An exceptionally important stress response of Pseudomonas putida strains to toxic chemicals is the induction of efflux pumps that extrude solvents, as well as other toxicants, into the surrounding medium. However, the bacterial tolerance mechanisms are still not fully understood, thus in this thesis metabolomic approaches were used to detect and identify metabolites involved in P. putida DOT-T1E tolerance to abiotic stresses, in particular focussing on the role of efflux pumps. To elucidate any metabolome alterations several strains of P. putida, including the wild type DOT-T1E, and the efflux pump knockouts DOT-T1E-PS28 and DOT-T1E-18, were challenged with different levels of propranolol. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, which provided a rapid, high-throughput metabolic fingerprint of P. putida strains, was used to investigate any phenotypic changes resulting from exposure to propranolol. FT-IR data illustrated phenotypic changes associated with the presence of propranolol within the cell that could be assigned to the bacterial protein components. To complement this phenotypic fingerprinting approach metabolic profiling on the same samples was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify metabolites of interest during growth of bacteria following this toxic perturbation with propranolol. GC-MS revealed significant changes in ornithine levels which can be directly linked to bacterial tolerance mechanisms, and alterations in the levels of several other metabolites which were also modified in response to propranolol exposure. Moreover, the effect of the organic solvent toluene was also investigated using the same approach. Examination of FT-IR data indicated that protein and fatty acids were the most affected components of P. putida strains due to the presence of toluene within the cell. Moreover, application of GC-MS allowed for the identification and quantification of several metabolites which were differentially produced or consumed in the presence of toluene. To investigate the role of efflux pumps in P. putida DOT-T1E, several analytical techniques were employed including Raman spectroscopy, gas and liquid chromatography to identify and quantify the level of propranolol or toluene in P. putida cells. These analyses showed that propranolol and toluene accumulated in the mutant P. putida DOT-T1E-18 (lacking the TtgABC pump) at higher levels in comparison with the levels found in the wild-type DOT-T1E and the mutant DOT-T1E-PS28 (lacking the TtgGHI pump), indicating the key role of efflux pumps in solvent tolerance. Furthermore, the effect of Mg2+ and Ca2+ on the stabilisation of the toluene tolerance of P. putida DOT-T1E strains was examined in order to elucidate whether divalent cations interact with efflux pumps or other resistant mechanisms to improve solvent tolerance. FT-IR analysis suggested that the influence of divalent cations on the stabilisation of the toluene tolerance could be due to the contribution of metal ions towards other tolerance mechanisms such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instead of enhancing the activity of efflux pumps. In conclusion, this thesis presents evidence that phenotypic fingerprinting and metabolic profiling approaches in combination with chemometric methods can generate valuable information on phenotypic responses occurring within microbial cultures subjected to abiotic stress.

M.Tech. (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology), Vaal University of Technology. / In the present study, the removal of Ca2+ and Mg2+ from cooling tower water using Amberlite IR120 and Amberjet 1200 was studied by the application of one factor at a time method (OFAT) and response surface modelling (RSM). The effect of operational parameters such as contact time (min), pH, dosage (mL), concentration (mg/L) and temperature (K) were investigated using central composite design. The regeneration of the Amberlite IR120 and Amberjet were also studied. The purpose of the study was to apply OFAT and RSM to investigate and optimize the ion exchange operating parameters. Furthermore, the second-order empirical model that was developed, using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), presented a sufficient correlation to the ion exchange experimental data. The optimal ion exchange operating conditions for Amberlite IR120 and Amberjet 1200 were found to be: contact time was 120 min, dosage of 150mL, initial pH level of 2, concentration of 400mg/L and temperature of 343K. Regeneration of Amberlite IR120 and Amberjet 1200 using 0.5 M NaCl stripping solution initially showed an increase in % Ca2+ and Mg2+ removal, then a decrease in subsequent cycles. The correlation coefficients (R2) of Langmuir, Freudlich and Tempkin isotherms were found to range from 0.92 to 1 and this suggest that experimental data best described the models. However correlation coefficients (R2) for Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) model were found to range between 0.5 to 0.8 and this means that experimental data does not fit the model. Thermodynamic functions such as entropy (Δ𝑆𝑜), enthalpy (Δ𝐻𝑜) and change of free energy (Δ𝐺𝑜) were obtained from the gradient and intercepts of straight line graphs. The positive values of ΔG° were found meaning that the adsorption is not spontaneous and positive values of ΔH° were found meaning the endothermic type of adsorption which indicate the chances of physical adsorption.The correlation coefficient (R2) values of pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle models were found to range from 0.89 to 1 on both metals as shown in table 4.4. This observation clearly indicates that pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models best describe the experimental data in the removal Ca2+ and Mg2+ from cooling tower water.

Die umfangreichen Untersuchungen ausgewählter Mg2Si-basierter Materialien innerhalb dieser Arbeit zeigen neue Wege für die Anwendung der SPS-Technik in der Grundlagen- als auch angewandten Forschung und liefern entscheidendes, neues Material für die Charakterisierung der Li-Verbindungen Li2xMg2-xX (X = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb). Aufbauend auf vorangegangenen Arbeiten und den hier dargestellten Resultaten ergeben sich sowohl neue Möglichkeiten der Synthese, basierend auf dem SPS-Prozess (in Verbindung mit der Pulverherstellung, ‑verarbeitung und einem entsprechenden Werkzeugdesign), als auch eine Optimierung der Materialeigenschaften von Verbundwerkstoffen durch Nutzung dieser Technik. Die ternären Phasen Mg2Si1−xXx (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) und Mg2−x/2Si1−xSbx Die pulvermetallurgische Herstellung der Phasen Mg2Si1-xXx (X = Ge, Sn und Pb) und der Phase Mg2‑x/2Si1-xSbx gelang in dieser Arbeit erstmals mit Hilfe der SPS-Technik aus kugelgemahlenen Pulvergemischen (MgH2, Si, X). Die ternären Phasen Li2xMg2−xX (X = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) Der Einbau von Li in Mg2Si wurde in dieser Arbeit erstmalig durch die SPS-Festkörperreaktion aus LiH, MgH2 und Si untersucht. Die Synthese der Li-armen Li2xMg2−xSi-Phasen gelingt schon bei Temperaturen von max. 700 °C. Die Schmelzsynthese dieser extrem luft- und feuchtigkeitsempfindlichen Proben wurde unter Argon-Schutzgas aus den Elementen mit anschließender Wärmebehandlung bei 200 °C angewendet. Dabei lassen sich drei unterschiedliche kubische Li2xMg2−xSi-Phasen mit 0 < x < 0,8 auf der Mg2Si-reichen Seite des ternären Systems finden. Mit steigendem Li-Gehalt können röntgenographisch zwei strukturelle Umwandlungen, ausgehend von der Raumgruppe Fm-3m für Mg2Si zu P-43m und P-43m mit der Bildung einer Überstruktur mit a′ = 2a bestimmt werden. Mit steigendem Li-Gehalt in Li2xMg2−xSi ändern sich die Eigenschaften. Der Übergang vom halbleitenden zum metallischen Zustand konnte in dieser Arbeit erstmalig gezeigt werden. In Analogie zu Li2xMg2−xSi konnten die Phasen Li2xMg2−xX (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) charakterisiert werden. Eine Intercalation für Li in Mg2X ist nicht möglich. Die Verbundwerkstoffe basierend auf Mg2Si Das spröde Materialverhalten vonMg2Si-Proben kann durch einen pulvermetallurgisch erzeugten Verbundwerkstoff mit Mg reduziert werden. Die SPS-Technik Basierend auf vorangegangenen Arbeiten konnte innerhalb dieser Arbeit durch die Verwendung von MgH2 die Strom-, Dichte- und Temperaturverteilung während des SPS-Prozesses innerhalb der Probe und des Werkzeuges beurteilt werden. / Extensive investigation on selected Mg2Si based materials demonstrate new routes for the application of the SPS technique in respect to basic as well as applied research and provide decisive new material on the characterisation of the Li compounds Li2xMg2-xX (X = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb). Based on prior activities and the results shown in this work new ways of the synthesis using the SPS process (in combination with powder making and processing and suitable tool design) as well as the optimization of material properties of composite materials can be achieved using the SPS technique. The Ternary Phases Mg2Si1−xXx (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) and Mg2−x/2Si1−xSbx For the first the powder metallurgic manufacturing route of the phases Mg2Si1-xXx (X = Ge, Sn und Pb) and the phase Mg2‑x/2Si1-xSbx is shown using the SPS technique and a ball milled powder mixture (MgH2, Si, X). The Ternary Phases Li2xMg2−xX (X = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) The intercalation of Li into Mg2Si is investigated for the first time by using the SPS solid state reaction based on LiH, MgH2 and Si. The synthesis of the Li poor phase Li2xMg2−xSi could be obtained at temperatures of max. 700 °C. The melting technique made of the elements of these extremely air and moisture sensitive samples could be performed under Argon protective atmosphere followed by a heat treatment at 200 °C. Three different cubic phases of Li2xMg2−xSi can be found on the Mg2Si rich side of the ternary System with the composition in the range of 0 < x < 0,8. With increasing Li content two structural conversions can be found using the x-ray analysis. A change from the space group Fm-3m for Mg2Si via P-43m to P-43m with a superstructure of a′ = 2a could be detected. Linked with the increasing Li content is a change of the properties. The change from the semiconducting behaviour to a metallic characteristic could be shown for the first time. Analogous to Li2xMg2−xSi the phase Li2xMg2−xX (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) could be synthesised and analysed. An intercalation of Li in to Mg2X ist not possible. Composite Materials Based on Mg2Si The brittle behaviour of Mg2Si samples can be reduced by composite material with Mg using the powder metallurgical route. The SPS-Technique Using MgH2 the distribution of the current, the density and the temperature in the sample and tool could be judged.

Die umfangreichen Untersuchungen ausgewählter Mg2Si-basierter Materialien innerhalb dieser Arbeit zeigen neue Wege für die Anwendung der SPS-Technik in der Grundlagen- als auch angewandten Forschung und liefern entscheidendes, neues Material für die Charakterisierung der Li-Verbindungen Li2xMg2-xX (X = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb). Aufbauend auf vorangegangenen Arbeiten und den hier dargestellten Resultaten ergeben sich sowohl neue Möglichkeiten der Synthese, basierend auf dem SPS-Prozess (in Verbindung mit der Pulverherstellung, ‑verarbeitung und einem entsprechenden Werkzeugdesign), als auch eine Optimierung der Materialeigenschaften von Verbundwerkstoffen durch Nutzung dieser Technik. Die ternären Phasen Mg2Si1−xXx (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) und Mg2−x/2Si1−xSbx Die pulvermetallurgische Herstellung der Phasen Mg2Si1-xXx (X = Ge, Sn und Pb) und der Phase Mg2‑x/2Si1-xSbx gelang in dieser Arbeit erstmals mit Hilfe der SPS-Technik aus kugelgemahlenen Pulvergemischen (MgH2, Si, X). Die ternären Phasen Li2xMg2−xX (X = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) Der Einbau von Li in Mg2Si wurde in dieser Arbeit erstmalig durch die SPS-Festkörperreaktion aus LiH, MgH2 und Si untersucht. Die Synthese der Li-armen Li2xMg2−xSi-Phasen gelingt schon bei Temperaturen von max. 700 °C. Die Schmelzsynthese dieser extrem luft- und feuchtigkeitsempfindlichen Proben wurde unter Argon-Schutzgas aus den Elementen mit anschließender Wärmebehandlung bei 200 °C angewendet. Dabei lassen sich drei unterschiedliche kubische Li2xMg2−xSi-Phasen mit 0 < x < 0,8 auf der Mg2Si-reichen Seite des ternären Systems finden. Mit steigendem Li-Gehalt können röntgenographisch zwei strukturelle Umwandlungen, ausgehend von der Raumgruppe Fm-3m für Mg2Si zu P-43m und P-43m mit der Bildung einer Überstruktur mit a′ = 2a bestimmt werden. Mit steigendem Li-Gehalt in Li2xMg2−xSi ändern sich die Eigenschaften. Der Übergang vom halbleitenden zum metallischen Zustand konnte in dieser Arbeit erstmalig gezeigt werden. In Analogie zu Li2xMg2−xSi konnten die Phasen Li2xMg2−xX (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) charakterisiert werden. Eine Intercalation für Li in Mg2X ist nicht möglich. Die Verbundwerkstoffe basierend auf Mg2Si Das spröde Materialverhalten vonMg2Si-Proben kann durch einen pulvermetallurgisch erzeugten Verbundwerkstoff mit Mg reduziert werden. Die SPS-Technik Basierend auf vorangegangenen Arbeiten konnte innerhalb dieser Arbeit durch die Verwendung von MgH2 die Strom-, Dichte- und Temperaturverteilung während des SPS-Prozesses innerhalb der Probe und des Werkzeuges beurteilt werden. / Extensive investigation on selected Mg2Si based materials demonstrate new routes for the application of the SPS technique in respect to basic as well as applied research and provide decisive new material on the characterisation of the Li compounds Li2xMg2-xX (X = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb). Based on prior activities and the results shown in this work new ways of the synthesis using the SPS process (in combination with powder making and processing and suitable tool design) as well as the optimization of material properties of composite materials can be achieved using the SPS technique. The Ternary Phases Mg2Si1−xXx (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) and Mg2−x/2Si1−xSbx For the first the powder metallurgic manufacturing route of the phases Mg2Si1-xXx (X = Ge, Sn und Pb) and the phase Mg2‑x/2Si1-xSbx is shown using the SPS technique and a ball milled powder mixture (MgH2, Si, X). The Ternary Phases Li2xMg2−xX (X = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) The intercalation of Li into Mg2Si is investigated for the first time by using the SPS solid state reaction based on LiH, MgH2 and Si. The synthesis of the Li poor phase Li2xMg2−xSi could be obtained at temperatures of max. 700 °C. The melting technique made of the elements of these extremely air and moisture sensitive samples could be performed under Argon protective atmosphere followed by a heat treatment at 200 °C. Three different cubic phases of Li2xMg2−xSi can be found on the Mg2Si rich side of the ternary System with the composition in the range of 0 < x < 0,8. With increasing Li content two structural conversions can be found using the x-ray analysis. A change from the space group Fm-3m for Mg2Si via P-43m to P-43m with a superstructure of a′ = 2a could be detected. Linked with the increasing Li content is a change of the properties. The change from the semiconducting behaviour to a metallic characteristic could be shown for the first time. Analogous to Li2xMg2−xSi the phase Li2xMg2−xX (X = Ge, Sn, Pb) could be synthesised and analysed. An intercalation of Li in to Mg2X ist not possible. Composite Materials Based on Mg2Si The brittle behaviour of Mg2Si samples can be reduced by composite material with Mg using the powder metallurgical route. The SPS-Technique Using MgH2 the distribution of the current, the density and the temperature in the sample and tool could be judged.

In der Pathogenese der Temporallappenepilepsie wird kindlichen hippokampalen Schädigungen eine wesentliche Rolle zugeschrieben. Epileptische Krämpfe und perinatale Asphyxie sind zwei häufige Ursachen dieser Schädigungen. Anhaltende epileptiforme Aktivität im Niedrig-Mg2+-Modell als einer experimentellen Form epileptischer Krämpfe führt in organotypischen hippokampalen Schnittkulturen (OHSK) der Ratte, die als Ersatzsystem des kindlichen Hippokampus verwendet werden, zu Zellschäden. Während dieser Untersuchungen ergab sich der Verdacht auf eine zusätzlich schädigende Wirkung erhöhter Sauerstoffspannungen. In meiner ersten Versuchsreihe konnte ich nachweisen, dass erhöhte Sauerstoffspannungen (60 %, 95 %) verglichen mit 20%-Sauerstoffspannung zu reversiblen und irreversiblen Zellschäden in OHSK führen. Die Zellschäden wurden über Veränderungen reizinduzierter Feldpotentiale, d.h. Abnahme der Amplitude, Zunahme der Latenz und Zunahme des Doppelpulsindex, sowie über die Propidium Jodid (PJ)-Fluoreszenzintensität bestimmt. In der zweiten Versuchsreihe konnte gezeigt werden, dass erhöhte Sauerstoffspannungen auch nach einer Hypoxie im Sinne einer hyperoxischen Reoxygenierung verglichen mit normoxischer Reoxygenierung vermehrt Zellschäden in OHSK zur Folge haben. In der dritten Versuchsreihe konnte ich ausschließen, dass erhöhte Sauerstoffspannungen eine notwendige Bedingung für Zellschäden infolge anhaltender epileptiformer Aktivität sind. Um die zellschädigende Rolle von Spreading Depressions (SDs), die während epileptiformer Aktivität auftreten, zu bestimmen, wurde in der vierten Versuchsreihe eine Methode etabliert, SD-ähnliche Ereignisse isoliert und zuverlässig in normoxischen OHSK auszulösen. Auf diese Weise wiederholt ausgelöste SD-ähnliche Ereignisse führten zu Zellschäden, bestimmt über die Veränderung elektrophysiologischer Eigenschaften von SD-ähnlichen Ereignissen, Abnahme der Feldpotentialamplitude und PJ-Fluoreszenzintensität. / Hippocampal damage during infancy is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy. Epileptic seizures and perinatal asphyxia are two frequent causes of these damages. Sustained epileptiform activity induced in the low Mg2+-model of epileptic seizures leads to cell damage in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC) of the rat, which are used as a surrogate for the infantile hippocampus. During a previous study utilising this model the suspicion arose that increased oxygen tension could have an additional damaging effect. My first series of experiments proved that increased oxygen tension (60 %, 95 %) lead to reversible and irreversible cell damage in OHSC compared to 20%-oxygen tension. Cell damage was determined by alterations of evoked field potentials, i.e. decrement of amplitude, increment of latency and paired pulse index, as well as by propidium iodide fluorescence. The second series of experiments showed that increased oxygen tension applied after an hypoxic period (hyperoxic reoxygenation) result in augmented cell damage compared to normoxic reoxygenation. With the third series of experiments it could be excluded that increased oxygen tension is an essential condition for the occurrence of cell damage due to sustained epileptiform activity. In order to elucidate the damaging role of spreading depressions (SD), which emerge during epileptiform activity, a method was established in the fourth series of experiments that allowed the reliable induction of SD-like events in normoxic OHSC. Repetitive SD-like events induced by this method led to cell damage, assessed by alterations of electrophysiological characteristics of SD-like events, decrement of evoked field potential amplitude and propidium iodide fluorescence.

Genomic instability, in the form of gene mutations, insertions/deletions, and gene amplifications, is one of the hallmarks in many types of cancers and other inheritable genetic disorders. Trinucleotide repeat (TNR) disorders, such as Huntington’s disease (HD) and Myotonic dystrophy (DM) can be inherited and repeats may be extended through subsequent generations. However, it is not clear how the CAG repeats expand through generations in HD. Two possible repeat expansion mechanisms include: 1) polymerase mediated repeat extension; 2) persistent TNR hairpin structure formation persisting in the genome resulting in expansion after subsequent cell division. Recent in vitro studies suggested that a family A translesion polymerase, polymerase θ (Polθ), was able to synthesize DNA larger than the template DNA. Clinical and in vivo studies showed either overexpression or knock down of Polθ caused poor survival in breast cancer patients and genomic instability. However, the role of Polθ in TNR expansion remains unelucidated. Therefore, we hypothesize that Polθ can directly cause TNR expansion during DNA synthesis. The investigation of the functional properties of Polθ during DNA replication and TNR synthesis will provide insight for the mechanism of TNR expansion through generations.