5 research outputs found
Influence of Weak Interactions on Supramolecular Binding: Characterization of Cucurbituril Complexes with Alkylmonoammonium Ions Using Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry
No full textThis thesis focuses on using mass spectrometry-based techniques for characterizing the structure and behavior of cucurbituril complexes in the gas phase. Both solvent and counter ion effects can be completely eliminated in the gas phase and the intrinsic interactions in the system are directly shown in the experimental results. Chapter 1 introduces the structures, properties and host-guest chemistry of cucurbituril, and FTICR mass spectrometry including instrumentation, performance and working principles. Two mass spectrometry-based methods for supramolecular characterization, sustained off-resonance irradiation collision induced dissociation (SORI CID) and ion molecule equilibrium measurements, are also discussed in this chapter. Chapter 2 characterizes the dissociation and reaction behaviors of the complexes formed by cucurbit[5]uril (CB5) and primary monoamines [CH3(CH2)nNH2, n = 0-7] as well as similar studies of decamethylcucurbit[5]uril (mc5) in the gas phase. This study probes host-guest interactions between the neutral cucurbituril host and alkyl chains of varying length. All the cucurbit[5]uril and decamethylcucurbit[5]uril complexes have external binding. The dissociation thresholds of the complexes suggest that the optimum monoammonium chain length for binding CB5 in the gas phase occurs for n = 2, whereas for mc5 the optimum is n = 0. Reactivity studies of CB5 and mc5 complexes indicate the highest binding affinity appears at n = 6 for CB5 and n = 5 for mc5. Chapter 3 investigates the complexes formed by cucurbit[6]uril and primary monoamines using energy resolved SORI CID methods and ion molecule equilibrium measurements. The fragmentation data, branching ratios for the various channels, and the reactivities of the complexes suggest the complexes have the monoammonium threaded through the cavity of CB6 forming a pseudorotaxane architecture. Reactivity studies of complexes of cucurbit[7]uril reveal behaviors distinctive from CB5, mc5 or CB6, which suggests both internally-bound and externally-bound structures are present in CB7 complexes
Fiber design for high-power low-cost Yb:Al-doped fiber laser operating at 980nm
No full textWe investigated an Yb:Al-doped depressed-clad hollow optical fiber (DCHOF) for cladding-pumped 980nm laser operation. With a careful design, the nonzero fundamental-mode cutoff characteristics of a DCHOF allows the competing 1030-1060nm emission to be filtered out, despite being quite close to 980nm. The laser yielded over 3W of output power in a diffraction limited beam (M -parameter degrades to 2.7, as a result of increased cladding-mode lasing, as the cladding thickness is reduced
Analysis of the common genetic component of large-vessel vasculitides through a meta-Immunochip strategy.
No full textGiant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) are major forms of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) that share clinical features. To evaluate their genetic similarities, we analysed Immunochip genotyping data from 1,434 LVV patients and 3,814 unaffected controls. Genetic pleiotropy was also estimated. The HLA region harboured the main disease-specific associations. GCA was mostly associated with class II genes (HLA-DRB1/HLA-DQA1) whereas TAK was mostly associated with class I genes (HLA-B/MICA). Both the statistical significance and effect size of the HLA signals were considerably reduced in the cross-disease meta-analysis in comparison with the analysis of GCA and TAK separately. Consequently, no significant genetic correlation between these two diseases was observed when HLA variants were tested. Outside the HLA region, only one polymorphism located nearby the IL12B gene surpassed the study-wide significance threshold in the meta-analysis of the discovery datasets (rs755374, P = 7.54E-07; ORGCA = 1.19, ORTAK = 1.50). This marker was confirmed as novel GCA risk factor using four additional cohorts (PGCA = 5.52E-04, ORGCA = 1.16). Taken together, our results provide evidence of strong genetic differences between GCA and TAK in the HLA. Outside this region, common susceptibility factors were suggested, especially within the IL12B locus
Melanocortin receptor accessory proteins in adrenal disease and obesity
No full textThis is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.Research on MRAPs is supported by an MRC/Academy of Medical Sciences Clinician Scientist Fellowship to LFC (grant number G0802796)
Translational research in rheumatoid arthritis: Exploiting melanocortin receptors
No full textThe copyright of this thesis rests with the author and no quotation from it or information derived from it may be published without the prior written consent of the authorRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 1% of the population. The aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, although there are multiple postulated theories. In 1950, Philip Hench won the Nobel prize for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis with cortisone. He also treated 6 patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) with good results. ACTH is a melanocortin. The melanocortin system describes the five melanocortin receptors, their ligands, agonists and antagonists and the accessory proteins. The aim of this study was to explore the melanocortin receptors in rheumatoid arthritis synovium.
Methods
HA-tagged stable cell lines were created for MC1R, MC3R and MC5R. Multiple antibodies were tested for their utility using Western Blot, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Samples of synovium from 28 patients with RA were tested using RTPCR for the presence of MC1R and MC3R. Gene expression was correlated with clinical characteristics, cytokine (RTPCR) expression and immunohistochemical score.
Results
The stable cell lines expressed MC1R, MC3R and MC5R respectively. Of the antibodies tested none were found to be of utility in detecting MC1R or MC3R .The MC1R RQ values in rheumatoid synovium appear to split into two groups, high and low. The medians of the two groups are significantly different (p=0.0005). There is almost a 5 cycle, or 64 fold, difference in gene expression between the medians of the two groups (1.59 v 6.23). Of note no MC3R positive samples were CD138 high (i.e. no MC3R positive samples had a significant plasma cell infiltrate) (p=0.006). Categorical analysis using Fishers Exact test revealed an association between MC1R high samples and CD68 lining high scores, (i.e. MC1R high samples also had a high macrophage score in the lining of the sample) (p=0.02). MC1R low samples were associated with not being on combination therapy,
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this did not quite reach significance (p=0.07). Linear regression analysis confirmed these associations for MC1R. PCA analysis did not show any grouping of samples according to any of the variables tested, likely due to sample size.
Conclusion
MC1R and MC3R are found in human synovium. Current commercial antibodies are not of utility in detecting MC1R or MC3R. Synovial samples can be split into high and low MC1R gene expression groups. MC3R was either present or absent. High expression of MC1R was associated with a high macrophage score and MC3R expression was associated with a low plasma cell score. MC1R and MC3R expression in RA synovium could be used as biomarkers of disease state or severity as well as a target for therapy
