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Preparation and characterization of hydrogels based on cationic biopolymer
Tesařová, Barbora ; Mravec, Filip (referee) ; Smilek, Jiří (advisor)
Presented thesis deals with the preparation and characterization of hydrogels based on positively-charged biopolymer and negatively-charged tenside. As an appropriate representative of positively-charged polymer was chosen chitosan, because of his biocompatibility and biodegrability, and N,N,N-trimethylchitosan, which was synthetised from chitosan in this diploma thesis. The final product of synthesis was characterised by SEC-MALS, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic rezonation. Interactions between these polymers and representatives of negatively-charged tensides, which are sodium dodecylsuphate and sodium tetradecylsulphate, were investigated. The main method used in this thesis was rheology, through it were investigated prepared hydrogels based on chitosan and tensides and also prepared microgels based on N,N,N-trimethylchitosan and tensides. The interactions between polymers and tensides have been proved.
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Mutations in MLH1 gene and MSI status as molecular characteristics of sporadic colorectal cancer
Čaja, Fabián ; Vodička, Pavel (advisor) ; Kadlecová, Jitka (referee)
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the Czech Republic. In general, there are two molecular pathways leading to CRC: one is characterized by chromosomal instability, the other by the deficiency in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. MutL homologue 1 (MLH1) gene, a member of the MMR gene-family, represents a key component of the MMR system, responsible for recognition of nucleotide mismatches occurring during DNA replication, and for the recruitment of repair proteins to correct the replication errors. According to literature, somatic mutations in MMR genes, and MLH1 in particular, hallmark sporadic, MMR deficient, CRC cases. We aimed at analyzing somatic events in MLH1 gene and the determination of microsatellite instability (MSI) status in 99 DNA samples from 96 patients with sporadic CRC. Mutations were screened by high resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis. Positive cases in each run were subsequently verified by automated sequencing. Mainly gene variants were found in MLH1 gene: We discovered two new variants, one in exon 2 at position c. 204 C>G, p. Ile68Met (98 C/C, 1C/G) and the other in exon 11 at position c. 973 C>T, p. Arg325Trp (98 C/C, 1 C/T). Only the latter variant c. 973 C>T was identified as somatic mutation. All other variants found in MLH1 gene...
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Impact of the rRNA modifications on protein synthesis
Kročová, Eliška ; Pospíšek, Martin (advisor) ; Holá, Dana (referee)
A ribosome is a supramolecular structure, which mediates synthesis of all cellular proteins, and therefore is essential for cell life. The fact, that some nucleotides of ribosomal RNA are modified, is known for forty years. However only recently, successful deeper studies on how the individual modifications are synthesized and what is their effect on ribosome synthesis and function appear. Some particular nucleotide modifications are important for the ribosome formation (like m1 acp3 Ψ1191 SSU), some others influence proper function of the ribosome (e.g. Um2921, Gm2922, Ψ2923 LSU, m1 acp3 Ψ1191 SSU). Majority of modified nucleotides in eukaryotic rRNA is being recognized by small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA). Few nucleotides is, however, recognized and subsequently modified by specific proteins. These proteins also play crucial role in ribosome maturation. In thesis presented, current knowledge on the role of ribosomal RNA nucleotide modifications during their formation and maturation, and on their function is summarized and overviewed.
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Localization of Methylation Sites in Transposons
Kmeť, Miroslav ; Martínek, Tomáš (referee) ; Vogel, Ivan (advisor)
This master's thesis deals with the creation of a tool for the extraction of methylation level from transposon sequences. Transposons are DNA elements with ability to move or copy themselves and their activity is regulated by DNA methylation. Sequence methylation information is stored in the bisulfite data and their processing is done with parts of two existing tools in a combination with implemented modules. Created tool takes into consideration unique challenges brought in the methylation calling process by transposable elements and it's functionality is presented on a set of experiments with simulated and real data.
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Utilization of Diffusive Techniques in Study on Reactivity of Biocolloids
Kalina, Michal ; Maršálek, Roman (referee) ; Mráček, Aleš (referee) ; Klučáková, Martina (advisor)
The main aim of this thesis is the utilization of simple diffusion techniques for the study on transport properties of copper ions in the systems containing humic acids with respect to the other parameters, which can affect the process (the structure of diffusion environment, the interactions between transported specie and diffusion matrices, selective blocking of binding sites of humic acids). The first part of experimental works was focused on characterization of studied materials (humic acids, humic sol and humic hydrogel). The main part of the thesis was dealing with the optimization of simple diffusion techniques, which were suitable for the study on transport of copper ions in matrices containing humic acids, taking into account the mutual interactions between studied components in the system. The obtained diffusion characteristics were compared to the data determined using sorption experiments. Consequently, the minor goal of the experimental works of this thesis was also the assessment of the influence of basic physico-chemical parameters of studied materials on transport phenomenon.
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Fractional composition of metal ions in humic gels
Potočková, Jana ; Gregorová, Eva (referee) ; Klučáková, Martina (advisor)
This thesis deals with bond strength of metal ions in humic gels. Several samples of humic acids were studied to consider influence of samples isolation process and their consequent characteristics on bond strength of metal ions in their complexes. Some functional groups was blocked by methylation at some samples. Amount of active functional groups in individual samples was determined by standard titration methods. Metal ions bound in humic complexes were divided into several fractions by extraction with different reagents (distilled water, 1M MgCl2, 1M HCl and 0,025M NH4EDTA). Two extraction methods were used: sequential and fractional. During the fractional extraction leaching of metal ions always proceeds in single agents from original komplex, whereas during the sequential extraction leaching proceeds gradually in all extraction agents in order according to rising afinity of agents, i.e. bond strength of metal ions in samples. Amount of metal ions in leaches after extractions was analysed by UV-VIS spektrometry.
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Influence of reactivity on transport of metal ions in humic gels
Smitalová, Michaela ; Pabst, Willi (referee) ; Klučáková, Martina (advisor)
This diploma thesis deals with copper(II) ions diffusion in the humic hydrogels. The hydrogels were prepared from several samples of humic acids using different method and their isolation conditions from the original matrix. A selective blocking of functional groups (COOH, OH) was performed in the selected samples of humic acids. These reactive groups were selectively blocked using methylation agent trimethylsilyl-diazomethane. The success of performed methylation and functional groups blocking was verified using a FT-IR spectroscopy. There was carried out the set of diffusion experiments. The experimental arrangement was selected to enable an instantaneous planar source met-hod for data processing. The basis of this method was to determine the copper(II) ions con-centration distribution in the hydrogels. The method consists of slicing of the hydrogels after the diffusion experiments, extraction of the copper ions in the solution and determina-tion of concentration in the extracts from individual slices using UV-VIS spectroscopy. Based on the experimental data the effective diffusion coefficients were determined. The resulting values include both the effect of hydrogels structure and the effect of the reaction between Cu(II) ions and humic acids. There were prepared gels with defined portion of blocked functional groups for selected samples, which allowed to investigate the effect of reactivity on the copper ions diffusion without the significant changes in the gel structure (porosity). The blocking of functional groups reflected in a lower values of diffusion coefficients in comparison to the gels prepared from unmodified humic acids as follows. There was also confirmed the effect of humic acids isolation procedure and their properties on the diffusivity.
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Characterization of methylated humic acids
Solná, Irena ; Kislinger, Jiří (referee) ; Klučáková, Martina (advisor)
The main concern of this bachelor thesis was a characterization of the properties of methylated humic acids. Retrieval on modifications of acidic functional groups of humic substances was done. In addition appropriate experimental methods for assessing the impact of methylation of carboxylic groups of humic acids were selected. Methylation of formentioned carboxylic groups is used to improve stability of humic acids while working with them. The sample of methylated humic acids, produced by the University of Poitiers in France, was investigated by the following methods: UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and thermal analysis - TGA, DSC. The degree of methylation of carboxylic functional groups of methylated humic acids was considered using an indirect titration. Results were trade-off with the sample without methylation. The impact of gelation on properties of methylated and non-methylated humic acids was also studied.
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One more drop for decreasing reproduction
Dvořáková-Hortová, K. ; Šídlová, A. ; Děd, Lukáš ; Hladovcová, D. ; Vieweg, M. ; Weidner, W. ; Steger, K. ; Stopka, P. ; Paradowska-Dogan, A.
Toxoplasma gondii is a common protozoan parasite that infects warm-blooded animals throughout the world, including mice and humans. During infection, both, the parasite and the host, utilize various mechanisms to maximize their own reproductive success. Mice and humans are both the intermediate hosts for Toxoplasma gondii, which forms specialized vacuoles containing reproductive cysts in the formers’ tissue. As half of the human population is infected, developing a disease called toxoplasmosis, along with an ever-growing number of couples suffering with idiopathic infertility, it is therefore surprising that there is a lack of research on how T.gondii can alter reproductive parameters. In this study, a detailed histometric screening of the testicular function along with the levels of the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) were analysed in infected mice. Data on relative testis and epididymis weight, and sperm count were also collected. Based on the results obtained, the level of LH in the urine of Toxoplasma gondii infected mice was lower compared to the control. In direct correlation with the hormone level, testicular function and sperm production was also significantly lower in T. gondii positive group using sperm count and histometric analysis as a marker. Not only were the number of leptotene primary spermatocytes and spermatids lowered, but the number of Sertoli cells and the tubule diameter were elevated. In parallel, a pilot epigenetic study on global testicular methylation, and specific methylation of Crem, Creb1 and Hspa1genes essential for successfully ongoing spermatogenesis was performed. Global methylation was elevated in Toxoplasma infected mice, and differences in the DNA methylation of selected genes were detected between the Toxoplasma positive and control group. These findings demonstrate a direct relation between T. gondii infection and the decrease of male reproductive fitness in mice, which may contribute to an increase of infertility in humans.
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