Substitution of (R,S)-methadone by (R)-methadone: Impact on QTc interval.

Methadone is administered as a chiral mixture of (R,S)-methadone. The opioid effect is mainly mediated by (R)-methadone, whereas (S)-methadone blocks the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) voltage-gated potassium channel more potently, which can cause drug-induced long QT syndrome, leading to potentially lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmias. To investigate whether substitution of (R,S)-methadone by (R)-methadone could reduce the corrected QT (QTc) interval, (R,S)-methadone was replaced by (R)-methadone (half-dose) in 39 opioid-dependent patients receiving maintenance treatment for 14 days. (R)-methadone was then replaced by the initial dose of (R,S)-methadone for 14 days (n = 29). Trough (R)-methadone and (S)-methadone plasma levels and electrocardiogram measurements were taken. The Fridericia-corrected QT (QTcF) interval decreased when (R,S)-methadone was replaced by a half-dose of (R)-methadone; the median (interquartile range [IQR]) values were 423 (398-440) milliseconds (ms) and 412 (395-431) ms (P = .06) at days 0 and 14, respectively. Using a univariate mixed-effect linear model, the QTcF value decreased by a mean of -3.9 ms (95% confidence interval [CI], -7.7 to -0.2) per week (P = .04). The QTcF value increased when (R)-methadone was replaced by the initial dose of (R,S)-methadone for 14 days; median (IQR) values were 424 (398-436) ms and 424 (412-443) ms (P = .01) at days 14 and 28, respectively. The univariate model showed that the QTcF value increased by a mean of 4.7 ms (95% CI, 1.3-8.1) per week (P = .006). Substitution of (R,S)-methadone by (R)-methadone reduces the QTc interval value. A safer cardiac profile of (R)-methadone is in agreement with previous in vitro and pharmacogenetic studies. If the present results are confirmed by larger studies, (R)-methadone should be prescribed instead of (R,S)-methadone to reduce the risk of cardiac toxic effects and sudden death.

Implication des interactions médicamenteuses, des transporteurs membranaires, du sexe et du diabète dans les mécanismes de survenue du syndrome du QT long médicamenteux

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Science et fiction dans trois récits de voyage sur la Lune

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Aprender Física con Tintín.

Realiza un análisis del aprendizaje de la Física a través del cómic 'Tintín' creado por Hergé. Analiza cuatro de estos cómics dando ideas sobre temas que se pueden ver en el aula y metodología a seguir. Estos son: 'Aterrizaje en la luna' donde se pueden estudiar las leyes de la dinámica, la definición del radio, la gravedad o la aceleración; 'Asunto Tornasol' que habla sobre un arma ultrasónica; 'Objetivo la luna', para estudiar el reactor nuclear y 'Las siete bolas de cristal', donde hace referencia al rayo bola.

La educación informal del siglo XX.

Resumen basado en el que aporta la revista.

Scholarship of teaching: what does it mean for Deakin University?

This short paper explores the relevance of the scholarship of teaching to advancing Deakin University’s mission and core commitments, to teaching and learning and to its staff. The concept of the scholarship of teaching is defined and a discussion of the relevance of the concept to Deakin is then presented. Some broad guiding principles for implementation are offered.

Computational analyses on the structure-function relation in ion channels

Ion channels are protein molecules, embedded in the lipid bilayer of the cell membranes. They act as powerful sensing elements switching chemicalphysical stimuli into ion-fluxes. At a glance, ion channels are water-filled pores, which can open and close in response to different stimuli (gating), and one once open select the permeating ion species (selectivity). They play a crucial role in several physiological functions, like nerve transmission, muscular contraction, and secretion. Besides, ion channels can be used in technological applications for different purpose (sensing of organic molecules, DNA sequencing). As a result, there is remarkable interest in understanding the molecular determinants of the channel functioning. Nowadays, both the functional and the structural characteristics of ion channels can be experimentally solved. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the structure-function relation in ion channels, by computational techniques. Most of the analyses focused on the mechanisms of ion conduction, and the numerical methodologies to compute the channel conductance. The standard techniques for atomistic simulation of complex molecular systems (Molecular Dynamics) cannot be routinely used to calculate ion fluxes in membrane channels, because of the high computational resources needed. The main step forward of the PhD research activity was the development of a computational algorithm for the calculation of ion fluxes in protein channels. The algorithm - based on the electrodiffusion theory - is computational inexpensive, and was used for an extensive analysis on the molecular determinants of the channel conductance. The first record of ion-fluxes through a single protein channel dates back to 1976, and since then measuring the single channel conductance has become a standard experimental procedure. Chapter 1 introduces ion channels, and the experimental techniques used to measure the channel currents. The abundance of functional data (channel currents) does not match with an equal abundance of structural data. The bacterial potassium channel KcsA was the first selective ion channels to be experimentally solved (1998), and after KcsA the structures of four different potassium channels were revealed. These experimental data inspired a new era in ion channel modeling. Once the atomic structures of channels are known, it is possible to define mathematical models based on physical descriptions of the molecular systems. These physically based models can provide an atomic description of ion channel functioning, and predict the effect of structural changes. Chapter 2 introduces the computation methods used throughout the thesis to model ion channels functioning at the atomic level. In Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 the ion conduction through potassium channels is analyzed, by an approach based on the Poisson-Nernst-Planck electrodiffusion theory. In the electrodiffusion theory ion conduction is modeled by the drift-diffusion equations, thus describing the ion distributions by continuum functions. The numerical solver of the Poisson- Nernst-Planck equations was tested in the KcsA potassium channel (Chapter 3), and then used to analyze how the atomic structure of the intracellular vestibule of potassium channels affects the conductance (Chapter 4). As a major result, a correlation between the channel conductance and the potassium concentration in the intracellular vestibule emerged. The atomic structure of the channel modulates the potassium concentration in the vestibule, thus its conductance. This mechanism explains the phenotype of the BK potassium channels, a sub-family of potassium channels with high single channel conductance. The functional role of the intracellular vestibule is also the subject of Chapter 5, where the affinity of the potassium channels hEag1 (involved in tumour-cell proliferation) and hErg (important in the cardiac cycle) for several pharmaceutical drugs was compared. Both experimental measurements and molecular modeling were used in order to identify differences in the blocking mechanism of the two channels, which could be exploited in the synthesis of selective blockers. The experimental data pointed out the different role of residue mutations in the blockage of hEag1 and hErg, and the molecular modeling provided a possible explanation based on different binding sites in the intracellular vestibule. Modeling ion channels at the molecular levels relates the functioning of a channel to its atomic structure (Chapters 3-5), and can also be useful to predict the structure of ion channels (Chapter 6-7). In Chapter 6 the structure of the KcsA potassium channel depleted from potassium ions is analyzed by molecular dynamics simulations. Recently, a surprisingly high osmotic permeability of the KcsA channel was experimentally measured. All the available crystallographic structure of KcsA refers to a channel occupied by potassium ions. To conduct water molecules potassium ions must be expelled from KcsA. The structure of the potassium-depleted KcsA channel and the mechanism of water permeation are still unknown, and have been investigated by numerical simulations. Molecular dynamics of KcsA identified a possible atomic structure of the potassium-depleted KcsA channel, and a mechanism for water permeation. The depletion from potassium ions is an extreme situation for potassium channels, unlikely in physiological conditions. However, the simulation of such an extreme condition could help to identify the structural conformations, so the functional states, accessible to potassium ion channels. The last chapter of the thesis deals with the atomic structure of the !- Hemolysin channel. !-Hemolysin is the major determinant of the Staphylococcus Aureus toxicity, and is also the prototype channel for a possible usage in technological applications. The atomic structure of !- Hemolysin was revealed by X-Ray crystallography, but several experimental evidences suggest the presence of an alternative atomic structure. This alternative structure was predicted, combining experimental measurements of single channel currents and numerical simulations. This thesis is organized in two parts, in the first part an overview on ion channels and on the numerical methods adopted throughout the thesis is provided, while the second part describes the research projects tackled in the course of the PhD programme. The aim of the research activity was to relate the functional characteristics of ion channels to their atomic structure. In presenting the different research projects, the role of numerical simulations to analyze the structure-function relation in ion channels is highlighted.

Computational investigations of ion conduction mechanisms using enhanced sampling methods

Proper ion channels’ functioning is a prerequisite for a normal cell and disorders involving ion channels, or channelopathies, underlie many human diseases. Long QT syndromes (LQTS) for example may arise from the malfunctioning of hERG channel, caused either by the binding of drugs or mutations in HERG gene. In the first part of this thesis I present a framework to investigate the mechanism of ion conduction through hERG channel. The free energy profile governing the elementary steps of ion translocation in the pore was computed by means of umbrella sampling simulations. Compared to previous studies, we detected a different dynamic behavior: according to our data hERG is more likely to mediate a conduction mechanism which has been referred to as “single-vacancy-like” by Roux and coworkers (2001), rather then a “knock-on” mechanism. The same protocol was applied to a model of hERG presenting the Gly628Ser mutation, found to be cause of congenital LQTS. The results provided interesting insights about the reason of the malfunctioning of the mutant channel. Since they have critical functions in viruses’ life cycle, viral ion channels, such as M2 proton channel, are considered attractive targets for antiviral therapy. A deep knowledge of the mechanisms that the virus employs to survive in the host cell is of primary importance in the identification of new antiviral strategies. In the second part of this thesis I shed light on the role that M2 plays in the control of electrical potential inside the virus, being the charge equilibration a condition required to allow proton influx. The ion conduction through M2 was simulated using metadynamics technique. Based on our results we suggest that a potential anion-mediated cation-proton exchange, as well as a direct anion-proton exchange could both contribute to explain the activity of the M2 channel.

Computational Methods in Biophysics and Medicinal Chemistry: Applications and Challenges

In this thesis I described the theory and application of several computational methods in solving medicinal chemistry and biophysical tasks. I pointed out to the valuable information which could be achieved by means of computer simulations and to the possibility to predict the outcome of traditional experiments. Nowadays, computer represents an invaluable tool for chemists. In particular, the main topics of my research consisted in the development of an automated docking protocol for the voltage-gated hERG potassium channel blockers, and the investigation of the catalytic mechanism of the human peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase Pin1.

Synthesis of Biologically Active Small Molecules: Different Approaches to Drug Design

In the past years, genome biology had disclosed an ever-growing kind of biological targets that emerged as ideal points for therapeutic intervention. Nevertheless, the number of new chemical entities (NCEs) translated into effective therapies employed in the clinic, still not observed. Innovative strategies in drug discovery combined with different approaches to drug design should be searched for bridge this gap. In this context organic synthetic chemistry had to provide for effective strategies to achieve biologically active small molecules to consider not only as potentially drug candidates, but also as chemical tools to dissect biological systems. In this scenario, during my PhD, inspired by the Biology-oriented Synthesis approach, a small library of hybrid molecules endowed with privileged scaffolds, able to block cell cycle and to induce apoptosis and cell differentiation, merged with natural-like cores were synthesized. A synthetic platform which joined a Domino Knoevenagel-Diels Alder reaction with a Suzuki coupling was performed in order to reach the hybrid compounds. These molecules can represent either antitumor lead candidates, or valuable chemical tools to study molecular pathways in cancer cells. The biological profile expressed by some of these derivatives showed a well defined antiproliferative activity on leukemia Bcr-Abl expressing K562 cell lines. A parallel project regarded the rational design and synthesis of minimally structurally hERG blockers with the purpose of enhancing the SAR studies of a previously synthesized collection. A Target-Oriented Synthesis approach was applied. Combining conventional and microwave heating, the desired final compounds were achieved in good yields and reaction rates. The preliminary biological results of the compounds, showed a potent blocking activity. The obtained small set of hERG blockers, was able to gain more insight the minimal structural requirements for hERG liability, which is mandatory to investigate in order to reduce the risk of potential side effects of new drug candidates.

Genetic in long QT syndromes

The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic disorder characterized by prolongation of the QT interval in the electrocardiogram (ECG) and a propensity to "torsades de pointes" ventricular tachycardia frequently leading to syncope, cardiac arrest, or sudden death usually in young otherwise healthy individuals. LQTS caused by mutations of predominantly potassium and sodium ion channel genes or channel-interacting proteins leading to positive overcharge of myocardial cell with consequent heterogeneous prolongation of repolarization in various layers and regions of myocardium. These conditions facilitate the early after-depolarization and reentry phenomena underlying development of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia observed in patients with LQTS. Obtaining detailed patient history regarding cardiac events in the patient and his/her family members combined with careful interpretation of standard 12-lead ECG (with precise measurement of QT interval in all available ECGs and evaluation of T-wave morphology) usually is sufficient to diagnose the syndrome. The LQTS show great genetic heterogeneity and has been identified more than 500 mutations distributed in 10 genes: KCNQ1, HERG, SCN5A, KCNE1, KCNE2, ANKB, KCNJ2, CACNA1A, CAV3 and SCN4B. Despite advances in the field, 25-30% of patients remain undiagnosed genetic. Genetic testing plays an important role and is particularly useful in cases with nondiagnostic or borderline ECG findings.

Late cardiac sodium current can be assessed using automated patch-clamp

The cardiac late Na (+) current is generated by a small fraction of voltage-dependent Na (+) channels that undergo a conformational change to a burst-gating mode, with repeated openings and closures during the action potential (AP) plateau. Its magnitude can be augmented by inactivation-defective mutations, myocardial ischemia, or prolonged exposure to chemical compounds leading to drug-induced (di)-long QT syndrome, and results in an increased susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias. Using CytoPatch™ 2 automated patch-clamp equipment, we performed whole-cell recordings in HEK293 cells stably expressing human Nav1.5, and measured the late Na (+) component as average current over the last 100 ms of 300 ms depolarizing pulses to -10 mV from a holding potential of -100 mV, with a repetition frequency of 0.33 Hz. Averaged values in different steady-state experimental conditions were further corrected by the subtraction of current average during the application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) 30 μM. We show that ranolazine at 10 and 30 μM in 3 min applications reduced the late Na (+) current to 75.0 ± 2.7% (mean ± SEM, n = 17) and 58.4 ± 3.5% ( n = 18) of initial levels, respectively, while a 5 min application of veratridine 1 μM resulted in a reversible current increase to 269.1 ± 16.1% ( n = 28) of initial values. Using fluctuation analysis, we observed that ranolazine 30 μM decreased mean open probability p from 0.6 to 0.38 without modifying the number of active channels n, while veratridine 1 μM increased n 2.5-fold without changing p. In human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, veratridine 1 μM reversibly increased APD90 2.12 ± 0.41-fold (mean ± SEM, n = 6). This effect is attributable to inactivation removal in Nav1.5 channels, since significant inhibitory effects on hERG current were detected at higher concentrations in hERG-expressing HEK293 cells, with a 28.9 ± 6.0% inhibition (mean ± SD, n = 10) with 50 μM veratridine.

El otro lado del espejo : Arquitectura y cómic, la obra de Schuiten y Peeters.

. RESUMEN. La influencia de la Arquitectura en el Cómic es asunto probado. Críticos y estudiosos como Eco, Masotto, Montaner o Smolderen así lo atestiguan. La ciudad y su arquitectura son protagonistas en “The Yellow Kid” de Outcoult de 1896 y de las visiones perspectivas de metrópolis como New York en “Little Nemo” de Mc Cay de 1910. Los aportes más significativos a la visión de la arquitectura desde el cómic tal vez hayan sido los desarrollados por Hergé y sus ciudades de ficción construidas a partir de lugares y ciudades reales. Los arquitectos comienzan a manejar el lenguaje del cómic en los manifiestos de Archigram y de Superstudio, hasta llegar a nuestros días con los aportes de Koolhaas, Big o Herzog y de Meuron. El surgimiento de la dupla de Peeters y Schuiten adquiere en este contexto relevancia significativa. En la serie conocida como las “Ciudades Oscuras” la arquitectura es protagonista, y por tanto sus constructores: promotores inmobiliarios, políticos y arquitectos también lo son. La figura descollante del panorama arquitectónico de las Ciudades Oscuras es Eugéne Robick, en cuya obra es detectable la influencia de arquitectos como Horta o Sant´Elía. La obra de Schuiten y Peeters prueba el valor y la importancia del cómic en la mediática cultural contemporánea; cómic que permite forzar los límites de la realidad y desarrollar nuevas interpretaciones sin otros condicionamientos que los de la imaginación.

El otro lado del espejo. Arquitectura y cómic, la obra de Schuiten y Peeters.

La influencia de la Arquitectura en el Cómic es asunto probado. Críticos y estudiosos como Eco, Masotto, Montaner o Smolderen así lo atestiguan. La ciudad y su arquitectura son protagonistas en “The Yellow Kid” de Outcoult de 1896 y de las visiones perspectivas de metrópolis como New York en “Little Nemo” de Mc Cay de 1910. Los aportes más significativos a la visión de la arquitectura desde el cómic tal vez hayan sido los desarrollados por Hergé y sus ciudades de ficción construidas a partir de lugares y ciudades reales. Los arquitectos comienzan a manejar el lenguaje del cómic en los manifiestos de Archigram y de Superstudio, hasta llegar a nuestros días con los aportes de Koolhaas, Big o Herzog y de Meuron. El surgimiento de la dupla de Peeters y Schuiten adquiere en este contexto relevancia significativa. En la serie conocida como las “Ciudades Oscuras” la arquitectura es protagonista, y por tanto sus constructores: promotores inmobiliarios, políticos y arquitectos también lo son. La figura descollante del panorama arquitectónico de las Ciudades Oscuras es Eugéne Robick, en cuya obra es detectable la influencia de arquitectos como Horta o Sant´Elía. La obra de Schuiten y Peeters prueba el valor y la importancia del cómic en la mediática cultural contemporánea; cómic que permite forzar los límites de la realidad y desarrollar nuevas interpretaciones sin otros condicionamientos que los de la imaginación.

Ionic, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the QT prolongation and arrhythmias in diabetic cardiocomplications

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.