SolupHred: a server to predict the pH-dependent aggregation of intrinsically disordered proteins.

SUMMARY: Polypeptides are exposed to changing environmental conditions that modulate their intrinsic aggregation propensities. Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) constitutively expose their aggregation determinants to the solvent, thus being especially sensitive to its fluctuations. However, solvent conditions are often disregarded in computational aggregation predictors. We recently developed a phenomenological model to predict IDPs' solubility as a function of the solution pH, which is based on the assumption that both protein lipophilicity and charge depend on this parameter. The model anticipated solubility changes in different IDPs accurately. In this application note, we present SolupHred, a web-based interface that implements the aforementioned theoretical framework into a predictive tool able to compute IDPs aggregation propensities as a function of pH. SolupHred is the first dedicated software for the prediction of pH-dependent protein aggregation. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The SolupHred web server is freely available for academic users at: https://ppmclab.pythonanywhere.com/SolupHred. It is platform-independent and does not require previous registration. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

DispHred: A Server to Predict pH-Dependent Order-Disorder Transitions in Intrinsically Disordered Proteins.

The natively unfolded nature of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) relies on several physicochemical principles, of which the balance between a low sequence hydrophobicity and a high net charge appears to be critical. Under this premise, it is well-known that disordered proteins populate a defined region of the charge-hydropathy (C-H) space and that a linear boundary condition is sufficient to distinguish between folded and disordered proteins, an approach widely applied for the prediction of protein disorder. Nevertheless, it is evident that the C-H relation of a protein is not unalterable but can be modulated by factors extrinsic to its sequence. Here, we applied a C-H-based analysis to develop a computational approach that evaluates sequence disorder as a function of pH, assuming that both protein net charge and hydrophobicity are dependent on pH solution. On that basis, we developed DispHred, the first pH-dependent predictor of protein disorder. Despite its simplicity, DispHred displays very high accuracy in identifying pH-induced order/disorder protein transitions. DispHred might be useful for diverse applications, from the analysis of conditionally disordered segments to the synthetic design of disorder tags for biotechnological applications. Importantly, since many disorder predictors use hydrophobicity as an input, the here developed framework can be implemented in other state-of-the-art algorithms.

Neuroestimulación medular. Análisis de las indicaciones diagnósticas / Spinal cord stimulation. Analysis of the diagnostic indications

INTRODUCCIÓN: La neuroestimulación medular (NM) es una forma de tratamiento del dolor crónico que ha demostrado su efectividad en pacientes que han respondido mal a otras terapias. Las indicaciones actuales para los dispositivos de NM son muy variadas. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es analizar las indicaciones diagnósticas de la terapia con NM durante los últimos 5 años en nuestro hospital, conocer cuáles son las causas de dolor más frecuentes para la indicación del implante del dispositivo y qué porcentaje de mejoría presentan los pacientes, así como estudiar la relación con el género y la edad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo. Los pacientes fueron identificados desde el registro de actividad quirúrgica de la Unidad del Dolor del Hospital General de Valencia. RESULTADOS: El número final de pacientes incluidos fue de 179. El síndrome de cirugía fallida de espalda (SCFE) fue la indicación diagnóstica en 112 pacientes (62,57 %). La media del porcentaje de mejoría descrita por los pacientes tras el implante del NM fue de 47,99 ± 27,3 %. No se observaron diferencias en la mejoría respecto a la edad o el género. DISCUSIÓN: A pesar de la variabilidad de diagnósticos en los que puede estar indicada esta terapia, es destacable que en más de la mitad de los casos la indicación es por SCFE

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a form of chronic pain treatment that has been shown to be effective in patients who have responded poorly to other therapies. The current indications for SCS devices are very varied. The aim of our study is to analyze the diagnostic indications of SCS therapy during the last 5 years in our hospital, to know the most frequent causes of pain for the indication of the implant of the device and what percentage of improvement patients present, as well as to study the relationship with gender and age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an observational, descriptive, retrospective study. The patients were identified from the surgical activity register of the Pain Unit of the General Hospital of Valencia. RESULTS: The final number of patients included was 179. The Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) was the diagnostic indication in 112 patients (62.57 %). The mean percentage of improvement described by the patients after the SCS implant was 47.99 ± 27.3 %. There were no differences in the improvement with respect to age or gender. DISCUSSION: In spite of the variability of diagnoses in which this therapy may be indicated, it is noteworthy that in more than half of the cases the indication is by FBSS

Tibialis Posterior Tendon Dislocation: A Case Report.

CASE: A 37-year-old man presented after a sudden snap followed by pain in the medial side of the ankle while playing football. Physical examination showed edema and pain posteriorly to the medial malleolus, and a longitudinal structure was palpable anteriorly. Ultrasound confirmed a dislocated tibialis posterior tendon (TPT). The patient underwent surgery, and the flexor retinaculum was repaired. Six months after the surgery, he was asymptomatic and had resumed his usual physical activity, with an AOFAS score of 100. CONCLUSION: TPT dislocation is rare and orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of this condition in patients with a sudden traumatic medial ankle pain.

In situ ripening stages monitoring of Lamuyo pepper using a new-generation near-infrared spectroscopy sensor.

BACKGROUND: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used as a nondestructive sensor to assess the quality of freshly harvested Lamuyo peppers. One hundred and forty-four Lamuyo peppers, which were in a range of colors (green, chocolate, orange, and red) when harvested, were analyzed. In this study, the evolution of the main quality parameters during the harvest period was analyzed. Additionally, NIRS predictive models using a portable manual spectrophotometer to evaluate quality parameters together with color index were developed. Moreover, two procedures for taking near-infrared spectra were tested: (1) static, where point spectral readings were taken of around the equator of the fruit; (2) dynamic, where spectra were taken by scanning the entire length of the pepper. RESULTS: Green peppers and those harvested at the beginning of the campaign presented significantly lower values (P < 0.05) of dry matter, soluble solid contents, and titratable acidity, whereas those with red coloration and those harvested at the end of the campaign showed significantly higher values of these three quality parameters (P < 0.05). The predictive capacity of the NIRS models showed that the static mode proved to be the most suitable for measuring the quality of Lamuyo peppers. CONCLUSIONS: The viability of NIRS for measuring dry matter content and soluble solid contents in situ, using a new-generation NIRS sensor, was demonstrated. However, the high water content, the irregular shape of the fruit, and the fact that it is hollow inside all point to the need for using larger samples sets so as to increase the robustness of the models obtained. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies: A Rare Condition That Presents with Common Symptoms: A Case Report.

CASE: A 13-year-old girl presented with paresthesia of the fourth and fifth fingers and the dorsal ulnar surface of the left hand that had started 3 months prior. Physical examination showed loss of sensation at the ulnar side of the fourth and fifth fingers and a positive Froment sign. Electromyography showed a severe motor conduction block in the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Eighteen months later, the patient had similar symptoms in the right hand. The diagnosis of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) was considered and confirmed with genetic testing. CONCLUSION: HNPP is a rare disease that should be considered not only in patients with multiple compressive neuropathies, but also in patients with any unexpected or unexplained neuropathy, even if it is isolated.

Vigilancia de la exposición a radiaciones ionizantes en el personal universitario de la salud / Surveillance of the exposure to ionizing radiations of the university health staff

Introducción El programa de vigilancia de exposición a radiaciones ionizantes en el ambiente laboral involucra las dosimetrías personales de los trabajadores y su evaluación comparativa con los valores de referencia, lo que permite priorizar, y por lo tanto, tomar acciones de prevención eficaces. Objetivos Presentar los resultados del programa de vigilancia en salud ocupacional de los trabajadores universitarios expuestos a radiaciones ionizantes durante el periodo 2003-2006. Métodos Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo longitudinal. Los datos dosimétricos fueron obtenidos de fuentes secundarias, a partir de la base de datos del programa de vigilancia dosimétrica de la Universidad de la República. La valoración de la exposición se realizó mediante dosimetría de film. Se analizaron los registros de los valores dosimétricos personales en el marco del programa de vigilancia, de los años 2003, 2004, 2005 y 2006. Resultados Se observaron valores dosimétricos que no superaron los valores de referencia admitidos como máximos anuales. La dosis anual máxima recibida fue de 15,72 milisieverts, correspondiente a las áreas de diagnostico y tratamiento especializado del Hospital Universitario. Conclusiones La vigilancia de la exposición ha permitido orientar el control médico periódico específico así como extremar acciones de radioprotección. En este sentido, el departamento de Salud Ocupacional está realizando tareas de educación y difusión del programa para reforzar las medidas de prevención.

Introduction The surveillance program for the workers exposed to ionizing radiations involves personal dosimetries of exposed workers, and their assessment and comparison with the reference values, which allow prioritizing and taking effective preventive actions. Objectives To present the occupational health surveillance program for university workers exposed to ionizing radiations during the 2003-2006 period. Methods Longitudinal and descriptive study. Dosimetric data were obtained from secondary source, on the basis of the dosimetric surveillance program in the University of the Republic. The exposure was evaluated through film dosimetry. The personal dosimetric value records were analyzed within the surveillance program in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Results It was observed that the dosimetric values did not exceed the reference values accepted as annual maximum figures. The annual maximum dose received was 15,72 milisieverts in the diagnosis and specialized treatment areas of the university hospital. Conclusions Surveillance of exposure to radiations allowed directing the specific systematic medical check-ups as well as stretching the taking of radioprotective measures. In this regard, the Department of Occupational Health is carrying out educational tasks and disseminating the surveillance program in order to reinforce preventive measures.