Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Statistics, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 107-112).

Universiẗat, Diss., 2002--Bayreuth. / Erscheinungsjahr an der Haupttitelstelle: 2002.

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This thesis deals with the burden of European beaver (Castor fiber) populations with risk elements in three areas of the Czech Republic and one area in Slovakia. There were investigated concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Pb and As) in the kidneys, livers, lungs, hearts, muscles and fur of 19 found dead beaver individuals. Furthermore, their food was analysed to determine the contamination of their areas of origin and discover, which organ reflects the observed concentrations of Cd the best. The main aim of the study was to determine whether the analysis of hair could be used as a non-invasive method to reflect the concentrations of heavy metals in beaver populations in future. The results were conclusive only for As, whose concentrations in the hair was the second highest and correlated with the content of As in the lungs, which contained the highest concentrations of arsenic. Cadmium in the fur showed a reverse structure compared to the content of Cd in kidney and liver. There were found significant differences in the contamination with heavy metals between beaver populations and their environments. Analysis of the fur is not proved for most of the elements and it is necessary to investigate further non-invasive methods to determine the load of toxic elements on beaver populations.

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Master of Science (Nanoscience) / Neuroblastomas (NBs) are the most common solid extra-cranial tumours diagnosed in childhood and characterized by a high risk of tumour relapse. Like in other tumour types, there are major concerns about the specificity and safety of available drugs used for the treatment of NBs, especially because of potential damage to the developing brain. Many plant-derived bioactive compounds have proved effective for cancer treatment but are not delivered to tumour sites in sufficient amounts due to compromised tumour vasculature characterized by leaky capillary walls. Betulinic acid (BetA) is one such naturally-occurring anti-tumour compound with minimum to no cytotoxic effects in healthy cells and rodents. BetA is however insoluble in water and most aqueous solutions, thereby limiting its therapeutic potential as a pharmaceutical product. Liposomes are self-assembling closed colloidal structures composed of one or more concentric lipid bilayers surrounding a central aqueous core. The unique ability of liposomes to entrap hydrophilic molecules into the core and hydrophobic molecules into the bilayers renders them attractive for drug delivery systems. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are non-reducing cyclic oligosaccharides which proximate a truncated core, with features of a hydrophophilic outer surface and hydrophobic inner cavity for forming host-guest inclusion complexes with poorly water soluble molecules. CDs and liposomes have recently gained interest as novel drug delivery vehicles by allowing lipophilic/non-polar molecules into the aqueous core of liposomes, hence improving the therapeutic load, bioavailability and efficacy of many poorly water-soluble drugs. The aim of the study was to develop nano-drug delivery systems for BetA in order to treat human neuroblastoma (NB) cancer cell lines. This was achieved through the preparation of BetA liposomes (BetAL) and improving the percent entrapment efficiency (% EE) of BetA in liposomes through double entrapment of BetA and gamma cyclodextrin BetA inclusion complex (γ-CD-BetA) into liposomes (γ-CD-BetAL). We hypothesized that the γ-CD-BetAL would produce an increased % EE compared to BetAL, hence higher cytotoxic effects. Empty liposomes (EL), BetAL and γ-CD-BetAL were synthesized using the thin film hydration method followed by manual extrusion. Spectroscopic and electron microscopic characterization of these liposome formulations showed size distributions of 1-4 μm (before extrusion) and less than 200 nm (after extrusion). As the liposome size decreased, the zeta-potential (measurement of liposome stability) decreased contributing to a less stable liposomal formulation. Low starting BetA concentrations were found to be more effective in entrapping higher amounts of BetA in liposomes while the incorporation of γ-CD-BetA into liposomes enhanced the % EE when compared to BetAL, although this was not statistically significant. Cell viability studies using the WST-1 assay showed a time-and concentration-dependent decrease in SK-N-BE(2) and Kelly NB cell lines exposed to free BetA, BetAL and γ-CD-BetAL at concentrations of 5-20 ug/ml for 24, 48 and 72 hours treatment durations. The observed cytotoxicity of liposomes was dependant on the % EE of BetA. The γ-CD-BetAL was more effective in reducing cell viability in SK-N-BE(2) cells than BetAL whereas BetAL was more effective in KELLY cells at 48-72 hours. Exposure of all cells to EL showed no toxicity while free BetA was more effective overall than the respective liposomal formulations. The estimated IC₅₀ values following exposure to free BetA and BetAL were similar and both showed remarkable statistically significant decrease in NB cell viability, thus providing a basis for new hope in the effective treatment of NBs.

This study was conducted to investigate the capacity of Cynodon nlemfuensis (star grass) to accumulate lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) and develop metal uptake models for sandy soils receiving treated sewage from domestic and industrial sources. The study area comprised a non-polluted area and an adjacent area that received treated sewage from Harare’s Firle Wastewater Treatment Plant for over 30 years. Measured soil properties, total Pb and Cd in soils and grass and past records of Pb and Cd in treated sewage were analysed. Growing grass in a greenhouse in pots with previously non-polluted soils amended by single and mixed Pb and Cd salts and irrigated with treated sewage tested the uptake capacity of star grass. Yields, soil bio-available and grass Pb and Cd levels were measured and used to develop models for estimating critical soil and grass concentrations at which productivity declines. In the field, star grass grown in 10m x 10m plots in the non-irrigated and irrigated areas, received varying amounts of treated sewage over 11 months. Soil bio-available and grass metal contents were measured and used to develop field-based models to predict Pb and Cd content in star grass. Star grass had a high Pb and Cd extraction capacity, making it unsuitable for pasture if grown on polluted soils. Correlation between total Pb and Cd in soils and grass was insignificant (p<0.05). Logarithm-based models of log10 bio-available soil levels and log10 grass metal levels provided the best-fit regression models for Pb and Cd predictions in grass. Toxicity levels of Pb and Cd that were derived for star grass from pot-based models were higher than levels recommended for pasture. Toxicity occurred without visible signs on grass, making it difficult to recognise toxicity without testing. The field-based uptake models predicted safe bio-available limits for pasture on sandy soils. The co-presence of Pb and Cd resulted in increased Cd uptake but did not significantly affect Pb uptake. Star grass can accumulate more than 1 mg/kg of Cd at total soil Cd levels of less than 1 mg/kg, suggesting that the soil limit may be too high for a sandy soil. / Thesis (PhD (Chemical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

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