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Caldwell N, Afshar R, Baragaña B, Bustinduy AL, Caffrey CR, Collins JJ, Fusco D, Garba A, Gardner M, Gomes M, Hoffmann KF, Hsieh M, Lo NC, McNamara CW, Nono JK, Padalino G, Read KD, Roestenberg M, Spangenberg T, Specht S, Gilbert IH. Perspective on Schistosomiasis Drug Discovery: Highlights from a Schistosomiasis Drug Discovery Workshop at Wellcome Collection, London, September 2022. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1046-1055. [PMID: 37083395 PMCID: PMC10186373 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
In September 2022, the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee, UK, organised an international meeting at the Wellcome Collection in London to explore the current clinical situation and challenges associated with treating schistosomiasis. The aim of this meeting was to discuss the need for new treatments in view of the clinical situation and to ascertain what the key requirements would be for any potential new anti-schistosomals. This information will be essential to inform ongoing drug discovery efforts for schistosomiasis. We also discussed the potential drug discovery pathway and associated criteria for progressing compounds to the clinic. To date, praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug available to treat all species causing schistosomiasis, but it is often unable to completely clear parasites from an infected patient, partially due to its inactivity against juvenile worms. PZQ-mediated mass drug administration campaigns conducted in endemic areas (e.g., sub-Saharan Africa, where schistosomiasis is primarily prevalent) have contributed to reducing the burden of disease but will not eliminate the disease as a public health problem. The potential for Schistosoma to develop resistance towards PZQ, as the sole treatment available, could become a concern. Consequently, new anthelmintic medications are urgently needed, and this Perspective aims to capture some of the learnings from our discussions on the key criteria for new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Caldwell
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Drug Discovery Unit, Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Rana Afshar
- Global
Health Institute of Merck, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, Ares Trading
S.A., Route de Crassier 1, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Beatriz Baragaña
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Drug Discovery Unit, Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Amaya L. Bustinduy
- Department
of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene
& Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center
for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0657, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - James J. Collins
- Department
of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical
Center, Forest Park Road, Dallas, Texas 75235, United States
| | - Daniela Fusco
- Department
of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard
Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- German
Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, 38124 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Amadou Garba
- Department
of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mark Gardner
- Salvensis
Ltd., 27 New Dover Rd., Canterbury, Kent CT1 3DN, United Kingdom
| | - Mireille Gomes
- Global
Health Institute of Merck, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, Ares Trading
S.A., Route de Crassier 1, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Department
of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hsieh
- Division
of Urology, Children’s National Hospital, and Department of
Urology, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20010, United States
| | - Nathan C. Lo
- Division
of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94110, United States
| | - Case W. McNamara
- Calibr,
a division of Scripps Research, North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Justin Komguep Nono
- Unit
of Immunobiology and Helminth Infections, Institute of Medical Research
and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry
of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé 13033, Cameroon
| | - Gilda Padalino
- School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3NB, United
Kingdom
| | - Kevin D. Read
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Drug Discovery Unit, Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- Department
of Parasitology and Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Spangenberg
- Global
Health Institute of Merck, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, Ares Trading
S.A., Route de Crassier 1, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Specht
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Wellcome
Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Drug Discovery Unit, Division
of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kingdom
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Sasse KC, Lambin JH, Gevorkian J, Elliott C, Afshar R, Gardner A, Mehta A, Lambin R, Peraza L. Long-term clinical, radiological, and histological follow-up after complex ventral incisional hernia repair using urinary bladder matrix graft reinforcement: a retrospective cohort study. Hernia 2018; 22:899-907. [PMID: 30276560 PMCID: PMC6245125 DOI: 10.1007/s10029-018-1830-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Complex ventral incisional hernia repair represents a challenging clinical condition in which biologically derived graft reinforcement is often utilized, but little long-term data inform that decision. Urinary bladder matrix (UBM) has shown effectiveness in diverse clinical settings as durable reinforcement graft material, but it has not been studied over a long term in ventral incisional hernia repair. This study evaluates the clinical, radiographic, and histological outcome of complex incisional hernia repair using UBM reinforcement with 12–70 months of follow-up. Methods A single-arm, retrospective observational study of all ventral incisional hernia repairs utilizing UBM reinforcement over a 6-year time frame by a single surgeon was performed. Patients were assessed in long-term follow-up clinically and with the Carolina Comfort Scale. A subset of patients was assessed with abdominal wall ultrasound or CT scan. Three patients had abdominal wall fascial biopsies years after the incisional hernia repair with UBM graft, and the histology is analyzed. Results 64 patients underwent repair of complex incisional hernias with UBM graft reinforcement by a single surgeon. 42 patients had concomitant procedures including large or small bowel resection, excision of infected mesh, evacuation of abscess or hematoma, cholecystectomy, or panniculectomy with abdominoplasty. 16 patients had ostomies at the time of repair. Median follow-up time is 36 months, with a range of 12–70 months. Nine patients (14%) have required surgical repair of a recurrent hernia, and a tenth patient has a recurrence that is managed non-surgically, for a total recurrence rate of 15.6% over the entire time frame. Median time to recurrence was 32 months, and a Kaplan–Meier freedom from recurrence curve is depicted. 28 patients have undergone ultrasound or CT assessments of the abdominal wall which demonstrate radiographic fascial integrity 12–70 months after repair. Three patients have been re-explored for unrelated reasons in the years following ventral incisional hernia repair with UBM, and full thickness fascial biopsies demonstrate a robust remodeling response histologically similar to native myofascial tissue. No patients have developed graft infection, fistulization to the graft, or required graft explantation. Carolina Comfort Scale assessment of 45 patients 3 years after the repair averaged 16 out of a possible 115. Conclusion In 64 patients undergoing complex ventral incisional hernia repair with UBM reinforcement, all have experienced successful resolution of complex clinical conditions and 15.6% of these repairs have recurred at a median follow-up of 3 years. Three full-thickness biopsies of the repaired fascia years later shed light on a promising remodeling response which may signal strength and durability comparable to native fascia.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Sasse
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, 75 Pringle Way, Suite 804, Reno, NV, 89502, USA.
| | - J-H Lambin
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, 75 Pringle Way, Suite 804, Reno, NV, 89502, USA
| | - J Gevorkian
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, 75 Pringle Way, Suite 804, Reno, NV, 89502, USA
| | - C Elliott
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, 75 Pringle Way, Suite 804, Reno, NV, 89502, USA
| | - R Afshar
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, 75 Pringle Way, Suite 804, Reno, NV, 89502, USA
| | - A Gardner
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, 75 Pringle Way, Suite 804, Reno, NV, 89502, USA
| | - A Mehta
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, 75 Pringle Way, Suite 804, Reno, NV, 89502, USA
| | - R Lambin
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, 75 Pringle Way, Suite 804, Reno, NV, 89502, USA
| | - L Peraza
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, 75 Pringle Way, Suite 804, Reno, NV, 89502, USA
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Afshar R, Fong TS, Latifi MH, Kanthan SR, Kamarul T. A biomechanical study comparing plate fixation using unicortical and bicortical screws in transverse metacarpal fracture models subjected to cyclic loading. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2012; 37:396-401. [PMID: 22019989 DOI: 10.1177/1753193411424557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The use of bicortical screws to fix metacarpal fractures has been suggested to provide no added biomechanical advantage over unicortical screw fixation. However, this was only demonstrated in static loading regimes, which may not be representative of biological conditions. The present study was done to determine whether similar outcomes are obtained when cyclic loading is applied. Transverse midshaft osteotomies were created in 20 metacarpals harvested from three cadavers. Fractures were stabilised using 2.0 mm mini fragment plates fixed with either bicortical or unicortical screw fixation. These fixations were tested to failure with a three-point bending cyclic loading protocol using an electromechanical microtester and a 1 kN load cell. The mean load to failure was 370 N (SD 116) for unicortical fixation and 450 N (SD 135) for bicortical fixation. Significant differences between these two constructs were observed. A biomechanical advantage was found when using bicortical screws in metacarpal fracture plating.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Afshar
- Tissue Engineering Group (TEG), National Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence in Research and Learning (NOCERAL), Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Satoh M, Terata S, Kikuya M, Ohkubo T, Hashimoto T, Hara A, Hirose T, Obara T, Metoki H, Inoue R, Asayama K, Nakayama M, Kanno A, Totsune K, Hoshi H, Satoh H, Sato H, Imai Y, Palmer S, Germaine W, Iff S, Craig J, Mitchell P, Wang JJ, Strippoli G, Palmer S, Craig J, Navaneethan S, Tonelli M, Pellegrini F, Strippoli G, Stracke S, Ernst F, Robinson D, Schwahn C, John U, Felix SB, Volzke H, Mysula I, Gozhenko A, Susla O, Minutolo R, Gabbai FB, Agarwal R, Bellizzi V, Nappi F, Conte G, De Nicola L, Smith E, Tomlinson L, Ford M, Mcmahon L, Rajkumar C, Holt S, Lee S, Kim I, Lee D, Rhee H, Song S, Seong E, Kwak I, Redal-Baigorri B, Rasmusen K, Goya Heaf J, Sombolos K, Tsakiris D, John B, Vlahakos D, Siamopoulos K, Vargiemezis V, Nikolaidis P, Iatrou C, Dafnis E, Argyropoulos C, Xynos K, Ramona H, Jos D, Guido F, Patrick D, Dominique L, Begona MYK, Antoon DS, Marc VS, Hellberg M, Wiberg EM, Hoglund P, Simonsen O, Clyne N, Manfredini F, Manfredini F, Bolignano D, Rastelli S, Barilla A, Bertoli S, Ciurlino D, Messa P, Fabrizi F, Zuccala A, Rapana R, Fatuzzo P, Rapisarda F, Bonanno G, Lombardi L, De Paola L, Cupisti A, Fuiano G, Lucisano G, Tripepi G, Catizone L, Zoccali C, Mallamaci F, Ishigami T, Ishigami T, Yamamoto R, Nagasawa Y, Isaka Y, Konta T, Iseki K, Moriyama T, Yamagata K, Tsuruya K, Yoshida H, Fujimoto S, Asahi K, Watanabe T, Morales E, Gutierrez E, Forteza A, Bellot R, Sanchez V, Sanz MP, Evangelista A, Cortina J, Praga M, Hung CC, Yang ML, Hwang SJ, Chen HC, Saglimbene VM, Palmer S, Craig J, Pellegrini F, Vecchio M, Ruospo M, De Berardis G, Strippoli G, DI Iorio B, Bellasi A, Pota A, Russo L, Russo D, Nakano C, Nakano C, Hamano T, Fujii N, Obi Y, Matsui I, Mikami S, Inoue K, Shimomura A, Rakugi H, Isaka Y, Yen CY, Wang HH, Hung CC, Hwang SJ, Chen HC, Postorino M, Postorino M, Cutrupi S, Pizzini P, Marino C, D'arrigo G, Tripepi G, Zoccali C, Ghasemi H, Afshar R, Afshar R, Shabpirai H, Davati A, Zerafatjou N, Abdi S, Khorsand Askari M, Almeida E, Lavinas C, Teixeira C, Raimundo M, Nogueira C, Ferreira M, Sampaio A, Henriques I, Teixeira C, Gomes Da Costa A, Leal M, Ekart R, Hojs N, Pecovnik Balon B, Bevc S, Dvorsak B, Stropnik Galuf T, Hojs R, Lin WH, Guo CY, Wang WM, Yang DC, Kuo TH, Liu MF, Wang MC, Hara S, Tanaka K, Tsuji H, Ohmoto Y, Amaka K, Ubara Y, Arase K, Yilmaz MI, Solak Y, Saglam M, Yaman H, Unal HU, Gok M, Cetinkaya H, Biyik Z, Gaipov A, Caglar K, Tonbul HZ, Turk S, Wang HH, Yen CY, Hung CC, Hwang SJ, Chen HC, Krivoshiev S, Krivoshiev S, Koteva A, Kraev Z, Mihaylov G, Shikov P, David R, Jeffrey J, Andrew S, Michael R, Charmot D, Fouda R, Abdelhamid Y, Alsayed D, Salah S, Belal D, Salem M, Ahmed H, Vecchio M, Palmer S, Saglimbene VM, Ruospo M, Gargano L, Pellegrini F, Strippoli G, Tisljar M, Horvatic I, Bozic B, Crnjakovic Palmovic J, Bacalja J, Bulimbasic S, Galesic Ljubanovic D, Galesic K, Choi JS, Kim CS, Park JW, Bae EH, MA SK, Kim SW, Choi JS, Kim CS, Park JW, Bae EH, MA SK, Kim SW. Clinical Nephrology - Epidemiology I. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfs216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Einollahi B, Lessan-Pezeshki M, Rostami Z, Kalantar E, Afshar R, Beiraghdar F. Anemia After Kidney Transplantation in Adult Recipients: Prevalence and Risk Factors. Transplant Proc 2011; 43:578-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2011.01.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Afshar R, Moser Y, Lehnert T, Gijs MAM. Three-Dimensional Magnetic Focusing of Superparamagnetic Beads for On-Chip Agglutination Assays. Anal Chem 2011; 83:1022-9. [DOI: 10.1021/ac102813x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Afshar
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, STI-LMIS2 BM, 3135-Station 17, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Y. Moser
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, STI-LMIS2 BM, 3135-Station 17, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - T. Lehnert
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, STI-LMIS2 BM, 3135-Station 17, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - M. A. M. Gijs
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, STI-LMIS2 BM, 3135-Station 17, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Afshar R, Shegarfy L, Shavandi N, Sanavi S. Effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training on lipid profiles and inflammation status in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Indian J Nephrol 2010; 20:185-9. [PMID: 21206679 PMCID: PMC3008946 DOI: 10.4103/0971-4065.73442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical function limitation is a common disorder in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients, relating to increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aerobic and resistance trainings on blood lipids and inflammation status in HD patients. Out of 30 volunteer males who had been undergoing conventional maintenance HD within an HD unit in Tehran, 21 subjects were enrolled. They were randomly assigned into aerobic exercise group - resistance training group undergoing an 8-week intradialytic exercise program (three times/week) and control group (n = 7, each). Training program consisted of 10-30 min stationary cycling at an intensity of 12-16 out of 20 at the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) of Borg scale in aerobic group and using ankle weights for knee extension, hip abduction and flexions at an intensity of 15-17 out of 20 at the RPE of Borg scale in resistance group. Fasting blood samples for serum biochemistry were drawn at baseline and 8 weeks. The age, HD duration, and physical activity score were 51.6±18.9yrs; 25.1±13.9 mo, and 19.2±7.6, respectively. Diabetes mellitus (43%), hypertension (28%), and obstructive uropathy (14%) were the most common underlying diseases. Aerobic and resistance exercises were correlated with serum creatinine (P< 0.0001 and P<0.001) and hs-CRP levels (P=0.005 and P=0.036) reduction so that aerobic exercise induced more reduction. These exercises had no influence on weight, Kt/V values, serum urea, albumin, hemoglobin, and lipid levels (P>0.05). Both intradialytic aerobic and resistance exercises showed beneficial effects on inflammation status without any influences on serum lipid levels probably due to short duration of the study which was not accompanied with body weight changes. Solute removal had no change during exercise programs. There is a need for more investigation on the role of exercise in HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Afshar
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Mustafa Khomeini Hospital, Iran
| | - L. Shegarfy
- Department of Sport Physiology, Arak University, Iran
| | - N. Shavandi
- Department of Sport Physiology, Arak University, Iran
| | - S. Sanavi
- Clinical Fellow of Nephrology, Internist, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Akhavan Center, Iran
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Afshar R, Sanavi S, Afshin-Majd S, Davati A. Outcomes of two different polytetrafluoroethylene graft sizes in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Indian J Nephrol 2010; 19:149-52. [PMID: 20535250 PMCID: PMC2875704 DOI: 10.4103/0971-4065.59336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Arteriovenous access creation is mandatory for maintenance hemodialysis. If native fistula placement was not possible or failed, a prosthetic conduit would be the best substitute. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare outcomes of two different sizes of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts, in hemodialysis patients, at the Mustafa Khomeini Hospital in Iran. The study population consisted of 586 end-stage renal disease referrals for vascular access construction (January 2003 to January 2007) of which eventually 102 subjects were candidates for PTFE graft who were followed for one year. Data were collected by a questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS, life table, Kaplan- Meier and Log-Rank tests. Out of 102 PTFE implantation candidates (mean value of age 51.7 +/- 17.06 yrs), 56% were male and 44% female. PTFE grafts of 8 mm and 6 mm sizes were randomly placed in 57 and 45 subjects, with distribution of 83%, 12% and 5% in arm, forearm and thigh. The most underlying diseases were hypertension and diabetes. There was a significant difference in complication rates between patients with and without underlying diseases [42% vs. 10% (P = 0.03)]. One-year patency rates were 42.2% and 36.5% for 6 mm and 8 mm grafts and 28.2% vs. 52% in patients with and without underlying diseases respectively. Despite more complication frequency in 8 mm grafts, the patency and complication rates of two graft groups did not significantly differ. Hypertension and diabetes could have contributory roles in graft complication rate, which may be preventable. Non-tapered grafts of 6 mm and 8 mm sizes have not significant different outcomes. Further research is recommended with larger sample size and longer duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Afshar
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Mustafa Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran
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Sanavi S, Afshar R, Lotfizadeh AR, Davati A. Survey of medical students of Shahed University in Iran about attitude and willingness toward organ transplantation. Transplant Proc 2009; 41:1477-9. [PMID: 19545660 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.01.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2008] [Revised: 10/11/2008] [Accepted: 01/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplantation is a successful procedure that prolongs the lives of people suffering from debilitating diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess medical students' attitude toward organ donation. METHODS The study population consisted of 262 medical students with a mean age of 22.1 +/- 2.5 years who were surveyed using a reliable questionnaire that examined their attitudes and willingness. All data analyses were performed using Chi-square and analysis of variance tests with SPSS. RESULTS The medical students had highly positive attitude toward organ donation (mean score 4.34 +/- 0.46) and a great willingness. Participants were more willing to donate their own organs than those of a deceased relative (85% vs 49.2%) to help others more than to develop science (91.2% vs 8.8%). The greatest willingness among students was kidney (84%) donation. There was no correlation between age, gender, education levels, and attitude toward organ donation. CONCLUSION These findings necessitate an organized education program of medical students in all aspects of organ and tissue donation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sanavi
- Department of Nephrology, Shahed University, Mustafa Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
Asthma is a common immune-mediated disorder characterized by reversible airway inflammation, mucus production, and variable airflow obstruction with airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR). In most cases the airway inflammation characteristic of asthma is thought to result from an allergic-type reaction to an inhaled substance from the environment (so-called allergic asthma). In allergic asthma, allergen exposure stimulates eosinophilic inflammation of the airways associated with infiltration of T cells. Although the recruitment of eosinophils into the airways is an important component in the pathogenesis of asthma, the trafficking of T lymphocytes into the airways is now believed to establish and orchestrate the asthmatic inflammatory response. This review explores the roles of various T cell subsets in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation and highlights the contributions of these cells in regulating asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Afshar
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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Hu MC, Tang-Oxley Q, Qiu WR, Wang YP, Mihindukulasuriya KA, Afshar R, Tan TH. Protein phosphatase X interacts with c-Rel and stimulates c-Rel/nuclear factor kappaB activity. J Biol Chem 1998; 273:33561-5. [PMID: 9837938 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.273.50.33561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and the Rel family of proteins are pleiotropic transcription factors that play central roles in the immune and inflammatory responses, as well as apoptosis. Here, we identified a serine/threonine protein phosphatase X (PPX; also called protein phosphatase 4 (PP4)) that specifically associated with c-Rel, NF-kappaB p50, and RelA. The amino acid sequences of human and mouse PPX are 100% identical, and the PPX gene was mapped to human chromosome 16 p11.2. Overexpression of PPX, but not catalytically inactive PPX mutants, stimulated the DNA-binding activity of c-Rel and activated NF-kappaB-mediated transcription. These results suggest that PPX is a novel activator of c-Rel/NF-kappaB.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Hu
- Department of Cell Biology, Amgen, Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320, USA
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Shashkov A, Abramenko T, Nesterov N, Joshi R, Afshar R, Saxena S. Thermal conductivity of argon, krypton and their mixtures at low temperatures (90-270 k). Chem Phys 1978. [DOI: 10.1016/0301-0104(78)85088-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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