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8/12/2008
Recent studies demonstrated better outcomes of graft and patient survival in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) compared with those of whole liver (WLT) and split liver transplantation (SLT). However their results often utilize recipients from both pre and post model-for-end-stage- liver disease (MELD/PELD) implementation.
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8/11/2008
Polyomavirus-associated nephropathy often precedes renal allograft dysfunction in adult renal transplant recipients. The OPTN/UNOS began collecting information regarding polyomavirus test results using followup forms since June 30, 2004. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of clinical polyomavirus disease (PVD) on graft survival after pediatric kidney transplantation
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5/31/2008
Despite improved early graft survival, long-term kidney graft loss rate has not been reduced. Both HLA antibodies and HLA donor specific antibodies (DSA) have been detected and may be causal in chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and, especially, in acute rejection. We evaluated the association between DSA, C4d staining in transplant and graft outcome.
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5/31/2008
Despite improved early graft survival long-term graft loss rate hasn’t been reduced. Both HLA antibodies and HLA donor specific antibodies (DSA) have been shown and causal in acute and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) particularly the former. In a longitudinal study, HLA antibodies were linked to graft failure. Recently, Class II DSA has been shown correlated to renal graft failure with graft surviving at least one year.
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5/31/2008
Initial high dose steroid treatment of transplant recipients induces changes in the cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor (cGR) that may affect the mode of action of the drug. The cGR consists of functionally distinct isoforms of the GR and chaperone molecules, including FK binding protein 5 (FKBP5), that modulate GR signaling. Normal sensitivity to steroids requires expression of appropriate GR isoforms and the collaboration with FKBP5. Gene transactivation requires the GR-b isoform and is inhibited by excessive expression of the hGR-b isoform. Over expression of FKBP5 can attenuate steroid sensitivity by restraining translocation of the GR from cytoplasm to nucleus. We investigated the effect of bolus glucocorticoid (GC) treatment on the structure of the cGR complex by measuring the levels of GR isoform expression and FKBP5 transcription.
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5/31/2008
There is currently a lack of predictive methods to define glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity, which is extremely variable among individuals. In particular, identifying patients in whom steroids will have immunosuppressive and toxic activities is important in transplantation. Therefore we have sought to establish an in vitro pharmacokinetic assay to investigate leukocyte proliferation and cytokine production, with the intention of applying such a test in transplantation.
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5/31/2008
Polymorphisms in several genes on the short arm of chromosome 6 (6p), among them VEGF (6p12), FKBP5 (6p21.2), HLA-DR (6p21.3) and TNF-a (6p21.3), have been associated with inflammation and transplant outcome. Each of these genes is associated with acute rejection. Independent segregation of these genes is unproven, so we investigated linkage between distant genes on 6p and the putative existence of evolutionarily-conserved long-range 6p haplotypes.
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7/31/2008
Transmission of hepatitis B virus infection through hepatitis B core antibody positive (HBcAb+) grafts to hepatitis B surface antigen negative (HBsAg- recipients has been reported (Liver Int. 2005 Dec;25(6):1169-74). The mandatory use of immunosupression in transplant patients favors reactivation of latent virus that may be present in grafts from HBsAg-negative anti-HBc-positive donors. With the persistent organ donor scarcity, the use of these grafts can not be avoided, specifically in urgent cases.
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12/31/2006
Hepatocyte Growth factor (HGF) is a plieotropic hormone which possesses important cardioprotective properties. It attenuates the death of cardiomyocytes and coronary endothelial cells under ischaemic stress, and promotes angiogenesis. Early following myocardial injury, levels of HGF rise in proportion to the size of injured area. Cardiac allografts are subjected to considerable ischaemia and reperfusion stress. This study analyses early postoperative levels of HGF and associates them with ischaemic time and outcome.
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12/31/2007
In renal allograft recipients transplanted for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) the disease recurs in 40-60% of cases. However, disease progression is moderated by immunosuppression. In this study we evaluated renal transplantation outcomes in recipients with IgAN.
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