Orientador: Idomeo Bonetti Filho / Banca: Lea Assed Bezerra da Silva / Banca: Pedro Felício Estrada Bernabé / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do preparo biomecânico coadjuvado por diferentes soluções irrigadoras e da sua associação a um curativo de demora à base de hidróxido de cálcio em canais radiculares de dentes de cães contendo endotoxina (LPS bacteriano). Foram utilizados 137 raízes de pré-molares com vitalidade pulpar de 7 cães, cujos canais radiculares, após pulpectomia foram preenchidos por solução de LPS de Eschechia coli na concentração de 10mg/mL, por 10 dias, quando receberam os seguintes procedimentos: Nos grupos I a V foi realizado o preparo biomecânico dos canais radiculares, coadjuvado pelas seguintes soluções irrigadoras: solução de hipoclorito de sódio a 1, 2, 5 e 5% (grupos I a III); solução de digluconato de clorexidina a 2% (Grupo IV); soro fisiológico (Grupo V). No grupo VI, a solução de LPS foi mantida no canal radicular durante todo o período experimental e no grupo VII, após o preparo biomecânico coadjuvado por soro fisiológico, os canais radiculares foram preenchidos por pasta à base de hidróxido de cálcio (Calen). Decorridos 60 dias, os animais foram mortos e as peças submetidas ao processamento histológico para avaliação do reparo apical e periapical. A avaliação histopatológica demonstrou que, os grupos I a VI, que não receberam curativo de demora apresentaram maior intensidade de infiltrado inflamatório, espessura do ligamento periodontal e reabsorção cementária e ósse (p<0,05) do que o grupo VII, o qual recebeu curativo de demora à base de hidróxido de cálcio. Concluiu-se que o preparo biomecânico coadjuvado por diferentes soluções irrigadoras não foi capaz de inativar a endotoxina. Porém, o emprego do curativo de demora à base de hidróxido de cálcio mostrou-se eficaz na inativação, in vivo, dos efeitos tóxicos da endotoxina. / Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of biomechanical preparation with different irrigating solutions and its association with a calcium hydroxide based root canal dressing (Calen) in root canals of dog's teeth containing endotoxin (bacterial LPS). One hundred and thirty-seven root canals of pre-molars with pulp vitality from 7 mongrel dogs were used. The root canals, after pulpectomy, were filled with LPS solution from Escherichia coli with 10mg/mL, for 10 days. Then, they were submitted to the following treatments: In the groups I to V, biomechanical preparation of root canals was done using the following irrigating solutions: 1, 2, 5 and 5% sodium hypochlorite solution in the groups I to III; 2.0% digluconate chlorhexidine (Group IV); saline solution (Group V). In the group VI, LPS solution was mantained in the root canal during all the experimental period and in the group VII, after the biomechanical preparation using saline solution as irrigating solution, the root canals were filled with a calcium hydroxide based root canal dressing (Calen). After 60 days, the animals were killed and the obtained histological sections were processed for evaluation of the apical and periapical repair. The histopathological evaluation showed that, the groups I to VI, with no root canal dressing demonstrated more intensive inflammatory infiltrate, thickness of periodontal ligament and cement and osseus reabsorption (p<0,05) than group VII, that received a root canal dressing based on calcium hydroxide. In conclusion, the biomechanical preparation with different irrigating solutioons didn't inativate the endotoxin. The intracanal dressing based on calcium hydroxide was efficient, in vivo, in the inativation of the deletery effects of endotoxin. / Mestre

Abstract Intrauterine infections apparently cause about 85% of preterm deliveries at less than 28 weeks of gestation. Infection and inflammation play an important role in morbidity and mortality during perinatal period. The inflammatory mechanisms and pathophysiological consequences of intrauterine infection are poorly understood. According to current evidence from animal studies, the phenotypes of fetal inflammatory response are variable, ranging from spontaneous preterm birth to fetal death. The fetus is rather well protected against infectious agents by both structural and functional barriers. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a part of innate immune system. Binding of bacterial or viral component to TLR induces inflammatory response in the host. The present study addressed the hypothesis that the effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the fetus, depends on the route by which it reaches the fetus. In this experimental study we hypothesized that an acute inflammation within the amniotic cavity may cause an innate immune response in the fetus consequently leading to cardiovascular distress. Secondly the role of the placenta in protecting the fetus from acute infectious challenges was evaluated. Additionally, the role of gestational age in the fetal immune response was studied. In the present study, LPS from Gram-negative bacteria caused an acute intrauterine inflammation in mice as indicated by the elevated levels of inflammatory mediators (e.g. cytokines) in amniotic fluid. The fetal heart revealed mRNA and protein expression of TLR4, which recognizes LPS. Moreover, the data showed a cytokine response in the fetal heart and severe cardiac dysfunction. In contrast, intraperitoneal LPS administered to the mother did not cause an acute cytokine response in the fetus. After intraperitoneal LPS the placenta showed severe blood congestion and a cytokine response. The data suggest that TLRs play roles in regulating the acute inflammatory responses in the placenta. Despite the absence of a fetal immune response, the placental lesions caused a fetal cardiovascular compromise. In addition, the present data indicate that the fetal expression of TLR4 is tissue specific and developmentally regulated. Present study provides new insights into the acute inflammatory mechanisms in maternal and fetal compartments and the pathophysiological changes in fetal cardiovascular hemodynamics. / Tiivistelmä Hyvin ennenaikaisen, alle 28. raskausviikolla tapahtuneen synnytyksen taustalta löytyy usein kohdunsisäinen infektio (IUI). Kohdunsisäisen infektion aiheuttama synnytys on suurimpia sikiön vammautumiseen tai kuolemaan johtavia syitä. Tulehdukselliset mekanismit, jotka johtavat synnytykseen tai sikiön vammautumiseen ovat huonosti tunnettuja. Tollin kaltaiset reseptorit (TLR) ovat osa synnynnäisen immuniteetin puolustusjärjestelmää. Niiden tarkoitus on tunnistaa nopeasti elimistölle vieraat, usein bakteeri- tai virusperäiset rakenteet ja käynnistää tulehdusvaste tuottamalla tulehdusvälittäjäaineita. Nämä välittäjäaineet säätelevät tulehdusprosessia, toisaalta niiden liiallinen tuotto voi aikuisilla johtaa elinvaurioihin kuten sydämen toimintahäiriöön. On esitetty että tulehdusvälittäjäaineet käynnistäisivät myös ennenaikaisen synnytyksen IUI:ssa. TLR-reseptorien merkityksestä sikiön tulehdusvasteessa tai synnytyksen käynnistymisessä on vain vähän tietoa. Väitöskirjatyössä tutkittiin kokeellisen hiirimallin avulla bakteeriperäisen lipopolysakkaridin (LPS) kykyä aiheuttaa sikiön tulehdusvaste, sekä muutoksia sikiön sydämen ja verenkierron toiminnassa, riippuen LPS:n reitistä sikiöön. Toisaalta kokeellisella mallilla tutkittiin istukan kykyä suojata sikiötä voimakkaalta tulehdusreaktiolta. Tarkoituksena oli tutkia myös sikiön kehitysasteen vaikutusta LPS:n aiheuttamaan tulehdusvasteeseen. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin LPS:n aiheuttavan kohdunsisäisen tulehduksen kun sitä annettiin suoraan lapsiveteen. Sikiön sydämessä todettiin TLR4 lähetti-RNA:n ja proteiinin ilmentyminen sekä nopea sytokiinien tuotannon lisääntyminen kuvastaen äkillistä tulehdusprosessia. Samanaikaisesti ultraäänitutkimuksessa todettiin sikiön sydämen vaikea toimintahäiriö. Toisaalta, jos LPS annettiin kantavalle emolle vatsaonteloon, tulehdusvälittäjäaineiden tuotannon lisääntymistä sikiössä ei havaittu. Sen sijaan istukassa todettiin akuutti verentungos ja tulehdusvaste. Edellä kuvattu istukan toimintahäiriö johti myös sikiön sydämen ja verenkierron toiminnan vaikeutumiseen huolimatta siitä, ettei sikiön sydämessä havaittu tulehduksellista vastetta. Lisäksi sikiöstä ja istukasta saadut tulokset viittaavat siihen, että TLR-reseptorit ovat mukana LPS:n tunnistamisessa ja äkillisen tulehdusvasteen käynnistymisessä. Tutkimus antaa uutta tietoa raskauden aikaisista tulehduksellisista mekanismeista sekä sikiön sydämen toiminnan äkillisistä muutoksista voimakkaan tulehduksen aikana.

Les lipopolysaccharides (LPS) sont les constituants majeurs de la membrane externe des bactéries à Gram négatif. Ils sont composés d’un polysaccharide (PS) relié à une région lipidique : le lipide A. Ces structures sont très variables d’une bactérie à l’autre. Elles sont aussi susceptibles de subir des modifications post-traductionnelles par des enzymes en réponse à des stimuli extérieurs. Chaque bactérie possède sa propre signature représentée par la structure unique de ses LPS. Les LPS sont reconnus par le récepteur MD-2 :TLR4. Ce complexe discrimine la structure des lipides A et déclenche de façon structure-dépendante ses voies de signalisation. Les LPS sont très étudiés pour leurs activités néfastes, notamment dans le déclenchement de la cascade inflammatoire qui mène au choc septique. Cependant ils présentent aussi de multiples activités bénéfiques. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous avons exploré deux types d’activités bénéfiques des LPS chez l’homme.L’analyse structurale des LPS par spectrométrie de masse est une étape indispensable pour comprendre leurs activités biologiques. Nous proposons deux nouvelles micro-méthodes d’analyse appliquées directement sur les membranes bactériennes. Ceci nous permet d’identifier plus rapidement les molécules de LPS au plus proche de leurs configurations natives, en évitant les artefacts dus à l’extraction. Cette méthode puissante pourra également être développée comme outil de détection rapide de pathogènes.Ensuite, nous avons étudié la relation structure-activité de LPS naturellement peu toxiques mais actifs au niveau cutané. Ce sont des composés du lysat bactérien de Vitreoscilla filiformis contenus dans des crèmes dermatologiques et cosmétiques visant à traiter la dermatite atopique. Les lipides A possèdent des chaînes courtes d’acides gras et les groupes phosphates peuvent être substitués par des groupements phosphoéthanolamines. Les activités biologiques induites par ces LPS prennent place comme des mécanismes de défense pour améliorer la réponse immune et lutter contre les pathogènes.En outre, le pouvoir adjuvant des LPS est l’une de leurs activités bénéfiques les plus étudiées. Les LPS sont naturellement trop toxiques pour être utilisés tels quels. Nous avons, caractérisé des LPS détoxifiés par modifications chimiques, établi et effectué différents tests de « screening » permettant d’évaluer leur adjuvanticité et leur non-pyrogénicité.Enfin, pour des applications thérapeutiques chez l’homme, les LPS doivent être produits en grandes quantités. Nous exposons la compatibilité du procédé de production de la société LPS-BioSciences à l’échelle industrielle et la réglementation des médicaments. Une amélioration de la méthode d’extraction est proposée pour extraire des quantités de l’ordre du gramme. De plus, le procédé de production est réalisable en respectant les bonnes pratiques de fabrication des médicaments. / Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are the main components of the outer membrane of Gram negative bacteria. They are composed of a polysaccharide moiety linked to a lipid one, the lipid A. These structures are different from one bacterium to the other. They are also able to be modified by enzymatic post-translational modifications in response to external stimuli. Each bacterium possesses its own footprint shown by the unique structure of its LPS. LPS are recognized by the MD-2:TLR4 receptor. This complex distinguishes the lipid A structures and it actives some signalling pathways with a structure dependant manner. LPS are studied for their harmful effects, especially for their implication in the inflammatory cascade leading to septic shock. However, LPS keep multiple beneficial activities. In the context of this thesis, we have explored two kinds of beneficial activities for human.Structural analysis of LPS by mass spectrometry is an indispensable step to understand their biological activities. We propose two new micromethods of analysis directly applied on bacterial membranes. We can identify quickly the LPS molecules as close as possible to their native configurations. Thus, we can check the LPS structures before their extraction. This powerful method could be developed as a rapid tool for pathogens detection.Then, we studied the structure-activity relationships of naturally low-toxic, but active LPS at the skin level. They are compounds of the Vitreoscilla filiformis bacterial lysate. This lysate is used in dermatological and cosmetic creams to treat atopic dermatitis. Lipids A are composed of short fatty-acid chains (10 and 12 carbons), and the phosphate groups can be substituted by ethanolamine-phosphate. The biological activities induced by these LPS take place as defense mechanisms to improve the immune response against pathogens.Moreover, the adjuvant capability of LPS is another well studied beneficial activity. LPS are naturally too toxic to be used as vaccine adjuvant. We characterized chemically detoxified LPS and we established and realized different « screening » tests to evaluate their adjuvanticity and non-pyrogenicity.Finally, for human therapeutic applications, LPS must be produced on a large scale. We exposed the compatibility between the LPS-BioSciences process of production at the industrial scale and the medical regulation. One improvement of the extraction method is proposed in order to extract about one gram of LPS. The process is compatible with the good manufacturing practices.

Thesis (D. Tech. (Biomed. Tech.)) -- Central University of Technology free State, 2010 / Consumer demands for fresh, microbiologically safe foods with high organoleptical and nutritional quality has led to the development of novel food preservation technologies as alternatives or enhancements to traditional preservation techniques. An example of these novel preservation technologies is high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing. It involves the applications of static pressure of 50 to 1 000 mega Pascals (MPa) to solid or packaged liquid foods, with varying holding times. The combination of factors to enhance preservation is increasingly being used in industry, e.g. the use of different temperatures and additives (hurdles) can enhance the preservative effect of HHP. In this study the influence of HHP on organism viability and growth response was assessed. The organisms evaluated included Escherichia coli O111, Listeria monocytogenes (UAFSBCC) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), in peptone water, which was subjected to HHP of 200 MPa for 15 minutes at 8 and 50 ºC respectively. Subsequent to the mentioned pressurisation, sub-culturing was performed and growth responses were evaluated at 0, 6, 18, 24, 30, 42 and 48 hours. Bacterial survival and growth response was measured by means of intact cell count, colony forming units and optical density. From the results it was eminent that bacterial cells were only sublethally injured and were able to repair within 48 hours of enriched sub-culturing. E. coli O111 proved to be most sensitive to HHP with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) most resistant. This study also proved that bacterial concentration and inactivation rate are inversely proportionate to each other. Subsequent to growth and cell repair assessments, E. coli O111 was selected as a model to evaluate the effect of sublethal HHP on the liberation and toxicity of bacterial endotoxins (free and cell wall bound). It is also known that different extraction procedures extract different lipopolysaccharides (LPS) fractions and therefore LPS was extracted from the test broth by a combination method of Folch, Lees & Sloane-Stanley, and Venter and Ivanov. The extraction yielded a biphasic system, LPS with reduced lipid content in the upper phase (aqueous) and LPS with increased lipid content in the lower phase (organic). Following extraction the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) test was performed to quantify the concentration (assumed) of LPS in the aqueous and organic phases. Free LPS was detected within six hours in the supernatant in the high and low bacterial loads, moreover the toxicity response of post HHP cell damage was more pronounced at 50 ºC (hurdle) than that observed for the treatments at 8 ºC (hurdle) and more so in the organic phases. The latter implied that HHP not only resulted in quantity LPS variation but also in structural change. However membrane repair was apparently complete after 48 hours, as differences in toxicity were no longer evident. Furthermore, the use of a porcine IL-6 ELISA assay was evaluated as an alternative for the customary LAL as a biomarker for pyrogenic substances in matrixes. Porcine whole blood was challenged for IL-6 production by LPS in the samples from the organic and aqueous systems. A porcine IL-6 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess IL-6 expression in whole blood after being challenged with LPS. From the results it emanated that HHP caused in a change in LPS structure which resulted in a decreased IL-6 expression in whole blood, indicating that structural adaptation of the cell membrane in response to HHP influenced the ability of LPS to stimulate macrophages and monocytes. Therefore, further research and development would be required to evaluate the influence of post HHP LPS on human IL-6 expression. When comparing the porcine IL-6 with the LAL no correlation in toxicity could be established in any of the treatment parameters. Finally it can be concluded that HHP had an influence in the structural morphology of LPS. These structural changes could result in LPS being more toxic, it could also have an effect on the accuracy of immunological assessments, the ability to form biofilm, and susceptibility to phages.

O presente estudo tem por objetivo principal avaliar as alterações funcionais precoces de mitocôndrias hepáticas de ratos wistar submetidos ao estímulo de sepse através da técnica de ligadura cecal e punção (cecal ligation and puncture-CLP) e indução de tolerância ao lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) de Escherichia coli. As mitocôndrias exercem papel na alteração do metabolismo celular de pacientes sépticos. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram: (1) padronizar a técnica de indução a tolerância para ratos wistar com LPS de E. coli (2) avaliar a função mitocondrial fosforilativa e oxidativa; (3) quantificar DNA mitocondrial em tecido hepático de animais submetidos à CPL e tolerância; (4) verificar a expressão dos genes responsáveis pela biogênese mitocondrial e replicação do DNA mitocondrial: nuclear respiratory factor (NRF-1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) e peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1alfa); (5) avaliar a função dos complexos respiratórios I e IV. Os resultados encontrados no presente estudo revelaram que: (a) a taxa de mortalidade dos animais submetidos a tolerância foi de 10% quando submetidos à dose letal de LPS, enquanto a taxa de mortalidade dos animais controle foi de 100% quando submetidos à dose letal de LPS; (b) observou-se que o grupo do controle respiratório que recebeu doses controladas de LPS e foi submetido à CLP apresentou razão igual ao grupo Controle, sugerindo que a fosforilação oxidativa se manteve igual ao basal, enquanto o grupo que foi submetido ao procedimento de CLP sem indução a tolerância apresentou piora da razão do controle respiratório em relação ao grupo controle; (c) a quantificação de DNA mitocondrial mostrou-se maior nos animais submetidos a CLP sem prévia indução a tolerância, com igual aumento da expressão dos fatores de biogênese mitocondrial em relação aos demais grupos; (d) houve diferença significativa na avaliação da funcionalidade dos complexo I, porém o complexo IV se manteve igual em todos os grupos. Concluiu-se que a indução a tolerância altera positivamente a função mitocondrial em animais submetidos à CLP / The aim of this study was to evaluate the early functional alterations of hepatic mitochondria of wistar rats submitted to the stimulation of sepsis through the technique of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and induction of tolerance to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli. Mitochondria play a role in altering the cellular metabolism of septic patients. The objectives of the present study were: (1) to standardize the tolerance induction technique for wistar rats with E. coli LPS (2) to evaluate the mitochondrial phosphorylation and oxidative function; (3) quantify mitochondrial DNA in hepatic tissue of animals submitted to CPL and tolerance; (4) to verify the expression of genes responsible for mitochondria biogenesis and mitochondrial DNA replication nuclear mitochondrial biogenesis (NRF-1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1alpha); (5) to evaluate the function of respiratory complexes I and IV. The results found in the present study revealed that: (a) the mortality rate of the animals submitted to tolerance was 10% when submitted to the lethal dose of LPS, whereas the mortality rate of the control animals was 100% when submitted to the lethal dose of LPS; (B) it was observed that the group receiving controlled doses of LPS and submitted to CLP presented a ratio equal to the control group, suggesting that oxidative phosphorylation remained the same at baseline, whereas the group that underwent CLP procedure without induction of tolerance presented worsening of the respiratory control ratio in relation to the control group; (C) the mitochondrial DNA quantification was higher in the animals submitted to CLP without prior tolerance induction, with an equal increase in mitochondrial biogenesis factors expression in relation to the other groups; (D) there was significant difference in the evaluation of the functionality of complexes I, but no difference in complex IV in all groups. It was concluded that induction of tolerance positively alters mitochondrial function in animals submitted to CLP

Les propriétés insecticides du Bacillus thuringiensis, découvert par ShigentaneIshiwatari, ont été utilisées pendant des décennies comme biopesticides et cette utilisation a augmenté rapidement en raison de préoccupations au sujet des effets environnementaux négatifs des pesticides chimiques. Actuellement, la toxine Bt dans la forme de biopesticides et des plantes transgéniques Bt peut compléter ou remplacer les pesticides chimiques. Il y a peu d’indication que la toxine Bt a un effet nocif pour l'environnement ou la santé humaine. Néanmoins, il ya des préoccupations que les cultures transgéniques commerciales peuvent avoir des effets néfastes sur l'environnement. Après son introduction dans le sol l'exsudation racinaire et la dégradation des résidus végétaux, la toxine Bt interagit avec les particules de sol. Les interactions de la toxine Bt avec des particules de sol influencent sa mobilité, sa biodisponibilité, sa persistance et sa toxicité.Dans cette étude, nous visons à établir l'importance relative des facteurs biologiques et physico-chimiques dans la détermination de la dynamique des protéines Cry détectables dans les sols, de clarifier si la protéine adsorbée conserve ses propriétés insecticides et d'identifier les propriétés du sol qui déterminent le devenir des protéines Cry dans le sol. Les résultats montrent que les protéines Cry ont une forte affinité sur la surface du sol. Cependant, il y avait peu de relation entre l'affinité pour le sol ou le rendement d'extraction et les propriétés du sol, y compris la teneur en argile, teneur en carbone organique et le pH du sol. Il y avait peu de rapport entre l'affinité et le rendement d'extraction. Les protéines diffèrent à la fois dans leur affinité pour les sols et leurs rendements d'extraction.Une évaluation du rôle du sol et des facteurs environnementaux dans le sort des protéines Cry de la formulation de biopesticides commerciale a montré un déclin rapide de la protéine Cry détectable soumise aux rayons du soleil sous la condition de laboratoire, alors que peu d'effet a été observé dans des conditions de terrain. La demi-vie des protéines dans le sol dans des conditions naturelles était d'environ 1 semaine. Des effets de la température forts ont été observés, mais ils diffèrent pour les biopesticides et la protéine purifiée, indiquant différentes étapes limitantes. Pour le biopesticide, la baisse observée était ralenties par des facteurs biologiques, y compris éventuellement sporulation. En revanche pour des protéines purifiées, augmentation de la température améliorée des changements conformationnels de la protéine adsorbée du sol, conduisant à une fixation et, par conséquent diminué efficacité d'extraction qui a diminué avec le temps. En outre, l'étude de la persistance de diverses protéines Cry dans les sols contrastés a été réalisée par immuno-détection et dosage biologique a montré que la toxine extractible diminue avec incubation allant jusqu'à quatre semaines. L'activité insecticide était toujours maintenue à l'état adsorbé, mais a disparue après deux semaines d'incubation à 25°C. La baisse de la protéine extractible et la toxicité était beaucoup plus faible à 4°C à 25°C. La stérilisation du sol n'a pas eu d'effet significatif sur la persistance de la toxine Cry indiquant que le déclin observé était provoqué par la fixation en fonction du temps de la protéine adsorbée ce qui diminue la quantité de toxine Cry extractable, la dégradation de la protéine par l’activité microbienne jouant un rôle plus mineur.L’exposition des insectes aux protéines Cry sous la forme adsorbé pourrait avoir un impact significatif sur les insectes cibles et même les insectes non cibles, et devrait être plus étudiée afin de déterminer son impact potentiel. / The insecticidal properties of Bacillus thuringiensis, discovered by Shigentane Ishiwatari, have been used for decades as biopesticides and this use has been increasing rapidly because of concerns about the negative environmental effects of chemical pesticides. Currently, Bt toxin in the form of both biopesticides and Bt transgenic plantsmay supplement or replace chemical pesticide. There is little evidence to demonstrate that Bt toxin has any harmful effect to the environment or to human health. Nevertheless, there are concerns that commercial transgenic crops may have harmful impacts on the environment. After release into soil via root exudation and breakdown of plant residues, Bt toxin interacts with soil particles. The interactions of Bt toxin with soil particles influence its mobility, its bioavailability, its persistence and its toxicity. In this study, we aim to establish the relative importance of biological and physicochemical factors in the determination of the dynamics of detectable Cry proteins in soils, to clarify if adsorbed protein maintains its insecticidal properties and to identify the soil properties that determine the fate of Cry proteins in soil. The results show that Cry proteins have strong affinity on soil surface. However, there was little relationship between affinity for soil or the extraction yield and soil properties including clay content, organic carbon content and soil pH. There was little relationship between the affinity and the extraction yield. The proteins differ in both their affinity for soil and their extraction yields.An assessment of role of soil and environmental factors in the fate of Cry protein from commercial biopesticide formulation showed a rapid decline of detectable Cry protein subjected to direct sunlight under the laboratory condition, whereas, little effect was observed under field conditions. The half-life of proteins in soil under natural conditions was about one week. Strong temperature effects were observed, but theydiffered for biopesticide and purified protein, indicating different limiting steps. For biopesticide, the observed decline was due to biological factors, possibly including sporulation. In contrast for purified proteins, increased temperature enhanced conformationalchanges of the soil-adsorbed protein, leading to fixation and hence extraction efficiency decreased that decreased with time. Moreover, the study of persistence of various Cry proteins in contrasting soils was carried out by immuno-detection and bioassay showed that extractable toxin decreased with incubation of up to four weeks. Insecticidal activity was still retained in the adsorbed state, but lost after two weeks of incubation at 25°C. The decline in extractable protein and toxicity was much lower at 4°C than 25°C. There was no significant effect of soil sterilization to persistence of Cry toxin indicating that decrease in detectable Cry toxin in soil may be time-dependent fixation of adsorbed protein as well as decreasing solubilization in larva midgut, but not microbial breakdown.Exposition to Cry in the adsorbed form could have a significant impact on target and even non target insects and should be investigation to determine the potential impact.

O presente estudo tem por objetivo principal avaliar as alterações funcionais precoces de mitocôndrias hepáticas de ratos wistar submetidos ao estímulo de sepse através da técnica de ligadura cecal e punção (cecal ligation and puncture-CLP) e indução de tolerância ao lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) de Escherichia coli. As mitocôndrias exercem papel na alteração do metabolismo celular de pacientes sépticos. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram: (1) padronizar a técnica de indução a tolerância para ratos wistar com LPS de E. coli (2) avaliar a função mitocondrial fosforilativa e oxidativa; (3) quantificar DNA mitocondrial em tecido hepático de animais submetidos à CPL e tolerância; (4) verificar a expressão dos genes responsáveis pela biogênese mitocondrial e replicação do DNA mitocondrial: nuclear respiratory factor (NRF-1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) e peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1alfa); (5) avaliar a função dos complexos respiratórios I e IV. Os resultados encontrados no presente estudo revelaram que: (a) a taxa de mortalidade dos animais submetidos a tolerância foi de 10% quando submetidos à dose letal de LPS, enquanto a taxa de mortalidade dos animais controle foi de 100% quando submetidos à dose letal de LPS; (b) observou-se que o grupo do controle respiratório que recebeu doses controladas de LPS e foi submetido à CLP apresentou razão igual ao grupo Controle, sugerindo que a fosforilação oxidativa se manteve igual ao basal, enquanto o grupo que foi submetido ao procedimento de CLP sem indução a tolerância apresentou piora da razão do controle respiratório em relação ao grupo controle; (c) a quantificação de DNA mitocondrial mostrou-se maior nos animais submetidos a CLP sem prévia indução a tolerância, com igual aumento da expressão dos fatores de biogênese mitocondrial em relação aos demais grupos; (d) houve diferença significativa na avaliação da funcionalidade dos complexo I, porém o complexo IV se manteve igual em todos os grupos. Concluiu-se que a indução a tolerância altera positivamente a função mitocondrial em animais submetidos à CLP / The aim of this study was to evaluate the early functional alterations of hepatic mitochondria of wistar rats submitted to the stimulation of sepsis through the technique of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and induction of tolerance to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli. Mitochondria play a role in altering the cellular metabolism of septic patients. The objectives of the present study were: (1) to standardize the tolerance induction technique for wistar rats with E. coli LPS (2) to evaluate the mitochondrial phosphorylation and oxidative function; (3) quantify mitochondrial DNA in hepatic tissue of animals submitted to CPL and tolerance; (4) to verify the expression of genes responsible for mitochondria biogenesis and mitochondrial DNA replication nuclear mitochondrial biogenesis (NRF-1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1alpha); (5) to evaluate the function of respiratory complexes I and IV. The results found in the present study revealed that: (a) the mortality rate of the animals submitted to tolerance was 10% when submitted to the lethal dose of LPS, whereas the mortality rate of the control animals was 100% when submitted to the lethal dose of LPS; (B) it was observed that the group receiving controlled doses of LPS and submitted to CLP presented a ratio equal to the control group, suggesting that oxidative phosphorylation remained the same at baseline, whereas the group that underwent CLP procedure without induction of tolerance presented worsening of the respiratory control ratio in relation to the control group; (C) the mitochondrial DNA quantification was higher in the animals submitted to CLP without prior tolerance induction, with an equal increase in mitochondrial biogenesis factors expression in relation to the other groups; (D) there was significant difference in the evaluation of the functionality of complexes I, but no difference in complex IV in all groups. It was concluded that induction of tolerance positively alters mitochondrial function in animals submitted to CLP

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 191-209).

Parmi les méthodes alternatives respectueuses de l'environnement pour la lutte contre les ravageurs et la protection des cultures agricoles, les bioinsecticides à base de Bacillus thuringiensis sont les plus largement utilisés. L’activité insecticide de B.thuringiensis réside dans la production d’inclusions cristallines protéiques appelées δ-endotoxines qui sont formées au cours de la sporulation. En préalable à ces travaux, de nouvelles souches de B.thuringiensis ont été isolées du sol libanais et ont montré un potentiel insecticide élevé, supérieur à des souches classiquement utilisées. Dans le cadre du développement d'une production industrielle, au Liban, de biopesticides à base de ces souches de B.thuringiensis, ce travail a visé à optimiser la production des δ-endotoxines afin d'augmenter les rendements et de réduire les coûts de production. A l'échelle industrielle, le milieu de culture des bactéries représente une part importante du coût de production. Ainsi, l'effet, sur la concentration des δ-endotoxines, de substitution des sources synthétiques coûteuses d'azote, de carbone et de minéraux, par un sous-produit de la minoterie de blé (le son de blé) a été étudié. L’efficacité de ce sous-produit agro-industriel comme source complète de nutriments, disponible localement à faible prix, a été prouvée pour des fermentations submergées de deux souches différentes toxiques contre des diptères ou des lépidoptères. La comparaison du milieu son de blé à d’autres milieux (synthétiques ou non), classiquement utilisés en bibliographie, a montré que ce milieu présente de nombreux avantages en termes de productivité, de rendement relatif des δ-endotoxines et de coût. Parallèlement à ce travail, une méthode simple et rapide de purification des cristaux a été développée de façon à obtenir des cristaux protéiques purs à 99 % nécessaires comme standards pour le dosage des cristaux dans le milieu de fermentation. Un autre objectif du travail a été d’analyser l'effet de l'aération sur la cinétique de croissance et de sporulation d'une nouvelle souche de B.thuringiensis var kurstaki. Les différentes conditions d’aération testées en fermenteurs de 2 L, caractérisées par le coefficient volumétrique de transfert de dioxygène (KLa), ont permis de montrer l’importance de ce paramètre et de l’optimiser pour obtenir la meilleure productivité en biopesticides. Le meilleur rendement en protéines de toxines a été obtenu dans un milieu son de blé 6 % (masse/volume) dans des conditions d’aération correspondant à un KLa de 65,5 h-1 alors que la meilleure productivité des protéines de toxines a été atteinte dans le milieu 9 % pour un KLa de 102 h-1. Sur la base de cette étude, le dimensionnement de la production de B.thuringiensis à l’échelle 1000 L a été réalisé. L’unité de production a été construite et les premiers essais réalisés ont permis de produire de façon satisfaisante des lots de biopesticides. L’ajustement des protocoles industriels reste à faire. / Among the safe and environment friendly methods for the fight against pests and agricultural crops protection, Bacillus thuringiensis based biopesticides are the most widely used. The insecticidal activity of B. thuringiensis resides in the production of protein crystal inclusions called δ-endotoxins, which are formed during sporulation. Preliminary to this work, new B. thuringiensis strains were isolated from Lebanese soil and showed higher insecticidal potential than the conventionally used strains. As part of the development of an industrial production, in Lebanon, of biopesticides based on these strains of B.thuringiensis, this work aimed to optimize the production of δ-endotoxins to increase yields and reduce the cost of mass production. At industrial scale, the bacteria culture medium represents a significant part of the production cost. Thus, the effect on the concentration of the δ-endotoxins, of substituting expensive synthetic sources of nitrogen, carbon, and minerals, with a byproduct of wheat mill (wheat bran) was studied. The effectiveness of this agro-industrial by-product available locally at low prices, as complete source of nutrients, in submerged fermentations of two different strains of B.thuringiensis toxic against Lepidoptera and Diptera, has been proven. The comparison of the wheat bran medium to other mediums (synthetic or not), conventionally used in the bibliography, has shown that this medium this medium has many advantages in terms of productivity, relative yield of δ-endotoxins and cost. In parallel to this work, a simple and quick method of crystal purification was developed to obtain pure protein crystals to 99 % required as standards for the determination of crystals concentration in the fermentation medium. Another objective of the study was to analyze the effect of aeration on growth and sporulation kinetics of a new strain of B.thuringiensis var kurstaki. The different aeration conditions tested in fermenters of 2 L, characterized by the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (KLa), permitted to show the importance of this parameter and to optimize it to get the best biopesticides productivity. The best yield of toxin proteins relative to the wheat bran ratio in the culture medium was obtained in the 6 % (weight/volume) medium in aeration conditions corresponding to a KLa of 65.5 h-1, while the highest productivity of toxin proteins has been reached in the 9 % medium for KLa of 102 h-1. On this study basis, the scale up of B. thuringiensis production was performed in a bioreactor of 1000 L. The production unit was built and the first tests carried out have produced satisfactory batches of biopesticides. Industrial protocols are still to be adjusted.

Procyanidins (PCs) have been extensively investigated for their potential health protective activities, but the prospective bioactivities are limited by their poor bioavailability. The majority of the ingested dose remains unabsorbed and reaches the colon where extensive microbial metabolism occurs. The objectives of these studies are to better understand the roles and activities of PCs in the lower gastrointestinal tract. First, a new high-throughput Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry method was developed to efficiently analyze PCs and an extensive profile of their microbial metabolites. This method is sufficiently sensitive and effective in simultaneously extracting and measuring native PCs and their microbial metabolites in biological samples. Furthermore, administration of grape seed extract increased the expression of gut junction protein occludin and reduced levels of fecal calprotectin, which suggests an improvement of gut barrier integrity and a potential modulation of endotoxemia. Additionally, chronic supplementation of the diet with flavanols did not increase colonic tissue accumulation of PCs or their microbial metabolites over a 12 week feeding study. This was the first long-term study of its kind, and the results indicate that we still do not fully understand the outcome of ingested flavanols in the colon during chronic exposure rather than acute doses. Lastly, new understanding of the microbial metabolism of PCs in the colon has been reached by studying the colon as 4 segments, rather than as a complete unit as previous studies have done. Data show that a gradient is established along the length of the colon for both PCs and their metabolites, with PCs reaching highest concentrations within 3 h after ingestion, while metabolites reach maximum concentrations anywhere form 3-18 h after ingestion. Moreover, data indicate the progressive, step-wise degradation of PCs into small metabolites throughout the length of the colon. Overall, there is greater understanding of the colonic metabolism of dietary PCs derived from GSE and cocoa, the accumulation of these compounds, and their effect on gut permeability. Future work will build off of these novel studies, and will continue to advance the understanding of the health benefits of dietary PCs. / Ph. D.