Effective management of acute pancreatitis has for centuries eluded mankind. The disease has a wide spectrum of presentation; the milder form is usually a self limiting condition, whereas the severe form presents as a highly morbid and frequently lethal attack. The ability to predict disease progression on admission would aid in the comprehensive and multidisciplinary management of patients. The perfect predictor of disease progression has been an elusive factor hindering the management of the disease. On systematically reviewing literature and identifying appropriate biochemical markers in predicting progression of acute pancreatitis, the ideal predictor would be a combination of biochemical, clinical and contemporary organ dysfunction scoring systems. Early prediction of disease progression however, is important in the better management of the disease. The pathophysiological changes of acinar cell injury and death are the earliest events that occur in acute pancreatitis. Identification of potential pharmacological interventions offered through valuable insight in to experimental and clinical acute pancreatitis may lead on to the development of various natural and synthetic potential disease modifiers. Green Tea Extracts (GTE) consumed in many parts of the world has been examined as a potential therapeutic medication. Experimental results have demonstrated the effect of GTE on the oxidative pathway significantly ameliorating the effects of pancreatic injury. The various green tea catechins especially Epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) can perhaps be useful lead compounds for new drug discovery. With no specific targeted therapy for severe acute pancreatitis at present, various medications have been tested. The possibility of targeting initial acinar cell injury may not be a feasible option as patient presentation and management would usually be after this phase. As the disease progresses, severe acute pancreatitis is characterised by inflammation and necrosis. The hypothesis of preserving pancreatic parenchymal microvascular patency and thus ameliorating pancreatic injury through the early administration of recombinant human Activated Protein C (rhAPC) has identified a potential treatment for acute pancreatitis. rhAPC converted from its inactive precursor, protein C, by thrombin acts through fibrinolysis and inhibition of thrombosis. Studies on rhAPC in experimental acute pancreatitis examined the modulation of rhAPC on inflammatory markers, morphology, microvascular thrombosis and apoptosis. The encouraging results from initial experimental work helped set up the Phase 2 clinical trial of administering rhAPC early on in severe acute pancreatitis. Prior to taking this significant step from bench to bed side, the variation in functional protein C levels with the severity of the disease was examined as a precursor to the Phase 2 trial.

Os chás destacam-se como a segunda bebida mais consumida no mundo. Além disso, seu consumo tem se modernizado, adequando-se aos anseios dos consumidores. São uma boa fonte de compostos com atividade antioxidante, os quais podem trazer benefícios à saúde humana pelo retardamento do processo de envelhecimento, assim como pela prevenção de doenças crônicas, tais como o câncer e doenças cardiovasculares. Infusões de ervas processadas e frescas foram estudadas quanto a teor de compostos fenólicos totais, perfil de flavonóides e atividade antioxidante. Os teores de compostos fenólicos totais, determinados pelo método de Folin–Ciocalteu, variaram de zero a 46,46 mg/g. Os flavonóides miricetina, quercetina e campferol foram identificados e quantificados por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) nos chás preto, verde e de camomila. A atividade antioxidante foi avaliada pelo método do seqüestro do radical 2,2'-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) e pelo sistema modelo β-caroteno/ácido linoléico (BCAL), usando hidroxitolueno butilado (BHT) e α- tocoferol como padrões. As maiores atividades encontradas pelo sistema modelo BCAL foram para as infusões de chá preto, mate, capim-limão, camomila e funcho, enquanto as infusões de ervas frescas apresentaram as menores atividades. Entretanto, quando a atividade antioxidante foi avaliada pelo método do DPPH, as infusões de ervas frescas de menta e funcho foram as que apresentaram as maiores atividades. Os chás processados que apresentaram os menores valores de IC50 foram verde e preto (147,63 µg/mL e 288,60 µg/mL, respectivamente). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que as infusões analisadas são boas fontes de compostos com atividade antioxidante. / Teas are the second most consumed beverage in the world. Besides this, their consumption has been modernized to suit the consumers? desires. They are a good source of compounds presenting antioxidant activity, which can bring benefits to human health by retarding the process of aging, as well as by preventing chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Processed teas and herbal infusions were studied for their total polyphenol content, flavonoid profile, and antioxidant activity. Total phenolics, determined by Folin?Ciocalteu procedure, ranged from zero to 46.46 mg/g. Flavonoids myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol were identified and quantified by High Efficiency Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in black, green, and chamomile tea. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2 Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl method (DPPH) and β-carotene bleaching test (BCB), with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and α-tocopherol as reference substances. The highest activities using BCB were found for infusions of black tea, maté, lemongrass, chamomile, and fennel, whereas fresh herbal infusions presented the lowest activities. However, when the antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, fresh herbal infusions of mint and fennel presented the highest activities. Processed teas with the lowest IC50 values were green and black (147.63 µg/mL and 288.60g/mL and 288.60 µg/mL, respectively). The results obtained demonstrate that the infusions analyzed are good sources of compounds presenting antioxidant activity.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2017 / Tea is one of the most popular consumed beverages in the world, which has beneficial properties such as anti-oxidization, anti-carcinoma and preventing arteriosclerosis. The major essential components of catechins present in tea leaves, includes epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epicatechin (EC), gallocatechin (GC) and catechin (C). Influence of time-based hot air drying method on chemical composition of the Jatropha zeyheri Sond, widely consumed in rural communities of Zebediela (Khureng village), Limpopo Province, South Africa, was investigated. Four treatments, namely; 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours, were arranged in completely randomised design (CRD), replicated five times. The study demonstrated that drying significantly increased total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity and tannin content. It also demonstrated that drying significantly increased minerals elements; Mg, K, P, S, Al, Co, Mn, Si and Zn content and decreased Na, Ca and Ni and Zn quantities. Sodium-potassium ratio was very low across drying periods. Drying time did not significantly influence proximate chemicals; energy, protein, carbohydrates, ash and fibre content. Moisture and fat were significantly increased by drying period. Results of the study suggested that time-based hot air drying method improved the chemical composition of J. zeyheri, which has the potential of enhancing nutrition in marginal rural communities of Limpopo Province.

No description available.

The aim of the master thesis was to propose the reconstruction of the water treatment plant. I chose the water treatment plant in Čebín, which I have already describe with in the bachelor thesis. The water treatment plant has problems with increased iron, manganese and ammonium salts. In the first part I devoted myself to the current condition of the water treatment plant and the possibilities of removing the elements from the water. In the next chapter I compiled the equipment of the technological line. To remove iron and manganese, I suggested aeration using an injector, and for the removal of ammonium salts, potassium permanganate is used, which is used to regenerate the filters. A pair of pressure filters helps remove iron and manganese. In the last part of the thesis I described and evaluated the original condition of the water treatment plant. To evaluate the technical condition, I used the TEA Water web application.

Diploma work contains procesual autoportrait created in the form of videodocument with expressive selfreferential strategies. Du Du is pouring itself a tea.

El Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA) es un trastorno del neurodesarrollo, de etiología multifactorial, caracterizado por deterioro en la interacción social, comunicación verbal, no verbal y patrones de comportamiento e intereses restringidos y repetitivos que persiste toda la vida presentando desde modificaciones leves hasta discapacidades graves. Se hace una revisión del trastorno del espectro autista con relación a la detección temprana y las dificultades que se han presentado en este grupo de población vulnerable en este tiempo de pandemia de la COVID-19. / Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, of multifactorial etiology, characterized by deterioration in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests that persists throughout life, presenting from mild modifications to severe disabilities. A review is made of the autism spectrum disorder in relation to early detection and the difficulties that have arisen in this vulnerable population group in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the soil, the plant material is decomposed by several factors. In the process, one part of the carbon returns to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, whereas another part is stabilised in the soil. The aim of this study is decomposition and stability of organic matter in soil using a simple and innovative TBI method. Through this method, we examined the weight change after the incubation period of 90 days, where biomass of green tea was degraded in cambodia soil. Tea bags have provided us with valuable information on the decomposition and amount of carbon in the soil, because the biomass itself is of organic origin. This information is based on the fact that the soil and the decomposition processes have a direct impact on the change in climatic conditions. Thanks to further analytical methods, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy with Furier transformation, was found indispensable information about tea composition.

Most of the fields planted with clonal tea in Malawi are deficient in micronutrients. This was evident in leaf analysis data collected in 2007 from 170 mature clonal tea fields of some of the tea estates in Malawi, which showed very high incidences of B, Zn and Cu deficiencies. Current fertiliser recommendations have emphasised much on macronutrients, such as N, Pand K, but little attention has been paid to micronutrient elements despite continuous removal through harvesting. A study was therefore conducted to assess the effect of foliar applications of Cu, Zn and B containing fertilisers on yield and quality of mature clonal tea plants. Field experiments were laid out in randomised blocks in two fields planted with cultivars PC 105 and 108 at Mianga and Glenorchy estates in the Mulanje district in Malawi and were replicated four times at each site. The treatments were T1 (control, no spray), T2 [ 0.1% boric acid (190.8g B/ha)], T3 [1% copper sulphate solution (4.35kg Cu/ha)], T4 [1.25kg/ha zinc oxide (1kg Zn /ha)], T5 [0.1% boric acid, 1% copper sulphate solution, 1.25kg/ha zinc oxide], T6 [1% of Commercial micronutrient mix ( N 1.7%, P 2.3%, K 1.6%, Mg 0.25%, Fe 1288 mg/kg, Mn 1005 mg/kg, Zn 2182 mg/kg, Cu 732 mg /kg, B 8202 mg/kg, Mo 3681 mg/kg, kelp extract 75 mg/kg, amino acids 50 g/kg, phytofulvate 50 g/kg)], and T7 [2.48kg/ha zinc sulphate (1kg Zn /ha)]. Micronutrient foliar sprays affected yield significantly at Glenorchy tea estate, but had no significant effect on yield at Mianga estate. Copper sulphate solution applied at 1% concentration decreased yield, but the other foliar applications did not impact yield relative to the control at Glenorchy. Tea quality by taster’s scores was not affected at Mianga estate, whilst at Glenorchy quality was affected, with the commercial micronutrient mix giving the lowest total score. Individual parameters that contributed to the differences in total scores at Glenorchy estate included brightness, briskness, colour of liquor, colour of infusion and colour with milk. Thearubigin (TR) concentration was the only biochemical quality parameter that was affected by the micronutrient foliar sprays. The level of TR was increased in all treatments that received the foliar sprays and the control treatment gave the lowest amount of TRs at both sites. An increase in the Thearubigin/Theaflavin (TR/TF) ratio, obtained in all treatments that received the foliar sprays, provides evidence that more catechins were being converted to TRs than TFs during fermentation. Foliar levels of B, Zn and Cu were raised significantly by the application of the respective foliar sprays, except for the commercial micronutrient mix which did not significantly increase B and Zn levels at both sites, but raised Cu levels to the recommended level only at Mianga, but not at Glenorchy estate. Concentration of Cu was extremely high in tea leaves treated with copper sulphate either alone or in combination with boric acid and zinc oxide. Levels of other nutrient elements, namely N, P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ca, Fe, B, Al and Na in the soils where different foliar sprays were applied were similar at both sites. Likewise, foliar levels of N, P, K, S, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ca, Fe, B, Al and Na were not different in all plots at Mianga, but at Glenorchy differences in foliar levels of Al and S were noted. High concentrations of Al and S in the leaves were observed in plots that received copper sulphate applied alone. High foliar concentrations of Al and Cu in leaves treated with copper sulphate could be the reason for the low yields obtained in the plots treated only with copper sulphate at Glenorchy estate. Foliar application of Cu, Zn and B in forms of 0.1% boric acid (190.8g B/ha)], 1% copper sulphate solution (4.35kg Cu/ha)], [1.25kg/ha zinc oxide (1kg Zn /ha)], 1% of a Commercial micronutrient mix (N 1.7%, P 2.3%, K 1.6%, Mg 0.25%, Fe 1288 mg/kg, Mn 1005 mg/kg, Zn 2182 mg/kg, Cu 732 mg /kg, B 8202 mg/kg, Mo 3681 mg/kg, kelp extract 75 mg/kg, amino acids 50 g/kg, phytofulvate 50 g/kg), and 2.48kg/ha zincsulphate (1kg Zn /ha) to mature clonal tea did not significantly increase yields and tea tasters scores, therefore their application to clonal tea with the aim of improving yield and quality may not be necessary. Results from this study indicated that clonal tea, specifically cultivars (PC 108 and PC 105), could not give positive results in terms of yield and quality of tea due to foliar application of Cu, Zn and B within the first season of application. However, if application is aimed at raising concentrations of Cu, Zn, and B, then boric acid, zinc sulphate, zinc oxide and the commercial micronutrient mix may be used without negatively affecting yield and quality of tea significantly. Copper sulphate however, at the application concentration and frequency used, should not be done because of the observed yield decline in copper sulphate treated plots. More prolonged research is required to determine if long term applications can correct perceived deficiencies and increase yield. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Meine Dissertation untersucht die ökologische Landwirtschaft auf indischen Teeplantagen. Basierend auf sechsmonatiger Feldforschung auf drei Plantagen in verschiedenen Teeanbaugebieten (im Dibrugarh-Distrikt von Assam, in der Darjeeling-Region in Westbengalen und in den Nilgiri-Bergen in Tamil Nadu) beschreibe ich, wie die Interaktionen zwischen Menschen, Teepflanzen und anderen nichtmenschlichen Spezies Einfluss auf Arbeits- und Produktionsverhältnisse nehmen. Mit Bezug auf Erin Mannings Denkbild der „minor gestures“ (2013) theoretisiere ich solche Interaktionen als spontane, nicht-intentionale, kollektive Handlungen. Über das analytische Instrument der „kleinen Gesten“ skizziere ich die Akteur-Netzwerke des ökologischen Teeanbaus. Hier zeige ich zum einen die Ungleichheiten bei der Arbeit auf, die durch ökologische Anbautechniken reproduziert werden, zum anderen die verschiedenen Formen menschlichen und nichtmenschlichen Widerstands gegen das Plantagenmanagement. Kernargument der Dissertation ist, dass Bio-Pflanzer (Plantagenbesitzer) und -Berater die „kleinen Gesten“ zwischen Teepflanzen und anderen nichtmenschlichen Arten gezielt einsetzen, um Teepflanzen produktiver wachsen zu lassen. Sie weisen ArbeiterInnen und Aufseher an, Insekten, Pilze, Bodenbakterien, Kühe und Wildpflanzen strategisch in die tägliche Arbeit einzubeziehen und ökologische Zusammenhänge für die Teeproduktion nutzbar zu machen. So soll etwa der Dung von Kühen die Bodenbakterien ernähren, damit diese wiederum die Teepflanzen nähren. Pilze, die vormals als Schädlinge angesehen wurden, sollen den Geschmack von Teeblättern verfeinern. Während andere Studien Plantagen vor allem als „ökologische Vereinfachungen“ beschreiben (Tsing et al 2019: 186), wollen Pflanzer auf Bio-Teeplantagen ökologische Vielfalt nicht grundsätzlich ausschließen, sondern vielmehr gezielt beeinflussen. ArbeiterInnen und Aufseher sollen vielfältige ökologische Beziehungen gezielt kultivieren, um landwirtschaftliche Monokulturen zu optimieren. So soll ein ertragreiches „Miteinander“ (Münster 2017) verschiedener Arten innerhalb der „ökologischen Vereinfachungen“ entstehen. Meine Ethnographie arbeitet zwei zentrale Aspekte dieses Miteinanders heraus: Erstens betone ich, dass die Zusammenarbeit mit nichtmenschlichen Lebewesen mit menschlichen Ungleichheiten einhergehen kann. Das Miteinander verschiedener Arten beruht zumeist auf prekärer Arbeit, wie sie auf indischen Teeplantagen seit der Kolonialzeit vorherrscht. Ökologische Anbautechniken erhöhen den Arbeitsaufwand, da sich ArbeiterInnen und Aufseher zusätzlich zu den Teepflanzen mitunter auch noch um Mikroorganismen kümmern, Dünger herstellen oder das Wetter beobachten müssen. Für die aufwendige Pflege nichtmenschlicher Lebewesen verdienen sie dennoch weniger als den Mindestlohn. Pflanzer und Berater sind in erster Linie darum bemüht, das nichtmenschliche Miteinander zu optimieren; gute Bedingungen für ArbeiterInnen und Aufseher sind meist zweitrangig. Zweitens zeige ich, wie der Widerstand von ArbeiterInnen und Aufseher gegen ihre Arbeitsbedingungen das produktive Miteinander anderer Spezies verändert. Bisweilen protestieren ArbeiterInnen und Aufseher offen gegen ihre prekäre Situation, so auch während des Generalstreiks in Darjeeling im Jahr 2017, in dessen Folge ganze Plantagen brachlagen und verwilderten. Für gewöhnlich jedoch verhandeln ArbeiterInnen und Aufseher ihre Arbeitsbedingungen weniger offensiv, sie leisten „alltäglichen Widerstand“ (Scott 1985). Indem sie zum Beispiel bestimmte Anweisungen zu ökologischen Anbautechniken missachten, beeinflussen ArbeiterInnen und Aufseher auch die „kleinen Gesten“ zwischen Teepflanzen und anderen nichtmenschlichen Arten, was die Erträge der Teepflanzen zurückgehen lassen kann. Alltäglicher Widerstand ist also häufig kontraproduktiv, weil der Arbeitsaufwand dadurch langfristig steigt. Ähnliches gilt auch für den nicht-intentionalen Widerstand, den Teepflanzen und andere Nichtmenschen vermittels „kleiner Gesten“ leisten: Wenn der Monsun die Teepflanzen zu schnell und zu hoch wachsen lässt, oder sich die „invasive“ Lantanapflanze auf den Plantagen ausbreitet, entsteht auch hier zusätzliche Arbeit für ArbeiterInnen und Aufseher. Die Kombination von Plantagenstudien und Studien zu alternativer Landwirtschaft erweitert das Repertoire der Multispecies-Forschung. Beide Landwirtschaftsformen werden, besonders im indischen Kontext, zumeist als Gegenspieler dargestellt; alternative Landwirtschaft gilt als ökologisch und sozial regenerativ, während Teeplantagen Ökosysteme zerstören und koloniale Ausbeutungsverhältnisse reproduzieren. An dieser Schnittstelle zeigt meine Forschung, wie Bio-Teeplantagen alternative Anbautechniken als zentrale Elemente in industrielle Produktionsabläufe einbinden. Somit konsolidiert umweltfreundlichere Teeproduktion das Plantagensystem – und damit auch prekäre Arbeit. Indem ich das Zusammenspiel von Agrarökologie und sozialen Arbeitsfragen untersuche, verdeutliche ich auch das kritische Potenzial der Multispecies-Ethnographie: Gegen das ökologische Miteinander, welches das Plantagemanagement kultivieren will, leisten sowohl ArbeiterInnen und AufseherInnen als auch nichtmenschliche Lebewesen Widerstand.