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In wheat grains, mineral nutrients are stored in spherical particles called globoids. Globoids are located within the protein bodies of cells from the aleurone layer, scutellum and embryonic axis of the wheat grain. Composed of phytate, globoids contain an essential source of myo-inositol, P, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe and Zn which are used by the growing seedling during early seedling growth. Changes to the element composition within the globoids from the aleurone, scutellum and embryo axis, during seed set and early seedling growth were examined in two cultivars of wheat through the use of energy dispersive X-ray analysis. During seed set and early seedling growth the composition of the globoids within all tissues changed. In each of the tissues in both cultivars the P levels decreased during seed set and remained relatively constant during early seedling growth. K levels increased during seed set and decreased during early seedling growth. Mg and Ca levels generally decreased during seed set and increased during early seedling growth. Mn and Zn were detected only within globoids within the embryonic axis and no changes were noted for these two elements. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed that A.C. Reed and Celtic grains both followed the same general trends during seed set and seedling growth indicating that the differing protein content of the two cultivars had little effect on the timing of mineral nutrient accumulation and utilization within the globoids. Atomic absorption analysis of whole grain tissue for P, K, Mg and Ca revealed that Celtic grains had higher concentrations of P and K while being grown in identical conditions to that of A.C. Reed grains. These results indicate that mineral nutrient levels within the grain seem to be influenced by the cultivar, and possibly the protein content of the particular cultivar. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

The storage reserves in the mature seeds of eleven species of Pinus were investigated. Lipids and proteins 1 sequestered in lipid vesicles and protein bodies respectively 1 were found to be the major storage reserves of pine seeds. All seed tissues of mature Pinus seeds contained protein bodies with one or more protein crystalloids andjor one or more globoid crystals. Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis of globoid crystals in all species of Pinus that were studied revealed the presence of P 1 K and Mg 1 a fact that is consistent with globoid crystals being phytate-rich. Traces of Ca and Fe were also detected in the globoid crystals of some seed tissues. High levels of Fe and significant levels of P1 K and Mg were detected in small (often .:::; 0. 3 3 J,£m) 1 naturally electron-dense particles that were distributed throughout the tissues of the embryo and female gametophyte. Unlike conventional phytate-rich globoid crystals 1 these Fe-rich particles were not contained in the proteinaceous matrix of typical protein bodies. Instead 1 the particles were contained within membrane-bound structures resembling plastids. Neutron activation analysis and spectrophotometric phosphorus analysis were used to provide a quantitative determination of elements in whole female gametophyte and embryo tissue samples. High levels of P, K, Mg and S and significant levels of Cl, Ca, Mn, Zn and Fe were detected in pine seed tissues. Environment and growth conditions under which the seed developed did not appear to affect the total mineral nutrient levels of mature pine seeds. Seed size and weight varied greatly between the eleven species of Pinus investigated. A major focus of this study was to determine whether seed size was correlated to the distribution of minerals in pine seeds. Previous studies showed that mineral distribution was related to seed size in cucurbits. Phosphorus, Mg and Ca concentrations in globoid crystals and Fe concentrations in electron-dense particles of Pinus seed tissue were found to be negatively correlated with seed size. A comparative study of nutrient reserves in haploid female gametophyte tissue versus diploid embryo tissues was made. Within each species of Pinus, the total mineral nutrient concentrations in whole female gametophyte samples were similar to total mineral nutrient concentrations within whole embryo samples. Protein body structure and the types of mineral nutrients stored in globoid crystals of protein bodies were also similar between female gametophytes and their corresponding embryos. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

As a novel therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, transplantation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) requires extensive optimization in animal models before being implemented in clinical trials. It is a goal of our laboratory to understand the mechanism of action of these cells and to improve their therapeutic efficacy. To address these goals, this study aims to optimize the cell dosage, cell type, administration route and timing, and/or donor age for stem cell therapy in two mouse models of demyelinating diseases: globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD; Krabbe’s disease) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). GLD is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease caused by the deficiency of galactocerebrosidase (GALC). Accumulation of toxic byproducts in myelin producing oligodendrocytes leads to the demyelination of neurons and increase in brain inflammation. The twitcher mouse model of GLD was used to test the therapeutic effects of MSCs after injection through intracerebroventricular (ICV) or intraperitoneal (IP) routes. Weekly MSC IP injections and single IP GALC-transduced MSC injections were performed. Other twitcher mouse cohorts received temporal vein (TV) or intracerebral (IC) injections of GALC-containing adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9-GALC) with or without IP MSC injections. All GLD affected mice treated with peripheral MSC and/or vector therapy had extended lifespans with improved motor function. The ameliorating effects of MSCs were related to their potent anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects on the peripheral and central nervous systems. These results indicate a promising future for peripheral administration of MSCs and vectors as non-invasive, adjunct therapies for patients affected with GLD. A similar study was performed using the EAE mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a demyelinating disease due to an autoimmune reaction to myelin. The results demonstrated that biological age of the donor reduces the ability of MSCs to alleviate symptoms and improve pathology in the EAE mouse model. Upon transplantation, the young, but not old, MSCs provided neuroprotective effects through immunomodulation and remyelination in the central nervous system (CNS). The age-related therapeutic differences corroborate recent findings that biologic aging occurs in stem cells and highlight the potential need for allogeneic transplantation of MSCs in older MS patients. / acase@tulane.edu

The master´s thesis describes basic notions in the domain of automatic tools exchange of machining centres. It describes systems which are used today and their basic division. The practical part deals with the construction of the system of automatic exchange of tools for multifunction lathe centre.