Low protein

Abstract: The Illinois Long Term Selection Strains offer a unique opportunity to investigate the quantitative genetic basis of kernel chemical traits. This study was conducted to determine the number and magnitude of quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing kernel oil concentration and kernel weight in a maize (Zea mays L.) population derived from a cross of Illinois High Protein (IHP) × Illinois Low Protein (ILP). The parental strains had been divergently selected for protein concentration for 76 cyles, yet varied in oil concentration from 29 g kg -1 (ILP) to 54g kg -1 (IHP) and in 300 kernel weight from 76.5g (ILP) to 41.1g (IHP) [...]

Abstract: Background: This paper evaluates biliopancreatic diversion combined with the duodenal switch, forming a hybrid procedure which is a combination of restriction and malabsorption. Methods: The evaluation is of the first 440 patients undergoing this procedure who had had no previous bariatric surgery. The mean starting weight was 183 kg, with 41% of our patients considered super morbidly obese (BMI > 50). Results: There was an average maximum weight loss of 80% excess weight by 24 months postoperation; this continued at a 70% level for 8 years. Major complications were found in almost 9% of the cases. There were two perioperative deaths, one from pulmonary embolism and one from acute pulmonary obstruction. There were 36 type II diabetics, all of whom have discontinued medication following the surgery. Seventeen revisions were performed to correct excess weight loss and low protein levels. There have been no marginal ulcers, no cases of dumping syndrome, no foreign material used, and the procedure is a pyloric saving procedure which is functionally reversible. Conclusions: This operation has vastly improved the lives of seriously obese patients with many co-morbidities. All type II diabetics have essentially been cured of their disease. The procedure was tolerated well and patients are quite satisfied. There was minimal regain of weight with this method.

Abstract: We describe what may be the most accurate approach currently available for the calculation of the pKas of ionizable groups in proteins. The accuracy is assessed by comparison of computed pKas with 60 measured pKas in a total of seven proteins. The overall root-mean-square error is 0·89 pKa units. Linear regression analysis of computed versus measured pKas yields a slope of 0·95, y -intercept of ?0·02 and a correlation coefficient of 0·96. The proposed approach also picks out many of the shifted pKas of groups in enzyme active sites and special salt bridges. However, it does yield several over-shifted pKas and tends to underestimate pKa shifts which result from desolvation effects. We examine the ability of the new approach to reproduce the dependence of protein stability upon Ph, using the ionization polynomial formalism. Overall features of the stability curves are reproduced, but the quantitative agreement is not particularly good. The reasons for the disagreement may have to do both with insufficient accuracy in the theory and with uncertainty in the nature of the unfolded state of proteins. The methodology described here is based upon finite difference solutions of the Poisson?Boltzmann equation. Its success depend upon the use of the rather high protein dielectric constant of 20. However, theoretical considerations and the fact that pKa shifts which result from desolvation are underestimated here imply that the dielectric constant of the protein interior actually is lower than 20. We suggest that the high protein dielectric constant improves the overall agreement with experiment because it accounts approximately for phenomena which tend to mitigate pKa shifts and which are not specifically included in the model. These include conformational relaxation and specific ion-binding. Future models based upon a low protein dielectric constant and treating such phenomena explicitly might yield improved agreement with experiment.

Abstract: Purpose The phase III Iressa Survival Evaluation in Lung Cancer (ISEL) trial compared gefitinib with placebo in 1,692 patients with refractory advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. We analyzed ISEL tumor biopsy samples to examine relationships between biomarkers and clinical outcome after gefitinib treatment in a placebo-controlled setting. Methods Biomarkers included epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization (n = 370); EGFR (n = 379) and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) protein expression (n = 382) by immunohistochemistry; and mutations in EGFR (n = 215), KRAS (n = 152), and BRAF (n = 118). Results High EGFR gene copy number was a predictor of a gefitinib-related effect on survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61 for high copy number and HR, 1.16 for low copy number; comparison of high v low copy number HR, P = .045). EGFR protein expression was also related to clinical outcome (HR for positive, 0.77; HR for negative, 1.57; comparison of high v low protein expressio...

Abstract: Objectives: Coagulopathy following major trauma is conventionally attributed to activation and consumption of coagulation factors. Recent studies have identified an acute coagulopathy present on admission that is independent of injury severity. We hypothesized that early coagulopathy is due to tissue hypoperfusion, and investigated derangements in coagulation associated with this. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of major trauma patients admitted to a single trauma center. Blood was drawn within 10 minutes of arrival for analysis of partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times, prothrombin fragments 12, fibrinogen, thrombomodulin, protein C, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and D-dimers. Base deficit (BD) was used as a measure of tissue hypoperfusion. Results: A total of 208 patients were enrolled. Patients without tissue hypoperfusion were not coagulopathic, irrespective of the amount of thrombin generated. Prolongation of the partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times was only observed with an increased BD. An increasing BD was associated with high soluble thrombomodulin and low protein C levels. Low protein C levels were associated with prolongation of the partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times and hyperfibrinolysis with low levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and high D-dimer levels. High thrombomodulin and low protein C levels were significantly associated with increased mortality, blood transfusion requirements, acute renal injury, and reduced ventilator-free days. Conclusions: Early traumatic coagulopathy occurs only in the presence of tissue hypoperfusion and appears to occur without significant consumption of coagulation factors. Alterations in the thrombomodulin-protein C pathway are consistent with activated protein C activation and systemic anticoagulation. Admission plasma thrombomodulin and protein C levels are predictive of clinical outcomes following major trauma.