The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway regulates a wide range of cytoprotective genes, and has been found to serve a protective and beneficial role in many body systems. There is limited information available, however, about its role in bone homeostasis. While Nrf2 activation has been suggested as an effective method of increasing bone mass and quality, there have been conflicting reports which associate Keap1 deficiency with detrimental phenotypes. As Keap1 deletion is a common method of Nrf2 activation, further study should address the impacts of various methods of regulating Nrf2 expression. Also, little research has been conducted on the specific pathways by which Nrf2 activation improves bone quality. In this study, the effects of alterations to Nrf2 activation levels were explored in two specific and varied scenarios. In the first experiment, moderate Nrf2 activation was achieved via partial deletion of its sequestering protein, Keap1, in an aging mouse model. The hypothesis tested here is that moderate Nrf2 activation improves bone quality by affecting bone metabolism and response to mechanical loading. The results of this first experiment suggest a subtle, sex-specific effect of moderate Nrf2 activation in aging mice which improves specific indices of bone quality to varying degrees, but does not affect loading-induced bone formation. It is likely that the overwhelming phenotypic impacts associated with aging or the systemic effects of global Keap1 deficiency may increase the difficulty in parsing out significant effects that can be attributed solely to Nrf2 activation. In the second experiment, a cell-specific knockout of Nrf2 in the osteocytes was achieved using a Cre/Lox breeding system. The hypothesis tested here is that osteocyte-specific deletion of Nrf2 impairs bone quality by affecting bone metabolism and response to mechanical loading. The results of this experiment suggest an important role of Nrf2 in osteocyte function which improves certain indices of bone quality, which impacts male and female bones in different 7 ways, but did not significantly impact loading-induced bone formation. Further studies should modify the method of Nrf2 activation in an effort to refine the animal model, allowing the effects of Nrf2 to be isolated from the potential systemic effects of Keap1 deletion. Future studies should also utilize other conditional knockout models to elucidate the effects of Nrf2 in other specific cell types.

Funktionalisierte Poly(2-oxazoline) als neue Materialien stellen sowohl unter strukturellen Gesichtspunkten als auch im Hinblick auf potentielle Anwendungen eine interessante Polymerklasse dar. Die Ausbildung von hierarchischen Strukturen mit Poly(2-oxazolinen) über intermolekulare Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen ist hierbei ein bisher nicht beachteter Aspekt. Über einen bioinspirierten Ansatz sollten gezielt funktionelle Gruppen, die für einen hierarchischen Aufbau, z.B. in Proteinen, verantwortlich sind, in vereinfachter Weise auf die synthetische Substanzklasse der Poly(2-oxazoline) übertragen werden. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der modularen Synthese neuer, funktionalisierter Poly(2-oxazolin) Homo- und Copolymere. Ausgehend von der Synthese von 2-(3-Butenyl)-2-oxazolin wurden definierte Präpolymere in einer kationischen Isomerisierungspolymerisation unter kontrolliert/„lebenden“ Bedingungen hergestellt. In einer anschließenden „Thio-Click“ (Thiol-En-Reaktion) Modifizierungsreaktion wurden die gewünschten funktionellen Gruppen quantitativ eingeführt. Hydroxylierte Poly(2-oxazoline) wurden hinsichtlich ihres Aggregationsverhaltens in Wasser untersucht. Bereits die jeweiligen Homopolymere bildeten aufgrund von intermolekularen Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen supramolekulare tubuläre Nanofasern aus. Durch Einsatz verschiedener analytischer Methoden konnte die innere Struktur der Nanoröhren beschrieben und ein entsprechendes Modell aufgestellt werden. Die dargestellten funktionellen Poly(2-oxazoline) wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Anwendung als potentielle, synthetische „antifreeze additives“ untersucht. Alle Polymere besitzen eine ausgeprägte Tendenz zur Nukleierung von Wasser und führen daher zu signifikanten Änderungen der Eismorphologie. Des weiteren wurde ein carboxyliertes Derivat zur biomimetischen Mineralisation von Kalziumcarbonat eingesetzt und nach phänomenologischen Gesichtspunkten untersucht. / Functionalized poly(2-oxazoline)s are a promising class of materials concerning their self-assembly behavior as well as for future applications. Hierarchical structure formation based on hydrogen bonding interactions has not been investigated yet. Applying a bioinspired approach, functional groups promoting hierarchical structure formation are introduced to poly(2-oxazoline)s. This work is focused on the modular synthesis of new functionalized poly(2-oxazoline) homo and copolymers. Starting from the synthesis of the new monomer 2-(3-butenyl)-2-oxazolin, well-defined precursor materials were prepared via cationic isomerization polymerization. Next, the polymers were quantitatively modified with the aimed functional groups using a “thio-click” (thiol-ene) reaction. The aggregation behaviour of hydroxylated poly(2-oxazolines) in water was investigated. Homo- as well as block copolymers can form supramolecular hollow nanofibers via intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Using a variety of different analytical methods, the structure of the nanotubes was determined and a formation model was proposed. Furthermore, the functionalized poly(2-oxazoline)s were investigated as synthetic mimics of natural anti-freeze additives. It was found, that these polymers show the tendency to nucleate water, thus influencing the morphology of ice. Finally, a carboxylated derivative was applied as an additive for the mineralization of calcium carbonate.

This Thesis presents studies of molecular association in aqueous solution and at the liquid/solid interface. The investigated molecular systems range from self-aggregating surfactants to hydration water in contact with micelles or individual molecules. In most studies, combinations of various NMR methods were applied. These vary from simple chemical shift and intensity measurements to more elaborate self-diffusion and intermolecular cross-relaxation experiments. Non-ideal mixed micelles of fluorinated and hydrogenated surfactants were studied by an experimental procedure that allows an analysis in terms of micellar structure, using a minimal number of initial assumptions. Quantitative conclusions about micro-phase separation within mixed micelles were obtained within the framework of the regular solution theory. Additionally, NMR was introduced and developed as a powerful method for studying adsorption of surfactants at solid interfaces. Adsorption isotherms for pure and mixed surfactant systems and non-ideal mixing behavior of fluorinated and hydrogenated surfactants at solid surfaces were quantified. Fluorosurfactant-protein association was investigated using the methods described. Intermolecular cross-relaxation rates between solute and solvent molecules were recorded at several different magnetic fields. The results reveal strong frequency dependence for both small molecules and micelles. This finding demonstrates that intermolecular cross-relaxation is not solely controlled by fast local motions, but also by long-range translational dynamics. Data analysis in terms of recently developed relaxation models provides information about the hydrophobic hydration and micellar structure. / QC 20100914

The objective of this thesis is to propose modeling techniques that enable the design and optimization of material systems which require descriptions via molecular simulations. These kinds of systems are quite common in materials and engineering research. The first step in performing design and optimization tasks on such systems is the development of accurate simulation models from experimental data. In the first part of this thesis, we present a novel simulation model for the hyperbranched polymerization process of difunctional A2 oligomers, and B3 monomers. Unlike the previous models developed by other groups, our model is able to simulate the evolution of the polymer structure development under a wide range of synthesis routes, and in the presence of cyclization and endcapping reactions. Furthermore, our results are in agreement with the experimental data, and add insight into the underlying kinetic mechanisms of this polymerization process. The second major step in our work is the development of reduced order process models that are suitable for design and optimization tasks, using simulation data. We illustrate our approach on a stochastic simulation model of epitaxial thin film deposition process. Compared to the widely used approach called equation-free modeling, our method requires fewer assumptions about the dynamic system. The assumptions required in equation-free modeling include a wide separation between the time scales of low and high order moments describing the system state, and the accuracy of the time derivatives of system properties computed from molecular simulation data, despite the potentially large amount of fluctuations in stochastic simulations. Unlike the recent similar studies, our study also includes the analysis of prediction error which is important to evaluate the predictions of the reduced order model, compared to the high dimensional molecular simulations. Hence, we address two major issues in this thesis: development of simulation models from molecular experimental data, and derivation of reduced order models from molecular simulation data. These two aspects of modeling are both necessary to design and optimize processing conditions of materials for which continuum level descriptions are not available or accurate enough.

This thesis presents a new developed method for first intermolecular aldehyde/ketone cross benzoin coupling. Protected &amp / #945 / -keto tertiary alcohols are synthesized starting from easily available acyl phosphonates and ketones via Brook rearrangement in the presence of catalytic amount of cyanide ion. The scopes and the limitations of the methods for the synthesis of tertiary alcohols with &amp / #945 / -keto group are discovered.

Particles originating from bacteria, fungi (including mold spores, mildew, yeast), pollen, dust mites, and viruses can induce immune responses that trigger allergies and asthma. Carpeting is believed to act as a "sink" where bioparticulates are trapped via adhesive interactions and then are released by foot traffic or cleaning. This scenario can result in an accumulation of contaminants at higher levels than would be found outdoors or in a carpet-less environment. Numerous organizations (school districts, hospitals) have taken steps to remove carpeting, even though this hypothesis remains unproven. While statistical studies exist both in support and denial of the accumulation hypothesis, there is little fundamental understanding of the microscopic-level interactions between carpet and bioparticles. A fundamental understanding of particle affinities with polymers utilized in carpet would help to develop accurate models and address real problems in a rational and productive manner. In addition, a solution to the bioparticulate accumulation problem would have a profound impact on US health, resulting in significant economic savings. More than 20 million people suffer from asthma in the U.S., with children being the most vulnerable. In 2000 there were 9.3 million physician office visits and 1.8 million emergency room visits due to asthma alone, resulting in an estimated $9.4 billion in medical costs and $4.6 billion in lost productivity annually. In this thesis, two measurement techniques were developed to quantify the adhesive interactions between biological particulates and polymeric carpeting materials. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to measure the adhesive interactions of relevant biological particulates (in this case the E. coli bacteria and A. artemisiifolia ragweed pollen grains) with Nylon-6 and Nylon-6,6, polyamide-12 and polystyrene. The adhesion force measurements were modeled using several adhesion theories. We found that the Hamaker models were sufficient for explaining the data, indicating the prominence of van der Waals forces in controlling bioparticle interactions with polyamides. In addition, the geometry of the pollen played a significant role: adhesion forces were approximately a multiple of the number of contact points the grain has with the surface. Forces for E. coli and polyamides were about the same magnitude as polyamide-polyamide surface self-interactions.

The work described here details the experimental progress toward an improved means of HIV-1 diagnosis and an explanation of the experimental approaches taken to advance a previously developed HIV-1 reverse transcriptase detection assay using RNA aptamers for protein capture. After characterization of the identity and function of the aptamer samples to be used, we first set about clarifying the nature of the assay and pinning down sources of variability inherent in the original Aptamer Antibody Sandwich Assay (AASA) such that through the course of this work we might bring the assay to a point of high reproducibility. In doing so, we devised a set of criteria for data analysis and filtration and established a process to examine whether modifications to the method resulted in measurable improvement. Two new methods were tested in the hope that they might later be extended to our ultimate project goal of distinguishing binding affinity variations among HIV-1 reverse transcriptase protein and its mutant variants. Both method modifications involved the addition of a fluorescently labeled Cy5 probe to the immobilized aptamer construct. The addition of a fluorescent label to each printed aptamer allowed for detection of aptamer presence in addition to protein binding, essentially serving as a simple internal control for aptamer-protein binding. After optimizing the AASA aptamer construct and experimental procedure, the AASA was extended to a multiplexed array format. Using four groups of aptamers selected against two HIV-1 RT variants (wild-type and mutant 3) we tested the hypothesis that immobilized anti-HIV-1 aptamers might be capable of binding HIV-1 RT variants and regardless of their selective target. The experiments described here are the first example of these aptamers being used in a multiplexed array format, and the results are not only a clear exemplification of the capacity of RNA aptamers for detection in this novel, immobilized assay format, but also an indicator of the utility and flexibility of RNA aptamer functionality. The promising results described in these preliminary studies are the starting block from which several interesting aptamer-protein interaction and drug-competition studies have begun. / text

Os métodos computacionais da química quântica foram empregados para estudar as estruturas moleculares e as energias de interação de cátions e ânions que são componentes de alguns líquidos iônicos funcionalizados, derivados do imidazólio. O estudo teve como objetivo comparar e relacionar os efeitos da presença de funcionalização nos substituintes das posições 1 e 3 do cátion imidazólio, nas propriedades desses líquidos iônicos. Essa funcionalização pode ocorrer pela presença de insaturações, grupos aromáticos, éteres, álcoois, tióis, aminas, nitrilas entre outros grupos nas cadeias dos substituintes. Nesta tese são reportados os estudos dos complexos formados por ânions tetrafluorborato e cátions imidazólio substituídos por grupos metila, etila, propila, butila, isobutila, vinila, propargila, alila, crotila e metalila, observando assim o efeito da presença de substituintes contendo cadeias insaturadas em comparação com os de cadeias saturadas nas estruturas, distribuições de carga, energias de interação e propriedades físico-químicas desses sistemas. Nesses sistemas foram observados intensos efeitos de polarização e transferência de carga ânion-cátion. Foram encontradas diversas relações entre volumes iônicos, energias de interação dos íons e as propriedades de transporte dos respectivos líquidos iônicos. / The methods of computational quantum chemistry have been used to study the molecular structures and the interaction energies of cations and anions which are components of some functionalized ionic liquids derived from imidazolium. The objective of this study is comparing and relating the effects of the presence of functionalization of the side chains of the imidazolium with the properties of these ionic liquids. This functionalization can occur by the presence of unsaturated side chains, aromatic groups, ether, alcohols, thiols, amines, nitriles among other groups in the side chains. In this thesis are reported the studies of the complexes formed of tetrafluorborate anions and imidazolium cations with side chains methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, vinyl, propargyl, allyl, crotyl and methallyl, thus observing the effects of the presence of unsaturated side chains compared to saturated ones on the structures, charge distributions, interaction energies and physicochemical properties of these systems. It was observed in these systems strong effects of polarization and anion-cation charge transfer. It was found several relations between ionic volumes, interation energies of the ions and the transport properties of the respective ionic liquids.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-08-19T13:52:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 5.pdf: 3872815 bytes, checksum: 455a971c4daecfecb98403b32be14999 (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto de Tecnologia em Fármacos/Farmanguinhos. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. / O efavirenz (EFA) está classificado como um fármaco de classe II, pois é pouco hidrossolúvel e altamente permeável pelo trato gastrointestinal. Estas duas características básicas são essenciais para sua biodisponibilidade. Assim, a escolha de uma formulação adequada para esse fármaco é essencial no desenvolvimento de comprimidos, para garantir melhor disponibilização no trato gastrointestinal, de forma a alcançar a biodisponibilidade e o efeito terapêutico desejados. Nesse trabalho, oEFA e a mistura EFA:polivinilpirrolidona (PVP), preparados por processos de micronização com intuito de aumentar a dissolução do fármaco, foram espectroscopicamente estudados e caracterizados. No caso do EFA sua estrutura foi modelada usando o método B3LYP com intuito de auxiliar na análise dos resultados experimentais. A caracterização espectroscópica foi realizada utilizando diversas técnicas como infravermelho (IV) e ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN)em solução e de sólidos. A análise térmica por calorimetria diferencial de varredura(DSC) e a análise termogravimétrica (TGA) mostraram que os processos de comicronização não afetaram a estrutura cristalina do fármaco puro e nem a do fármaco nas misturas. A RMN comprovou a integridade dos mesmos, em solução eno estado sólido, indicando que o EFA encontra-se dimerizado. Os estudos de RMN também mostraram que, tanto no estado líquido quanto no sólido, ocorrem interações intermoleculares via ligação de hidrogênio do EFA com a PVP. Os espectros de RMN de sólido indicaram que ocorre dissolução parcial do EFA na matriz polimérica / Efavirenz (EFA) is classified as a class II drug because it is poorly water soluble and highly permeable through the gastrointestinal tract. These two basic characteristics are essential for its bioavailability. Thus, the choice of a suitable formulation for this drug is essential in the development of tablets to ensure better gastrointestinal tract in order to achieve both the bioavailability and the therapeutic effect desired. In this work, EFA and the blends EFA:polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared by spray drying and grinding processes in order to increase the solubility of the drug, were studied and characterized spectroscopically. In the case of EFA its structure was modeled using the B3LYP in order to aid the analysis of the experimental results. The spectroscopic characterization was performed using various techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in solution and solid state. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), showed that the micronization process neither affected the crystal structure of the pure drug nor the drug in blends. NMR confirmed the integrity of the solution and the solid form and identified that the EFA is dimerized. The NMR studies also showed that both liquid and solid interactions occur via intermolecular hydrogen bonding of EFA with PVP. The NMR spectra indicated that occurs the solid partial dissolution of the EFA in the polymer matrix.

Os métodos computacionais da química quântica foram empregados para estudar as estruturas moleculares e as energias de interação de cátions e ânions que são componentes de alguns líquidos iônicos funcionalizados, derivados do imidazólio. O estudo teve como objetivo comparar e relacionar os efeitos da presença de funcionalização nos substituintes das posições 1 e 3 do cátion imidazólio, nas propriedades desses líquidos iônicos. Essa funcionalização pode ocorrer pela presença de insaturações, grupos aromáticos, éteres, álcoois, tióis, aminas, nitrilas entre outros grupos nas cadeias dos substituintes. Nesta tese são reportados os estudos dos complexos formados por ânions tetrafluorborato e cátions imidazólio substituídos por grupos metila, etila, propila, butila, isobutila, vinila, propargila, alila, crotila e metalila, observando assim o efeito da presença de substituintes contendo cadeias insaturadas em comparação com os de cadeias saturadas nas estruturas, distribuições de carga, energias de interação e propriedades físico-químicas desses sistemas. Nesses sistemas foram observados intensos efeitos de polarização e transferência de carga ânion-cátion. Foram encontradas diversas relações entre volumes iônicos, energias de interação dos íons e as propriedades de transporte dos respectivos líquidos iônicos. / The methods of computational quantum chemistry have been used to study the molecular structures and the interaction energies of cations and anions which are components of some functionalized ionic liquids derived from imidazolium. The objective of this study is comparing and relating the effects of the presence of functionalization of the side chains of the imidazolium with the properties of these ionic liquids. This functionalization can occur by the presence of unsaturated side chains, aromatic groups, ether, alcohols, thiols, amines, nitriles among other groups in the side chains. In this thesis are reported the studies of the complexes formed of tetrafluorborate anions and imidazolium cations with side chains methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, vinyl, propargyl, allyl, crotyl and methallyl, thus observing the effects of the presence of unsaturated side chains compared to saturated ones on the structures, charge distributions, interaction energies and physicochemical properties of these systems. It was observed in these systems strong effects of polarization and anion-cation charge transfer. It was found several relations between ionic volumes, interation energies of the ions and the transport properties of the respective ionic liquids.