Assessment of the Validity and Quality of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Screening Tools Available for Women Globally: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review has the following aims: (1) to identify measurement tools used globally by healthcare providers to diagnose PCOS in women at elevated risk; (2) to assess the comprehensiveness of these tools regarding mental health and chronic pain; (3) to list strategies for validating, disseminating, and implementing these tools; and (4) to provide future recommendations for experts in healthcare settings. This review utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Arksey and O'Malley York methodology. Studies were sourced from the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, with inclusion criteria focusing on peer-reviewed articles addressing PCOS diagnosis and associated comorbidities.

Immunoaffinity-free chromatographic purification of ovarian cancer biomarker CA125 (MUC16) from blood serum enables mass spectrometry characterization.

The enrichment of trace proteins from human fluid samples is of great importance in diverse clinical and industrial applications. In clinical diagnostics, such enrichment may enable detection of trace proteins that serve as biomarkers of disease. Affinity-based approaches, such as immunoaffinity pulldown, are widely used to enrich trace proteins, but this strategy relies on the availability and performance of antibodies that act on all proteoforms in an unbiased manner.

Utility of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis Score: Comorbid Conditions Do Matter.

The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) has been proposed as a diagnostic tool for necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI). However, its utility remains underreported, particularly in patients with comorbid conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify the test characteristics of LRINEC for patients with various comorbid conditions.

Ligand-dependent tRNA processing by a rationally designed RNase P riboswitch.

We describe a synthetic riboswitch element that implements a regulatory principle which directly addresses an essential tRNA maturation step. Constructed using a rational in silico design approach, this riboswitch regulates RNase P-catalyzed tRNA 5'-processing by either sequestering or exposing the single-stranded 5'-leader region of the tRNA precursor in response to a ligand. A single base pair in the 5'-leader defines the regulatory potential of the riboswitch both in vitro and in vivo.

Affinity-free enrichment and mass spectrometry analysis of the ovarian cancer biomarker CA125 (MUC16) from patient-derived ascites.

Developing a mass spectrometry-based assay for the ovarian cancer biomarker CA125 (MUC16) is a desirable goal, because it may enable detection of molecular regions that are not recognized by antibodies and are therefore analytically silent in the current immunoassay. Additionally, the ability to characterize the CA125 proteoforms expressed by individuals may offer clinical insight. Enrichment of CA125 from malignant ascites may provide a high-quality source of this important ovarian cancer biomarker, but a reliable strategy for such enrichment is currently lacking.

Hydrolysis of Whey Protein-Dextran Glycates Made Using the Maillard Reaction.

Protein-polysaccharide glycates are food ingredients that use the Maillard reaction to form a Schiff base linkage between the carbonyl of a polysaccharide and the free amino moiety of a protein. Glycates are excellent emulsification, foaming, and gelling agents in foods and improve protein solubility and heat stability. The present work examined if glycates dissociate by hydrolysis, returning to free un-glycated protein and dextran due to the reversibility of the Schiff base linkage.

Kinetics of Whey Protein Glycation Using Dextran and the Dry-Heating Method.

Glycation of proteins by polysaccharides via the Maillard reaction improves the functional properties of proteins in foods, such as solubility, heat stability, emulsification, foaming, and gelation. Glycation is achieved by either the dry heating or the wet heating method, and considerable research has been reported on the functionality of the reaction mixture as tested in foods. While the characteristics of the glycates in foods have been well studied, the kinetics and equilibrium yield of the protein-polysaccharide glycation reaction has received little attention.

Fractionation of Glycomacropeptide from Whey Using Positively Charged Ultrafiltration Membranes.

Fractionation of the bovine glycomacropeptide (GMP) from the other proteins in cheese whey was examined using ultrafiltration membranes surface modified to contain positively charged polymer brushes made of polyhexamethylene biguanide. By placing a strong positive charge on a 1000 kDa ultrafiltration membrane and adjusting the pH of whey close to the isoelectric point of GMP, a 14-fold increase in selectivity was observed compared to unmodified membranes. A one stage membrane system gave 90% pure GMP and a three-stage rectification system gave 97% pure GMP.

Milk Protein Concentration Using Negatively Charged Ultrafiltration Membranes.

In this work, milk protein concentrate (MPC) was made using wide-pore negatively charged ultrafiltration membranes. The charged membranes were used for a six-fold volume concentration of skim milk and subsequent diafiltration to mimic the industrial MPC process. The charged 100 kDa membranes had at least a four-fold higher permeate flux at the same protein recovery as unmodified 30 kDa membranes, which are currently used in the dairy industry to make MPC.

Adsorbed Layer Thickness Determination for Convective-Based Media from Pressure Drop Data.

In the present work, we derive a theoretical framework to determine the adsorbed layer thickness from pressure drop measurements for convective-based media without any assumptions about the geometry of the pore structure of the stationary phase matrix. Equations are presented to calculate accuracy of the estimated adsorbed layer thickness as a consequence of measurement error and approximations of the mathematical model. We discovered that there is a minimum in the error for certain pressure drops that results in optimal experimental conditions for determining the adsorbed layer thickness.

Designer tRNAs for efficient incorporation of non-canonical amino acids by the pyrrolysine system in mammalian cells.

The pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNAPyl pair is the most versatile and widespread system for the incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins in mammalian cells. However, low yields of ncAA incorporation severely limit its applicability to relevant biological targets. Here, we generate two tRNAPyl variants that significantly boost the performance of the pyrrolysine system.

Inactivation Kinetics of Pathogens during Thermal Processing in Acidified Broth and Tomato Purée (pH 4.5).

Thermal inactivation kinetics for single strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica were measured in acidified tryptic soy broth (TSB; pH 4.5) heated at 54°C. Inactivation curves also were measured for single-pathogen five-strain cocktails of E.

Design of Artificial Riboswitches as Biosensors.

RNA aptamers readily recognize small organic molecules, polypeptides, as well as other nucleic acids in a highly specific manner. Many such aptamers have evolved as parts of regulatory systems in nature. Experimental selection techniques such as SELEX have been very successful in finding artificial aptamers for a wide variety of natural and synthetic ligands.

Synthetic Riboswitches: From Plug and Pray toward Plug and Play.

In synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and gene therapy, there is a strong demand for orthogonal or externally controlled regulation of gene expression. Here, RNA-based regulatory devices represent a promising emerging alternative to proteins, allowing a fast and direct control of gene expression, as no synthesis of regulatory proteins is required. Besides programmable ribozyme elements controlling mRNA stability, regulatory RNA structures in untranslated regions are highly interesting for engineering approaches.

Designing medical foods for inherited metabolic disorders: why intact protein is superior to amino acids.

Phenylketonuria and tyrosinemia are inherited metabolic disorders characterized by high blood levels of phenylalanine (Phe) or tyrosine (Tyr), due to mutations in genes affecting Phe and Tyr metabolism, respectively. The primary management is a lifelong diet restricted in protein from natural foods in combination with medical foods comprised mixtures of synthetic amino acids. Compliance is often poor after childhood leading to neuropsychological sequela.

Heat penetration and thermocouple location in home canning.

We processed applesauce, tomato juice, and cranberries in pint jars in a boiling water canner to test thermal processing theories against home canning of high-acid foods. For each product, thermocouples were placed at various heights in the jar. Values for f h (heating), f cl (cooling), and F 82.

[Palpation and elastography of thyroid nodules in comparison].

Unlabelled: In addition to ultrasound, elastography is available for evaluation of thyroid nodules for several years.

Aim: of this study was to verify a statistically significant correlation between palpation and elastography as well as between scintigraphy and elastography, respectively. PATIENTS, METHODES: 97 solitary thyroid nodules in 67 women (mean age 63.

[Incorporation monitoring of employees of a radioiodine therapy ward. Is incorporation monitoring required for routine?].

Unlabelled: Aim of the study was to determine the annual incorporation of staff on a radioiodine therapy ward and the resulting annual effective dose (aed). Following the German incorporation guideline (gig), incorporation monitoring is not necessary for potential aed below 0.5 mSv/a.

Method for chromatographic analysis of whey protein-dextran glycation products.

A chromatographic method for the analysis of whey protein isolate (WPI)-dextran glycates was developed in this work that is useful for quantification of sample purity and concentration, and as a sample-preparation method for subsequent analysis by gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and laser-light scattering. Glycation was by the Maillard reaction between WPI and dextran of 3 different sizes. Glycate fractions from each dextran were collected and analyzed by fluorescent and glycoprotein staining of gels, bicinchoinic acid protein assay, and static and dynamic laser light scattering.

Chromatographic purification and characterization of whey protein-dextran glycation products.

A process for the food-grade preparative-scale production and chromatographic purification of whey protein isolate (WPI)-dextran glycates was developed in this work. The Maillard reaction was used to produce the glycates in aqueous solution. A 5 mL cation exchange column and salt step gradients were utilized to elute the glycated protein at low salt and unreacted protein at high salt.

Monoliths for the purification of whey protein-dextran conjugates.

Proteins conjugated to neutral biopolymers are of keen interest to the food and pharmaceutical industries. Conjugated proteins are larger and more charge shielded than un-reacted proteins, making purification difficult using conventional beaded chromatographic supports because of slow mass transfer rates, weak binding, and viscous solutions. Past methods developed for pharmaceuticals are unsuitable for foods.

Morning to evening changes of intramyocellular lipid content in dependence on nutrition and physical activity during one single day: a volume selective 1H-MRS study.

Object: Intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) were shown to be metabolically highly active. In order to get insight into short-term regulation of IMCL and to reveal related problems with standardization in metabolic studies using the common signal ratio IMCL/Cr3, relative concentration changes from morning to evening in the same day were examined under four different nutritional and exercise conditions.

Material And Methods: Twelve healthy male volunteers participated in an interventional program, comprising single days of fasting (F), low-caloric/low-fat diet (LC), or high-caloric/high-fat diet (HC), combined with low physical activity.

Ingredients and pH are key to clear beverages that contain whey protein.

A challenge of shelf stable beverages that contain whey protein is that a small portion of protein can be denatured and aggregated during thermal processing, resulting in a turbid solution or white precipitate that consumers perceive as a defect. In this study, 3 approaches were taken to reduce turbidity in heat-treated beverages that contain whey protein: (1) centrifugation to remove insoluble protein aggregates, (2) addition of ingredients, and (3) alteration of pH in the range from 3.0 to 4.

Turbidity and protein aggregation in whey protein beverages.

During storage of heat-treated acidic (pH View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Salt tolerant membrane adsorbers for robust impurity clearance.

Clearance of impurities such as viruses, host cell protein (HCP), and DNA is a critical purification design consideration for manufacture of monoclonal antibody therapeutics. Anion exchange chromatography has frequently been utilized to accomplish this goal; however, anion exchange adsorbents based on the traditional quaternary amine (Q) ligand are sensitive to salt concentration, leading to reduced clearance levels of impurities at moderate salt concentrations (50-150 mM). In this report, membrane adsorbers incorporating four alternative salt tolerant anion exchange ligands were examined for impurity clearance: agmatine, tris-2-aminoethyl amine, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), and polyethyleneimine.