Pentachlorophenol, (PCP) is an organochlorine compound which was first developed in the 1930’s. PCP is said to be the most toxic of the chlorophenols and is classified as a hazardous substance and a probable human carcinogen. PCP has proven to be cytotoxic to a number of cell lines translating to its effect on various organs. The aim of the study was to assess organochlorine-induced hepatotoxicity in a mechanistic manner using an in-house developed procedure. Also, the possible hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extracts of the bark of two medicinal plants, Burkea africana (BA) and Syzygium cordatum (SC), as well as the known hepatoprotective agent, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), were investigated. In addition to PCP, two of its major metabolites, tetrachloro-1,2-hydroquinone (TCHQ) and tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (TCBQ) were also evaluated. A hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2) was used to investigate the effect of these compounds on different parameters of cellular function. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the neutral red uptake assay. Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) activity was determined using ethoxy-resorufin-O-deethylation as surrogate. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated by measuring dichlorofluorescein diacetate cleavage. Effects on mitochondrial membrane potential were determined using JC-1 staining, whilst necrosis was investigated by assessing plasma membrane integrity using propidium iodide (PI)staining. The degree of apoptotic death was determined by quantifying caspase-3 activity. Assays were repeated with an additional 1 h pre-treatment of the cells with either NAC, SC or BA in order to investigate whether these compounds were able to protect against the toxicity induced by PCP and its metabolites. The IC50 values of PCP, TCHQ and TCBQ were 68.0, 144.0 and 129.4 μM, respectively. All three test compounds induced CYP1A1 activity with PCP being the most potent. TCBQ produced extensive ROS generation. TCHQ also induced ROS generation, whilst PCP appeared to have no significant effect on ROS generation. All test compounds caused mitochondrial depolarization. None of the test compounds caused an increase in necrotic cell death. PCP, TCHQ and TCBQ had negligible effects on apoptosis. Both SC and BA alleviated the toxic effects observed in cells treated with PCP. Minor increases in viability occurred in cells pre-treated with plant extracts prior to exposure to both metabolites. NAC, as well as both plant extracts, greatly reduced CYP 1A1 activity induced by PCP. NAC, SC and BA exacerbated CYP1A1 induction in cells exposed to concentrations of TCBQ and TCHQ that initially produced little or no effect on CYP1A1 activity. Contrarily, decreased CYP1A1 activity was observed in cells exposed to concentrations of TCBQ and TCHQ where extensive induction of CYP1A1 occurred. NAC, as well as both plant extracts, suppressed ROS generation in cells exposed to all test compounds. In cells exposed to PCP and TCBQ more extensive mitochondrial depolarization was seen when pre-treated with NAC and plant extracts than when exposed to the compounds alone. Negligible effects were seen in pre-treated cells exposed to TCHQ. BA and SC caused increases in necrotic death in cells exposed to the test compounds. NAC, BA and SC had negligible effects on the changes in caspase-3 activity induced by the test compounds. From the results it is proposed that PCP induces its own metabolism by increasing CYP1A1 activity. It also causes mitochondrial insult which could lead to the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and subsequent release of cytochrome C, activation of caspases and eventually apoptotic cell death. With regard to TCHQ and TCBQ, results suggest that extensive ROS generation caused damage to various cellular macromolecules and that this could be the main cause of their toxicity. NAC, SC and BA appeared to alleviate toxicity in certain instances. Further investigation is required in order to assess them as possible hepatoprotective agents. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Pharmacology / unrestricted

The AER has a vital role in directing embryonic limb development. Several models have been developed that attempt to explain how the AER directs limb development, but none of them are fully supported by existing data. I provide evidence that FGFs secreted from the AER induce a gradient of Wnt5a. I also demonstrate that limb mesenchyme grows toward increasing concentrations of Wnt5a. We hypothesize that the changing shape of the AER is critical for patterning the limb along the proximal to distal axis. To better understand the pathway through which Wnt5a elicits its effects, we have performed various genetic studies. We demonstrate that Wnt5a does not signal via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. However, we show that Wnt5a mutants share many common defects with Vangl2 mutants suggesting that Wnt5a signals through the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway.

A pesquisa que ora se apresenta visou estabelecer as condições nutricionais adequadas para o uso do sedimento do estuário de Santos - São Vicente do Estado de São Paulo, como inóculo no reator anaeróbio horizontal de leito fixo (RAHLF) no processo de degradação anaeróbia do pentaclorofenol (PCP) em busca da aplicação da tecnologia em escala real, assim como identificar grupos microbianos envolvidos no processo. Para tanto, sedimento do estuário de Santos-São Vicente, com características metanogênicas foi utilizado. Os microrganismos provenientes do sedimento estuarino foram enriquecidos sob condições metanogênicas e halofílicas, visando a utilização do sedimento como inoculo nos ensaios nutricionais e na operação dos reatores do tipo RAHLF. O meio de cultivo salino Biota, suplementado com glicose e formiato, foi utilizado para o desenvolvimento da comunidade microbiana metanogênica halofílica. Testes de degradação do PCP foram realizados previamente sob diferentes concentrações de nitrogênio e fósforo, com vistas a uma melhor compreensão da relação N:P adequada para o processo anaeróbio. Os resultados provenientes do acompanhamento da diversidade microbiana do domínio Bacteria nas diferentes relações testadas indicaram a seleção de distintas comunidades microbianas, resultando em diferentes velocidades de degradação do PCP. A relação N:P de 10:1 foi a que apresentou melhores resultados, pois além da rápida degradação do PCP quando comparada com as outras relações, apresentou a maior diversidade de microrganismos. Posteriormente, o sistema RAHLF foi operado com vazão média afluente de aproximadamente 44 mL/hora, com meio mineral salino Biota (DQO:N:P de 1000:130:45) para R1 e com a alteração para relação DQO:N:P de 1000:10:1 para R2. Duas diferentes estratégias foram adotadas para partida dos reatores. Para R1, optou-se por acrescentar PCP na concentração inicial de 10,0 mg/L, durante 110 dias causando desestabilização da metanogênese e acúmulo de PCP, requerendo intervenção para recuperação do reator pelo período de 90 dias. Na partida do RAHLF 2, optou-se pelo aumento gradual de concentração do PCP de 0,5 mg/L a 12,0 mg/L durante 52 dias. Após estabelecimento da metanogêsenese, R1 foi alimentado durante 270 dias com 5,0 mg PCP/L, durante 41 dias com 8,0 mg/L e 59 dias com 12 mg/L. O balanço de massa no reator RAHLF 1 demonstrou que 0,52% do PCP adicionado saiu no efluente e que não ocorreu adsorção no sistema. 22,34 mg de 2,4,6 TCP, intermediário da degradação do PCP, ficaram adsorvidos na biopartícula. Os resultados das análises de diversidade microbiana apontaram para mudança da comunidade microbiana do domínio Bacteria ao longo do período operacional e morfologias de bacilos fluorescentes semelhantes a Methanobacterium sp estiveram presentes no reator. No RAHLF 2, a degradação do PCP foi de 100%, até a concentração de 10,0 mg/L. No final da fase com 12,0 mg PCP/L, a concentração no efluente foi de 1,4 mg PCP/L, com eficiência média de remoção de 93,2 \'+ ou -\' 5,5%. 2,4,6 TCP foi o intermediário principal no efluente do reator. 4,06% do PCP adicionado ao sistema foram encontradas no efluente e 15,94% ficaram adsorvidas nas biopartículas do reator. Portanto, considera-se que 80% do PCP adicionado sofreu degradação anaeróbia microbiana. A presença dos microrganismos Methanocalcullus e Methanosaeta na fase final de operação do RAHLF 2 e determinadas no sedimento coletado foi considerada fundamental para manter estabilidade do reator. Essa descoberta contribui com informações sobre a real diversidade microbiana de ecossistemas tropicais, sobretudo em habitats anaeróbios, bem como sobre as condições nutricionais e os procedimentos necessários para confiná-la em reatores e usá-la em processos de biorremediação. / The research presented here aimed to determine the optimal nutritional conditions for the use of sediment from the Santos-São Vicente estuary in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, as an inoculum for a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass reactor (HAIB) applied to the anaerobic degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP), seeking to apply the technology on the real scale and to identify the microbial groups involved in the process. To this end, sediment with methanogenic characteristics from the Santos-São Vicente estuary was used. The microorganisms from the estuarine sediment were enriched under methanogenic and halophilic conditions, aiming to use the sediment as an inoculum in nutritional assays and in the operation of HAIB reactors. Biota saline culture medium supplemented with glucose and formiate was used to develop the halophilic methanogenic microbial community. PCP degradation tests were carried out previously under different concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in order to gain a better understanding of the optimal N:P ratio for the anaerobic process. The findings on the microbial diversity of the domain Bacteria at the various ratios tested here indicated the selection of distinct microbial communities, resulting in different PCP degradation velocities. The N:P ratio utilized was 10:1 since it presented the best results not only in terms of faster PCP degradation than the other ratios but also highest diversity of microorganisms. The HAIB reactor was then operated with a mean inflow of approximately 44 mL/hour, using the biota saline mineral medium with a COD:N:P ratio of 1000:130:45 in R1 (reactor 1) and a COD:N:P ratio of 1000:10:1 in R2. Two distinct strategies were adopted to start up the reactors. In R1 PCP was added at an initial concentration of 10.0 mg/L for 100 days, causing destabilization of the methanogenesis and accumulation of PCP, requiring a 90-day intervention for the reactor\'s recovery. To start up R2, the PCP concentration was increased gradually from 0.5 mg/L to 12.0 mg/L for 52 days. After methanogenesis was established, R1 was fed for 270 days with 5.0 mg of PCP/L, followed by 41 days with 8.0 mg/L and 59 days with 12 mg/L. The mass balance in R1 indicated that 0.52% of the added PCP exited through the reactor\'s outflow and that adsorption of the system did not occur. 22.34 mg of 2,4,6 TCP, an intermediary of PCP degradation, was adsorbed in the bioparticles. The results of the analysis of microbial diversity indicated a change in the microbial community of the domain Bacteria along the operational period, with fluorescent bacilli morphologies resembling Methanobacterium sp present in the reactor. PCP degradation in R2 was 100% up to a concentration of 10.0 mg/L. At the end of the phase with 12.0 mg PCP/L, the effluent concentration was 1.4 mg PCP/L, with a mean removal efficiency of 93.2 \'+ or -\' 5,5%. 2,4,6 TCP was the main intermediary in the reactor\'s effluent. 4.06% of the PCP added to the system was found in the effluent and 15.94% was absorbed in the bioparticles of the reactor. Therefore, it was concluded that 80% of the added PCP underwent microbial anaerobic degradation. The presence of Methanocalcullus and Methanosaeta microorganisms in the final operating phase of R2, which was determined in the collected sediment, was considered fundamental for maintaining the reactor\'s stability. This discovery contributes to the body of information about the real microbial diversity of tropical ecosystems, above all in anaerobic habitats, and about the nutritional conditions and procedures involved in confining these microorganisms in reactors and using them in bioremediation processes.

A pesquisa que ora se apresenta visou estabelecer as condições nutricionais adequadas para o uso do sedimento do estuário de Santos - São Vicente do Estado de São Paulo, como inóculo no reator anaeróbio horizontal de leito fixo (RAHLF) no processo de degradação anaeróbia do pentaclorofenol (PCP) em busca da aplicação da tecnologia em escala real, assim como identificar grupos microbianos envolvidos no processo. Para tanto, sedimento do estuário de Santos-São Vicente, com características metanogênicas foi utilizado. Os microrganismos provenientes do sedimento estuarino foram enriquecidos sob condições metanogênicas e halofílicas, visando a utilização do sedimento como inoculo nos ensaios nutricionais e na operação dos reatores do tipo RAHLF. O meio de cultivo salino Biota, suplementado com glicose e formiato, foi utilizado para o desenvolvimento da comunidade microbiana metanogênica halofílica. Testes de degradação do PCP foram realizados previamente sob diferentes concentrações de nitrogênio e fósforo, com vistas a uma melhor compreensão da relação N:P adequada para o processo anaeróbio. Os resultados provenientes do acompanhamento da diversidade microbiana do domínio Bacteria nas diferentes relações testadas indicaram a seleção de distintas comunidades microbianas, resultando em diferentes velocidades de degradação do PCP. A relação N:P de 10:1 foi a que apresentou melhores resultados, pois além da rápida degradação do PCP quando comparada com as outras relações, apresentou a maior diversidade de microrganismos. Posteriormente, o sistema RAHLF foi operado com vazão média afluente de aproximadamente 44 mL/hora, com meio mineral salino Biota (DQO:N:P de 1000:130:45) para R1 e com a alteração para relação DQO:N:P de 1000:10:1 para R2. Duas diferentes estratégias foram adotadas para partida dos reatores. Para R1, optou-se por acrescentar PCP na concentração inicial de 10,0 mg/L, durante 110 dias causando desestabilização da metanogênese e acúmulo de PCP, requerendo intervenção para recuperação do reator pelo período de 90 dias. Na partida do RAHLF 2, optou-se pelo aumento gradual de concentração do PCP de 0,5 mg/L a 12,0 mg/L durante 52 dias. Após estabelecimento da metanogêsenese, R1 foi alimentado durante 270 dias com 5,0 mg PCP/L, durante 41 dias com 8,0 mg/L e 59 dias com 12 mg/L. O balanço de massa no reator RAHLF 1 demonstrou que 0,52% do PCP adicionado saiu no efluente e que não ocorreu adsorção no sistema. 22,34 mg de 2,4,6 TCP, intermediário da degradação do PCP, ficaram adsorvidos na biopartícula. Os resultados das análises de diversidade microbiana apontaram para mudança da comunidade microbiana do domínio Bacteria ao longo do período operacional e morfologias de bacilos fluorescentes semelhantes a Methanobacterium sp estiveram presentes no reator. No RAHLF 2, a degradação do PCP foi de 100%, até a concentração de 10,0 mg/L. No final da fase com 12,0 mg PCP/L, a concentração no efluente foi de 1,4 mg PCP/L, com eficiência média de remoção de 93,2 \'+ ou -\' 5,5%. 2,4,6 TCP foi o intermediário principal no efluente do reator. 4,06% do PCP adicionado ao sistema foram encontradas no efluente e 15,94% ficaram adsorvidas nas biopartículas do reator. Portanto, considera-se que 80% do PCP adicionado sofreu degradação anaeróbia microbiana. A presença dos microrganismos Methanocalcullus e Methanosaeta na fase final de operação do RAHLF 2 e determinadas no sedimento coletado foi considerada fundamental para manter estabilidade do reator. Essa descoberta contribui com informações sobre a real diversidade microbiana de ecossistemas tropicais, sobretudo em habitats anaeróbios, bem como sobre as condições nutricionais e os procedimentos necessários para confiná-la em reatores e usá-la em processos de biorremediação. / The research presented here aimed to determine the optimal nutritional conditions for the use of sediment from the Santos-São Vicente estuary in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, as an inoculum for a horizontal-flow anaerobic immobilized biomass reactor (HAIB) applied to the anaerobic degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP), seeking to apply the technology on the real scale and to identify the microbial groups involved in the process. To this end, sediment with methanogenic characteristics from the Santos-São Vicente estuary was used. The microorganisms from the estuarine sediment were enriched under methanogenic and halophilic conditions, aiming to use the sediment as an inoculum in nutritional assays and in the operation of HAIB reactors. Biota saline culture medium supplemented with glucose and formiate was used to develop the halophilic methanogenic microbial community. PCP degradation tests were carried out previously under different concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in order to gain a better understanding of the optimal N:P ratio for the anaerobic process. The findings on the microbial diversity of the domain Bacteria at the various ratios tested here indicated the selection of distinct microbial communities, resulting in different PCP degradation velocities. The N:P ratio utilized was 10:1 since it presented the best results not only in terms of faster PCP degradation than the other ratios but also highest diversity of microorganisms. The HAIB reactor was then operated with a mean inflow of approximately 44 mL/hour, using the biota saline mineral medium with a COD:N:P ratio of 1000:130:45 in R1 (reactor 1) and a COD:N:P ratio of 1000:10:1 in R2. Two distinct strategies were adopted to start up the reactors. In R1 PCP was added at an initial concentration of 10.0 mg/L for 100 days, causing destabilization of the methanogenesis and accumulation of PCP, requiring a 90-day intervention for the reactor\'s recovery. To start up R2, the PCP concentration was increased gradually from 0.5 mg/L to 12.0 mg/L for 52 days. After methanogenesis was established, R1 was fed for 270 days with 5.0 mg of PCP/L, followed by 41 days with 8.0 mg/L and 59 days with 12 mg/L. The mass balance in R1 indicated that 0.52% of the added PCP exited through the reactor\'s outflow and that adsorption of the system did not occur. 22.34 mg of 2,4,6 TCP, an intermediary of PCP degradation, was adsorbed in the bioparticles. The results of the analysis of microbial diversity indicated a change in the microbial community of the domain Bacteria along the operational period, with fluorescent bacilli morphologies resembling Methanobacterium sp present in the reactor. PCP degradation in R2 was 100% up to a concentration of 10.0 mg/L. At the end of the phase with 12.0 mg PCP/L, the effluent concentration was 1.4 mg PCP/L, with a mean removal efficiency of 93.2 \'+ or -\' 5,5%. 2,4,6 TCP was the main intermediary in the reactor\'s effluent. 4.06% of the PCP added to the system was found in the effluent and 15.94% was absorbed in the bioparticles of the reactor. Therefore, it was concluded that 80% of the added PCP underwent microbial anaerobic degradation. The presence of Methanocalcullus and Methanosaeta microorganisms in the final operating phase of R2, which was determined in the collected sediment, was considered fundamental for maintaining the reactor\'s stability. This discovery contributes to the body of information about the real microbial diversity of tropical ecosystems, above all in anaerobic habitats, and about the nutritional conditions and procedures involved in confining these microorganisms in reactors and using them in bioremediation processes.

Le genre Pneumocystis désigne un groupe de champignons opportunistes présentant une étroite spécificité d'hôte. Il détermine lors d'immunodépression sévère une infection pulmonaire grave, la pneumonie à Pneumocystis (PPC). La transmission de Pneumocystis par voie aérienne d'un hôte développant une PPC à un hôte susceptible a été démontrée à l'aide des modèles murins. Les travaux menés chez la souris ont montré également que des sujets immunocompétents colonisés par Pneumocystis murina peuvent transmettre le champignon à des souris immunodéprimées qui développeront une PPC ultérieurement. Les individus colonisés par Pneumocystis sp., ainsi que ceux développant une PPC, participeraient au réservoir du champignon. La survenue de cas groupés de PPC en milieu hospitalier est en faveur de la transmission interindividuelle de Pneumocystis jirovecii (P.jirovecii) chez l’homme. La détection de l'ADN de P.jirovecii dans l'air exhalé par les patients développant une PPC suggère que cette transmission se fait par voie aérienne. La caractérisation des populations infectées par P.jirovecii et la caractérisation génotypique du champignon au sein de son réservoir humain constituent la base de ce travail de recherche. Nous avons montré que la prévalence de la colonisation par P.jirovecii est faible chez les patients atteints de mucoviscidose et suivis dans notre CHU. La participation de ces patients au réservoir de P.jirovecii à Brest serait donc marginale. Cette faible prévalence pourrait être le reflet d'une faible circulation du champignon dans les communautés humaines dans notre région. Nous avons évalué le dosage du ß-1,3-D glucane sérique pour dépister les populations infectées. Ce dosage couplé à la détection de P.jirovecii dans les prélèvements respiratoires par la microscopie et la PCR, permet de différencier les patients développant une PPC et les patients présentant une colonisation pulmonaire par P.jirovecii. De plus, les premières données sur le ß-1,3-D glucane au cours de la primo-infection chez le nourrisson ont été obtenues.En termes de caractérisation de P.jirovecii dans notre région, l'analyse du locus dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) a montré que: i) le lieu habituel de résidence plutôt que le lieu de diagnostic de l’infection à P.jirovecii serait un facteur prédictif d’infection par un mutant, ii) P.jirovecii pourrait circuler en France d’une région à une autre via des voyageurs infectés, iii) la prévalence de mutants potentiellement résistants chez les patients vivant effectivement à Brest était de 0%. L'analyse des séquences des "internal transcribed spacers" (ITS) 1 et 2 de P. jirovecii conforte l'hypothèse que les patients développant une PPC et les patients colonisés sont infectés par des populations fongiques présentant des caractéristiques identiques. Tous les patients, quelle que soit la présentation clinique de leur infection, constitueraient un réservoir unique et commun de P.jirovecii. Les travaux de génotypage ont constitué l'étape préalable nécessaire à l'analyse de cas groupés d'infections à P.jirovecii survenus chez des patients transplantés rénaux au CHU de Brest. Nous avons apporté des données originales sur le rôle des patients colonisés en tant que source potentielle de P. jirovecii dans un contexte d'acquisition et de transmission nosocomiales du champignon. Par ailleurs, la concordance partielle ou complète des génotypes ITS et DHPS dans les couples "prélèvements d'air–LBA" réalisés chez des patients développant une PPC est compatible avec l’exhalation du champignon et sa diffusion aérienne dans l’environnement hospitalier. Ces données apportent des arguments pour l'application de mesures de prévention des infections nosocomiales à P. jirovecii. Les précautions "gouttelettes" recommandées par la Société Française d'Hygiène Hospitalière devraient être appliquées a minima aux patients développant une PPC. Nous proposons leur extension aux patients colonisés par le champignon. / The genus Pneumocystis represents a group of opportunistic fungi that show strong host specificity. It is the cause of severe pneumonia (Pneumocystis Pneumonia [PCP]) in immunocompromised subjects. Pneumocystis transmission from a host with PCP to another susceptible host via the airborne route has been demonstrated in rodent models. Moreover, it has been established that Pneumocystis murina can be transmitted from immunocompetent mice, transiently colonized by the fungus, to immunocompromised susceptible mice that subsequently develop PCP. Colonized subjects and those developing PCP may be part of the fungus reservoir. Reports of PCP case cluster in hospital strongly suggest that Pneumocystis jirovecii (P.jirovecii) transmission in humans may also occur. P.jirovecii DNA detection in the air surrounding PCP patients is consistent with the transmission of P.jirovecii via the airborne route.Our goals were to characterize human populations infected with P.jirovecii and to characterize P.jirovecii within its human reservoir. We showed that P.jirovecii was rarely involved in pulmonary colonization in patients with cystic fibrosis monitored in the Brest Hospital. Thus this patient population was not part of the human reservoir of the fungus in our region (Brittany, Western France). This low prevalence of colonization may reflect a low level of P.jirovecii circulation within human communities in Brittany. In order to improve the identification of patients infected with P.jirovecii, we evaluated ß-1,3-D glucan detection in serum samples. We showed that serum ß-1,3-D glucan levels combined with P.jirovecii detection in pulmonary samples using microscopic examination and a PCR assay make it possible to distinguish between PCP and pulmonary colonization. Moreover the first data on ß-1,3-D glucan levels during primary infection were obtained.In order to characterize P.jirovecii in our region, we performed the typing of P.jirovecii isolates from infected patients monitored at Brest hospital, using the dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and 2 locus analysis. DHPS typing showed that i) the usual city of patient residence rather that the city in which the diagnosis of P.jirovecii infection has been made is a predictor of mutants, ii) mutants can be imported from one region to another through infected visitors, iii) the prevalence of mutants potentially resistant to sulfonamides was 0% in patients who effectively lived in the Brest geographic area. Results of ITS analysis in PCP patients and colonized patients are consistent with the hypothesis that these 2 patient groups are infected with similar P.jirovecii populations. All infected patients, whatever their clinical presentation, may be part of a common and unique reservoir of the fungus. We investigated an outbreak of P.jirovecii infections in 18 renal transplant recipients using the same typing method combined with patient encounter analysis. The results provided evidence of the role of colonized patients as potential sources of P.jirovecii. The same typing method was applied to pairs of pulmonary samples and room air samples of PCP patients. Full or partial matches of P.jirovecii types in pulmonary and air sample pairs were observed. These results are consistent with P.jirovecii exhalation by PCP patients in their close environment. These data support arguments for applying droplet precautions, at least to PCP patients, to prevent P.jirovecii transmission, as recommended by the "Société française d'hygiène hospitalière". We suggest extending droplet precautions to colonized patients to achieve the prevention of P.jirovecii nosocomial infections.

No description available.

The article addresses the relationship between drug trafficking and subnational politics having as unit of analysis the local authorities’ speeches of the Cuzco districts of Kimbiri and Pichari form 2006 to 2010 Based in a qualitative methodology but backed by a pair of statistical tests, it is found that candidates and then authorities have a dualistic perspective about the cultivation of coca leafs, which is directed mostly to the production of cocaine Thus, also the radicalism in the defense of coca leaf is not constant in time, but rather strategic and casual Last, based on model proposal about drug trafficking networks of influence, we conclude that the closer this illegal economic activity is at the authorities, these have an ambiguous and contradictory speech on the issue / El artículo aborda la relación del narcotráfico con la política subnacional teniendo por unidad de análisis los discursos de las autoridades municipales de los distritos cusqueños de Kimbiri y Pichari de 2006 a 2010 En base a una metodología cualitativa pero respaldada de un par de pruebas estadísticas se comprueba que los candidatos y luego autoridades no tienen una perspectiva dualista sobre el cultivo de hoja de coca cuya producción se dirige en su mayoría a la producción de cocaína Así también la radicalidad en la defensa de la hoja de coca no es constante en el tiempo, sino más bien estratégica y ocasional Por último, en base a un modelo propuesto sobre las redes de influencia del narcotráfico, se concluye que mientras más cercana se encuentre esta actividad económica ilegal a las autoridades, estas tendrán un discurso ambiguo y contradictorio sobre el tema / O artigo aborda a relação do narcotráfico com a política subnacional tendo a unidade deanalise aos discursos das autoridades municipais dos distritos cusqueños de Kimbiri e Pichari dos anos 2006 aos 2010 Na base duma metodologia qualitativa, mas apoiada de duas provas estadísticas se podem comprovar o que os candidatos e logo as autoridades, não tem uma perspectiva dualista sobre o cultivo da folha de coca o que sua produção dirige, maiormente a produção da cocaína Da mesma forma, a defensa radical da folha de coca não é constante no tempo, mas é estratégica e ocasional Finalmente, na base dum modelo proposto sobre as redes de influência do narcotráfico, pode-se concluir que se a atividade econômica ilegal fica per todas autoridades, elas tem um discurso duvidoso e com contradições sobre o tema

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Promotionsschrift werden Strategien zur Erzeugung von Linkermolekülen beschrieben, die geeignet sind, um als Bauelemente für sogenannte \"Metal-Organic rameworks\" (MOF) eingesetzt zu werden. Diese Stoffe bestehen aus einem organischen \"Linker\"-Teil, welcher die Metalleinheiten (\"Sekundäre Baueinheit\", SBU) miteinander verbindet, und dadurch die Entstehung von dreidimensionalen porösen Netzwerken ermöglicht. Dieses Projekt wurde an der Universität Leipzig in der Arbeitsgruppe von Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. Evamarie Hey-Hawkins am Institut für Anorganische Chemie durchgeführt. Seit den frühen neunziger Jahren genießen MOFs großes Interesse aufgrund ihrer besonderen Eigenschaften als Festkörper mit wohldefinierter und permanenter Porosität. In der Einleitung dieser Promotionsschrift werden das Anwendungspotential oder bereits existierende Anwendungen für MOFs und verwandte poröse Feststoffe näher beschrieben. Mögliche Anwendungsgebiete sind unter anderem Gasspeicherung, Trennverfahren, zur Katalyse, in der Medizin und für Detektoren in der analytischen Chemie. Die Auswahl der organischen Baueinheiten für die Synthese von MOFs richtet sich nach Kriterien wie z.B. thermischer Stabilität, Geometrie der koordinierenden Einheiten, Rigidität des Linkermoleküls. Weiterhin können potentielle sekundäre Effekte berücksichtigt werden, z.B. Eignung für katalytische Prozesse, Ladungspufferung oder Lichtsammelvermögen. Alle Linker enthalten aromatische Einheiten; es werden Anthracen, Binaphthyl (verkörpert durch chirale BINAPO-Einheiten), Biphenyl, Pyren und Perylen als Mittelstück des Linkers eingesetzt. Die Promotionsschrift beleuchtet auch in einem Streifblick die Geschichte, das Vorkommen, mögliche Anwendungen und Giftigkeit von Molekülen mit polycyclischen aromatischen Kohlenwasserstoffgruppen. Die Synthese der Linker wurde mittels der folgenden Route realisiert: Bromierung der aromatischen Bestandteile und Anfügen von Endstücken (\"capper\") - welche die koordinierenden Einheiten enthalten - durch die Suzuki-Miyaura-Kupplung. Die Syntheserouten für den bromierten aromatischen Mittelteil des Linkers, die Boronsäuren und die vollständigen Linker, werden im experimentellen Teil beschrieben, und die erhaltenen Linker werden charakterisiert. Für den anorganischen Teil des MOF wurden außerdem ausgewählte komplexe Einheiten erzeugt, die als Startmaterialien für den sogenannten \"controlled SBU approach\" (CSA) dienen. Bei dieser Methode wird eine Baueinheit erzeugt, die der gewünschten eigentlichen Baueinheit im fertiggestellten MOF ähnlich ist und dann als Präkursor in der Synthese eingesetzt wird. Verschiedene Ansätze zur Erzeugung von MOFs wurden ausgeführt: Langsame Diffusion in Flüssigkeiten oder Gelen und vor allem Tempern der organischen und anorganischen Baueinheiten oder Startmaterialien in einem Lösungsmittel, teilweise unter solvothermalen Bedingungen. Mehrere Polymere wurden in einer zur Röntgenstrukturbestimmung geeigneten kristallinen Form erhalten. Die Strukturen werden in der vorliegenden Arbeit präsentiert und diskutiert. Ein Ausblick auf weiterführende Untersuchungen an diesen Verbindungen wird ebenfalls gegeben. / Abstract This thesis describes approaches to obtain linker molecules that are suitable to build a so-called \"metal-organic framework\", MOF (or porous coordination polymer, PCP). These materials consist of an organic linker part that connects the metal units, \"secondary building units\" (SBU), with each other to form threedimensional, hollow networks. This project was performed at the University of Leipzig in the multinational workgroup of Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. Evamarie Hey-Hawkins, at the Faculty for Inorganic Chemistry. These MOF materials have gained a lot of interest since the early 1990s for their special properties as solid materials with a well-defined, permanent porosity. The introductory part of this thesis elaborates potential or already current usage of MOF materials and related porous solids, such as gas storage, separation processes, catalysis, medical use and use in analytic detection. The choice of organic building blocks for the synthesis of MOFs followed certain criteria, such as thermal stability, geometry of coordinating units, rigidity of the linker molecule, and potential secondary effects such as suitability for catalytic purposes, charge buffering or light harvesting. All linkers feature aromatic units, and among the cores are moieties like anthracene, binaphthyl (represented by the chiral BINAP), biphenyl, pyrene and perylene. A glance is thrown on the history, occurrence, possible use and potential toxicity of molecules with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon moieties. Synthesis of the linkers is implemented by use of brominations of the aromatic core units and attaching capper units - carrying the coordinating units - by means of Suzuki-Miyaura-coupling. The synthesis routes to these molecules, brominated aromatic core, boronic acids and finished linkers, are described in the experimental part. The obtained linkers are characterised and described. Furthermore, selected complex units for the inorganic part of a potential MOF were created as starting materials for a so-called \"controlled SBU approach\" (CSA); wherein a building block, very similar to the desired unit in the final framework, is prepared and then used as a precursor in the synthesis. Various attempts at the generation of MOFs were conducted: Slow diffusion in liquids or gels, and, especially, reactions by tempering the organic and inorganic building blocks or starting materials in a solvent - partially also under solvothermal conditions. Several polymers were obtained in crystalline form, suitable for structure determination by X-ray crystallography. These structures are presented and discussed in this work, as well as the further research on these solids and the results being achieved.

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Promotionsschrift werden Strategien zur Erzeugung von Linkermolekülen beschrieben, die geeignet sind, um als Bauelemente für sogenannte \"Metal-Organic rameworks\" (MOF) eingesetzt zu werden. Diese Stoffe bestehen aus einem organischen \"Linker\"-Teil, welcher die Metalleinheiten (\"Sekundäre Baueinheit\", SBU) miteinander verbindet, und dadurch die Entstehung von dreidimensionalen porösen Netzwerken ermöglicht. Dieses Projekt wurde an der Universität Leipzig in der Arbeitsgruppe von Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. Evamarie Hey-Hawkins am Institut für Anorganische Chemie durchgeführt. Seit den frühen neunziger Jahren genießen MOFs großes Interesse aufgrund ihrer besonderen Eigenschaften als Festkörper mit wohldefinierter und permanenter Porosität. In der Einleitung dieser Promotionsschrift werden das Anwendungspotential oder bereits existierende Anwendungen für MOFs und verwandte poröse Feststoffe näher beschrieben. Mögliche Anwendungsgebiete sind unter anderem Gasspeicherung, Trennverfahren, zur Katalyse, in der Medizin und für Detektoren in der analytischen Chemie. Die Auswahl der organischen Baueinheiten für die Synthese von MOFs richtet sich nach Kriterien wie z.B. thermischer Stabilität, Geometrie der koordinierenden Einheiten, Rigidität des Linkermoleküls. Weiterhin können potentielle sekundäre Effekte berücksichtigt werden, z.B. Eignung für katalytische Prozesse, Ladungspufferung oder Lichtsammelvermögen. Alle Linker enthalten aromatische Einheiten; es werden Anthracen, Binaphthyl (verkörpert durch chirale BINAPO-Einheiten), Biphenyl, Pyren und Perylen als Mittelstück des Linkers eingesetzt. Die Promotionsschrift beleuchtet auch in einem Streifblick die Geschichte, das Vorkommen, mögliche Anwendungen und Giftigkeit von Molekülen mit polycyclischen aromatischen Kohlenwasserstoffgruppen. Die Synthese der Linker wurde mittels der folgenden Route realisiert: Bromierung der aromatischen Bestandteile und Anfügen von Endstücken (\"capper\") - welche die koordinierenden Einheiten enthalten - durch die Suzuki-Miyaura-Kupplung. Die Syntheserouten für den bromierten aromatischen Mittelteil des Linkers, die Boronsäuren und die vollständigen Linker, werden im experimentellen Teil beschrieben, und die erhaltenen Linker werden charakterisiert. Für den anorganischen Teil des MOF wurden außerdem ausgewählte komplexe Einheiten erzeugt, die als Startmaterialien für den sogenannten \"controlled SBU approach\" (CSA) dienen. Bei dieser Methode wird eine Baueinheit erzeugt, die der gewünschten eigentlichen Baueinheit im fertiggestellten MOF ähnlich ist und dann als Präkursor in der Synthese eingesetzt wird. Verschiedene Ansätze zur Erzeugung von MOFs wurden ausgeführt: Langsame Diffusion in Flüssigkeiten oder Gelen und vor allem Tempern der organischen und anorganischen Baueinheiten oder Startmaterialien in einem Lösungsmittel, teilweise unter solvothermalen Bedingungen. Mehrere Polymere wurden in einer zur Röntgenstrukturbestimmung geeigneten kristallinen Form erhalten. Die Strukturen werden in der vorliegenden Arbeit präsentiert und diskutiert. Ein Ausblick auf weiterführende Untersuchungen an diesen Verbindungen wird ebenfalls gegeben.:(s. PDF ab S. 9 (PDF-Seite)) 1 Vorwort S. 1 2 Polycyclische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe S. 2 3 Poröse Festkörpermaterialien S. 20 4 Auswahl / Design der Linkermoleküle S. 50 5 Experimenteller Teil S. 65 6 Diskussion der Ergebnisse S. 194 7 Danksagung S. 293 8 Literaturverzeichnis S. 299 9 Anhang (X-Ray, NMR, DTA-TG, UV-Vis) S. 328 / Abstract This thesis describes approaches to obtain linker molecules that are suitable to build a so-called \"metal-organic framework\", MOF (or porous coordination polymer, PCP). These materials consist of an organic linker part that connects the metal units, \"secondary building units\" (SBU), with each other to form threedimensional, hollow networks. This project was performed at the University of Leipzig in the multinational workgroup of Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. Evamarie Hey-Hawkins, at the Faculty for Inorganic Chemistry. These MOF materials have gained a lot of interest since the early 1990s for their special properties as solid materials with a well-defined, permanent porosity. The introductory part of this thesis elaborates potential or already current usage of MOF materials and related porous solids, such as gas storage, separation processes, catalysis, medical use and use in analytic detection. The choice of organic building blocks for the synthesis of MOFs followed certain criteria, such as thermal stability, geometry of coordinating units, rigidity of the linker molecule, and potential secondary effects such as suitability for catalytic purposes, charge buffering or light harvesting. All linkers feature aromatic units, and among the cores are moieties like anthracene, binaphthyl (represented by the chiral BINAP), biphenyl, pyrene and perylene. A glance is thrown on the history, occurrence, possible use and potential toxicity of molecules with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon moieties. Synthesis of the linkers is implemented by use of brominations of the aromatic core units and attaching capper units - carrying the coordinating units - by means of Suzuki-Miyaura-coupling. The synthesis routes to these molecules, brominated aromatic core, boronic acids and finished linkers, are described in the experimental part. The obtained linkers are characterised and described. Furthermore, selected complex units for the inorganic part of a potential MOF were created as starting materials for a so-called \"controlled SBU approach\" (CSA); wherein a building block, very similar to the desired unit in the final framework, is prepared and then used as a precursor in the synthesis. Various attempts at the generation of MOFs were conducted: Slow diffusion in liquids or gels, and, especially, reactions by tempering the organic and inorganic building blocks or starting materials in a solvent - partially also under solvothermal conditions. Several polymers were obtained in crystalline form, suitable for structure determination by X-ray crystallography. These structures are presented and discussed in this work, as well as the further research on these solids and the results being achieved.:(s. PDF ab S. 9 (PDF-Seite)) 1 Vorwort S. 1 2 Polycyclische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe S. 2 3 Poröse Festkörpermaterialien S. 20 4 Auswahl / Design der Linkermoleküle S. 50 5 Experimenteller Teil S. 65 6 Diskussion der Ergebnisse S. 194 7 Danksagung S. 293 8 Literaturverzeichnis S. 299 9 Anhang (X-Ray, NMR, DTA-TG, UV-Vis) S. 328

This dissertation is a challenge to the Pentecostal churches, particularly, the Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Tumahole, to take an action in meeting the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. This disease, HIV/AIDS, is the latest enemy to human life that the nations are faced with. In the newspapers like Sowetan, there is an article almost daily about HIV and AIDS. In this dissertation, I have tried to show shocking figures of how this disease is spreading in Africa. The seriousness of the disease, unlike other diseases, is its in curability. The secular organisations are far ahead of the churches in as far as the relevant programmes on combating HIV/AIDS are concerned. Despite these massive programmes, the disease is spreading like the wild fire. Deducing from this background, it is no longer the question of whether the Pentecostal churches have any role to play, but what specific role should the church play in this challenge. In this challenging times, many people look at the church as one of the most important institute that would play a positive role in bringing hope to the hopeless. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology (Urban Ministry))