Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Reaction affinity'

A novel use of the four-component Ugi reaction to generate a solid-phase, immunoglobulin-binding library is described herein. An aldehyde-functionalised Sepharose solid-support constituted one component in the four-component reaction, whereas the other three components (a carboxylic acid, a primary or secondary amine and an isonitrile) were varied in a combinatorial fashion to generate the final tri-substituted scaffold structure which provides a degree of rigidity and functionality suitable for rational investigation of immunoglobulin binding. The Ugi ligand library was initially screened chromatographically against whole human IgG and fragmented (Fc and Fab) molecules. A number of putative lead candidates emerged for whole IgG, in addition to highly specific Fab and Fc-binding ligands. A Fab-specific ligand (A3C1I1) comprising an Ugi scaffold substituted with 1-amino-2-naphthol (A3), glutaric acid (C1) and isopropyl isocyanide (I1) was selected based on its ability to bind Fab differentially over Fc. Preparative chromatography of IgG from human plasma showed 100% of serum IgG was adsorbed from the 20 mg ml^-1 crude stock and subsequently eluted with a purity of 81.0% under non-optimised conditions. High purity Fab and IgG isolation was achieved from both yeast and E. coli host cell proteins. The lead candidate was modelled in silico and docked into a human Fab fragment (PDB: 1AQK) to suggest a putative binding interface to the constant CH₁-CL Fab terminal through six defined hydrogen bond interactions together with putative hydrophobic interactions. The immobilised ligand was subjected to a series of studies to define an optimised affinity adsorbent which binds 73.06 mg IgG ml^-1 moist gel (dynamic binding capacity at 10% breakthrough) and a static binding capacity of 16.1 ± 0.25 mg Fab ml^-1 moist resin displaying an affinity constant K_d: (2.6 ± 0.3) x 10^-6 M.

Chemical reactions can have a staggering amount of molecular complexity. Reaction mechanisms have been proposed with over one hundred elementary reaction steps that occur in the same system simultaneously. While several methods exist to simplify and make sense of the pathways and kinetics via which these reactions proceed, e.g., reaction graphs, sensitivity or flux analysis, microkinetic analysis, and comparison of energy landscapes, etc., these methods all have limitations and are often not able to capture a comprehensive picture of the kinetics of system. It has been found useful to view these mechanisms as a network, i.e., a reaction graph. These graphs enable the visualization of the pathways of the reaction and can provide an analytical tool for pathway and kinetic analysis. However, many of the specific graph-theoretic approaches in the literature are not the most suitable for kinetic analysis of complex mechanisms; as they are simply not based on rules that are rigorous enough to fully enumerate all the pathways or provide quantitative analysis of the reaction rates. Our Reaction Route (RR) Graph approach is different in that it depicts the mechanism by a graph that is consistent with all physical and chemical laws associated with reaction networks, particularly being consistent with mass and energy conservation, i.e., Kirchoff’s Flux Law (KFL) and Kirchoff’s Potential Law (KPL). Because of their adherence to these laws, RR Graphs are able to provide an accurate graph-theoretical tool not only for depicting all reactions routes as walks (hence the name RR Graph) but also for pruning mechanisms and allowing a simplified but accurate quantitative description of reaction rates. This adherence to KFL and KPL does mean that the construction and implementation of these graphs can be prohibitively difficult for large mechanisms. For large reaction systems,especially nonlinear mechanisms, it is not realistic to generate these graphs by hand. And although there exists an analytical solution to find a determinant matrix for the RR Graph of a mechanism, the process involves an exhaustive search for a solution which experiences a combinatorial explosion as the number of steps gets very large. This leads to the idea of developing an algorithm for a computer program that can determine how to generate these graphs automatically. Unfortunately, the same combinatorial explosion is present such that for a moderately sized twenty step mechanism, it could take an average computational processor over a decade to find a solution. We have determined, however, that this brute force combinatorial approach can be avoided if heuristics could be developed to bridge gaps in our knowledge of how these graphs are constructed. Thus, developing a better analytical approach and/or a tighter set of heuristics for a computer algorithm are the overarching goals of this work. To make progress toward developing such heuristics, a set of microkinetic mechanisms were analyzed with the notion that the realization of the RR Graphs would highlight a better approach to their construction and usage. In particular, a very large linear reaction system, a smaller linear system and two non-linear reaction systems were analyzed to develop insights into how each graph is manually constructed and analyzed. Furthermore, kinetic analysis was done for these mechanisms and compared to experimental data and other analytical tools to prove not only the validity of the RR Graphs, but also how they are a significant improvement over more commonly used approaches for mechanistic and kinetic analysis. Based on the lessons learned through a consideration of these examples, a set of heuristics are established and enumerated with the ultimate goal of developing an intuitive algorithm that can help automate drawing and kinetic analysis via RR Graphs of complex mechanisms.

This dissertation presents the application of mass spectrometry to the detection and characterization of microorganisms based on biomarker identification and DNA analysis. Two major topics are covered: affinity capture mass spectrometry using immunoassay methods and methods involving insertion of membrane receptors into polymerized planar supported lipid bilayers; and the application of mass spectrometry for use in clinical microbiology for the identification of microorganisms causing bloodstream infections. Affinity capture mass spectrometry on immunoassay-based platforms studied the capture of Protein A from Staphylococcus aureus , demonstrating capture that is both selective and sensitive. Experiments illustrated successful capture from a purified source and cell lysates. Affinity capture using receptors inserted into polymerized lipid bilayers was also performed using GM1 and cholera toxin subunit B, demonstrating the enhanced stability offered by polymerizing the lipid bilayers such that direct ionization could be performed. Detection of protein binding was achieved with mass spectrometry at low molar ratios of receptor, and enzymatic digestion experiments on the protein retained at the surface illustrated the ability to characterize the protein ligand bound, lending support to using this technique for reverse pharmacological applications. Lastly, experiments demonstrated that affinity capture of surface-bound proteins can also be used to extract cells from complex mixture prior to the polymerase chain reaction, illustrating utility as a pre-treatment for detecting microorganisms in blood samples. Mass spectrometry was applied to detection of microorganisms from blood culture bottles collected from patients with bloodstream infections. Polymerase chain reaction electrospray ionization and whole cell matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry were used to characterize hematopathogens. High diagnostic accuracy was demonstrated with respect to culture-based testing and these two platforms were compared considering accuracy in identification, time to result, and cost benefit analysis. The experiments presented here cover a broad range of detection strategies for identifying proteins and microorganisms. The affinity capture techniques describe the first application of peptide capture and polymerized bilayers for mass spectrometric analysis, and the clinical mass spectrometry work demonstrates validation of two emerging techniques and the first comparative study on both platforms simultaneously. All research presented here demonstrates promise for application of mass spectrometry in diagnostic biology.

The fate of DNA from dead cells is an important issue when interpreting results from root canal infections analysed by the PCR technique. DNA from dead bacterial cells is known to be detectable long time after cell death and its stability is dependent on many different factors. This work investigated factors found in the root canal that could affect the recovery of microbial DNA. In an ex vivo experiment, DNA from non-viable gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis was inoculated in instrumented root canals and recovery of DNA was assessed by PCR over a two-year period. DNA was still recoverable two years after cell death in 21/25 teeth. The fate of DNA from the gram-negative bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and the gram-positive Peptostreptococcus anaerobius was assessed in vitro. DNA from dead F. nucleatum and P. anaerobius could be detected by PCR six months post cell death even though it was clear that the DNA was released from the cells due to lost of cell wall integrity during the experimental period. The decomposition rate of extracellular DNA was compared to cell-bound and it was evident that DNA still located inside the bacterium was much less prone to decay than extracellular DNA. Free (extracellular) DNA is very prone to decay in a naked form. Binding to minerals is known to protect DNA from degradation. The fate of extracellular DNA was assessed after binding to ceramic hydroxyapatite and dentine. The data showed that free DNA, bound to these materials, was protected from spontaneous decay and from enzymatic decomposition by nucleases. The main conclusions from this thesis were: i) DNA from dead bacteria can be detected by PCR years after cell death ex vivo and in vitro. ii) Cell-bound DNA is less prone to decomposition than extracellular DNA. iii) DNA is released from the bacterium some time after cell death. iv) Extracellular DNA bound to hydroxyapatite or dentine is protected from spontaneous decomposition and enzymatic degradation.

Le paludisme et la leishmaniose sont les deux plus importantes infections parasitaires au monde, en termes de mortalité. La recherche de nouvelles molécules actives contre les protozoaires responsables de ces « maladies tropicales négligées », Plasmodium sp et Leishmania sp, est un enjeu majeur de santé publique. Après une première partie dressant un état des lieux des connaissances disponibles en matière de chimiothérapie antiplasmodiale, une seconde partie s’est intéressée à l’étude des propriétés anti-infectieuses du noyau 2-trichlorométhyl-quinazoline, en introduisant en position 4 des motifs alcynyles par couplage de Sonogashira, optimisés par LC/MS. Une troisième partie a porté sur la pharmacomodulation en positions 2 et 4 du même noyau, notamment par réactions de SNAr. Une quatrième partie a consisté à rechercher le mécanisme d'action des meilleures quinazolines antiplasmodiales, via une approche de chromatographie d'affinité sur inhibiteur immobilisé. La fonctionnalisation multi-étapes des molécules les plus puissantes, par un bras espaceur, a été suivie de leur ancrage sur divers supports solides, pour constituer des matrices biocompatibles spécifiques. L’une d’entre-elles a permis la mise en évidence de 2 cibles plasmodiales protéiques originales : la GTPase Pfrab6 et la pyruvate-kinase PfpyrK1. Enfin, une cinquième partie relate la pharmacomodulation antileishmanienne du noyau 8-nitroquinoléin-2(1H)-one. Les travaux se sont intéressés à l'étude de la substitution de la position 4 de ce noyau par des réactions de SNAr, ainsi que des réactions de couplages pallado-catalysés optimisées à l’aide de la technologie micro-ondes
Malaria and leishmaniasis are the two most important parasitic infections worldwide, in terms of mortality. Thus, the research for new molecules targeting the protozoa parasites responsible for these “neglected tropical diseases”, Plasmodium sp and Leishmania sp, constitute a major challenge in public health. Our work focused first on a current state of knowledge about antiplasmodial chemotherapy. In a view to develop the study of the anti-infective properties of the 2-trichloromethylquinazoline scaffold, a second part presented antiplasmodial pharmacomodulation at position 4 using Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction, optimized with the LC/MS technology. A third part concerned other pharmacomodulation reactions, especially at positions 2 and 4, using especially SNAR reactions. A fourth part consisted in the research of the mechanism of action of the best antiplasmodial quinazolines by using the affinity chromatography on immobilized inhibitor approach. The multi-step functionalization of the most potent derivatives by a spacer side chain was followed by their anchoring onto various solid supports, so as to generate different biocompatible specific matrices. One of them, put in contact with a parasitic lysate, allowed the identification of two original plasmodial targets: the GTPase Pfrab6 and the pyruvate-kinase PfpyrK1. Finally, a fifth part presented the antileishmanial pharmacomodulation of the 8-nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one scaffold, especially at position 4 of the quinoline ring, involving SNAr reactions (with amines, phenols or thiophenols) or pallado-catalyzed coupling reactions (in particular Suzuki-Miyaura), some of them being optimized under microwave irradiation

Ebselen (Ebs) is considered as a glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mimetic and primarily thought to function by scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Previous to our work, Deng et al. (2010a) demonstrated complete block of ICl,swell with 15 microM Ebs following endothelin-1 (ET-1) induced activation of the current in cardiomyocytes. This block was presumed to take effect mainly via the quenching of ROS. Nonetheless, our work with DI TNC1 astrocytes strongly emphasizes that Ebs might function by an alternative mechanism based on its kinetic profile in blocking ICl,swell. Our experiments showed that 45 nM Ebs can fully block ICl,swell thus suggesting an apparent IC50 result, we predicted Ebs to possess a high kon with a low koff close to zero. As predicted, Ebs failed to washout in the timescale covered by our patch-clamp experiments. The block was also distal to H2O2, previously considered as the most proximate regulator of ICl,swell. And based on further evidence demonstrating irreversible block of ICl,swell distal to H2O2 with Ebs congeners, complete suppression of native ICl,swell with MTS reagents, and failure of Ebs to block ICl,swell from the cytosol, we concluded that Ebs and its congeners can covalently modify important –SH groups required for current activation while functioning as sulfhydryl reagents. Complete irreversible block of ICl,swell with 110 mM cell impermeant MTSES in native DI TNC1 astrocytes contrasts sharply to SWELL1 (Qiu et al., 2014) or LRRC8A (Voss et al., 2014), the latest molecular entity presumably responsible for ICl,swell, where 3.33 mM MTSES failed to demonstrate block of ICl,swell in the wild-type stably expressing SWELL1 (Qiu et al., 2014). Our data with Ebs, its congeners, and MTS reagents indicate the existence of a common extracellular binding site which involves a selenenylsulfide (Se-S) bond that critically modulates ICl,swell. We, therefore, synthesized a derivative of Ebs called ebselen-para-yne (Ebs-p-yne), which provided an even higher affinity for blocking ICl,swell with a presumed IC50 ~picomolar range. Ebs-p-yne is a promising novel molecule that may serve as a tag in identifying the molecular fingerprint ultimately responsible for ICl,swell. Furthermore, we can take advantage of click chemistry to ultimately pull out the channel or channel component which has remained elusive for greater than two decades.

A novel concept for protein recognition has been developed. The recognition unit is a hybrid molecule obtained by conjugation of a small organic molecule to a synthetic polypeptide selected from a 16-membered set of 42 amino acid residue sequences. The sequences are unordered and have no prior relation to the target proteins. The concept is based on the hypothesis that a small set of sequences capable of hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions can yield a binder for any selected protein, provided that the small molecule shows medium affinity or better and is reasonably selective. The concept has been illustrated by the design, synthesis and evaluation of binders for three different proteins, the C-reactive protein, CRP, human Carbonic anhydrase II, HCAII, and Acetylcholine esterase, AChE. Highly efficient binders for CRP have been developed by conjugation of a derivative of the natural ligand, phosphocholine, to the side chain of one of the amino acids in each polypeptide. The binders in the set show a wide range of affinities for CRP and the tightest binder, 4-C10L17-PC6, binds almost irreversibly. Selected binders have been evaluated in human serum, where they capture CRP with high selectivity.High-affinity binders have been developed for HCAII, and the selectivity evaluated by extraction of the protein from blood. The binder 4-C37L34-B, a polypeptide conjugated to a spacered benzenesulphonamide residue, was able to extract Carbonic anhydrases specifically and to discriminate between the two isoforms of human Carbonic anhydrase. The conjugation of an acridine derivative to a polypeptide via a 14 atom spacer has been shown to yield a binder with high affinity and selectivity for AChE. The selectivity was demonstrated by extraction of AChE from Cerebrospinal fluid. This thesis focuses on the development of a fast and reliable procedure for the construction, selection and evaluation of protein binders, with the ambition to develop a technology that is applicable to the development of binders for all proteins.

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Bioengenharia (MIT-Portugal)
O capítulo 1 foi parcialmente reproduzido de um artigo previamente publicado sob permissão dos editores originais e sujeito às restrições de cópia impostos pelos mesmos.
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - (SFRH/BD/64427/2009) and the project PTDC/EBB-BIO/102163/2008 assigned to Prof. Cecília Roque, and also to the Associate Laboratory REQUIMTE (PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2013)

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Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infects humans among other ways, from the gastrointestinal tract, site of expression of ABO antigens through epistatic interactions between ABO, Secretor and Lewis genes. The toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TR) disease resulting from this infection is considered the main cause of posterior uveitis. Objective: To evaluate the risk factors that contribute to infection with T. gondii and development of TR. Materials and Methods: After obtaining informed consent (case 050/2009), peripheral blood and serum samples from 357 patients were analyzed. Patients were divided in two groups according to presence (n=82) or absence (n=275) of clinical diagnosis of TR. ABO and Lewis phenotyping were performed using the methods of hemagglutination in tubes and gel columns, respectively. Indirect immunofluorescence (IFI), ELISA and avidity test were used to define titration and avidity of the anti-T. gondii antibodies. The genotypes FUT2 and FUT3 were identified by PCR-RFLP and the parasite DNA by conventional PCR. Results: From the overall 357 analyzed samples, 74.8% were ELISA reagents and 25.2% were non reagent for IgG anti-T. gondii. IgM antibodies were not found and any samples. High titer (≥ 4000) were observed in 8.1% of the patients with TR and 1% of those with other ocular diseases (ODO) (p=0.03), whereas the values of high avidity (≥ 60%) were similar between the groups (p=0.44). The PCR results were positive in 21/62 (33.9%) with TR and 1/101 xviii (0.9%) among those with ODO and reagents for IgG anti-T. gondii (p<0.0001). Direct contact with cat and / or dog (p=0.009) and ingestion of raw or undercooked meat (p=0.03) were associated with infection by T. gondii but not the TR. The Le(a-b+) phenotype (p=0.03) showed a lower risk for infection, while the Le(a+b-) phenotype (p=0.08) seems to favor the development of TR. Conclusions: The results demonstrate high frequency of presumable TR among patients with ocular diseases. Besides reveal that majority of patients with TR present low titers of IgG anti-T. gondii, with high avidity and that T. gondii can be find in the peripheral blood of approximately one third of patients independent of ocular lesions resulting from toxoplasmosis. The presence of dogs and cats as well as ingestion of raw or undercooked meat increases the risk of infection by T. gondii, but does not influence the development of TR. The high Leb antigen expression reflects protective effect against infection with T. gondii, as well as the antigen Lea seems to favor the development of TR.
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infecta os seres humanos dentre outras vias, pelo trato gastrintestinal, local de expressão dos antígenos ABO por meio de interações epistáticas entre os genes ABO, Secretor e Lewis. A retinocoroidite toxoplásmica (RT), doença resultante desta infecção, é considerada a principal causa de uveíte posterior. Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores de risco que contribuem para infecção por T. gondii e desenvolvimento da RT. Materiais e Métodos: Após obtenção do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido (parecer 050/2009), amostras de sangue periférico e soro de 357 pacientes foram analisadas. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a presença (n=82) ou ausência (n=275) de diagnóstico clínico da RT. As fenotipagens ABO e Lewis foram realizadas por meio dos métodos de hemaglutinação em tubos e colunas de gel, respectivamente. Imunofluorescência indireta (IFI), ELISA e teste de avidez foram utilizados para definir as classes (IgM e IgG), o título e a avidez dos anticorpos IgG anti-T. gondii. Os genótipos FUT2 e FUT3 foram identificados por PCR-RFLP e o DNA do parasito por PCR convencional. Resultados: Das 357 amostras analisadas, 74,8% foram reagentes no ELISA e 25,2% não reagentes. Não foram encontradas amostras reagentes para IgM. Títulos elevados (≥ 4.000) foram observados em 8,1% dos pacientes com RT e em 1% daqueles com outras doenças oculares (ODO) (p=0,03), enquanto que os índices de avidez elevados xvi (≥ 60%) foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos (p=0,44). O PCR mostrou-se positivo em 21/62 (33,9%) com RT e em 1/101 (0,9%) daqueles com ODO, reagentes para IgG anti-T. gondii (p<0,0001). Contato direto com gato e/ou cão (p=0.009) e ingestão de carne crua ou mal cozida (p=0.03) associaram-se à infecção por T. gondii, mas não a RT. O fenótipo Le(a-b+) (p=0.03) apresentou menor risco para infecção, enquanto que o fenótipo Le(a+b-) (p=0.08) parece favorecer o desenvolvimento da RT. Conclusões: Os resultados demonstram elevada frequência de RT presumível em pacientes com doenças oculares. Além disso, revelam que a maioria dos pacientes com RT apresentam baixos títulos de anticorpos IgG anti-T. gondii, com alta avidez e que o T. gondii encontra-se no sangue circulante de aproximadamente um terço dos pacientes independente da presença de lesões oculares resultantes da toxoplasmose. A presença de cães e/ou gatos bem como ingestão de carne crua ou mal cozida eleva os riscos de infecção por T. gondii, mas não influenciam no desenvolvimento da RT. A elevada expressão do antígeno Leb reflete efeito protetor contra a infecção pelo T. gondii, assim como o antígeno Lea parece favorecer o desenvolvimento da RT.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are potential generic alternatives to antibodies in diagnostics and separations. To compete with biomolecules in these technological niches, MIPs need to share the characteristics of antibodies (solubility, size, specificity and affinity) whilst maintaining the advantages of MIPs (low cost, short development time and high stability). For this reason the interest in preparing MIPs as nanoparticles (MIP NPs) has increased exponentially in the last decade. Cont/d.

As part of this project and in preparation for future experimental studies of gas-phase ion-molecule reactions, extensive modification and characterization of the crossed molecular beam machine in the Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury has been carried out. This instrument has been configured and some preliminary testing completed to enable the future study of gas-phase ion-molecule collisions of H⁺₃ and Y⁻ (Y = F, Cl, Br) with dipole-oriented CZ₃X (Z = H, F and X = F, Cl, Br). Theoretical calculations (ab initio and density functional theory) are reported on previously experimentally characterized Na + CH₃NO₂, Na + CH₃NC, and K + CH₃NC systems, and several other systems of relevance. All gas-phase experimental and theoretical studies have the common theme of studying collision orientation dependence of reaction under singlecollision conditions. Experimental measurements, theoretical simulations and calculations are also reported on some selected ferrous (Fe²⁺) high-spin (S=2) crystals, in an attempt to resolve microscopic contributions of two fundamental macroscopic tensor properties: the electric-field gradient (efg); and the mean square displacement (msd) in the case when more than one symmetry related site of low local point-group symmetry contributes to the same quadrupole doublet. These determinations have been made using the nuclear spectroscopic technique of Mössbauer spectroscopy, and complemented with X-ray crystallographic measurements.

Hydrocarbons are an abundant resource of carbon and hydrogen. For example, fossil can be used to produce useful organic compounds. However hydrocarbons seem to be inert. Thus, the activation of the C-H bond is a popular research area. Metals play the main role in most catalysts that convert hydrocarbons to starting materials in industry. The study of metals is important because the properties of the metal core greatly influences the reactivity of a catalyst.1 The study of the chemistry of metals in the gas phase provides valuable information about the properties of metals. This information can be expanded to the chemistry of metals in the condensed phase. Furthermore, it is often both more accurate and more manageable to study the profile of a reaction in the gas phase than in the condensed phase.2,3 There are many studies about metal cations in the gas phase due to ease of their production. However metals have low electronegativity, limiting the study of gas phase metal anions. Recently, a simple and efficient method to generate atomic metal anions was developed at the University of Ottawa in Dr. Mayer's research laboratory.4-6 Atomic metal anions of Fe-, Co-, Cu-, Ag-, Cs- and K- were generated in an electrospray ionization (ESI) source of a mass spectrometer (MS). In this thesis study generated metal anions were reacted with small hydrocarbons of pentane, 1-pentene, 2-pentene and 1-pentyne to investigate the role of different metal anions in the activation of the C-H bond. Also metal anions were reacted with small alcohols of 1-butanol, 2-butanol and 2-methyl-2-propanol to compare the results. Metal anions showed a variety of reactions with these hydrocarbons and alcohols. Fe- was the only metal anion to show the electron transfer reaction, indicating that alcohols are more electronegative than Fe- and less electronegative than other metal anions. Fe-, Co- and Ag- showed the complex formation reaction. All metal anions showed the deprotonation reaction. A deprotonation reaction follows the harpoon mechanism, the long range proton abstraction7, and depends on the gas phase acidity of fragments. The most informative reaction observed was the dehydrogenation reaction because a metal-containing fragment is observed as a product in the spectrum of this reaction. The observation of a metal-containing fragment in the spectrum is significant because it emphasizes the important role that metal anions play in this reaction. This suggests that a dehydrogenation reaction involves metal insertion into a C-H bond. Among the transition metal anions, it was observed that Fe- and Cu- are more reactive than Co- and Ag- with regards to the dehydrogenation reaction, probably because Fe- and Cu- have a greater hydrogen affinity than Co- and Ag- that facilitates the hydrogen abstraction reaction. Another reason could be that Fe- and Cu- have a greater gas phase acidity that leads to a more stable intermediate in the course of the reaction. The results of this thesis study revealed that Cs- and K- could not abstract H from these substrates, probably due to the absence of occupied d orbitals that would facilitate insertion into a C-H bond. Some metal anions not only can insert into a C-H bond of alcohols but also can insert into a C-O bond of alcohols to form metal hydroxide anions. Alcohols are more reactive than hydrocarbons with regards to reactions with metal anions because they contain a functional group. This thesis study shows that some atomic metal anions are able to activate the C-H bond and abstract two hydrogens to form a double bond in hydrocarbons. It is probable that the electronic configuration, gas phase acidity and hydrogen affinity of the metal anions governs their reactivity.

Unrecognized metamorphic complexities can produce erroneous interpretations when using equilibrium thermodynamics and isotope geochronology. Universally employed methods for determining pressure-temperature conditions during regional metamorphism are based on the assumption of chemical equilibrium, and geochronology in metamorphic rocks can suffer from cryptic redistribution of isotopes. In this research, the scales of disequilibrium in regionally metamorphosed rocks and the effects of garnet resorption on Lu-Hf garnet ages were examined through numerical simulations of these processes. Concerning scales of disequilibrium, thirteen porphyroblastic datasets, previously measured using X-ray computed tomography, were examined by numerically simulating diffusion-controlled nucleation and growth of garnet while tracking chemical potential gradients to determine reaction affinity Ar (-[Delta]rG). Maximum nucleation rates are 10⁻¹³̇⁶-10⁻⁹̇⁸ nuclei cm⁻³ s⁻¹, interfacial energies are 0.004-0.14 J m⁻² assuming shape factors of 0.1-1.0, and Al intergranular diffusion (QD = 140 kJ/mol⁻¹) is 10⁻¹⁴̇⁴-10⁻¹¹̇¹ m² s⁻¹ at 600 °C. Limitations in determining crystallization kinetics arise from difficulties in constraining rock-specific properties (e.g., porosity and Al solubility). Ar at the time and location of nucleation is 0.4-5.9 kJ/mol⁻¹ of 12-oxygen garnet ([Delta]T = 4.0-62.0 °C) for the earliest nuclei, and 5.3-29.0 kJ/mol⁻¹ ([Delta]T = 50-125 °C) for nucleation at maximum Ar. The results demonstrate potential for delayed nucleation and metastability that can generate spurious interpretations. The timing of metamorphic events is also critical for understanding geologic history. In the Makhavinekh Lake Pluton aureole, Labrador, garnet resorption caused redistribution of Lu and loss of Hf from consumed rims, creating spuriously young ages. Garnet-ilmenite Lu-Hf geochronology using bulk separates yields apparent ages that young toward the contact from 1876 ± 21 Ma (4025 m) to 1396 ± 8 Ma (450 m). Toward the contact, garnet crystals are progressively more resorbed. Numerical modeling was used to test retention of Lu and loss of Hf during resorption as the dominant control on age. More resorption and Lu retention produce younger apparent ages (false ages). Application of the model to the aureole yields model ages from 1850 Ma to 1374 Ma, younging toward the contact. Thus, Lu-Hf geochronology applied to resorbed garnets requires careful examination of Lu zoning.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Chemistry.
Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 183-207). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR39001

碩士
樹德科技大學
人類性學研究所
102
The paper reports the results of a study that examined the relationships among love schemas, affinity-seeking behaviors and reactions to a romantic break-up. We asked 553 participants to recall the affinity-seeking strategies employed to initiate a romantic relationship and reactions to a romantic break-up and compared those strategies to their self-reported love schemas. Consistent with previous studies, relationships among love schemas, affinity-seeking behaviors and reactions to a romantic break-up were found, indicating that male students and female students relied on somewhat different strategies for affinity-seeking behaviors and reactions to a romantic break-up. Love schemas were also found to be correlated with the coping strategies employed in affinity-seeking and reactions to a romantic break-up. Implications of these results suggest that love schemas were good indicators to predict the strategies for affinity-seeking behaviors and reactions to a romantic break-up, and could be useful reference to promote affective education in senior high school in Taiwan. Limitations of the study and avenues for future research were discussed.

Dissertação de Mestrado em Investigação Biomédica apresentada à Faculdade de Medicina
As células Natural Killer T invariantes (iNKT) são um subtipo de células NKT que expressam um recetor de células T (TCR) semi-invariante. As células iNKT rapidamente produzem uma grande quantidade de citoquinas quando são estimuladas por antigénios e sugere-se que tenham um papel protetor na regulação do cancro e autoimunidade. Os antigénios que estimulam as células iNKT são lípidos apresentados no CD1d, uma molécula semelhante ao MHC (major histocompatibility complex) I, presente na superfície de células apresentadoras de antigénios. As células iNKT podem ser ativadas por lípidos endógenos e exógenos. O antigénio protótipo para ativação e identificação das iNKT é a α-galactosilceramida (α-GalCer). Recentemente, lípidos adicionais foram descritos, como a α-glucosilceramida (α-GlcCer). Por outro lado, as células T invariantes associadas à mucosa (MAIT) são uma população de linfócitos que partilham muitas semelhanças com as células iNKT. As células MAIT reconhecem antigénios não peptídicos apresentados numa molécula MHC I-like, MR1m e também têm uma cadeia α invariante do TCR. Os antigénios reconhecidos pelas MAIT são metabolitos microbianos derivados da síntese da riboflavina (vitamina B2). Há fatores pré-natais comuns a controlar o desenvolvimento das células iNKT e MAIT e há uma correlação positiva entre as frequências de ambas as populações em humanos. A doença de Gaucher é um distúrbio genético em que há defeitos no gene que codifica a enzima lisossomal β-glucosidase, causando uma acumulação de β-glucosilceramida (β-GlcCer) nas células.Neste estudo, quisemos avaliar se o armazenamento lisossomal anormal de β-GlcCer em doentes de Gaucher poderia alterar a reatividade das suas células iNKT à α-GlcCer. Assim, realizamos a caracterização das iNKT reativas à α-GlcCer destes pacientes. Foram também caracterizadas as suas células MAIT. Adicionalmente, quisemos aferir se as células iNKT de indivíduos saudáveis e doentes de Gaucher são reativas à α-GalCer e à α-GlcCer ou se há células iNKT que reagem apenas a um lípido. Assim, foram produzidos tetrâmeros CD1d carregados com estes lípidos, para marcar as iNKT de PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells). Testaram-se várias moléculas de streptavidina acopladas a fluorocromos durante a produção dos tetrâmeros de CD1d biotinilados para realizar experiências de co-marcação com tetrâmeros carregados com α-GalCer e α-GlcCer. Como não foi possível otimizar as experiências de co-marcação, as iNKT foram marcadas com tetrâmeros individuais. Não foram encontradas diferenças nas frequências e fenótipos de iNKT reativas a α-GalCer e α-GlcCer entre controlos e doentes. Ao juntar os indivíduos, observou-se que a percentagem de iNKT reativas à α-GalCer é mais alta que a percentagem de iNKT reativas à α-GlcCer (p<0.01). Além disso, a mediana da intensidade de fluorescência do tetrâmero CD1d carregado com α-GalCer foi significativamente maior que a do tetrâmero carregado com α-GlcCer (p<0.05). Em relação às MAIT, não houve diferenças significativas nas frequências e fenótipos entre doentes e controlos. A correlação positiva descrita na literatura entre células iNKT e MAIT também foi encontrada nos nossos controlos. No entanto, esta correlação estava ausente nos doentes de Gaucher.Concluindo, não se notou um efeito da acumulação da β-GlcCer na percentagem e fenótipos de iNKT reativas à α-GlcCer de doentes de Gaucher. Houve, porém, uma correlação alterada entre as iNKT e as MAIT. Além disso, há uma reatividade menor do TCR das iNKT à α-GlcCer, suplementando os resultados da literatura. Este estudo desvendou informação adicional sobre a biologia dos complexos CD1d-lípido-TCR das iNKT, assim como a relação entre as células iNKT e MAIT nos doentes de Gaucher.
Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are a subset of NKT cells that express a semi-invariant T cell receptor (TCR). iNKT cells rapidly produce large amounts of cytokines upon antigen stimulation and have been implied to have a protective role in the regulation of cancer and autoimmunity. The antigens that activate iNKT cells are lipids loaded onto CD1d, an MHC (major histocompatibility complex) I-like protein, present on the surface of antigen presenting cells. iNKT cells can be activated by both endogenous and exogenous lipids. The prototype antigen for iNKT activation and identification is α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). Recently, additional lipid antigens have been described, such as α-glucosylceramide (α-GlcCer). Mucosal associated invariant T cells (MAIT), on the other hand, are a lymphocyte population that shares many similarities to iNKT cells. MAIT cells recognize nonpeptide antigens presented in an MHC I-like molecule, MR1, and also have an invariant TCR α chain. The antigens recognized by MAIT cells are microbial metabolites derived from riboflavin (vitamin B2) synthesis. There are common prenatal environmental factors controlling the development of iNKT and MAIT cells, and there is a positive correlation between the frequencies of both populations in humans. Gaucher disease is a genetic disorder in which there are defects in the gene codifying the lysosomal enzyme β-glucosidase, causing an accumulation of β-glucosylceramide (β-GlcCer) in cells. In this study, we aimed to assess whether the abnormal lysosomal storage of β-GlcCer in Gaucher disease could alter the reactivity of the iNKT cells of its patients to α-GlcCer. Thus, we performed a characterization of the α-GlcCer reactive iNKT cells of these patients. We also performed a characterization of their MAIT cells. In addition, we wanted to the iNKT cells of healthy individuals and Gaucher patients are reactive to α-GalCer and α-GlcCer or if there are iNKT cells that react to a single lipid. For this purpose, CD1d tetramers loaded with these lipids were produced to stain iNKT cells from PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells). Several fluorochrome labelled streptavidin molecules were tested during the production of the biotinylated CD1d tetramers to perform co-staining experiments with α-GalCer and α-GlcCer loaded CD1d tetramers. As the optimization of the co-staining experiments was not possible, we decided to stain the iNKT cells with individual tetramers in separate tubes. Our results did not show differences in the frequencies and phenotypes of α-GalCer and α-GlcCer reactive iNKT cells between Gaucher patients and control subjects. When pooling the subjects together, we found that the percentage of α-GalCer reactive iNKT cells was higher than the percentage of α-GlcCer reactive iNKT cells (p<0.01). In addition, the median fluorescence intensity for the α-GalCer loaded CD1d tetramer was significantly higher than that of the α-GlcCer loaded tetramer (p<0.05). Regarding the MAIT cells, there were no significant differences in the frequencies and phenotypes between patients and controls. The positive correlation described between the literature between iNKT and MAIT cells was also found in our control subjects. However, this correlation was absent in our Gaucher patients. In conclusion, we did not observe an effect of the accumulation of β-GlcCer on the percentage and phenotypes of α-GlcCer reactive iNKT cells of Gaucher patients. There was, however, an altered correlation between iNKT and MAIT cells. In addition, there is a lower reactivity of the iNKT TCR to α-GlcCer, supplementing the results from the literature. This work brought additional data on the biology of the CD1d-lipid-TCR complexes of iNKT cells, as well as on the relationship between iNKT and MAIT cells in Gaucher patients.