Predictive value of computed tomography scoring systems evolution in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Objectives: To assess whether the evolution of two consecutive high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scores in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has prognostic value.

Methods: A longitudinal retrospective study was performed to research adult patients with CF. Two consecutive HRCT studies were scored using Bhalla and Brody II scoring scales by two senior radiologists.

Sexual Dysfunction and Quality of Life in Chronic Heroin-Dependent Individuals on Methadone Maintenance Treatment.

This study examined whether methadone (hereinafter referred to as MTD) maintenance treatment (MMT) is correlated with sexual dysfunction (SD) in heroin-dependent men. This was conducted to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and if there is a relationship between duration and dose among men on MMT and its impact on the quality of life. The study combined a retrospective and a cross-sectional survey based on the Kinsey Scale, TECVASP, and PRSexDQ-SALSEX clinical interviews of 85 patients who are currently engaged in MMT.

Desaturations During 6-Minute Walk Test and Predicting Nocturnal Desaturations in Adult Subjects With Cystic Fibrosis.

Background: Nocturnal desaturation in cystic fibrosis (CF) may have prognostic implications because a significant and maintained nocturnal desaturation can contribute to the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension with cor pulmonale. Its relation with the desaturation in exercise has not been sufficiently studied. We aimed to determine whether desaturation during 6MWT can be an indicator of nocturnal desaturation in adult subjects with CF.

New strategy for the generation of specific D-peptide amyloid inhibitors.

The conversion of a soluble protein into beta-sheet-rich oligomeric structures and further fiber formation are critical steps in the pathogenesis of the group of human diseases known as amyloidoses. Drugs that interfere with this process may thus be able to prevent and/or cure these diseases. Recent results have shown that short amino acid stretches can provide most of the driving force needed to trigger amyloid formation of a protein.

Design of a bivalent peptide with two independent elements of secondary structure able to fold autonomously.

This article describes a strategy to develop, starting from a de novo design, bivalent peptides containing two different (alpha-helix and beta-hairpin) and independent secondary-structure elements. The design was based on the use of conformationally restricted peptide libraries. Structural characterization by NMR revealed that the peptides were stable and did not show any long-range NOE interactions between the N-terminal beta-hairpin and the C-terminal alpha-helix.

Amyloid toxicity is independent of polypeptide sequence, length and chirality.

By using an amyloid sequence pattern, here we have identified putative six-residue amyloidogenic stretches in several relevant amyloid proteins. Hexapeptides synthesized on the bases of the sequence stretches matching the pattern have been shown to form amyloid fibrils in vitro. As larger pathological peptides such as A beta(1-42) do, these short amyloid peptides form heterogeneous mixtures of small aggregates that induce cell death in PC12 cells and primary hippocampal neurons.

Hacking the code of amyloid formation: the amyloid stretch hypothesis.

Many research efforts in the last years have been directed towards understanding the factors determining protein misfolding and amyloid formation. Protein stability and amino acid composition have been identified as the two major factors in vitro. The research of our group has been focused on understanding the relationship between amino acid sequence and amyloid formation.

Design of bioactive and structurally well-defined peptides from conformationally restricted libraries.

Libraries of peptides and proteins can be categorized according to the function of their origin in gene- and synthetic-based libraries. Both kinds of libraries have the potential to generate the same grade of molecular diversity, although the limits imposed by the synthetic methods have been lately a matter of discussion. However, the use of synthetic strategies allows incorporation of non-natural amino acids.

Combinatorial chemistry of beta-hairpins.

Combinatorial chemistry is expanding rapidly both in terms of chemistry development and application to the synthesis of compound libraries for lead discovery and optimization. Combinatorial technologies continue evolving and developing, in fact they are being used as basic research tools in different fields that include peptide/protein folding. This review examines the use of combinatorial chemistry in the design of peptides and protein domains that adopt beta-sheet conformations.

Molecular staging of prostatic cancer with RT-PCR assay for prostate-specific antigen in peripheral blood and lymph nodes: comparison with standard histological staging and immunohistochemical assessment of occult regional lymph node metastases.

Background: About 30-40% of men with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy will have cancer recurrence. It is estimated that one third recur locally and two thirds develop distant metastases with or without local recurrence.

Methods: In the present study we investigate the detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA in peripheral blood samples (n=200 patients) and pelvic lymph nodes (n=154 patients) by PSA reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and compare these results to standard histological and immunohistochemical staging.