Peptide-lanthanide cation equilibria in aqueous solution

Lanthanide ion complexes of α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester have been characterized in the pH range 2.50-7.00. Proton resonance shifts in D₂O and DMSO were used to determine the conformational mobility and a tentative structure in solution is proposed. The observed trends in the magnitude of the shift ratios and the rotamer population suggested that the metal ion Pr(III) or Dy(III) bound to the carboxylate group and gave information about the peptide backbone. The result of this analysis has been used to select a preferential conformation of the molecule: ø₁? 60d?, φ₂? -150d?, C^βCγLn = 140d?± 10d?, C^αC^βC^γLn = 10d?± 20d? (hindered rotation), Cγ-Ln = 2.85Ad?± 0.1Ad?.     

Timely thrombectomy can improve patency of hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas

Objective

The urgency with which salvage of thrombosed vascular accesses for dialysis should be attempted remains unknown. We examined the effect of a timely thrombectomy approach on vascular access outcomes for dialysis.

Detectability and surgical outcomes in parathyroid surgery – a single-centre experience

The incidence of primary hyperparathyroidismand referrals for the removal of parathyroid adenomas are increasing. Factors that improve the detectability, and ultimately the surgical outcome, are the focus of this retrospective study. We included 117 patients who had parathyroid operations with intraoperative monitoring of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Sestamibi, ultrasound and, in selected cases, fusion with computed tomograms (CT), were done to locate the lesion preoperatively. Concentrations of calcium and PTH before and after operation, specimen weight, and preoperative vitamin D concentrations, were assessed. The sensitivity of sestamibi and ultrasound for the preoperative location of adenomas was 92% and 80%, respectively. Sestamibi located them more accurately in patients with low preoperative concentrations of vitamin D (p = 0.037) and with heavier adenomas (p < 0.001). We found no significant association between the preoperative concentrations of PTH and detectability on preoperative scans (p = 0.058). Postoperative follow up showed that 97% of the 117 patients were biochemically cured. Accurate location helps to lower morbidity as it facilitates a targeted approach. Further studies are needed to explore the role of vitamin D in the location of parathyroid adenomas before parathyroidectomy.     

Vegetarians have a lower fasting insulin level and higher insulin sensitivity than matched omnivores: A cross-sectional study

Background and aims

Potential associations of vegetarian diet patterns with fasting insulin (FI) and insulin sensitivity remain unclear. We aimed to investigate whether vegetarian diets were associated with FI and insulin sensitivity in a cross-sectional study in Chinese vegetarians and matched omnivores and then to test whether it is independent of body mass index (BMI).

Airway nitric oxide in patients with cystic fibrosis is associated with pancreatic function, Pseudomonas infection, and polyunsaturated fatty acids

BACKGROUND: Airway nitric oxide (NO) is low or normal in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. This may affect bacterial status since NO has antimicrobial properties. Arachidonic acid (AA), which is increased in the serum and airways of CF patients, has been shown to reduce NO levels. The aim of this study was to investigate whether airway NO level correlates with genotype and pancreatic function, and whether low airway NO level is associated with bacterial infection and increased serum AA level in CF patients. METHOD: Nasal NO (nNO) and exhaled NO (eNO) were measured according to the European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society standard in 59 CF patients aged 7 to 55 years, 80% of whom were pancreatic insufficient (PI) and 51% were chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. RESULTS: PI CF patients had significantly lower nNO levels than pancreatic-sufficient (PS) patients. Airway NO level did not correlate with lung function or inflammatory parameters. PI patients chronically infected with P aeruginosa had significantly lower nNO levels than noninfected PI patients. nNO level correlated inversely with the AA/docosahexaenoic acid ratio, and eNO with the essential fatty acid (FA) deficiency index, which is the ratio between mead acid and AA. CONCLUSIONS: CF patients with PI, which is associated with more severe genotypes, had lower airway NO levels than patients with PS. Low NO level was correlated to chronic P aeruginosa infection, and an association was found between airway NO level and the abnormal serum phospholipid FA pattern.     

Development and applications of photo-triggered theranostic agents

Theranostics, the fusion of therapy and diagnostics for optimizing efficacy and safety of therapeutic regimes, is a growing field that is paving the way towards the goal of personalized medicine for the benefit of patients. The use of light as a remote-activation mechanism for drug delivery has received increased attention due to its advantages in highly specific spatial and temporal control of compound release. Photo-triggered theranostic constructs could facilitate an entirely new category of clinical solutions which permit early recognition of the disease by enhancing contrast in various imaging modalities followed by the tailored guidance of therapy. Finally, such theranostic agents could aid imaging modalities in monitoring response to therapy. This article reviews recent developments in the use of light-triggered theranostic agents for simultaneous imaging and photoactivation of therapeutic agents. Specifically, we discuss recent developments in the use of theranostic agents for photodynamic-, photothermal- or photo-triggered chemotherapy for several diseases.