Variability of haptoglobin beta-chain proteoforms.

Existing knowledge on changes of the haptoglobin (Hp) molecule suggests that it may exist in multiple proteoforms, which obviously exhibit different functions. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) in combination with mass spectrometry and immunodetection, we have analyzed blood plasma samples from both healthy donors and patients with primary grade IV glioblastoma (GBM), and obtained a detailed composite 2DE distribution map of β-chain proteoforms, as well as the full-length form of Hp (zonulin). Although the total level of plasma Hp exceeded normal values in cancer patients (especially patients with GBM), the presence of particuar proteoforms, detected by their position on the 2DE map, was very individual.

Diversity of Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides in Black Cumin ( L.) Seeds.

Black cumin ( L.) is known to possess a wide variety of antimicrobial peptides belonging to different structural families. Three novel antimicrobial peptides have been isolated from black cumin seeds.

Enzymatic Synthesis of 2-Chloropurine Arabinonucleosides with Chiral Amino Acid Amides at the C6 Position and an Evaluation of Antiproliferative Activity In Vitro.

A number of purine arabinosides containing chiral amino acid amides at the C6 position of the purine were synthesized using a transglycosylation reaction with recombinant nucleoside phosphorylases. Arsenolysis of 2-chloropurine ribosides with chiral amino acid amides at C6 was used for the enzymatic synthesis, and the reaction equilibrium shifted towards the synthesis of arabinonucleosides. The synthesized nucleosides were shown to be resistant to the action of adenosine deaminase.

[A tool to assess functional communication skills and its correspondence with traditional language testing in patients with brain tumors].

Objective: To identify the relationship between speech impairment as measured by the Russian Aphasia Test (RAT) and functional communication as assessed by the Communicative Effectiveness Index (CETI).

Material And Methods: RAT and CETI were administered to 87 patients at two time points, before surgery and in 3 months after brain tumor resection surgery.

Results: There were significant correlations between CETI and the total scores on RAT subtests for speech comprehension and production before surgery but not in the follow-up period.

Construction of 2DE Patterns of Plasma Proteins: Aspect of Potential Tumor Markers.

The use of tumor markers aids in the early detection of cancer recurrence and prognosis. There is a hope that they might also be useful in screening tests for the early detection of cancer. Here, the question of finding ideal tumor markers, which should be sensitive, specific, and reliable, is an acute issue.