The high molecular complexity of variably O-glycosylated and degraded pro B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) derived molecular forms challenges current immunoassays. Antibodies used show pronounced differences in cross-reactivities with these circulating fragments, which still need to be better characterized on a molecular level. To pave the way for advanced quantitative assays in the future, it is critical to fully understand these circulating forms.

Plasma samples were collected from 8 heart failure (HF) patients and 2 healthy controls. NT-proBNP and proBNP were purified by immunoprecipitation and analyzed by nano-flow liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Fragments formed during proteolysis in solution digestion were distinguished from naturally occurring peptides by using an 18O stable isotope labeling strategy.

We detected 16 previously unknown circulating fragments of proBNP peptides (9 of which are located in the N-terminal and 7 in the C-terminal region), revealing a more advanced state of degradation than previously known. ML324 nmr Two of these fragments are indicative of either unidentified processing modes or a far-reaching C-terminal degradation (or a combination thereof) of the precursor proBNP.

Our results further restrict ideal target epitopes for immunoassay antibodies and expand the current thinking of diversity, degradation, and processing of proBNP, as well as the distribution of circulating forms.

Our results further restrict ideal target epitopes for immunoassay antibodies and expand the current thinking of diversity, degradation, and processing of proBNP, as well as the distribution of circulating forms.

In healthcare, a variety of quality management practices are used. Although they are important sources for quality improvement initiatives, they do not focus on each particular process. On the other hand, ‘Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies’ (COBIT) offers a well-defined process representation structure for representing potential process improvements. The objective of this study was to adopt the COBIT structure for healthcare processes and assess the applicability of such process representations.

A two-round Delphi technique was applied in round 1, open-ended interviews were performed with the participants; in round 2, the participants responded to the web questionnaire.

The participants provided their opinion between 11 September 2018 and 26 June 2019.

It included 37 members of an expert panel from 8 European countries.

N/A.

In round 1, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats indicators of using the proposed structure in healthcare were identified. These were evaluated on a 9-point Likert scale in round 2.

All participants noted that elements of the COBIT process representation structure were suitable for representing healthcare processes. The consensus was reached only for strengths and opportunities indicators.

A set of processes represented with the suggested structure has the potential to become a valid reference in healthcare quality improvements initiatives, as COBIT in IT domain. Despite the fact that the expert panel members confirmed the applicability of the COBIT process representation structure for healthcare processes, the identified weaknesses and threats cannot be ignored.

A set of processes represented with the suggested structure has the potential to become a valid reference in healthcare quality improvements initiatives, as COBIT in IT domain. Despite the fact that the expert panel members confirmed the applicability of the COBIT process representation structure for healthcare processes, the identified weaknesses and threats cannot be ignored.Recent efforts in biological engineering have made detection of nucleic acids in samples more rapid, inexpensive and sensitive using CRISPR-based approaches. We expand one of these Cas13a-based methods to detect small molecules in a one-batch assay. Using SHERLOCK-based profiling of in vitrotranscription (SPRINT), in vitro transcribed RNA sequence-specifically triggers the RNase activity of Cas13a. This event activates its non-specific RNase activity, which enables cleavage of an RNA oligonucleotide labeled with a quencher/fluorophore pair and thereby de-quenches the fluorophore. This fluorogenic output can be measured to assess transcriptional output. The use of riboswitches or proteins to regulate transcription via specific effector molecules is leveraged as a coupled assay that transforms effector concentration into fluorescence intensity. In this way, we quantified eight different compounds, including cofactors, nucleotides, metabolites of amino acids, tetracycline and monatomic ions in samples. In this manner, hundreds of reactions can be easily quantified in a few hours. This increased throughput also enables detailed characterization of transcriptional regulators, synthetic compounds that inhibit transcription, or other coupled enzymatic reactions. These SPRINT reactions are easily adaptable to portable formats and could therefore be used for the detection of analytes in the field or at point-of-care situations.

To determine to what extent patient health status and recovery in post-acute care organizations (PACO) is related to patient experience of the discharge process from hospital and to patient experience while staying in these facilities.

Longitudinal study of patients discharged from hospitals to PACO.

12 hospitals and 14 PACO Portuguese organizations.

181 patients participated in the both stages of data gathering.

Patients’ physical and mental health status was measured through the 36-item short form health survey scale. The experience of transition from hospital to PACO was measured with the Care Transition Measure. The Picker Adult In-Patient Questionnaire was used to measure patients’ experience in these organizations.

Patients reporting better physical condition in PACO had a better experience on discharge [b = 0.21, 95% confidence interval, CI (0.10, 0.31)] and perceive fewer problems inside facilities [b = - 0.19, 95% CI (-0.31, 0.08)]. The experience in PACO is significantly related to patients’ mental health status [b = - 0.