Publications by authors named "Nicholas Massey"

Purpose: To update the 2015 clinical practice guideline for the prevention of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients.

Methods: We performed seven systematic reviews of mucositis prevention. Three reviews included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in pediatric and adult patients evaluating cryotherapy, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) or photobiomodulation therapy with a focus on efficacy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The complement fragment C5a is a core effector of complement activation. C5a, acting through its major receptor C5aR1, exerts powerful pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions. Dysregulation of the C5a-C5aR1 axis has been implicated in numerous immune disorders, and the therapeutic inhibition of this axis is therefore imperative for the treatment of these diseases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The diaryl sulfonylurea MCC950/CRID3 is a potent NLRP3 inhibitor (IC = 8 nM) and, in animal models, MCC950 protects against numerous NLRP3-related neurodegenerative disorders. To evaluate the brain uptake and investigate target engagement of MCC950, we synthesised [C-urea]MCC950 via carrier added [C]CO fixation chemistry (activity yield = 237 MBq; radiochemical purity >99%; molar activity = 7 GBq/µmol; radiochemical yield (decay-corrected from [C]CO) = 1.1%; synthesis time from end-of-bombardment = 31 min; radiochemically stable for >1 h).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome is a promising strategy for the development of new treatments for inflammatory diseases. MCC950 is a potent and specific small-molecule inhibitor of the NLRP3 pathway, but its molecular target is not defined. Here, we show that MCC950 directly interacts with the Walker B motif within the NLRP3 NACHT domain, thereby blocking ATP hydrolysis and inhibiting NLRP3 activation and inflammasome formation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are protective against inflammatory diseases. Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2), is a target of SCFAs however, their selectivity for FFA2 over other FFA receptors is limited. This study aimed to functionally characterise 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-N-(thiazole-2-yl)butanamide (4CMTB) and 4-((4-(2-chlorophenyl)thiazole-2-yl)amino)-4oxo-3-phenylbutanoic acid (2CTAP), and their enantiomers, in modulating FFA2 activity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study describes the syntheses of di, tetra and hexa deuterated analogues of the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome inhibitor MCC950. In di and tetra deuterated analogues, deuteriums were incorporated into the 1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-s-indacene moiety, whereas in the hexa deuterated MCC950 deuteriums were incorporated into the 2-(furan-3-yl)propan-2-ol moiety. The di deuterated MCC950 analogue was synthesised from 4-amino-3,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1(2H)-one 5.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) under moderate hypothermia may improve cerebral protection. Intraoperative measurement of cerebral regional oxygen saturations (rSO2) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can provide accurate monitoring of cerebral perfusion during ACP. We evaluated the role, outcomes, and advantages of using NIRS in providing effective cerebral protection with ACP.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF