Cell-Free Protein Expression in Polymer Materials.

While synthetic biology has advanced complex capabilities such as sensing and molecular synthesis in aqueous solutions, important applications may also be pursued for biological systems in solid materials. Harsh processing conditions used to produce many synthetic materials such as plastics make the incorporation of biological functionality challenging. One technology that shows promise in circumventing these issues is cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS), where core cellular functionality is reconstituted outside the cell.

Supporting clinical competency in managing peripherally inserted central catheters during the COVID-19 pandemic: an education evaluation.

Introduction: Hospitals had to create new practices and training due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. An increase in patient acuity and the need for peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) across the hospital required an urban community hospital to educate and support in-patient nurses to manage PICCs in acute and complex care units. Traditionally, these skills were performed by specialized registered nurses (RNs) from the Vascular Access Team (VAT).

Case of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor-associated euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis.

Following non-elective orthopaedic surgery, a 61-year-old man with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus on empagliflozin developed high anion gap metabolic acidosis in the high-dependency unit. Metabolic acidosis persisted despite intravenous sodium bicarbonate, contributing to tachycardia and a run of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. He was euglycaemic throughout hospital admission.

Impact of Porous Matrices and Concentration by Lyophilization on Cell-Free Expression.

Cell-free expression systems have drawn increasing attention as a tool to achieve complex biological functions outside of the cell. Several applications of the technology involve the delivery of functionality to challenging environments, such as field-forward diagnostics or point-of-need manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. To achieve these goals, cell-free reaction components are preserved using encapsulation or lyophilization methods, both of which often involve an embedding of components in porous matrices like paper or hydrogels.

BEAMS: a workforce development program to bridge the gap between biologists and material scientists.

To maximize innovation in materials science and synthetic biology, it is critical to master interdisciplinary understanding and communication within an organization. Programming aimed at this juncture has the potential to bring members of the workforce together to frame new networks and spark collaboration. In this article, we recognize the potential synergy between materials and synthetic biology research and describe our approach to this challenge as a case study.

Lyophilized Cell-Free Systems Display Tolerance to Organic Solvent Exposure.

Cell-free systems offer a powerful way to deliver biochemical activity to the field without cold chain storage. These systems are capable of sensing as well as biosynthesis of useful molecules at the point of need. So far, cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) reactions have been studied as aqueous solutions in test tubes or absorbed into paper or cloth.

Silk fibroin as an additive for cell-free protein synthesis.

Cell-free systems contain many proteins and metabolites required for complex functions such as transcription and translation or multi-step metabolic conversions. Research into expanding the delivery of these systems by drying or by embedding into other materials is enabling new applications in sensing, point-of-need manufacturing, and responsive materials. Meanwhile, silk fibroin from the silk worm, has received attention as a protective additive for dried enzyme formulations and as a material to build biocompatible hydrogels for controlled localization or delivery of biomolecular cargoes.

Beta-adrenergic blockade for attenuation of catecholamine surge after traumatic brain injury: a randomized pilot trial.

Background: Beta-blockers have been proven in multiple studies to be beneficial in patients with traumatic brain injury. Few prospective studies have verified this and no randomized controlled trials. Additionally, most studies do not titrate the dose of beta-blockers to therapeutic effect.

Experience in optimizing fertility outcomes in men with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency.

Objective: Men with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have impaired fertility. We aimed to assess fertility outcomes and the importance of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, testicular failure and the presence of testicular adrenal rest tumours (TART).

Design: Retrospective analysis of men attending an adult CAH clinic in a tertiary centre.

Sustainability of Improved Glycemic Control After Diabetes Self-Management Education.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate glycemic control as measured by A1C during a 2-year period after patients received diabetes self-management education (DSME). Methods.

Screening for mutations in 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and androgen receptor in women presenting with partially virilised 46,XY disorders of sex development.

Context And Objective: The precise diagnosis of partially virilised women with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) is often obscure. In practice, this group often comes under the poorly defined, clinically based label of partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS). In a previous study, we found that 5α-reductase 2 (SRD5A2) mutations occurred in 43% of women in this subgroup.

Turner's syndrome: challenges of late diagnosis.

Girls and women with Turner's syndrome who come to medical attention older than 12 years present a challenge of medical management. Puberty is already delayed and some compromises have to be made in adjusting the timing of artificially induced puberty to optimise overall outcome with respect to stature, secondary sex characteristics, and psychosocial endpoints. Additionally, individuals who present with primary amenorrhoea to adult services might miss the opportunity for effective growth hormone treatment.

Are Campylobacter cases low risk for public health follow-up?

Objectives: Most Campylobacter cases are treated as low risk enterics (LRE) and receive a mailed letter from Toronto Public Health (TPH) with a questionnaire to gather basic risk information. This study sought to identify reasons why Campylobacter cases who were sent this questionnaire did not respond to the letter and to determine whether any of these cases were working in a high-risk occupation.

Methods: Cases reported to TPH between June 11, 2012 and December 6, 2012 who had not returned the questionnaire within 30 days were telephoned.

Propofol infusion syndrome: a lethal condition in critically injured patients eliminated by a simple screening protocol.

Unlabelled: Propofol infusion syndrome (PIS) is defined by arrhythmia, rhabdomyolysis, lactic acidosis, and unrecognized leads to death. We sought to determine the incidence of PIS in trauma patients and evaluate the efficacy of a prospective screening protocol in this patient population.

Materials And Methods: In Phase I of the before-and-after study (1st January, 2005-31st December, 2005), trauma patients who received propofol were evaluated.

Liver dysfunction in Turner syndrome and its relationship to exogenous oestrogen.

Liver dysfunction is commonly seen in women with Turner syndrome and can manifest in a variety of pathologies. In this review, we discuss the spectrum of liver anomalies associated with this syndrome, and discuss some possible aetiological factors and relationships with exogenous oestrogen.

Predicting baccalaureate nursing students' first-semester outcomes: HESI Admission Assessment.

As a means of promoting evidence-based admission selection decisions in a baccalaureate school of nursing, the faculty at a college of nursing in the southeastern part of the United States investigated the value of including preadmission exam scores as one criterion in the admission protocol. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of Elsevier's HESI Admission Assessment (A(2)) exam as a predictor of student success. Four A(2) exams were administered to baccalaureate nursing students: reading comprehension, vocabulary & general knowledge, math, and anatomy & physiology.

Growth hormone in chronic renal disease.

Severe growth retardation (below the third percentile for height) is seen in up to one-third children with chronic kidney disease. It is thought to be multifactorial and despite optimal medical therapy most children are unable to reach their normal height. Under-nutrition, anemia, vitamin D deficiency with secondary hyperparathyroidism, metabolic acidosis, hyperphosphatemia, renal osteodystrophy; abnormalities in the growth hormone/insulin like growth factor system and sex steroids, all have been implicated in the pathogenesis of growth failure.

Central hypothyroidism.

Central hypothyroidism is defined as hypothyroidism due to insufficient stimulation by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of an otherwise normal thyroid gland. It has an estimated prevalence of approximately 1 in 80,000 to 1 in 120,000. It can be secondary hypothyroidism (pituitary) or tertiary hypothyroidism (hypothalamus) in origin.

A review of gastrointestinal outbreaks in schools: effective infection control interventions.

Background: The purpose of this study was to review documented outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness in schools, published in the last 10 years, to identify etiology, mode of transmission, the number of children affected, morbidity and mortality patterns, and interventions for control and prevention.

Methods: Searches of electronic databases, public health publications, and federal, state, and provincial public health Web sites were completed.

Results: Of the 121 outbreaks that met the inclusion criteria, 51% were bacterial, 40% viral, 7% were from Cryptosporidium, and 2% from multiple organisms.

Activities of Memphis-area hospitals to meet National Patient Safety Goals for warfarin therapy.

Purpose: The activities of Memphis hospitals to meet National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) for warfarin therapy are described.

Summary: In March 2008, leadership from the Mid-South College of Clinical Pharmacy (MSCCP), a local chapter of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, commissioned a task force on anticoagulation, comprising pharmacy administrators, clinical pharmacy practitioners, and pharmacy faculty from local hospitals within the greater Memphis area. The charge of the task force was to (1) identify practice variations in regard to NPSG.