Nodularia spumigena is an estuarine cyanobacteria that produces the toxin nodularin. This toxic cyanobacteria is known to have caused death to domestic and wild animals and is recognised as dangerous to human health. N. spumigena causes harmful algal blooms in many parts of the world including Australia. The toxic solutes of N. spumigena are potentially dangerous when contact is made to contaminated water bodies or is ingested by primary consumers. In Australia blooms of N. spumigena are common in the Gippsland Lakes in South-eastern Victoria and cause socio - economic hardships to the local communities. This PhD investigates the toxic effects of N. spumigena and its solutes to a range of aquatic life. A method known as SPME - HPLC showed promise in environmental monitoring of N. spumigena toxins by measuring nodularin from water samples. Other research presented study into the lethal and sublethal effects of on an extract from N. spumigena to aquatic fauna. Resu lts showed the N. spumigena extract was not lethal to many aquatic fauna although zooplankton from the Gippsland Lakes showed mortality at environmental relevant levels. Biochemical studies focusing on animal detoxification and antioxidation enzymes and DNA integrity showed sublethal effects to the N. spumigena extract. Results presented in this thesis show that an extract of N. spumigena elicited detoxification and antioxidation responses in animals tested. Furthermore, the use of the COMET assay showed increased damage to DNA of animals tested. Results also showed that different organs in animals tested responded differently to the aqueous extract, suggesting mode of uptake maybe important in toxicosis. Further, feeding studies with N. spumigena help elucidate mode of uptake using enzyme response biomarkers. The overall results of this research provided an assessment of the toxic affects of N. spumigena on aquatic fauna with special reference to the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Australia.

Cette étude se place dans le contexte de réalisation de nouveaux matériaux à bas coût pour l'optique non linéaire. Pour cela, nous avons développé une approche nanocomposite, basée sur la fabrication de films Laponite/ LiIO3. Ces films sont réalisés à l'aide d'une technologie issue du procédé sol-gel puis recuits pour cristalliser LiIO3, matériau optiquement non linéaire, et ils présentent de bonnes potentialités en raison d'une concentration en nanocristaux actifs importante. De plus, la possibilité d'orienter les nanocristaux pendant la cristallisation par l'application d'un champ électrique permet d'obtenir un matériau présentant des propriétés optiques non linéaires comparables à celles des matériaux usuels de ce domaine.<br /><br />Au cours de ce travail, nous avons tout d'abord affiné le modèle de structure des films composites en mettant en évidence l'absence d'intercalation du LiIO3 dans l'espace interplaquette. Par la suite, nous avons optimisé le processus de dépôt des films. En particulier, nous avons amélioré sa reproductibilité en déterminant les principaux paramètres intervenant durant le process : pH, viscosité, température de recuit, champ électrique d'orientation. Par ailleurs, nous avons montré que le vieillissement des films, une limitation importante de ce procédé, pouvait être ralenti par le dépôt d'un film protecteur. Nous sommes ainsi parvenus à définir un ensemble de critères permettant la réalisation de films nanocomposites aux propriétés optiques linéaires et non linéaires satisfaisantes.<br /><br />Dans une seconde partie, nous nous sommes attachés à caractériser et modéliser les propriétés optiques linéaires et non linéaires des films nanocomposites Laponite/LiIO3. Nous avons cherché à établir le lien entre ces propriétés et la structure des films, et nous avons observé l'influence de la distribution d'orientation des nanocristaux d'iodate de lithium au sein de la matrice de Laponite sur les propriétés optiques non linéaire et pour le guidage. Cette étude, au caractère plus fondamental, a permis de construire des modèles adaptés à ce type de matériaux composites permettant d'interpréter les résultats expérimentaux et de prévoir les indices de réfraction et les propriétés optiques non linéaires de ce type de matériau.

Différents types de copolymères fluorés de poly (arylène éther) ont été synthétisés par polycondensation, le remplacement des groupes C-H par des groupes C-F permettant de diminuer les pertes optiques à 1,55 ¤m en vue d¤applications dans le domaine des télécommunications. Dans ce but, différents types de chromophores, qui contiennent des groupes accepteurs tricyanovinyle ont été synthétisés; ensuite ils ont été greffés de manière covalente sur ces polymères afin d¤avoir de bonnes propriétés en ONL du second ordre. Les analyses thermiques ont montré des stabilités thermiques jusqu¤à 350 °C et des températures de transition vitreuse élevées (Tg>160 °C). Les indices de réfraction mesurés par ellipsométrie sont voisins de 1.55. Les coefficients de susceptibilité non linéaire de second ordre (d33) déterminés par génération de second harmonique (GSH) des différents films orientés sous champ électrique (décharge Corona) ont été trouvés voisins de 15 pm.V-1 à 1,907 ¤m, et une stabilité thermique de l¤orientation a été observée jusqu¤à 130 °C. Pendant les orientations, une chute réversible du signal de GSH au cours du refroidissement a été observée autour de 120 °C. Différents hypothèses ont été étudiées pour expliquer cette chute. Finalement l¤existence d¤une sous-transition vitreuse dans les copolymères fluorés a été mise en évidence par analyse diélectrique. Son origine semble fortement liée aux interactions dipolaires inter-chaînes

This paper, contain three parts, focus on develop synthesis method for novel functional nanocluster, base on its special optical and reactive property. In the first part, lysozyme VI was mixed with HAuCl4 under acidic condition(pH~3) and yield blue fluorescent Au8 nanocluster. When this Au8 cluster was incubate under alkaline condition (pH~12) a size evolution from Au8 to Au25 took place and monitored with fluorescence spectrum, MALDI MS, DLS. On the other hand, on the role of structural characteristic, fluorescence of Au8 cluster can be quenched by GSH as GSH induced core-etching reaction took place. Take advantage of this reaction, GSH in RBC can be quantitatively analysis by Au8 cluster. Compare with standard medical analysis method, this assay got comparable quantitative result and advantage in environmental friendly, low cost and low sample demand. Follow the first part, it was knowing that Hg2+quench fluorescence of Au25 but Au8 cluster. The second part of research development a ratiometric fluorescence assay for Hg2+ in drinking water sample, by control size evolution of nanocluster mentioned in first part by adding Ag+ into protein direct synthesis nanocluter process. Under optimize condition of bimetallic nanocluster synthesis, two separately fluorescence peak locate under 613 nm and 471 nm represent bigger size and smaller nanoclusters. Using fluorescence intensity ratio of two wavelength, concentration of Hg2+ in water sample can be determined by standard addition method with high reproducibility. Limit of detection was determined to be 0.1 and 0.4 nM, both lower than EPA permitted level in drinking water. On the third part, SA and HAuCl4 was mixed under water contained acetonitrile solution and SA caped nanocluster was form. This nanocluster after self essemble possess special crystalline and surface phenomenon and fit matrix for high reproducible laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Compare with traditional matrix SA, the cluster matrix show 6.6% in RSD with 33%. And the desorption/ionization efficiency of nanocluster matrix is also much higher. Insulin, myoglobin and HSA sample can be quantitative with this matrix with mean RSD lower than 10%.

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Macrophage death is likely to contribute to the transformation of fatty streaks into advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Previous work in the laboratory showed that OxLDL promotes cell death in human macrophages by a mechanism involving intracellular peroxide formation. Here we show that glutathione depletion induced by OxLDL occurs independent of peroxyl radical formation. Our data suggest that the depletion of glutathione is the fundamental defect that renders macrophages susceptible to OxLDL-induced cell injury, but alone is not sufficient to kill macrophages. We indicate that increased protein-Sglutathionylation is involved in OxLDL-induced macrophage death. A potentiation of OxLDL toxicity was observed in macrophages transfected with siRNA directed against either glutathione reductase or glutaredoxin. Our data suggests that OxLDL-induced cell injury in human macrophage is mediated by the depletion of GSH, a decreased in the GSH/GSSG ratio and peroxyl radical formation. All three signals are required for OxLDL-induced macrophage death. Our results also show that the glutathione reductase/glutaredoxin system protects macrophages from OxLDL-induced cell death.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-09-12T18:53:50Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Késia de Souza Cruz - 2016.pdf: 2312278 bytes, checksum: 9388f7c21e3443036e7ad2c1d3256ed1 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-09-15T12:39:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Késia de Souza Cruz - 2016.pdf: 2312278 bytes, checksum: 9388f7c21e3443036e7ad2c1d3256ed1 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-15T12:39:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Késia de Souza Cruz - 2016.pdf: 2312278 bytes, checksum: 9388f7c21e3443036e7ad2c1d3256ed1 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Recent studies show that often, pathologies are caused by Reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS are associated with the oxidative stress in the cells. The body uses the antioxidants to defend itself from the consequences of this process. An example of an antioxidant with different functions in an organism is the Glutathione (GSH). It is a cellular thiol with low molecular mass, that’s synthesized by chemical, enzymatic and fermentative methods. Since it is environmentally and economically viable, the use of the fermentative process has gained scientific visibility. The use of mathematical models is an alternative that helps in the production of Glutathione. Considering these observations, the present study's aimed to elaborate a mathematical model for production and prediction of GSH for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as to validate its numerical optimization experimentally. For the mathematical model in this process, was used the Central Composite Rotational Design 2², having as an answer, the GSH and biomass values in function with the concentration of molasses and glycerol during a period of 96 hours of fermentation. Based on these results, a hybrid model was made, having as a result, the specific rate of GSH formation. The final model was adjusted to a polynomial function using the method of least squares. Experimentally, the maximum production of GSH was found to be, in 72 hours (119,6 mg L-1) using 76,9 g L-1of molasses and glycerol, respectively. Applying the model for similar conditions, it was estimated to a 118,6mg L-1. The experimental results were then statistically analyzed to verify their similarity. The numerical optimization was made by setting the clock for 72 hours. At this step, the concentration of molasses and glycerol were varied until the best conditions to produce GSH were met. The optimization helped to derive an estimate that 70 g L-1of sugar cane molasses and 40 g L-1of glycerol can guarantee the production of 126 mg L-1of GSH. Based on the accuracy of the observations, the same conditions were used as a central point for the validation of the model - Factorial Design2². The results obtained under these conditions helped establish that the central point of the proposed design for the validation of the model, is 127,3mg L-1of GSH in 72 hours. The validation of this mathematical model by the numerical optimization proved that it was effective for the production and prediction of Glutathione by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using industrial by-products. / Estudos recentes mostram que as patologias mediadas por espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) estão frequentes. As EROs associam-se ao estresse oxidativo nas células, e para o corpo defender-se das consequências advindas desse processo, utiliza os antioxidantes. Um exemplo de antioxidante com variadas funções no organismo é a glutationa (GSH). Trata-se de um tiol celular de baixa massa molecular, que pode ser sintetizada por via química, enzimática e fermentativa. Devido sua viabilidade ambiental e econômica, o uso de processos fermentativos tem ganhado visibilidade científica. O emprego de modelos matemáticos é uma alternativa que auxilia na predição deste antioxidante. Tendo em vista estas observações o presente trabalho teve como objetivo elaborar um modelo matemático de predição da produção de GSH por S. cerevisiae, bem como validar experimentalmente sua otimização numérica. Para a confecção do modelo matemático utilizou-se um Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional 2², tendo como resposta os valores de GSH e biomassa em função das concentrações de melaço e glicerol durante 96 horas de fermentação. A partir desses resultados foi confeccionado um modelo híbrido, tendo como resposta a velocidade específica de formação de GSH. O modelo final foi ajustado a uma função polinomial utilizando metodologia dos Mínimos Quadrados. Experimentalmente a máxima produção de GSH foi encontrada em 72 horas (119,6 mg L-1) utilizando 76,9 g L-1 de melaço e glicerol, respectivamente. Aplicando o modelo para as mesmas condições estimou-se 118,6 mg L-1. Os resultados experimentais e preditos foram analisados estatisticamente para verificar a similaridade dos mesmos. A otimização numérica foi feita fixando o tempo em 72 horas. Nessa etapa variaram-se as concentrações de melaço e glicerol até obter a melhor condição para produzir GSH. A otimização estimou que 70 g L-1de melaço de cana-de-açúcar e 40 g L-1 de glicerol podem garantir uma produção de 126 mg L-1 de GSH. Tendo em conta esta constatação, essas condições foram utilizadas como ponto central de um Delineamento Fatorial Completo 2² para validação do modelo. O resultado encontrado nas mesmas condições do ponto central do delineamento proposto para validação foi de 127,3 mg L-1 de GSH em 72 horas. A validação do modelo matemático por meio de otimização numérica comprovou que o uso da modelagem foi eficaz para a predição da produção de glutationa por Saccharomyces cerevisiae utilizando subprodutos industriais.

Submitted by Luanna Matias (lua_matias@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-03-06T16:58:22Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Sara Fernandes Soares - 2012.pdf: 2842867 bytes, checksum: dff92fa87ddeabaa7f16510a5ac58f11 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luanna Matias (lua_matias@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-03-06T17:07:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Sara Fernandes Soares - 2012.pdf: 2842867 bytes, checksum: dff92fa87ddeabaa7f16510a5ac58f11 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-06T17:07:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Sara Fernandes Soares - 2012.pdf: 2842867 bytes, checksum: dff92fa87ddeabaa7f16510a5ac58f11 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Rhipicephalus sanguineus is an ectoparasite of domestic dogs which can also be found in other mammals, including humans. It has high medical and veterinary importance, given that it can transmit pathogens that cause diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Boutonneuse fever in humans and babesiosis and ehrlichiosis in dogs. The main control method to this tick is the use of chemical acaricides which, over the years, has selected resistant tick populations to these products. To develop strategies to control this tick, it is necessary to know its ecology. Electrophysiological techniques are important tools in the study of substances that interfere with the behavior of animals. In this study, the existence of gustatory sensilla on the chelicerae of R. sanguineus was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, the electrophysiological responses of the neurons present in this sensilla in nonfed ticks to substances with the potential to act as phagostimulant, such as salts (KCl and NaCl), sugars (glucose, sucrose and fructose), the nucleotide adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the tripeptide reduced glutathione (GSH) and two purine (guanine and hypoxanthine) were assessed. Phytoecdysteroids (PES), compounds analogous to ecdysteroids, known as the molting hormones in arthropods, were also tested in electrophysiology. The PES ecdysone (E), 20-hidroxyecdysone (20E), ponasterone A (PonA), makisterone A (MakA), inokosterone (Inok) and Pterosterone (Pte) were tested on nonfed and fed ticks. To evaluate the influence the PEs identified as active in electrophysiology on feeding behavior of R. sanguineus, attachment bioassays in vivo were proceeded. The images obtained with SEM revealed the existence of a pore in the inner digit of the chelicerae, involved in taste perception in these ticks. The results obtained in electrophysiology showed strong activity of R. sanguineus cheliceral neurons to glucose and GSH, at concentrations above 10-4 M, to ATP from 10-2 M, and salts from 10-1 M. The action potentials observed in response to ATP at all used concentrations (from 10-6 M to 10-2 M), and to KCl at 1 M were from different neurons, while the action potentials to the other potentially phagostimulant stimuli were from a single neuron. Considering the responses to PEs in nonfed ticks, MakA and Pte triggered action potentials frequencies greater than the negative control, with detection thresholds of 10-6 M and 10-12 M, respectively. The action potentials amplitudes for these substances as well as for 20E and PonA were higher than those for the control, indicating the activity of a different neuron from that observed for the negative control. In fed ticks, only Pte at 10-4 M remained active. In the behavior assays, there was no difference in attachment between PEs and the control and no interference in the biological parameters was observed. The results obtained in this study showed the ability of R. sanguineus to detect in their cheliceral taste sensilla substances with different natures, as potential phagostimulants and PEs. Further studies in this area are needed to elucidate the role of these substances in the chemical ecology of these ticks. / Rhipicephalus sanguineus é um ectoparasita de cães domésticos, também encontrado em outros mamíferos, inclusive no homem. Tem elevada importância nas medicinas humana e veterinária, podendo transmitir agentes patogênicos causadores de doenças, como as febres botonosa e maculosa em humanos e a babesiose e a erliquiose em cães. Seu controle é feito com o uso de acaricidas químicos, o que, ao longo do tempo, selecionou populações deste carrapato resistentes a estes produtos. Para a elaboração de estratégias de controle deste carrapato é necessário conhecer sua ecologia. Técnicas eletrofisiológicas são ferramentas importantes na identificação de substâncias que interferem no comportamento de animais. Neste trabalho foi investigada a existência de sensilas gustativas nas quelíceras de R. sanguineus por meio da microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Também se avaliou a resposta eletrofisiológica dos neurônios destas sensilas, em carrapatos não alimentados, a substâncias com potencial para efeito fagoestimulante, tais como sais (KCl e NaCl), açúcares (glicose, sacarose e frutose), o nucleotídeo trifosfato de adenosina (ATP) e o tripeptídeo glutationa reduzida (GSH), assim como purinas (guanina e hipoxantina). Fitoecdisteróides (FES), compostos análogos aos ecdisteróides, conhecidos como hormônios da muda em artrópodes, foram igualmente avaliados pela eletrofisiologia. Foram empregados carrapatos antes e após a alimentação e os seguintes FEs: ecdisona (E), 20-hidroxiecdisona (20E), ponasterona A (PonA), makisterona A (MakA), inokosterona (Inok) e pterosterona (Pte). Para avaliar a interferência, no comportamento de alimentação de R. sanguineus, dos FEs que foram identificados ativos na eletrofisiologia, foram empregados testes de fixação in vivo. As imagens obtidas com a MEV evidenciaram a existência de um poro no dígito interno das quelíceras, envolvido na percepção gustativa, nesses carrapatos. Os resultados obtidos com a eletrofisiologia revelaram forte atividade de neurônios quelicerais de R. sanguineus à glicose e à GSH, em concentrações acima de 10-4 M, ao ATP, a partir de 10-2 M, e aos sais a partir de 10-1 M. Os potenciais de ação observados em resposta ao estímulo com ATP, em todas as concentrações empregadas (de 10-6 M a 10-2 M), e ao KCl a 1 M foram oriundos de diferentes neurônios, enquanto que aos demais estímulos potencialmente fagoestimulantes foram provenientes de um único neurônio. Quanto aos FEs, em carrapatos não alimentados, MakA e Pte desencadearam frequências de potenciais de ação superiores ao controle negativo, com limiares de detecção de 10-6 M e 10-12 M, respectivamente. As amplitudes dos potenciais de ação para estas substâncias bem como para 20E e PonA foram maiores que as do controle, indicando a atividade de um neurônio diferente do observado para o controle negativo. Nos carrapatos após alimentação, somente Pte à 10-4M permaneceu ativa. Nos testes comportamentais, não houve diferença de fixação entre os tratamentos com FEs e com o controle negativo e nem interferência do FEs nos parâmetros biológicos avaliados. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo evidenciaram a capacidade de R. sanguineus em detectar, em suas sensilas gustativas quelicerais, substâncias de diferentes naturezas, como potenciais fagoestimulantes e FEs. Mais estudos nesta área são necessários visando esclarecer o papel destas substâncias na ecologia química destes carrapatos.

The oxidative folding pathway of the disulfide containing protein bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) was one of the first to be elucidated and has served as a basis for understanding the folding pathways of other proteins. During the oxidative folding of reduced BPTI, two intermediates (N' and N*) accumulate in significant amounts and act as kinetic traps. Both N' and N* bury their two remaining free thiols in their hydrophobic cores, which inhibits further oxidation. Historically, the rate limiting step was considered to be the intramolecular rearrangements of N' and N* to another intermediate with two free thiols, NSH. The two free thiols in NSH are solvent-exposed and easily oxidized to a disulfide, producing native protein (N). Nevertheless, our research using reduced BPTI indicated that the folding rate of N* to N was proportional to the concentration of added glutathione disulfide (GSSG), inconsistent with the slow intramolecular rearrangement of N* to NSH. To confirm our initial results, the intermediate N* was purified and refolded in the presence of GSSG. The conversion of N* to N was dependent upon the disulfide concentration and singly mixed disulfide N*(SG) was observed during folding. These results emphasize that the folding of N* can proceed via a growth type pathway, direct oxidation of the two remaining thiols in N* by an exogenous small molecule disulfide, such as GSSG, to form N. Folding of reduced BPTI via N* was performed under changing concentrations of GSSG and GSH as a function of time. The folding was improved dramatically in terms of rate and yield. Aromatic disulfides and thiols have been demonstrated to improve the folding efficiency of disulfide containing proteins including ribonuclease A (RNase A) and lysozyme. Herein, N* and N' were refolded in the presence of aromatic disulfides. Folding of the two kinetic traps with aromatic disulfides indicated that folding proceed via a growth type pathway. The singly and doubly mixed disulfide intermediates were observed during most folding reactions. The oxidative folding of reduced BPTI with aromatic disulfides and thiols were also investigated. Reduced BPTI can be folded to disulfide intermediates rapidly.

Glutathione syntethase (GS) is an enzyme that belongs to the ATP-grasp superfamily and catalyzes the second step in the biosynthesis of glutathione. GS has been purified and sequenced from a variety of biological sources; still, its exact mechanism is not fully understood. Four highly conserved residues were identified in the binding site of human GS. Additionally, the G-loop residues that close the active site during catalysis were found to be conserved. Since these residues are important for catalysis, their function was studied computationally by site-directed mutagenesis. Starting from the reported crystal structure of human GS, different conformations for the wild type and mutants were obtained using molecular dynamics technique. The key interactions between residues and ligands were detected and found to be essential for enzyme activity.