To the Editor: Several assays are available to measure human ghrelin (h-GHS), but the comparability of results among assays is unknown. As an addition to previous investigations concerning the stability of h-GHS (1 ), it was our objective to compare the two most commonly used commercial h-GHS RIAs, focusing on side-by-side determinations, recoveries, and assay imprecision. The assays were purch...

In this study, an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and single-step procedure is used for the synthesis of polycrystalline Cu2O particles with controlled morphologies. Simple sugars are extracted from date fruit pulp (Phoenix dactylifera) and used as a reducing agent for the formation of Cu2O particles in aqueous medium. The feasibility of this solution is compared with the standard glu...

Using CLIMEX and the Taguchi Method, a process-based niche model was developed to estimate potential distributions of Phoenix dactylifera L. (date palm), an economically important crop in many counties. Development of the model was based on both its native and invasive distribution and validation was carried out in terms of its extensive distribution in Iran. To identify model parameters having...

We evaluated two new automated identification systems, the BD Phoenix (Becton Dickinson) and the VITEK 2 (bioMérieux), for identification of isolates of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC). The test sample included 42 isolates of the highly virulent and epidemic genomovar III, 45 isolates of B. multivorans, and 47 isolates of other members of the BCC. Rates of correct identification by the B...

Seventy-four isolates of multiresistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. recovered during a 3-year period and 17 control strains with genotypically identified beta-lactamases were tested for the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) by using the Etest and the VITEK 1, VITEK 2, and Phoenix automated instruments. The use of the Etest was evaluated by investigating its accura...

Background: Modeling is the bottleneck to successful implementation of knowledge management systems. In this paper, we propose an evolutionary approach to modeling based upon word processing documents and we describe the tool Phoenix providing the technical infrastructure. Methods: We applied our approach and software system to authoring of medical case based training systems. So far, authors n...

We evaluated the accuracy of the BD Phoenix system for the identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of 251 isolates of the family Enterobacteriaceae representing 31 species. Organisms were inoculated onto the Phoenix panel according to the manufacturer's instructions. The results from conventional biochemical tests were used for the reference method for ID. Agar diluti...

In 2006, a total of 178 cases of acute Chagas disease were reported from the Amazonian state of Pará, Brazil. Eleven occurred in Barcarena and were confirmed by visualization of parasites on blood smears. Using cohort and case-control studies, we implicated oral transmission by consumption of açaí palm fruit.