Health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression in the diagnostic phase of suspected cancer, and the influence of diagnosis.

Background: Undergoing diagnostic evaluation for cancer has been associated with a high prevalence of anxiety and depression and affected health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aims of this study were to assess HRQoL, anxiety, and depression pre- and post-diagnosis in patients undergoing diagnostic evaluations for cancer due to non-specific symptoms; to examine changes over time in relation to final diagnosis (cancer yes/no); and to assess the predictive value of pre-diagnostic psychological, socio-demographic and clinical factors.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter survey study of patients suspected to have cancer based on non-specific symptoms was performed.

Thiophene backbone amide linkers, a new class of easily prepared and highly acid-labile linkers for solid-phase synthesis.

Solid-phase synthesis is of tremendous importance for small-molecule and biopolymer synthesis. Linkers (handles) that release amide-containing products after completion of solid-phase synthesis are widely used. Here we present a new class of highly acid-labile backbone amide linkers (BAL handles) based on 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), which we have termed T-BAL.

On-bead chemical synthesis and display of phosphopeptides for affinity pull-down proteomics.

We describe a new method for phosphopeptide proteomics based on the solid-phase synthesis of phosphopeptides on beads suitable for affinity pull-down experiments. Peptide sequences containing the Bad Ser112 and Ser136 phosphorylation motifs were used as bait in affinity pull-down experiments to determine their ability to bind 14-3-3 proteins. Support-bound peptides were assembled directly on the solid support (PEGA) by standard solid-phase synthesis through a BAL-type handle.