La 3,4-metilendioximetamfetamina (MDMA, èxtasi) és una droga de síntesi que es consumeix entre els joves de forma recreativa. S'ha postulat que la 3,4-dihidroximetamfetamina (HHMA), metabòlit que es forma a partir de l'O-demetilenació de la MDMA a través majoritàriament de l'isoenzim CYP2D6, podria tenir un paper important en el desenvolupament de la neurotoxicitat atribuïda a la MDMA. Així, un dels objectius de la tesi ha estat establir quin paper juga i quina importància té, des d'un punt de vista quantitatiu, aquest metabòlit HHMA en el metabolisme global de la MDMA in vivo. Per altra banda, el CYP2D6 és un enzim polimòrfic, i potencialment els subjectes metabolitzadors lents per aquesta acitivitat enzimàtica podrien tenir un risc més alt de patir toxicitat aguda. La MDMA es consumeix sovint concomitantment amb inhibidors selectius de la recaptació de serotonina (SSRI). Alguns SSRI, com la paroxetina i la fluoxetina, són inhibidors del CYP2D6 i es pot preveure una interacció metabòlica entre aquests tipus de substàncies. Mitjançant un assaig clínic (aleatori, doble cec, creuat i controlat amb placebo) en humans, s'ha estudiat la rellevància de la inhibició de l'activitat del CYP2D6, la seva contribució en el metabolisme de la MDMA i els efectes farmacològics que resulten de la co-administració de la MDMA i la paroxetina.Han estat determinades les concentracions plasmàtiques i urinàries de la MDMA i dels metabòlits més importants de la MDMA, així com les concentracions plasmàtiques de paroxetina juntament amb el seu metabòlit principal.Dels resultats obtinguts, la tesi conclou que l'HHMA és un metabòlit rellevant en la disposició metabòlica de la MDMA. L'estudi d'interacció mostra que la MDMA veu reduït el seu metabolisme oxidatiu al voltant d'un 30% i que ambdós compostos mostren una interacció metabòlica. El CYP2D6 podria contribuir in vivo en l'O-demetilenació de la MDMA en un 30%. / 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic amphetamine derivative misused among youths for recreational purposes. It has been postulated that 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine (HHMA), a metabolite resulting from the O-demethylenation of MDMA through CYP2D6 may play a role in the development of the neurotoxicity. Thus, one of the major aims of the thesis was to establish HHMA relevance, from a quantitative point of view, in MDMA metabolism. Moreover, CYP2D6 is a polymorphic enzyme and the participation of CYP2D6 in the oxidative metabolism of MDMA may suggest an increased risk for acute toxicity in poor metabolizers for this enzymatic activity. MDMA is sometimes consumed concomitantly with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Some SSRI are potent CYP2D6 inhibitors such as paroxetine or fluoxetine and a metabolic interaction between these drugs and MDMA could be expected. Thus, interaction studies of MDMA with SSRI may be an in vivo approach to evaluate the contribution of CYP2D6 on MDMA disposition and the effects of the co-administration of both compounds. The major objective was to assess the contribution of CYP2D6 to MDMA disposition using paroxetine as a metabolic probe inhibitor. It was carried out a clinical trial in humans. The study was randomized, double blind, crossover, and controlled with placebo. Plasma concentration-time profiles and urinary recoveries of MDMA and main metabolites including HHMA were obtained. Paroxetine and its main metabolite (hydroxy-methoxy-paroxetine) plasma concentrations were also determined. From the results obtained, it is conclude that HHMA is a relevant metabolite on MDMA disposition in humans. The interaction study shows a 30% reduction of MDMA metabolic disposition and both MDMA and paroxetine show a pharmacodynamic interaction. It is estimated that CYP2D6 may accounts for a 30% of MDMA O-demethylenation in humans.

La MDMA és cap de sèrie dels entactògens. El seu consum provoca toxicitat aguda i neurodegeneració a mig/llarg termini del sistema serotoninèrgic. Es postula que la bioactivació metabòlica podria ser responsable del desenvolupament de neurotoxicitat.La MDMA té un centre estereogènic. Es consumeix com a racemat, però els enantiòmers tenen perfils farmacològics diferenciats. A més, la MDMA té una depuració metabòlica enantioselectiva i autoinhibible (CYP2D6). Aquesta tesi presenta l'enantioselectivitat de la depuració metabòlica de la MDMA en consumidors recreatius participants d'un assaig clínic (dosi: 100 mg).Es sintetitzà material de referència i es desenvolupà metodologia per a l'anàlisi enantioselectiu i diastereoselectiu dels compostos.S'estudià l'enantioselectivitat en el metabolisme fins a 48h post-administració, obtenint-se raons (R)-MDMA/(S)-MDMA>1 i en augment amb el temps. Les raons del metabòlits majoritaris foren pràcticament constants i properes a 1, possiblement degut a la inhibició metabòlica del CYP2D6 i a la participació d'altres enzims no enantioselectius. / La MDMA es la cabeza de serie de los entactógenos. Su consumo provoca toxicidad aguda y neurodegeneración serotonérgica a medio/corto plazo. Se postula que una bioactivación metabólica podría ser responsable del desarrollo de neurotoxicidad.La MDMA tiene un centro estereogénico. Se consume como racemato, pero los enantiómeros tienen perfiles farmacológicos diferenciados. Además, presenta depuración metabólica enantioselectiva y autoinhibible (CYP2D6).Esta tesis presenta la enantioselectividad de la depuración metabólica de la MDMA en consumidores recreativos participantes de un ensayo clínico (dosis: 100 mg).Se sintetizó material de referencia y se desarrolló metodología para el análisis enantioselectivo y diastereoselectivo de los compuestos.Se estudió la enantioselectividad en el metabolismo hasta 48h post-administración, obteniéndose relaciones (R)-MDMA/(S)-MDMA>1 y en aumento con el tiempo. Las relaciones de los metabolitos mayoritarios fueron prácticamente constantes y cercanas a 1, posiblemente debido a la inhibición metabólica del CYP2D6 y a la participación de otros enzimas no enantioselectivos. / MDMA is the head of entactogenic compounds. Its consumption causes acute toxicity and mid/long term serotonergic neurodegeneration. It is postulated that a metabolic bioactivation may be responsible for development of neurotoxicity.MDMA has a stereogenic center. It is consumed as a racemate, but its enantiomers have different pharmacological profiles. Also, MDMA presents an enantioselective and self-inhibited metabolic disposition (CYP2D6).The present thesis shows data about enantioselective metabolic disposition of MDMA in recreative consumers that participated in a clinical trial (dose: 100 mg).It was synthesised reference material and it was developed methodology for both enantioselective and diastereoselective analysis MDMA and its main metabolites.It was studied the enantioselectivity in the metabolism after 48h post-administration. (R)-MDMA/(S)-MDMA ratios were >1 and increasing over time. Major metabolites ratios were practically constant and close to 1, possibly because of the metabolic inhibition of CYP2D6 and the role of other non-enantioselective enzymes.

Characterization and Source Apportionment of Ambient PM2.5 in Atlanta, Georgia: On-Road Emission, Biomass Burning and SOA Impact Bo Yan 260 Pages Directed by Drs. Armistead G. Russell and Mei Zheng Various airborne PM2.5 samples were collected in the metropolitan Atlanta and surrounding areas, which are directly impacted or dominated by on-road mobile and other typical urban emissions, regional transport sources, prescribed burning plumes, wildfire plumes, as well as secondary sources with anthropogenic and biogenic nature in origin. Detailed PM2.5 chemical speciation was conducted including over one hundred of GC/MS-quantified organic compounds, organic carbon (OC), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), elemental carbon (EC), ionic species, and tens of trace metals. Day-night, seasonal and spatial variations of PM2.5 characterization were also studied. Contributions of PM2.5 major sources were identified quantitatively through the receptor source apportionment models. These modeling results, especially on-road mobile source contributions and secondary organic carbon (SOC) were assessed by multiple approaches. Furthermore, new season- and location-specific source profiles were developed in this research to reflect real-world and representative local emission characterizations of on-road mobile sources, aged prescribed burning plumes, and wildfire plumes. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA), a major component of PM2.5 in the summer, was also explored for sources and contributions.

Adaptation to environmental changes is important for the survival of living organisms. Under extreme abiotic conditions, organic molecules (such as lipids, proteins and nucleic acids) are prone to damage. Under these conditions stress response mechanisms are activated, either to prevent the source of damage or to promote the rapid turnover of damaged molecules. Like all photoautotrophic organisms, cyanobacteria are sensitive to high light intensity and oxidative stress, which induces damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. My thesis is divided in two subjects related to particular stress responses in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803: 1) the role of Deg/HtrA proteases and 2) investigations on the small CAB-like proteins. Deg/HtrA proteases are ATP-independent serine endopeptidases with a characteristic C-terminal PDZ domain. These proteases are largely dispersed among living organisms, with many different functions, mostly involved in protein quality control. The genome of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 contains three genes coding for Deg/HtrA proteases: HtrA, HhoA and HhoB. These proteases are essential for survival under high light and heat stress, and may overlap in their functions. During my Ph.D. studies I focused on the identification of the precise localization of the Deg/HtrA proteases in the cyanobacterial cell, analyzed the biochemical properties of recombinant Synechocystis Deg/HtrA proteases in vitro and adopted proteomic and metabolomic approaches to study the physiological importance of these proteases. My data show that Deg/HtrA proteases are not only important in stress response mechanisms under adverse conditions, but are also involved in the stabilization of important physiological processes, such as polysaccharides biosynthesis and peptidoglycan turnover. The small CAB-like proteins (SCPs) belong to the light harvesting-like family of stress induced proteins and are thought to be involved in the photoprotection of the photosynthetic apparatus. Five small CAB-like proteins where identified in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (ScpA-E). In my studies I identified another relative to the SCPs, LilA, which I found to be co-transcribed with ScpD. I also focused on the subcellular localization and identification of potential interaction partners of the SCPs.

Ce mémoire décrit la synthèse, la caractérisation spectroscopique et l’étude de la réactivité catalytique d’une nouvelle série de complexes pinceurs de Ni(II) formés à partir du ligand POCOPPh (P,C,P-2,6-{Ph2PO}2C6H4), très peu étudié dans le cas du nickel. Les études décrites dans ce mémoire examinent l’effet des substituants des phosphines sur les propriétés spectroscopiques et électrochimiques ainsi que les activités catalytiques. La synthèse du ligand a été améliorée par rapport à la procédure connue dans la littérature en diminuant le temps de réaction à 30 min et la température jusqu'à température ambiante. Les composés pinceur (P,C,P-2,6-{Ph2PO}2C6H3)NiX ont été obtenus avec des rendements variant entre 60% et 88%. Le premier complexe a été synthétisé en faisant réagir le précurseur NiBr2(NCCH3)x avec le ligand POCOPPh pour donner (POCOPPh)NiBr. Ce dernier réagit par la suite avec les sels d’argent et de potassium pour donner 4 nouveaux complexes soient : (POCOPPh)NiCN, (POCOPPh)NiOTf, (POCOPPh)NiOAc et (POCOPPh)NiONO2 (OTf = triflate et OAc = acetate). Vu la réactivité limitée du dérivé bromure, le dérivé (POCOPPh)NiOTf a été utilisé pour la préparation du composé (POCOPPh)NiCCPh. Le dérivé Ni-OTf a été utilisé également pour la synthèse des complexes (POCOPPh)NiR qui ont été détectés par RMN. Ces complexes (POCOPPh)NiR ont montré une stabilité trop faible et donnent des nouveaux complexes de type (POCOPPh)NiX en échangeant l’halogène avec le Mg ou de type (POCOPPh)NiOH en s’hydrolysant. Les espèces cationiques [(POCOPPh)NiNCR][OTf] (R= Me, CHCH2, CHCHMe, C(Me)CH2, NCCH2CH2N(Ph)H) ont été obtenues facilement et avec des bon rendements à partir du (POCOPPh)NiOTf. Tous les composés obtenus ont été caractérisés par la spectroscopie RMN (1H, 13C{1H}, 31P{1H}, 19F{1H}), la spectroscopie IR et la spectroscopie UV-vis. L’analyse élémentaire et l’analyse par la diffraction des rayons X, dont le but est de résoudre la structure à l’état solide, ont été utilisées pour la plupart des complexes. Des études de voltampérométrie cyclique ont été menées pour déterminer la densité électronique des centres métalliques et l’effet des phosphines sur cette propriété électrochimique. Dans le but de déterminer l’effet des substituants des phosphines sur l’activité catalytique des complexes, nous avons évalué les réactivités catalytiques des deux complexes (POCOPPh)NiOTf et (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf dans la réaction d’hydroamination des oléfines activés et plus spécifiquement l’acrylonitrile. Après optimisation des conditions expérimentales, on a constaté que la réactivité des deux composés sont similaires mais une grande différence apparaît après l’ajout des additifs. En effet, le complexe (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf donne une bonne activité catalytique en présence de la triéthylamine, tandis que cette activité diminue considérablement en présence d’eau, contrairement au complexe (POCOPPh)NiOTf qui est plus actif en présence d’eau. Dans le cas du complexe (POCOPPh)NiOTf, on a pu montrer que la base se coordonne au nickel dans le produit formé après la réaction d’hydroamination, ce qui diminue l’activité de ce complexe dans certains cas. Également on a exploré la réaction de l’addition du lien O-H sur l’acrylonitrile, et étonnamment le complexe (POCOPPh)NiOTf est beaucoup plus actif que son homologue (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf dans le cas des alcools aromatiques. Par contre, les alcools aliphatiques restent un défi majeur pour ce genre de complexe. Le mécanisme de cette réaction qui a été proposé montre que l’alcoolyse passe par les deux intermédiaires (POCOPPh)NiOAr et [(POCOPPh)NiOAr][HOAr] mais l’isolation de ces intermédiaires observés par RMN semble être difficile. / This thesis describes the synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and the catalytic activities of a new family of pincer complexes of Ni (II) starting from the ligand POCOPPh (P,C,P-2,6-{Ph2PO}2C6H4) for which very few nickel complexes have been reported previsouly. We discuss the influence of P-substituents on the spectroscopic, electrochemical and catalytic activities of these complexes. The synthesis of POCOPPh has been improved comparatively to the procedure reported in the literature by reducing the reaction time to 30 minutes and the temperature to room temperature. The complex (P,C,P-2,6-{Ph2PO}2C6H3)NiBr was obtained with 88% yield by reacting the precursor NiBr2(NCCH3)x with POCOPPh . This complex was then reacted with various silver and potassium salts to give the following complexes (POCOPPh)NiCN, (POCOPPh)NiOTf, (POCOPPh)NiOAc and (POCOPPh)NiONO2 (OTf = triflate et OAc = acetate). The limited reactivity of the bromo derivative led us to use (POCOPPh)NiOTf for the preparation of some of the desired derivatives, such as (POCOPPh)NiCCPh. Attempts to prepare the desired alkyl derivatives (POCOPPh)NiR were not successful, but we were able to detect these derivatives using NMR. The thermal instability of (POCOPPh)NiR led to formation of new (POCOPPh)NiX complexes by halogen exchange with MgX2 or (POCOPPh)NiOH by hydrolysis. The cationic species [(POCOPPh)NiNCR][OTf] (R = Me, CHCH2, CHCHMe, C(Me)CH2, NCCH2CH2N(Ph)H) also were obtained easily from the (POCOPPh)NiOTf with good yields. All these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C{1H} 31P{1H}, 19F{1H}), IR spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. For most complexes analysis by X-ray diffraction allowed us to establish their solid state structures. A few studies by cyclic voltammetry have been done to determine the electronic density of the metal center and the P-substituent influence on this characteristic. In order to investigate the effect of phosphine substituents on the catalytic activities of this type of complexes, catalytic studies were undertaken with the following two complexes (POCOPPh)NiOTf and (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf in hydroamination of activated olefins specifically acrylonitrile. After optimization of experimental conditions, it was found that both complexes have similar activities but what makes a huge difference is the use of additives. Indeed, (POCOPi-Pr)NiOTf showed good catalytic activity in the presence of triethylamine as base but this activity decreased significantly in the presence of water. The opposite was observed with (POCOPPh)NiOTf complex: it was shown that triethylamine coordinates to the nickel center in this complex and hence reduces its activity in some cases. We Also explored other reactions such as the addition of the O-H bond in aromatic alcohols to acrylonitrile, and it was surprising that (POCOPPh)NiOTf is much more active than its homologous (POCOPi-Pr)-NiOTf. However aliphatic alcohols remain a major challenge for this kind of complex. Mechanistic studies suggest that this reaction passes through the following intermediates (POCOPPh)NiOAr and [(POCOPPh)NiOAr][HOAr]. These species were observed by NMR but not isolated.

Natural plant growth regulators (phytohormones) are a group of organic compounds which, in very small amounts, act as regulators of physiological processes in plants.Methods were developed for the analysis of phytohormones in samples from Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris (L.) Karst»). Identification of abscisic acid, 3-indoleacetic acid, gibbe-rellin Ag and the conjugate N-(3-indoleacetyl)aspartic acid was performed by GC-MS as their methyl esters. A quantitative determination of abscisic acid was made by GC-ECD and this method was also applied to anther samples of Anemone canadensis. 3-Indole-acetic acid and N-(3-indoleacetyl)aspartic acid were quantified by reversed-phase HPLC and spectrofluorimetric detection. Dichlorophene, used as a growth regulator in containerized seedlings of pine and spruce, was analysed by GC-MID in peat and paper. / digitalisering@umu

The most frequent soils in the São Paulo State Coastal Plain are Podzols, characterized by strong to moderate hydromorphic to well-drained podzolization with very well developed podzol-B horizons (Bh or Bhm). Podzolization processes include the effects of hydrology and rooting on profile morphology and the subsequent effects of improved drainage. A Podzol chrono-hydrosequence was described in detail on a cliff at the south coast of Ilha Comprida, a Holocene barrier island, and allowed a subdivision into four distinct groups: poorly-drained profiles, profiles with well-drained B horizons, strongly rooted profiles and superposed profiles. The morphological description and some observations about the exposure cliff were essential for grouping and differentiating the podzol profiles. Some well-drained podzols have OM-depleted mottles that are related to selective decomposition of organic matter (OM) by microorganisms. Such mottles are frequently associated to root channels. Seventeen profiles were studied, thirteen had depletion mottles scattered along the profile. Most of these mottles are whitish and are located preferentially in the horizons of transition between the E and B horizons, particularly in conditions of good drainage. Such mottles have certain morphological differences and may be grouped according to similarities in their morphology and their position in the profile. Distinct groups are: (a) concentric OM-depleted mottles; (b) circular/tubular OM-depleted mottles (burrows); (c) dotted OM-depleted mottles; (d) ghost OM-depleted mottles; (e) irregular OM-depleted mottles and (f) Fe-depleted mottles. The chemical composition of soil organic matter was studied in detail using pyrolysis in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Samples of all horizons of the distinct profiles studied were taken, as well as from the center of the mottle (M) and from the direct surroundings (S). The processes involved in the genesis of Podzols in the sandy coastal plain are directly related to drainage, the contribution of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the contribution of organic matter derived from roots, the chemical composition of organic matter and its decomposition by microorganisms, causing a large variation in adjacent Podzols. The well-drained Podzols differ in characteristics from the poorly drained ones in composition and deposition of OM, as well as its decomposition, which is directly related to the activity of groups of microorganisms. They also differ in the relative contribution of OM-derived from roots and DOM. There is a wide variation in the characteristics of decomposition by microorganisms between the profiles of Podzols permanently exposed to air and marine spray (the cliffs) on Ilha Comprida and those inland (pits). There are therefore two main processes that change the morphology of Podzols (OM and composition): (a) change in drainage and rooting, and (b) exposure to air. / Os solos mais frequentes na Planície Costeira do Estado de São Paulo são os podzóis, caracterizados por podzolização com hidromorfismo forte a moderado a bem drenado com horizontes B-podzol muito bem desenvolvidos (Bh ou Bhm). O processo de podzolização inclui os efeitos da hidrologia e do enraizamento no perfil e os efeitos subsequentes da drenagem melhorada. Uma crono-hidrosequencia de podzóis foi descrita em detalhes em um barranco na costa sul da Ilha Comprida, uma ilha barreira do Holoceno, e permitiu uma subdivisão em quatro grupos distintos: perfis mal drenados, perfis com horizonte B bem drenados, perfis fortemente enraizados e perfis superpostos. A descrição morfológica e algumas observações sobre o barranco exposto foram essenciais para o agrupamento e diferenciar os perfis de podzóis. Alguns desses podzóis bem drenados possuem manchas esbranquiçadas que estão relacionadas com a seletiva decomposição da matéria orgânica (MO) por microorganismos. Tais manchas são freqüentemente associadas aos canais radiculares. Foram estudados dezessete perfis, dos quais treze apresentaram manchas de esgotamento espalhadas ao longo do perfil. A maioria destas manchas são esbranquiçadas e estão localizadas preferencialmente nos horizontes de transição entre os horizontes E e B, particularmente em condições de boa drenagem. Tais manchas possuem algumas diferenças morfológicas e puderam ser agrupadas de acordo com semelhanças na sua morfologia e da sua posição no perfil. Os grupos são: (a) manchas concêntricas de depleção da MO; (b) manchas circulares/tubularess de depleção da MO (tocas); (c) manchas pontilhadas de depleção da MO; (d) manchas fantasmas de depleção da MO; (e) manchas irregulares de depleção da MO; e (f) manchas de depleção de Fe. A composição química da matéria orgânica do solo foi estudada em detalhe por pirólise em combinação com cromatografia em fase gasosa/espectrometria de massa (Py-CG/EM). Amostras de todos os horizontes dos perfis estudados foram coletadas, bem como amostras do centro das manchas (M) e do solo adjacente (S). Os processos envolvidos na gênese de podzóis da planície costeira arenosa estão diretamente relacionados com a drenagem, a contribuição de matéria orgânica dissolvida (MOD), a contribuição de matéria orgânica derivada de raízes, a composição química da matéria orgânica e sua decomposição por microorganismos, causando uma grande variação no podzóis. Os podzóis bem drenados diferem em características dos mal drenados em composição e deposição de MO, bem como a sua decomposição, que está directamente relacionada com a actividade dos grupos de microrganismos. Eles também diferem na contribuição relativa da MO derivada de raízes e MOD. Existe uma grande variação nas características da decomposição por microorganismos entre os perfis de podzóis permanentemente expostas ao ar e spray marinho (falésias) na Ilha Comprida e os do interior (trincheiras). Há, portanto, dois processos principais que alteram a morfologia de podzóis (composição da MO): (a) mudança na drenagem e enraizamento, e (b) a exposição ao ar.

Diabetes mellitus currently affects over 422 million people globally and over 80% of patients with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy. Patients with diabetic retinopathy initially develop background retinopathy, which does not cause significant deterioration of visual function; however, background retinopathy may progress and lead to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema, both of which cause severe visual dysfunction if left untreated. Current therapies for diabetic retinopathy include invasive intravitreal injections and laser photocoagulation; however these treatments only attenuate the progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema. Aside from prevention by maintaining good blood glucose and blood pressure control, there are currently no treatments to prevent progression to late-stage diabetic retinopathy and new innovations in the field have not significantly progressed. For this reason, we have used untargeted –omics approaches to identify previously unknown pathological pathways in diabetes. In this thesis, I have analysed a range of trace metals in donor retinas and found that total copper was increased in diabetic retinas compared with non-diabetic. This result was replicated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat retinas and further evidenced by upregulation of metallothioneins and caeruloplasmin in diabetic rat retinas compared with non-diabetic. Treatment with the copper chelator triethylenetetramine modulated these changes, the downstream effects of which require further study. This is the first description, to our knowledge, of dysregulated copper homeostasis in the diabetic retina. I have also mapped metabolic changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat retinas and found previously undescribed metabolite changes such as diabetes-induced downregulation of scyllo inositol. This coincided with substantial changes to retinal lipids during diabetes and changes to individual lipids were consistent within their respective class. I have also found a pattern whereby regardless of the extent of change to a lipid class in diabetes, lipids containing docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 carbon chain) were consistently downregulated. This is thought to be the first study to describe this range of metabolite changes in the diabetic retina but also the first study to describe this range of metabolite analysis concomitantly within the same tissue sample. The data from this study provides new insights into metallomic and metabolic dysfunction in diabetic retinopathy and shown that these data are reproducible. We suggest that there is plenty of scope for further research to investigate mechanisms behind copper dysregulation, how this affects pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy along with new insights into dysregulated metabolic pathways.

Water is a crucial natural resource, indispensable to food production, life, the environment, power generation, industry, sanitation and hygiene. The presence of Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) in the environment is not wanted due to their negative effects on human beings and animals. As a result, there is a need to continuously monitor their presence in the environment. In this study, surface water samples were collected once a month during the dry season and during wet season from the selected five points along the Olifants River and stored at a temperature of < 50C before analysis. The OCPs were extracted with dichloromethane (DCM) using the Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE) method. After undertaking the sample through the clean- up process, the crude extracts obtained were put into the column chromatography and eluted with hexane, about 1.5 μL of the purified extracts were analysed by the Gas Chromatographic- Mass Spectrophotometer (GC/MS). The percentage recoveries, varied from 32- 116 % for p, p’-DDT and 4,4'-DDD respectively in triply spiked water samples. The standard deviation for most of the compounds is less than±0.04, with the exclusion of Heptachlor (±0.14). The seasonal variability of OCPs in water samples along Olifants River results show that in dry season, the Olifants River is mostly polluted at the Oxford site with (BHC-beta, Aldrin, Heptachlor-epoxide, Endosulfan-alpha and Endrin), at the Ga- Selati site with (Heptachlor-epoxide and Endrin) and at the Wolvekrans site with (Endosulfan-alpha), with Aldrin up to 834.20 ng/ L indicating the highest hazard toward the aquatic environment while in summer the Olifants River is mostly polluted at the Ga- selati site with BHC-beta and at the Waterval site with (Heptachlor and BHC-gamma) with BHC- gamma up to 560 ng/ L indicating the highest hazard toward the aquatic environment. The levels reached from the Olifants River catchment were meaningfully above the drinking water quality guidelines for organic chemical recommended by WHO, 2006 i.e. (BHC-gamma,DDT-44, Aldrin, dieldrin and Endrin are (2.0,1.0,0.03,0.03 and 0.6) respectively for the protection of the domestic use, aquatic ecology and agricultural use (irrigation and livestock watering) for compounds with local guideline values; while, the international water quality guidelines to protect the aquatic ecosystems are 0.00083 ng/mℓ (4,4’DDD), 0.00059 ng/mL (4,4’DDE), (4,4’DDT), 0.00021 ng/mL (heptachlor), 0.0092 ng/mℓ (α-HCH), 0.0186 ng/mL (γ- HCH), and chronic values are 0.056 ng/mL (ENDO I and II) and 0.0023 ng/mL endrin) (USEPA, 2002). Levels detected were significantly higher than some research studies conducted up to now in South African aquatic environments. These results confirm the contamination of the Olifants River catchment by the OCPs. / Water and Sanitation / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Face aux normes actuelles et futures, de plus en plus drastiques, concernant les émissions de polluants, les constructeurs automobiles cherchent en permanence à améliorer l'efficacité des moteurs à allumage commandé. Une des solutions les plus efficaces et applicables pour diminuer la quantité de polluants émis dans les gaz d’échappement (HC, CO, NOx) et réduire la consommation de carburant, est d’utiliser un mélange très pauvre (richesse du mélange inférieure à 0,6). Toutefois, ce concept de fonctionnement est limité par les systèmes d'allumage classiques qui ne peuvent pas garantir un allumage du mélange air / combustible dans de bonnes conditions, de manière à assurer une combustion complète, rapide et reproductible.Le sujet de cette thèse consiste en l'élaboration d'un nouveau système d'allumage basé sur une bougie d’allumage double, qui peut produire deux d'étincelles quasi-simultanées, dont la longueur cumulée est plusieurs fois plus élevée que celle d’étincelles produites par une bougie d'allumage classique. Pour valider ce système d'allumage, trois différents types d'analyses ont été réalisés: une analyse des paramètres électriques des décharges, un diagnostic du plasma par spectroscopie optique d'émission, et des essais in situ du système d'allumage sur deux moteurs à combustion interne avec analyse des gaz d'échappement et détermination des performances des moteurs.Ces tests ont révélé que l'utilisation du système d’allumage à double étincelle peut assurer une meilleure stabilité dans le fonctionnement du moteur (en particulier dans les conditions d'allumage difficiles, en utilisant des mélanges très pauvres) ; des performances accrues du moteur pour une même quantité de carburant consommé ; et une diminution de la quantité d’hydrocarbures imbrûlés et de monoxyde de carbone dans les gaz d'échappement, mais avec une plus grande émission d'oxydes d'azote par rapport à un système d'allumage classique. / Faced with the current and future more and more drastic standards for pollutant emissions, the car manufacturers are permanently trying to improve the efficiency of spark ignition engines. One of the most effective applicable solutions for reducing the quantity of pollutant emissions (HC, CO, NOx) from the exhaust gases and also to reduce the fuel consumption is to operate with very lean mixture (equivalent ratio lower than 0.6). However, this operation concept is limited by the actual ignition systems that cannot assure an air/fuel mixture ignition in good conditions, in order to assure a complete, fast and repeatable combustion. The subject of this thesis consists into developing of a new ignition system based on a double spark plug, which can produce two quasi-simultaneous spark discharges with cumulated length few times higher than the sparks produced by a conventional spark plug. For ignition system validation, three different types of analysis have been considered: the analysis of the discharges electrical parameters, the plasma diagnosis using optical emission spectroscopy methods and the tests of the ignition system on two internal combustion engines with the exhaust gases analysis and engine performances determination. The tests revealed that the utilization of the double spark ignition system can assure a better stability in engine operation (especially in difficult ignition conditions such using very lean mixtures), increased engine performances for the same amount of consumed fuel and it can provide a diminution of the unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide quantities from the exhaust gases, but with an increased quantity of nitrogen oxides, compared with a conventional ignition system.