Peptide Variant Detection by a Living Yeast Biosensor via an Epitope-Selective Protease.

We previously demonstrated that we could hijack the fungal pheromone signaling pathway to provide a living yeast biosensor where peptide biomarkers were recognized by G-protein-coupled receptors and engineered to transcribe a readout. Here, we demonstrated that the protease could be reintroduced to the biosensor to provide a simple mechanism for distinguishing single-amino-acid changes in peptide ligands that, otherwise, would likely be difficult to detect using binding-based assays. We characterized the dose-response curves for five fungal pheromone G-protein-coupled receptors, peptides, and proteases, , , , and .

Interaction of silver nanoparticles with plasma transport proteins: A systematic study on impacts of particle size, shape and surface functionalization.

Metallic nanoparticles are an important and widely used materials in development of nano-enabled medicine. For that reason, their interaction with biological molecules has to be systematically examined, as use of nanoparticles can lead to altered biological functions. In this study, we evaluated the interaction between silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and two important plasma transport proteins - albumin and α-1-acid glycoprotein.

Croatian rotatory oblique three-dimensional osteotomy (CROTO) - a modified Wilson's osteotomy for adult hallux valgus intended to prevent dorsal displacement of the distal fragment and to reduce shortening of the first metatarsal bone.

Aim To evaluate biomechanical and clinical outcomes of a newly developed modification of the Wilson's osteotomy for hallux valgus: a three-dimensional subcaptial correction of the metatarsal head position with a simultaneous lateral and plantar shift with derotation intended to reduce displacement of the distal fragment and shortening of the first metatarsal bone. Methods Thirty four feet (28 female patients) underwent the new procedure and were evaluated before and 12 to 84 months (median=25.5) after the surgery.

Warfarin should not be used for thromboprohylaxis in elective major orthopaedic surgery: a Croatian perspective.

Aim To identify modes of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients undergoing elective major orthopaedic surgery (total hip or knee arthroplasty, THA/TKA) at a single university-associated hospital in Croatia. Methods A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients subjected to THA or TKA over a two-year period (2014-2015) with a focus on anticoagulation during the first 15 post-surgical days (period of highest VTE risk). Results Of 603 identified patients three (0.

Surface coating affects behavior of metallic nanoparticles in a biological environment.

Silver (AgNPs) and maghemite, i.e., superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are promising candidates for new medical applications, which implies the need for strict information regarding their physicochemical characteristics and behavior in a biological environment.

Carpal tunnel and median nerve volume changes after tunnel release in patients with the carpal tunnel syndrome: a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study.

Purpose: Our aim was to study the dynamics of the post-surgical canal and nerve volumes and their relationships to objective [electromyoneurography (EMNG)] and subjective (pain) outcomes.

Methods: Forty-seven patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (median age 52, range 23-75 years) with a prominent narrowing of the median nerve within the canal (observed during carpal tunnel release) were evaluated clinically using EMNG and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) before and at 90 and 180 days post-surgery.

Results: Canal and nerve volumes increased, EMNG findings improved and pain resolved during the follow-up.

Response of biochemical biomarkers in the aquatic crustacean Daphnia magna exposed to silver nanoparticles.

The proliferation of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) production and use owing to their antimicrobial properties justifies the need to examine the resulting environmental impacts. The discharge of biocidal nanoparticles to water bodies may pose a threat to aquatic species. This study evaluated the effects of citrate-coated AgNPs on the standardized test organism Daphnia magna Straus clone MBP996 by means of biochemical biomarker response.

A validity of ultrasound subdivision of Risser grade 4 in assessment of skeletal maturity.

In the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, one of the most frequently used technique to determine skeletal maturity is the method described by Risser. The ossification of iliac apophysis progresses from ventral to caudal through the four zones and the fusion of the iliac apophysis to the iliac crest (Risser grade 5) indicated vertebral growth completion, therefore the termination of scoliotic deformity progression. The main disadvantages of Risser method are exposure to radiation and the questionable reliability, so there are efforts to examine iliac apohysis by ultrasound.

By estimating dominant force on femoral neck fracture's crevice reliability of the fracture's classification increases.

Aim: To ensure a more reliable classification system for the femur neck fractures by estimating pressure and tensile force on the fracture crevice.

Methods: The study compared the kappa coefficient for the inter and intraobserver agreement of the same five observers on the same radiographic sample of the femur neck fracture with a time gap of one year for the AO group and original proposal of estimated dominant pressure and tensile force on the femur neck fracture's crevice.

Results: The kappa coefficient for the AO group was 0.

[Geometry of the hip joint: methodology and guidelines].

An hip fracture is an significant personal, family and health issue of people older than 65 years. In the first year of the fracture up to 30% of the injured die and about 50% of them never regain their formal degree of independence in fulfilling day-to-day activities. Estimations are that throughout 30 years in the world there will be around 6 million hip fractures per year which is about four times the todays amount.

AO group, AO subgroup, Garden and Pauwels classification systems of femoral neck fractures: are they reliable and reproducible?

Aim: To determine which of the classification systems for the femoral neck fracture between AO group, AO subgroup, Garden and Pauwels is much more reliable and reproducible to predict a method of treatment, radiological prediction of nonunion and prediction of outcomes.

Methods: Five observers classified 77 randomly selected anterior- posterior (AP) and lateral view preoperative radiographs of the femoral neck fractures according to AO group, AO subgroup, Garden and Pauwels classification systems. The procedure was repeated on the same radiographs after three months.

Retrospective study of total hip arthroplasty in Brod-Posavina and Požega- Slavonia counties in 2010.

The aim of this retrospective study is to present the incidence of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in Brod-Posavina and Požega-Slavonia counties in 2010 along with an analysis of post-operative complications. The research was carried out at orthopaedic departments in three hospital institutions, "Dr. Josip Benčević "Slavonski Brod General Hospital, the Nova Gradiška General Hospital and the Požega General County Hospital.

The effect of epineurotomy on the median nerve volume after the carpal tunnel release: a prospective randomised double-blind controlled trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of epineurotomy on the post-surgical median nerve volume and clinical outcomes in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients with a prominent nerve narrowing.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomised, double-blind controlled trial. Patients (n = 50) were randomised (1:1) to open-field surgical carpal tunnel release followed by a longitudinal epineurotomy of the nerve (test), or to open-field release without epineurotomy (control).

New insights about suprapatellar cyst.

Suprapatellar bursa is located between the quadriceps tendon and femur, and it develops before the birth as a separate synovial compartment proximal to the knee joint. By the fifth month of fetal life there is a suprapatellar septum between the knee joint cavity and suprapatellar bursa which later perforates and involutes in a way that a normal communication between the cavity of bursa and knee is established. A small portion of the embrionic septum can later lag as more or less expressed suprapatellar plica.

A case report of spontaneous concurrent bilateral rupture of the quadriceps tendons in a patient with chronic renal failure.

In patients with chronic renal failure, many complications may develop that involve all organ systems, especially the locomotor system. Spontaneous concurrent bilateral rupture of the quadriceps tendons is a very rare complication in patients with chronic renal failure, usually occurring in patients under 50 years of age. Although there are numerous causes that lead to tendon weakness and rupture, most authors agree that secondary hyperparathyroidism plays a major role in the pathogenesis of tendon rupture.

Large suprapatellar synovial cyst in a 12-year-old girl: arthroscopic decompression.

In this study, we present a case of a very rare and large suprapatellar synovial cyst of the knee, which was successfully treated with an arthroscopic intra-articular decompression. Suprapatellar bursa is located between the femur and quadriceps tendon, proximal to the knee joint, and it normally communicates with a joint cavity. However, very rarely bursa can remain completely separated from the knee joint, which can result in the formation of a separated compartment inside which, in special circumstances, fluids can be accumulated and with time can lead to the formation of suprapatellar cyst.

[Posterior horn cyst of the medial meniscus].

We will present a rare case of a large symptomatic cyst of the medial meniscus, conjoined with a horizontal tear of a posterior meniscal horn. After clinical, radiological and ultrasound examination, a diagnosis was confirmed with MRI examination of the knee. Literature supports surgical therapy, which includes complete arthroscopic technique, meniscectomy and decompression of the cyst.

Mitchell and Wilson metatarsal osteotomies for the treatment of hallux valgus: comparison of outcomes two decades after the surgery.

Background: At short-term followup, the Mitchell osteotomy appears to provide more symptomatic improvement than the Wilson osteotomy. We compared the outcomes of the two procedures two decades after the surgeries.

Methods: In a two-center retrospective study, 30 patients (35 feet) who had Mitchell osteotomies and 28 patients (35 feet) who had Wilson osteotomies were evaluated 20 to 22 years after surgery for correction of the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal (IMA) angle, changes in the shortening of the first metatarsal and improvement in the overall status (a composite radiographic and clinical outcome according to Bonney and McNab).

[The carpal tunnel syndrome: medical and economic advantages of well-timed surgical treatment].

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a somewhat neglected medical and economic problem, and surgery is one of the therapeutic options. We analyze the outcomes of surgical treatment in 114 consecutive patients (154 hands). Before the surgery, physical therapy was implemented (96% cases) and the patients were frequently on a sick leave (42% cases).