Cryptides: latent peptides everywhere

Proteomic surveys with top-down platforms are today revealing thousands of naturally occurring fragments of bigger proteins. Some of them have not functional meaning because they derive from pathways responsible for protein degradation, but many have specific functions, often completely different from that one of the parent proteins. These peptides encrypted in the protein sequence are nowadays called cryptides. They are frequent in the animal and plant kingdoms and represent a new interesting –omic field of investigation. To point out how much widespread is their presence, we describe here the most studied cryptides from very common sources such as serum albumin, immunoglobulins, hemoglobin, and from saliva and milk proteins. Given its vastness, it is unfeasible to cover the topic exhaustively, therefore only several selected examples of cryptides from other sources are thereafter reported. Demanding is the development of new –omic platforms for the functional screening of new cryptides, which could provide suggestion for peptides and peptido-mimetics with variegate fields of application.     

A comparison of the tryptic peptides of hemoglobin from Microtus pennsylvanicus tananaensis, mus musculus and man

Twenty-two tryptic peptides of the plus β chains of hemoglobin (Hb). taken from Microtuspennsylvanicus tananaensis, were identified as homologs of tryptic peptides from human Hb and account for 210 amino acids out of a total of 287 expected. Seven peptides could not be identified as homologs. With reference to the 210 amino acids identified in Microtus Hb: (a) there are 35 differences between Hb of man and Microtus (confined to 14 of the homologous peptides as compared to 28 differences between Hb of white mouse and man); (b) there are 22 differences between Hb of white mouse and Microtus.     

Protein polymorphism and genic variation in a population of the loach Cobitis delicata

Hemoglobin, non-enzymatic and enzymatic muscle proteins of the loach Cobitis delicata were examined electrophoretically. Eleven proteins were shown to be under control by 20 loci. Only two loci were defined as polymorphic and 14 loci were completely monomorphic. Estimated average heterozygosity over all 20 loci was 0.011 in the loach population.     

Role of TMPRSS6 rs855791 (T > C) polymorphism in reproductive age women with iron deficiency anemia from Lahore,Pakistan

BackgroundIron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the highest nutritional deficiency worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease, with a higher morbidity rate. TMPRSS6 polymorphisms importantly rs855791 is found to play an essential role in iron homeostasis in the human body. The rs855791 (T > C) polymorphism is highly associated with iron levels, and multiple blood parameters, leading to IDA. The role of TMPRSS6 rs855791 polymorphism and the significance of complete blood count (CBC) parameters in the pathogenesis of IDA is not yet studied in the Pakistani population.MethodsWe enrolled 113 cases and 136 controls to conduct a case control study. Complete blood count (CBC) and iron parameters were analyzed for association studies. PCR-RFLP based genotyping was performed.ResultsThe TMPRSS6 rs855791 (T > C) polymorphism is significantly associated with IDA pathogenesis as observed in the codominant model and recessive models (P < 0.05, OR: 1.5 and 95% CI: 0.9, 2.6, P < 0.05, OR: 0.5 and 95% CI: 0.2, 0.9 respectively). Elderly women among cases (30–49 years) were found to be more susceptible to IDA (P < 0.05, AOR: 2.1 and 95% CI: 1.0, 4.2). The most significant parameters associated with IDA were red blood cell count (RBC) and hematocrit (Hct%) (P < 0.05, AOR: 16.5, 95% CI: 7.6, 35.9 and P < 0.05, AOR: 10.1, 95% CI: 2.5, 41.6, respectively).ConclusionTMPRSS6 polymorphism at rs855791 (T > C) is significantly associated with IDA susceptibility in reproductive age women in Pakistan. Age, RBC count and Hct% are found to play an important role in IDA pathogenesis in our study population.     

Effects of buffer salt on the geminate recombination of photodissociated carboxyhemoglobin and its isolated subunits

The geminate recombination of photodissociated carboxyhemoglobin (human adult) and its isolated subunits was studied by nanosecond laser photolysis. The rebinding kinetics were found not to depend upon the kind of buffer used or on pH but changed appreciably with the buffer concentration. The results are compared to oxygenation properties under the same conditions.     

Racial and Ethnic Cardiometabolic Risk Disparities in the Type 1 Diabetes Exchange Clinic Registry Cohort

ObjectiveTo determine whether individuals from a historically underrepresented racial group have a higher cardiometabolic risk than historically represented individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) considering socioeconomic deprivation.MethodsWe used the multivariable logistic and linear regression models to examine socioeconomic deprivation (upper 10th percentile) by race/ethnicity interaction for each cardiometabolic risk factor and cardiometabolic risk burden score, respectively, across 6320 zip code tabulation areas. We also determined the age-adjusted prevalence of low, moderate, and high cardiometabolic risks defined as 0, 1 to 2, and 3 or more risk factors for hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and off-target glycemia for non-Hispanic White (n = 15 746), non-Hispanic Black (n = 1019), Hispanic (n = 1115), and other (n = 887), respectively.ResultsThe sample comprised 18 767 adolescents and adults with T1D. Those identifying as non-Hispanic Black were more likely to have a high cardiometabolic risk profile, including a 4.5-fold increase in the odds of off-target glycemia, a twofold increase in the odds of systolic hypertension, and 0.29 (unadjusted) and 0.46 (adjusted) increases in a higher cardiometabolic risk burden compared with non-Hispanic White individuals (P < .01). Those identifying as Hispanic had a 3.4-fold increase in the odds of off-target glycemia but were less likely to be overweight/obese or have systolic hypertension compared with non-Hispanic White. However, the lower likelihood of overweight/obesity and hypertension did not persist after considering covariates.ConclusionThere is a need to investigate additional determinants of racially/ethnically underrepresented cardiometabolic health, including structural racism and implicit bias in cardiometabolic care for individuals with T1D.     

Efficacy of Control-IQ Technology in a General Endocrine Clinic

ObjectiveRecent advances in technology have allowed for the expanded use of hybrid closed-loop insulin pump therapy and automated insulin delivery systems for the management of diabetes mellitus. We assessed the outcomes of introducing Tandem t:slim X2 with the Control-IQ technology in a general endocrine clinic.MethodsData from 66 adults with type 1 (n = 61) and type 2 (n = 5) diabetes mellitus were aggregated for analysis. Patients were either transitioned from traditional insulin pump therapy or multiple daily injection therapy to Tandem t:slim X2 with the Control-IQ technology from January 2020 to June 2021. The assessed clinical end points included changes in time below range, time above range, and time in target range. Changes in hemoglobin A1C before and after Control-IQ technology implementation were noted. The primary outcome was a change in time in target range with the Control-IQ technology.ResultsThere was a significant increase in time in target range when comparing pre- and post–Control-IQ technology (49.5% vs 63.3%, P < .0003) values. There was a reduction in time above range (46.8% vs 34.9%, P < .0013), a decrease in time below range (4.0% vs 1.7%, P = .017), and a decrease in hemoglobin A1C after transitioning to the Control-IQ technology (7.7% [61 mmol/mol] vs 7.1% [54 mmol/mol], P < .017). The patient dropout rate was low (7%).ConclusionThe Control-IQ technology system was effective in reducing hyperglycemia while increasing time in target range and decreasing hypoglycemia. This technology is a useful and effective addition to the growing number of automated insulin delivery systems. The clinical outcomes mirror the results found in the key adult pivotal trials.     

Does a MediDiet With Additional Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Pistachios Reduce the Incidence of Gestational Diabetes?

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) incidence in pregnant women following the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with the addition of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and pistachios.MethodsA total of 560 pregnant patients were enrolled in the present study. The MedDiet was introduced in both the interventional group (IG) and the control group. The women in the IG received 40 mL of EVOO every day along with 25 to 30 g of roasted pistachios. The incidence of GDM was recorded along with specific maternal and neonatal outcomes.ResultsThe nutritional scores and MedDiet adherence screener scores were not statistically different between the groups at baseline, but the difference was statistically significant and higher in the IG at 24 to 28 weeks (P = .001) and at 36 to 38 weeks (P = .001). GDM was diagnosed in 51 (20.4%) women in the control group and 34 (13.6%) women in the IG. The MedDiet significantly reduced GDM incidence (P = .02) after adjusting for confounding factors.ConclusionThe present study shows that dietary intervention in pregnant women, including a MedDiet and increased consumption of EVOO and pistachios, decreases the incidence of GDM.