Difference in Survival in Early Kidney after Liver Transplantation Compared with Simultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplantation: Evaluating the Potential of the “Safety Net”

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Multiple spike-train analysis using mutual interval matrix

The principal-component approach is applied to the analysis of sequences of neuronal action potentials (spike trains). Multiple spike trains are represented as a sequence of vectors of mutual interspike intervals and are considered to be part of the trajectory of a dynamic system. The trajectory matrix is decomposed into a number of ‘basic spike patterns’ and their relative magnitudes by singular-value decomposition. The representation provides a convenient framework for analysis of dynamic relations and cooperation between neurons in an observed network. Examples of applications to simulated and cerebellar data are presented.     

隐性失血对双侧人工全膝关节同期置换手术的影响

[目的]研究双侧人工全膝关节同期置换术术后隐性失血的相关因素。[方法]对2005年2月～2007年2月44例双侧人工全膝关节同期置换术患者进行回顾性分析，通过Gross方程，根据身高、体重及手术前后的红细胞压积推算术后平均显性失血量及平均隐性失血量。[结果]平均总失血量2065ml，其中显性失血量1198ml，隐性失血量867ml，使用自体血回输患者总失血量为2180ml，隐性失血量为937ml（42％）；未使用自体血回输患者的总失血量是1950ml，隐性失血量是799ml（41％）；两组的隐性失血相比差异无统计学意义。[结论]双侧人工全膝关节同期置换术术后隐性失血量占总失血量的比例较高，且使用自体血回输不能完全满足机体恢复体循环的需要，在围手术期要特别注意及时补充血容量。     

脑转移瘤同期加量混合调强放疗与调强放疗的剂量学比较

目的:探讨同时运用三维适形与调强的混合调强放疗（Hybrid-IMRT）与调强放疗（IMRT）用于脑转移瘤同期加量的剂量学差异。方法:选取20例进行头颅放疗的患者，分别设计Hybrid-IMRT计划和IMRT计划。Hybrid-IMRT计划包括全脑行三维适形（两野对穿）3 600 cGy/20 F、脑转移灶行IMRT同期加量至5 000 cGy/20 F；IMRT计划全程运用IMRT给予全脑照射3 600 cGy/20 F、脑转移灶5 000 cGy/20 F。在满足临床要求的前提下，比较两组计划靶区的均匀性指数、适形度指数、平均剂量和机器跳数，危及器官脑干、视神经、晶体、视交叉、眼球的最大剂量和平均剂量。结果:两种计划均能满足临床要求。Hybrid-IMRT计划的PGTV均匀性优于IMRT计划（P<0.001）；Hybrid-IMRT计划的脑干、视交叉、左右晶体的最大剂量与平均剂量，左右眼球的平均剂量以及左右视神经的最大剂量均低于IMRT计划（P<0.05）；Hybrid-IMRT计划的机器跳数比IMRT计划减少了约70%（P<0.001）。结论:两种计划均能满足临床要求，Hybrid-IMRT计划相较IMRT计划靶区剂量更加均匀，治疗时间缩短，也能更好地保护危及器官。     

DNA microarray technique for detection and identification of seven flaviviruses pathogenic for man

A flavivirus microarray was developed for detection and identification of yellow fever (YF), West Nile, Japanese encephalitis (JE), and the dengue 1-4 viruses, which are causing severe human disease all over the world. The microarray was based on 500-nucleotide probe fragments from five different parts of the seven viral genomes. A low-stringent amplification method targeting the corresponding regions of the viral genomic RNA was developed and combined with hybridization to the microarray for detection and identification. For distinction of the generated virus-specific fluorescence-patterns a fitting analysis procedure was adapted. The method was verified as functional for all seven flaviviruses and the strategy for the amplification, combined with the long probes, provided a high tolerance for smaller genetic variability, most suitable for these rapidly changing RNA viruses. A potentially high detection and identification capacity was proven on diverged strains of West Nile and dengue viruses. The lower limit for detection was equivalent, or better, when compared to routinely used RT-PCR methods. The performance of the method was verified on human patient samples containing dengue viruses, or normal human serum spiked with YF or JE viruses. The results demonstrated the ability of the flavivirus microarray to screen simultaneously a sample for several viruses in parallel, in combination with a good lower limit of detection.     

Factors influencing the sensitivity of herpes simplex virus detection in clinical specimens in a simultaneous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies

A rapid simultaneous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies was investigated for herpes simplex virus (HSV) detection. All HSV isolated (n = 127) were detected, whereas no response was obtained with HSV negative preparations. Equivalent results were obtained from 275 of 277 clinical specimens in the monoclonal ELISA and in an ELISA using polyclonal antibodies, confirming that appropriately selected monoclonal antibodies may be as efficacious as polyclonal antibodies in antibody-based assays. In clinical specimens, the rate of HSV detection (sensitivity) relative to tissue culture isolation was low for both assays, and the major factor responsible for this was the low concentration of virus present in some specimens. The sensitivity of ELISA obtained in routine use varied with different panels of unselected specimens and was related to the speed of development of the cytopathic effect. These results emphasise the need for caution in assigning a definitive sensitivity level to ELISA tests evaluated on different panels of specimens.     

Pattern electroretinogram plus visual evoked potential: A decisive test in patients suspected of malingering

Along the processing chain in the visual pathway the pattern electroretinogram (PERG) is a better indicator of the peripheral function than the visual evoked potential (VEP). Therefore the PERG and the VEP will be impaired equally by disturbances before the ganglion cell layer (e.g., blurred image or retinal disease) and differently by further centrally located diseases (e.g., tumor compression of the optic nerve). Thus in patients complaining of reduced visual acuity who show disturbed VEP but a normal PERG, malingering can be definitely ruled out. Representative combinations of PERG and VEP findings are described.     

HPLC analysis of 16 compounds from Artemisia ordosica

Objective: To establish a high-performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) for the simultaneous determination of sixteen compounds from Artemisia ordosica. Methods: HPLC was used to analyze 16 quality indicators of A. ordosica. The HPLC conditions were as follows: Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with acetonitrile (A)-water (B) as mobile phase, gradient elution: 0?10 min, 75%?65% B; 10?30 min, 65%?35 % B; and finally 30?40 min, 35%?15% B. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, the column temperature was 40 °C, the injection volume was 10 μL, and monitored by absorbance at 285 nm for compounds 1?10, 12 and 225 nm for compounds 11, 13?16. Results: Under the selected experimental chromatographic conditions, compounds 1?16 showed good linearity (r > 0.9993) in a wide concentration range. Their average recoveries were 99.50%, 95.38%, 97.75%, 96.00%, 98.20%, 97.50%, 95.50%, 99.33%, 96.75%, 96.50%, 98.50%, 97.83%, 99.20%, 95.33%, 97.33% and 96.30%, respectively, and the RSD were 1.99%, 1.81%, 1.63%, 1.98%, 1.67%, 1.92%, 1.74%, 1.67%, 1.90%, 1.72%, 1.88%, 1.83%, 1.79%, 1.76%, 1.81% and 1.96%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results of the HPLC analysis, it was concluded that p-hydroxycinnamic acid (1), O-hydroxycinnamic acid (2), coniferyl alcohol (5), 5,4''-dihydroxy-7,3''-dimethoxyflavanone (8), 5,4''-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (9), 5-hydroxy-7,4''-dimethoxyflavanone (12), dehydrofalcarindiol (13), arteordoyn A (14), dehydrofalcarinol (15) and capillarin (16) are best suited for the role of quality indicators of A. ordosica grown in different ecological environments.     

Short-term therapy with anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody induced long-term liver allograft survival in nonhuman primates

Tolerance induction remains challenging following liver transplantation and the long-term use of immunosuppressants, especially calcineurin inhibitors, leads to serious complications. We aimed to test an alternative immunosuppressant, a chimeric anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody, MD-3, for improving the outcomes of liver transplantation. We used a rhesus macaque liver transplantation model and monkeys were divided into three groups: no immunosuppression (n = 2), conventional immunosuppression (n = 4), and MD-3 (n = 5). Without immunosuppression, liver allografts failed within a week by acute rejection. Sixteen-week-long conventional immunosuppression that consisted of prednisolone, tacrolimus, and an mTOR inhibitor prolonged liver allograft survival; however, recipients died of acute T cell–mediated rejection (day 52), chronic rejection (days 62 and 66), or adverse effects of mTOR inhibitor (day 32). In contrast, 12-week-long MD-3 therapy with transient conventional immunosuppression in the MD-3 group significantly prolonged the survival of liver allograft recipients (5, 96, 216, 412, 730 days; p = .0483). MD-3 effectively suppressed intragraft inflammatory cell infiltration, anti-donor T cell responses, and donor-specific antibody with intact anti-cytomegalovirus antibody responses. However, this regimen ended in chronic rejection. In conclusion, short-term therapy with MD-3 markedly improved liver allograft survival to 2 years without maintenance of immunosuppressant. MD-3 is therefore a promising immune-modulating agent for liver transplantation.