Transplant Surgery This is an OPML file. It can be used to export all the MedWorm RSS feeds on this topic into your personal RSS reader (usually you have to save this file to your own computer before clicking on an Import OPML command in your own feed reader to upload the file which will then import all the feeds) or it can be used by webmasters to integrate MedWorm feeds with their own website. This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 21.

Are low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases or malignancies in renal transplantation?
Conclusions Our data suggested that low vitamin D levels were not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases or malignancies. However, due to the small number of patients and events, the results should not be considered as definitive. Additional studies with a higher number of patients are required to elucidate the true impact of vitamin D status on cardiovascular and malignancy risks.
Source: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation - December 20, 2012 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Marcen, R., Jimenez, S., Fernandez-Rodriguez, A., Galeano, C., Villafruela, J. J., Gomis, A., Teruel, J. L., Quereda, C. Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

Risk factors for graft loss and mortality after renal transplantation according to recipient age: a prospective multicentre study
Conclusions Five-year results show an excellent recipient survival and graft survival, especially in the youngest age group. Death with functioning graft is the leading cause of graft loss in patients >40 years. Early improvement of renal function and proteinuria together with strict control of cardiovascular risk factors are mandatory.
Source: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation - December 20, 2012 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Morales, J. M., Marcen, R., del Castillo, D., Andres, A., Gonzalez-Molina, M., Oppenheimer, F., Seron, D., Gil-Vernet, S., Lampreave, I., Gainza, F. J., Valdes, F., Cabello, M., Anaya, F., Escuin, F., Arias, M., Pallardo, L., Bustamante, J. Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

Clinical characteristics of resistant hypertension in renal transplant patients
Hypertension is a prevalent complication that occurs in 80–85% of all kidney transplant recipients. The pathogenesis of post-transplant hypertension is multifactorial and includes pre-transplant hypertension, donor hypertension, renin secretion from the native kidney, graft dysfunction, recurrent disease and immunosuppressive treatment. Hypertension negatively affects transplant and patient survival outcomes; cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic renal disease and after successful renal transplantation. Hypertension is a well-known risk factor for CVD an...
Source: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation - December 20, 2012 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Arias, M., Fernandez-Fresnedo, G., Gago, M., Rodrigo, E., Gomez-Alamillo, C., Toyos, C., Allende, N. Tags: Original articles Source Type: research

Development of a Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Iothalamate Measurement to Assess Renal Function for Potential Kidney Donation.
CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated an LC/MS/MS method for quantitating iothalamate in plasma and urine to calculate GFR used for screening potential kidney donors in our hospital system. A less sensitive mass spectrometry system does not sacrifice analytical or clinical sensitivity for measuring GFR. PMID: 23262370 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: International Journal of Clinical Chemistry - December 20, 2012 Category: Chemistry Authors: Rhea JM, Ritchie JC, Molinaro RJ Tags: Clin Chim Acta Source Type: research

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as treatment for acute respiratory failure and subsequent pneumothorax caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a kidney transplant recipient
We present our experience using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as treatment for ARF and subsequent pneumothorax caused by PJP in a kidney transplant recipient.
Source: Transplant Infectious Disease - December 20, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Y.‐S. Wu, N.‐C. Lin, I.‐M. Chen, S.‐C. Chang, F.‐D. Wang, Y.‐C. Huang, T.‐H. Wu, C.‐C. Loong Tags: Case report Source Type: research

Impaired glucose tolerance in rat islet isograft recipients after cytomegalovirus infection
Source: Transplant Infectious Disease - December 20, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: M.J. Smelt, B.J. Haan, M.M. Faas, A. Haan, P. Vos Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research

Microbiologically documented infections in patients undergoing high‐dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation for the treatment of light chain amyloidosis
ConclusionSerum creatinine >2 mg/dL is a risk factor for infections in patients with AL amyloidosis undergoing HDM/SCT. The relative risk of TRM in a patient with a documented infection was increased >3‐fold. A broad spectrum of infections, similar to that in other SCT patients, is seen in this population in the early post‐SCT period.
Source: Transplant Infectious Disease - December 20, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: S. Taimur, C. Nader, C. Lloyd‐Travaglini, D.C. Seldin, V. Sanchorawala Tags: Original Report Source Type: research

Extended follow‐up of an antibiotic cycling program for the management of febrile neutropenia in a hematologic malignancy and hematopoietic cell transplantation unit
ConclusionsAntibiotic cycling for neutropenic fever was effectively implemented and followed over an extended time period. Gram‐negative resistance remained stable, but there is some concern for selection of resistant gram‐positive bacteria, specifically VRE. Although antibiotic cycling did not seem to cause resistance in our study, further study is necessary to clarify the effect of cycling on antibiotic resistance, patient outcomes, and hospital cost.
Source: Transplant Infectious Disease - December 20, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: A. Cumpston, M. Craig, M. Hamadani, J. Abraham, G.R. Hobbs, A.R. Sarwari Tags: Original Report Source Type: research

Disseminated toxoplasmosis presenting as septic shock five weeks after renal transplantation
Abstract We discuss a case of acute disseminated toxoplasmosis in a renal transplant recipient presenting with septic shock. Our literature review of disseminated toxoplasmosis presenting as septic shock reveals a disease process that is rapid and almost uniformly fatal. This unusual presentation warrants a high index of suspicion in transplant recipients with immediate administration of appropriate empiric antimicrobials.
Source: Transplant Infectious Disease - December 20, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: L.B. Vaughan, R.P. Wenzel Tags: Case report Source Type: research

Disseminated toxoplasmosis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in a seronegative recipient
Abstract Toxoplasmosis is increasingly diagnosed after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. In the majority of cases, reactivation of latent disease secondary to impaired cellular and humoral immunity after HSCT is believed to be the main pathogenetic mechanism. Hence, primary toxoplasmosis is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of infections after HSCT in a recipient who is seronegative for Toxoplasma gondii pre‐transplant. We herein report a seronegative patient with acute T‐cell lymphoblastic leukemia, who developed primary disseminat...
Source: Transplant Infectious Disease - December 20, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: M. Osthoff, E. Chew, A. Bajel, G. Kelsey, Y. Panek‐Hudson, K. Mason, J. Szer, D. Ritchie, M. Slavin Tags: Case report Source Type: research

Acute kidney injury after myeloablative cord blood transplantation in adults: the efficacy of strict monitoring of vancomycin serum trough concentrations
ConclusionThese findings suggest that strict monitoring of VCM serum trough concentrations has a beneficial effect on outcomes of CBT.
Source: Transplant Infectious Disease - December 20, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: H. Mae, J. Ooi, S. Takahashi, S. Kato, T. Kawakita, Y. Ebihara, K. Tsuji, F. Nagamura, H. Echizen, A. Tojo Tags: Original Report Source Type: research

Aspergillus fumigatus empyema, arthritis, and calcaneal osteomyelitis in a lung transplant patient successfully treated with posaconazole
Lodge BA, Ashley ED, Steele MP, Perfect JR
Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles - December 19, 2012 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: news

Comparative safety of amphotericin B lipid complex and amphotericin B deoxycholate as aerosolized antifungal prophylaxis in lung-transplant recipients
Drew RH, Dodds Ashley E, Benjamin DK Jr, Duane Davis R, Palmer SM, Perfect JR
Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles - December 19, 2012 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: news

Our patients’ stories: Mickey’s got heart
By Mary Kay White Mickey Our son Mickey has been coming to Boston Children’s Hospital his whole life. Actually, he’s been coming here even longer than that. He was diagnosed with a heart defect during an ultrasound taken the 20th week of my pregnancy. It was hard at first to tell what was wrong with his heart but the images showed there was a significant problem, so we began meeting with Boston Children’s doctors to establish a plan of action. When Mickey was born it was confirmed that he had a congenital heart defect called a double outlet right ventricle with coarctation of the aorta as well as hyp...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 19, 2012 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Guest Blogger Tags: All posts Heart conditions Our patients’ stories HLHS our patients' stories Pediatric Transplant Center (PTC) Source Type: news

Prognostic Implications of Relative Hypochromia in Ambulatory Patients With Chronic Systolic Heart Failure.
Abstract Iron insufficiency has been associated with heart failure, but the impact of a reduction of hemoglobin content in the erythrocytes as estimated by mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) to myocardial structure, performance, and long-term clinical outcomes has not been well-established. The authors examined hematologic data and long-term outcomes of 197 ambulatory patients with chronic systolic and symptomatic heart failure who underwent comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation. The authors observed that relative hypochromia (defined as low MCHC) was associated with higher natriuretic peptide le...
Source: Congestive Heart Failure - December 19, 2012 Category: Cardiology Authors: Simbaqueba C, Shrestha K, Patarroyo M, Troughton RW, Borowski AG, Klein AL, Wilson Tang WH Tags: Congest Heart Fail Source Type: research

Can HLA-G polymorphisms predict the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy?
Abstract A 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in exon 8 of the HLA-G gene is associated with mRNA stability and HLA-G expression. In cardiac transplantation, the 14 bp deletion polymorphism plays an important role in the expression of HLA-G and is associated with fewer episodes of cellular rejection. We investigated the association between the 14 bp insertion/deletion HLA-G polymorphism and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) post heart transplantation. There were no statistically significant differences in the presence of the three HLA-G genotypes (-14 bp/-14, +14 bp/-14 bp, +14 bp/+14 bp) between patients wit...
Source: Human Immunology - December 19, 2012 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Mociornita AG, Lim-Shon J, Joseph JM, Ross HJ, Rao V, Delgado DH Tags: Hum Immunol Source Type: research

Evaluation of different urine protocols and DNA extraction methods for quantitative detection of BK viruria in kidney transplant patients.
In this study BK viral load was compared by the means of two urine treatment protocols (pelleted vs. whole urine) and two commercial DNA extraction kits for a quantitative PCR (qPCR) experiment. Ten patients who presented decoy cells in their urine sediment were selected for the study. Viral load was considerable higher (>1.5 log) for pelleted urine, in comparison to whole urine but no significant difference was observed between the extraction kits. PCR inhibition did not occur by using pelleted urine. In order to increase test sensitivity to detect BK viruria, pelleted urine should be the preferred urine compartment fo...
Source: Journal of Virological Methods - December 19, 2012 Category: Virology Authors: Pinto GG, Poloni JA, Carneiro LC, Baethgen LF, Barth AL, Pasqualotto AC Tags: J Virol Methods Source Type: research

YKL‐40‐gene polymorphism affects acute cellular rejection and fibrosis progression after transplantation for hepatitis C virus‐induced liver disease
ConclusionFibrosis progression and ACR‐incidence after transplantation for HCV‐induced liver disease seem to be under genetic control. The negative impact of G‐allele on post‐transplant events observed in our study, deserves attention and should be verified in larger liver transplantation‐cohorts.
Source: Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - December 19, 2012 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Dennis Eurich, Ulf P Neumann, Sabine Boas‐Knoop, Ruth Neuhaus, Anja Kiessling, Ali Yahyazadeh, Christian Trautwein, Hermann Wasmuth, Gero Puhl, Peter Neuhaus, Marcus Bahra Tags: Hepatology Source Type: research

Bayesian analysis of recurrent event with dependent termination: an application to a heart transplant study
For a heart transplant patient, the risk of graft rejection and risk of death are likely to be associated. Two fully specified Bayesian models for recurrent events with dependent termination are applied to investigate the potential relationships between these two types of risk as well as association with risk factors. We particularly focus on the choice of priors, selection of the appropriate prediction model, and prediction methods for these two types of risk for an individual patient. Our prediction tools can be easily implemented and helpful to physicians for setting heart transplant patients' biopsy schedule. Copyright...
Source: Statistics in Medicine - December 19, 2012 Category: Statistics Authors: Bichun Ouyang, Debajyoti Sinha, Elizabeth H. Slate, Adrian B. Van Bakel Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts in Liver Transplant Recipients: Technical Analysis and Clinical Outcome
CONCLUSION. Transplantation does not pose a technical challenge to TIPS creation. One third of patients have a favorable outcome. MELD score is the only predictor of graft survival.
Source: American Journal of Roentgenology - December 19, 2012 Category: Radiology Authors: Saad, W. E. A., Darwish, W. M., Davies, M. G., Kumer, S., Anderson, C., Waldman, D. L., Schmitt, T., Matsumoto, A. H., Angle, J. F. Tags: Vascular and Interventional Radiology Source Type: research

Scale-up of a temporary bioartificial liver support system described in BioResearch Open Access
(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News) Acute liver failure is usually fatal without a liver transplant, but the liver can regenerate and recover if given time to heal.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - December 19, 2012 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Hepatic artery reconstruction using radial artery interposition graft in living donor liver transplantation
Source: Transplant International - December 18, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Tsan‐Shiun Lin, Johnson Chia‐Shen Yang, Chao‐Long Chen Tags: Letter to the Editors Source Type: research

Intracellular IFN-γ and IL-2 expression monitoring as surrogate markers of the risk of acute rejection and personal drug response in de novo liver transplant recipients.
Abstract Biomarker monitoring is needed in transplantation to reflect individual response to immunosuppressive drugs and graft outcome. We evaluated intracellular expression and soluble production of interferon-(IFN)-γ and interleukin-(IL)-2 as predictive biomarkers of acute rejection (AR) and personal drug response. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic profiles were determined in 47 de novo liver recipients treated with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone. Of the 47 patients, AR occurred in nine. There were no differences in drug concentrations between rejectors and non-rejectors. A pre-transplantation cu...
Source: Cytokine - December 18, 2012 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Millán O, Rafael-Valdivia L, Torrademé E, López A, Fortuna V, Sánchez-Cabus S, López-Púa Y, Rimola A, Brunet M Tags: Cytokine Source Type: research

Extended follow-up in an HF clinic did not reduce death or hospital admission in stable systolic HF.
CONCLUSION In adults with stable systolic heart failure treated with optimal medical therapy, extended follow-up in a heart failure clinic did not reduce death or cardiovascular hospitalizations.Extended follow-up in a heart failure (HF) clinic vs usual care in stable systolic HF treated with optimal medical therapy‡OutcomesSubgroupHF clinicUsual careAt a median 2.5 yRRI (95% CI)NNHPrimary outcome§All38%35%13% (-4 to 33)NSNT-proBNP ≥ 1000 pg/mL41%38%8% (-16 to 35)NSNT-proBNP < 1000 pg/mL36%32%17% (-8 to 46)NSMortalityAll13%14%4.6% (-25 to 45)||NSCV hospitalizationAll31%27%15% (-6 to 39)NS‡CV = cardiovascula...
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine - December 18, 2012 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Dewalt DA Tags: Ann Intern Med Source Type: research

Keyword Index
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - December 18, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Source Type: research

Author Index
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - December 18, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Source Type: research

American Society of Transplant Surgeons: 13th Annual State of the Art Winter Symposium
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - December 18, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Source Type: research

Welcome to the ASTS 13th Annual State of the Art Winter Symposium, held in conjunction with the NATCO Symposium for Advanced Transplant Professionals!
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - December 18, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Source Type: research

Enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium in combination with full dose or reduced dose cyclosporine, basiliximab and corticosteroids in Australian de novo kidney transplant patients
ConclusionThis exploratory study suggests de novo renal transplant patients can safely receive a treatment regimen of either full or reduced exposure CsA in combination with EC‐MPS, corticosteroids and basiliximab, with no apparent difference in efficacy or graft function during the first year after transplant.
Source: Nephrology - December 17, 2012 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Steve Chadban, Josette Eris, Graeme Russ, Scott Campbell, Jeremy Chapman, Bruce Pussell, Paul Trevillian, Francesco Ierino, Napier Thomson, Brian Hutchison, Ashley Irish, Chad Woodcock, Nicol Kurstjens, Rowan Walker, Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Conversion to enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium from mycophenolate mofetil in stable renal transplant patients: Results of an Asia–Pacific study
ConclusionThis study demonstrated that enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium is a safe and effective alternative to mycophenolate mofetil in Asian kidney transplant recipients.
Source: Nephrology - December 17, 2012 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Po‐Huang Lee, Anantharaman Vathsala, Duck Jong Han, Tak‐Mao Chan, Hin‐Seng Wong, Chad Woodcock, Nicol Kurstjens, , Pary Sivaraman, Sheng‐Hsien Chu, Hwei‐Ho Hsieh, Kuo‐Hsiung Hsu, Po‐Chang Lee, Jong‐Da Lian, Wu‐Chang Yang, Zaki Morad, Si� Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

High‐sensitive Troponin T measurements early after heart transplantation predict short‐ and long‐term survival
Summary Following heart transplantation, cardiac biomarkers remain elevated for several weeks eventually as a result of membrane leakage of the donor organ. We now test the predictive power of blood levels of troponin T (TNT) measured by the new hsTNT assay (Roche Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) early after heart transplantation. TNT was determined in 141 cardiac allograft recipients and 40 controls. Our findings demonstrate that patients who died within the first year after transplantation had significantly higher median hsTNT serum levels 6 weeks after transplantation (156 ng/l ± 203 vs. 29 ng/l�...
Source: Transplant International - December 17, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Christian Erbel, Rukiye Taskin, Andreas Doesch, Thomas J Dengler, Susanne Wangler, Mohammadreza Akhavanpoor, Arjang Ruhparwar, Evangelos Giannitsis, Hugo A. Katus, Christian A. Gleissner Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Death of transplant patient reveals that four in ten lungs come from donors who smoke
A young cystic fibrosis suffer who was given a double lung transplant has died from cancer, after being told her donor was a smoker.
Source: Telegraph Health - December 15, 2012 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

The economic burden of advanced liver disease among patients with Hepatitis C Virus: a large state Medicaid perspective
Conclusions: Our results suggest that among patients diagnosed with HCV, the incremental costs of developing ALD are substantial, with inpatient stays as the main driver of these increased costs.
Source: BMC Health Services Research - December 15, 2012 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Joseph MenzinLeigh Ann WhiteChristine NicholsBaris Deniz Source Type: research

UCLA stem cell researchers receive more than $6 million in grants from state agency
Two cardiology investigators from the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA have been awarded grants totaling more than $6 million from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state's stem cell agency. The young physician–scientists, Dr. Reza Ardehali and Dr. Ali Nsair, will use the CIRM funds to conduct leading-edge research into the developmental and molecular biology of stem cells in their efforts to advance regenerative medicine for heart disease. Their studies will help form the foun...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - December 14, 2012 Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news

New treatment option holds hope for heart babies
By Scott Howe How do you know if you’re making the right medical decision for your child? Nine years ago, Rosamaria Rand and her family faced this difficult question. While pregnant, Rosamaria learned that her daughter, Alexa, had a severe heart defect known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), where half the heart fails to develop properly. Doctors told the Rands that most children born with HLHS go through a process known as single ventricle palliation or “SVP”— a series of three surgeries to reconstruct the heart so it can function with a single working ventricle. They also let the Rands know that only abo...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 14, 2012 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Guest Blogger Tags: All posts Diseases & conditions Heart conditions Our patients’ stories Research cardiac surgery Cardiology congential heart defect Heart Center HLHS Sitram Emani Wayne Tworetzky Source Type: news

Orthotopic heart transplant versus left ventricular assist device: A national comparison of cost and survival
Conclusions: Since Food and Drug Administration approval of the HeartMate II, mortality after left ventricular assist device implantation has decreased rapidly, yet has remained greater than that after orthotopic heart transplantation. The left ventricular assist device costs have continued to increase and have been significantly greater than those for orthotopic heart transplantation. Because of the evolving healthcare economics climate, with increasing emphasis on the costs and comparative effectiveness, a concerted effort at LVAD cost containment and judicious usage is essential to preserve the viability of this invaluable treatment.
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - December 14, 2012 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Daniel P. Mulloy, Castigliano M. Bhamidipati, Matthew L. Stone, Gorav Ailawadi, Irving L. Kron, John A. Kern Tags: Cardiothoracic Transplantation Source Type: research

Discussion
Dr Joseph C. Cleveland (Aurora, Colo). The management of an allosensitized potential cardiac transplant recipient remains highly anecdotal and center specific as outlined in the presentation. In essence, each center possesses its own witch's brew—the treatment to reduce PRA levels, including plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin, and some novel newer agents.
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - December 14, 2012 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Tags: Cardiothoracic Transplantation Source Type: research

Heart transplant graft survival is improved after a reduction in panel reactive antibody activity
Conclusions: Sensitized patients who had a substantial reduction in panel reactive antibody activity had an associated decline in the incidence of graft failure compared with those without a panel reactive antibody activity reduction. These results support efforts to reduce panel reactive antibody activity before orthotopic heart transplantation in patients with high panel reactive antibody activity.
Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - December 14, 2012 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Justin M. Schaffer, Steve K. Singh, Bruce A. Reitz, Philip E. Oyer, Robert C. Robbins, Hari R. Mallidi Tags: Cardiothoracic Transplantation Source Type: research

Post-transplant increase in soluble human leukocyte antigen-G associated with non-severe cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
In conclusion, quantification of sHLA-G might offer a complementary non-invasive method for identifying recipients at risk of more severe CAV and who might benefit from earlier preventive therapies, although these results need to be confirmed in larger series. PMID: 23247208 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Human Immunology - December 14, 2012 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Blanco-García RM, López-Álvarez MR, Garrido IP, Salgado-Cecilia G, Campillo JA, Bolarin JM, Gimeno L, Muro M, García-Alonso AM, Martínez-Sánchez MV, Bernardo Pisa MV, Soriano-Díaz S, Pascual-Figal DA, Alvarez-López MR, Minguela A Tags: Hum Immunol Source Type: research

Rationale and design of the Chronic Kidney Disease Antidepressant Sertraline Trial (CAST)
Abstract: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects one in five patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and is an independent risk factor for hospitalization and death before and after dialysis initiation. However, it remains an under-recognized and under-treated problem, in part due to the lack of well-controlled studies that support or refute the efficacy and safety of antidepressant medications in CKD patients. Major trials of antidepressant treatment excluded patients with stages 3–5 CKD, precisely those at higher risk for both depression and increased mortality. The Chronic Kidney Disease Antidepressant Sertraline ...
Source: Contemporary Clinical Trials - December 13, 2012 Category: Radiology Authors: Nishank Jain, Madhukar H. Trivedi, A. John Rush, Thomas Carmody, Benji Kurian, Robert D. Toto, Ravindra Sarode, S. Susan Hedayati Tags: Study Design, Statistical Design, Study Protocols Source Type: research

Our patients’ stories: New surgical technique helps Cristian avoid transplant
Cristian Typically, when people mention someone’s “big heart” it’s complimentary. But when doctors at Miami Children’s Hospital talked about the “big heart” of then two-month-old Cristian Colon, the phrase was nothing to smile about—it was the sign of a life-threatening illness. During a routine check-up, Cristian’s doctors noticed the young boy had a heart murmur. The discovery prompted a trip to the cardiologist where it was revealed that his heart was enlarged, likely the result of midaortic syndrome. (Midaortic syndrome occurs when the aorta, the main artery that delivers�...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - December 13, 2012 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tripp Underwood Tags: All posts Heart conditions Our patients’ stories Research Heung Bae Kim midaortic syndrome our patients' stories Pediatric Transplant Center (PTC) renovascular hypertension TESLA Source Type: news

Co-administration of caspofungin and cyclosporine to a kidney transplant patient with pulmonary Aspergillus infection
Anttila VJ, Piilonen A, Valtonen M
Source: The Aspergillus Website - articles - December 13, 2012 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: news

Anti‐LFA‐1 or rapamycin overcome costimulation blockade‐resistant rejection in sensitized bone marrow recipients
Summary While costimulation blockade‐based mixed chimerism protocols work well for inducing tolerance in rodents, translation to preclinical large animal/nonhuman primate models has been less successful. One recognized cause for these difficulties is the high frequency of alloreactive memory T cells (Tmem) found in the (pre)clinical setting as opposed to laboratory mice. In the present study, we therefore developed a murine bone marrow transplantation (BMT) model employing recipients harboring polyclonal donor‐reactive Tmem without concomitant humoral sensitization. This model was then used to identify strategies to ov...
Source: Transplant International - December 13, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Haley Ramsey, Nina Pilat, Karin Hock, Christoph Klaus, Lukas Unger, Christoph Schwarz, Ulrike Baranyi, Martina Gattringer, Elisabeth Schwaiger, Fritz Wrba, Thomas Wekerle Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Editorial Comment
In this study patients with PUV had a higher prevalence of postoperative VUR after transplant ureteral reimplantation. At our institution the pre-transplant evaluation in urology patients includes careful assessment of voiding dysfunction that could ultimately compromise renal allograft function. While this evaluation is intuitive in children with known neuropathic defects, patients with PUV can have a range of bladder functional abnormalities. Progression of the “valve bladder” in the most severely affected patients is well described, from a small, high pressure bladder as an infant to a large, poorly emptying bladder...
Source: The Journal of Urology - December 13, 2012 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: William R. DeFoor Tags: Pediatric Urology Source Type: research

Functional elements associated with hepatic regeneration in living donors after right hepatic lobectomy
Abstract We quantified rates of hepatic regeneration and functional recovery for 6 months after right hepatic lobectomy in living donors for liver transplantation. Twelve donors were studied at baseline; eight retested at (mean±SD) 11±3 days(T1), 10 at 91±9 days(T2), and 10 at 185±17 days(T3) after donation. Liver and spleen volumes were measured by computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Hepatic metabolism was assessed from caffeine and erythromycin, and hepatic blood flow from cholates,galactose, and perfused hepatic mass (PHM, by SPECT). Regeneration rates (mL liver per kg bo...
Source: Liver Transplantation - December 13, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Gregory T. Everson, John C. Hoefs, Claus U. Niemann, Kim M Olthoff, Robert Dupuis, Shannon Lauriski, Andrea Herman, Norah Milne, Brenda W. Gillespie, Nathan P. Goodrich, James E. Everhart Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Association between a functional polymorphism in Toll‐like receptor 3 and chronic hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients
ConclusionTLR3 L412F is significantly common in HCV‐infected liver recipients, and may be associated with worse outcomes. However, larger studies are needed to determine its significant association with allograft failure and mortality after liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C.
Source: Transplant Infectious Disease - December 13, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: S.‐O. Lee, R.A. Brown, R.R. Razonable Tags: Original Report Source Type: research

Appendix
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - December 13, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Source Type: research

OPTN/SRTR 2011 Annual Data Report: International Data
ABSTRACT For the first time, OPTN/SRTR has undertaken to publish global transplant rates as part of its Annual Data Report. Understanding why rates vary from country to country may lead to a better understanding of how to improve access to transplant everywhere. Availability of information varies substantially from country to country, and how complete and accurate the data are is difficult to ascertain. For Canada, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom, data were supplied at SRTR request from well‐known registries. For many other countries, SRTR was unable to obtain information, and data from the World Health Organization'...
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - December 13, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: B. L. Kasiske, M. A. Skeans, T. R. Leighton, V. Ghimire, S. N. Leppke, A. K. Israni Source Type: research

OPTN/SRTR 2011 Annual Data Report: Deceased Organ Donation
ABSTRACT In 2011, the number of eligible deaths (death of a patient aged 70 years or younger who is legally declared brain dead and does not exhibit any excluding factors) was 9023, a slight decrease from 2010; 72.9 eligible donors per 100 eligible deaths were converted to organ donors. The unadjusted donation rate varied by donation service area (DSA), as did the number of transplant programs. The observed/expected organ yield ratio for all organs varied by DSA from 0.89 to 1.13. The total number of organs recovered divided by the number of donors was 3.54, slightly lower than in 2010; this value varied by DSA from 2.9...
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - December 13, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: A. K. Israni, D. A. Zaun, J. D. Rosendale, J. J. Snyder, B. L. Kasiske Source Type: research

OPTN/SRTR 2011 Annual Data Report: Lung
ABSTRACT Lungs are allocated in part based on the Lung Allocation Score (LAS), which considers risk of death without transplant and posttransplant. Wait‐list additions have been increasing steadily after an initial decline following LAS implementation. In 2011, the largest number of adult candidates were added to the waiting list in a single year since 1998; donation and transplant rates have been unable to keep pace with wait‐list additions. Candidates aged 65 years or older have been added faster than candidates in other age groups. After an initial decline following LAS implementation, wait‐list mortality incre...
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - December 13, 2012 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: M. Valapour, K. Paulson, J. M. Smith, M. I. Hertz, M. A. Skeans, B. M. Heubner, L. B. Edwards, J. J. Snyder, A. K. Israni, B. L. Kasiske Source Type: research