Sequential Stem Cell-Kidney Transplantation in Schimke Immuno-osseous Dysplasia

Lifelong immunosuppression is required for allograft survival after kidney transplantation but may not ultimately prevent allograft loss resulting from chronic rejection. We developed an approach that attempts to abrogate immune rejection and the need for post-transplantation immunosuppression in three patients with Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia who had both T-cell immunodeficiency and renal failure. Each patient received sequential transplants of αβ T-cell-depleted and CD19 B-cell-depleted haploidentical hematopoietic stem cells and a kidney from the same donor. Full donor hematopoietic chimerism and functional ex vivo T-cell tolerance was achieved, and the patients continued to have normal renal function without immunosuppression at 22 to 34 months after kidney transplantation. (Funded by the Kruzn for a Kure Foundation.).

Simultaneous Determination of Two-Phase Relative Permeability and Capillary Pressure of Porous Rocks from Steady-State Flow Experiments: Accounting for Gravitational Forces and Fluid Compressibility

A methodology for simultaneously measuring two-phase relative permeability and capillary pressure of porous rock samples from steady-state flow experiments, reported by Virnovsky et al. in 1995, is considered. The method requires measuring pressure drops in individual fluid phases across a rock sample. This paper studies the role of gravitational forces, neglected in the original derivation of the method. Direct numerical simulations of steady-state vertical flow experiments, performed over a typical range of rocks and flow parameters, show that the error caused by neglecting gravitational forces in the original method, is acceptable even for extremely high ( approximately 10(-10) m2) permeability samples. Thus, if multiphase flow measurements are performed on vertical samples, the gravitational force can be neglected for estimating relative permeability and capillary pressure. An extension of this method to the case of compressible fluids is presented. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Effect of newcomer involvement in work-related activities: a longitudinal study of socialization

One hundred ninety-three new PhD students provided data on entry to their doctoral programs and again 9 months later. This longitudinal design was used to extend the socialization literature by testing the influence of newcomer involvement on socialization, controlling for newcomer perceptions on entry, and allowing for a dynamic view of socialization stages. Individuals who had collected information that they perceived as realistic, who had attended the same institution for their undergraduate degree, and who had past research experience were more involved in their doctoral programs, were more engaged in doctoral research, had less role conflict, felt more accepted, and were more productive as measured by objective outcomes. In addition, those individuals who were actively involved in their doctoral program were better accommodated and had greater productivity. Accommodation variables predicted commitment, and activity measures predicted submissions.

Successful treatment of hypertrophic lupus erythematosus with isotretinoin

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus had the additional finding of hypertrophic lupus erythematosus. The lesions cleared with an 11-week course of isotretinoin alone. She has remained without recurrence for 9 months. This is the first reported case of total resolution of hypertrophic lupus erythematosus with a short course of isotretinoin.

Certain metabolic consequences of jejunoileal bypass

Jejunoileal bypass for obesity has been shown to be associated with increased hepatic triglycerides during the period of brisk weight loss. The current report describes certain metabolic changes observed in 29 patients 21 months after bypass. Significant decreases in serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, blood sugar after a glucose load, and fasting plasma insulin levels were noted. Increased oxalate excretion and occasional episodes of hypomagnesemia occurred. Repeated clinical and laboratory observations by a medical-surgical team offer the best opportunity to evaluate this procedure.