This work examines azolium catalysis of the small molecules formaldehyde and glyoxylic acid to yield product sugars as the starting point for synthesis of new azolium catalysts. It is broken into two projects: the first focusing on developing a proof of concept process to couple the two reactions, and the second expanding the reaction space using different solvents and catalyst. From these projects, a model for chemical evolution of small molecule catalysts was proposed. Reaction stoichiometry suggests that the process displays autocatalysis; however, the reactions were conducted separately so that kinetic enhancement was not observed. Even without kinetic enhancement, the findings indicate that synthesis of new catalyst from formaldehyde as the sole carbon source is possible, and that the process is robust due to effects such as catalyst deactivation or other loss pathways over time. Alternative work using glyoxylic acid demonstrated that the kinetics for carbohydrate synthesis are much slower.

Prebiotic compounds comprise a group of dietary supplements defined as nonviable food ingredients that are selectively metabolized to favor beneficial intestinal bacteria. Such bacteria may confer various desirable effects including enhanced disease resistance and nutrient availability to the host. This study examined the effects of four prebiotics, GroBiotic®-A (a mixture of partially autolyzed brewers yeast, dairy ingredient components and dried fermentation products), mannanoligosaccharide (MOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), and the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) inulin on digestibility of soybean-meal-based diets by goldfish. A basal diet was formulated so that 50% of the protein was provided by soybean meal and the other 50% was from menhaden fishmeal. Each prebiotic was supplemented to the basal diet at 1% by weight. A diet containing all of its protein from menhaden fish meal also was prepared as a control diet. Chromic oxide was added to the diets at 1% as an inert marker. Each diet was fed to adult goldfish in duplicate 110-L iv aquaria for a total of 8 weeks. The dried fecal material from each aquarium was pooled over time and analyzed for protein, lipid, organic matter and chromium in order to compute coefficients of apparent digestibility. Genomic DNA of gut microbiota also was isolated from the fecal samples of goldfish fed the various diets and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using bacteria-specific PCR primers to conserved regions flanking the variable V3 region of 16S rDNA. Then, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the resulting amplicons was conducted as a means of assessing diversity of microbiota in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Results of the present study revealed that none of the prebiotics affected apparent digestibility coefficients of the soybean-meal-based diet compared to the basal diet, although the diet supplemented with MOS consistently yielded the lowest values. In addition, goldfish digested the soybean-meal-based diets as well as the control diet. DGGE analysis revealed no differences in microbiota of goldfish fed the various prebiotics. These results are in contrast to those obtained with carnivorous fish species such as the red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in which the prebiotics increased digestibility coefficients of soybean-meal-based diets and altered GI tract microbiota.

No description available.

Isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO) with α(1→6) and α(1→4) glucosidic linkages are produced by enzymatic conversion of starch. Isomalto-oligosaccharides are partially digested in the intestine but little information is available regarding their metabolim in vivo. It was the aim of this study to investigate IMO metabolism by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and to determine the effect of IMO diet on intestinal microbiota in a rodent model, and a rodent model for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Different strains of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli were grown in de Man Rogosa Sharpe media with IMO as sources of carbohydrates. Substrates and metabolites of carbohydrates metabolism were analyzed. Lactobacilli metabolized isomaltose whereas isomalto-triose and higher degree of polymerisation (DP) oligosaccharides were metabolized by bifidobacteria first. To determine the modulating effects of IMO in the intestine, a group of six F344 rats were fed IMO diet for six weeks and compared to rats fed control diet. Assessment of intestinal microbiota and their metabolites was performed by PCR- denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), quantitative PCR (qPCR) and quantification of short chain fatty acids (SCFA). The Lactobacillus group was one of the dominant bacterial taxa in the fecal samples of rats. Isomalto-oligosaccharides selectively stimulated lactobacilli and increased their diversity in rats compared to those on control or inulin diet. The potential health benefit of IMO was evaluated in a rodent model for IBD. Three groups of HLA-B27 rats were fed IMO, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) or control diet for 12 weeks. The Lactobacillus group and bifidobacteria numbers were increased significantly in the fecal samples of rats fed IMO or FOS diet respectively. Numbers of Enterobacteriaceae family were significantly increased in the rats fed IMO or FOS diet compared to the control group. Clostridium coccoides group, Clostridium leptum group, Clostridium cluster XI and total number of bacteria were significantly decreased in the rats fed FOS diet compared to the rats fed control diet. Moreover, IMO and FOS diets showed a unique effect on intestinal microbiota compared to the control diet. Cecum histology scores showed a significant decrease of inflammation in the rats fed IMO or FOS diet compared to the rats fed control diet. / Food Science and Technology

Tasco® made of sun dried brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) by Acadian Seaplants Ltd., has displayed prebiotic like properties with ruminants and may be an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. Tasco® was fed to male broiler chickens for 35 days in a series of three trials which compared Tasco® to the prebiotic inulin and an antibiotic and determined Tasco®’s optimal inclusion level for broilers. Trials investigated Tasco® fed at 2.0% for 14 days only and examined its effects in a 45 day trial and when subjected to microbial challenge. Tasco® enhanced growth comparatively to inulin and the antibiotic virginiamycin. Alteration of physiological variables in all three trials supported the possibility of microflora changes in the gut as a mode of action. Low levels of Tasco® (0.25% and 0.5%) were consistently effective at improving growth. Microbiological profiles, currently under way, will aid in final determination of Tasco®’s qualifications as a prebiotic.

No description available.

One of the greatest scientific mysteries of all time is the Origin of Life on Earth. Life on Earth may have emerged with a unique molecule: Ribonucleic Acids (RNA). The RNA world for the origin of life is a theory that states that life started with RNA before DNA and proteins because RNA molecules can auto-replicate and store genetic information. This thesis aims to expose how such RNA molecules could have been formed on a primitive Earth without the presence of other catalytic biomolecules such as enzymes. The model used in this thesis is the warm little ponds theory for the origin of life. RNA molecules could have been formed in these ponds thanks to wet-cold and warm-dry cycles. We used new experimental and computational technologies to try to answer this dilemma. Using a new machine, the Planet Simulator, which can mimic primitive environments by controlling five physical parameters, we found that extreme heat and low pH would destroy the building blocks of RNA. However, Molecular Dynamics computer simulations showed us that neutral pH could have led to the formation of RNA. Still, the presence of any surfaces and substrates would have decreased the polymerization rate due to the number of interactions between the RNA building blocks and the minerals substrates. We then found a new vision of where life could have come from: in super-saturated water droplets, which could have been formed by geysers or springs on primitive Earth. We tested this theory experimentally using an acoustic levitator to levitate super-saturated droplets and study them in the laboratory. Our preliminary results showed that RNA could have been formed in such droplets on primitive Earth. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The medical management of ulcerative colitis in children often requires aggressive pharmacological therapy or colonic resection. We hypothesized that synbiotic therapy, consisting of <i>B. longum</i> R0175 and inulin would improve symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in children diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Consenting pediatric subjects (8-18 years; n = 9) with ulcerative colitis in remission were provided synbiotic therapy, (Probiotic: <i>Bifidobacterium longum</i> R0175 2.0 x 1010 cfu/day; Prebiotic: 15 g/day of inulin) (n = 4) or placebo (maltodextrin + ascorbic acid capsule; 15 g/day of non-resistant maltodextrin) (n = 5) for ten months in a pilot study (Phase I). After ten months, the study was unblinded and synbiotic therapy was administered to eight pediatric subjects (Phase II). In attempt to increase sample size, three adult subjects with active UC were recruited and provided the synbiotic therapy (Phase III). In all phases of the research, QOL was measured using the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). The SIBDQ was administered at baseline and every two months. Subjects kept a daily records of symptoms (stool consistency and frequency, presence of blood and mucous, presence of abdominal pain and overall feeling). Phase I QOL scores were significantly better for those receiving the synbiotic therapy versus the placebo (p = 0.014). Severe symptoms occurred in 60% of the control subjects, where as subjects receiving synbiotic therapy did not experience severe symptoms (p = 0.032). Phase II QOL scores were significantly better post-treatment with synbiotic therapy (p=0.034). One subject (steroid dependant) was able to wean off Prednisone® while receiving the synbiotic therapy; she remained in remission and was symptom free for over 26 months. In Phase III, synbiotic therapy did not induce remission in the adult subjects with active UC. No adverse effects were reported.<p>Synbiotic therapy consisting of <i>Bifidobacterium longum</i> R0175 and inulin, when provided in addition to conventional treatment, appears to be a safe and effective strategy for managing pediatric ulcerative colitis in remission.Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.

The medical management of ulcerative colitis in children often requires aggressive pharmacological therapy or colonic resection. We hypothesized that synbiotic therapy, consisting of <i>B. longum</i> R0175 and inulin would improve symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in children diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Consenting pediatric subjects (8-18 years; n = 9) with ulcerative colitis in remission were provided synbiotic therapy, (Probiotic: <i>Bifidobacterium longum</i> R0175 2.0 x 1010 cfu/day; Prebiotic: 15 g/day of inulin) (n = 4) or placebo (maltodextrin + ascorbic acid capsule; 15 g/day of non-resistant maltodextrin) (n = 5) for ten months in a pilot study (Phase I). After ten months, the study was unblinded and synbiotic therapy was administered to eight pediatric subjects (Phase II). In attempt to increase sample size, three adult subjects with active UC were recruited and provided the synbiotic therapy (Phase III). In all phases of the research, QOL was measured using the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). The SIBDQ was administered at baseline and every two months. Subjects kept a daily records of symptoms (stool consistency and frequency, presence of blood and mucous, presence of abdominal pain and overall feeling). Phase I QOL scores were significantly better for those receiving the synbiotic therapy versus the placebo (p = 0.014). Severe symptoms occurred in 60% of the control subjects, where as subjects receiving synbiotic therapy did not experience severe symptoms (p = 0.032). Phase II QOL scores were significantly better post-treatment with synbiotic therapy (p=0.034). One subject (steroid dependant) was able to wean off Prednisone® while receiving the synbiotic therapy; she remained in remission and was symptom free for over 26 months. In Phase III, synbiotic therapy did not induce remission in the adult subjects with active UC. No adverse effects were reported.<p>Synbiotic therapy consisting of <i>Bifidobacterium longum</i> R0175 and inulin, when provided in addition to conventional treatment, appears to be a safe and effective strategy for managing pediatric ulcerative colitis in remission.Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.

D-lactic acidosis (DLA) is a disease associated with D-lactatemia, acidosis and neurological signs. However, these associations are ill-defined. Bacterial fermentation in the intestine causes increasing D-lactic acid concentrations in the body. Therefore, DLA is reported secondary to gastrointestinal diseases, such as short bowel syndrome, gastroenteritis or diarrhea. Despite intestinal origin, sudden D-lactatemia is often a result of impaired D-lactate metabolism in the body.<p> Aims of this work were to determine: 1) Influence of the presence of D-lactate or acidity on neurological disturbances; 2) Effectiveness of parenteral NaHCO3 therapy in correcting cerebrospinal acidity and DLA; 3) Prevalence of DLA in diarrheic lambs and fecal D-lactate thresholds; 4) Effectiveness of malate in preventing DLA.<p> The methodological tools consisted of animal models (calves and lambs): 1) Advanced surgical procedure in calves for long-lasting atlanto-occipital catheterizations; 2) Intravenous infusions of acids to experimentally induce acidosis; 3) Intravenous NaHCO3 therapies; 4) Sampling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, urine and feces from experimental / treated calves or diarrheic lambs for blood gas analysis, and D-lactate separation by chromatography.<p> D-lactate entered the central nervous system (> 2 mmol/L) from the circulation following experimentally induced D-lactatemia (> 5 mmol/L) and was responsible for neurological disturbances which correlated (r = 0.9, P < 0.05) with both CSF and serum D-lactate concentrations. A zenith of neurological disturbances, ataxia was evident when D-lactate concentration exceeded 12 mmol/L (CSF) and 26 mmol/L (serum), however, a nadir of acidosis (pH 6.9) caused by HCl infusions produced only mild neurological disturbances (P < 0.05). Therapeutic NaHCO3 infusions did not result paradoxical CSF acidosis, but supportive in correcting (P < 0.05) acidosis (ÄpH + 0.11) and D-lactatemia in calves.<p> In lambs, metabolic acidosis following a range of mild to severe diarrhea was observed with a corresponding range of D-lactate concentrations in both serum (< 0.05−24.0 mmol/L) and feces (< 0.05−31.0 mmol/L). D-lactate was absorbed into the circulation when the fecal D-lactate concentration exceeded 10.2 mmol/L (threshold). In calves, moderate oral use of malate produced a > 50% (P < 0.05) decrease in fecal and serum D-lactate concentrations suggesting prebiotic properties to prevent DLA. <p> This dissertation answers the critical questions about the onset of neurological signs in D-lactic acidosis, and advances the current knowledge on the metabolism of D-lactate, the prevention and treatment of acidosis.