Kidney and pancreas transplantation in the United States, 1997-2006: the HRSA Breakthrough Collaboratives and the 58 DSA Challenge

Growth in the number of active patients on the kidney transplant waiting list has slowed. Projections based on the most recent 5-year data suggest the total waiting list will grow at a rate of 4138 registrations per year, whereas the active waiting list will increase at less than one-sixth that rate, or 663 registrations per year. The last 5 years have seen a small trend toward improved unadjusted allograft survival for living and deceased donor kidneys. Since 2004 the overall number of pancreas transplants has declined. Among pancreas recipients, those with simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplants experienced the highest pancreas graft survival rates. In response to the ongoing shortage of deceased donor organs, the US Health Resources and Services Administration launched the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative in September 2003 and the Organ Transplantation Breakthrough Collaborative (OTBC) in October 2005. The 58 DSA Challenge is prominent among the goals adopted by the OTBC. Its premise: were each of the 58 existing donation service areas to increase the number of kidney transplants performed within their boundaries by 10 per month, an additional 7000 transplants over current annual levels would result. Such an increase could potentially eliminate the national kidney transplantation waiting list by 2030.

Lactobacillus GG has in vitro effects on enhanced interleukin-10 and interferon-gamma release of mononuclear cells but no in vivo effects in supplemented mothers and their neonates

BACKGROUND

The value of probiotics for primary prevention is controversial. Moreover, only little is known about the underlying immunological mechanisms of action. Therefore, we assessed the proliferative response and cytokine release in cultures of isolated mononuclear cells from pregnant women and their neonates supplemented with Lactobacillus GG (LGG) or placebo.

METHODS

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective trial, pregnant women with at least one first-degree relative or a partner with an atopic disease were randomly assigned to receive either the probiotic LGG (ATCC 53103; 5 x 10(9) colony-forming units LGG twice daily) or placebo 4-6 weeks before expected delivery, followed by a post-natal period of 6 months. Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the corresponding mother were isolated from cord blood and peripheral blood (n=68). The proliferative response of CBMC and PBMC was expressed as the stimulation index (SI), which was calculated according to the ratio between the mean counts per minute (c.p.m.) values measured in the wells with stimulated cells and the mean c.p.m. values measured in the wells with unstimulated cells. Additionally, the cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-10 and IL-13 in the cell culture supernatants were measured using the ELISA technique.

RESULTS

No difference was observed between the LGG-supplemented group and the placebo group in terms of the proliferative capacity of maternal or neonatal cord blood cells in response to IL-2, beta-lactoglobulin or LGG. In vitro stimulation with LGG resulted in significantly enhanced release of IL-10 and IFN-gamma, compared with cytokine release in unstimulated controls. However, this phenomenon was observed in supernatants of maternal and neonatal MC in both groups, independent of prior supplementation with LGG.

CONCLUSION

LGG has in vitro effects on enhanced IL-10 and IFN-gamma release of mononuclear cells. However, supplementation with LGG during pregnancy did not alter the proliferative capacity or cytokine pattern in their recipients.

Genome-wide expression analysis of cultured trophoblast with trisomy 21 karyotype

BACKGROUND

The pathologic features of Down syndrome are assumed to be the result of over-expression of genes located on chromosome 21 and/or a more global transcriptional misregulation that crosses chromosomal borders.

METHODS

To address this issue, four RNA samples from trisomy 21 placentas and four samples from normal first trimester pregnancies were analyzed using Affymetrix U95v2 microarray. Statistical and bioinformatic analyses were employed to compare global gene expression, functional classes, and pathways to differentiate between placentas taken from trisomy 21 and from normal pregnancies.

RESULTS

About 750 genes were significantly over-expressed in trisomy 21. This list contains an approximately 4.5-fold over-abundance of genes that map to chromosome 21, compared to that which could be expected for this chromosome, on the microarray. Among the classes of genes that best discriminated the trisomy 21 and normal karyotype, we found genes that are also implicated in Alzheimer disease and genes that are associated with ubiquitination and proteosomal degradation. Finally, using the top 10 most discriminating genes, eight samples taken from a different database were correctly classified as either trisomy 21 or normal.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that gene expression in trisomy 21 affected placentas significantly differs from that of chromosomally normal placentas, and this difference is only partially explained by over-expression of genes from chromosome 21. Our findings suggest that specific highly discriminatory genes may be potential targets for further research and development of novel prenatal diagnosis techniques.

Solitary electromagnetic pulses detected with super-Alfvénic flows in Earth's geomagnetic tail

Solitary nonlinear (deltaB/B>>1) electromagnetic pulses have been detected in Earth's geomagnetic tail accompanying plasmas flowing at super-Alfvénic speeds. The pulses in the current sheet had durations of approximately 5 s, were left-hand circularly polarized, and had phase speeds of approximately the Alfvén speed in the plasma frame. These pulses were associated with a field-aligned current J(parallel) and observed in low density (approximately 0.3 cm(-3)), high temperature (T(e) approximately T(i) approximately 3x10(7) K), and beta approximately 10 plasma that included electron and ion beams streaming along B. The wave activity was enhanced from below the ion cyclotron frequency to electron cyclotron and upper hybrid frequencies. The detailed properties suggest the pulses are nonlinearly steepened ion cyclotron or Alfvén waves.

Phase II trial of capecitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma

14103

Background: Advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PCa) portends a poor prognosis. Both capecitabine (CAP) and oxaliplatin (OX) have demonstrated activity in pancreas cancer, may be synergistic, and are well tolerated. We report the outcomes and toxicities of patients (pts) with PCa treated with CAP and OX in combination. Methods: Entry criteria: ECOG PS ≥ 2, adequate renal, hepatic and bone marrow function and at least one measurable lesion. Pts were allowed to have received one prior chemotherapy for advanced disease, or adjuvant therapy if completed more than 12 months prior. Pts received CAP 2000 mg/m2 po taken in two divided doses for 14 days starting on day one and OX 130 mg/m2 IV on day 1 of each 21 day cycle. Response was recorded per RECIST criteria. Results: Sixteen pts have been enrolled, 14 have been treated (2 pts suffered rapid decline prior to start) thus far. The average number of cycles was 2.7, and 3 pts received 4 or more cycles. Of 10 evaluable pts, 6 had stable disease, 1 had a partial response and 3 had progressive disease. Of the 5 pts who had received prior chemotherapy with progression, 3 had stable disease, and one had a partial response, and 1 had progressive disease. Of the 5 pts who had not recieved prior chemotherapy, 3 had stable disease and 2 had progressive disease. Median time to progression was 7 weeks. Four pts are still undergoing treatment. Toxicity was acceptable in the12 pts evaluated. Three grade 4 events occurred and were unrelated to therapy (venous thromboembolism, stroke, hyperbilirubinemia). Grade 3 toxicity was noted in 5 pts (fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). Grade 1/2 toxicity was minimal, predominated by neurosensory deficits in 7 pts, hand foot syndrome (HFS) in four pts, and nausea in 4 pts. Two pts stopped therapy due to toxicity, one for HFS (grade 2) after 1 cycle, and one for diarrhea (grade 3) after two cycles. Four pts required dose reduction. Conclusion: The combination of CAP and OX is reasonable and tolerable treatment of pancreas cancer with activity even in pts receiving second line chemotherapy. Accrual is ongoing.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Use of fresh human placenta for microsurgical training

Microsurgery requires considerable practice before any attempt is made at clinical application. Live animals represent the ideal training medium; however, unlimited access to the animal laboratory is not always possible. In such situations, segments of fresh human placenta provide ideal specimens for microsurgical practice. They are readily available and abundant in a variety of vessels, and require a minimum of dissection.

A 2-Year Follow-Up of Root Coverage Using Subpedicle Acellular Dermal Matrix Allografts and Subepithelial Connective Tissue Autografts

BACKGROUND

Coverage of roots exposed by gingival recession is one of the main objectives of periodontal reconstructive surgery. A large variety of mucogingival grafting procedures are available. However, the long-term effectiveness of this procedure is still not clear. This study compared the effectiveness of sub-pedicle acellular dermal matrix allografts with subepithelial connective tissue autografts in achieving root coverage 2 years postoperatively.

METHODS

One hundred one (101) patients were treated with dermal matrix allografts (mean age, 28.4+/- 0.7 years; mean recession, 4.2 mm) and 65 patients treated with connective tissue graft (mean age, 30.1+/- 1.4 years; mean recession, 4.9 mm). All patients underwent full periodontal evaluation and presurgical preparation, including oral hygiene instruction and scaling and root planing. The exposed roots were thoroughly planed and covered by a graft without any further root treatment or conditioning. There were no differences in the average age, time of follow-up, or gender between the two groups. Patients were evaluated periodically between 1 and 2 years. Residual recession and defect coverage were assessed.

RESULTS

Mean residual root recession after root coverage with acellular dermal matrix allograft was 0.2 +/- 0.04 mm, with defect coverage of 95.9% +/- 0.9%. Frequency of defect coverage was 82.2%. Root coverage was 98.8% +/- 0.2%, resulting in a frequency of root coverage of 100%. Gain in keratinized gingiva was 2.2+/- 0.04 mm and attachment gain was 4.5+/- 0.1 mm per patient. Connective tissue autografts resulted in mean residual root recession of 0.1+/- 0.04 mm, with percent defect coverage of 97.8%+/- 0.6% and frequency of defect coverage of 95.4%. Root coverage was 99.1%+/- 0.2%, and frequency of root coverage was 100%. Gain in keratinized gingiva was 3.0+/- 0.1 mm and attachment gain was 5.3+/- 0.2 mm per patient. No significant differences in final recession and root coverage between the two treatment methods were found. However, autografts resulted in significant increases in defect coverage, keratinized gingival gain, attachment gain, and residual probing depth. The clinical results were stable for the 2-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that coverage of root by sub-pedicle acellular dermal matrix allografts or subepithelial connective tissue autografts is a very predictable procedure which is stable for 2 years postoperatively. However, subepithelial connective tissue autografts resulted in significant increases in defect coverage, keratinized gingival gain, attachment gain, and residual probing depth.