Systematic literature review evaluating evidence and mechanisms of action for platelet-rich plasma as an antibacterial agent.

Platelet rich plasma or PRP is a supraphysiologic concentrate of platelets derived by centrifugation and separation of whole blood components. Along with platelets and plasma, PRP contains various cell types including white blood cells (WBC)/leukocytes, both granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils) and agranulocytes (monocytes, lymphocytes). Researchers and clinicians have explored the application of PRP in wound healing and prevention of surgical wound infections, such as deep sternal wounds.

The Phenylalanine Requirement of Elderly Men and Women Measured by Direct 13C Carbon Oxidation Method Is Similar to That of Young Adults.

Background: The phenylalanine requirement of the elderly is not known. Current recommendations are based on studies in young adults and are derived from a combined estimate of the total aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine, and tyrosine.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary phenylalanine requirement of adults aged >65 y, using the direct amino acid oxidation method, by measuring the oxidation of l-[1-13C]phenylalanine to 13CO2 in response to graded phenylalanine intakes in the presence of excess tyrosine.

Quantifying inadvertent thermal bowel injury from the monopolar instrument.

Background: Insulation defects are observed in 3-39 % of laparoscopic instruments. Electrosurgical injuries due to insulation defects or capacitive coupling remain an issue in laparoscopic surgery with a prevalence of 0.6-5 per thousand cases.

Effect of collagen and elastin content on the burst pressure of human blood vessel seals formed with a bipolar tissue sealing system.

Background: Bipolar devices are routinely used to seal blood vessels instead of sutures and clips. Recent work examining the impact of vascular proteins on bipolar seal performance found that collagen and elastin (CE) content within porcine arteries was a significant predictor of a vessel's burst pressure (VBPr). This study examined seal performance across a range of human blood vessels to investigate whether a similar relationship existed.

In search of the autologous clip: a case for experimental standardization.

Background: In an effort to enable faster and, at times, more challenging surgeries without compromising patient or physician safety, medical device manufacturers have created myriad solutions to vascular ligation through the development of novel tools. The speed of development, FDA approval, and dissemination of these devices into the hands of surgeons often outpaces the ability of investigators to critically evaluate comparative effectiveness of these devices.

Database: The Medline database was searched for energy-based vessel ligation devices.

Effect of catechol O-methyltransferase val(158)met polymorphism on the p50 gating endophenotype in schizophrenia.

Background: Studies have implicated prefrontal dopamine in cortical information filtering. Deficit in stimulus filtering, an endophenotype of schizophrenia, can be demonstrated using the auditory P50 paired-click gating paradigm. The role of prefrontal dopamine on P50 gating was investigated, using catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) valine (val)(158)methionine (met) polymorphism as a predictor of prefrontal dopamine activity.