Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease resulting in alterations in memory, language, executive function and emotional behaviour. Although it can be characterised by symptoms, by the time they arise significant pathological alterations have already emerged in the central nervous system, namely increased amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal loss. Despite known pathological hallmarks the exact aetiology of AD is poorly understood and no current treatments are available. However, there is growing interest in the role of neuroinflammation in AD, with increases observed in the early stages of disease and with disease progression. Moreover, it has been suggested that peripheral inflammation can influence neuroinflammation and worsen neurodegeneration. Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRS) we can non-invasively measure biomarkers of neuroinflammation and degeneration allowing multi-modal investigation of its role in normal aging and AD. Considering this the objectives of this study were to (i) Use PET and MRS to investigate neuroinflammatory and metabolite alterations in transgenic (TG) models of AD and their wildtype (WT) animals. (ii) Assess rates of cognitive decline in these models using memory based tests. (iii) Investigate relatively new TgF344AD rat as an AD model by characterising younger time-points than previously reported. (iv) Investigate the contribution of peripheral inflammation on AD progression. PET and MRS imaging was carried out longitudinally in the APPswe×PS1de9 mouse. Neuroinflammation was confirmed ex vivo and cognitive ability was assessed by behavioural tests. Results revealed significantly increase hippocampal and thalamic neuoinflammation in old TG mice as assessed by [18F]DPA-714 PET and supported by immunohistochemistry. Reduced neuronal marker N-acetlyaspartate was seen with age and was exacerbated in the TG mice. Accelerated cognitive decline was also seen in TG mice. PET and MRS imaging was carried out at 6 and 12 months in the TgF344AD model, which expresses amyloid and tau pathology as well as neuronal loss. No cognitive decline was observed in TG rats; however increased anxiety behaviour was seen. Increased [18F]DPA-714 PET was observed as an effect of gene in the thalamus at 6 months and the hypothalamus at 12 months. Increases in glutamate were seen with age in the TG rats but not the WTs. Increased inflammation and metabolite alterations were seen with aging. The effect of peripheral urinary tract infection (UTI) on cognition and imaging out was assessed. Imaging was carried out prior to and after re-current UTI. Infection induced cognitive decline in infected TG but not WT rats. Infection had an increasing effect on hypothalamic neuroinflammation in WT rats but a decreasing effect on TG rats, which masked the original gene differences. This thesis is set out in the alternative format with each experimental study represented as a chapter. Results in this thesis implicate neuroinflammation in AD development and progression. In addition, we report systemic infection-CNS interactions accelerating cognitive decline in AD and highlight the importance of understanding the effects of comorbidities in disease.

Abstract The present thesis describes the development of a novel method, referred to as xenon porometry, for the determination of the structural properties of porous materials by means of xenon NMR spectroscopy. The method exploits the high sensitivity of the chemical shift of the ¹²⁹Xe isotope to its local environment. The purpose of the medium added to the sample is to slow down the diffusion of xenon so that the NMR signal of a xenon atom is characteristic of the properties of one pore, and the signals of all the atoms in the sample represent the distribution of the properties. Two types of porous materials (controlled pore glasses and silica gels) with well-known properties and three different media (acetonitrile, cyclohexane, and naphthalene) were used in the studies. The behavior of the medium and dissolved xenon at different temperatures around the melting point of the medium was explained. By varying the pore size of the material, three different correlations that make it possible to measure the pore sizes of unknown materials were experimentally determined. The chemical shift of xenon inside pockets built up in the pores during solidification of the medium turned out to be especially sensitive to pore size, and this correlation makes it possible to determine the pore size distribution. The curious behavior of the chemical shift as a function of pore size was explained by using a model based on the fast exchange between xenon adsorbed on the walls of the pockets and free xenon in the middle of the pockets. It was also proved that the porosity of the materials can be determined by comparing the intensities of two signals originating from xenon dissolved in a liquid medium. A comparison of the xenon porometry method with other methods used for pore size characterization leads to the following conclusions: The range of applications of the method is relatively wide, the measurements are fast and easy to do, the analysis of the spectra is simple on the basis of the information presented in this thesis, and the properties of the materials can be extracted from the spectral data with basic mathematical conversions. Because there are several different types of correlations available in the same spectra that represent the properties of the porous material, the complementary information of all the correlations make it possible to obtain a picture of the structures of very complex systems.

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A series of bis(ethene)rhodium(I) complexes of β-diketonates and similar ligands were prepared. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Crystal structures are reported for bis(η²-ethene)-(1,3(1-ferrocenyl)butanedionato-0.0 ')rhodium(I), 13, (1,5-cyclooctadieiie)(2-acetylphen-oxy-0,0')rhodium(I),18, and some related molecules. [FORMULA OMITTED] The complexes are catalyst precursors for the homogeneous hydrogenation of olefins and the hydrosilylation of ketones. The generated hydrogenation catalysts are effective for the reduction of sterically unhindered carbon-carbon double bonds. These catalysts are active in the presence of alcohol, aromatic and carboxylic acid functional groups on the olefin substrate. The catalysts decompose to give a heterogeneously active rhodium precipitate when reducing olefinic substrates which are too sterically hindered. Study of the hydrosilylation reaction revealed that the complexes generate active hydrosilylation catalysts. A series of optically active ligands were tested for their ability to effect asymmetry in the silyl ether products. The bis(ethene)rhodium(I) complexes are fluxional in the NMR time scale due to the motion of the ethylene ligands. A detailed ¹H NMR study was conducted on one of the complexes, bis(η²-ethene)(2-acetylphenoxy-0,0 ')rhodium(I) 15 to explore the nature of the rearrangement. [FORMULA OMITTED] The ¹H NMR study revealed the presence of two different modes of fluxionality. The first type of motion is intramolecular in nature and is due to the rotation of the ethylene ligands about the rhodium-ethylene bond axis. The second type is intermolecular in nature and is due to exchange of the ethylene ligands. This exchange is a measure of the lability of the ethylene ligands. The system allowed the separate study of the ethylene ligands and ΔG‡ values were obtained for each ligand for both of the exchange processes. The results of the study indicate the independance of the ethylene ligands with respect to both fluxional processes. / Science, Faculty of / Chemistry, Department of / Graduate

The pathogenesis of low back pain is complex but likely involves the intervertebral disc (Nachemson, 1976). Direct evidence for its importance is lacking because an accurate in vivo method of imaging the lumbar intervertebral disc has not been established. The objective of this research was to develop classifications of gross morphologic appearance and magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the disc that describe the changes associated with aging and degeneration, thereby permitting interpretation of the MRI in terms of gross morphology and allowing correlation of morphologic, chemical, mechanical, radiologic and epidemiologic data with a standard reference of disc aging and degeneration. The classifications were developed on the basis of literature review, detailed examination of 55 discs and expert advice. Two sets of three observers, one for the morphologic classification and one for the MRI classification evaluated 68 life size randomized duplicates of discs making detailed observations about overall category and 17 regional morphologic parameters and 11 regional MRI parameters. The data was tested to demonstrate the validity of the classifications using established criteria (Tugwell & Bombardier, 1982; Guyatt 4 Kirschner, 1985; Feinstein, 1985). The consistency with which the classifications could be applied was evaluated by calculating weighted kappa, a statistical test of agreement that corrects for agreement by chance; the ability of the classifications to distinguish stages in the process of ageing and degeneration by stepwise discriminant analysis; their conformity with other measures by comparisons within and between classifications and, comparisons with histologic and chemical data. The degree of agreement for all six intra-observer pairs was 'almost perfect' (weighted kappa > 0.80); for 5 interobserver pairs 'substantial' (weighted kappa > 0.60) and for one MRI interobserver pair 'moderate' (weighted kappa > 0.50). This represented a satisfactory level of agreement and indicated the classifications could be applied consistently (Feinstein, 1981). The linear regression model developed by stepwise discriminant analysis clearly demonstrated the ability of the classifications to distinguish distinct stages in disc aging and degeneration. Wilk's lambda, a likelihood ratio statistic reflecting discriminatory function, approached zero in both the morphologic (0.0408) and MRI (0.0H80) classifications. In both models, parameters pertaining to the nucleus pulposus of the disc accounted for the majority of the variance (morphologic partial R² 0.8598 and MRI partial R² 0.8811) suggesting nuclear parameters are the most important in distinguishing overall category. The correlation table generated by principal component analysis demonstrated that the categories assigned to regional parameters correlated significantly (p > 0.0001) with each other and with the overall category. From the linear combinations of parameters (principal components) generated the weighting of the nucleus pulposus behaved independently attesting to its importance. Comparisons of the morphologic and MRI classifications yielded high indices of trend (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.81) and concordance (kappa of 0.62). Trends in the histologic and chemical data were consistent with the classifications but could not be evaluated statistically because only 15 specimens were studied. This research suggests that the classifications are valid and will form a basis for the interpretation of MRI. Preliminary evidence suggested MRI is sensitive to early changes in extracellular matrix composition not apparent in gross morphology. / Medicine, Faculty of / Graduate

Dipolar and quadrupolar couplings measured from NMR experiments, and order parameters obtained from these couplings, are reported for a number of small solutes dissolved in several nematic liquid crystals. These results are discussed in terms of the solute-solvent interactions. It has been shown that the interaction between the solute molecular quadrupole moment and a mean external electric field gradient due to the liquid crystal accounts for most but not all of the ordering of molecular hydrogen. The remaining contribution to ordering is discussed in terms of possible mechanisms. The anisotropic couplings observed for methane and acetylene are discussed in terms of a model which takes into account the interaction between the vibrations and rotations of the solute. Excellent agreement between the observed and calculated dipolar couplings is obtained. Evidence is given that these two solutes experience the same field gradient as molecular hydrogen. In a mixture of 55wt per cent 1132 (Merck ZLI 1132) and 45wt per cent EBBA (N-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)-4'-n-butylaniline at 301.4K the deuterons in D₂ experience no external electric field gradient. The order parameters of a series of solutes in this mixture are calculated in terms of a simple model for the short range interactions which depend on the size and shape of the solute. These calculated order parameters are in very good agreement with the experimental results. In liquid crystals where the field gradient is not zero it is shown that the combination of the short range interaction model and the electric field gradient - molecular quadrupole moment mechanism predicts the order parameters very well. / Science, Faculty of / Chemistry, Department of / Graduate

Magister Scientiae - MSC (Biochemistry) / Proteins play an important role in cells, as the morphology, function and activities of the cell depend on the proteins they express. The key to understanding how different proteins function lies in an understanding of the molecular structure. The overall aim of this thesis was the determination of the structure of DWNN domains. This thesis described the preparation of samples of human DWNN suitable for structural analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), as well as NMR analysis. / South Africa

Contrary to a previous report, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) affords stable solutions in D2O and the 1H NMR spectrum can be determined. Comparison with the spectra of the model compounds adenosine, L-methionine and L-methionine-S-methyl sulfonium iodide allows complete assignment of the proton resonances. Coupling constants were determined by homonuclear decoupling and graphical analysis and were confined by computer simulation. Details of the molecular conformation were determined by application of the Karplus equation and calculation of relative rotational isomer populations. Evidence indicates that the ribose ring is puckered preferentially in the C3'-exo conformation and that the C4'-C5' bond is constrained to a rotamer in which the sulfonium center is gauche to H4'. No conformational constraints were detected for the Cα-Cβ and Cβ-Cα bonds of the methionine side chain. The purine ring was shown to be oriented preferentially anti by intermolecular association studies with adenosine 5'-phosphate in the presence of MN(II). Spectra of samples of (-)S-adenosyl-L-methionine of biological origin, differing in activity, counter ion and commercial source, have consistently revealed the presence of a small amount of the (+) sulfonium diastereomer. Arguments are presented to explain the failure of previous workers to detect (+)S-adenosyl-L-methionine in biological preparations.