No description available.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are environmental chemicals that are produced during incomplete combustion of coal, oil, gas, and garbage. Toxic effects of these compounds are mediated via the ligand activated Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) signaling pathway. To enable the study of the AHR signaling mechanism, our lab has generated many human proteins using recombinant DNA technology. This thesis documents the design and synthesis of a number of proteins of the AHR deletion construct CΔ553. The bacterial expressed and purified fusion proteins could be utilized as antigen to generate antibodies and be used for cellular delivery. The purified protein was immunogenic in rabbits and produced significant amount of polyclonal antibodies. In western blot analysis, the antibodies were able to the detect baculovirus expressed AHR and different recombinant proteins of the AHR. The polyclonal antibodies were also used in the gel-shift assay to show the AHR dependent gel shift. Cellular delivery CΔ553 was achieved using the protein transduction domain from the HIV-1 virus transactivating protein (TAT). In order to deliver the CΔ553 into mammalian cells, an expression vector was constructed to generate the TAT-CΔ553 fusion protein. The TAT-CΔ553 fusion protein was successfully transduced into two mammalian cells-HeLa and HepG2. The in vivo function of TAT-CΔ553 was determined using the luciferase reporter plasmid assay. The transduced protein was functional; it competed with the AHR and heterodimerize with ARNT in both HeLa and HepG2 cells at a concentration of 3.8x103 nM and 18 nM respectively. Since there an apparent similarity between the basic region of TAT-PTD and CΔ553, we examined the transduction potential of CΔ553. Western blot analysis indicated that the extent of denatured protein transduction was comparable for CΔ553 and TAT-CΔ553 in HepG2 cells. Thus CΔ553 might have intrinsic transduction capability.

Crude oil commonly enters freshwater aquatic ecosystems as thin sheens forming on the water surface. Oil contains mixtures of toxic compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are known to be photodynamic, increasing toxicity when combined with ultraviolet radiation. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities are commonly utilized as bioindicators, and as such rely on abundant data in literature concerning benthic macroinvertebrates' relative tolerances to a wide range of pollutants. A series of 10 plastic traps, half of which were filtered from UV radiation, were deployed in an urban pond for 27 days to determine colonization preferences of benthic macroinvertebrates to UV exposure. Results of this in situ experiment indicated that the majority of aquatic insects collected from traps inhabited the UV exposed treatment group, particularly the nonbiting midge, Chironomidae. A series of bioassays were then completed to investigate the sensitivities of a Chironomidae species to thin sheens of crude oil in the presence and absence of UV radiation. All bioassays were conducted using 10 day old Chironomus dilutus larvae cultured in the lab. The series of C. dilutus bioassays were all conducted under the same water quality parameters, temperatures, and oil sheen dosing methods, under a 16:8 photoperiod and exposed to 16 h UV per day. Five replicates (n = 20) were loaded into 350 mL glass crystallizing dishes and exposed to four treatments for 96 hours: no UV/with sheen, with UV/no sheen, both UV and oil sheen, and a control. Three assays with 175 mL water volume were completed, one with no sediment, one with silica sand, and one with fine sand. Sediment type had a significant effect on mortality (p < 0.0001), but significant effects of UV or PAHs were not found. Two more C. dilutus assays were completed with identical parameters as the latter two with sediment, except a decreased water volume of 90 mL was used to bring the sheen closer to sediment. There was a significant effect of PAHs on mortality (p = 0.0003), however, no clear trend showing PAHs driving mortality. Results showed no significant effects of UV, sediment type, or relationship between UV and PAHs. A final bioassay was completed to compare phototoxic effects of PAHs on pelagic organisms with benthic organisms. This bioassay used test species Daphnia magna, for a 48 h exposure period with five replicates (n = 10), 8 h UV exposure and 16:8 photoperiod. All individuals in the control group and UV only group exhibited 0% mortality, and with sheen/with UV treatment group resulted in 100% mortality following the 48 h exposure. The results of the D. magna exposure showed significant effects of PAHs (p < 0.0001), UV (p = 0.037), and photoinduced toxicity (p = 0.024), and were consistent with similar bioassays in the literature. This study suggests that C. dilutus are at low risk to photo-induced oil sheen toxicity.

Structurally precision graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have attracted great interest considering their prospective applications as organic carbon materials for nanoelectronics. The electronic properties of GNRs not only critically depend on the edge structure and width but also on the heteroatom type, doping position, and concentration. Motivated by the recent undisputable progress in the synthesis of stable boron-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (B-PAHs), considerable efforts have been devoted to the precision synthesis of the corresponding boron-doped GNRs (B-GNRs) via bottom-up synthesis approach in recent years in view of the extraordinary ability of boron doping on modulating their physiochemical properties. In this review, an overview of the bottom-up organic synthesis of B-GNRs, including the precursor design and synthesis, structure characterization of the resulting B-GNRs, and investigation of their electronic properties is provided. Moreover, the future challenges and perspectives regarding the bottom-up synthesis of B-GNRs are also discussed. The authors hope that this review will further stimulate the synthesis and device integrations of B-GNRs with a combined effort from different disciplines.

No description available.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are common contaminants of sediment, soils and biological tissues. These compounds pose a significant risk to biological and ecosystem health and functioning due to these compounds being mutagenic, carcinogenic and are known to disrupt the endocrine system. The bioaccumulation and biomagnification potential that these compounds possess mean that they are capable of affecting the entire food chain and are not limited to the organisms that are directly in contact with the compounds Even though there has been an increase in the attention on identifying the presence and impacts that these compounds may have in South Africa, the level of attention is lower than what it is in other countries around the world. Although South Africa has guidelines in place for other pollutants, such as metals, there are no such guidelines in place to monitor PAHs and PCBs.. Industries are known to release both PAHs and PCBs, mainly from incomplete burning processes and the release of oils and fuels in the case of PAHs, and from heat transfer fluids in the case of PCBs. Durban Bay and surrounding areas of eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal are highly industrialised with many aquatic systems, in which these contaminants are likely to deposit. The aim of this research was to determine the concentrations of these compounds by means of chemical analysis and additionally biological analysis, using the H4IIE-luc bioassay and compare these levels to international guideline levels. It was found that the concentrations of the 23 analysed PAHs were 6.5–3 235.6 ng.g-1 and the concentration of the PCBs analysed were 0–113.83 ng.g-1. Many sites were found to be in exceedance of the guideline limits, particularly in the harbour. Toxic equivalency factors (TEF) were used to gauge the toxic equivalency (TEQ) of the PAHs and PCBs that were found. The TEQs were generally low, and were below any guideline levels. The assay revealed the extract containing the PCBs had a bioassay equivalence (BEQ) of 0–93.54 pgTCDDeq. g-1 and the extract containing the PAHs of 0–776.08 pgTCDD-eq.g-1. With a proportion of the sites exceeding guideline limits. The BEQ results were two to three orders of magnitude greater than the TEQs calculated from the concentrations determined by the instrumental analysis, however, followed a similar trend. Additionally chemical analysis was not performed on a full suite of compounds that are able to elicit a response from the cells, which could be a reason why the BEQ and TEQ did not follow a similar trend among some of the samples. It would have been more beneficial to have performed chemical analysis on the 16 priority PAHs (as determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency), the dioxin-like PCBs and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) which are all capable of eliciting a response from the cells and have TEF values. The areas that were most affected by contamination of these compounds was the harbour and surrounding canals, and there was point source contamination along the Umhlatuzana, Umbilo, and Amanzimnyana Rivers. All dl-PCBs should be chemically analysed at all the sample areas, as these cause adverse effects to biota. In addition to this, biota should be sampled to determine concentrations of the compounds to determine bioavailability and the degree of bioaccumulation in the food chain. Utilising biomarkers it would be possible to determine stresses of fish. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are common contaminants of sediment, soils and biological tissues. These compounds pose a significant risk to biological and ecosystem health and functioning due to these compounds being mutagenic, carcinogenic and are known to disrupt the endocrine system. The bioaccumulation and biomagnification potential that these compounds possess mean that they are capable of affecting the entire food chain and are not limited to the organisms that are directly in contact with the compounds Even though there has been an increase in the attention on identifying the presence and impacts that these compounds may have in South Africa, the level of attention is lower than what it is in other countries around the world. Although South Africa has guidelines in place for other pollutants, such as metals, there are no such guidelines in place to monitor PAHs and PCBs.. Industries are known to release both PAHs and PCBs, mainly from incomplete burning processes and the release of oils and fuels in the case of PAHs, and from heat transfer fluids in the case of PCBs. Durban Bay and surrounding areas of eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal are highly industrialised with many aquatic systems, in which these contaminants are likely to deposit. The aim of this research was to determine the concentrations of these compounds by means of chemical analysis and additionally biological analysis, using the H4IIE-luc bioassay and compare these levels to international guideline levels. It was found that the concentrations of the 23 analysed PAHs were 6.5–3 235.6 ng.g-1 and the concentration of the PCBs analysed were 0–113.83 ng.g-1. Many sites were found to be in exceedance of the guideline limits, particularly in the harbour. Toxic equivalency factors (TEF) were used to gauge the toxic equivalency (TEQ) of the PAHs and PCBs that were found. The TEQs were generally low, and were below any guideline levels. The assay revealed the extract containing the PCBs had a bioassay equivalence (BEQ) of 0–93.54 pgTCDDeq. g-1 and the extract containing the PAHs of 0–776.08 pgTCDD-eq.g-1. With a proportion of the sites exceeding guideline limits. The BEQ results were two to three orders of magnitude greater than the TEQs calculated from the concentrations determined by the instrumental analysis, however, followed a similar trend. Additionally chemical analysis was not performed on a full suite of compounds that are able to elicit a response from the cells, which could be a reason why the BEQ and TEQ did not follow a similar trend among some of the samples. It would have been more beneficial to have performed chemical analysis on the 16 priority PAHs (as determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency), the dioxin-like PCBs and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) which are all capable of eliciting a response from the cells and have TEF values. The areas that were most affected by contamination of these compounds was the harbour and surrounding canals, and there was point source contamination along the Umhlatuzana, Umbilo, and Amanzimnyana Rivers. All dl-PCBs should be chemically analysed at all the sample areas, as these cause adverse effects to biota. In addition to this, biota should be sampled to determine concentrations of the compounds to determine bioavailability and the degree of bioaccumulation in the food chain. Utilising biomarkers it would be possible to determine stresses of fish. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Marshy soil and sediment samples were collected during dry and rainy seasons within Warri, and Agbarho, 20km away as control. Levels of 16 USEPA priority Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons PAHs were determined using GC-FID. Source prediction analysis was also done. The study was in Niger Delta region, Nigeria from January to March and June to August 2012 in dry and wet seasons. Benzo(a)pyrene had highest total concentration of 3.302mg/kg and mean value of 1.651mg/kg in dry season soil samples. However, sediment samples had highest levels for total concentration of PAHs of 19.362mg/kg and mean of 4.840mg/kg for both dry and rainy seasons within Warri. PAHs concentration was higher in dry than rainy seasons for soil and sediment samples. Source prediction analysis revealed that PAHs in sediments for dry season were pyrolytic while rainy seasons were petrogenic sources. For soils, the dry season was mixed sources while the rainy season was petrogenic. / Environmental Science / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Syftet med arbetet var att samla in mätdata för att kontrollera luftkvalitén ombord på två svenska fartyg, för att sedan jämföra resultaten med Arbetsmiljöverkets hygieniska gränsvärden och den svenska normalbefolkningens exponering för olika ämnen. Resultatet från studien var också tänkt att vara till hjälp för att utforma nya råd och rekommendationer för att minimera exponeringen och även till att bidra med material för fler framtida studier. Under cirka en vecka ombord på fartygen samlades data in med hjälp av passiva provtagare för att registrera halter av bensen, kvävedioxid och polycykliska aromatiska kolväten. Resultaten visade att luftkvalitén ombord på de två fartygen generellt sett är god. Samtliga uppmätta halter låg långt under Arbetsmiljöverkets gränsvärden och det skiljde sig inte mycket varken mellan fartyg eller jämfört med den svenska normalbefolkningens exponering. Därför är inte svensk sjömän ombord på svenskflaggade fartyg i större fara för toxiska luftföroreningar ombord jämfört med när de är hemma. / The main purpose of this study was to measure and evaluate the air quality onboard two Swedish ships, and compare the results with the exposure limits laid out by the Swedish Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljöverket) and the Swedish population’s exposure to various substances. The results of this study were also meant to be helpful to form new advice and recommendations to minimize exposure and also to provide material for future studies. During approximately one week onboard the two ships data were collected using passive samplers to register levels of benzene, nitrogen dioxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The results indicated that the air quality onboard the two ships were generally good. All measured concentrations were well below safety applications and it did not differ very much neither between ships nor compared with the Swedish population’s exposure. In conclusion, Swedish sailors onboard Swedish ships are not in greater danger of toxic air pollutants onboard compared to when they are at home.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In recent years South African wines have been under the spotlight due to references in the international wine media to a distinctive ‘burnt rubber’ character. Many winemakers and wine experts argued that the peculiar character could be ascribed to winemaking errors linked to mismanaged fermentation. An alternative possible source of the taint was identified in the coal tar creosote used as a wood preservative in vineyard trellis systems. South African regulations allow for the use of creosoted utility poles in agricultural land, but in Europe and USA their usage has been highly regulated and even banned for certain applications. Contamination of foodstuff by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is one of the major motives for the banning of creosote in Europe and USA. Some of the compounds in the creosote mixture display very strong odour characteristics and for this reason it became the focus of attention for the present study. The overall aim of this study was to determine if vines trellised with creosoted posts could accumulate or absorb the various malodorous compounds deriving from the wood treatment onto the grape berries. These compounds could then be extracted from the grape berries into the wine during alcoholic fermentation, creating quality and sensory problems. Chapter 2 of this thesis gives an overview of the extensive literature that deals with methods of analysis of PAHs and malodorous phenols using both Gas Chromatography (GC), as well as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). New methods for sample preparation, as well as analysis of PAHs using HPLC-Diode Array Detector (DAD), were developed and the results reported in Chapter 3. It was demonstrated that Sauvignon blanc experimental wines contained only chrysene at very low levels. The concentrations of chrysene found in the experimental wines are within the prescribed parameters as established by The Commission of the European Communities. Since no other PAH compounds were found in the samples analysed, it was concluded that the experimental wines were safe for human consumption and complied with EU regulations. The effect of vineyard posts on the sensorial characteristics of wine is discussed in Chapter 4. Creosoted poles were found to be responsible for an off-flavour described as ‘burnt rubber’ and ‘tarry’ in Merlot wines produced from grapes grown in close proximity to the posts. Following some of the reported findings, new guidelines have been introduced in the Integrated Production of Wine certification, which advise against the use of creosoted poles for vineyard trellising. This preliminary but important guideline will bring the South African wine industry a step closer to the fulfilling the obligations for food safety as required by the legislation of our major export partners. Future investigations are recommended to completely understand and evaluate the cumulative effect of creosoted posts in a fully trellised vineyard. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oor die afgelope paar jaar is Suid-Afrikaanse wyne onder die soeklig geplaas as gevolg van verwysings in die internasionale wynmedia na ‘n duidelike ‘gebrande rubber’-karakter. Baie wynmakers en wyndeskundiges het aangedui dat hierdie besonderse karakter toegeskryf kan word aan wynbereidingsfoute wat verband hou met gisting wat wanbestuur is. ‘n Alternatiewe moontlike oorsprong van die smaak is geïdentifiseer in die koolteer wat as ‘n houtpreserveermiddel in wingerdopleistelsels gebruik word. Suid-Afrikaanse regulasies maak voorsiening vir die gebruik van kreosoteerde nutspale in landbougrond, hoewel hulle gebruik in Europa en die VSA hoogs gereguleerd en in sommige gevalle selfs verbied is. Die besmetting van kossoorte deur polisikliese aromatiese koolwaterstowwe (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) is een van die vernaamste redes vir die verbanning van kreosoot in Europa en die VSA. Sommige van die verbindings in die kreosootmengsel het baie sterk geurkenmerke en daarom is dit die fokus van die huidige studie. Die oorhoofse doelwit van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of wingerde wat op kreosoteerde pale opgelei is, die verskillende onwelriekende verbindings afkomstig van die houtbehandeling in die druiwekorrels kan akkumuleer of absorbeer. Hierdie verbindings sou dan tydens alkoholiese gisting uit die druiwekorrels in die wyn geëkstraheer kon word, wat aanleiding sou gee tot kwaliteits- en sensoriese probleme. Hoofstuk 2 van hierdie tesis verskaf ‘n oorsig van die breedvoerige literatuur wat handel oor metodes om PAH’s en onwelriekende fenole met behulp van beide gaschromatografie (GC) en hoëdrukvloeistofchromatografie (HPLC) te analiseer. Nuwe metodes is ontwikkel om monsters voor te berei en om PAH’s met behulp van ‘n HPLC-diode array detector (DAD) te analiseer. Die resultate word in Hoofstuk 3 gerapporteer. Daar is aangetoon dat die eksperimentele Sauvignon blanc-wyne chriseen teen baie lae vlakke bevat het. Die konsentrasies van chriseen wat in die eksperimentele wyne gevind is, is binne die voorgeskrewe parameters van die Kommissie van die Europese Gemeenskap. Aangesien daar nie ander PAHverbindings in die geanaliseerde monsters gevind kon word nie, is daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die eksperimentele wyne veilig is vir menslike verbruik en aan die EG-regulasies voldoen. Die effek van wingerdpale op die sensoriese kenmerke van wyn word in Hoofstuk 4 bespreek. Kreosoteerde pale is gevind wat verantwoordelik is vir ‘n wangeur in Merlot-wyne afkomstig van druiwe wat naby die pale gegroei het en wat as ‘gebrande rubber’ en ‘teeragtig’ beskryf is. Op grond van sommige van die gerapporteerde bevindings, is nuwe riglyne ingesluit in die sertifisering vir die Geïntegreerde Produksie van Wyn, wat aanbeveel dat kreosoteerde pale nie vir wingerdoplei gebruik word nie. Hierdie voorlopige, maar belangrike riglyn sal die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf al beter in staat stel om te voldoen aan die voedselveiligheid regulasies wat vereis word deur die wetgewing van ons belangrikste uitvoervennote. Toekomstige ondersoeke moet aangewend word om die kumulatiewe effek van kreosoteerde pale in volledig opgeleide wingerde ten volle te verstaan en te evalueer. / Indaba Scholarship and Winetech for their financial support