Furthermore they will incorporate patient-specific anatomical models obtained from patient imaging

and uploaded onto the simulator to ensure face reliability and validity assurance. Training in a clean, safe environment with proximate feedback and performance analysis will help accelerate the learning curve and therefore improve patients’ safety and outcomes in order to maximize the benefits of innovative access procedures such as NOTES. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: The focus of this paper is the ultrasound-assisted synthesis of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) from caffeic acid and phenyl ethanol in a continuous packed-bed bioreactor. Immobilized Novozym (R) 435 (from Candida antarctica) is used as the catalyst. A three-level-three-factor Box-Behnken PF-02341066 concentration design and a response surface methodology (RSM) are employed to evaluate the effects of temperature, flow rate, and ultrasonic power on the percentage molar conversion of CAPE.

RESULTS: Based on ridge max analysis, it is concluded that the optimum condition for synthesis is reaction temperature 72.66 degrees C, flow rate 0.046 mL min(-1), and ultrasonic

power 1.64 W cm(-2). The expected molar conversion value is 97.84%. An experiment performed under these optimal conditions resulted in a molar conversion of 92.11 +/- 0.75%. The enzyme in the bioreactor was found to be learn more stable for at least 6 days.

CONCLUSIONS: The lipase-catalyzed synthesis of CAPE by an ultrasound-assisted packed-bed bioreactor uses mild reaction conditions. Enzymatic synthesis of CAPE is suitable for use in the nutraceutical and food production industries. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Antenatal steroids (AS) have been shown to enhance fetal maturation in preterms and to improve outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of AS in premature severely intrauterine growth restricted infants. The electronic data of 149 inborn, single infants born 24 to 31 6/7 weeks of GA and with a BW <= 3rd percentile were reviewed. Infants

with congenital anomalies and syndromes were excluded. We compared the outcome of those who received 2 doses of AS (group A, 87 infants) with those who did not receive AS (group PLX4032 in vivo B, 62 infants). Sixty-eight infants in group A and 53 in group B were discharged home alive. AS did not improve the neonatal outcome, with the exception of a better cord pH and 5-min Apgar and we did not observe a significant difference in the Griffith’s test at 2 years of corrected age, although there was a trend to a higher incidence of severe global delay in the steroid group. In view of the potential cerebral and CVS risks associated with high circulating steroids, the indications for AS in such a population need to be re-evaluated.