Cette thèse décrit l'étude de la dégradation chimique des membranes de type acide perfluorosulfonique (PFSA) utilisées dans les piles à combustible à membrane échangeuse de protons. L'objectif de ces travaux réside d'une part en une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de dégradation conduisant à la défaillance des membranes et en la proposition d'approches pour limiter les phénomènes de dégradation, d'autre part. Les études relatives à la dégradation chimique des membranes ont été réalisées sur une membrane de référence Nafion et sur des membranes contenant le cérium ou le manganèse incorporé par échange ionique. L'influence de la présence des pièges à radicaux Ce et Mn sur la limitation des phénomènes de dégradation des membranes a été évaluée sous deux types de conditions de vieillissement accéléré : in situ par l'abandon sous tension à vide (OCV) de la pile à combustible et ex situ par immersion de la membrane dans le réactif de fenton. La dégradation chimique de la membrane a été appréciée par mesure du taux d'émission de fluor (FER). Le taux d'émission de fluor, mesuré sur les membranes ayant subi l'un ou l'autre des vieillissements accélérés, est plus faible pour les systèmes Nafion/Ce et Nafion/Mn, préparés par échange ionique, que pour le système de référence. Ce phénomène est accompagné d'une diminution des performances de la pile à combustible, de la migration et de l'élution des ions métalliques (évaluées par MEB/EDX et HPLC) et des changements du degré d'oxydation des espèces métalliques (déterminés par XPS). Ces résultats ont été utilisés par la suite pour définir de nouvelles approches visant à limiter la dégradation chimique des membranes. Un mat à base de nanofibre CeOx/PFSA a é té préparé par electrospinning d'une dispersion d'ionomère nafion contenant des nanoparticules de CeOx préparées par flash combustion. La technique d'electrospinning permet la préparation de matériaux homogènes, d'épaisseur contrôlée et présentant une dispersion élevée de CeOx. Ce mat a été assemblé à la membrane de PFSA par pressage à chaud. L'intérêt de l'utilisation des mats de nanofibres réside dans la possibilité de positionner le piège à radical CeOx à proximité d'une couche catalytique plutôt que de le disperser au sein de la membrane. Ces nouvelles membranes ont été vieillies par abandon de la cellule de pile à combustible à l'OCV. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que les AMEs contenant une membrane de Nafion non modifiée ou un système modifié incorporant un mat de nanofibre de PFSA (sans CeOx) à l'interface membrane-electrode présentaient d'une part une chute significative de l'OCV avec le temps de fonctionnement et un FER élevé d'autre part. A l'inverse, un AME incorporant un mat de nanofibre contenant CeOx à l'interface membrane-electrode est caractérisé par un OCV stable et un FER faible. Finalement nous avons observé que le mat de nanofibre de CeOx est plus efficace lorsqu'il est placé au voisinage de l'anode. Les analyses post mortem des AMEs et les analyses de l'eau produite après fonctionnement de la pile ont été combinées afin de dresser un tableau des processus de dégradation se produisant dans les AMEs protégés par l'oxyde de cerium et dans les AMEs non modifiés. Les analyses à partir de spectroscopie photoélectronique à rayon X, de spectroscopie Raman et de microscopie électronique à balayage ont montré un niveau de dégradation des membranes plus faible pour les systèmes contenant CeOx par rapport aux membranes de référence de typer PFSA. Ces résultats sont en accords avec le profil de l'OCV et avec le taux d'émission de fluor. En conclusion l'approche consistant dans l'incorporation de pièges à radicaux pour la réduction de la dégradation chimique des membranes permet d'augmenter significativement la durée de vie de la membrane et de positionner les pièges à radicaux à proximité des sites les plus exposés aux attaques de radicaux. / This thesis describes the study the chemical degradation of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to failure, and to propose strategies to mitigate this degradation. Studies of membrane chemical decomposition were performed on pristine Nafion and on cerium and manganese ion exchanged membranes. The effectiveness of Mn and Ce species as free radical scavengers was studied by using accelerated stress tests: in situ in a single fuel cell under open circuit voltage (OCV), and ex situ using Fenton's reagent. Membrane chemical degradation was assessed by the fluoride emission rate (FER). Significant reduction in FER was observed with Mn and Ce ion modified Nafion. These observations were related to the fuel cell performances losses and migration or elution of metal ions, as evaluated by SEM/EDX and HPLC, and to changes in the oxidation state of the metal species, determined by XPS. The results have been used to provide further guidance on materials strategies to mitigate membrane chemical degradation. A composite nanofibre CeOx/PFSA mat was prepared by electrospinning of a mixed dispersion of Nafion® ionomer with CeOx nanoparticles synthesised by flash combustion. The electrospinning technique allows fabrication of a homogenous material with well controlled thickness and highly dispersed CeOx. This mat was assembled with PFSA membranes by hot-pressing. These nanofibre mats are the means of siting the CeOx radical scavenger specifically in close proximity to one or other catalyst layer, rather than distributed throughout the membrane. The new membranes were further investigated by OCV hold testing in a fuel cell. The results show that MEAs integrating a non-modified PFSA membrane, or a PFSA membrane modified by an interlayer of nanofibre PFSA (no CeOx) only, demonstrate a marked drop in OCV with time, and high FER. In contrast an MEA comprising a CeOx nanofibre interlayer gives very stable open circuit voltage and low fluoride emission. Finally it was observed that the nanofibre – ceria interlayer is more effective when incorporated at the anode side. Post mortem analysis of the MEAs and analysis of exhaust water were combined to draw a picture of the overall degradation processes occurring in cerium oxide protected and non-modified MEAs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses of aged MEAs indicated a lower degree of degradation for CeOx protected membranes than for a non-modified PFSA membrane. These results are in agreement with OCV profile and fluoride emission rate. In conclusion this new approach to the strategy of incorporating of radical scavengers to mitigate membrane chemical degradation efficiently increases membrane durability, and allows location of the radical scavenger within the MEA at the sites potentially most exposed to radical attack.

Orientador: Aníbal Eugênio Vercesi / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T00:12:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ferreira_ViniciusVercesiAlmadaNogueira_M.pdf: 1353533 bytes, checksum: b60bd544902662a56e45ea9cf1e14b01 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Além de essencial na respiração celular, a mitocôndria é considerada uma organela de papel fundamental em processos de sinalização e morte celular. A geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) e de espécies reativas de nitrogênio (ERNs) pela mitocôndria podem ser consequência destes processos de sinalização tanto em condições fisiológicas quanto em patologias, tais como a dislipidemia e câncer. A transição de permeabilidade mitocondrial (TPM) é um tipo de permeabilização não-seletiva da membrana mitocôndrial interna que permite a passagem de moléculas de até 1,5 KDa, causando dissipação do potencial eletroquímico de H+ e inchamento da organela. O termo transição é usado porque a permeabilização pode ser parcialmente revertida, logo após o inicio do processo, pela adição de quelantes de Ca2+ como o EGTA, por exemplo, ou redutores tiólicos. A oxidação de grupamentos tiólicos promove a TPM. Os experimentos apresentados nesta tese indicam o composto 2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-l-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) caracteriza-se como um inibidor da TPM. As pequenas alterações observadas em relação à respiração e fosforilação oxidativa não se correlacionam com a abertura do PTP, pelo menos com base na literatura corrente. Em outras palavras, a presença de cPTIO diminuiu os níveis de NOo mitocondrial e desviou a reação deste composto com o ânion superóxido diminuindo a produção de peroxinitrito, provável indutor de abertura do PTP nestas condições experimentais / Abstract: In addition to be the site of cellular respiration, the mitochondrion has important role in cell signaling for cell physiology and death. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) by the mitochondrion can participate in cellular signaling both in physiological and pathological conditions, such as dyslipidemia and cancer. The Mitochondrial Permeability Transition (MPT) is a non-selective inner membrane permeabilization that enables free passage of molecules up to 1.5 kDa, dissipating the H+ electrochemical gradient and the organelle's swelling. The term transition is applied because the permeabilization can be partially reverted, right after the beginning of the process, by chelating extramitochondrial Ca2+ with EGTA, for example, or by using thiol reducers. The oxidation of membrane protein thiols leads to MPT. The experiments shown in this thesis indicate that the compound 2-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-l-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) has proven to be a strong inhibitor agent of the MPT. The small changes observed in relation to respiration and oxidative phosphorylation did not correlate with the opening of PTP, at least on the basis of the current literature. In other words, the presence of cPTIO decreased levels of NOo and mitochondrial diverted reaction of this compound with superoxide anion decreasing production of peroxynitrite, likely inducing PTP opening under these experimental conditions / Mestrado / Biologia Estrutural, Celular, Molecular e do Desenvolvimento / Mestre em Fisiopatologia Médica

Oligonucleotide-based drugs hold great promise for the treatment of many types of diseases, ranging from genetic disorders to viral infections and cancer. The problem is that efficient delivery across the cell membrane is required for oligonucleotides to have their desired effect. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) provide a solution to this problem. CPPs are capable of transporting cargoes such as drugs or nucleic acids for gene therapy into the cell, either by covalent conjugation to the cargo or by non-covalent complex formation. This thesis is focused on the development of a class of peptides called PepFects, peptides with fatty acid modifications capable of forming nanoparticle-sized complexes with oligonucleotides. These complexes are efficiently internalized by many different cell types and are generally non-toxic and non-immunogenic. We have developed a number of novel PepFect peptides and a quantitative structure-activity model to predict the biological effect of our peptides. In addition, the involvement of scavenger receptors class A in the endocytic uptake of PepFect complexes as well as other CPPs and polymeric transfection agents was studied. Lastly, we have developed a series of PepFect peptides for delivery across the blood-brain barrier and a model system mimicking the blood-brain barrier in order to evaluate the passage of these peptides. The general aim of this thesis is to improve the understanding of intracellular delivery of oligonucleotides with PepFect peptides from both a chemical and a biological viewpoint, and further improve the efficacy of this delivery system with the long-term goal of making it useful in clinical settings.

Scavenger receptor A (SR-A), also known as the macrophage scavenger receptor and cluster of differentiation 204 (CD204), plays roles in lipid metabolism, atherogenesis, and a number of metabolic processes. However, recent evidence points to important roles for SR-A in infammation, innate immunity, host defense, sepsis, and ischemic injury. Herein, we review the role of SR-A in infammation, innate immunity, host defense, sepsis, cardiac and cerebral ischemic injury, Alzheimer's disease, virus recognition and uptake, bone metabolism, and pulmonary injury. Interestingly, SR-A is reported to be host protective in some disease states, but there is also compelling evidence that SR-A plays a role in the pathophysiology of other diseases. These observations of both harmful and beneficial effects of SR-A are discussed here in the framework of inflammation, innate immunity, and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

The innate immune response is involved in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Recent evidence suggests that scavenger receptors have a role in the induction of innate immunity. In this study, we examined the role of scavenger receptor A (SR-A) in focal cerebral I/R injury. Both SR-A-/- mice (n=10) and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice (n=9) were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia (60 minutes), followed by reperfusion (for 24 hours). Infarct size was determined by TTC (triphenyltetrazolium chloride) staining. The morphology of neurons in the brain sections was examined by Nissl's staining. Activation of intracellular signaling was analyzed by western blot. Cerebral infarct size in SR-A -/- mice was significantly reduced by 63.9% compared with WT mice after cerebral I/R. In SR-A -/- mice, there was less neuronal damage in the hippocampus compared with WT mice. Levels of FasL, Fas, FADD, caspase-3 activity, and terminal deoynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2′-deoxyuridine 5′-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling-positive apoptotic cells were significantly increased in WT mice after cerebral I/R, but not in SR-A -/- mice. Cerebral I/R increased nuclear factor-B activation in WT mice, but not in SR-A -/- mice. These data suggest that SR-A has a central role in cerebral I/R injury and that suppression of SR-A may be a useful approach for ameliorating brain injury in stroke patients.

Free-radical generation is one of the primary causes of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Melatonin is an efficient free-radical scavenger and induces the expression of antioxidant enzymes. We have previously shown that melatonin can prevent free-radical-induced myocardial injury. To date, the mechanism underlying melatonin's cardioprotective effect is not clear. In this study, we assessed the ability of melatonin to protect against I/R injury in mice deficient in glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1). Mice hearts were subjected to 40 min of global ischemia in vitro followed by 45 min of reperfusion. Myocardial I/R injury (expressed as % of recovery of left ventricular developed pressure × heart rate) was exacerbated in mice deficient in Gpx1 (51 ± 3% for Gpx1+/+ mice versus 31 ± 6% for Gpx1-/- mice, P < 0.05). Administration of melatonin for 30 min protected against I/R injury in both Gpx1+/+ mice (72 ± 4.8%) and Gpx1-/- mice (63 ± 4.7%). This protection was accompanied by a significant improvement in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and a twofold decrease in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level released from melatonin-treated hearts. In another set of experiments, mice were subjected to 50 min of ligation of the left descending anterior coronary artery in vivo followed by 4 hr of reperfusion. The infarct sizes, expressed as the percentage of the area at risk, were significantly larger in Gpx1-/- mice than in Gpx1+/+ mice (75 ± 9% versus 54 ± 6%, P < 0.05) and were reduced significantly in melatonin-treated mice (31 ± 3.7% Gpx1-/- mice and 33 ± 6.0% Gpx1+/+ mice). In hearts subjected to 30 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 hr of reperfusion, melatonin-treated hearts had significantly fewer in situ oligo ligation-positive myocytes and less protein nitration. Our results demonstrate that the cardioprotective function of melatonin is independent of Gpx1.

The effects of natamycin, oxygen scavengers and a 25% CO₂:75% N₂ modified atmosphere on the growth of <I>Penicillium roqueforti</I> in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese stored at 10°C for 0, 60, 120, or 180 day was studied. Microbiological and sensory testing was assessed on 0, 7, 14 and 21 days after opening. Carbon dioxide decreased (P<0.05) as O₂ (P>0.05) and N₂ (P>0.05) increased throughout storage. Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses were stored for 180 and 60 days, respectively without significant (P> 0.05) increases in yeast and mold populations. Fungal populations increased significantly (P< 0.05) after packages were opened. Differences in yeast and mold (YM) counts during storage and once the packages were opened were independent of natamycin application and presence, O₂ scavengers and inoculated <I>Penicillium roqueforti</I> for both types of cheeses. Growth of <I>Penicillium roqueforti, Aspergillus niger, Geotrichum candidum</I> and <I>Neosartorya fischeri</I> were evaluated in atmospheres of 0:30:70, 0.5:29.5:70, 1:29:70, 2:28:70, and 5:25:70, O₂:CO₂:N₂ over a 5-day period. Spores were cultured on antibiotic-supplemented potato dextrose agar (pH 5.6, a_w 0.95) and incubated at 25°C. All four molds germinated and grew at 0.5:29.5:70. Extent of mycelia growth diameter (mm) increased significantly (P<0.05) as oxygen concentration increased from 0.5% to 5%. All growth was inhibited at 0:30:70, but germination and growth occurred once cultures were exposed to 20.9% atmospheric O₂, indicating that a modified atmosphere containing no residual O₂ is fungistatic. Yeast and mold growth was seen in ultra-pasteurized (UP) extended shelf-life fluid milk stored at (7.2°C). Ten half-pint, pint, quart and half gallon filled cartons were randomly selected from all UP products available. Samples, pulled at random on day 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60, were plated on Yeast and Mold Petrifilm™. Forty-seven percent of the UP products stored for 45 days tested positive for mold. Fungal growth was apparent down the side and along the bottom of the 5th panel. Contamination was traced to the presence of yeast and mold spores in paperboard cartons. Pinholes were present in the polyethylene coating and wicking occurred at the unskived 5th panel. Fungi of similar origin and fatty acid profile were isolated from UP milk products and the paperboard cartons. / Ph. D.

No description available.

<p>Hermetic storage systems have gained global popularity for their ability to minimize stored product losses by depleting oxygen. However, relying solely on insects to deplete oxygen in hermetic storage, when this process takes longer, can result in (further) damage to stored commodities. This study was conducted to investigate: (i) the potential of four different germinating seeds (soybean, rice, cowpea, and corn) in scavenging oxygen within hermetic storage systems; (ii) the impact of container volume and the number of germinating seeds on oxygen depletion; and (iii) the effects of germinating seeds on insect mortality and grain quality. Among the crops tested, cowpea, during their fourth, fifth, and sixth germination stages (T4, T5, and T6), depleted oxygen below 5% within 12 hours. The fourth stage of cowpea (T4) was identified as a potential oxygen scavenger due to its shorter germination time and ease of handling. Moreover, increasing the number of germinating seeds resulted in a faster initial rate of oxygen depletion in all-sized jars. Doubling both the volume of the jars and the number of germinating seeds had a similar rate of oxygen depletion. Additionally, an equation was derived to predict the required number of germinating seeds based on data from different numbers of seed and container volume combinations. Relative humidity levels increased to approximately 90% when empty jars were used but remained consistent at 40% when the jars were filled with grains. Furthermore, using 10, 20, and 30 germinating cowpea seeds with stored grains and insects, oxygen levels were reduced below 5% at different time intervals. Complete adult mortality of <em>C. maculatus</em> was achieved within 3-5 days of exposure, depending upon the number of germinating seeds. 20 and 30 seeds achieved complete mortality within 72 hours, while 10 seeds required 120 hours. As the number of germinating seeds increased, egg counts decreased, and moisture content significantly increased in the treatment involving 30 seeds. Furthermore, no adult emerged after 96 and 120 hours of exposure to normoxia for the 30 and 20 seed treatments, respectively. However, in the 10 seeds treatment, a small percentage of adults (0.29%) did emerge even after 120 hours of exposure.</p>

No description available.