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The structural and physicochemical properties of the MoSe2/PTCDA heterostructure, which consists of two-dimensional inorganic and molecular organic semiconductors, have been studied theoretically. Features of change in the electronic properties of the PTCDA monomolecular layer on the MoSe2 surface have been described by density functional theory. The quantitative analysis of charge transfer between the heterostructure components has explained the features of coupling between the layers. The study of the optical characteristics of the heterostructure has revealed the enhancement of the absorption spectrum in the infrared range. Consequently, MoSe2/PTCDA heterostructures are promising for applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and materials for the utilization of solar energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel quasi-two-dimensional monolayer structure with orthorhombic symmetry based on cobalt carbide, o-CoC, has been considered. This structure supplements a recently discovered family of quasi-two-dimensional compounds based on transition metals. The dynamic stability of a monolayer has been demonstrated. Its mechanical and electronic characteristics have been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new family of planar nanostructures having graphene-like electronic band structure is theoretically investigated by density functional theory (DFT). Based on general perturbation theory and a tight-binding model, it was shown that graphene-like planar structures, consisting of identical nanoparticles with relatively weak contacts between them, should have an electronic band structure with Dirac cones. Two such structures, consisting of 71- or 114-silicon atom nanoparticles, were investigated by DFT using VASP software package. The band-structure calculations show the presence of Dirac cones with electron group velocity equal to 1.05 × 105 and 0.53 × 105 m/s, respectively. By generalizing the theory, a new family of 3D structures having intersecting areas with linear dispersion in the band structures was derived. As an example, the band structure of identical 25-atom silicon nanoclusters arranged in a simple cubic lattice was calculated. It was shown that the band structure has features similar to the Dirac cones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical, magnetooptical, and magnetic properties of polycrystalline (FeSi/SiO/Si(100)) and epitaxial FeSi/Si(111) films are investigated by spectral magnetoellipsometry. The dispersion of the complex refractive index of FeSi is measured using multiangle spectral ellipsometry in the range of 250-1000 nm. The dispersion of complex Voigt magnetooptical parameters Q is determined for FeSi and FeSi in the range of 1.6-4.9 eV. The spectral dependence of magnetic circular dichroism for both silicides has revealed a series of resonance peaks. The energies of the detected peaks correspond to interband electron transitions for spin-polarized densities of electron states (DOS) calculated from first principles for bulk FeSi and FeSi crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parameters of equations of state of stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric phases of the γ′-FeN, ɛ-FeN, ɛ-FeN, ɛ-FeN, and ɛ-FeN iron nitrides in a pressure range up to 500 GPa have been determined using ab initio calculations. The points of the sharp drop and disappearance of the magnetic moment on iron atoms have been found. It has been shown that certain changes in the magnetic moment are accompanied by a change in the volume of a unit cell of the nitrides. The calculated parameters of equations of state demonstrate that the compressibility of both magnetic and nonmagnetic iron nitrides decreases monotonically with an increase in the content of nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dispersion of the relative permittivity ɛ of a 27-nm-thick epitaxial FeSi iron silicide film has been measured within the E = 1.16-4.96 eV energy range using the spectroscopic ellipsometry technique. The experimental data are compared to the relative permittivity calculated in the framework of the density functional theory using the GGA-PBE approximation. For FeSi, the electronic structure and the electronic density of states (DOS) are calculated. The analysis of the frequencies corresponding to the transitions between the DOS peaks demonstrates qualitative agreement with the measured absorption peaks. The analysis of the single wavelength laser ellipsometry data obtained in the course of the film growth demonstrates that a continuous layer of FeSi iron silicide film is formed if the film thickness achieves 5 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bladder cancer is a significant health problem and is the fourth most common malignancy in the Western world. Histologically, transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common subtype and represents nearly 90% of all bladder cancers. Mutations of the tumour suppressor gene p53 are the most frequent genetic alteration found in human cancers, including urinary bladder carcinoma. Numerous studies have attempted to define p53 as a molecular marker with clinicopathological and predictive values. In this study we have investigated tissue samples of histopathologically confirmed TCC of the urinary bladder from 70 patients. Normal urinary bladder mucosa obtained from 40 patients with nonmalignant diseases were used as a negative control group. Immunofluorescence detection was performed using double-sandwich antibody technique, the microscope images were captured by digital camera and analyzed by ImageJ software. Corrected fluorescent intensity values corresponding to average malignant cells' nuclear p53 staining were calculated from each patient sample. We found that the mean corrected fluorescence intensity values of TCC samples grade I and II did not differ statistically significantly. On the contrary, those values were significant between the TCC grades II and III, as well as between grade I and III. In addition, a high correlation of p53 fluorescence intensity values from superficial TCC samples with the invasive TCC samples was found. However, the data showed no predictive value of p53 nuclear accumulation in TCC samples in terms of recidive, metastasis or cancer-related death, at least within the 2-years follow-up period. Given the relatively small size and heterogeneity of our patient groups, however, further studies are needed to demonstrate the clinicopathological value of digital quantitative immunofluorescent detection of nuclear p53 in TCC samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influence of ordered monovacancies on elastic properties of graphene is theoretically investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Inverse linear dependence of the graphene Young's modulus on the concentration of vacancies has been revealed and migration rate of the vacancies has been calculated as a function of applied strain. It is shown that the migration rate can be controlled by applying various strains or temperatures. The influence of ordered monovacancies on magnetic properties of graphene as well as graphene-like hexagonal carbon silicide (2D-SiC) and the boron nitride (h-BN) structures is investigated. It is established that the presence of vacancies in all systems yields the appearance of local magnetic moment. However, in 2D-SiC structure the magnetic moment occurs only in the case of a Si vacancy. Influence of the distance between vacancies on the ferromagnetic or anti-ferromagnetic ordering for all structures is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the lattice deformation on potential barriers for the motion of a lithium atom in crystalline silicon has been studied through ab initio density functional calculations. A new universal method of calculating the diffusion coefficient of an admixture in amorphous solid media through the activation mechanism has been proposed on the basis of these data. The method is based on the calculation of the statistical distribution of potential barriers for the motion of an admixture atom between minima depending on the position of neighboring atoms. First, the amorphous structure, which is generated by annealing from the crystalline structure with vacancies, has been simulated. Then, the statistical distribution of the potential barriers in the amorphous structure for various local environments of the admixture atoms has been calculated by means of linear regression with the parameters determined for barriers in crystalline silicon subjected to different deformations. The diffusion coefficient of the admixture has been calculated from this distribution by using the Arrhenius formula. This method has been tested by the example of crystalline and amorphous silicon with admixture of lithium atoms. The method demonstrates that the diffusion of lithium in amorphous silicon is much faster than that in crystalline silicon; this relation is confirmed experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium absorption in silicon is studied at the DFT level. By means of the developed method of modeling the structure of amorphous silicon, including with impurities, it is shown that with an increase in the lithium concentration intermediate amorphous LiSi phases, up to the crystalline LiSi phase, form in crystalline silicon. An increase in the silicon cell volume, as it is filled with lithium, is calculated. A nonlinear dependence of silicon voltage on lithium intercalation is found. The lithium diffusion coefficient in crystalline silicon at a low lithium concentration is calculated and it is demonstrated for amorphous silicon that lithium diffusion is substantially accelerated by the lattice deformation inherent in amorphous silicon. The calculated values can be used in the production of high-capacity lithium ion batteries with a silicon anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied E-cadherin down-regulation at the protein level in frozen sections of 111 bladder tumours and 13 normal bladder specimens by means of immunohistochemistry, and at the mRNA level by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in 40 of the same tumours. Results indicate that E-cadherin expression detected by immunohistochemistry correlated with both stage and grade (P < 0.0001 andP < 0.001, respectively). Analysis of recurrence, progression and survival over a mean period of 36 months after surgery in the entire cohort showed that abnormal E-cadherin immunoreactivity correlated strongly with poor outcome (log-rank test: P = 0.001, P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0003, respectively). In multistep logistic regression analysis, only E-cadherin status and stage had significant additional prognostic value (P = 0.008 and OR = 0.2;P = 0.03 and OR = 3.6, respectively). Survival estimates derived from RT-PCR transcript quantification differed significantly for low and high expression (log-rank test:P = 0.0006). These results suggest that the alteration occurs at the transcriptional level and support the clinical and biological relevance of cell adhesion molecules in bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the efforts for more transplants performed with organs from deceased donors, the living renal transplantation is still the predominant transplant activity in the Balkan region. In order to adress the severe organ shortage, we started accepting unrelated (emotionally related) living donors (LURD). Here we present our 10-year experience with living unrelated renal transplantation (LURT). Methods: Twenty four LURT were performed in our center in the last 10 years. The mean recipients and donors age was 41.7 and 47.2 years, respectively. As LURD spouses (n=17) and extended family members (n=7) were accepted predominantly. All donors went through careful psychological evaluation in order to confirm emotional relationship. The final decision was taken after both the recipient and the donor signed a consent in front of a judge. A quadruple sequential immunosuppressive protocol was used in all recipients. The 5-year Kaplan Meier graft survival rate, HLA mismatch, rejection episodes, delayed graft function, serum creatinine and Glomerular filtration rate-Modification of the diet in renal disease (GFR-MDRD) were analyzed. The results were compared with 30 living related renal transplants (LRT) performed during the same time with mean recipients and donors age of 35.9 and 58.5 years, respectively. Results: The mean follow up for LURT and LRT recipients were 81.4 and 79.6 months, respectively. There was a significant difference regarding recipients and donors age, HLA mismatch (5.07 and 2.9) and rejection episodes (16% vs. 11%) in LURT and LRT recipients. The 5 years graft survival rate was excellent in both groups (83 and 81%, respectively). There was no significant difference in 5 years serum creatinine (129.3 vs 121.1 µmol/lit) and 5 years GFR-MDRD (56.6 and 58.6 ml/min). Conclusion: The authors present an excellent 5-year graft survival rate in both LURT and LRT recipients. Therefore, LURT could ameliorate the severe organ shortage in the region and could be recommended as a valuable source of organs in the countries with developed and underdeveloped deceased donor donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The occurrence of malignancies is a well-known serious complication after organ transplantation. Despite the fact that many factors may be involved, the pathogenesis is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the incidence and clinical characteristics of de novo malignancies that arise after renal transplantation over a 13-year experience in a single center in the Balkan Peninsula. During this period, 185 renal transplantations (139 living related and 46 cadaveric) were followed in our department. Overall, 19 malignancies (9.78%) were observed in 15 patients (7.8%). The mean age of these patients was 45 years (range, 21–53 years). Ten patients (55%) developed skin cancers: 8 squamous and 2 basal cell. Kaposi’s sarcomas were found in 3 patients (16.6%, 1 visceral form). We also detected 1 breast cancer, 1 seminoma, 1 colon cancer, 1 urogenital-transitional cell-like cancer, 1 renal cell carcinoma, 1 plasmacytoma, and 1 retroperitoneal sarcoma after an ABO incompatible transplantation. All cancers were de novo malignancies that presented at a mean time of 21 months (range, 2–52 months) after surgery. In conclusion, the incidence of malignancy in the present series was similar to that reported elsewhere. The predominance of skin cancers was understandable bearing in mind the sunshine. The appearance of skin malignancies in our group of patients was earlier, more severe, and multiple sites. No cases of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders were observed. Careful clinical examination and long-term screening protocols are needed for early detection and treatment of this life-threatening complication among the transplant population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Due to the increase of organ shortage and still inadequate development of cadaver transplantation, many end-stage patients from the Balkan region travel mostly to India to buy a kidney. Despite all the ethical dilemmas and discussions, organ sales is present nowdays in Third-World countries. Sixteen patients (13 from Macedonia and 3 from Kosovo, SCG) were observed clinically during a period of 10 years. Recipients of mean age 36.5 years (range 10 to 58) displayed the following underlying diseases: chronic glomerulonephritis (n = 5), urethral valves with reflux (n = 2), ADPKD (n = 1), hypertensive nephropathy (n = 4), lithiasis (n = 1), and unknown cause of ESRD (n = 3). The donor population was young (22 to 29 years). Most patient records did not include data on HLA, cross-match, MLC, kind of surgery, or usual pretransplant workup. The immunosuppressive protocol included CyA, PRED, and AZA or MMF. All transplanted patients were followed on an outpatient basis in our department; patients with complications were hospitalized. The 1, 3, 5, and 10 year Kaplan Meier graft survival rates were 78.6%, 50.2%, 33.3%, and 18.8%, respectively. Seven patients were lost (43.7%), two during the first month after transplantation, two at the end of the first year, and three at 5, 6, and 8 years thereafter. The main reasons for death were severe pulmonary infections with sepsis, hepatitis B with liver cirrhosis, Kala Azar, CMV, and cancer of the colon. Five grafts were lost due to repeated rejection episodes and chronic graft nephropathy. The last three cases remained with good renal function and actual serum creatinine values of 135 ± 9. In view of this experience, the authors cannot recommend this type of transplantation, not only from the ethical point of view, but also from frequent medical and surgical complications which are sometimes life threatening. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The structure and properties of high-pressure phases of iron nitrides Fe7N3 in the pressure range of 50-150 GPa have been studied with ab initio calculations within the electron density functional theory. A new phase Amm2-Fe7N3, which is the most energetically favorable in the pressure range of 43-128 GPa, has been found using the USPEX (Universal Structure Predictor: Evolutionary Xtallography) algorithms. It has been thermodynamically shown that another high-pressure phase β-Fe7N3 is isostructural to a similar phase of iron carbide. The elastic properties have been calculated for all modifications ε-, β-, and Amm2-Fe7N3 stable at high pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilayer compounds of two-dimensional T12 phase carbon allotrope and penta-graphene have been studied using the electron density functional theory. The stability of the considered two-dimensional structures with different types of stacking order at different temperatures has been estimated from the calculated phonon spectra and molecular dynamics simulation. The stability of the two-dimensional planar structure up to 1350 K has been demonstrated. It has been shown that bilayer penta-graphene compounds with the AA' and AB' stacking orders have energy minima both in the state with the van der Waals interaction and in the form of covalently bonded layers in the AA-T12 and T12 phases. The barrier for the transition between covalently and van der Waals bonded AA' and AB' stacking orders has been analyzed. The calculated electronic and optical characteristics show that the band gap in the case of covalent bonding is much narrower than that in the case of van der Waals bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New two-dimensional nanostructures of W–X composition (X = S, Se, Te) are predicted using the evolutionary algorithm implemented in the USPEX software package. Based on the results, two new thermodynamically and dynamically stable two-dimensional W3S5 and W5Te2 structures are proposed. The density functional theory study of the electronic and optical properties of these monolayers is carried out. It is demonstrated that the predicted W3S5 and W5Te2 structures show semiconducting properties with band gaps of 0.62 and 0.40 eV, respectively, and the calculated extinction spectrum indicates a broad absorption band in the visible spectral range, making these materials promising for applications in photovoltaics and solar energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy of the sorption and diffusion of lithium atoms on the reconstructed (4 × 2) (100) silicon surface in the process of their transport into near-surface layers, as well as inside crystalline silicon, at various lithium concentrations have been investigated within the density functional theory. It has been shown that single lithium atoms easily migrate on the (100) surface and gradually fill the surface states (T3 and L) located in channels between silicon dimers. The diffusion of lithium into near-surface silicon layers is hampered because of high potential barriers of the transition (1.22 eV). The dependences of the binding energy, potential barriers, and diffusion coefficient inside silicon on distances to the nearest lithium atoms have also been examined. It has been shown that an increase in the concentration of lithium to the LiSi composition significantly reduces the transition energy (from 0.90 to 0.36 eV) and strongly increases (by one to three orders of magnitude) the lithium diffusion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of isolated vacancies on the elastic properties of a graphene sheet has been investigated by the ab initio density functional method. An almost inverse linear dependence of the Young's modulus on the concentration of vacancies has been revealed. The height of potential barriers for the motion of vacancies in various directions has been calculated as a function of various independent applied strains. The velocity of vacancies at various temperatures has been calculated as a function of applied strains using the transition state theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is now well established that many of the technologically important properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as the extremely high carrier mobility in graphene and the large direct band gaps in MoS2 monolayers, arise from quantum confinement. However, the influence of reduced dimensions on electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling and its attendant dephasing effects in such systems has remained unclear. Although phonon confinement is expected to produce a suppression of e-ph interactions in 2D systems with rigid boundary conditions, experimental verification of this has remained elusive. Here, we show that the e-ph interaction is, indeed, modified by a phonon dimensionality crossover in layered Nb3SiTe6 atomic crystals. When the thickness of the Nb3SiTe6 crystals is reduced below a few unit cells, we observe an unexpected enhancement of the weak-antilocalization signature in magnetotransport. This finding strongly supports the theoretically predicted suppression of e-ph interactions caused by quantum confinement of phonons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parameters of the equation of state of the stable ɛ-FeN (where x = 0.8) nitride in the Fe-N system have been determined at pressures up to 30 GPa and temperatures up to 1273 K. The parameters V = 81.48(2) Å, K = 162(3) GPa, K = 4.0 = 1.66(2), γ = 555 K, and q = 1 have been determined for ɛ-FeN by the approximation of the P-V-T data with the Vinet equation of state and the thermal parameters within the Mie-Grüneisen-Debye formalism. No anomalous change in the volume of the cell owing to possible magnetic transitions has been revealed. The instability of FeN at high pressures and FeN in the presence of a deficit of nitrogen in the system has been established. The stable phase in the temperature range of 300-673 K and the pressure range of 20-30 GPa is ɛ-FeN rather than ɛ-FeN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite nanoparticles consisting of magnesium, nickel, and carbon atoms are studied both theoretically and experimentally. The calculations performed in terms of the density functional theory show that the jump frequency of hydrogen atoms in nickel-containing magnesium hydride increases substantially near impurity nickel atoms; as a result, the rate of hydrogen absorption by magnesium also increases. Nickel on the magnesium surface is shown to be absorbed via an island growth mechanism. Composite Mg-C, Ni-C, and Mg-Ni-C powders are produced by plasmachemical synthesis in a carbon-helium plasma stream. Hydrogen is introduced into a chamber during synthesis. It is found by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis that, among these three composites, only Mg-Ni-C contains magnesium fixed in the MgH compound. The process of such 'ultrarapid' hydrogenation of magnesium, which occurs in the time of formation of composite nanoparticles, can be explained by the catalytic action of nickel, which is enhanced by a high temperature. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs demonstrate the dynamics of the dehydrogenation of Mg-Ni-C composite nanoparticles in heating by an electron beam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of an isolated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of the kidney capsule is extremely rare and its presence may only be expressed by an insidious onset of non-specific and misleading symptoms with a predominance of lower back pain. A computer tomography (CT) scan (as the imaging procedure of choice) will demonstrate the tumor location and its relation to the surrounding structures. Tumor excision in toto is considered the treatment of choice, but it can be hazardous, especially if the tumor is adhering to the surrounding structures. Severe bleeding complications due to the damage of venous structures have to be considered, and establishing hemostasis may pose considerable difficulties. Therefore surgery should be attempted with full precautions and the patient must receive preoperative counseling. If malignancy can safely be excluded, a laparoscopic excision should be considered as an alternative treatment as recurrence is unlikely. Definition of the originating nerve might not always be possible, and a minor degree of neurological impairment has therefore to be anticipated. A case of an isolated MPNST of the, kidney capsule without neurofibromatosis is presented. The tumor was located in the fatty and fibrous capsule. It was surgically removed. The patient was further managed with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. An MPNST in such a location is very unusual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether treatment of subclinical, borderline rejections (SR/BR) or histological findings of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) in protocol biopsies in the first month posttransplantation after living related kidney transplantation has a beneficial effect on graft histology and renal function at 6 months. Among the 40 paired biopsies, only 6/80 showed no histological lesions. BR was found in 13/40 and 12/40, and SR in 15/40 and 21/40 of patients on the 1- and 6-month biopsies, respectively. The mean histological index/total sum of scores for acute and chronic changes (HI) increased at 6-month biopsy: 5.3 ± 2.9 vs 7.8 ± 3.6 (P < .001). Similarly, the mean sum of histological markers for chronicity (CAN score) of 2.1 ± 1.5 increased to 4.6 ± 2.3 (P < .001) on the 6-month biopsy. When divided according to whether there was treatment of BR and SR, the treated BR/SR group on 1-month biopsy had a mean HI score of 7.11 ± 1.9, which remained almost the same (7.11 ± 2.32) at 6 months. Among the untreated BR/SR group it increased from 4.95 ± 1.99 to 8.16 ± 4.30. However, there was no difference in graft function between the groups from 1 to 6 months. In conclusion, a protocol 1-month biopsy may be valuable to establish the prevalence of BR/SR in stable allografts. The presence of an untreated BR/SR upon a 1-month biopsy showed greater susceptibility for histological deterioration on the 6-month biopsy due to an accelerated CAN process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to identify subclinical and borderline rejections as well as histological markers of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) among protocol biopsies performed at 1 and 6 months after living related kidney transplantation to assess their possible implications for graft function. Twenty paired allograft biopsies performed at 1 and 6 months were reviewed according to the Banff scoring scheme. The mean ages of donors and recipients were 59.6 ± 13.8 and 34.4 ± 8.7 years, respectively. Among all biopsies only 10% (4/40) showed no histopathological lesions. At the first month borderline rejection was shown in 35% and subclinical rejection in 10% of patients. At 6 months the proportion of findings was even higher, namely, 40% and 30%, respectively. When divided according to donor age, donors above 55 years showed a mean CAN score of 2.33 ± 1.56 which increased to 5.0 ± 2.26 on the 6 month biopsy (214.3%). Unexpectedly, the proportion of these changes in the younger donor group also increased by 173.3%, which might have been explained by the greater number of borderline and subclinical rejections in the younger donor group at the 1 month biopsy. In conclusion, 1 month biopsy may be valuable to determine borderline and subclinical rejection and to prognosticate the outcome of renal allograft function. Our findings suggest a greater susceptibility of histological deterioration among the older donor population. However, the presence of an untreated rejection in the younger donor pool leads to a rapid impairment of the graft function accelerating the process of chronic allograft nephropathy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Balkan region has dramatically changed during the last 20 years. Despite transplantation efforts, dialysis remains the usual way to treat end stage renal diseases. Living donor renal transplantation is still the predominant transplant activity. Seeking to solve the problem, we decided to accept expanded criteria living donors, including elderly, marginal, unrelated, and ABO-incompatible individuals. Herein we have presented our 20 years'' experience with 230 living donor renal transplantations using elderly individuals, including 90 older than 65 years (mean age 68 ± 4.5; range = 65–86; ED group). The predominantly haploidentical recipients had a mean age of 45 ± 6 years (range = 18–66). Sequential immunosuppressive protocols were used in all cases including induction with anti-thymocyte-globulin or interleukin-2 receptor antagonists. We analyzed the 5-year Kaplan-Meier graft survival rate, rejection episodes, delayed graft function, and renal function for comparison with these outcomes of 110 kidneys from younger donors (mean age = 53.4 years; range = 25–62; YD group) and haploidethical recipients (mean age = 32.2, range = 16–42), performed within the same period. The 3- and 5-year cumulative graft survival rates in the ED group were 81% and 72% compared with 85% and 81% in the YD group respectively (P > .9; NS). The incidences of acute rejection episodes were also comparable for both groups (19% and 17%, respectively). Delayed graft function occurred in 15% of the ED group but only 8% of the YD group. The serum creatinine value at the end of 60 months'' follow-up was 146.04 μmol/L in the ED group versus 123.38 μmol/L in the YD group (P < .001). There were no major surgical complications in either group. We recommend the use of elderly living donors as a valuable source of kidneys, especially in countries wherein deceased donor transplantation is not yet established. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]