instruction:
In this task, you are given a passage which has a question and the context. You have to generate an answer to the question based on the information present in the context.
question:
Context: The aim of this study was to develop an assay system that can quantify the amount of biomass in biofilms formed by different isogenic mutants of an Escherichia coli K-12 strain.', 'The reported assay, which is based on the BacTiter-Glo assay from Promega, uses bioluminescence to detect the intracellular concentration of ATP, which correlates with viable bacterial cell numbers. The quantitative data obtained with this ATP assay were compared to those obtained with the conventional crystal violet assay. As a qualitative control, scanning electron microscopy was performed.\Question: Does a combination of assays reveal biomass differences in biofilms formed by Escherichia coli mutants?
answer:
The ATP assay, the crystal violet assay and scanning electron microscopy yielded similar results for six of the eight strains tested. For the remaining two strains, the images from the scanning electron microscopy confirmed the results from the ATP assay.


question:
Context: The aim of the study is to determine whether a biodegradable elastomeric device that uses an osmotic pressure delivery mechanism can release different therapeutic proteins at a nearly constant rate in nanomolar concentrations with high bioactivity, given the same formulation conditions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were embedded in the device as sample therapeutic proteins, and their release and bioactivity were compared to that achieved previously with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).', 'A photo-cross-linkable biodegradable macromer consisting of acrylated star(epsilon-caprolactone-co-D,L-lactide) was prepared. VEGF, IL-2, and IFN-gamma were co-lyophilized with serum albumin and trehalose at different ratios and were then embedded into the elastomer by photo-cross-linking the lyophilized particles in a macromer solution. The protein mass and the bioactivity in the release supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent and cell-based assays.', 'VEGF, IL-2, and IFN-gamma were released at the same, nearly constant rate of 25.4 ng/day for over 18 days. Using the optimum elastomer formulation, the release profiles of the proteins were essentially identical, and their rates were linear and constant. Cell-based bioactivity assays showed that 70 and 88% of the released VEGF and IL-2, respectively, were bioactive. The rate of protein release can be adjusted by changing the trehalose loading concentration in the elastomer matrix without altering the linear nature of the protein release kinetics. The elastomeric device degraded in PBS buffer within 85 days.\Question: Are osmotic-driven release kinetics of bioactive therapeutic proteins from a biodegradable elastomer linear , constant , similar , and adjustable?
answer:
The elastomer formulation shows promising potential as a sustained protein drug delivery vehicle for local delivery applications.


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Context: Renal dysfunction is common after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of renal dysfunction 5 yr after LT and to identify risk factors for the development of this complication.', 'A total of 134 adult patients underwent LT from 1987 to 1998 and 74.6% of them were alive 5 yr after. Pre-LT, 1 and 5 yr post-LT renal function were calculated by Cockroft and modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula. Since 1987 glomerular filtration rate (GFR) has been measured by radiolabeled tracers clearance (RTC). Risk factors for GFR < 50 mL/min were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model.', 'Mean pre-LT GFR was 79 and 85 mL/min with Cockroft and MDRD respectively; 11% of the patients had a GFR <or= 50 mL/min. 5 yr after LT, mean GFR was 63, 61 and 70 mL/min with MDRD, Cockroft and RTC respectively, GFR decreased by 26%, and 25% of the patients had a GFR < 50 mL/min. Independent risk factors associated with impaired renal function were: trough levels of cyclosporin A (CyA) >or= 150 microg/L or tacrolimus (FK) >or= 10 microg/L at 1 yr and CyA >or= 100 microg/L or FK >or= 8 microg/L at 5 yr.\Question: Is long-term renal function after liver transplantation related to calcineurin inhibitors blood levels?
answer:

5 yr after LT, patients have lost 26% of their initial GFR and 25% of them have a GFR < 50 mL/min. This complication is predicted by high levels of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). Therefore CNI levels should be reduced as low as possible and use of alternative drugs should be considered.