Clinical and Analytical Performance Evaluation of an Automated Procalcitonin Assay.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) measurement is useful for guiding antibiotic therapy and risk assessment in lower respiratory infections and/or sepsis. This study evaluated clinical and analytical performance of the Vitros® Immunodiagnostic Products B·R·A·H·M·S PCT assay (Vitros PCT).

Methods: Precision, limits of blank (LoB), detection (LoD), and quantitation (LoQ) were determined for Vitros PCT, along with method comparison and clinical concordance with the B·R·A·H·M·S PCT™-sensitive KRYPTOR™ assay (KRYPTOR PCT).

Assessment of a circular powered stapler for creation of anastomosis in left-sided colorectal surgery: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Circular staplers perform a critical function for creation of anastomoses in colorectal surgeries. Powered stapling systems allow for reduced force required by surgeons to fire the device and may provide advantages for creating a secure anastomosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of a novel circular powered stapler in a post-market setting, during left-sided colectomy procedures.

Evaluation of a Powered Vascular Stapler in Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Lobectomy.

Background: A narrow-profile powered vascular stapler (PVS) was developed to provide superior access and precise staple placement in thoracic procedures. The objective of this study was to determine if the PVS would yield an equivalent rate of hemostatic interventions compared with standard of care (SOC) staplers in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy.

Materials And Methods: A randomized, controlled, multicenter study was conducted comparing PVS with SOC staplers in lobectomies performed for non-small cell lung cancer.

Dose- and Time-Dependent Transcriptional Response of Ishikawa Cells Exposed to Genistein.

To further define the utility of the Ishikawa cells as a reliable in vitro model to determine the potential estrogenic activity of chemicals of interest, transcriptional changes induced by genistein (GES) in Ishikawa cells at various doses (10 pM, 1 nM, 100 nM, and 10 μM) and time points (8, 24, and 48 h) were identified using a comprehensive microarray approach. Trend analysis indicated that the expression of 5342 unique genes was modified by GES in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P ≤ 0.0001).

Consistency and sealing of advanced bipolar tissue sealers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate two commonly used advanced bipolar devices (ENSEAL(®) G2 Tissue Sealers and LigaSure™ Blunt Tip) for compression uniformity, vessel sealing strength, and consistency in bench-top analyses.

Methods: Compression analysis was performed with a foam pad/sensor apparatus inserted between closed jaws of the instruments. Average pressures (psi) were recorded across the entire inside surface of the jaws, and over the distal one-third of jaws.

The genomic response of Ishikawa cells to bisphenol A exposure is dose- and time-dependent.

A reliable in vitro model to determine the potential estrogenic activity of chemicals of interest is still unavailable. To further investigate the usefulness of a human-derived cell line, we determined the transcriptional changes induced by bisphenol A (BPA) in Ishikawa cells at various doses (1 nM, 100 nM, 10 microM, and 100 microM) and time points (8, 24 and 48 h) by comparing the response of approximately 38,500 human genes and ESTs between treatment groups and controls (vehicle-treated). By trend analysis, we determined that the expression of 2794 genes was modified by BPA in a dose- and time-dependent manner (p< or =0.

The genomic response of a human uterine endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line to 17alpha-ethynyl estradiol.

We have determined the gene expression profile induced by 17 alpha-ethynyl estradiol (EE) in Ishikawa cells, a human uterine-derived estrogen-sensitive cell line, at various doses (1 pM, 100 pM, 10 nM, and 1 microM) and time points (8, 24, and 48 h). The transcript profiles were compared between treatment groups and controls (vehicle-treated) using high-density oligonucleotide arrays to determine the expression level of approximately 38,500 human genes. By trend analysis, we determined that the expression of 2560 genes was modified by exposure to EE in a dose- and time-dependent manner (p View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The F-domain of estrogen receptor-alpha inhibits ligand induced receptor dimerization.

The role of the carboxyl terminal F-domain of estrogen receptor (ERalpha) is uncertain, but evidence suggests that this region may impart internal restraint on ER dimerization in the presence of 17beta-estradiol (E2). To identify the C-terminal residues affecting human ERalpha activation, we created a series of deletions and examined E2 induced receptor dimerization and transactivation. Deletion of the final 24 C-terminal amino acids of the F-domain (Delta7b) yielded a fivefold increase in dimerization, when compared to wild type (wt) ERalpha in the presence of 2nM E2, utilizing a yeast two-hybrid assay.

Gene expression profiling reveals novel regulation by bisphenol-A in estrogen receptor-alpha-positive human cells.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) shows proliferative actions in uterus and mammary glands and may influence the development of male and female reproductive tracts in utero or during early postnatal life. Because of its ability to function as an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist, BPA has the potential to disrupt normal endocrine signaling through regulation of ER target genes. Some genes are regulated by both estradiol (E2) and BPA, but those exclusive to either agent have not been described.

Bisphenol-A and estradiol exert novel gene regulation in human MCF-7 derived breast cancer cells.

Xenoestrogens such as bisphenol-A (BPA) can mimic endogenous 17beta-estradiol (E2) in vitro and in vivo through binding the estrogen receptor (ER), and modulating target gene expression. In the present study, we compared global gene regulation by BPA and E2 in estrogen responsive (ERalpha-HA) human breast cancer cells derived from the MCF-7 cell line. The ERalpha-HA cells (stably over-expressing ERalpha) were exposed to E2 (10(-8)M) or BPA (10(-6)M), for 3h followed by analysis of global gene expression.

Mutation of serines 104, 106, and 118 inhibits dimerization of the human estrogen receptor in yeast.

Ligand-dependent dimerization and phosphorylation participate in regulating transcriptional activation of the estrogen receptor-alpha (ER). We investigated the role of serines 104, 106, and 118 located in the activation function-1 (AF-1) domain of ER in ligand-induced receptor dimerization. These serines, previously documented as important sites for transactivation, were mutated to alanine, and yeast genetic systems were used to determine their effect on receptor dimerization and transcriptional activity.

Nongenomic activity and subsequent c-fos induction by estrogen receptor ligands are not sufficient to promote deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells.

Estrogen 17beta-estradiol (E2) rapidly modulates several signaling pathways related to cell growth, preservation, and differentiation. The physiological role of these nongenomic effects with regard to downstream outcomes, and the relationship with transcriptional estrogen activity are unclear. Furthermore, the ability of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) to trigger nongenomic actions is largely unknown.

Xenoestrogen exposure and mechanisms of endocrine disruption.

Environmental xenoestrogens can be divided into natural compounds (e.g. from plants or fungi), and synthetically derived agents including certain drugs, pesticides and industrial by-products.