Polar Substitutions on the Surface of a Lipase Substantially Improve Tolerance in Organic Solvents.

Biocatalysis in organic solvents (OSs) enables more efficient routes to the synthesis of various valuable chemicals. However, OSs often reduce enzymatic activity, which limits the use of enzymes in OSs. Herein, we report a comprehensive understanding of interactions between surface polar substitutions and DMSO by integrating molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of 45 variants from Bacillus subtilis lipase A (BSLA) and substitution landscape into a "BSLA-SSM" library.

Using Molecular Simulation to Guide Protein Engineering for Biocatalysis in Organic Solvents.

Biocatalysis in organic solvents (OSs) is very appealing for the industry in producing bulk and/or fine chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals, biodiesel, and fragrances. The poor performance of enzymes in OSs (e.g.

Comparison of Two Prostate Cancer Risk Calculators that Include the Prostate Health Index.

Background: Risk prediction models for prostate cancer (PCa) have become important tools in reducing unnecessary prostate biopsies. The Prostate Health Index (PHI) may increase the predictive accuracy of such models.

Objectives: To compare two PCa risk calculators (RCs) that include PHI.

The added value of percentage of free to total prostate-specific antigen, PCA3, and a kallikrein panel to the ERSPC risk calculator for prostate cancer in prescreened men.

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing has limited accuracy for the early detection of prostate cancer (PCa).

Objective: To assess the value added by percentage of free to total PSA (%fPSA), prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3), and a kallikrein panel (4k-panel) to the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) multivariable prediction models: risk calculator (RC) 4, including transrectal ultrasound, and RC 4 plus digital rectal examination (4+DRE) for prescreened men.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Participants were invited for rescreening between October 2007 and February 2009 within the Dutch part of the ERSPC study.

Graphical assessment of incremental value of novel markers in prediction models: From statistical to decision analytical perspectives.

New markers may improve prediction of diagnostic and prognostic outcomes. We aimed to review options for graphical display and summary measures to assess the predictive value of markers over standard, readily available predictors. We illustrated various approaches using previously published data on 3264 participants from the Framingham Heart Study, where 183 developed coronary heart disease (10-year risk 5.

Risk prediction scores for recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: an international validation in primary tumours.

Objective: We aimed to determine the validity of two risk scores for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in different European settings, in patients with primary tumours.

Methods: We included 1,892 patients with primary stage Ta or T1 non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who underwent a transurethral resection in Spain (n = 973), the Netherlands (n = 639), or Denmark (n = 280). We evaluated recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival according to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment (CUETO) risk scores for each patient and used the concordance index (c-index) to indicate discriminative ability.

Net reclassification improvement: computation, interpretation, and controversies: a literature review and clinician's guide.

The net reclassification improvement (NRI) is an increasingly popular measure for evaluating improvements in risk predictions. This article details a review of 67 publications in high-impact general clinical journals that considered the NRI. Incomplete reporting of NRI methods, incorrect calculation, and common misinterpretations were found.

Sources of dietary protein in relation to blood pressure in a general Dutch population.

Background: Little is known about the relation of different dietary protein types with blood pressure (BP). We examined whether intake of total, plant, animal, dairy, meat, and grain protein was related to BP in a cross sectional cohort of 20,820 Dutch adults, aged 20-65 y and not using antihypertensive medication.

Design: Mean BP levels were calculated in quintiles of energy-adjusted protein with adjustment for age, sex, BMI, education, smoking, and intake of energy, alcohol, and other nutrients including protein from other sources.

Behavioral differences among fourteen inbred mouse strains commonly used as disease models.

We compared the behavior of 14 inbred mouse strains and an F1 hybrid commonly used in transgenic and knockout production. These strains were 129P3/J, 129S1/SvImJ, 129S6/SvEvTac, 129T2/SvEmsJ, 129X1/SvJ (formerly 129/J, 129/Sv-p+Tyr+Kitl+/J, 129/SvEvTac, 129SvEmsJ, and 129/SvJ, respectively), A/JCrTac, BALB/cAnNTac, C3H/HeNTac, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6NTac, DBA/2NTac, FVB/NTac, NOD/MrkTac, SJL/JCrNTac, and the hybrid B6129S6F1Tac. Performance in three behavioral tests (rotorod, open-field activity-habituation, and contextual and cued fear conditioning) was determined.

Genetic and behavioral differences among five inbred mouse strains commonly used in the production of transgenic and knockout mice.

Five strains of mice commonly used in transgenic and knockout production were compared with regard to genetic background and behavior. These strains were: C57BL/6J, C57BL/6NTac, 129P3/J (formerly 129/J), 129S6/SvEvTac (formerly 129/SvEvTac) and FVB/NTac. Genotypes for 342 microsatellite markers and performance in three behavioral tests (rotorod, open field activity and habituation, and contextual and cued fear conditioning) were determined.

Coronary revascularisation in young adults.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term outcome of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in patients < 40 years old and to determine factors predictive of adverse outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective review of data on 220 patients who underwent isolated CABG at Green Lane Hospital, New Zealand from 1970 to 1992.

Results: The actuarial survival after surgery was 91, 74 and 50% at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively.

Late outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients < 40 years old.

Background: Randomized trials confirm the long-term efficacy of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), although there are no randomized data in patients < 40 years old. Because these patients have been reported to have an early recurrence of symptoms, the long-term postoperative outcome was examined.

Methods And Results: The long-term outcome of patients (n = 221) < 40 years old undergoing CABG at Green Lane Hospital, New Zealand, from 1970 to 1992 was determined.