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  • Holdt Pacheco posted an update 1 week, 4 days ago

    Short open reading frame-encoded peptides (SEP) represent a widely undiscovered part of the proteome. The detailed analysis of SEP has, despite inherent limitations such as incomplete sequence coverage, challenges encountered with protein inference, the identification of posttranslational modifications and the assignment of potential N- and C-terminal truncations, predominantly been assessed using bottom-up proteomic workflows. The use of top-down based proteomic workflows is capable of providing an unparalleled level of characterization information, which is of increased importance in the case of alternatively encoded protein products. However, top-down based analysis is not without its own limitations, for which efficient separation prior to MS analysis is a major issue. We established a sample preparation approach for the combined bottom-up and top-down proteomic analysis of SEP. Key improvements were made by the application of solid phase extraction (SPE), which supported enrichment of proteins below ca. full length SEP, as well as of terminally truncated proteoforms, and further enabled the identification of disulfide bonds in these small proteins. This demonstrates, that this yet widely undiscovered part of the proteome undergoes the same modifications as classical proteins which is an essential step for future understanding of the biological functions of these molecules.

    complications after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) regarding choledochotomy techniques have not been adequately studied in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to retrospectively analyze and compare the impact of choledochotomy techniques during LCBDE among patients with choledocholithiasis during the early and late postoperative periods.

    From March 2014 to February 2018, 85 patients with choledocholithiasis (52 females and 33 males) were enrolled in this study. These patients were treated by LCBDE using various choledochotomy techniques, including scalpel or scissor (28 patients, 33%) in group I, diathermy hook (35 patients, 41%) in group II, or an ultrasonic device (22 patients, 26%) in group III. Postoperative follow-up was done for assessment of all possible complications, either early (within the first six months postoperatively) or late (2-6 years postoperatively), with meticulous observation and study of any relevant postoperative events.

    No statistical difference was detected among the three groups regarding the short- and long-term clinical outcomes, including biliary fistula, biliary stricture, cholangitis, recurrent stones, peritoneal sepsis, wound sepsis, or wound dehiscence.

    The long-lasting concepts of avoidance of using energy machines such as diathermy and ultrasonic devices with biliary structures should be changed. However, a statistical type I error cannot be excluded because of the small sample size. Therefore, further analysis of prospective randomized studies with a larger number of participants is strongly recommended.

    The long-lasting concepts of avoidance of using energy machines such as diathermy and ultrasonic devices with biliary structures should be changed. However, a statistical type I error cannot be excluded because of the small sample size. Therefore, further analysis of prospective randomized studies with a larger number of participants is strongly recommended.Drug nanodelivery systems (DNDSs) are fascinated cargos to achieve outstanding therapeutic results of various drugs or natural bioactive compounds owing to their unique structures. The efficiency of several pharmaceutical drugs or natural bioactive ingredients is restricted because of their week bioavailability, poor bioaccessibility and pharmacokinetics after orally pathways. In order to handle such constraints, usage of native/natural polysaccharides (NPLS) in fabrication of DNDSs has gained more popularity in the arena of nanotechnology for controlled drug delivery to enhance safety, biocompatibility, better retention time, bioavailability, lower toxicity and enhanced permeability. selleck inhibitor The main commonly used NPLS in nanoencapsulation systems include chitosan, pectin, alginates, cellulose, starches, and gums recognized as potential materials for fabrication of cargos. Herein, this review is centered on different polysaccharide-based nanocarriers including nanoemulsions, nanohydrogels, nanoliposomes, nanoparticles and nanofibers, which have already served as encouraging candidates for entrapment of therapeutic drugs as well as for their sustained controlled release. Furthermore, the current article explicitly offers comprehensive details regarding application of NPLS-based nanocarriers encapsulating several drugs intended for the handling of numerous disorders, including diabetes, cancer, HIV, malaria, cardiovascular and respiratory as well as skin diseases.Production and use of pharmaceuticals in the United States is high and continues to grow. This, combined with poor wastewater removal rates for drugs in excreted waste, and improper pharmaceutical disposal leads to the presence of pharmaceuticals in fresh- and marine waters and wildlife. In the United States, safe drug take-back boxes, or dropboxes, were established in pharmacies after federal legislation passed in 2014, allowing for year-round safe collection of leftover pharmaceuticals. The overarching objective of this work was to identify opportunities for improving access to proper pharmaceutical disposal. We assessed consumer behavior regarding drug disposal choices and knowledge of dropboxes at pharmacies, investigated pharmacist attitudes toward and recommendations about leftover drug disposal, and compared responses at locations with and without dropboxes. We also explored obstacles to dropbox adoption and usage. We found that customer awareness of dropboxes as well as knowledge about risks of improper disposal are low, however awareness was greater at pharmacies with dropboxes. Additionally, pharmacists at dropbox locations were more consistent in their messaging to customers, more likely to recommend proper disposal methods, and more supportive of drug take-back programs. Through a focus group, we learned that further consumer education would overwhelm the capacity of the existing dropboxes. Based on our findings, we recommend solutions to improper disposal focus on legislation mandating dropboxes at pharmacies and pressure on the pharmaceutical industry to fund proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals.