Leung Man-hin. / Thesis submitted in: August 2004. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-133). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / Abbreviations --- p.v / Figure List --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1: --- General introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Amyloid cascade hypothesis --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Tauopathy --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3 --- The amyloid precursor proteins / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Structure of amyloid precursor proteins and related peptides --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Amyloid precursor protein mutations --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Amyloid precursor protein processing --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Physiological roles of APP --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- The pathophysiological role of Ap --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.6 --- The pathophysiological role of APP-CTF --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4 --- The role of proteases in amyloid precursor protein processing / Chapter 1.4.1 --- α-secretase and p-secretase --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- γ-secretase complex --- p.30 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Caspases --- p.36 / Chapter 1.4.4 --- Kallikrein-like proteases --- p.37 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objective of the present study --- p.40 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Materials and methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Experimental procedure / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Plasmid construction --- p.42 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- "DNA purification, ligation and restriction enzyme digestion" --- p.44 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Competent cell preparation --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Transformation --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Plasmid miniprep --- p.48 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Prokaryotic expression of neurosin --- p.49 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- SDS-PAGE --- p.51 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- Protein sample preparation --- p.51 / Chapter 2.1.9 --- Western Blot --- p.52 / Chapter 2.1.10 --- Immobilized metal affinity chromatography --- p.54 / Chapter 2.1.11 --- Enzyme assay --- p.55 / Chapter 2.1.12 --- Cell culture and transfection --- p.56 / Chapter 2.1.13 --- Live cell imaging --- p.57 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials --- p.59 / Chapter Chapter 3 : --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Recombinant expression and characterization of neurosin / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Construction of neurosin prokaryotic expression vectors --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Prokaryotic expression of neurosin --- p.64 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Neurosin was expressed as inclusion bodies --- p.68 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Co-expression of molecular chaperones with neurosin --- p.70 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Purification of recombinant neurosin by IMAC --- p.76 / Chapter 3.1.6 --- Enzyme assay --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2 --- Effect of neurosin on APP processing in neuronal cells / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Generation of APP constructs --- p.84 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Expression of APP in mammalian cultures --- p.89 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Cellular localization of APP and its processing products --- p.96 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- The role of over-expression of neurosin on APP processing in B103 cells --- p.101 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Discussion / Chapter 4.1 --- Discussion of neurosin expression --- p.103 / Chapter 4.2 --- Discussion of APP cell model --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3 --- Conclusion --- p.119 / References --- p.121 / Appendix / Chapter A. --- Tables on primers used --- p.138 / Chapter B. --- Plasmid maps --- p.139 / Chapter C. --- Raw data on the DNA sequencing --- p.141

The extraembryonic endoderm (XEN) defines the yolk sac, a set of membranes that provide essential support for mammalian embryos. Recently, the committed XENprecursor was identified in the embryonic Inner Cell Mass (ICM) as a group of cells that intermingles with the closely related, anatomically indistinguishable epiblast (EPI)- precursor that gives rise to the fetus. In vitro, the EPI-precursor is represented by the well-known embryonic stem (ES) cell lines, but cell lines representing the XENprecursor are not known. Furthermore, since the XEN-precursor cells were discovered only very recently, the unexpected fact that they express the key pluripotency marker Oct4 has not been explored. Recently, however, our laboratory has isolated rat XEN cell lines that express Oct4, leading to the following two questions: (i) Do these new XEN cell lines represent XEN-precursor cells? (ii) Is their Oct4 expression regulated similarly as previously known from ES cells? These two questions are addressed here by lineage marker and reporter gene analyses. Whole culture analyses showed that rat XEN cell lines expressed markers of all XEN stages including XEN-precursor, primitive endoderm (PrE) and/or visceral endoderm (VE), and parietal endoderm (PE) but trophoectoderm and EPI-precursor markers were missing. In line with this, immunocytochemistry demonstrated heterogeneity and directly visualized the XEN-precursor, PrE/VE, and PE subpopulations. Low-density plating and time-dependent immunocytochemistry on resulting colonies strongly suggested that XEN-precursor cells generate the other XEN stages. Moreover, by analyzing single-cell derived clones, it was shown that culture heterogeneity results from the self-renewal and differentiation of a single cell. Reporter gene analyses using the 5’ regulatory region of the mouse Oct4 gene revealed that a DNA fragment containing the previously described distal enhancer drove reporter gene expression only in ES cells whereas inclusion of an upstream fragment led to high expression in both mouse ES and rat XEN cells. In conclusion, our rat XEN cell lines contain XEN-precursor cells that differentiate extensively, providing for the first time an in vitro model that mimics the natural process of early XEN differentiation. In addition, they regulate Oct4 gene transcription differently than ES cells suggesting heterogeneous Oct4 regulation within the mammalian ICM.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:21:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3810453 bytes, checksum: f423186e582c85555cd8c1d3ea6cddcb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The work consisted in the synthesis of ferrites of composition Ni0,5-xNdxZn0,5Fe2O4 varying the concentration of neodymium ions (Nd3+) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3, the method being chosen as the citrate precursor method or route of synthesis. After synthesis, the samples were calcined at 350°C and then pressed into discs and toroids. Subsequently these samples were sintered at 1000°C for 3 hours, the rate being controlled heating and cooling. The calcined materials were characterized by XRD, SEM and vibrating sample magnetometry (MAV) and sintered samples by XRD, SEM, MAV, and measures of permeability and magnetic losses. The method of the precursor citrate has been demonstrated to be an effective method because obtained structural materials with desirable features. From XRD and the Rietveld refinement, it was found that the synthesized samples and treated at 350°C showed 100% formation of the single phase of spinel type and treated at 1000°C showed besides the ferrite phase, secondary phase confirmed by refinement as NdFeO3. The samples treated at 1000°C for 3 hours have passed the dimensions in micrometers due to the diffusion effect between the crystals, which increases at higher temperatures. The synthesized and treated at 350 and 1000°C for 3 hours ferrites behave as magnetically "soft" or "soft" and intensity of saturation magnetization decreases with the increase in the samples of neodymium (Nd3+) materials. The proof of this decrease was demonstrated by the study of positioning of cations in the spinel network using the Rietveld refinement method, and the influence of these changes in the magnetic properties, from the comparative relationship between the magnetization values in terms of the Bohr magneton theoretical (MBTeórico) and experimental Bohr (MBExp.). The results of electrical tests of the synthesized samples showed that the materials developed have potential for miniaturization for applications in electronic devices such as inductive microwave in telecom cores / O trabalho consistiu na síntese de ferritas de composição Ni0,5-xNdxZn0,5Fe2O4 variando a concentração dos íons neodímio (Nd3+) de 0 ≤ x ≤ 0,3, sendo escolhido o método do citrato precursor como método ou rota de síntese. Após a síntese, as amostras obtidas foram calcinadas na temperatura de 350°C e depois prensadas em forma de pastilhas e toróides. Posteriormente estas amostras foram sinterizadas a 1000ºC durante 3 horas, sendo controlado a velocidade de aquecimento e de resfriamento. Os materiais calcinados obtidos foram caracterizados por DRX, MEV e magnetometria de amostra vibrante (MAV) e as amostras sinterizadas por DRX, MEV, MAV, e medidas de permeabilidade e perdas magnéticas. O método do citrato precursor demonstrou-se ser um método eficiente, pois obtivemos materiais com aspectos estruturais desejáveis. A partir das análises de DRX e do refinamento pelo método de Rietveld, verificou-se que as amostras sintetizadas e tratadas a 350ºC apresentaram formação de 100% de fase única do tipo espinélio e as tratadas a 1000ºC apresentaram além da fase ferrita, uma fase secundária, confirmada pelo refinamento como sendo NdFeO3. As amostras tratadas a 1000ºC por 3 horas passaram a possuir dimensões em micrômetros, devido ao efeito de difusão entre os cristais, que aumenta em altas temperaturas. As ferritas sintetizadas e tratadas a 350 e 1000ºC por 3 horas comportaram-se como materiais magneticamente macios ou moles e com intensidade da magnetização de saturação diminuindo nas amostras com o incremento de neodímio (Nd3+). A comprovação desta diminuição foi demonstrada pelo estudo de posicionamento dos cátions na rede espinélio, utilizando o refinamento do método de Rietveld, e da influência destas mudanças nas propriedades magnéticas, a partir da relação comparativa entre os valores de magnetização em termos de magnéton de Bohr teórico (MBTeórico) e de Bohr experimental (MBExp.). Os resultados das análises elétricas das amostras sintetizadas apresentaram que os materiais obtidos possuem potencialidades de miniaturização para aplicações como núcleos indutivos em dispositivos eletrônicos de micro-ondas na área de telecomunicações

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-11-19T13:11:08Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Marta Maria de Moura Bezerra - 2015.pdf: 3977918 bytes, checksum: ab4ba8605376cc354b49e3469830fa05 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-11-19T13:13:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Marta Maria de Moura Bezerra - 2015.pdf: 3977918 bytes, checksum: ab4ba8605376cc354b49e3469830fa05 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-19T13:13:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Marta Maria de Moura Bezerra - 2015.pdf: 3977918 bytes, checksum: ab4ba8605376cc354b49e3469830fa05 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-17 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / In this work, the Praseodymium Stannate system was successfully synthesized by Polymeric Precursor Method. The crystallization temperature was evaluated by ATD and after calcination the material was characterized by XRD, spectroscopy in the infrared regions, spectroscopy in the region of UV-visible, scanning electron microscope(SEM) ,transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and photoluminescent measures. In the interests of possible applicability of semiconductor in catalysis were made trials in the discoloration of the tartrazine. The precursor powders calcined at different temperatures (400 ° C versus time (4, 8 and 12 hours) and 600, 800 and 1000 ° C for 4 hours) are single phase according to a results of X-ray diffraction. The degree of crystallinity increased with the temperature according to the results of the Crystallite Size and FWHM. The energy of the "bandgap" were calculated from the reflectance curves in the UV and showed obtaining a Semiconductor (~ 2.0 eV). By TEM was observed nanoscale particles monophasic with no secondary phase. The structure and morphology assessed by SEM showed an agglomerate and porous material. The optical property showed a possible applicability of the studied material as photoluminescent. According to the value of the "forbidden band" and the porosity of the materials, photocatalytic tests were carried out on discoloration of the dye tartrazine. The results showed that the studied material is promising for catalysis. / Neste trabalho, o sistema de Estanato de Praseodímio foi sintetizado com sucesso pelo Método Precursor Polimérico. A temperatura de cristalização foi avaliada por DTA e depois de calcinação, o material foi caracterizado por DRX, espectroscopia nas regiões do infravermelho, espectroscopia na região de UV-visível, microscopia eletrônica de varredura(MEV), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) equipado com um raioX de energia dispersiva espectrômetro (EDS) e medidas fotoluminescentes. No interesse de uma eventual aplicabilidade do semicondutor em catálise foram feitos ensaios na descoloração da tartrazina. Os pós precursores calcinados a diferentes temperaturas (400 ° C em função do tempo (4, 8 e 12 horas) e 600, 800 e 1000 ° C durante 4 horas) são monofásicos de acordo com os resultados de difração de raios-X. O grau de cristalinidade aumentou com a temperatura de acordo com os resultados do tamanho de cristalito e FWHM. A energia da "banda proibida" foram calculadas a partir das curvas de reflectância no UV e mostrou obtenção de um semicondutor (~ 2.0 eV). Por MET foi observado partículas em nanoescala monofásicas sem fase secundária. A estrutura e morfologia avaliada por SEM revelou um aglomerado e material poroso. A propriedade óptica mostrou uma possível aplicabilidade do material estudado como fotoluminescente. De acordo com o valor de "banda proibida" e da porosidade dos materiais, testes fotocatalíticos foram realizados na descoloração do corante tartrazina. Os resultados mostraram que o material estudado é promissor para a catálise.

Emissive conjugated polymers, namely PPV, PPP, polyfluorenes, etc, have gained considerable attention in recent times, specifically because of their potential application in the fields of PLED’s, displays, FET’s and sensors. The main target of the present work is the synthesis and utilization of dithiocarbamate (DTC) precursor polymers for: (a) generation of segmented conjugated polymers of poly[2-methoxy-5-((2'-ethylhexyl)oxy)-1,4- phenylenevinylene], MEHPPV-x, for color control and the study of their thermal elimination kinetics, (b) modulating phase separation and energy transfer in MEHPPV-x blends, (c) generation of tunable two-color patterns of conjugated polymers and (d) modification of the precursor polymer backbone by grafting and the study of its fluorescence modulation in the presence of different probe molecules. In the first part of this work, various dithiocarbamate (DTC) precursor copolymers, MDP-x, containing two types of leaving groups viz. methoxy and diethyldithiocarbamate with precise control over the DTC composition, were synthesized. Thermal elimination of these precursor polymers generated segmented MEHPPV with controlled conjugation, and hence the tuning of color from green to red is achieved (figure 1). These copolymers were synthesized via a modified Wessling’s route previously developed in our laboratory.1 The advantage of the DTC precursor over the acetate and xanthate precursor routes was that the elimination can be carried out at lower temperature (160OC) for the generation of segmented MEHPPV-x.2 (Figure 1) Kinetic parameters, namely activation energy (Ea) and pre-exponential factor (A), associated with the thermal elimination process of MDP-x to MEHPPV-x were determined in solution and as well as in thin films by following the evolution of the absorption spectra during the elimination process (figure 2). It was seen that the activation energy required for the elimination process was similar in both thin film and solution, whereas the pre-exponential factor was two order magnitude higher in thin films.2 This fact holds good for all the DTC compositions investigated. The thermal degradation products, carbon disulphide and diethyl amine, were analyzed using a mass spectrometer coupled with TGA instrument, confirming the selective elimination of the DTC groups. (Figure 2) Phase separation and energy transfer characteristics of segmented MEHPPV blends containing two different distributions of conjugation lengths, namely MEHPPV-8 (LC) and MEHPPV-100 (HC), were investigated using FL, UV and confocal fluorescence microscopic studies (figure 3). The phase separation and energy transfer in blends of the HC and LC were (Figure 3) modulated by addition of selective non-solvent for HC, namely cyclohexane, to the film casting solution. Typically, the extent of energy transfer to HC from LC is reduced in the presence of high volume fraction of cyclohexane.3 A novel way to generate two-color patterned substrates of MEHPPV was developed based on the control of “molecular conjugation length” using standard photo-acid generator based photolithographic methods (figure 4). This approach relies on the use of a single precursor containing controllable amounts of two types of thermally eliminatable groups, only one of which eliminates in the presence of an acid while the other that is labile even in its absence. An important feature of this approach is that the colour of the unexposed regions can be controlled by varying the composition of the MDP-x precursor. (Figure 4) Benzyl diethyl dithiocarbamate (BDTC) is known to act as iniferter (initiator-transfer agent and terminator). MDP-x precursor polymers, which contain similar benzyl dithiocarbamate groups, were used as macro-iniferter for grafting various acrylates, viz, (Figure 5) methyl acrylate, benzoyloxy ethyl acrylate and t-butyl acrylate, on to the precursor backbone, which resulted in MEHPPV-g-polyacrylate after acid catalyzed thermal elimination of the residual methoxy groups (figure 5).4 The t-butyl acrylate-grafted precursor polymers, namely, MDP-g-PtBA on thermal elimination in presence of acid underwent simultaneous acid-catalyzed thermal elimination as well as the complete hydrolysis of the t-butyl groups, leading to the formation of water soluble MEHPPV-grafted with polyacrylic acid chains, namely MEHPPV-g-PAA (figure 6). These PAA-grafted MEHPPV’s were shown to respond to various probe molecules and their optical responses were studied using fluorescence spectroscopy. These polymers could sense methyl viologen at very low concentrations. Single-tail ammonium surfactants and non-ionic surfactant, like triton-X-100, caused a dramatic enhancement of fluorescence in solution, due to the modulation of the conjugated backbone conformation, and as a consequence the break up of intra-chain inter-chromophore excitons (figure 6). (Figure 6) Fof figures and molecular formula pl see the original thesis)

No description available.

Osteocytes (resident bone cells) are believed to sense loading-induced interstitial fluid flow in bone and transduce the signals to osteoclasts (bone resorption cells) and osteoblasts (bone formation cells) to regulate bone remodeling. Recent studies have shown that bone disuse causes osteocyte apoptosis, which precedes osteoclast activity at the local remodeling site. Although osteoclast precursors are known to travel via the circulation, the specific mechanism by which they are transported to the remodeling site is unclear. We hypothesized that lack of fluid flow induces osteocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, we hypothesized that osteocyte populations containing apoptotic osteocytes secrete cytokines that: 1) promote angiogenesis, and 2) activate the endothelium to promote osteoclast precursor adhesion to the endothelium such that osteoclast precursors can be delivered closer and directly to the remodeling site. In our in vitro studies, we found that lack of oscillatory fluid flow (mimicking mechanical disuse) promotes osteocyte apoptosis. In addition, osteocyte populations containing apoptotic cells promote endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tubule formation. Inhibition of the potent angiogenic cytokine, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), abrogated osteocyte apoptosis-mediated angiogenesis. Furthermore, we found that osteocyte populations containing apoptotic cells secrete cytokines that promoted osteoclast precursor adhesion. Upon further investigation, we found that apoptotic osteocytes secreted elevated levels of inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6), and its soluble receptor, sIL-6R. We demonstrated that both IL-6 and sIL-6R are required to activate the endothelium to express ICAM-1. Inhibition of ICAM-1 and IL-6 by blocking antibodies abolished apoptotic osteocyte-mediated osteoclast precursor adhesion. Our findings suggest for the first time that osteocytes communicate to endothelial cells directly to mediate angiogenesis and osteoclast precursor adhesion. Results from this study may assist in a better understanding of osteoclast precursor recruitment at the initial onset of bone resorption.

This thesis concerned about the Ru-catalyzed C-H functionalizations on the synthesis of 2-arylindole unit, silylation of heteroarenes and preparation of aryne precursor. In the first project, we developed the Ru-catalyzed C2-H arylation of N-(2-pyrimidyl) indoles and pyrroles with nucleophilic arylboronic acids under oxidative conditions. Wide variety of arylboronic acids afforded the desired product in excellent yield regardless of the substituents or functional group electronic nature. Electron-rich heteroarenes are well suited for this method than electron-poor heteroarenes. Halides such as bromide and iodide also survived, further derivatisation of the halide is shown by Heck alkenylation. In order to find catalytic on-cycle intermediate extensive mechanistic experiments have been carried out by preparing presumed ruthenacyclic complexes and C-H/D exchange reactions. It suggested that para-cymene ligand is not present in the catalytic on-cycle intermediate and we suspect that metalation occurs with electrophilic ruthenium center via SEAr mechanism. In the second project, we developed the Ru-catalyzed silylation of gramine, tryptamine and their congeners using silanes as coupling partner. The transformation worked well with many different silanes. Regarding directing group, nitrogen atom containing directing groups are more favoured than the oxygen containing directing groups. Wide range of gramines and tryptamines also yielded the desired product in poor to excellent yield. At higher temperature, albeit in low yield, undirected silylation occurred. In order to get some insights about the reaction pathway of the silylation C-H/D exchange experiments were performed, and it revealed the possibility of C4-H activation of gramines by an electron rich metal- Si-H/D experiments showed Si-H activation by Ru is easy. In the final project, we presented the closely related aryne precursors from arylboronic acids via Ru-catalyzed C-H silylation of arylboronates and their selective oxidation. Worthy of note, the aryne capture products obtained from arylboronic acids in a single purification.

Este trabalho de mestrado teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia analítica focada no preparo de amostra protéica. O objeto de estudo foram os fragmentos solúveis das isoformas da proteína precursora do amilóide (APPs) presentes no plasma rico em plaquetas. As APPs têm sido amplamente estudadas em diversos grupos de pesquisa no Brasil e em outros no mundo como possíveis biomarcadores para a doença de Alzheimer. O preparo de amostra é a etapa fundamental que influencia significativamente nos resultados seguintes, especialmente quando se trata de amostras protéicas que exigem maiores cuidados. Para a avaliação dos melhores preparos de amostra para as APPs, foi utilizado SDS-PAGE e eletrotransferências de proteínas por Western Blotting. A eficiência dos preparos foi avaliada baseando-se nos resultados de revelação com anticorpos específicos para APP e medidas de densitometria de bandas. Após a escolha do melhor preparo de amostra utilizando SDS-PAGE e Western Blotting, as isoformas da APP foram separadas por eletroforese bidimensional (2DE). Durante a etapa de preparo de amostra, os resultados inesperados de massa molecular, o que indicou possível biodegradação das APPs. A identificação da fonte de interferência foi realizada estudando as variáveis dos preparos de amostra. Com isso foi possível determinar a fonte de interferência, mas uma avaliação mais detalhada das isoformas (como utilização de espectrometria de massas) não foi possível. / The goal of this Master\'s work was to develop an analytical methodology focused on protein sample preparation. The analyte studied were soluble amyloid precursor protein isoforms (APPs) which has been studied in many groups in Brazil and around the world as a possible biomarker for Alzheimer\'s disease. Sample preparation is a crucial step that influence significantly on next results, especially about biological samples which require more attention. For the best sample preparation for APPs, was used SDS-PAGE and protein electrotransference by Western Blotting techniques. The efficiency of the sample preparations was evaluated based on specific antibody reactions and densitometry measures of these interactions. After that, the APP isoforms were analyzed by two dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). During the sample preparation, were obtained unexpected molecular mass results, which indicated some APPs biodegradation. For the determination of the interference source, the variants steps of the sample preparation were analyzed. The sample preparation interference source was identified, but a more detailed study of the isoforms (by mass spectrometry) was not possible as well as the analysis of the identity of the possible fragmented isoforms.