Effect of Aromatase Inhibition (Exemestane) on Urine Concentration of Osteoprotegerin in Healthy Postmenopausal Women.

This pilot study examined how exemestane (an aromatase inhibitor [AI]) affected osteoprotegerin (OPG) urine concentrations in postmenopausal women. Exemestane (25 mg, single dose) was given to 14 disease-free women past menopause in this nonrandomized, open-label study. Before dosing, urine specimens were gathered.

Time-kill Kinetics of a Novel Antimicrobial Silver Wound Gel Against Select Wound Pathogens.

Unlabelled: New treatments are needed as infection risk associated with diabetic, venous, and pressure ulcers are becoming more prevalent as comorbidities of obesity, aging, and major disease. Postsurgical, burn, and immunocompromised patients are also at an increased risk of wounds and infection. Silver has been utilized in treating various wounds associated with infections and, although highly effective, caution is required for use beyond 2 weeks due to potential silver cytotoxicity.

Impact of UGT2B17 Gene Deletion on the Pharmacokinetics of 17-Hydroexemestane in Healthy Volunteers.

Exemestane is an aromatase inhibitor drug used for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer. 17-Hydroexemestane, the major and biologically active metabolite of exemestane in humans, is eliminated via glucuronidation by the polymorphic UGT2B17 phase II drug-metabolizing enzyme. Previous microsomal studies have shown that UGT2B17 gene deletion affects the intrinsic hepatic clearances of 17-hydroexemestane in vitro.

Characterization of the effects of heat stress on the DNA-intercalating dye EvaGreen for potential use with the joint biological agent identification and diagnostic system.

Although advances in real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology and equipment have facilitated field research, only a limited selection of reagents do not require cold storage. This study explored the temperature stability of the commercially available DNA-intercalating dye EvaGreen after exposure to a spectrum of temperatures for 176 days by analyzing quantification cycle (Cq) and end fluorescence levels during amplification of the invA gene of Salmonella typhimurium. To further characterize potential dye stability, the effects of small differences in dye volume were examined and dye samples were subjected to an Air Force deployment to the Middle East.

Indirect detection of Bacillus anthracis using real-time PCR to detect amplified gamma phage DNA.

Typical real-time PCR methods used to identify Bacillus anthracis do not distinguish between viable and non-viable spores, which would be critical in any first response and remediation scenarios. This study combined both real-time PCR, using primers specifically designed for gamma phage, with the highly specific gamma phage amplification into one simple assay to indirectly detect Bacillus anthracis. Since the amplification of gamma phage only occurs in the presence of a suitable host, the detection of increasing concentrations of progeny gamma phage DNA using real-time PCR implies the presence of viable Bacillus anthracis cells.

Identification of Aedes aegypti and its respective life stages by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

An Aedes aegypti-specific, fluorogenic probe hydrolysis (Taq-Man), polymerase chain reaction assay was developed for real-time screening using a field-deployable thermocycler. Laboratory-based testing of A. aegypti, A.

Rapid identification of dengue virus by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using field-deployable instrumentation.

Dengue virus universal and dengue serotype 1 to 4, fluorogenic probe hydrolysis (TaqMan), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays were developed for screening and serotype identification of infected mosquito vectors and human sera using a field-deployable, fluorometric thermocycler. Dengue universal and dengue 1 to 4 serotype assay in vitro sensitivity and specificity results were 100% concordant when tested with total nucleic acid extracts of multiple strains of dengue serotype 1 to 4, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, and St. Louis encephalitis viruses.

Comparison of TaqMan and Epoch Dark Quenchers during real-time reverse transcription PCR.

Several biotechnology companies have recently introduced novel quencher fluors for use with dual-labeled fluorogenic hydrolysis probes. The Epoch Dark Quencher trade mark fluorochrome consists of a non-fluorescent moiety capable of absorption at higher wavelengths (400-650 nm). The aim of this study was to: (1) evaluate the feasibility of using Epoch Dark Quencher fluorochromes in real-time PCR pathogen detection assays that were previously optimized with TaqMan (TAMRA) quenching fluors, and (2) compare the sensitivity based on cycle threshold (CT) between probes containing either TaqMan or Epoch Dark Quencher fluors.

Identification of Francisella tularensis using real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction.

A Francisella tularensis-specific, TaqMan probe-based, real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay required approximately 60 minutes and consistently achieved a sensitivity of < or = 10 fg of F. tularensis genomic DNA (five genome equivalents). Specificity testing against a genomic DNA cross-reaction panel comprised of 22 bacterial organisms representing closely related species, diverse genera, and human genomic DNA resulted in no false positives of significance.

One step purification of alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein from human plasma. Fractionation of its polymorphic allele products.

Alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein is a plasma protein that exhibits both microheterogeneity and polymorphism. Its purification from human plasma is usually performed using a sequence of different fractionation steps. Here we report a one-step isolation technique of this protein based upon pseudo-ligand affinity chromatography on immobilized Cibacron Blue F3GA at acidic pH.