Claustrophobia is huge problem which affects a lot of people in their everyday life, not to mention the financial and scientific difficulties with prematurely terminated MRI-sessions, due to claustrophobia. In this essay there will be a further introduction of phobias in general and also a deeper presentation of claustrophobia in order to reach a better understanding of the nature of this disorder and how it affect people’s daily life compared to the effect of a single claustrophobic reaction, when it is caused by the experience of a confined space. The objective of this essay is to investigate several treatment options, to find the most effective way of treating the condition in an attempt to diminish the personal and societal issues.

Wheat bran contains a diverse collection of macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive components, including those thought to have an important role in reducing the risk of many chronic diseases. The complication of wheat bran as a functional food relates to its high insoluble fibre content, which renders bran and its constituent bioactives largely indigestible, and hence with limited bioavailability. The main objective of this thesis research was to evaluate the effects of heat treatments of branon the antioxidant activity and chemical composition of the bran. Presumably, if the solubility of wheat bran can be enhanced by pre-treatment, its biological impact associated with its fibre and resident phytochemicals would also be enhanced. Compared to untreated bran, freeze dried water soluble extracts of thermally treated bran had substantially enhanced levels of antioxidant activity and signficantly increased concentration of a very broad spectrum of bran bioactive constituents including phenolics, minerals, phytate, B vitamins, and non-starch polysaccharide fibre compounds. Results taken together point to the development of novel wheat bran and extracts with considerable commercial potential for whole grain food use and a variety of nutraceutical applications far beyond what may be possible with whole grain wheat or normal bran. Outcomes of the research highlight the conclusion that the nutritional and functional food benefits of normal wheat bran probably represent a fraction of its potential due to the limited digestibility of wheat bran, which in turn, limits the bioavailability of its fiber and constituent bioactive compounds.

The aim of this project was to develop treatments that would be able to reduce the survival of clubroot spores in field soil and protect the roots of young transplants against infection. The project focused on using combinations of treatments which integrate novel and existing controls with emphasis placed on the sustainable use of waste materials, plant materials and bioactives. A wide range of treatments were screened individually and in combination under glasshouse and field conditions, e.g. fungicides, nutritional amendments, companion planting, plant saponins and biocontrol agents. Many of these treatments were able to reduce clubroot severity to varying degrees. Glasshouse treatments were more successful at controlling disease than those applied in the field. The most effective treatments - when applied correctly - contained calcium, e.g. lime as calcium oxide or LimeX (a by-product of the sugarbeet processing industry), and crushed scallop and whelk shells (a by-product of the fishing industry). Whilst the effects of calcium and pH on clubroot are not new, growers need to think more in terms of dose of calcium applied in the field rather than just pH, and also, the time of addition of lime to soil before planting needs serious consideration as it may be optimal to apply lime less than two weeks before transplanting. Experimental results have shown that soil microflora plays a major role in the development of clubroot disease and that the membrane potential of growing roots may be one of the most important factors in preventing P. brassicae from entering plant roots and causing disease due to the effect that calcium and pH have on clubroot control. The experiments have also shown that there are interactions between treatments such as fungicides, limes, soil nutritional level and soil microflora at controlling disease and some treatments may reduce the effectiveness of other treatments at controlling disease. Another factor that is known to affect the effectiveness of treatments at controlling clubroot is the initial spore load in the soil. Therefore, an additional aim of the project was to develop a rapid, quantitative PCR based diagnostic test that could measure the level of clubroot spores directly from soil. Plasmodiophora brassicae DNA was successfully extracted and amplified from artificially inoculated soils and from naturally infested field soils using real-time PCR with selected sets of primers and probes. Many different types of soil DNA extraction methods were tested and standard curves relating to different levels of spore inoculum were created. This project has generated useful information as to why there are contradictory results in clubroot research about the effect of various treatments at controlling clubroot. This information may also be the basis of practical advice to brassica growers on best practices to use to achieve optimal clubroot control in the field. Options in relation to new sustainable control treatments are discussed in the light of the results from both glasshouse and field experiments. These involve planting brassicas on raised beds and applying treatments strategically around the root zone. LimeX 70 or powdered calcium oxide were demonstrated to be the most optimal lime treatments for control, and a split application of Perlka (granular calcium cyanamide) may prove to be a consistently effective method for controlling clubroot.

Wheat bran contains a diverse collection of macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive components, including those thought to have an important role in reducing the risk of many chronic diseases. The complication of wheat bran as a functional food relates to its high insoluble fibre content, which renders bran and its constituent bioactives largely indigestible, and hence with limited bioavailability. The main objective of this thesis research was to evaluate the effects of heat treatments of branon the antioxidant activity and chemical composition of the bran. Presumably, if the solubility of wheat bran can be enhanced by pre-treatment, its biological impact associated with its fibre and resident phytochemicals would also be enhanced. Compared to untreated bran, freeze dried water soluble extracts of thermally treated bran had substantially enhanced levels of antioxidant activity and signficantly increased concentration of a very broad spectrum of bran bioactive constituents including phenolics, minerals, phytate, B vitamins, and non-starch polysaccharide fibre compounds. Results taken together point to the development of novel wheat bran and extracts with considerable commercial potential for whole grain food use and a variety of nutraceutical applications far beyond what may be possible with whole grain wheat or normal bran. Outcomes of the research highlight the conclusion that the nutritional and functional food benefits of normal wheat bran probably represent a fraction of its potential due to the limited digestibility of wheat bran, which in turn, limits the bioavailability of its fiber and constituent bioactive compounds.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:28:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:57:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertacao (Mestrado Profissionalizante em Lasers em Odontologia) / IPEN/D-MPLO / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP; Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo

Current malaria treatments are ineffective in sub-Saharan Africa due to problems beyond the disease. Approximately 90% of malaria mortalities occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and 77% percent of these are children under the age of five. At the same time, sub-Saharan Africa is also the recipient of 80% of international aid. With international malaria funding increasing in recent years, there must be an analysis on the practicability of funded interventions as malaria continues to be a tremendous burden in the region. This review highlights the complexity of malaria pathology and its association with poverty that makes treatments ineffective. Available, frontline antimalarial drugs and insecticides have shown increased resistance that has spread throughout many malaria endemic regions. This resistance aggravates the disease as the parasite and the vector evolve, resulting in increased transmission, increased severity of symptoms, and a high risk of mortality. In addition, the heavily funded malaria vaccine under development by GlaxioSmithKline and PATH shows partial efficacy that languishes over time, putting to question the practicability of such heavily funded interventions. The limitations of available treatments necessitates a holistic approach that responds to the economic state of endemic regions in order to effectively alleviate the burden of disease. An example of a holistic approach is the Multisectoral Action Framework for Malaria. This approach considers the socioeconomic development and fragile markets of endemic nations to encourage partnerships between governments and healthcare sectors in eradicating malaria. Although it will take years to demonstrate results, the burden of malaria calls for sustained efforts to alleviate the burden of the disease along with the poverty that perpetuates it.

Master of Science / Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology / Alison P. Adams / Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most common and costly disease affecting cattle in the world today. The disease was first described in the late 1800s and is one of the most extensively studied diseases of livestock. BRD accounts for 65 - 80% of the morbidity and 45 - 75% of the mortality in some feedlots. Outbreaks typically occur around 10 days after transportation with the majority of deaths occurring within the first 45 days of arrival. Bacterial pathogens, physiologic stressors, and concurrent viral infections are all important factors causing BRD; other factors include seasonality, heritability, and breed tolerance. Diagnostic and treatment measures are continually being critiqued and researched. Even with continued research and the administration of antibiotics, BRD still continues to be a problem for the beef industry. Remote early detection and previous calf history are two resources that can help feedlots diagnose the disease earlier, or prevent it entirely. Feeding behavior and physical exams of the calves can also aid in early detection. New antibiotics and treatment methods have been developed, but the BRD problem still exists. Since the disease is most problematic in feedlot cattle, treatment of a large number of cattle in this setting can be costly, and often, performance and carcass traits are also affected. New preventative measures will be crucial to the industry with the continued problems and consequences of BRD. Improved treatment options and enhanced diagnostic tools will also be imperative for the control and treatment of BRD in the future.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:33:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:06:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:26:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:06:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 13948.pdf: 4835457 bytes, checksum: 91031ccf645e496d6c45cf541eb91a26 (MD5) / Dissertacao (Mestrado Profissionalizante em Lasers em Odontologia) / IPEN/D-MPLO / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP; Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:37:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:07:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 05576.pdf: 3566096 bytes, checksum: 80fae754ec990be1f22f772e6969f158 (MD5) / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP