Cholesterol and fatty acid homeostasis is maintained by a complex network of regulatory mechanisms that control the biosynthesis and deposition of lipids over diverse physiological conditions. However, these processes can become dysregulated and uncoupled from energy metabolism by metabolic stress such as a hyper-caloric diet and physical inactivity; eventually manifesting as risk factors associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), Type 2 diabetes (T2D), and/or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of cellular energy status that promotes metabolic homeostasis by mediating effects on multiple cellular processes including cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis biosynthesis. However, the mechanisms linking AMPK to lipid metabolism under normal and pathological conditions, remain undefined. In these studies, we identify a novel nutrient sensing mechanism whereby the coenzyme A (CoA) activated esters of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA-CoA) directly activate AMPK via specific interactions within the β1-regulatory subunit involving a Ser108 residue previously shown only with synthetic activators. We demonstrate the physiological relevance for this mechanism in an acute setting by showing that fatty acid oxidation was attenuated in mice harboring an AMPKβ1-S108A knock-in mutation compared to WT mice. We then demonstrated that β1-selctive AMPK activation is mimicked by the CoA conjugated form of bempedoic acid, a synthetic small molecule lipid synthesis inhibitor in clinical development for lowering elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The importance of this mechanism was determined by assessing multiple disease outcomes in Ampkβ1-/-/Apoe-/- double knockout (DKO) mice fed a high fat-high cholesterol (HFHC) diet ± bempedoic acid. In these studies, bempedoic acid treatment reduced plasma LDL-C and atherosclerosis in both Apoe-/- and DKO mice, while no differences in disease outcomes was detected between the two genotypes in response to HFHC feeding. Further mechanistic investigations in rodent and primary human hepatocytes, revealed that the CoA conjugate of bempedoic acid suppressed lipid synthesis via competitive inhibition of ATP-citrate lyase (ACL), which promoted LDL receptor upregulation and associated reductions in LDL-C. We then integrate these findings with published literature in a written synthesis aimed to evaluate the role of ACL in metabolism, and its potential utility as a therapeutic target to treat ASCVD and metabolic disorders in humans. Although several questions remain regarding the metabolic role of AMPK activation by LCFA-CoAs, these studies have expanded our understanding of how cells acutely integrate lipid and energy signals to maintain lipid homeostasis, and identified ACL as a promising strategy to treat hypercholesterolemia, ASCVD, and associated metabolic disorders. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The dysregulation of cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism can manifest as risk factors for life-threating diseases such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), Type-2 diabetes (T2D), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the underlying mechanisms controlling lipid homeoastasis in health and disease are not completely understood. ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are emerging as key nodes in metabolism that integrate lipid metabolism with signals of nutrient availability and cellular energy status, respectively. These strategic positions in metabolism suggest that both these enzymes could play an important role in the underlying pathophysiology of lipid-related diseases, and are therefore, prime candidates for therapeutic intervention. In these studies, we expand our understanding of the role of AMPK in metabolism beyond energy sensing by identifying specific lipid metabolites as direct allosteric activators of kinase activity. We also evaluate the therapeutic utility of targeting both AMPK and ACL in novel models of hypercholesterolemia and metabolic disease, and demonstrate that ACL inhibition offers a promising strategy to address multiple unmet medical needs.

Hypoxia refers to any condition in which the water is less than fully saturated with oxygen. Although it is generally accepted that adults are more tolerant of hypoxic conditions than larval stages, there is little information to support this assumption. To determine whether reduced concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) affect fishes differently during various early life stages, I examined the responses of two species of fish (fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)) exposed to low dissolved oxygen concentrations at different ages during the first 100 days post-hatch. The changes in oxygen requirements and respiratory patterns that occur during ontogeny and exposure to hypoxia were observed. The results of this study suggest that the early larval stages appear to be at least as tolerant of short-term exposure to low dissolved oxygen concentrations as the older, more developed stages. Fathead minnows underwent a gradual transition from being metabolic conformers to regulators during development. Hemoglobin appeared to be playing a larger role in oxygen supply in the early post-hatch trout than in the minnows. Fathead minnow larvae produced relatively low concentrations of lactate upon exposure to hypoxia. Conversely, rainbow trout larvae exhibited significant increases in lactate concentration under similar conditions. This implies that there is a threshold oxygen concentration below which trout larvae utilize anaerobic metabolism to provide additional energy. Lactate dehydrogenase activity increased as the rainbow trout larvae aged, suggesting that they develop an anaerobic capacity which could be used to provide additional energy during hypoxia. The minnows did not exhibit this increase in activity. The ability of larval fishes to detect and avoid hypoxic conditions was also examined. The overall trends suggest that throughout this period of development, both fish species gradually leave an area as the dissolved oxygen concentration decline. Both species appeared to leave the hypoxic areas with deliberate motions, indicating that a directed sensor system allowed them to detect oxygen gradients. The results suggest that a combination of physiological, biochemical, and behavioral mechanisms may allow fishes to cope with hypoxia. / Ph. D.

Despite its extremely low solubility in water, fullerite C₆₀ can form colloidally stable aqueous suspensions containing nanoscale C₆₀ particles (nC₆₀) when it is subject to contact with water. nC₆₀ is the primary fullerene form following its release to the environment. The aim of the present study was to provide fundamental insights into the properties and environmental impacts of nC₆₀. nC₆₀ suspensions containing negatively charged and heterogeneous nanoparticles were produced via extended mixing in the presence and absence of citrate and other carboxylates. These low-molecular weight acids were employed as simple surrogates of natural organic matter. The properties of nC₆₀ were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-Vis spectroscopy. nC₆₀ produced in the presence of carboxylate differs from that produced in water alone (aq/nC₆₀) with respect to surface charge, average particle size, interfacial properties, and UV-Vis spectroscopic characteristics. Importantly, regularly shaped (spheres, triangles, squares, and nano-rods) nC₆₀ nanoparticles were observed in carboxylate solutions, but not in water alone. This observation indicates that a carboxylate-mediated 'bottom-up' process occurs in the presence of carboxylates. Changes in the UV-Vis spectra over time indicate that reactions between C₆₀ and water or other constituents in water never stop, potentially leading to significant morphologic changes during storage or as a result of simple dilution. These results suggest that studies examining the transport, fate, and environmental impacts of nC₆₀ should take the constituents of natural waters into consideration and that careful examination on the properties of the tested nC₆₀ should be conducted prior to and during each study. / Ph. D.

<p dir="ltr">Human babesiosis is a malaria-like, tick-borne infectious disease of major public health importance with a global distribution. Babesiosis is caused by intraerythrocytic, apicomplexan parasites of the genus Babesia. In the United States, human babesiosis is primarily caused by Babesia microti and Babesia duncani. Of these parasites, B. duncani infection is lethal to susceptible patients. Current treatment for babesiosis includes either the synergistic use of atovaquone and azithromycin or the combination of clindamycin and quinine. However, the side effects and the resistance posed by these parasites called for alternative approaches for the treatment of human babesiosis. Parasite-derived proteases play several functions in the context of parasitic lifestyle and regulate basic biological processes including cell death, cell progression and cell migration. We hypothesized that proteases are promising class of drug targets in Babesia parasites. Using the SYBR-Green assay, we screened a protease inhibitor library consists of 160 compounds against B. duncani in vitro culture at 50µM and identified 13 preliminary hits. Additionally, dose response assays of hit compounds against <i>B. duncani</i> and <i>B. microti</i> in vitro cultures identified 5 compounds as effective inhibitors against parasite growth. Of these 5 compounds, we chose ixazomib, a proteasome inhibitor as a potential drug for further studies based on its lower IC50 of 58nM as well as a higher therapeutic index as compared to other hit compounds. We demonstrated that in a mouse model infected with <i>target,</i>, the most effective inhibitor, the prodrug of ixazomib at a low dose of 2.5mg/kg lowers parasite proliferation without causing any adverse effects in animals. Thus, our studies suggest that Babesia proteasome may be an important drug target, and ixazomib may be a potential compound that may be used for the treatment of human babesiosis.</p>

The present dissertation covers the total synthesis of viridiofungin triesters and studies toward the total synthesis of xeniolide F. In both cases, sigmatropic rearrangements of α-allyloxy substituted α,β-unsaturated esters are employed: for the viridiofungin ester synthesis a [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement and for the xeniolide F synthesis a catalytic asymmetric Claisen rearrangement CAC. For both rearrangement reactions the historical development, main characteristic and important variations are discussed. The viridiofungin triester synthesis represents a convergent and highly flexible route toward these natural products. The [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement allowed the diastereoselective synthesis of the polar head group with two adjacent stereogenic centers. The E-configured double bond was formed by a Julia-Kocienski olefination. During the studies toward the total synthesis of xeniolide F a new, diastereoselective strategy for the generation of allyl vinyl ethers with E-configured vinyl ether double bond was established employing rhodium catalyzed OH-insertion and an E-selective Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination. Under the conditions of the catalytic asymmetric Claisen rearrangement (CAC) this highly substituted allyl vinyl ether rearranged diastero- and enantioselectively to the corresponding a-keto ester. This example clearly illustrates the high potential of the CAC as synthetic tool for natural product synthesis. / In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Totalsynthese von Tirestern der Viridiofungine A, A2 und A4 sowie die Synthese eines Schlüsselintermediates für die Totalsynthese von Xeniolid F dargestellt. In beiden Fällen wird ausgehend von einem α-allyloxysubstituierten α,β-ungesättigten Ester eine Umlagerungsreaktion als Schlüsselschritt eingesetzt: im Falle der Viridiofunginester eine diastereoselektive [2,3]-Wittig-Umlagerung, bei den Arbeiten zur Totalsynthese von Xeniolid F eine diastero- und enantioselektive, katalytische Claisenumlagerung. Für beide Umlagerungsreaktionen werden ausführlich die theoretischen Hintergründe sowie die historische Entwicklung und wichtige Varianten besprochen. Mit der Viridiofungintriestersynthese wird eine konvergente und bezüglich der lipophilen Seitenkette sehr flexible Syntheseroute vorgestellt. Die [2,3]-Wittig-Umlagerung konnte dabei erfolgreich für die diastereoselektive Synthese der hochsubstituierten, polaren Kopfgruppe der Viridiofunginester mit zwei benachbarten stereogenen Zentren (davon eines quartär) eingesetzt werden. Zur Bildung der E-konfigurierten Doppelbindung wurde die Julia-Kocienskie-Olefinierung ausgenutzt. Bei den Arbeiten zur Totalsynthese von Xeniolid F wurde eine neuartige Strategie zur diastereoselektiven Synthese eines Allylvinylethers mit E-konfigurierter Vinyletherdoppelbindung eingesetzt. Die Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons-Olefinierung (HWE-Olefinierung) generierte dabei E-selektiv die Vinyletherdoppelbindung. Das für die HWE-Olefinierung benötigte Phosphonat wurde durch rhodiumkatalysierte OH-Insertion aus einem Allylalkohol und einem Diazaphosphonoacetat hergestellt. Der hochsubstituierte Allylvinylether wurde unter den Bedingungen der katalytisch asymmetrischen Claisenumlagerung umgesetzt und führte mit exzellenter Diastereo- und Enantioselektivität zum entsprechenden α-Ketoester. Anhand dieses Beispiels konnte das Potential der katalytisch asymmetrischen Claisenumlagerung zum Aufbau von hochfunktionalisierten Bausteinen für die Naturstoffsynthese verdeutlicht werden.

Résumé confidentiel / Résumé confidentiel

L’infertilité touche environ 11 à 15 % des couples au Canada. Les modalités de la procréation médicalement assistée (PMA) incluent la stimulation ovarienne (SO), l’insémination intra-utérine (IIU) et les techniques de la reproduction assistée (TRA). Les grossesses multiples sont parmi les effets indésirables les plus communs de l’utilisation des TRA. Toutefois, il n’y a pas de consensus sur l’ampleur du risque de grossesses multiples associé à l’utilisation des modalités de la PMA. De plus, il n’est pas clair si les modalités de la PMA sont associées à un risque élevé de malformations congénitales majeures (MCM) d’un ou plusieurs systèmes et organes du corps humain. Un projet de recherche en trois volets a été développé afin de répondre à ces questions. Dans un premier volet, une étude cas-témoin a été conduite afin de quantifier le risque de naissances multiples associé à l’utilisation des modalités de la PMA. Comparativement à une conception spontanée (CS), le recours à la SO seule, l’IIU, et les TRA étaient associés à une augmentation significative de plus de quatre, neuf et 31 fois du risque de naissances multiples, respectivement. Les femmes ayant fait appel à une IIU+SO ou aux TRA avaient un risque accru de naissances multiples (odds ratio (OR)ajusté, 1,98; IC95%, 1,12-3,49; ORajusté, 6,81; IC95%, 3,72-12,49, respectivement) comparativement à l’utilisation de la SO seule. Dans un deuxième volet, une analyse cas-témoin a été conduite afin de quantifier le risque de MCM associés à l’utilisation des modalités de la PMA. Comparée à une CS, l'utilisation des TRA était associée à une augmentation du risque des malformations du système urogénitale (ORajusté, 3,11; IC95%, 1,33–7,27) et l'utilisation de l'IIU était associée à un risque accru des malformations du système musculosquelettique (ORajusté, 2,02; IC95%, 1,10–3,71). L'utilisation des TRA était associée à une augmentation du risque des malformations du système urogénitale (ORajusté, 7,18; IC95%, 1,59-32,53) par rapport à l’utilisation de la SO seule. Dans un troisième volet, les résultats de la revue systématique et méta-analyse ont démontré que l'utilisation de la SO seule et l’IIU±SO étaient associée à une augmentation significative de presque 9 fois du risque de grossesses multiples par rapport à une CS. Des augmentations similaires ont été observées suite à l’utilisation du citrate de clomifène seul. Par rapport à une CS, l'utilisation de la SO seule était associée à une augmentation significative de 48% du risque des malformations du système musculosquelettique, de 73% le risque des malformations du système nerveux, de 76% le risque de malformations congénitales du système digestif, de 68% le risque de malformations des yeux, des oreilles, du visage et du cou, et plus de deux fois le risque de malformations congénitales du système respiratoire. L'utilisation de l'IIU était associée à une augmentation significative de 52% du risque de malformations du système urogénitales et de 54% du risque de malformations musculosquelettiques par rapport à une CS. Bien que le risque de grossesses multiples associées aux TRA puisse être contrôlé par le transfert d'un embryon unique, un suivi particulier devrait être accordée au risque de grossesses multiples associé à l’utilisation des traitements n’impliquant pas un transfert d’embryons. L’effet tératogène potentiel associé à l’utilisation des modalités de la PMA doit être considéré dans la prise des décisions thérapeutiques. La mise en place d’un registre de la PMA pour la surveillance des effets périnataux indésirables devient nécessaire / Infertility affects 11 to 15% of couples in Canada. The modalities of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) include ovarian stimulation (OS), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Multiple pregnancies are among the most common side effects of using ART. However, there is no consensus on the magnitude of the risk of multiple pregnancies associated with the use of MAR modalities. In addition, it is unclear whether the modalities of MAR are associated with a high risk of major congenital malformations (MCM) affecting one or more specific organ system. A three-part research project was developed to answer these questions. In the first part, a case-control study was conducted to quantify the risk of multiple births associated with the use of the three MAR modalities. Compared to spontaneous conception (SC), the use of OS alone, IUI, and ART was associated with a significant increase of more than four, nine, and 31 times the risk of multiple births, respectively. Women who used IUI with OS or ART had an increased risk of multiple births (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.98; 95%CI, 1.12-3.49; adjusted OR, 6.81; 95%CI, 3.72-12.49, respectively) compared to the use of OS alone. In a second part, a case-control analysis was conducted in order to quantify the risk of MCM associated with the use of MAR modalities. Compared to SC, the use of ART was associated with an increased risk of urogenital malformations (adjusted OR, 3.11; 95%CI, 1.33–7.27) and the use of IUI was associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal malformations (adjusted OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.10–3.71). The use of ART was associated with an increased risk of urogenital malformations (adjusted OR, 7.18; 95% CI 1.59-32.53) compared to the use of OS alone. In a third part, results of the systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that the use of OS alone and IUI ± OS were associated with a significant increase of nine times the risk of multiple pregnancies compared to a SC. Similar increases have been found following the use of clomiphene citrate alone. Compared to SC, the use of OS alone was associated with a significant 48% increased risk of musculoskeletal malformations, 73% increased risk of malformations of the nervous system, 76% increased risk of digestive system malformations, 68% increased risk of malformations of the eye, ear, face and neck, and more than twice the risk of congenital respiratory system malformations. The use of IUI was associated with a significant 52% increased risk of urogenital malformations and 54% increased risk of musculoskeletal malformations compared to SC. Although the risk of multiple pregnancies associated with ART can be controlled using a single embryo transfer in IVF cycles, monitoring the risk of multiple pregnancies associated with the use of treatments that do not involve embryo transfer is essential. The potential teratogenic effect associated with the use of MAR modalities should be considered when making therapeutic decisions. The establishment of a registry for the surveillance of MAR adverse perinatal outcomes becomes necessary.

The present dissertation covers the total synthesis of viridiofungin triesters and studies toward the total synthesis of xeniolide F. In both cases, sigmatropic rearrangements of α-allyloxy substituted α,β-unsaturated esters are employed: for the viridiofungin ester synthesis a [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement and for the xeniolide F synthesis a catalytic asymmetric Claisen rearrangement CAC. For both rearrangement reactions the historical development, main characteristic and important variations are discussed. The viridiofungin triester synthesis represents a convergent and highly flexible route toward these natural products. The [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement allowed the diastereoselective synthesis of the polar head group with two adjacent stereogenic centers. The E-configured double bond was formed by a Julia-Kocienski olefination. During the studies toward the total synthesis of xeniolide F a new, diastereoselective strategy for the generation of allyl vinyl ethers with E-configured vinyl ether double bond was established employing rhodium catalyzed OH-insertion and an E-selective Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination. Under the conditions of the catalytic asymmetric Claisen rearrangement (CAC) this highly substituted allyl vinyl ether rearranged diastero- and enantioselectively to the corresponding a-keto ester. This example clearly illustrates the high potential of the CAC as synthetic tool for natural product synthesis. / In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Totalsynthese von Tirestern der Viridiofungine A, A2 und A4 sowie die Synthese eines Schlüsselintermediates für die Totalsynthese von Xeniolid F dargestellt. In beiden Fällen wird ausgehend von einem α-allyloxysubstituierten α,β-ungesättigten Ester eine Umlagerungsreaktion als Schlüsselschritt eingesetzt: im Falle der Viridiofunginester eine diastereoselektive [2,3]-Wittig-Umlagerung, bei den Arbeiten zur Totalsynthese von Xeniolid F eine diastero- und enantioselektive, katalytische Claisenumlagerung. Für beide Umlagerungsreaktionen werden ausführlich die theoretischen Hintergründe sowie die historische Entwicklung und wichtige Varianten besprochen. Mit der Viridiofungintriestersynthese wird eine konvergente und bezüglich der lipophilen Seitenkette sehr flexible Syntheseroute vorgestellt. Die [2,3]-Wittig-Umlagerung konnte dabei erfolgreich für die diastereoselektive Synthese der hochsubstituierten, polaren Kopfgruppe der Viridiofunginester mit zwei benachbarten stereogenen Zentren (davon eines quartär) eingesetzt werden. Zur Bildung der E-konfigurierten Doppelbindung wurde die Julia-Kocienskie-Olefinierung ausgenutzt. Bei den Arbeiten zur Totalsynthese von Xeniolid F wurde eine neuartige Strategie zur diastereoselektiven Synthese eines Allylvinylethers mit E-konfigurierter Vinyletherdoppelbindung eingesetzt. Die Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons-Olefinierung (HWE-Olefinierung) generierte dabei E-selektiv die Vinyletherdoppelbindung. Das für die HWE-Olefinierung benötigte Phosphonat wurde durch rhodiumkatalysierte OH-Insertion aus einem Allylalkohol und einem Diazaphosphonoacetat hergestellt. Der hochsubstituierte Allylvinylether wurde unter den Bedingungen der katalytisch asymmetrischen Claisenumlagerung umgesetzt und führte mit exzellenter Diastereo- und Enantioselektivität zum entsprechenden α-Ketoester. Anhand dieses Beispiels konnte das Potential der katalytisch asymmetrischen Claisenumlagerung zum Aufbau von hochfunktionalisierten Bausteinen für die Naturstoffsynthese verdeutlicht werden.

Os filmes micrométricos contendo óxido misto de lantânio, estrôncio, cobalto e ferro (La0,60Sr0,40)(Co0,20Fe0,80)O3-&delta; - LSCF, misturado com (Ce0,90Gd0,10)O1,95 - CGO, são relevantes para a utilização como camada funcional para o cátodo da Célula a Combustível de Óxido Sólido de Temperaturas Intermediárias. Estes filmes foram depositados no um substrato cerâmico e denso de CGO ou CGO sobre (ZrO2)0.92(Y2O3)0.08 - YSZ. O estudo deste cátodo é fundamental, pois é nele que ocorre a reação de redução do gás oxigênio, e o seu desempenho eletroquímico depende da interface destes dois materiais. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho contribui para a síntese dos particulados de LSCF para o processamento de filmes, utilizando a técnica de deposição com uso de aerógrafo e para sua conformação em camadas contendo porosidade com espessuras entre 30 e 50 &mu;m. Inicialmente, os particulados de LSCF foram sintetizados pela técnica do citratos e de LSCFCGO obtidos por mistura mecânica, sendo caracterizados por DRX para a confirmação da formação da estrutura cristalina ortorrômbica para o LSCF e cúbica para CGO. Em seguida, foram preparadas suspensões orgânicas de LSCF, LSCFCGO e CGO que foram alimentadas por gravidade em um aerógrafo manual para deposição sobre substrato do eletrólito. Para a conformação dos substratos de CGO ou YSZ, utilizou-se prensa uniaxial e isostática, sinterização e retificação. Verificaram-se, pelas micrografias, que os substratos CGO e YSZ apresentaram densidades (> 92%) suficientes para serem utilizados como eletrólitos. Os filmes de LSCF e LSCFCGO apresentaram-se com porosidades adequadas (> 30%) e espessura total de aproximadamente 40 &mu;m, com boa aderência ao eletrólito. A presença do cátodo compósito contendo eletrólito de CGO sobre YSZ possibilitou aumento de 25% no desempenho eletroquímico (2,50 &Omega;.cm2 para 650ºC) em decorrência da melhora na reação de redução do oxigênio na interface cátodo/eletrólito. / The study of micrometrics films of (La0.60Sr0.40)(Co0.20Fe0.80)O3-&delta; - LSCF mixture with (Ce0.90Gd0.10)O1.95 - CGO is relevant for use as functional cathode of Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (ITSOFC). These films were deposited on the CGO or CGO and YSZ dense ceramic substrate, used as electrolyte, structural component of the module. The study of this cathode is fundamental, because is there that occurs oxygen reduction reaction, and the electrochemical performance depends on the interface of these two materials. In this sense, this work contributes for the synthesis of LSCF particulates, for processing films using the wet powder spraying technique, adopted for the conformation of the ceramic films for allowing the attainment porous layers with thicknesses between 30 and 50 &mu;m. Initially, the LSCF particulates were synthesized by the citrate technique and the LSCFCGO produced by solid mixture were characterized by XRD to confirm the formation of LSCF orthorhombic structure and CGO cubic structure. In the stage of formation were prepared organic suspensions of LSCF, LSCFCGO and CGO fed by gravity in a manual airbrush for electrolyte substrate deposition, sintering and grinding for thickness reduction. The micrographs showed that the CGO and YSZ substrates were dense (> 92%) enough to be used as solid electrolyte. The LSCF and LSCFCGO films presented with adequate porosity (> 30%) and total thickness of approximately 40 &mu;m, with good adhesion to electrolyte. The presence of the composite cathode containing CGO or YSZ electrolyte allowed the increase of 25% in the electrochemical performance (2.50 &Omega;.cm2 to 650ºC) due to improvement in the oxygen reduction reaction at the interface cathode/electrolyte.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi desenvolver, validar e comparar métodos analíticos para separação e quantificação de citrato de colina e acetilmetionina em formulações injetáveis por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) e eletroforese capilar (EC). O método por CLAE, com o qual foi possível quantificar e separar simultaneamente, o citrato de colina e a acetilmetionina, foi realizado empregando-se uma coluna cromatográfica C18, 250 x 4,6 mm, 5&#181;m, Shim-Pack® VP-ODS e fase móvel constituída por tampão fosfato de potássio 25 mM pH 5,7: acetonitrila: metanol (88:10:2 v/v/v). O método por EC foi validado utilizando-se como eletrólito, tampão de tetraborato de sódio 20 mM a pH 9,2 e capilar de sílica fundida de 40,2 cm, sendo 30 cm efetivos, com 75 µm de diâmetro interno. O método por CLAE apresentou um coeficiente de correlação (r) de 0,9996 para o citrato de colina e 0,9998 para a acetilmetionina. No método por EC, o coeficiente de correlação (r) encontrado foi de 0,9996 para a acetilmetionina. Os métodos podem ser considerados eficientes e confiáveis para serem empregados em análises de rotina de controle de qualidade de soluções injetáveis contendo a associação dos dois fármacos selecionados para o estudo. / The objective of this research was to develop, to validate and to compare two analytical methods for separation and quantification of choline citrate and acetylmethionine in injectable formulations by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). The HPLC method which enables the separation and simultaneous quantitative determination of choline citrate and acetylmethionine was performed using a C18, 250 x 4.6 mm, 5&#181;m-Shim-Pack®VP-ODS column and a mobile phase constituted of buffer 25 mM potassium phosphate, pH 5.7: acetonitrile: methanol (88:10:2 v/v/v). The CE method was validated using a solution of 20 mM sodium tetraborate buffer pH 9.2 as the electrolyte and a fused silica capillary of 40.2 cm, with 30 cm effective, and 75 mm of diameter. The HPLC method showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9996 for choline citrate and 0.9998 for acetylmethionine. For CE method the correlation coefficient (r) was found to be 0.9996 for acetylmethionine. The methods showed to be efficient and reliable methods, and can be used in routine analysis for quality control of injectable solutions containing the association of the two compounds selected to be studied in this research.