Modification of the lipid A domain of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to contribute to the virulence and pathogenesis of various Gram-negative bacteria. The Kdo (3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid)-lipid A domain of Helicobacter pylori LPS shows several differences to that of Escherichia coli. It has fewer acyl chains, a reduced number of phosphate groups, much lower immunobiological activity, and only a single Kdo sugar is attached to the disaccharide backbone. However, H. pylori synthesizes a minor lipid A species resembling that of E. coli, which is both bis-phosphorylated and hexa-acylated suggesting that the major species results from the action of specific modifying enzymes. This work describes two enzymes, a lipid A phosphatase and a phosphoethanolamine transferase, involved in the periplasmic modification of the 1-position of H. pylori lipid A. Furthermore, we report a novel Kdo trimming enzyme that requires prior removal of the 1-phosphate group for enzymatic activity. Discovery of the enzymatic machinery involved in the remodeling of H. pylori LPS will help unravel the importance of these modifications in H. pylori pathogenesis.d.

This Diploma thesis deals with the character of Holden Caulfield, the main protagonist of J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye, identifying him as a liminal character. It is concerned with the term liminality and inbetweennes. It focuses on evidence of his inbetweennes by means of the examples from the novel itself. It illustrates the examples of his position between childhood and adulthood by way of some of Holden's manners, behaviour and talks.

Jan Snížek in the context of Czech cabaret theatre in the period from 1920 to 1948 Summary This thesis focuses on the work of a nearly forgotten Czech cabaret artist and writer Jan Snížek (1902 - 1971). The introduction deals with the history of Czech cabaret in the period from 1920 to 1945. Here, the selected cabaret theatres in the various periods of time (the 1920s, 1930s, The Nazi occupation) are discussed from the political and cultural points of view. Later the thesis analyses the personality of Jan Snížek and the particular theatres he was part of. Furthermore the thesis thoroughly discusses the work of Jan Snížek and its impact on the period newspapers. The following chapters deal with author's later life and his prose collection written in exile. The last part of the thesis summarizes Jan Snížek's creative activity and its role in the Czech Occupation theatre, analyses the great success of his cabaret production and explains why such a significant author is now almost unknown to the public.

The Master's Thesis deals with the theme of coming-of-age in American literature. The aim of the theoretical part is to provide theoretical framework and the subsequent examination of common narrative strategies and themes characteristic of this specific genre. We will focus more closely on the three key themes of identity, sexuality and death. In the practical part of this thesis these main themes and their use will be examined in selected novels of American literature; Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar and Jeffrey Eugenides The Virgin Suicides.

Des études ont récemment mis en évidence le rôle des lipopolysaccharides (LPS) des bactéries à Gram négatif de la flore intestinale dans le processus de l’inflammation conduisant à l’obésité et au diabète de type 2.Le présent travail est réalisé dans le cadre d’une collaboration entre les équipes du Dr. Caroff (U. Paris-Sud, Orsay) et du Pr. Zhao (U. Jiao Tong, Shanghai). Les expériences présentées ont été réalisées lors de séjours dans les deux laboratoires.Il a été démontré en Chine que des bactéries Sulfato-réductrices (SRB) à Gram négatif étaient présentes en plus forte proportion dans la flore intestinale chez les souris suivant un régime gras. Les mêmes résultats ont été observés chez l'homme. L’hypothèse selon laquelle des SRB seraient à l’origine de grandes quantités d’endotoxines chez les obèses et les patients diabétiques a été émise. Plusieurs souches de SRB isolées de la flore intestinale humaine d’un sujet sain et d’un sujet diabétique ont été cultivées en Chine. Des études de relation structure/activité des LPS isolés de ces bactéries ont été réalisées dans le laboratoire Français pour déterminer leur rôle dans le développement des maladies métaboliques. Les souches isolées des deux sujets ont pu être classées dans le genre Desulfovibrio. Les LPS correspondants ont été extraits et purifiés par des méthodes mises au point dans l’équipe d’Orsay. La structure chimique a été élucidée par les méthodes suivantes : Electrophorèse, Chromatographie sur couche mince, Chromatographie en phase gazeuse et Spectrométrie de masse MALDI. C’est ainsi que des spectres de masse ont été obtenus et que la structure des lipides A, principes actifs des LPS, isolés de SRB a été décrite pour la première fois. Les activités biologiques testées (TNFα, IL-6) varient en fonction du nombre d’acides gras présents. Les LPS de SRB du patient sain ont une structure variable (Smooth versus Rough) en fonction de la quantité de fer présent dans le milieu, et ceux isolés du patient diabétique présentent des structures atypiques qui ne sont pas toutes inflamogènes. Une molécule membranaire inconnue, que nous avons nommée « Glycosyl’X » était co-extraite avec les LPS. Elle joue apparemment un rôle important dans la croissance des SRB et a été étudiée après des étapes de purification complexes. Les structures et le pouvoir inflammatoire de ces molécules dont la structure varie avec les souches, et qui chélatent le fer, ont été étudiées. Elles sont de nature principalement osidique et fixées à la membrane. La proportion de ces molécules par rapport aux LPS varie avec la quantité de fer disponible dans le milieu. Un milieu riche en fer favorise la croissance des Desulfovibrio portant les Glycosyl’X qui n’ont pas de pouvoir inflammatoire eux-mêmes, mais entrent en compétition avec les LPS, modulant ainsi indirectement l’activité de ces derniers. L’augmentation du nombre de Desulfovibrio conduisant à l’augmentation des molécules Glycosyl’X pourrait aussi moduler positivement (par présentation) ou négativement (par élimination des bactéries) l’adsorption du fer dans les intestins dont l’équilibre est essentiel pour l’homéostasie métabolique.Par ailleurs, la croissance des Desulfovibrio augmente la production d’Hydrogène Sulfuré connu pour son action délétère sur les cellules. Nous favorisons l’hypothèse selon laquelle son action sur la disjonction des cellules épithéliales permettrait le passage des différents LPS relargués par la flore Gram-négative intestinale, et même des bactéries entières, vers la circulation sanguine. / Recent studies have highlighted the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the intestinal flora (gut microbiota) which could contribute to the inflammation process leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes. This thesis is part of a collaborative project between the laboratories of Dr. Caroff (U. Paris -Sud, Orsay, France) and Prof. Zhao (U. Jiao Tong , Shanghai, China). It has been shown by Pr.Zhao’s team in 2010 that the Sulfate -Reducing Bacteria (SRB) were presented in greater proportion in the intestinal mice flora following a fat diet compared to mice following a normal diet. The same results were observed in humans. The starting hypothesis was that SRB could produce a large amount of endotoxin in obese and diabetic patients and play a role in the development of metabolic diseases. Several SRB strains isolated from the human intestinal flora of a healthy subject and of a diabetic subject were grown in the Chinese laboratory. Studies of their LPS structure / activity relationships were carried out in the French laboratory. The aim of this study was to determine their roles in the development of metabolic diseases.Strains isolated from the two subjects could be classified in the Desulfovibrio genus. The corresponding LPS were extracted and purified by the methods developed in the French laboratory. The chemical structure was elucidated by the following methods: Electrophoresis, Thin layer chromatography, Gas chromatography and MALDI mass spectrometry. The mass spectra were obtained and the structure of lipid A, the active part of LPS isolated from SRB was described here for the first time. The biological activities test (TNFα, IL-6) vary depending on the number of fatty acids present in their lipid A structure. The LPS of SRB isolated from the healthy patient had a variable structure (Smooth versus Rough) depending on the amount of iron present in the medium, and those isolated from diabetic patients had atypical structures are not all inflamogenic .An unknown membrane molecule, which we named "Glycosyl'X" was co-extracted with the LPS. It apparently plays an important role in the growth of SRB was investigated after complex purification steps. The structures and the inflammatory power of these molecules variying with strains chelating iron were studied. They are mainly of glycosidic nature and linked to the bacterial membrane.The proportion of these molecules relatively to LPS varies with the amount of iron in the medium. An environment rich in iron promotes the growth of Desulfovibrio Glycosyl'X, molecules but competes with LPS and indirectly modulates the activity of the latter. The increase number of Desulfovibrio leading to increased Glycosyl'X molecules may also modulate positively (by presentation) or negatively (by killing bacteria) the absorption of iron in the intestines which balance is essential for metabolic homeostasis.Furthermore, the growth of Desulfovibrio increasing the production of Hydrogen Sulfide is known for its deleterious effects on the cells. We favor the hypothesis that its action on the separation of epithelial cells favors the passage of different LPS released by the Gram- negative of intestinal flora and even whole cell bacteria into the bloodstream.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to elucidate the ambiguous relation between the concepts of absolute alterity (tout Autre), there is (il y a) and the element (L'élément) in the work of Emmanuel Levinas. The investigation starts with a presupposition, that the above-mentioned concepts can all be considered a form of alterity. First part of the thesis thematises il y a against the backdrop of two seminal texts - From Existence to Existents and Time and the Other - and also in relation to Martin Heidegger's philosophy. Second part is structured around the analysis of the element, as it is presented in Totality and infinity. Part three deals with the concept of absolute alterity, which is contrasted to the conception of the totalizing subject. In the last part of the thesis, these three distinct kinds of alterity are brought into relation and qualitatively differentiated from one another. Key words: Levinas, Heidegger, alterity, radical alterity, totality, il y a, there is, element, From Existence to Existents, Totality and Infinity, Time and the Other

This thesis focuses on harmonisation of work and family life of female university graduates at beginning of their careers and at the time when they were taking care of babies up to five years of age. I have chosen this topic not only because it is rather an actual topic but also because I'm personally attached to it. My feminist research analysis is based on the theory of power and knowledge as is it described by Foucault and Butler. I was interested in original families of my communication partners where they grew up and where they adopted their social habits and behaviour. In the light of this social process, I have analysed what powers they had to face in their original families in terms of usage of gender stereotypes based on patriarchal layout of our society and preferential existence of one gender over the other. I have also focused on current families of my communication partners and on power relationships on the basis of which the process of harmonisation of professional and family life of my communication partners takes place, both in their private and public space. I have also analysed how social habits and behaviour gained during their childhood are implemented. It was very important for the interviews and for my feminist research to approach my communication partners as subjects, and...