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Objective: K‐wire arthrodesis methods are commonly used during arthrodesis of the finger distal interphalangeal (DIP) or thumb interphalangeal (IP) joints. Here we propose an advantageous approach involving dual parallel intramedullary K‐wires with the K‐wire tips cut to bury underneath the skin. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2021, 35 patients (43 joints) underwent finger DIP or thumb IP joint arthrodesis using this method. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated, while functional outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score. Patients with at least 1 year follow‐up were analyzed. The preoperative and postoperative functional results were analyzed using the paired t‐test. Results: Arthrodesis union was achieved in 41/43 joints (95.3%). We treated 10 thumb IP joints and 33 finger DIP joints, for which the underlying cause was osteoarthritis and trauma in 37 and six digits, respectively. The average time of K‐wire removal was 8.9 (range, 7–10) weeks after surgery. Twenty‐four patients (27 joints; 22 women, two men) had at least 1 year follow‐up (mean 15.9; range, 12.5–40.8) months. For patients with bone healing, the VAS score improved from 6.6 (range, 5–8) to 0.6 (range, 0–1) (p < 0.001), and the QuickDASH score improved from 57.9 (range, 31.8–77.3) to 14.7 (range, 6.8–20.5) (p < 0.001) at final follow‐up. Both of the two failure cases were in the thumb. There were no other complications. Conclusions: This technique is simple and cost‐effective and achieves a good union rate. The advantages include the ability to choose variable K‐wire sizes according to the size of the medullary canal and the ease of postoperative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The dorsal approach is commonly used in open wrist arthrodesis. However, the extensor compartments and the dorsal wrist capsule need to be opened. We propose and evaluate a lateral approach using a small incision over the scaphoid anatomical snuffbox, which could be more straightforward for performing scaphoid excision and capitolunate arthrodesis in the treatment of scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC). Methods: Between 2016 and 2021, 10 patients were enrolled retrospectively and underwent the lateral approach for scaphoid excision and capitolunate arthrodesis. We presented the radiographic outcomes, including fusion status, capitolunate angle, and carpal height ratio. The functional outcomes of wrist range of motion, grip strength, visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score, and Mayo wrist score were evaluated. The data obtained were analyzed and presented as the mean and standard deviation (SD). Results: All 10 patients achieved solid bone fusion, and the mean follow‐up period was 20.4 (range 12–38; SD 10.1) months. Postoperatively, the mean capitolunate angle and carpal height ratio improved from 18.1° (range 8–34°; SD 8.6°) to 2.9° (range 0–5°; SD 1.9°) and 0.45 (range 0.40–0.49; SD 0.03)% to 0.50 (range 0.46–0.54; SD 0.02)%, respectively. The average preoperative and final follow‐up functional results were as follows: flexion‐extension arc of 76.5° (range 50–110°; SD 20.0°) and 74.0° (range 65–90°; SD 9.1°); VAS pain score of 5.8 (range 4–7; SD 1.0) and 0.9 (range 0–2; SD 0.6); QuickDASH score of 55.9 (range 40.9–79.5; SD 11.4) and 26.1 (range 18.2–36.4; SD 6.0); and Mayo wrist score of 46.5 (range 25–60; SD 13.8) and 72.5 (range 70–80; SD 3.5), respectively. Conclusions: The lateral approach for scaphoid excision and capitolunate arthrodesis in treating SLAC and SNAC can provide a straightforward way for performance. This approach does not require disruption of the dorsal wrist capsule and extensor retinaculum. Bony healing can be achieved, and functional outcomes can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native chemical ligation combined with desulfurization has become a powerful strategy for the chemical synthesis of proteins. Here we describe the use of a new thiol additive, methyl thioglycolate, to accomplish one-pot native chemical ligation and metal-free desulfurization for chemical protein synthesis. This one-pot strategy was used to prepare ubiquitin from two or three peptide segments. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and racemic protein X-ray crystallography confirmed the correct folding of ubiquitin. Our results demonstrate that proteins synthesized chemically by streamlined 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) solid-phase peptide synthesis coupled with a one-pot ligation-desulfurization strategy can supply useful molecules with sufficient purity for crystallographic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We synthesized a lysine-linked auxiliary-derived building block, ϵ- N-2-mercapto-1-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl lysine, in 20 % isolated yield over a six-step route. The new building block is well compatible with Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and hydrazide-based native chemical ligation (NCL). Furthermore, we successfully incorporated the new lysine-linked auxiliary handle into a protein segment and performed the chemical synthesis of K48-linked diubiquitin with stepwise NCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mambalgins are a class of 57-residue polypeptide toxins isolated from the venom of the African mamba. They exhibit potent analgesic effects by inhibiting the acid-sensing ion channels. Classified as members of the family of three-finger toxins, mambalgins contain four pairs of disulfide bridges that help to stabilize the three-finger scaffold. Here, we report the chemical synthesis of functional mambalgin-1/2/3 by using one-step two-segment hydrazide-based native chemical ligation. The two-segment ligation approach reported here may enable efficient production of mambalgin toxins. These synthetic mambalgins are useful compounds for development of diagnostic or therapeutic reagents. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sortase‐mediated hydrazinolysis of proteins with hydrazine or its derivatives was developed for the production of recombinant protein hydrazides. This process provides an alternative approach for protein semisynthesis through the use of recombinant protein hydrazides as thioester surrogates. It also provides an alternative method for C‐terminal modification of proteins with functional units as well as for the preparation of C‐to‐C fusion proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient chemical methods for total synthesis or semisynthesis of integral membrane proteins is an important challenge at the interface between chemistry and biology. This review outlines the recent advances in the synthesis of integral membrane proteins, with particular focus on the methods for difficult peptide synthesis, purification, and enhancement of peptide solubility under the ligation conditions. The applications of these methods to the synthesis of integral membrane proteins with one or multiple transmembrane domains are also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]