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Improvements in immunosuppression have modified short-term survival of deceased-donor allografts, but not their rate of long-term failure. Mismatches between donor and recipient HLA play an important role in the acute and chronic allogeneic immune response against the graft. Perfect matching at clinically relevant HLA loci does not obviate the need for immunosuppression, suggesting that additional genetic variation plays a critical role in both short- and long-term graft outcomes. By combining patient data and samples from supranational cohorts across the United Kingdom and European Union, we performed the first large-scale genome-wide association study analyzing both donor and recipient DNA in 2094 complete renal transplant-pairs with replication in 5866 complete pairs. We studied deceased-donor grafts allocated on the basis of preferential HLA matching, which provided some control for HLA genetic effects. No strong donor or recipient genetic effects contributing to long- or short-term allograft survival were found outside the HLA region. We discuss the implications for future research and clinical application.

The authors show by experiment and calculation that, for self pulsating laser diodes synchronised to external electrical signals, a phase shift exists between the applied signal and the laser output. The authors then show that this phase shift depends on the frequency difference between these signals and on the applied signal amplitude.

The voltage-current characteristic of the absorber of a twin section laser diode is investigated as a function of the gain section current. For self pulsation to occur the absorber must be operated within a specific region of the voltage-current characteristics. This region only exists for absorber voltage current characteristics which contain an S-shaped negative resistance.

Two sibships of double first cousins in which 6 children had congenital laryngeal anomalies are reported. 3 of the children had proven congenital posterior laryngeal clefts, 1 had subglottic stenosis with a deformed cricoid cartilage, and it is likely that the other 2 also had posterior laryngeal clefts. It is suggested that the anomaly is inherited as an autosomal dominant.

Attached are three copies each of two laboratory reports covering tests on a 50 lb. sample of processed Kentucky rock asphalt forwarded to our laboratory by Mr. C. H. McKinney. The sample arrived June 6. These reports include results of laboratory analysis and evaluation tests - and small scale road tests - to determine the proper amount of tar to be added to the processed material to produce a satisfactory road surfacing mixture.

Since asthma is the most common chronic illness in childhood, many of the problems associated with this condition will impact on the child's education. Because of widespread concerns regarding the management of asthma in schools, a subcommittee of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, Asthma Special Interest Group, was convened to draw up national guidelines for school staff in order to provide optimal management of asthma in the school setting. We used current medical literature and the clinical experience of the authors who have dealt with children and adolescents suffering from asthma in the hospital, community and school environment. A number of issues had been identified, including: the availability of an asthma first aid kit; correct use of bronchodilator aerosols by puffer and spacer devices; and clear instructions as to when to notify parents and when to call an ambulance to the school. To provide optimal care of asthma in the school setting, the committee made the following recommendations: (i) improved guidance and training of school teachers and ancillary staff in appropriate asthma care; (ii) improved recognition by schools of those students with asthma; (iii) schools should encourage a policy of exercise for all students with asthma; (iv) asthma medication should be readily available at all times to those students with asthma; (v) the safety of school excursions and school camps should be improved by having available personnel competent in acute asthma management; a mobile asthma first aid kit: and by ensuring the student continues taking their usual asthma medications throughout the excursion; (vi) the early introduction of a 'lung health' education programme for all students, with particular emphasis on asthma being encouraged. We believe that asthma management in schools would be optimized if this national policy were adopted throughout Australian schools.