The kidney bean lectin Phaseolus vulgaris phytohemagglutinin E-form (PHA-E) was expressed and secreted by the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. To optimise yields of PHA-E, transformants of P. pastoris were selected for high-level production of the recombinant protein. A scaleable process for the production and purification of gram quantities of recombinant PHA-E is reported. PHA-E was secreted at approximately 100 mg/L at the 2- and 200-L scale and was purified to 95% homogeneity in a single step using cation-exchange chromatography. The purified recombinant PHA-E consists of four forms with molecular masses between 28.5 and 31.5 kDa, as assessed by MALDI-TOF, whereas its native counterpart has a molecular mass of approximately 30.5 kDa. Endoglycosidase treatment revealed that the range in size of the recombinant protein was attributed to differences in the nature of the N-linked oligosaccharides bound to the protein. The primary amino acid sequence of the recombinant PHA-E was found to be identical to the native protein and to have an agglutination activity similar to that of native PHA-E. The data presented here suggest that, using P. pastoris, gram quantities of a recombinant phytohemagglutinin E-form can be produced and that the recombinant protein is similar to the protein synthesised in plants with respect to structure and biological activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Agreement between measured and self-reported weight in older women. Results from the British Women's Heart and Health Study.

BACKGROUND: previous studies of the accuracy of self-reported weight have been criticised for using inadequate methods and have included only young or middle aged adults. Self-report is more likely to be relied upon in both clinical and research practice in older age groups. The cultural pressures that may cause the tendency among younger women to underestimate their weight, particularly when they are overweight, may operate differently in older women. OBJECTIVE: to determine the accuracy of self-reported weight among older women. METHODS: national cross sectional survey of women aged 60-79 from 9 towns across England, Scotland and Wales. Self-reported weight from a participant questionnaire was compared to measured weight at examination. RESULTS: of 2729 women who were invited, 1636 (60%) returned the questionnaire (of whom 1549 gave a self-reported weight) and 1384 (51%) attended for examination (of whom 1381 were weighed). In total there were 1310 (48% of the total invited sample) with complete self-report and measured weight. Self-reported and measured weight were highly correlated (Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.982 95% confidence interval, 0.979-0.983) and self-reported weight differed from measured weight by only 1.0 kg (95% confidence interval 0.8 kg, 1.1 kg) on average. However, a difference plot, with limits of agreement at -4.0 kg to +6.0 kg (95% confidence intervals: lower limit -4.3 kg, -3.8 kg; upper limit +5.7 kg, +6.2 kg) revealed poor agreement between methods. Obese individuals, in particular, were more likely to underestimate their weight. CONCLUSIONS: though self-report of weight by women in their 60s and 70s is highly correlated, at an individual level differences between self-report and measured weight are frequently large. Obese individuals, in particular, tend to underestimate their weight. Self-report of weight should not be relied upon in prospective epidemiological studies or clinical practice when accuracy at the level of the individual is required.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Exploring the complexity of compliance in schizophrenia.

A large body of literature indicates that people diagnosed with schizophrenia are highly likely to not comply with their prescribed treatment regime at some stage during the illness process. Factors that indicate the risk of noncompliance have been the subject of considerable research over a number of years. This paper presents an extensive review of the research literature on the subject of compliance in schizophrenia. A number of factors have constituted the focus of research into this area. These include: socio-demographic characteristics, including age, gender and socioeconomic status; illness factors including insight, psychiatric symptomatology, duration of illness, substance abuse, and adverse side-effects of medication; psychosocial factors such as health beliefs and social supports; and treatment factors including the nature of the therapeutic relationship between patients and health care professionals. While the results of relevant research do not provide a clear and conclusive picture of compliance, they provide important information to guide the pivotal role of the mental health nurse in facilitating patient compliance.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Some fraud fight left. Proposed HCA settlement, other enforcement activities indicate feds still serious about fighting healthcare fraud.

Some thought the federal government had been softening efforts to fight healthcare fraud. They were wrong. Last week, HCA was told to ante up nearly $900 million to settle its fraud case; the FBI raided another Tenet Healthcare Corp. Hospital; and the U.S. Justice Department participated in a pending whistleblower suit against 27 hospitals. HCA's legal troubles began when James Alderson (left) blew the whistle.

Fraud↗

PubMedDate not supplied