A factorial design to identify process parameters affecting whole mechanically disrupted rat pancreata in a perfusion bioreactor.

Few studies report whole pancreatic tissue culture, as it is a difficult task using traditional culture methods. Here, a factorial design was used to investigate the singular and combinational effects of flow, dissolved oxygen concentration (D.O.

An In-situ glucose-stimulated insulin secretion assay under perfusion bioreactor conditions.

Perfusion bioreactors, unlike traditional in vitro cell culture systems, offer stringent control of physiological parameters such as pH, flow, temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentration which have been shown to have an impact on cellular behaviour and viability. Due to the relative infancy and the growing interest in these in vitro culture systems, detection methods to monitor cell function under dynamic perfusion bioreactor conditions remains one of the main challenges. In this study, INS-1 cells, a cell line which exhibit glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, were embedded in fibrin and cultured under perfusion bioreactor conditions for 48 h and then exposed to either a high-, or low-glucose concentration for 24 h.

English-based Pediatric Emergency Medicine Software Improves Physician Test Performance on Common Pediatric Emergencies: A Multicenter Study in Vietnam.

Introduction: Global health agencies and the Vietnam Ministry of Health have identified pediatric emergency care and health information technology as high priority goals. Clinical decision support (CDS) software provides physicians with access to current literature to answer clinical queries, but there is limited impact data in developing countries. We hypothesized that Vietnamese physicians will demonstrate improved test performance on common pediatric emergencies using CDS technologies despite being in English.

Reduction of peripherally inserted central catheter-associated DVT.

Background: As peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) use has increased, so has the upper extremity DVT rate. PICC diameter may pose the most modifiable risk for PICC-associated DVT.

Methods: A 3-year, prospective, observational study of all PICC insertions by a specially trained and certified team using a consistent and replicable approach was conducted at a 456-bed, level I trauma and tertiary referral hospital during January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2010.

Diffusion of rhodamine B and bovine serum albumin in fibrin gels seeded with primary endothelial cells.

Scaffolds with adequate mass transport properties are needed in many tissue engineering applications. Fibrin is considered a good biological material to fabricate such scaffolds. However, very little is known about mass transport in fibrin.

Bioreactor controlled by PI algorithm and operated with a perfusion chamber to support endothelial cell survival and proliferation.

This paper reports the optimization of a perfusion bioreactor system previously reported by us (Chouinard et al., 2009). The implementation of a proportional-integral (PI) controller algorithm to control oxygen concentration and pH is presented and discussed.

Risk of symptomatic DVT associated with peripherally inserted central catheters.

Background: Previous studies undertaken to identify risk factors for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-associated DVT have yielded conflicting results. PICC insertion teams and other health-care providers need to understand the risk factors so that they can develop methods to prevent DVT.

Methods: A 1-year prospective observational study of PICC insertions was conducted at a 456-bed, level I trauma center and tertiary referral hospital affiliated with a medical school.

Computer identification of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis associated with peripherally inserted venous catheters.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are considered a safe method to provide long-term antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy and nutrition support. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a complication that requires early PICC removal, may extend hospitalization and can result in pulmonary embolism. PICC insertion teams strive to understand risk factors and develop methods to prevent DVTs.