This work deals with the study of organic matter in the South Moravian lignite using the available physico-chemical methods and the results obtained are eventually considered for non-energy applications of lignite. Lignite organic matter was studied by degradation methods, which included CuO oxidation, thermochemolysis with TMAH and DFRC method. Special attention was paid to the lignite oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, which was carried out under different reaction conditions (time and temperature). Thermal degradation was performed in an inert atmosphere in order to observation of chemical change of lignite (including lignite after extraction with chloroform, demineralised lignite, remineralised lignete) during pyrolysis by means of various methods, especially TG-FTIR for analysis of gaseous products and FTIR for analysis the residual lignite after pyrolysis. Further, water-soluble fractions from lignite were characterized, particularly in terms of the content of organic substances.

Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Biological and Medical Sciences Title of Diploma Thesis: Effect of long-term exposure to soluble endoglin on the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells Author of Diploma Thesis: Dominika Tuschlová Supervisor of Diploma Thesis: PharmDr. Iveta Najmanová, Ph.D. Background: The aim of this thesis was to find out the effect of long-term exposure to soluble endoglin (sEng) on the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, P-selectin). We have worked with a control and experimental group of mice on a standard diet, with different levels of sEng. Methods: Genetically modified female mice from the CBAxC57BL/6J strain with high production of human sEng were used for analysis. These mice formed an experimental group, while mice with a low level of sEng formed a control group. They were 12 months old females. We used biochemical analysis to determine the level of total cholesterol and triacylglycerols (TAG). Levels of sVCAM-1 markers in all mice studied were determined by ELISA. The expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and P-selectin was monitored and evaluated by Western blotting, where the structural protein GAPDH was used as a control. Results: Biochemical analysis did not show a...

Jacket plum [ Pappea capensis ( Eckl.&Zeyh)] belongs to the Sapindaceae or Litchi family. It is well adapted to different climatic conditions. It has been used for medicinal purposes for both animals and human beings. Due to the richness of seeds in oil, it has great potential to be selected for production of biodiesel in South Africa. Suitable vegetative propagation methods for Pappea capensis trees have not yet been investigated and sexual propagation does not produce true-to-type plants, which take many years to bear fruits. Therefore, research was carried out to identify alternative methods for vegetative propagation of Pappea capensis which could be used for rapid multiplication. Several vegetative propagation experiments were carried out with stem cuttings and air layers. Stem cuttings were collected from two mature Pappea capensis trees grown at the Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria in the spring and autumn seasons. The cuttings were placed for rooting on the mist bed for rooting with and without Seradix® No. 2 [active ingredient, indolebutyric acid (IBA)] treatment. Other experiments followed in which the branches were girdled before making stem cutting to improve the level of any carbohydrates or available carbohydrates. Trials to investigate the rooting potential of Pappea capensis coppices, using different stem lengths, were also conducted. Rooting of Pappea capensis stem cuttings was unsuccessful. Air layers were made on the same trees where cuttings were collected. The trials were conducted in the spring and autumn seasons from 2006, 2007 and 2008. Some air layers were treated with Seradix® No. 2 and others were not treated with the auxin. High rooting percentages (100% in spring, 60% in autumn) were achieved with untreated air layers of Tree No. 1 and Tree No. 2 (80% in spring, 40% in autumn). Regardless of season, IBA and tree treatments, rooting was successful when the air layering method was used. Due to inconsistency in rooting from both vegetative methods, total phenolic compounds were extracted. The Folin-Ciaocalteau reagents method was used to extract phenolic compounds and the results were detected with Elisa reader instrument. The stem cuttings and air layers were further analysed for carbohydrates (starch and soluble sugars) with ó-toluidine reagent and ethanol and read with Spectrophotometer and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Higher levels of total phenol compounds were observed from callused (27.13 mg/g) and non rooted untreated (26.41 mg/g) stem cuttings from Tree No. 2, compared to IBA treated stem cuttings (19.90 mg/g) of callused and non rooted IBA treated stem cuttings (20.25 mg/g) of Tree No. 2. High total phenols (34.55 mg/g) in untreated air layers were also found in callused air layers of Tree No. 2 and lower amounts (22.85 mg/g) in treated air layers of the same tree. No soluble sugars were detected in stem cuttings or air layers with HPLC. Regarding starch, higher amounts were observed in stem cuttings of Tree No. 1 (18.45 mg/g) of the control and Tree No. 2 (19.82 mg/g) of IBA treated cuttings. Most of the air layers made on Tree No. 1 had higher percentages of starch, with the exception of the callused (7.41 mg/g) air layers of the control. Tree No. 2 air layers had very low amounts of starch when compared with those of Tree No. 1. The variation in rooting potential of stem cuttings and air layers led to the consideration of tree gender as a factor influencing success rates, where inflorescences were collected from the two Pappea capensis trees for two years (2007 and 2008). The microscopic investigations showed that Pappea capensis trees (Tree No. 1 and Tree No. 2) were monoecious, however, Tree No. 2 switched from monoecious to male by producing only male flowers. Based on the results of the above investigations, air layering in the spring season can be used as a (alternative) vegetative propagation method for Pappea capensis tree, but on specifically monoecious tree to obtain higher rooting percentage. However, these are preliminary trials which require further investigation. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

In cystic fibrosis (CF), pancreatic insufficiency and a diminished bile acid pool cause malabsorption of important nutrients and dietary components leading to deficiency, poor nutritional status, and oxidative stress. Of particular significance is the malabsorption of fat-soluble nutrients and antioxidants, which are important for normal immune and neurologic function. Patients with CF often are deficient in these compounds despite supplementation with the current standard of care therapy. The objective was to compare the pharmacokinetic profile of this water-soluble vitamin E formulation (Aqua-E) with an oil-based softgel formulation in a malabsorbing patient population. Patients with CF who had documented malabsorption were recruited for participation in this pharmacokinetic study. Patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria discontinued vitamin E supplementation, except for that in a multivitamin, for 7 to 21 days before the day of dosing. Patients were randomized to a single dose of 20 ml of Aqua-E or three oil-based softgels, which contained equivalent amounts of tocopherols. Blood was drawn from patients at time 0, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, and 168 hr and analyzed for tocopherols. Eight patients were enrolled in the study and randomized to Aqua-E or softgels. The primary outcome, the absorption of γ-tocopherol in Aqua-E (AUC=115 μg/ml*hr), was significantly greater than that of oil-based softgels (AUC=25.3 μg/ml*hr; P=0.013). Total-tocopherols (α+γ +δ) in Aqua-E (AUC=294 μg/ml*hr) showed a strong trend toward increased absorption compared with that of oil-based softgels (AUC=117 μg/ml*hr; P=0.09). In conclusion, this novel, water-soluble formulation showed a marked and statistically significant increase in absorption of γ-tocopherol in malabsorbing patients with CF compared with an oil-based formulation.

Interleukin-7 is an essential cytokine that plays a major role in the development and homeostatic maintenance of T-cells. The presence of soluble forms of various cytokine receptors have been proposed to be involved in the endogenous regulation of cytokine activity. Due to the natural ability of soluble CD127 (sCD127) to bind to IL-7, there is an interest in its potential application as an immunotherapeutic agent in diseases, where IL-7 has been found to be relevant, including HIV infection. In this study, I hypothesize that by administering sCD127 to healthy mice, IL-7 activity should be enhanced, thus enhancing T cell proliferation in vivo. The work presented here focuses on three main objectives: 1) evaluating the effect of IL-7 with or without sCD127 on T cell proliferation in healthy mice; 2) validating a mouse model of T cell depletion using anti-CD4 and CD8 antibodies; and 3) determining the effect of sCD127 treatment with or without IL-7 on T cell reconstitution and proliferation in the T cell depletion model. To assess the effect of administering exogenous sCD127, IL-7 or the combination on T cell proliferation, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and spleen were isolated, and stained to characterize T cell number, proliferation, and surface CD127 expression by flow cytometry. For the T cell depletion model, wild type C57BL/6 mice were injected intra-peritoneally with 150 μg single dose of anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 depleting antibodies. Consequently, mice were bled weekly to demonstrate the kinetics of T cell reconstitution following depletion (from d7 to d63). Our results demonstrated that in healthy mice daily treatment with murine IL-7 significantly stimulated T cell proliferation and consequently increased cell number. This observation was further boosted by pre-complexing IL-7 with sCD127. For T cell depletion experiments, the kinetics of T-cell reconstitution was different between the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CD4+ T cell reconstitution was almost complete 6 weeks following T cell depletion, while CD8+ T cells were only partially reconstituted at this time point. Treatment with IL-7 or combined therapy had a transient and significant effect on T cell proliferation and reconstitution, and this influence was abrogated after treatment discontinuation. Interestingly, CD8+ T cells exert greater responses to our treatments in that a more pronounced proliferation and significant increase in cell number was observed relative to the effect seen on CD4+ T cells in both healthy and depleted mice. In conclusion, antibody-mediated T cell depletion is a potentially valuable tool to investigate lymphopenia-induced proliferation and potential therapies thereof. This study suggests that combining sCD127 and IL-7 therapies enhances IL-7-mediated T cell proliferation, and provides important information for the potential therapeutic use of sCD127 and its impact on IL-7 function.

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is the strategy of reducing irrigation rates during a specific period of growth and development, with the objective of conserving water and managing plant growth while maintaining or improving yield and fruit quality. Mature tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L. 'Montmorency') trees in a commercial orchard were subjected to a range of irrigation deficits from pit hardening to harvest during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Irrigation treatments replaced from 62% to 96% of ETc, during that period. Midday stem water potential measurements were significantly different among treatments before harvest. However, fresh weight yield at harvest did not differ significantly among irrigation treatments in either year (P-value=0.64). In 2008 the amount of undersized fruit eliminated during packout was significantly higher in the treatments replacing 61% and 68% of ETc than in the control (P-value<0.0001), but only amounted to 2.0% and 1.4% of total yields, respectively. This small increase in undersized fruit did not significantly affect packout. Fruit quality measurements, such as soluble solids concentration and chroma of whole intact fruit, increased with the severity of the irrigation deficit. Visible surface bark damage from mechanical harvesting appeared less severe as deficit levels increased. Return bloom was not significantly affected by irrigation treatments.

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Aerobic (AeMBRs) and Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactors (AnMBRs) are an essential part of the advanced wastewater treatment options, which offer advantages in terms of higher effluent discharge and smaller footprints over the traditional wastewater treatment. This study evaluates the performance of (AnMBRs) by analyzing the cumulative effect of eleven physico-chemical parameters from the data obtained from the studies conducted from year 2000 onwards. Effect of various parameters such as Solid Retention Time (SRT), Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS), influent Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Organic Loading Rate (OLR), influent COD, and temperature on the COD removal, methane production and membrane fouling were evaluated. Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed to investigate the impact of environmental and operational parameters on membrane fouling, COD reduction, EPS/SMP and methane production and explain the results. It should be noted that the literature used has all needed variables; incomplete data sets were removed for the regression analysis, in this case, the fouling rate may be estimated. Of these variables, the fouling rate was significantly correlated only with flux (r = 0.291, p =

The composition of sludge organic matter is mainly influenced by the origin of wastewater. The biochemical composition of sludge could, however, alter from post wastewater treatment drying techniques. Such changes have a direct effect on the N fertilizer value of sludge because the biochemical composition of sludge dictates its decomposition rate. Therefore, proper understanding of the effect of wastewater treatment methods and post treatment drying techniques on a) the C and N contents as well as organic matter composition of sludge, and b) C decomposition and N mineralization is crucial for N management in sludge amended agricultural lands. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of selected wastewater treatment and post treatment drying techniques on a) the N, C, and organic matter composition, as well as b) C decomposition and N mineralization of municipal sewage sludge. The study also investigated the compounds responsible for C and N release during a decomposition process. Two consecutive incubation studies (100 days each) were conducted to determine N release, C decomposition and sludge organic matter decomposition using different sludge types namely: Thermally hydrolysed sludge (THS), Activated sludge (Activated), and anaerobically digested sludge. The anaerobically digested sludges were collected from two different drying techniques (concrete beds and earth paddy) as well as two sludge drying depths on beds ( 10 cm and 25 cm). Inorganic N was determined by the steam distillation method. Sludge organic matter composition was analysed using Van Soest method. Total N and total organic C were determined using Carlo-Erba method. A parallel sludge alone incubation study was conducted from which organic compounds degradation and transformation analysis were conducted. The anaerobically digested sludge dried in thin layers of 10 cm (ADS3) had higher total N (4.95%) than similar sludge types dried in thick layers of 25 cm in concrete beds (ADS1= 2.81%N) and in earth paddy (ADS2 = 2.83%N). Large fraction (>60%) of the organic C in all sludge types was in soluble compounds form (SOL). Thermally hydrolyzed sludge (THS) had the highest (90%) SOL. ADS3 and Activated had lower lignin fraction (<3%) than THS, ADS1 and ADS2. Net N mineralization per kg C applied was highest for activated (77 g kg-1 C) and was lowest for ADS2 (23 g kg-1 C). Despite having highest SOL, THS had relatively lower net N mineralization per kg organic N applied (350 g kg-1 organic N) than Activated sludge (449 g kg-1 organic N) mainly due to the relatively higher lignin fraction. It was apparent from this study that the soluble compounds were responsible for about 90% of the organic matter decomposition. The Van Soest method was also successfully used to determine residual compounds at intervals during the incubation study from the sludge alone study but not with the soilsludge mixture. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / National Research Foundation (NRF) Water Research Commission (WRC), East Rand Water Care Company (ERWAT) / Plant Production and Soil Science / MSc / Unrestricted