations can be predictive of ethanol-induced organ injury in fetal sheep, and determined that the levels of these esters could be used to identify fetuses at-risk for organ dysfunction that do not display overt physical signs of ethanol teratogenicity. The second study investigated the effect of delayed meconium collection and contamination with postnatal stool on FAEE analysis, and determined it to be a risk factor for false positive test results. In the third study, maternal willingness to partake in an open meconium screening program was assessed and found to be low enough to diminish the utility of meconium FAEE testing for population-based open screening. Lastly, a systematic review examining the capacity for FAEE synthesis and the enzymology of this non-oxidative metabolic pathway in mammalian organs and tissues revealed that FAEE synthesis is mediated by numerous enzymes and isoenzymes, many of which have other primary physiological functions, and that their contribution to overall FAEE-synthesis may be tissue-specific. Overall, the results of this research provide new information on the benefits, limitations, and utility of meconium FAEE testing as a screening tool for identifying prenatal alcohol exposure − a test that may be of great clinical value in the diagnosis and management of FASD.