This thesis introduces the concept of assertion-based verifi cation of application-specifi c instruction set processors (ASIPs). The proposed design is implemented in SystemVerilog Assertions language as a part of veri fication environment created using Codasip Framework. The implemented concept is simulated in QuestaSim tool using model of Codix RISC processor. Main outcome of this thesis is the verifi cation concept usable not only on other processors, but as a part of system that automates the processor design as well.

Zapisovač letových údajů je zařízení určené pro zaznamenávání letových dat z různých senzorů v letadlech. Analýza letových údajů hraje důležitou roli ve vývoji a testování avioniky. Testování a hodnocení charakteristik letadla se často provádí pomocí testovacích manévrů. Naměřená data z jednoho letu jsou uložena v jednom letovém záznamu, který může obsahovat několik testovacích manévrů. Cílem této práce je identi kovat základní testovací manévry s pomocí naměřených letových dat. Teoretická část popisuje letové manévry a formát měřených letových dat. Analytická část popisuje výzkum v oblasti klasi kace založené na statistice a teorii pravděpodobnosti potřebnou pro pochopení složitých Gaussovských směšovacích modelů. Práce uvádí implementaci, kde jsou Gaussovy směšovací modely použité pro klasifi kaci testovacích manévrů. Navržené řešení bylo testováno pro data získána z letového simulátoru a ze skutečného letadla. Ukázalo se, že Gaussovy směšovací modely poskytují vhodné řešení pro tento úkol. Další možný vývoj práce je popsán v závěrečné kapitole.

This Thesis extends the chemistry of group VII transition metal oxide fluorides, namely ReO3F and MnO3F. The fundamental chemistry of ReO3F has been significantly extended with the development of its high-yield and high-purity synthesis. This has been achieved by solvolysis of Re2O7 in anhydrous HF (aHF) followed by reaction of the water formed with dissolved F2 at room temperature. The improved synthesis has allowed the Lewis acid and fluoride-ion donor-acceptor properties of ReO3F to be further investigated. The Lewis acid-base complex, (HF)2ReO3F·HF, was obtained by dissolution of ReO3F in aHF at room temperature and was characterized by vibrational spectroscopy with aid of quantum-chemical calculations and single-crystal X-ray diffraction at −173 °C. The HF molecules are F-coordinated to rhenium, representing the only known example of an HF complex with rhenium. The study of the fluoride-ion acceptor properties of ReO3F resulted in the syntheses and characterization of the [{ReO3(μ-F)}3(μ3-O)]2−, [ReO3F3]2−, and [ReO3F2]− anions. The [{ReO3(μ-F)}3(μ3-O)]2− anion was obtained as the [N(CH3)4]+ salt by the reaction of stoichiometric amounts of ReO3F and [N(CH3)4]F in CH3CN solvent. The anion was structurally characterized in CH3CN solution by 1D and 2D 19F NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by Raman spectroscopy and a single-crystal X-ray structure determination of [N(CH3)4]2[{ReO3(μ-F)}3(μ3-O)]·CH3CN. The structure of the [{ReO3(μ-F)}3(μ3-O)]2– anion consists of three ReO3F units linked to each other through dicoordinate bridging fluorine atoms (F) and a central tricoordinate bridging oxygen atom (O3). Calculated vibrational frequencies and Raman intensities of the [{MO3(μ-F)}3(μ3-O)]2− (C3v) and [{MO3(μ-F)}3(μ3-F)]− (C3v) anions (M = Re, Tc) have been used to assign the Raman spectrum of [N(CH3)4]2[{ReO3(μ-F)}3(μ3-O)]·CH3CN. The fac-[ReO3F3]2− and [ReO3F2]− anions have been synthesized by the reactions of ReO3F with CsF and KF in aHF, and by reaction of ReO3F with NOF. Additionally, the [ReO3F2]− anion has been synthesized by the reaction of ReO3F with [NH4]F in aHF. Both anions were characterized by Raman spectroscopy in the solid state and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The calculated vibrational frequencies of the fac-[ReO3F3]2− (C3v) and [(µ-F)4(ReO3F)4]4− (C4v) anions were used to assign the Raman spectra of fac-[ReO3F3]2− and [ReO3F2]−, respectively. The rhenium atoms in the open-chain, fluorine-bridged [ReO3F2]− anion and the monomeric fac-[ReO3F3]2− anion are six-coordinate with a facial arrangement of the oxygen ligands. The fluoride-ion donor properties were established by the reactions of ReO3F with excess AsF5 and SbF5/SO2ClF. Both reactions resulted in the formation of white friable solids, µ-O(ReO2F)(AsF5)∙2AsF5 and [ReO3][Sb3F16]. The [ReO3][Sb3F16] salt is stable at room temperature and decomposes to [ReO2F2][SbF5], when maintained at 45 oC under dynamic vacuum. The µ-O(ReO2F)(AsF5)∙2AsF5, however, slowly decomposes at 0 oC to ReO3F and AsF5. Both products were characterized by Raman spectroscopy in the solid state with aid of quantum-chemical calculations. The vibrational analyses revealed that the geometry of [ReO3][Sb3F16] is consistent with a trigonal pyramidal arrangement of oxygen atoms around rhenium, whereas in µ-O(ReO2F)(AsF5)∙2AsF5, ReO3F interacts with one of the AsF5 molecules through an O-bridge, which represents the first example of such type of bonding. The reactions of µ-O(ReO2F)(AsF5)∙2AsF5 and [ReO3][Sb3F16] with CH3CN resulted in the formation of the white salts, [O3Re(NCCH3)3][PnF6] (Pn = As, Sb), which were characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The reactivity of ReO3F has been extended to the synthesis of a new Re(VII) oxide fluoride, (μ-F)4{[μ-O(ReO2F)2](ReO2F2)2}, which was synthesized by the reaction of 1:3 molar ratio of ReO3F and ReO2F3. The compound, (μ-F)4{[μ-O(ReO2F)2](ReO2F2)2}, a rare example of an O-bridged rhenium oxide fluoride, has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state Raman spectroscopy. The vibrational assignments of (μ-F)4{[μ-O(ReO2F)2](ReO2F2)2} were confirmed by 18O-enrichment and quantum-chemical calculations. The improved synthesis of ReO3F has also led to the synthesis and characterization of the novel [XeOXeOXe]2+ cation as its [μ-F(ReO2F3)2]− salt by the low-temperature reaction of ReO3F and XeF2 in aHF. The [XeOXeOXe]2+ cation provides an unprecedented example of a xenon(II) oxide and a noble-gas oxocation as well as a rare example of a noble-gas dication. The crystal structure of [XeOXeOXe][µ-F(ReO2F3)2]2 consists of a planar, zigzag-shaped [XeOXeOXe]2+ cation (C2h symmetry) that is fluorine bridged through its terminal xenon atoms to two [µ-F(ReO2F3)2]– anions. The Raman spectra of the natural abundance and 18O-enriched [XeOXeOXe]2+ salts are consistent with a centrosymmetric (C2h) cation geometry. Quantum-chemical calculations were used to aid in the vibrational assignments of [Xe16/18OXe16/18OXe][µ-F(Re16/18O2F3)2]2 and to assess the bonding in [XeOXeOXe]2+ by NBO, QTAIM, ELF, and MEPS analyses. Ion pair interactions occur through Re–Fμ---Xe bridges, which are predominantly electrostatic in nature and result from polarization of the Fμ-atom electron densities by the exposed core charges of the terminal xenon atoms. Each xenon(II) atom is surrounded by a torus of xenon valence electron density comprised of the three valence electron lone pairs. The positive regions of the terminal xenon atoms and associated fluorine bridge bonds correspond to the positive σ-holes and donor interactions that are associated with “halogen bonding”. The reactions of MnO3F with noble-gas fluorides, KrF2 and XeF6, have been studied as the possible synthetic routes to MnOF5 and MnO2F3. The reaction of MnO3F with KrF2 yielded a red solid, which was isolated as a crystalline solid at room temperature and its crystal structure was assigned to manganese(V) fluoride, MnF5. The crystal structure of polymeric MnF5 consists of MnF6-octahedra which are trans-coordinated through fluorine bridges. The geometrical parameters of MnF5 could not be reliably determined due to unresolved twinning issues. The reaction of MnO3F with KrF2 in the presence of K[HF2] yielded a red-orange solid mixture of K[MnF6] (soluble in HF) and MnF3 (insoluble in HF). The HF solution of the solid mixture was characterized by 19F NMR spectroscopy and the resonance observed in the 19F NMR spectrum was preliminary assigned to [MnF6] by comparison with the chemical shift observed in the 19F NMR spectrum of MnO3F. Additionally, MnO3F was characterized by 19F−55Mn COSY NMR and 55Mn NMR spectroscopies, the latter provided the first 1J(19F−55Mn) coupling constant. The K[MnF6] salt was also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The resulting octahedral geometry is imposed by symmetry, therefore, the anticipated Jahn-Teller distortion, which would result in D4h symmetry for the [MnF6] anion, could not be observed. The reaction of MnO3F with XeF6 resulted in the isolation of [Xe2F11]2[MnF6] and [XeF5]2[MnF6]. Both salts were characterized by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The [Xe2F11]2[MnF6] salt was additionally characterized by low-temperature Raman spectroscopy with the aid of quantum-chemical calculations, whereas the assignment of the known Raman spectrum of [XeF5]2[MnF6] has been improved in the present work. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In vorliegender Arbeit wurden Synthese, Kristallstruktur und thermisches Verhalten von sauren und basischen Monofluorophosphate untersucht. Es wurden Salze mit Alkalimetall- und N-haltigen Kationen dargestellt und kristallographisch charakterisiert. Die Strukturen dieser Verbindungen wurden dann mit denen der isoelektronischen Hydrogensulfate verglichen. Mit Hilfe des Kationenaustausches und der Gefriertrocknung konnte ein erfolgreicher Syntheseweg fuer diese Verbindungen entwickelt werden. Die Gefriertrocknung hinderte die Abspaltung von HF und Kondensation des Phosphats und ermöglichte die Isolierung der Rohprodukte. Auf diesem Weg gelang die Darstellung der reinen Verbindungen in höherer Ausbeute, so daß es möglich wurde, die Substanzen mit unterschiedlichen Methoden zu untersuchen. Hergestellt und kristallographisch untersucht wurden folgende Verbindungen: - Hydrogenmonofluorophosphate mit × Alkalimetallkationen: Na, K, Rb, Cs × N-haltigen Kationen: NH4, NMe4, NH2Et2, NHEt3, [C(NH2)3], {HOC[NH(CH3)]2}, [H2N(CH2CH2)NH2], - basische Monofluorophosphate: Na2PO3F·10H2O und [C(NH2)3]2PO3F - gemischte Salze: Cs3(NH4)2(HPO3F)3(PO3F)2 und Na5[NMe4](PO3F)3·18H2O. Die Kristallstrukturen zeigen eine Vielzahl an Strukturtypen, definiert durch die Verknüpfung der verzerrten HPO3F Tetraeder über kurze O-H···O Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen zu Ketten, Dimere oder Tetramere. Diese sind ihrerseits über längere N-H···O und Ow-H···O Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen verknüpft. Kompliziertere Strukturmotive sind in den Strukturen der basischen Monofluorophosphate und der gemischten Salze zu finden. Allgemein werden nur Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen des Typs N-H...O und O-H...O gefunden, dagegen werden keine N-H···F Bindungen in den Strukturen beobachtet. Auch ist mehrheitlich keine Isotypie zwischen sauren und basischen Monofluorophosphaten einerseits und den entsprechenden Sulfaten andererseits zu finden. Isotyp sind nur die Strukturen [NMe4]HPO3F·H2O mit [NMe4]HSO4·H2O und Na2PO3F·10H2O mit Na2SO4·10H2O. Interessanterweise wurden genau in einer dieser isotypen Strukturen, nämlich der des Na2PO3F×10H2O, als Ausnahme zwei O-H···F Bindungen gefunden. Die O···F Abstände liegen im Bereich der Abstände der Ow···O Bindungen in der Struktur. Eine Erklärung für das seltene Auftreten von H-Brücken mit Fluor als Akzeptor ist eine fast vollständige Valenz des Fluors durch seine Bindung zum Phosphor. Mehrere Strukturen widerspiegeln diese Tatsache mit der Orientierung der P-F Bindung. Die Bindung wird nach inerten Stellen, wo kein Metall- oder Wasserstoffatom in der Struktur vorhanden ist, ausgerichtet, um ein weiteres Binden des Fluors (Metallkoordination, Wasserstoffbrückenbindung) zu vermeiden. Weiterhin wurde das thermische Verhalten der Verbindungen NaHPO3F, NaHPO3F·2.5H2O, CsHPO3F und [NHEt3]HPO3F untersucht. Dies erfolgte mit dem Ziel, Information über mögliche Phasenübergänge und die unterschiedlichen Zersetzungstypen zu bekommen. Sowohl der Kation wie auch die Anwesenheit von Kristallwasser haben Einfluß auf den thermischen Abbau. Die Na-Verbindungen zeigen eine Zersetzung über mehrere Schritte, die zu unterschiedlichen Endprodukten führt (Na3P3O9 für NaHPO3F und (NaPO3)n für das Hydrat). Im Vergleich dazu zersetzt sich CsHPO3F nach dem Schmelzen direkt zum Endprodukt, ohne stabile Zwischenprodukte zu bilden. Ähnlich verläuft der thermische Abbau der [NHEt3] Verbindung, die sich allerdings mit einem Masseverlust von 92,27%, also ohne Bildung eines signifikanten Endproduktes, vollständig zersetzt. Während des thermischen Abbaus wurde die Freisetzung von HF und H2O bei allen Verbindungen beobachtet, die sich aber bezüglich der Zersetzungstemperatur und -menge zwischen den Substanzen unterscheiden. Es wurden keine Phasenübergänge erster Ordnung beobachtet. Dies war insbesondere für CsHPO3F überraschend, da das isoelektronische Hydrogensulfat mehrere Phasenübergänge aufweist [2]. Das Ausbleiben von Phasenübergängen allgemein und auch für CsHPO3F wird folgendermassen erklärt. Während das Sulfat Bindungsmöglichkeiten an allen vier Ecken des SO4-Tetraeders hat, besitzt der (H)PO3F-Tetraeder nur eine begrenzte Flexibilität wegen der Anwesenheit von Fluor an einer Ecke. Fluor bevorzugt eine "isolierte" Position am Phosphor. Anhand der vorliegenden Ergebnisse kann die Schlußfolgerung gezogen werden, daß Fluor auf Grund seiner niedrigeren Valenz im Vergleich zu Sauerstoff andere strukturelle und funktionelle Charakteristika aufweist. Die Valenzunterschiede zwischen Sauerstoff und Fluor haben einen starken Einfluß auf das Wasserstoffbrückenbindungssystem in den Kristallstrukturen der Hydrogenmonofluorophosphate und folglich auf die "Nicht-Isotypie" zu den Hydrogensulfaten. / In this thesis, the crystal structures and thermal behavior of hydrogen monofluorophosphates and basic monofluorophosphates with alkali metal and N-containing cations were studied. A comparison to the analogous hydrogen sulfates showed interesting structural variations and differences in thermal behavior. Synthesis of the studied monofluorophosphates involved cation exchange and freeze drying. Freeze drying enabled the isolation of raw products by avoiding the escape of HF and consequent phosphate condensation. This method of preparation led to the synthesis of the hydrogen monofluorophosphates with the following cations: - the alkali metals: Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+, - N-containing cations: NH4+, [NMe4]+, [NH2Et2]+, [NHEt3]+, [C(NH2)3]+, {HOC[NH(CH3)]2}+, and [H2N(CH2CH2)NH2]2+, and the basic monofluorophoshates, Na2PO3F·10H2O and [C(NH2)3]2PO3F. The following mixed salts were also obtained with partial cation exchange: - Cs3(NH4)2(HPO3F)3(PO3F)2 - Na5[NMe4](PO3F)3·18H2O. In the crystal structures, the HPO3F tetrahedra were hydrogen-bonded to chains, dimers, and tetramers in the structures of the hydrogen monofluorophosphates. Extensive hydrogen bonding in the basic monofluorophosphates due to high amounts of crystal water led to more complicated structural motifs. Limitations on the bonding of fluorine were observed in each of the structures, whether it be metal coordination or hydrogen bonding. The valency of fluorine is filled by its bond to phosphorus and thus, generally, the fluorine atom does not participate in additional bonds. This explains why, for the most part, the hydrogen monofluorophosphates are not isostructural with the hydrogen sulfates. Only three atoms of the tetrahedron instead of four atoms are available for hydrogen bonding, which influences the crystal structure. This was further confirmed by the comparison of the decahydrates, Na2PO3F×10H2O and Na2SO4×10H2O, which are consequently isostructural based on two O-H×××F bonds formed in Na2PO3F·10H2O. These were the only hydrogen bonds found that involved fluorine as an hydrogen acceptor or donor. The investigations on the thermal behavior of NaHPO3F, NaHPO3F·2.5H2O, CsHPO3F, and [NHEt3]HPO3F found no first-order phase transitions. Stepwise decompositions were observed for the sodium salts, which was attributed to the formation of stable intermediates identified with simulated experiments. The Cs and [NHEt3] compounds demonstrated a direct decomposition postmelting. In general, the release of H2O from the melt occured at lower temperatures, while HF escaped at higher temperatures. The temperatures, at which this initially occured, and the first maximum observed were dependent on the cation and the presence of crystal water. The immediate decomposition of CsHPO3F after melting differs from that of the hydrogen sulfate, CsHSO4, which undergoes several phase transitions before decompositon. This suggests that the sulfate has more structural flexibility on the basis of the four oxygen corners of the tetrahedra. In comparison, the monofluorophosphate is limited in its bonding mobility due to the presence of fluorine on one of the tetrahedral vertices. Therefore, phase transitions are not observed prior to decomposition. It was concluded that fluorine functions differently in the crystal structures on the basis of its lower valency. Thus, the difference in valency between fluorine and oxygen affects the hydrogen bonding of the hydrogen monofluorophosphates and thus pervents the expected isotypy of the isoelectronic hydrogen monofluorophosphates and hydrogen sulfates.

The research described in this thesis employs a variety of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) techniques for the study of the electronic and structural properties of artificial supramolecular porphyrin systems and of protein complexes of biological relevance. The electron delocalisation in the cationic radical and photoexcited triplet states of linear and cyclic Π-conjugated multiporphyrin arrays was investigated. In the radical cations, information on the extent of delocalisation can be inferred from the measurement of hyperfine couplings, either indirectly from the continuous wave EPR spectrum or directly using pulsed hyperfine EPR techniques. The results of room temperature EPR experiments showed complete delocalisation of the electron on the timescale of the EPR experiments, but frozen solution EPR measurements revealed localisation onto mainly two to three porphyrin units in the larger porphyrin systems. Information on the delocalisation of the triplet state in the same porphyrin systems is contained both in the hyperfine couplings and in the zero-field splitting (ZFS) interaction. The results outlined in this thesis show that the hyperfine couplings provide a much more accurate estimate of the extent of delocalisation. The trends in proton and nitrogen hyperfine couplings with the size of the porphyrin systems indicate uneven spin density distributions over the linear arrays, but complete delocalisation in the cyclic systems. Time-resolved EPR and magnetophotoselection experiments have shown a reorientation of the zero-field splitting tensor between a single porphyrin unit and longer linear arrays, resulting in alignment of the main optical transition moment and the Z axis of the ZFS tensor. Continuous wave and pulsed dipolar EPR techniques were employed for the determination of the structure of two different protein complexes, the homomultimeric twin-arginine translocase A (TatA) protein channel and the ferredoxin-P450 complex of the electron transport chain in Novosphingobium aromaticivorans. The interaction between nitroxide spin labels introduced at different positions of the TatA monomer was investigated in the complex reconstituted in detergent micelles by analysing the dipolar broadening of the EPR spectra and the results of three- and four-pulse Double Electron-Electron Resonance (DEER) measurements. In combination with results from NMR and molecular dynamics calculations, a structure for the channel complex was proposed. The structure of the ferredoxin-cytochrome P450 complex was investigated by orientation-selective DEER between nitroxide labels introduced on the cytochrome P450 protein and the iron-sulfur cluster of the ferredoxin. The distance and orientation information contained in the experimental DEER data was interpreted in terms of a structural model of the protein complex by orientation-selective DEER simulations combined with a modelling approach based on protein-protein docking.

Einleitung: Die Kationen-Anionen Bilanz (DCAB) des Futters modifiziert den Säure-Basen Status von Tieren und findet Anwendung in der Prävention von Milchfieber bei Kühen, MMA bei Sauen und Urolithiasis bei Haustieren. Durch die Veränderung des Kationen-Anionen-Verhältnisses in Futterrationen können biologische Prozesse beeinflusst werden, der Stickstoffmetabolismus. Ziel der Untersuchung: Die vorliegende Studie befasst sich mit der Frage, ob eine kaliumbedingte Variation der DCAB des Futters für wachsende Schweine einen Einfluss auf bestimmte Parameter des Säure-Basen-Haushaltes und möglicherweise auch auf die Stickstoffbilanz hat. Materialien und Methoden: Dem Versuch standen insgesamt 38 männlich kastrierte Mastschweine (Dreirassen-Kreuzung von Pietrain x Deutsches Edelschwein x Deutsche Landrasse) mit einem Einstallungsalter von ca. 12 Wochen und einer Lebendmasse von 17,3 kg bis 30,3 kg zur Verfügung. In randomisierter Reihenfolge erfolgte die Zuteilung der Schweine zu den acht Versuchsfuttern; Rohproteingehalt von 140 g kg-1 Futter und 200 g kg-1 Futter, sowie je 4 g, 10 g, 14 g oder 20 g Kalium kg-1 Futter. Die Versuchsfutter wiesen eine konstante Konzentration an Natrium und Chlorid auf. Die Hauptfutterkomponenten waren Mais und Weizen. Die beiden Rohproteingehalte wurden durch unterschiedliche Sojaextraktionsschrot- und Maisklebermengen gewonnen. Über Kaliumhydrogencarbonat (KHCO3) und Kaliumchlorid (KCl) resultierte die Einstellung der genannten Kaliumkonzentrationen sowie der vier DCAB-Stufen von -125 mEq kg-1, 66 mEq kg-1, 168 mEq kg-1, und 342 mEq kg-1 Futter. In einer Adaptionsphase von 15 Tagen gewöhnten sich die Scheine an das Versuchsfutter und die Umgebung. Die Einstallung erfolgte in Einzelboxen und die Versuchstiere erhielten Wasser ad libitum. Während der anschießenden zwei Bilanzphasen von je fünf Tagen wurden die Schweine in Bilanzkäfigen gehalten. Zwischen den beiden Bilanzphasen kam es zu einer fünftägigen Pause ohne Änderung der Fütterung. In der Bilanzzeit wurden der gesamte Harn und Kot der Tiere gesammelt sowie der dazugehörige pH-Wert kontinuierlich bestimmt. Harn- und Kotaliquots wurden für Stickstoff- und Elektrolytanalysen einbehalten. Jede fünftägige Bilanz endete mit der Gewinnung einer Blutprobe von jedem Schwein aus der Vena jugulares zur Bestimmung von Kalium, Natrium, Chlorid, pH-Wert, Hydrogencarbonat, Basenüberschuss und Aminosäuren. Ergebnisse: Kalium hat einen Einfluss auf den Harn pH-Wert. Analog zur steigenden Kaliumaufnahme (DCAB↑) wurden die Harn pH-Werte basischer (-125 mEq kg-1 Futter = Ø 5,93; 342 mEq kg-1 Futter = Ø 8,37). Die Blut pH-Werte, die im Durchschnitt bei 7,21 lagen, wie auch die Hydrogencarbonat- und Basenüberschusskonzentration, reagierten aufgrund der renalen Kompensation nicht wesentlich auf die unterschiedlichen DCAB im Futter. Die dazugehörigen Kot pH-Werte waren bei -125 mEq kg-1 Futter und 66 mEq kg-1 Futter um 0,16 höher als bei den anderen beiden DCAB-Stufen. Die Stickstoffaufnahme variierte zwischen 0,90 g kg-1KM d-1 und 1,22 g kg-1KM d-1 aufgrund der beiden Rohproteingehalte (14 und 20 %) in den Versuchsrationen. Eine Senkung der DCAB im Futter bewirkte eine Verbesserung der Stickstoffverdaulichkeit von 86,1 % auf 89,9 % (p<0,05). Hingegen zeigten die Diäten mit der kaliumärmsten Konzentration die höchsten renalen Stickstoffexkretionen von 442 mg kg-1KM d-1 gegenüber den anderen drei Kaliumkonzentrationen (345 mg kg-1KM d-1). In Folge dessen ergibt sich eine Stickstoffretentionssteigerung mit zunehmender DCAB im Futter. Jedoch wurde bei 66 mEq kg-1 Futter (Kalium 10 g kg-1 Futter) die höchste Stickstoffretention von 643 mg kg-1KM d-1 festgestellt. Die Untersuchung der Blutproben ergab keine Beeinflussung der Summe aller Aminosäuren, die bei ø 44,66 mg dl-1 lag. Die Summe der essentiellen Aminosäuren war bei einer DCAB von 66 mEq kg-1 Futter im Blut geringer als bei den übrigen Variationen. Einige Parameter der Elektrolytbilanzen waren zwischen den Futtervariationen verschieden: Bei dem Versuchsfutter mit einer DCAB von -125 mEq kg-1 Futter (Kalium 4 g kg-1 Futter) schieden die Schweine Na: 2,83 mg kg-1KM d-1 und Cl: 1,54 mg kg-1KM d 1 weniger mit dem Kot und Na: 7,05 mg kg-1KM d-1 weniger mit dem Harn aus gegenüber den weiteren Versuchsgruppen. Die renale Chloridexkretion zeigte keine Variabilität. Die renale, als auch die fäkale Kaliumausscheidung nahm analog zur DCAB des Futters zu (DCAB im Futter: -125 mEq kg-1; 66 mEq kg-1; 168 mEq kg-1; 342 mEq kg-1; K-Abgabe in mg kg-1KM d-1, renal: 74,0; 273,3; 431,1; 609,1; fäkal: 24,5; 31,2; 32,6; 44,0). In der Gesamtheit betrachtet ergibt sich für die Natrium- und Chloridretention keine richtungsweisende Beeinflussung im Zusammenhang mit der DCAB der Versuchsrationen. Die Kaliumretention hingegen stieg von 66,5 mg kg-1KM d-1 (-125 mEq kg-1 Futter) auf 167,0 mg kg-1KM d-1 (342 mEq kg-1 Futter) an, was nicht von den Kaliumkonzentrationen im Blut wiedergegeben wurde. Entsprechendes gilt für die Natrium- und Chloridkonzentrationen im Blut. Schlussfolgerungen: In der Alkalisierung des Harns zeigt sich, dass der DCAB des Futters Einfluss auf den Säure-Basen Status nimmt. Der systemische pH-Wert blieb aufgrund der Puffersysteme des Organismuses weitestgehend unberührt. Durch die KHCO3-Zulagen wurde das intragastrale bzw. das intestinale pH-Milieu verändert, was sich in der schlechteren Verdaulichkeit von Stickstoff bei höherer DCAB wiederspiegelt. Die Stickstoffretention steht in keinem Zusammenhang mit der Stickstoffverdaulichkeit. Mit dem DCAB von 66 mEq kg-1 Futter bzw. K: 10 g kg-1 Futter wurde die beste Retention für Stickstoff beobachtet. Die täglichen Gewichtszunahmen und die Futterverwertungen der Versuchsschweine konnten dies allerdings nicht reflektieren. Anzumerken sei, dass für einen eindeutigen Effekt auf die tägliche Zunahme eine längere Beobachtungsphase notwendig wäre (Sprung der täglichen Zunahmen von 520 g für -125 mEq kg-1 Futter auf das Niveau von 692 g für 66 mEq kg-1 Futter und mehr). Eine Empfehlung in Anlehnung an diese Studie wäre ein DCAB-Wert um die 66 mEq kg-1 Futter. Wird dieser Wert erhöht sinkt die Stickstoffverdaulichkeit auf der anderen Seite verschlechtert sich die Stickstoffretention bei Verringerung der DCAB. / Initiation: The dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB) of the feed modifies the acid-base balance and is used in the prevention of milk fever in cows, MMA in sows and urolithiasis in pets. The modification of the cation-anion ratio in diets can take an impact on biological processes inducting nitrogen metabolism. Objectives of investigations: This study objectively clarifies, whether potassium-based variation of the DCAB of the food has an influence on certain parameters of the nitrogen balance and the acid-base balance. Materials and Methods: The trial covered a total of 38 male castrated pigs (three racial crossing Pietrain x Large White x German Landrace) with a housing-age of approximately 12 weeks and a live weight of 17.3 kg to 30.3 kg. In randomized order, the pigs were allocated to the eight experimental feed: crude protein content of 140 g per kg feed and 200 g per kg feed, as well as 4, 10, 14 or 20 g of potassium per kg feed. The sodium and chloride concentrations in the feed were kept constant. The main food components were corn and wheat. The two crude protein levels were determined by various soybean meal and corn gluten quantities. Potassium hydrogen carbonate (KHCO3) and potassium chloride (KCl) were used to establish the four DCAB levels of -125 mEq kg-1, 66 mEq kg-1, 168 mEq kg-1, and 342 mEq kg-1 feed. In an adaptation period of 15 days pigs were accustomed to food and environment. They were kept in individual pens and were given water ad libitum. During the following two trial phases of five days each, the pigs were kept in balance cages. Between the two trial periods, there was a break of five days (no diet change). During the trial period all urine and excrement of the animals was collected, and the respective pH-value was continuously measured. Aliquots of urine and faeces were used in nitrogen and electrolyte analyses. At the end of each five-day record a blood sample from the jugular vein was taken from each pig for determination of potassium, sodium, chloride, pH-value, hydrogen carbonate, base excess, and amino acids. Results: Potassium has a significant influence on renal pH values. Analogous to increasing potassium intake (DCAB ↑), the urine pH value turned more basic (-125 mEq kg-1 feed = 5.93; 342 mEq kg-1 feed = 8.37). The blood pH levels, which averaged at 7.21, as well as the hydrogen carbonate concentration and base excess concentration, did not respond to the different DCAB in the feed because of the renal compensation. The associated feces pH values at -125 mEq kg-1 feed and 66 mEq kg-1 feed were higher by 0.16 than at the other two DCAB levels. The nitrogen intake varied between 0.90 g kg-1BM d-1 and 1.22 g kg-1BM d-1, based on both crude proteins (14 % and 20 %) in the experimental feeds. A reduction of DCAB in the feed resulted in an improvement of the nitrogen digestibility from 86.1 % to 89.9 % (< 0.05). However, diets with the lowest concentration of potassium showed the highest renal nitrogen excretions of 442 mg kg-1BM d-1 compared to the other three concentrations of potassium (345 mg kg-1BM d-1). As a consequence, nitrogen retention increases with increasing DCAB in the feed. However, the highest nitrogen retention of 643 mg kg-1KM d-1 was found with a 66 mEq kg-1 diet (potassium 10 g kg-1 feed). The examination of blood samples revealed no influence on the sum of the amino acids, which was 44.66 mg dl-1. The sum of the essential amino acids was reduced at a DCAB of 66 mEq kg-1 in blood, similar to the other variations. Some parameters of the electrolyte balances were different between the feed variations: In the experimental diet with a DCAB of -125 mEq kg-1 diet (potassium 4 g kg-1 feed), the pigs eliminated Na: 2.83 mg kg- 1BM d-1 and Cl: 1.54 mg kg– 1BM d-1 less in the feces and Na: 7.05 mg kg- 1KM d-1 less in the urine with respect to the other experimental groups. Renal chloride excretion showed no variability. The renal and fecal excretion of potassium increased proportionally to the DCAB of the feed (DCAB in the feed: -125 mEq kg-1, 66 mEq kg-1, 168 mEq kg-1; 342 mEq kg-1; K output in mg kg- 1BM d-1, renal: 74.0; 273.3; 431.1; 609.1; fecal: 24.5; 31.2; 32.6; 44.0). When viewed against the totality of results for the sodium and chloride retention, there were no trend-setting influences in connection with the DCAB of the experimental diets. The potassium retention, however, increased from 66.5 mg kg- 1BM d-1 (-125 mEq kg-1 feed) to 167.0 mg kg- 1BM d-1 (342 mEq kg -1 feed), which was not reproduced from the potassium concentrations in the blood. The same applied to the sodium and chloride concentrations in the blood. Conclusions: The alkalization of the urine shows that the DCAB of the feed influences the acid-base status. The systemic pH remained largely unaffected due to the buffer systems of the organism. The intragastric, respectively the intestinal, pH medium was changed by the addition of potassium hydrogen carbonate, which is reflected in the poorer digestibility of nitrogen at higher DCAB. The nitrogen retention is not related to the nitrogen digestibility. The best retention of nitrogen was observed with the DCAB of 66 mEq kg-1 feed (K: 10 g kg-1 feed). The daily weight gain and feed utilizations of the pigs certainly could not reflect this. It should be noted, however, that a longer observation period would be necessary for a clear effect on daily gain (jump of the daily weight gain from 520 g of -125 mEq kg-1 feed to the level of 692 g for 66 mEq kg-1 feed and more). A recommendation based on this study would be a DCAB value of 66 mEq kg-1 feed. If this value increases, the nitrogen digestibility decreases; on the other hand, the nitrogen retention deteriorated with reducing DCAB.

The swelling-activated chloride current, commonly referred to as ICl,swell, is an outwardly-rectifying anion current that plays an important role in cell volume regulation, among other capacities. Despite several decades of research, the molecular identity of the channel responsible for this chloride current remains controversial. Recent indications that key endogenous sulfhydryl groups are capable of modifying the current led us to assess the effects of several divalent cations, including zinc, on ICl,swell. Zinc is known to tightly associate with sulfhydryl groups such as in zinc finger proteins. We found that extracellular zinc irreversibly inhibited ICl,swell at a site downstream in the signaling cascade. Moreover, zinc blocking kinetics were voltage dependent, suggesting interaction with a site within the electric field, across the pore of the channel responsible for ICl,swell. The importance of sulfhydryl groups was confirmed by demonstrating irreversible block by N-ethylmaleimide, a sulfhydryl alkylating reagent. In contrast, nickel failed to block ICl,swell, and as noted in previous studies, cadmium preferentially blocked the time-dependent component of ICl,swell. These data confirm the importance of sulfhydryl groups in the function of ICl,swell. Moreover, by demonstrating the voltage-dependence of block, the data strongly suggest the critical sulfhydryl group is within the channel pore. These biophysical characteristics of native ICl,swell are markers that should be recapitulated in expressed proteins claimed to be responsible for ICl,swell.

Les anthracyclines tels que la doxorubicin et la daunorubicin sont une famille de médicaments anticancéreux hydrophiles qui doivent être transportés dans les cellules afin d’exercer leur action par intercalation à l’ADN dans le noyau cellulaire. Ceci mène à la perturbation du métabolisme de l’ADN et entraine la mort cellulaire. Les anthracyclines sont utilisés pour le traitement d’une variété de cancers incluant la leucémie, les lymphomes, le cancer du sein, le cancer des poumons et le cancer des ovaires. Étant donné que le transport actif des anthracyclines dans les cellules a partiellement été démontré, le transporteur spécifique impliqué dans ce processus n’est pas encore connu. En utilisant un modèle de cancer des ovaires, la lignée cellulaire TOV2223G, nous avons démontré que des substrats spécifiques au transporteur de cations organiques 1 (OCT1), notamment la ergothionéine, la thiamine et la phenformin, ont partiellement inhibé l’absorption de la daunorubicin en différence de la carnitine qui est un substrat de haute affinité des transporteurs CT2 et OCTN2. Ces résultats suggèrent que les transporteurs organiques spécifiques au transport de la carnitine ne sont pas impliqués dans le transport des anthracyclines. Ainsi, nos résultats ont démontré que l’absorption de la daunorubicin est orchestrée par le transporteur OCT1 dans les cellules TOV2223G (Km ~ 5 μM) et des concentrations micromolaires de choline ont complètement abolies l’absorption de la drogue. De plus, un ARN sh dirigé contre OCT1 a réprimé son expression protéique, ce qui a été confirmé par la technique d’immuno-buvardage en utilisant un anti-OCT1 anticorps. Les cellules déficientes en OCT1 n’ont pas été capables d’absorber la daunorubicin et ont été plus résistantes à l’action de la drogue par rapport aux cellules contrôle. La transfection des cellules HEK293T avec un plasmide construit de façon à faire exprimer OCT1 comme protéine de fusion avec la protéine fluorescente EYFP a montré que celle-ci est localisée dans la membrane plasmique. Les cellules transfectées ont été capables d’absorber cinq fois plus de daunorubicin comparé aux cellules contrôles. Cette étude est, selon nous, la première à démontrer que OCT1 est un transporteur de haute affinité des anthracyclines. Ainsi, nous avons émis l’hypothèse que des défauts de OCT1 peuvent contribuer à l’efficacité de la réponse des cellules cancéreuses à la chimiothérapie avec les anthracyclines. / Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin and daunorubicin are hydrophilic anticancer agents that must be transported into cells. These drugs accumulate in the nucleus where they intercalate with DNA, thereby interfering with DNA replication in turn leading to cell death. Anthracyclines are used for treating a variety of cancers including leukemia, lymphomas, breast, lung, and ovarian. Despite evidence for active uptake of anthracyclines, the specific transporter has not been identified. Using the ovarian cancer cell line TOV2223G, we show that substrates reported for the organic cation transporter OCT1, such as ergothioneine, thiamine and phenformin, partially compete with uptake of daunorubicin, but not of L-carnitine, i.e., a high affinity substrate transported by hCT2 and OCTN2. These findings exclude the involvement of the L-carnitine organic cation family of transporters in anthracycline uptake. Moreover, we show that OCT1 actively mediates high affinity (Km ~ 5 μM) transport of daunorubicin into TOV2223G cells, whereas micromolar amounts of choline completely abolish drug uptake. shRNA-mediated downregulation of OCT1 causes defective uptake of daunorubicin, as well as significant resistance to the drug, as compared to the vector control. Transfection of HEK293T cells with a plasmid expressing OCT1 as a GFP fusion protein revealed that OCT1-EYFP was predominantly localized to the plasma membrane. These transfected cells manifested nearly 5-fold increased uptake of daunorubicin compared to the empty vector control. In summary, we show for the first time that human OCT1 is a high affinity transporter for anthracyclines. As such, we postulate that OCT1 status represents a critical determinant in the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy with anthracyclines

3 Abstract Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae belongs to important models for alkali-metal-cation homeostasis research. As other cells, certain intracellular content of K+ is necessary for S. cerevisiae, but Na+ or other alkali metal cations (Li+ , Rb+ ) are toxic for yeast cells. Uniporters Trk1 and Trk2 are responsible for K+ accumulation, while efflux of Na+ , Li+ , Rb+ and K+ is ensured by Ena ATPases, Na+ (K+ )/H+ antiporter Nha1 and K+ specific channel Tok1. Several regulators of K+ (Na+ ) transporters are already known, but reciprocal regulation between transporters and overall picture of the maintenance of alkali-metal-cation homeostasis is still unclear. In this work, K+ circulation (simultaneous uptake and export of K+ ) was shown to be important in alkali-metal-cation homeostasis maintenance. K+ circulation is maintained using reciprocal regulation and interactions between K+ exporters and importers. Though obtained results showed that the alkali-metal-cation homeostasis and associated physiological parameters (e.g. membrane potential, cell size, salt sensitivity) are strain specific, Nha1p was verified to be important for cell survival in ever-changing natural environment. Furthermore, two novel positive regulators of Nha1p activity were found, 14-3-3 proteins and Cka1 kinase. 14-3-3 proteins...

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