Ag thin and thick films have been experimentally deposited using a technique called Laser Ablation of a Microparticle Aerosol (LAMA). This technique is based on a supersonic jet accelerating NPs of a few nm diameter up to 1000 m/s and operating at room temperature. The deposited films have experimentally demonstrated interesting properties such as dense growth with good adherence on the substrate. Aerosol feed rates have been fixed to 10 mg/h which corresponds to rate depositions of 10¹⁰ to 10¹¹ NPs/s/cm². In order to model this deposition technique and possibly be able to predict the morphology and structure of deposited films using computational methods, we have designed MD programs simulating the depositions of several Ag nanoclusters onto a substrate at a fixed temperature (300 K). The variation of parameters such as cluster size, cluster impact energy, and deposition rate has influenced the morphology and structure of the deposited films. Cluster diameters have been set to 3 nm or 5 nm, cluster velocities set to 200 m/s (0.022 eV/atom), 400 m/s (0.069 eV/ atom), or 800 m/s (0.358 eV/atom), and the deposition rate adjusted to ensure relaxation times between impactions of 5 ps to 20 ps. The evolution of deposited film density, adherence, and crystal arrangement has been analyzed with the variation of the aforementioned parameters. The highest cluster velocities have enabled the deposition of smoother, denser, and more adherent films. NCs with an initial velocity of 200 m/s have shown ratios of flattening equal to 50 % as opposed to 85% flattening for NCs deposited at 800 m/s. These observations have enabled us to draw qualitative conclusions on the film density The deposited films are less porous when the cluster impaction velocity increases. Atomic mixing between substrate and impacted NC atoms increased with increasing deposition velocity, which can perhaps be correlated to an increase of adherence, assuming that more mixing will create stronger molecular binding in the cluster-substrate interaction. Finally, complete epitaxial growth was observed for the highest impaction velocities only, which indicates that recrystalization can occur for this range of impact energies (0.3 eV/atom - 0.5 eV/atom). Although experimental results have given more quantitative data on film density and sticking ratios, they agree with our modeling, and this comparison allows us to validate our MD simulations. However, some limitations have been faced, mainly because of long computing time requirements that a single laptop computer has not been able to support. / text

La mucoviscidose est une maladie génétique due à des mutations du gène CFTR, conduisant à une altération de la fonction de canal à ions chlorure de la glycoprotéine transmembranaire CFTR associée à une atteinte pulmonaire sévère. Plusieurs études récentes ont amené à reconsidérer l’utilisation des vecteurs adénoviraux (Ad) de sérotype 5 (Ad5) dans la mucoviscidose, lesquels induisent non seulement des réactions immunes anti-adénovirales mais aussi des effets cytopathiques indésirables. (1) Dans une première partie de notre étude, nous avons étudié l’entrée et le transit intracellulaire de l’Ad5/F35, vecteur chimérique portant les fibres de l’Ad sérotype 35 sur une capside de sérotype 5. Nous avons montré que la protéine fibre est déterminante dans l’internalisation et le trafic intracellulaire de ce vecteur. Le vecteur Ad5/F35 exprimant la fusion GFP-CFTR s’est révélé (i) être dépourvu de cytotoxicité, (ii) transduire efficacement les cellules épithéliales pulmonaires par voie apicale, et (iii) restaurer l’activité de canal à chlorure dans les cellules CFTR(-). Il constitue donc un vecteur de transfert du gène CFTR potentiellement utilisable en thérapie génique de la mucoviscidose. (2) Dans une seconde partie, nous avons exploré une stratégie alternative de transfert de la protéine CFTR par trogocytose. Nous avons fait l’hypothèse que le canal CFTR pouvait être véhiculé par des microvésicules ou microparticules membranaires (MP) émanant de la membrane cellulaire et libérées dans le milieu de culture. En utilisant un système d’expression stable de la protéine CFTR étiquetée par la protéine fluorescente GFP (GFP-CFTR) dans des cellules donneuses, nous avons pu démontrer que les MP sont capables de prendre en charge et délivrer la protéine GFP-CFTR à des cellules réceptrices, mais ce transfert n’est assuré que par une population réduite de MP (≤ 8 %), et la durée de vie du GFP-CFTR n’est que transitoire (≤ 24h). En fait, la majorité des MP transfèrent des molécules d’ARN messager ou polysomal GFP-CFTR. La protéine GFP-CFTR néosynthétisée à partir de ces ARNm est exprimée plus tardivement (> 48h) mais de façon prolongée (≥ 10 jours). La fonctionnalité du canal CFTR ainsi néosynthétisé est en cours d’évaluation. Les MP constituent donc un nouveau type de vecteurs de transfert non génique du CFTR qui pourraient être employés en thérapie de la mucoviscidose. / The cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease due to mutations of the CFTR gene, resulting in the alteration of the Cl channel function carried by the transmembranal glycoprotein CFTR, and associated with severe pulmonary complications. Several recent studies led the medical and scientific community to reconsider the use of adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5)-based vectors as CFTR gene transfer vectors in CF gene therapy. Not only immune response against the vector itself and the ansduced cells have been observed, but also Ad5-induced nondesired cytopathic effects. (1) In the first part of our study, we analyzed the cell entry and traficking of Ad5/F35, a chimeric vector consisting of serotype 5 capsid carrying serotype 35 fibers. We showed that the fibre protein is the major, if not only, determinant of the internalisation and entry pathway of Ad5/F35. Ad5/F35-GFP-CFTR, expressing the fusin protein GF-CFTR, was found (i) to be devoid of detectable cytopathic effect, (ii) efficiently transduced airway epithélial cells via the apical pole, and (iii) restore the Cl channel function in CF cells. Ad5/F35 therefore represents a CFTR gene transfer vector with a great potential for gene therapy of CF. (2) In the second part of our study, we have investigated an alternative strategy based on the transfer of the mature CFTR protein via trogocytosis. We hypothesized that microvesicles or microparticules (MP) issued from the cell membranes and released into the culture medium could transport and achieve the cell-to-cell transfer of CFTR channel cargo. We engineered donor cells for stable expression of GFP-tagged CFTR protein (GFP-CFTR), and showed that donor cell-issued MP were capable of delivering GFP-CFTR protein to recipient cell. However, the GFP-CFTR protein was only transferred by a limited population of MP (≤ 8 %), and was only transient (≤ 24h). In fact, the major population of MP transferred mRNAGFP-CFTR or polysomal thereof. Interestingly, the GFPCFTR protein newly synthesized from this mRNAGFP-CFTR was expressed at late times after transfer (≥ 48 h) but in a prolonged manner (≥ 10 jours). The Cl canal function after MP-mediated CFTR transfer is being evaluated. MP represent a novel type of CFTR vectors which can be produced by specifically designed autologous donor cells, and which would overcome most of the inconveniences of gene therapy using viral or nonviral vectors.

Platelet-derived microparticles, released as a result of platelet activation, promote coagulation through the surface exposure of phosphatidylserine, acting as the catalytic site for the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin by the activated coagulation factors X and V. Although elevated numbers of circulating platelet-derived microparticles can be detected in a number of clinical disorders, the methods for the detection of these microparticles are far from standardised. In addition, recent reports have also speculated that not all microparticles may expose phosphatidylserine, demonstrating that the binding of Annexin V, a phosphatidylserine-specific binding protein, is not detectable on a population of microparticles. The initial stage of this thesis was to establish a flow cytometric method for the detection and enumeration of microparticles based on their capacity to bind Annexin V and to utilise this assay to investigate a number of the issues that have limited assay standardisation. The assay could be performed on either stimulated or unstimulated plasma or whole blood samples. Interestingly, plasma microparticle counts were significantly higher than whole blood microparticle counts. The effects of centrifugation alone could not be attributed as the sole source of this discrepancy. The antigenic characteristics of platelet-derived microparticles were also investigated, with platelet-derived microparticles demonstrated to express the platelet glycoproteins CD31, CD41a, CD42a and CD61. Platelet-derived microparticles also expressed CD42b, and this expression was significantly decreased when compared to their progenitor platelets. The expression of the platelet activation markers CD62p, CD63, CD40L and PAC-1 was dependent upon the sample milieu, suggesting that the centrifugation conditions required to generate platelet-poor plasma may lead to artefactual increases in the expression of platelet activation markers. An investigation of the role of the GpIIb/IIIa complex on the formation of platelet-derived microparticles was also performed. A monoclonal antibody to the GpIIb/IIIa complex (Abciximab) significantly inhibited in vitro collagen-stimulated platelet-derived microparticle formation. Interestingly, platelets obtained from two subjects with impaired GpIIb/IIIa activation, demonstrated normal microparticle formation following collagen stimulation, suggesting that the presence of GpIIb/IIIa complex, but not its activation, is required for collagen-induced microparticle formation. A novel mechanism for microparticle formation was also investigated, with platelet-derived microparticles demonstrated to form in response to the sclerosing agents sodium-tetradecyl sulphate and polidocanol. Interestingly, the removal of plasma proteins by the washing of platelets left platelets more susceptible to sclerosant-induced microparticle formation, suggesting that plasma proteins may protect platelets from microparticle formation. The procoagulant activity of platelet-derived microparticles was also investigated using a novel coagulation assay (XACT) specific for the procoagulant phospholipid. An evaluation of this assay demonstrated a significant correlation between Annexin V binding microparticle counts and procoagulant activity in both whole blood and plasma samples. There was more procoagulant activity in whole blood samples than in plasma samples, suggesting that the procoagulant phospholipid activity was also associated with erythrocytes or leukocytes. To further investigate this phenomenon, a whole blood flow cytometric assay was developed to assess Annexin V binding to erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and microparticles. This assay demonstrated that a large proportion of Annexin V binding (51.0%) was associated with erythrocytes. Interestingly, a proportion of the Annexin V binding erythrocytes (24.5%) and leukocytes (78.8%) were also associated with platelet CD61 antigen, suggesting that they also bound a platelet or platelet-derived microparticle. The effect of sample anticoagulant on microparticle procoagulant activity was investigated. Microparticle counts were most stable in EDTA anticoagulated samples, but were stable in sodium citrate for up to 15 minutes following sample collection. The procoagulant activity of microparticles was significantly inhibited by EDTA in collagen-stimulated platelet-rich plasma samples, when compared to sodium citrate anticoagulated samples. Although the initial method used to investigate microparticles was based upon their ability to bind Annexin V, it was consistently observed that a large proportion of events in the size region of a microparticle were Annexin V negative. An investigation was therefore commenced into the procoagulant activity of microparticles based on their capacity to bind Annexin V. The presence of Annexin V negative microparticles was confirmed by flow cytometry and the proportion of microparticles that bound Annexin V was dependent upon type of agonist used to stimulate microparticle formation. Varying the assay constituents (calcium concentration / Annexin V concentration / buffer type) did not alter the proportion of Annexin V binding microparticles. When compared to Annexin V positive microparticles, Annexin V negative microparticles expressed significantly higher levels of CD42b on their surface, but possessed significantly decreased expressions of CD62p, and CD63. A significant correlation between the percentage of Annexin V binding and XACT procoagulant activity was found (p=0.03). Furthermore, Annexin V binding inhibited greater than 98% of procoagulant phospholipid activity, suggesting that Annexin V binding was a true reflection of procoagulant activity. Microparticles could be sorted using either a flow cytometric or magnetic sorting strategy. By electron microscopy, Annexin V negative events isolated following magnetic sorting were vesicular structures and not small platelets or the remnants of activated platelets. In summary, this thesis has demonstrated the ability of the flow cytometer and XACT assays to detect microparticles and their procoagulant activity. It has also shown that the use of Annexin V to detect microparticles may warrant further investigation.

Luminescent microspheres encapsulating glucose oxidase and an oxygensensitive lumophore have recently been reported as potential implantable sensors for in vivo glucose monitoring. However, there are two main issues that must be addressed for enzymatic systems such as these to realize the goal of minimally-invasive glucose monitoring. The first issue is related to the short response range of such sensors, less than 200 mg/dL, which must be extended to cover the full physiological range (0-600 mg/dL) of glucose possible for diabetics. The second issue is concerning the short operating lifetime of these systems due to enzyme degradation (less than 7 days). Two approaches were considered for increasing the range of the sensor response; nanofilm coatings and particle porosity. In the first approach, microparticle sensors were coated with layer-by-layer deposited thin nanofilms to increase the response range. It was observed that, a precise control on the response range of such sensors can be achieved by manipulating different characteristics (e.g., thickness, deposition condition, and the outermost capping layer) of the nanofilms. However, even with 15 bilayers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/poly(styrene sulfonate) (PAH/PSS) nanofilm, limited range was achieved (less than 200 mg/dL). By performing extrapolation on the data obtained for the experimentally-determined response range versus the number of PAH/PSS bilayers, it was predicted that a nanofilm coating comprising of more than 60 PAH/PSS bilayers will be needed to achieve a linear response up to 600 mg/dL. Using modeling, it was realized that a more effective method for achieving a linear response up to 600 mg/dL is to employ microparticles with higher porosity. Sensors were prepared from highly porous silica microparticles (diameter = 7 mu m, porosity = 0.6) and their experimental response was determined. Not surprisingly, the experimentally determined response range of such sensors was found to be higher than 600 mg/dL. To improve the longevity of these sensors, two approaches were employed; incorporation of catalase and increasing the loading of glucose oxidase. Catalase was incorporated into microparticles, which protects the enzyme from peroxide-mediated deactivation, and thus improves the stability of such sensors. Sensors incorporating catalase were found to ~5 times more stable than the GOx-only sensors. It was theoretically predicted, that by maximizing the loading of glucose oxidase within the microparticles, the longevity of such sensors can be substantially improved. Based on this understanding, sensors were fabricated using highly porous microparticles; response range did not vary even after one month of continuous operation under normal physiological conditions. Modeling predicts that 1 mM of glucose oxidase and 1 mM of catalase would extend the operating lifetime to more than 90 days.

Platelet-derived microparticles, released as a result of platelet activation, promote coagulation through the surface exposure of phosphatidylserine, acting as the catalytic site for the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin by the activated coagulation factors X and V. Although elevated numbers of circulating platelet-derived microparticles can be detected in a number of clinical disorders, the methods for the detection of these microparticles are far from standardised. In addition, recent reports have also speculated that not all microparticles may expose phosphatidylserine, demonstrating that the binding of Annexin V, a phosphatidylserine-specific binding protein, is not detectable on a population of microparticles. The initial stage of this thesis was to establish a flow cytometric method for the detection and enumeration of microparticles based on their capacity to bind Annexin V and to utilise this assay to investigate a number of the issues that have limited assay standardisation. The assay could be performed on either stimulated or unstimulated plasma or whole blood samples. Interestingly, plasma microparticle counts were significantly higher than whole blood microparticle counts. The effects of centrifugation alone could not be attributed as the sole source of this discrepancy. The antigenic characteristics of platelet-derived microparticles were also investigated, with platelet-derived microparticles demonstrated to express the platelet glycoproteins CD31, CD41a, CD42a and CD61. Platelet-derived microparticles also expressed CD42b, and this expression was significantly decreased when compared to their progenitor platelets. The expression of the platelet activation markers CD62p, CD63, CD40L and PAC-1 was dependent upon the sample milieu, suggesting that the centrifugation conditions required to generate platelet-poor plasma may lead to artefactual increases in the expression of platelet activation markers. An investigation of the role of the GpIIb/IIIa complex on the formation of platelet-derived microparticles was also performed. A monoclonal antibody to the GpIIb/IIIa complex (Abciximab) significantly inhibited in vitro collagen-stimulated platelet-derived microparticle formation. Interestingly, platelets obtained from two subjects with impaired GpIIb/IIIa activation, demonstrated normal microparticle formation following collagen stimulation, suggesting that the presence of GpIIb/IIIa complex, but not its activation, is required for collagen-induced microparticle formation. A novel mechanism for microparticle formation was also investigated, with platelet-derived microparticles demonstrated to form in response to the sclerosing agents sodium-tetradecyl sulphate and polidocanol. Interestingly, the removal of plasma proteins by the washing of platelets left platelets more susceptible to sclerosant-induced microparticle formation, suggesting that plasma proteins may protect platelets from microparticle formation. The procoagulant activity of platelet-derived microparticles was also investigated using a novel coagulation assay (XACT) specific for the procoagulant phospholipid. An evaluation of this assay demonstrated a significant correlation between Annexin V binding microparticle counts and procoagulant activity in both whole blood and plasma samples. There was more procoagulant activity in whole blood samples than in plasma samples, suggesting that the procoagulant phospholipid activity was also associated with erythrocytes or leukocytes. To further investigate this phenomenon, a whole blood flow cytometric assay was developed to assess Annexin V binding to erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and microparticles. This assay demonstrated that a large proportion of Annexin V binding (51.0%) was associated with erythrocytes. Interestingly, a proportion of the Annexin V binding erythrocytes (24.5%) and leukocytes (78.8%) were also associated with platelet CD61 antigen, suggesting that they also bound a platelet or platelet-derived microparticle. The effect of sample anticoagulant on microparticle procoagulant activity was investigated. Microparticle counts were most stable in EDTA anticoagulated samples, but were stable in sodium citrate for up to 15 minutes following sample collection. The procoagulant activity of microparticles was significantly inhibited by EDTA in collagen-stimulated platelet-rich plasma samples, when compared to sodium citrate anticoagulated samples. Although the initial method used to investigate microparticles was based upon their ability to bind Annexin V, it was consistently observed that a large proportion of events in the size region of a microparticle were Annexin V negative. An investigation was therefore commenced into the procoagulant activity of microparticles based on their capacity to bind Annexin V. The presence of Annexin V negative microparticles was confirmed by flow cytometry and the proportion of microparticles that bound Annexin V was dependent upon type of agonist used to stimulate microparticle formation. Varying the assay constituents (calcium concentration / Annexin V concentration / buffer type) did not alter the proportion of Annexin V binding microparticles. When compared to Annexin V positive microparticles, Annexin V negative microparticles expressed significantly higher levels of CD42b on their surface, but possessed significantly decreased expressions of CD62p, and CD63. A significant correlation between the percentage of Annexin V binding and XACT procoagulant activity was found (p=0.03). Furthermore, Annexin V binding inhibited greater than 98% of procoagulant phospholipid activity, suggesting that Annexin V binding was a true reflection of procoagulant activity. Microparticles could be sorted using either a flow cytometric or magnetic sorting strategy. By electron microscopy, Annexin V negative events isolated following magnetic sorting were vesicular structures and not small platelets or the remnants of activated platelets. In summary, this thesis has demonstrated the ability of the flow cytometer and XACT assays to detect microparticles and their procoagulant activity. It has also shown that the use of Annexin V to detect microparticles may warrant further investigation.

Microparticle experiments conducted using a newly commissioned quadrupole ion trap (QIT) are reported. Single polystyrene microparticles are confined using three dimensional electrodynamic quadrupole fields and characterised by their fluorescence emission and secular frequency measurements. The advantages of this confinement technique are that single particle properties can be measured free from ensemble averaging effects and unperturbed by solvents and (or) substrates. (For complete abstract open document)

<p>Droplet microfluidics is a powerful platform for both fundamental and applied biomedical research. The droplets are small in size with a diameter of 1-300 um. Thus, they could function as a miniaturized environment for quantitative and qualitative analysis. Each droplet composes of water shielded by an immiscible organic shell which enables independent control over different droplets. The large surface to volume ratio of spherical structure allows rapid mass and heat transfer, which could enable more homogeneous chemical reactions. Moreover, since multiple identical droplets could be generated simultaneously, parallel analysis for large amount of samples are possible. The use of microfluidics brings more power to droplet technology. The precise control over the flow allows droplet with preferable size and structure to be generated, which is critical for quantitative analysis, homogeneous chemical reaction as well as some in vivo applications. </p><p>Nonetheless, generation of stable, monodispersed and well controlled emulsions to meet specific biological functions are still challenging. First of all, to form more biocompatible W/O/W DE, the microfluidics devices must be patterned with desired surface wettability. W/O emulsion could only form in hydrophobic environment and the O/W emulsions could only form in hydrophilic environment. Differential patterning of the surface wettability to meet the needs are challenging. Second, DE are stabilized by two amphiphilic surfactants, one for the oil phase and the other for the water phase. Selection of appropriate surfactants should hook with specific biological application to ensure stability and biocompatibility. Third, the choice of fluid and contents in the fluid will affect the viscosity and capillary number of interfacial interaction, and eventually influences the droplet formation. The choice of biocompatible medium and buffer must take this into consideration. Fourth, the adoption of emulsions for the specific application requires optimization of the processing techniques in order to meet the needs for final analysis. For instance, control of droplet rupture for content release, modulation of oil phase permeability, quantitative analysis of content with flow cytometry, etc. </p><p>In this thesis, we will first demonstrate the design and fabrication of PDMS-based devices for automatic and high-throughput DE formation in Chapter 2. In the following chapters, we will demonstrate the successful adoption of the microfluidics generated DE for different biological applications. In chapter 3, we will illustrate the application of DE as a micro-incubator for cellular studies such genetic circuit behavior and performance in bacterial cells cultured in DE droplets and formation of 3D mammalian cell spheroid. In chapter 4, we will show the successful application of DE as drug carriers for intranasal drug delivery. In chapter 5, we showed the application of microfluidics generated DE as template for microparticle synthesis and the use of these microparticles as therapeutic agents in nucleic acid induced inflammations in autoimmune diseases.</p> / Dissertation

Micropartícula de quitosana complexada com íons metálicos [Fe(II), Fe(III), Zn(II)] foram preparadas e caracterizadas a fim de se obter sistemas microparticulados para a adsorção de substâncias. A técnica de preparo utilizada foi a secagem por aspersão, através da qual se obteve micropartículas esféricas colapsadas e com superfície rugosa. O tamanho de partícula foi influenciado tanto pela reação de reticulação com glutaraldeído como pela presença e tipo do metal utilizado para a formação do complexo. A adsorção do ciprofloxacino pelas micropartículas desenvolvidas foi estudada em meio aquoso, O estado de equilíbrio foi influenciado pelo tipo de metal presente na micropartícula e pela concentração inicial de ciprofloxacino na solução. Com o intuito de descrever o mecanismo de adsorção, foram utilizados modelos matemáticos de isotermas de Langmuir e Freundlich, sendo que os dados apresentaram um melhor ajuste para a isoterma de Freundlich. Através da análise de modelos de cinética de pesudo-primeira-ordem e pseudo-segunda-ordem, verificou-se que os dados melhor se ajustaram ao modelo de pseudo-segunda-ordem, indicando que o mecanismo de adsorção do ciprofloxacino pelas micropartículas é através de quimissorção. A determinação da capacidade de adsorção do ciprofloxacino, conduzido in vitro, demonstrou que as micropartículas de quitosana-Fe(III) e quitosana-Zn(II) apresentam efetividade de adsorção. Com isso as micropartículas de quitosana-Fe(III) foram encapsuladas por uma matriz de pectina, sendo este utilizado para a adsorção de antimicrobianos residuais presentes no cólon. A estabilidade das esferas foi determinada em meios digestivos simulados, onde se verificou uma estabilidade de 1 h e 5 h nos meios gástricos e intestinal, respectivamente. Quando as esferas foram incubadas no meio colônico, observou-se uma degradação dependente da concentração de pectina. Com o intuito de evitar a adsorção do ciprofloxacino no meio intestinal, as esferas foram revestidas com Eudragit RS. Estudos de adsorção em meio colônico simulado demonstrou que a capacidade de adsorção das micropartículas de quitosana-Fe(III) não é afeta pela encapsulação na matriz de pectina. O sistema desenvolvido demonstra ser promissor para a extração do ciprofloxacino presente no meio colônico simulado. / The aim of this work was to develop, characterize chitosan- metal ion [Fe(II), Fe(III), Zn(II)] microparticle, and evaluate the adsorption capacities of ciprofloxacin by these complexes. The microparticles were prepared by a spray drying method. They showed good sphericity and a roughness surface morphology. The particle size was influenced by crosslinking reaction and by the kind of metal ion onto the microparticle. A batch adsorption system was applied to study the adsorption of ciprofloxacin from aqueous solution by chitosan-metal ion crosslinked microparticle. The adsorption process was fast, and the equilibrium contact times were influenced by the kind of metal ion onto microparticle. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used for mathematical description of the adsorption equilibrium, and it was found that experimental data fitted well to Freundlich model. Adsorption models, based on the assumption of the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order mechanism showed that the pseudo-second-order adsorption mechanism is predominant, and the adsorption process appears to be controlled by the chemical reaction. Chitosan-Fe(III) and chitosan-Zn(II) microparticle demonstrated the highest adsorption of ciprofloxacin. Chitosan-Fe(III) microparticle was encapsulated in a pectin matrix. The system was used for the adsorption of colonic residual antibiotics responsible by the emergence of resistance. The stability of the beads was carried out on simulated digestive media. Beads incubated in simulated gastric and intestinal medium were stable for 1 h and 5 h, respectively. When incubated in simulated colonic medium, beads were then degraded by pectinases contained in the medium. Coating with Eudragit RS was needed to prevent the early adsorption of antibiotics in intestinal medium. Adsorption studies in simulated colonic medium show that the adsorption capacity of chitosan-Fe(III) is not modified after encapsulation within pectin beads making the elimination reaching the colon clinically feasible.

Submitted by Rebeka Godeiro (rebeka_carvalho@hotmail.com) on 2018-05-09T17:32:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ANTONIO JOELSON NETTO - DISSERTAÇÃO ZOOTECNIA 2018.pdf: 913340 bytes, checksum: af0fe11a0d7288ce5e387a196c89df8d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-09T17:32:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ANTONIO JOELSON NETTO - DISSERTAÇÃO ZOOTECNIA 2018.pdf: 913340 bytes, checksum: af0fe11a0d7288ce5e387a196c89df8d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-26 / Capes / A ureia é amplamente utilizada na dieta de ruminantes como fonte de nitrogênio não proteico (NNP) em substituição parcial ás fontes de proteína verdadeira, devido seu baixo custo por unidade de nutriente e alta capacidade de disponibilizar amônia como fonte de nitrogênio para produção de proteína microbiana. No entanto, há uma preocupação quanto a sua utilização em níveis elevados na dieta animal, devido o baixo aproveitamento do nitrogênio amoniacal, e principalmente pela possibilidade de intoxicação do rebanho. O presente estudo propôs-se a obter e caracterizar microesferas de cera de carnaúba contendo ureia. Os sistemas microencapsulados foram investigados quanto a rendimento e eficiência de microencapsulação, além de caracterizados por técnicas de Termogravimetria, Calorimetria exploratória diferencial, Espectroscospia na região do Infravermelho, Microscopia eletrônica de varredura, determinação de umidade e atividade de água,. As formulações (2:1) e (4:1) apresentaram altos índices de retenção de ureia, além de bons rendimentos, atestando a adequação da escolha da cera de carnaúba e também da técnica de liofilização para obter os sistemas microencapsulados. A cera de carnaúba proporcionou a inibição da higroscopicidade da ureia, prevenindo sua petrificação durante armazenamento e, portanto, facilitando sua homogeneização com os demais ingredientes da dieta. Desta forma, a partir das constatações feitas, a cera de carnaúba apresenta-se como um encapsulante promissor para obtenção de micropartículas contendo ureia para possível liberação lenta, em que, de acordo com o presente estudo, entre as duas formulações desenvolvidas, recomenda-se a UM2 (2:1), visto que apresentou melhor rendimento e é o sistema com maior conteúdo de ureia, proporcionando maior aporte de nitrogênio não proteico (NNP) de liberação lenta para o animal. / Urea is widely used in the diet of ruminants as a source of non-protein nitrogen (NNP) in partial substitution to true protein sources, due to its low cost per unit of nutrient and high capacity to provide ammonia as a source of nitrogen for the production of microbial protein. However, there is a concern about its use at high levels to the animal diet, due to the low utilization of ammoniacal nitrogen, and mainly due to the possibility of intoxication of the herd. The present study aimed obtaining and characterizing urea-containing carnauba wax microspheres. The microencapsulated systems were investigated in terms of microencapsulation efficiency and yield, and also characterized by techniques of Thermogravimetry, Differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, moisture content, and water activity. The formulations presented high urea retention rates, as well as good yields, attesting the adequacy of carnauba wax and also the lyophilization technique to obtain the microencapsulated systems. Carnauba wax provided the inhibition of the hygroscopicity of urea, preventing its petrification during storage, facilitating its homogenization with other ingredients of the diet. Carnauba wax is a promising encapsulant for the production of urea microparticles for possible slow release, in which, according to the present study, between the two formulations developed, it is recommended the formulation UM2 (2:1), since it presented better yield and is the system with higher content of urea, providing a higher supply of slow release non-protein nitrogen (NNP) to the animal.

Micropartícula de quitosana complexada com íons metálicos [Fe(II), Fe(III), Zn(II)] foram preparadas e caracterizadas a fim de se obter sistemas microparticulados para a adsorção de substâncias. A técnica de preparo utilizada foi a secagem por aspersão, através da qual se obteve micropartículas esféricas colapsadas e com superfície rugosa. O tamanho de partícula foi influenciado tanto pela reação de reticulação com glutaraldeído como pela presença e tipo do metal utilizado para a formação do complexo. A adsorção do ciprofloxacino pelas micropartículas desenvolvidas foi estudada em meio aquoso, O estado de equilíbrio foi influenciado pelo tipo de metal presente na micropartícula e pela concentração inicial de ciprofloxacino na solução. Com o intuito de descrever o mecanismo de adsorção, foram utilizados modelos matemáticos de isotermas de Langmuir e Freundlich, sendo que os dados apresentaram um melhor ajuste para a isoterma de Freundlich. Através da análise de modelos de cinética de pesudo-primeira-ordem e pseudo-segunda-ordem, verificou-se que os dados melhor se ajustaram ao modelo de pseudo-segunda-ordem, indicando que o mecanismo de adsorção do ciprofloxacino pelas micropartículas é através de quimissorção. A determinação da capacidade de adsorção do ciprofloxacino, conduzido in vitro, demonstrou que as micropartículas de quitosana-Fe(III) e quitosana-Zn(II) apresentam efetividade de adsorção. Com isso as micropartículas de quitosana-Fe(III) foram encapsuladas por uma matriz de pectina, sendo este utilizado para a adsorção de antimicrobianos residuais presentes no cólon. A estabilidade das esferas foi determinada em meios digestivos simulados, onde se verificou uma estabilidade de 1 h e 5 h nos meios gástricos e intestinal, respectivamente. Quando as esferas foram incubadas no meio colônico, observou-se uma degradação dependente da concentração de pectina. Com o intuito de evitar a adsorção do ciprofloxacino no meio intestinal, as esferas foram revestidas com Eudragit RS. Estudos de adsorção em meio colônico simulado demonstrou que a capacidade de adsorção das micropartículas de quitosana-Fe(III) não é afeta pela encapsulação na matriz de pectina. O sistema desenvolvido demonstra ser promissor para a extração do ciprofloxacino presente no meio colônico simulado. / The aim of this work was to develop, characterize chitosan- metal ion [Fe(II), Fe(III), Zn(II)] microparticle, and evaluate the adsorption capacities of ciprofloxacin by these complexes. The microparticles were prepared by a spray drying method. They showed good sphericity and a roughness surface morphology. The particle size was influenced by crosslinking reaction and by the kind of metal ion onto the microparticle. A batch adsorption system was applied to study the adsorption of ciprofloxacin from aqueous solution by chitosan-metal ion crosslinked microparticle. The adsorption process was fast, and the equilibrium contact times were influenced by the kind of metal ion onto microparticle. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used for mathematical description of the adsorption equilibrium, and it was found that experimental data fitted well to Freundlich model. Adsorption models, based on the assumption of the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order mechanism showed that the pseudo-second-order adsorption mechanism is predominant, and the adsorption process appears to be controlled by the chemical reaction. Chitosan-Fe(III) and chitosan-Zn(II) microparticle demonstrated the highest adsorption of ciprofloxacin. Chitosan-Fe(III) microparticle was encapsulated in a pectin matrix. The system was used for the adsorption of colonic residual antibiotics responsible by the emergence of resistance. The stability of the beads was carried out on simulated digestive media. Beads incubated in simulated gastric and intestinal medium were stable for 1 h and 5 h, respectively. When incubated in simulated colonic medium, beads were then degraded by pectinases contained in the medium. Coating with Eudragit RS was needed to prevent the early adsorption of antibiotics in intestinal medium. Adsorption studies in simulated colonic medium show that the adsorption capacity of chitosan-Fe(III) is not modified after encapsulation within pectin beads making the elimination reaching the colon clinically feasible.