Controlling γ-Peptide Helicity with Stereoselective Fluorination

Peptides that are composed of backbone-extended amino acids can adopt conformations resembling natural α-peptidic motifs, making them promising scaffolds for biological and medicinal chemistry. In order to unlock the full potential of this class of molecules, the ability to control their secondary structures is essential. Here we show that stereoselective fluorination can be harnessed as a tool for influencing the helical character of a γ-hexapeptide. Fluorination is shown to either stabilize or disrupt the 9-helical conformation depending on the C−F stereochemistry, and fluorination also sets the handedness of the helix. These results provide fundamental knowledge that could expedite the future development of backbone-extended peptides for medicinal applications

Access and utilisation of maternity care for disabled women who experience domestic abuse:a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Although disabled women are significantly more likely to experience domestic abuse during pregnancy than non-disabled women, very little is known about how maternity care access and utilisation is affected by the co-existence of disability and domestic abuse. This systematic review of the literature explored how domestic abuse impacts upon disabled women’s access to maternity services. METHODS: Eleven articles were identified through a search of six electronic databases and data were analysed to identify: the factors that facilitate or compromise access to care; the consequences of inadequate care for pregnant women’s health and wellbeing; and the effectiveness of existing strategies for improvement. RESULTS: Findings indicate that a mental health diagnosis, poor relationships with health professionals and environmental barriers can compromise women’s utilisation of maternity services. Domestic abuse can both compromise, and catalyse, access to services and social support is a positive factor when accessing care. Delayed and inadequate care has adverse effects on women’s physical and psychological health, however further research is required to fully explore the nature and extent of these consequences. Only one study identified strategies currently being used to improve access to services for disabled women experiencing abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Based upon the barriers and facilitators identified within the review, we suggest that future strategies for improvement should focus on: understanding women’s reasons for accessing care; fostering positive relationships; being women-centred; promoting environmental accessibility; and improving the strength of the evidence base

Viewpoints on Factors for Successful Employment for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This article explores the key factors for successful employment from the viewpoints of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and employers. Two groups of individuals participated in this study, 40 adults with ASD and 35 employers. Q method was used to understand and contrast the viewpoints of the two groups. Data were analysed using by-person varimax rotation factor analysis. Results showed that although both groups appear committed to the employment process, the difference in their understanding regarding the type of workplace support required, job expectations and productivity requirements continues to hinder successful employment. These results highlight the need to facilitate communication between employees and employers to ensure a clear understanding of the needs of both groups are met. The use of an ASD-specific workplace tool may assist in facilitating the necessary communication between these two groups

Information, Advocacy and Signposting as a Low-Level Support for Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Example from the UK

‘Low-level’ support is championed to support adults with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD) to achieve good quality health and social care, yet research in the area is sparse. Drawing on semi-structured interview data, this paper considers the efficacy of an intervention to provide low-level support to adults with HFASD with little or no funded support. The intervention led to a number of perceived positive outcomes for adults with HFASD, their families, and service providers in the city, including increased access to education, volunteering, support and information, socialising, improved health and wellbeing, and managing day-to-day. Although many of life’s difficulties still persisted, the intervention helped service users overcome barriers to availing further support, possibly leading to beneficial outcomes down the line

Synthesis and biochemical characterisation of fluorinated analogues of pepstatin A and grassystatin A

© 2017 Pepstatin A and grassystatin A are natural, statine-containing peptides that act as inhibitors of aspartic protease enzymes. In this work, stereoselective fluorination is investigated as a strategy for enhancing the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of these lead compounds. Fluorination is found to modestly affect the protease inhibitory potency, leading to the identification of two highly active new inhibitors of the cancer-associated protease, cathepsin D. However, no dramatic changes are observed in terms of target selectivity, lipophilicity, membrane permeability or metabolic stability

Homologated amino acids with three vicinal fluorines positioned along the backbone: Development of a stereoselective synthesis

Backbone-extended amino acids have a variety of potential applications in peptide and protein science, particularly if the geometry of the amino acid is controllable. Here we describe the synthesis of d-amino acids that contain three vicinal C-F bonds positioned along the backbone. The ultimately successful synthetic approach emerged through the investigation of several methods based on both electrophilic and nucleophilic fluorination chemistry. We show that different diastereoisomers of this fluorinated d-amino acid adopt distinct conformations in solution, suggesting that these molecules might have value as shape-controlled building blocks for future applications in peptide science