Donor P-gp polymorphisms strongly influence renal function and graft loss in a cohort of renal transplant recipients on cyclosporine therapy in a long-term follow-up

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a substrate for cytochrome P450 3A and the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp; ABCB1), both abundantly expressed in the kidney. In a long-term follow-up of a cohort of patients who had received kidney transplants between the years 1990 and 2005, we retrospectively investigated the effect of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and ABCB1 polymorphisms in kidney graft donors on recipients' renal function and risk of subsequent graft loss. DNA samples from 227 donors and clinical data from the 259 respective recipients were analyzed. Graft loss was significantly associated with the presence of the ABCB1 variant haplotype 1236T/2677T/3435T in the donor (1236T/2677T/3435T vs. other haplotypes: hazard ratio = 9.346; 95% confidence interval (CI) (2.278-38.461); P = 0.0019) and with previous episodes of acute organ rejection (hazard ratio = 3.077; 95% CI (1.213-7.812); P = 0.0178). The variant haplotype was also associated with a greater decrease in renal function (homozygotes for TTT -3.047 mlxmin(-1)/year; heterozygotes for TTT -4.435 mlxmin(-1)/year; others -2.186 mlxmin(-1)/year; P = 0.0240). The study showed that the presence of ABCB1 polymorphisms in donors influences long-term graft outcome adversely with decrease in renal function and graft loss in transplant recipients receiving CsA.

Concerning the origin of 19F-19F NMR COSY and NOESY connections in the spectra of perfluorooctanoic acid, R(F)-palmitic acid-F13 and diethyl perfluorosuberate

A combination of 19F nuclear Overhauser effects (NOE) and molecular mechanics calculations are presented for delineating the spatial origin of the well-known four-bond 19F-19F COSY connections which are generally observed in the 19F NMR spectra of compounds containing perfluorinated chains. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), R(F)-palmitic acid-F13 and diethyl perfluorosuberate were used as test cases. Spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) are included and NOESY correlations through three and four bonds occur.

[Echographic differential diagnosis in oculo-orbital tumors]

Within the period October 1987-September 1990, the authors submit 130 patients to clinical examination and ultrasonography the latter performed by adapting commercially available ultrasonograph type Bruel and Kjaer 3405 and Shimasonic. Among the investigated individuals, 25 exhibited oculo-orbital tumours of various types. The cases are assessed considering the following for establishing the diagnosis: clinical examination, ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography, radiotracer and morphopathological examinations. Besides the use an adapted device, the authors propose a simple and fast morphopathological method: the fixation in formaldehyde solution as long as 48 hours.

[Influence of environmental factors on the spread of lambliasis in collectivities of small children]

In 1977, coproparazitological examinations, prophylactic and therapeutical studies were carried on 225 children in 14 day nurseries and homes in Cluj-Napoca; 21.57% of children suffered from intestinal parasitosis, giardiasis being found in 92.13% of the infested children. The high incidence of giardiasis led the authors to investigate the hygienic level of the environment. The high frequency of enterobacteriaceae opportunists (77.59%), identified on the hands of the personnel and on certain objects manipulated by the children, pointed to fecal pollution and poor sanitary conditions. The contaminated objects are sources of propagation of Giardia lamblia cysts. The increased incidence of giardiasis and of enterobacteriaceae opportunists in the environment were found both in the communities with many children and in those with few children.