>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Research into traditional medicines is often conducted in a multidisciplinary approach as motivated by a desire to understand them in as complete a manner as possible,realizing their chemistry, biology and pharmacology. One biological approach involves monitoring the cytotoxicity of the extracts of subfractions against the nauplii,Artemia salina (brine shrimp). Organic and aqueous extracts of seven South African medicinal plants was investigated for biological activity. Selected plant extracts was also evaluated for AChE inhibitory activity. The objectives of this study was to look for any correlation between known biological activities of the investigated plants and BSLT lethality data and also to look for any correlation between AChEI activity and BSLT lethality data for selected plant extracts. The most active of the plants was the n-hex extract of T.alliacea, followed by the aqueous extract of C.mellei and the MeOH extract of C.quadrifidus; the MeOH and the DCM extracts of A.afra; the DCM extract of P.undulatum and the EtOAc extract of A.annua. The results from this study show a good correlation with antitumor, antimicrobial and anti-trypanocidal activity.The various plants extracts investigated showed good inhibitory activity towards AChE using the TLC bioautography method. The results obtained from this study indicate that this type of activity is not only subject to plants containing alkaloids, but rather a diverse class of compounds may exhibit this kind of activity. The extracts that showed good AChE inhibitory activity also showed good cytotoxicity towards brine shrimp nauplii.

La saline de Sfax est un environnement thalasso halin (milieu salé alimenté par de l’eau de mer) riche en plancton malgré la contrainte du sel et l’intensité lumineuse élevée. Cette richesse est due à ses facteurs physico-chimiques particuliers. L’analyse STATICO a mis en évidence que l’azote et le phosphore peuvent influencer la distribution du phytoplancton en plus de la salinité qui domine dans ce milieu particulier. En se basant sur ce dernier paramètre, nous avons pu regrouper les espèces selon leur tolérance au sel. Afin de mieux comprendre le comportement du phytoplancton, trois espèces autotrophes Dunaliella salina (Chlorophycée), Cylindrotheca closterium (diatomée) et Phormidium versicolor Cyanophycée) ont été isolées, identifiées puis cultivées en batch dans de l’eau de mer artificielle sous trois niveaux d’éclairement et en présence de trois concentrations en NaCl. La croissance, l’activité photosynthétique ainsi que l’activité enzymatique anti-oxydante ont été mesurées. L’appareil photosynthétique de la Chlorophycée et de la cyanobactérie est moins affecté que celui de la diatomée qui est irréversiblement altéré aux forts éclairements et à la plus forte salinité; l’activité antioxydante n’a été détectée que sous l’éclairement le plus élevé et la synthèse des pigments caroténoïdes, qui sont des anti-oxydants non enzymatiques, est fortement activée surtout chez D.salina. La salinité et le niveau d’éclairement inter-réagissent sur la physiologie des trois espèces qui possèdent des mécanismes de résistance aux stress plus ou moins efficaces, d’où des résistances différentes aux contraintes du milieu selon les espèces. / The saltern of Sfax is a thalasso haline environment (salt medium supplied with sea water) plankton-rich despite the high salinity and the high light intensity. This richness is due to its physico-chemical characteristics. The STATICO analysis shows that nitrogen and phosphorus can influence the distribution of the phytoplankton in addition to salinity that dominates in this peculiar medium. Basing on this parameter, we could group the species according to their salt tolerance. To better understand the behavior of the phytoplankton, three autotrophic species Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyceae) Cylindrotheca closterium (diatom) and Phormidiumversicolor (Cyanophycea) were isolated, identified and grown in batch in artificialseawater in the presence of three NaCI concentrations and under three irradiations. Growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured. The photosynthetic apparatus of the Chlorophyceae and the cyanobacteriumwas less affected than the diatom’s one that was irreversibly altered under high illumination and the highest salinity ; the antioxidant activity was only detected in cells grown under the highest irradiance and the synthesis of carotenoid pigments, that are non-enzymatic antioxidants,was strongly activated especially in D.salina. Salinity and light inter-reacted on the physiology of the three species that possess resistance mechanisms to stresses more or less effective, resulting in different resistance to environmental stresses depending on species.

Introdução: A variação da pressão de pulso (PP) tem se mostrado ser uma ferramenta indicadora da responsividade à terapia de fluídos em estudos clínicos e experimentais. Entretanto, esses parâmetros ainda não foram adequadamente estudados em situações de variação aguda da viscosidade sanguínea, como ocorre durante hemodiluição normovolêmica aguda (HNA). O propósito desse estudo é comparar o comportamento do PP em modelo experimental de HNA em suínos com reposição volêmica com solução salina ou colóide. Métodos: Vinte e um suínos de peso médio de 32kg foram anestesiados e randomizados em três grupos de estudo: HES, o sangue removido foi reposto com solução de amido hidroxietílico 6%; SS, solução salina a 0,9% utilizada na reposição volêmica, e grupo controle, no qual os animais foram somente anestesiados. Parâmetros hemodinâmicos foram mensurados no início do procedimento (basal) (T0), metade processo de HNA (T2), 1 hora e 2 horas depois da HNA (T3 e T4 respectivamente), e imediatamente e 1 hora depois da retransfusão sanguínea (T5, T6). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância para medidas repetidas, seguida de teste de Tukey. As distribuições das variáveis mensuradas em mais de uma condição de avaliação, sem distribuição normal, foram comparadas com o teste Friedman e os grupos foram comparados com o teste de Mann-Whitney. Os valores de p<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significantes. Resultados: Depois da HNA, os parâmetros dinâmicos de responsividade a reposição volêmica, representados pelo PP, foram diferentes quando os animais foram tratados com solução colóide ou cristalóide (6,1 ± 2,5 e 14,1 ± 3,4 respectivamente). Os parâmetros estáticos tais como pressão de oclusão de artéria pulmonar (HES 11 ± 3; SS 8 ± 3) e pressão venosa central (HES 8 ± 2; SS 7 ± 4) são contraditórios quando comparados com PP. Conclusão: Durante o processo de HNA a solução colóide mantém os valores de PP próximos ao basal quando comparado com o grupo solução salina, provavelmente devido à diferença na meia vida do HES e da solução salina no espaço intravascular. / Background: Pulse pressure variation (PPV), have been shown to be useful tools to indicate fluid responsiveness in clinical and experimental studies. However, this parameter has not been adequately explored in situations of acute variation of blood viscosity, as happens in acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH). The purpose of this research was to compare the behavior of PPV in a porcine model of ANH replaced with either normal saline or starch. Methods: Twenty one pigs 32Kg were anesthetized and randomly allocated in three groups: HES, blood removal was replaced with 6% hydroxyethyl starch; NS, normal saline was utilized as fluid replacement, and CONTROL, animals remained anesthetized without any intervention. Hemodynamic parameters were measured at baseline (T0), middle of ANH (T1), immediately after ANH (T2), 1h and 2h after ANH (T3 and T4 respectively), and immediately and 1h after blood re-infusion (T5,T6). Data were submitted to analysis of variance for repeated measures followed by Tukey test or Friedman test followed by Mann-Whitney test when appropriate. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After ANH, dynamic parameters of fluid responsiveness, herein represented by PPV, presented different response when animals were treated with either starch (6,1 ± 2,2) or saline (14,1 ± 3,4). Besides, static parameters: pulmonary artery wedge pressure (HES 11 ± 3; 8 ± 3) and central venous pressure (HES 8 ± 2; NS 7 ± 4) presented contradictory values when compared to PPV. Conclusion: During ANH process colloids restored PPV values to baseline when compared o to normal saline, probably due to a difference in half-lives of HES and normal saline in the intravascular space.

A well-preserved flora has been collected from the Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk Formation near Salina, Utah. This formation is part of the Mesaverde Group and consists mostly of deltaic sediments deposited along the western margin of a Cretaceous sea. The Blackhawk Flora is comprised of the following species: Eguisetum sp., Osmunda hollickii, Allantodiopsis erosa, Saccoloma gardneri, Araucaria longifolia, Ginkgo laramiensis, Protophyllocladus polymorphus, Sequoia affinis, Geonomites imperialis, Sabalites montanus, Dryophyllum subfalcatum, Juglans similis, Cinnamomum sezannense, Magnolia ampifolia, Menispermum dauricumoides, Ficus glasconea, Ficus planicostata, Ficus puryearensis var. elongata, Myrtophyllum torreyi, Nymphaeites dawsonii, Dalbergia (?) prewilcoxiana, Salix lesquereuxii, and Trapa paulula. Two independent studies were used to determine the climatic conditions that existed when the Blackhawk Flora was living. The first study was an analysis of the fossil leaf features compared with features of modern leaves whose climatic requirements are known. It was determined that the fossil leaves of the woody dicotyledonous species exhibit a high percentage of entire margins, pinnate venation, simple organization, thick texture, large size, and dripping points. These are characters possessed by modern floras living in warm, humid climates. The second study was of the distribution of the nearest living relatives of the fossil plants. This investigation indicated that the modern correlatives of the Blackhawk Flora prefers climates that are warm-temperate to subtropical. Both paleoclimatic studies indicate that the Blackhawk Flora lived in a humid, warm-temperate to subtropical climate.

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Los organismos zooplanctónicos constituyen un eslabón importante en las redes tróficas de los cuerpos de agua, lo cual los convierte en indicadores útiles al evalúar el estado ecológico de un ambiente. En la presente tesis se estudió la estructura y dinámica del zooplancton de la laguna La Salada en relación a las variables físico-químicas, climáticas y al manejo antrópico. La Salada es una laguna salina somera, ubicada al SW de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Se caracteriza por presentar un importante manejo antrópico, recibiendo agua desde canales de riego derivados del Río Colorado. Se encuentra localizada en una región templada, semiárida y de fuertes vientos. Durante octubre 2012 y septiembre 2015, se realizaron mediciones cualitativas y cuantitativas del zooplancton y de las variables físico-químicas del agua a escala mensual en la laguna. A su vez se instaló una boya multiparamétrica a fin de medir variables limnológicas y meteorológicas en alta frecuencia. Se realizó una caracterización ambiental de la laguna y se estudió la variabilidad climática a partir del análisis de 50 años de registros meteorológicos diarios. La tendencia histórica muestra un aumento en 0,7 ºC de la temperatura del aire desde el año 1966 hasta el año 2015. A partir del análisis de las precipitaciones se clasificó al año 2012 como un período de lluvia normal, el año 2013 como un período muy seco, y los años 2014 y 2015 como años húmedos. Evidentemente la zona presenta una variabilidad climática importante. Del estudio de las variables limnológicas se determinó que se trata de una laguna mesosalina (30,4 g L-1) y alcalina (8,2), caracterizada por una transparencia elevada durante todo el período de estudio (166 cm). Su estado trófico se define como mesotrófico-eutrófico, con baja concentración de clorofila a en comparación con otras lagunas pampeanas (8,5 μg L-1), pero similares a otras lagunas salinas de la región y el mundo. La salinidad disminuyó y la concentración de nutrientes aumentó significativamente con el ingreso de agua aportada por los canales derivados del Río Colorado. La variación estacional de la temperatura desempeñó un rol importante, modulando las variaciones en la concentración de clorofila a. A partir de las mediciones de alta frecuencia se detectaron procesos importantes de interacción agua-atmósfera a escalas diurna, semidiurna y horaria. Dichas variaciones observadas en la temperatura del aire, humedad relativa, velocidad del viento, concentración de oxígeno disuelto y temperatura del agua, se asociaron con eventos de brisa local generados por las diferencias de temperatura y presión entre la laguna y el continente. Por otro lado, las mediciones de alta frecuencia de la concentración de oxígeno sugirieron que La Salada es un ecosistema con metabolismo autotrófico. Los valores de metabolismo fluctuaron dentro de los esperados para una laguna salina, siendo más productiva que otras lagunas templadas. La temperatura y las fluctuaciones en la conductividad juegan un importante rol en las características físico-químicas y biológicas del sistema. A su vez, la variación anual e interanual del nivel del agua es un factor crucial en el desarrollo de los procesos ecológicos en la laguna. El zooplancton de la laguna La Salada se caracterizó por presentar una diversidad baja, compuesto por especies halófilas y de pequeño porte, con una dominancia de rotíferos durante todo el período de estudio. El zooplancton estuvo dominado por B. plicatilis, seguido por otro rotífero de menor tamaño, S. kitina. El copépodo ciclopoideo Apocyclops sp. se halló principalmente en verano. La dominancia de los rotíferos y el hecho de que las abundancias de los copépodos (mayormente ciclopoideos) fueran bajas, es característico de ambientes eutróficos sujetos a una gran fuerza de predación por peces omnívoros (Odonthesthes sp). Los copépodos calanoideos estuvieron representados por B. poopoensis, una especie típica de lagunas salinas. Por otro lado, el hecho de que las especies predominantes son de pequeño porte y que los copépodos se encuentran representados por estadíos nauplii y juveniles en su mayoría, puede ser el resultado de la alta variabilidad ambiental, con un corto tiempo de retención e importantes fluctuaciones en las condiciones físico-químicas en respuesta a cambios en el nivel del agua debido al manejo antrópico. Las abundancias y biomasas del zooplancton mostraron respuestas interanuales distintas en relación a las principales variables físico-químicas. La dinámica de la abundancia zooplanctónica estuvo regulada por los cambios estacionales de temperatura. La biomasa zooplanctónica estuvo regulada por la el efecto de la entrada de agua y los aumentos consecutivos de las concentraciones de nutrientes y disminución de la conductividad/salinidad asociadas al manejo antrópico y por la temperatura. En conclusión, la presencia de peces zooplanctívoros en conjunto con los cambios en la concentración de nutrientes y salinidad, moldearon la comunidad zooplanctónica de la laguna La Salada hacia una de baja diversidad, conformada por especies halotolerantes y de pequeño porte. Esta presentó cambios característicos en la composición y biomasa en respuesta al manejo antrópico de la laguna. La variación anual e interanual del nivel del agua generada por la acción antrópica resultó ser un factor crucial en el desarrollo de los procesos ecológicos en La Salada. / Zooplankton organisms constitute an important link in the trophic networks of water bodies and are useful indicators of the overall ecological state of an environment. In the present thesis, the structure and dynamics of the zooplankton of La Salada lake were studied in relation to physicochemical and climatic variables subjected to anthropic management. La Salada is a saline shallow lake, located in the SW of the province of Buenos Aires. It is characterized by presenting an important anthropic management system, receiving water from irrigation channels derived from the Colorado River. It is located in a template, semiarid and windy region. From October 2012 to September 2015, the lake was surveyed with monthly frequency for qualitative and quantitative measurements of zooplankton and physicochemical variables. Also, a multi-parameter buoy was installed to collect high frequency limnological and meteorological data. The lake was characterized through limnological data and climate variability was assessed through daily meteorological records recorded during 50 years. The historical trend shows an increase in air temperature of 0.7 °C from 1966 to 2015. From the analysis of precipitation records, 2012 was classified as a normal precipitation period, 2013 as a very dry period, whereas the period 2014 and 2015 was considered wet. Clearly, the area is subject to an important climatic variability. Limnological variables measured in the lake indicated mesosaline (30.4 g L-1) and alkaline (8.2) conditions, with high transparency (166 cm) during the entire study period. The trophic state of the lake was defined as mesotrophic-eutrophic, with lower concentrations of chlorophyll a (8.5 μg L-1) compared to other Pampean lakes, but nevertheless similar to saline lakes of the same region and of the world. Salinity decreased and nutrients concentrations increased significantly due to the water inflow from channels derived from the Colorado River. Temperature seasonal variations played an important role modulating the chlorophyll a concentration. The analysis of high frequency measurements of several air and water parameters showed up the interaction water-atmosphere at short time scales, diurnal, semidiurnal and hourly. Variations in air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, dissolved oxygen concentration and water temperature were associated with local breeze events generated by differences in temperature and pressure between the lake and the continent. On the other hand, the analysis of high frequency oxygen concentration measurements showed up a predominant autotrophic metabolism in La Salada. Metabolism values were within those expected for saline lakes, being more productive than other temperate lakes. Fluctuations in temperature and conductivity play an important role in the physicochemical and biological characteristics of the system. In turn, the annual and inter-annual variation of the water level is a crucial factor in the development of the ecological processes in the lake. The zooplankton of La Salada was characterized by a low diversity, represented by small size, halophiles species, with rotifers dominating the entire study period. The zooplankton was dominated by B. plicatilis, followed by another small rotifer, S. kitina. The cyclopoid copepod Apocyclops sp. occurred mainly in summer. The dominance of the rotifers and the fact that the abundances of the copepods were low, being represented mainly by cyclopoids, is characteristic of eutrophic systems under predation pressure by omnivorous fish (Odonthesthes sp.). Calanoids were represented by B. poopoensis, a typical species of saline lakes. On the other hand, the small size species and that the copepods were mainly represented by nauplii and juvenile stages may be the result of an adaptive process to high environmental fluctuation, such as the short retention time and the important fluctuations in physicochemical conditions in response to changes in the water level due to anthropic management. The abundances and biomasses of zooplankton showed different responses to the main physicochemical variables between years. The dynamics of zooplankton abundance was regulated by seasonal changes in temperature. Zooplankton biomass was regulated by the effect of water inflow and the subsequent increase of nutrient concentrations and decrease in conductivity/salinity associated with anthropogenic management and temperature fluctuations. In conclusion, the presence of zooplanctivorous fish together with the changes in the concentration of nutrients and salinity, shaped the zooplankton community of La Salada lake towards one of low diversity, constituted by small and halotolerant species. Changes in zooplankton composition and biomass in response to anthropic management of the lake were also recorded. The annual and inter-annual variation of the water level due to anthropic management proved to be a crucial factor in the development of the ecological processes in La Salada lake.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 S72 / Master of Landscape Architecture