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Background: Timely identification of patients at risk of worse clinical outcomes is vital in managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) calculated from complete blood count can predict the degree of systemic inflammation and guide therapy accordingly. Hence, we did a study to investigate the role of NLR value on intensive care unit (ICU) admission in predicting clinical outcomes of critically ill COVID‐19 patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of electronic health records of COVID‐19 patients admitted to ICUs at Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, Qatar, from March 7, 2020 to July 18, 2020. Patients with an NLR equal to or higher than the cut‐off value derived from the receiver operating characteristic curve were compared to those with an NLR value below the cut‐off. The primary outcome studied was all‐cause ICU mortality. The secondary outcomes evaluated were the requirement of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay (LOS). Results: Five hundred and nineteen patients were admitted to ICUs with severe COVID‐19 infection during the study period. Overall, ICU mortality in the study population was 14.6% (76/519). NLR on ICU admission of ≥6.55 was obtained using Youden's index to predict ICU mortality, with a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 41%. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with age ≥60 years (p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.03), malignancy (p < 0.002), and NLR ≥ 6.55 (p < 0.003). There was also a significant association between the requirement of mechanical ventilation (34.7% vs. 51.8%, p < 0.001) and increased ICU LOS (8 vs. 10 days, p < 0.01) in patients with ICU admission NLR ≥ 6.55. Conclusion: Higher NLR values on ICU admission are associated with worse clinical outcomes in critically ill COVID‐19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) is the best treatment for end‐stage kidney disease, but there are racial disparities in LDKT rates. To study putative mechanisms of these disparities, we identified 58 752 adult kidney transplant candidates first activated on the United States kidney transplant waitlist 2015–2016 and defined four exposure groups by race/primary payer: African American/Medicaid, African American/NonMedicaid, Non‐African American/Medicaid, Non‐African American/NonMedicaid. We performed competing risk regression to compare risk of LDKT between groups. Among included candidates, 30% had African American race and 9% had Medicaid primary payer. By the end of follow up, 16% underwent LDKT. The cumulative incidence of LDKT was lowest for African American candidates regardless of payer. Compared to African American/Non‐Medicaid candidates, the adjusted likelihood of LDKT was higher for both Non‐African American/Medicaid (HR 1.60, 95%CI 1.43–1.78) and Non‐African American/Non‐Medicaid candidates (HR 2.66, 95%CI 2.50–2.83). Results were similar when analyzing only candidates still waitlisted > 2 years after initial activation or candidates with type O blood. Among 9639 candidates who received LDKT, only 13% were African American. Donor‐recipient relationships were similar for African American and Non‐African American recipients. These findings indicate African American candidates have a lower incidence of LDKT than candidates of other races, regardless of primary payer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unknown how providing prospective living donors with information about APOL1, including the benefits and drawbacks of testing, influences their desire for testing. In this study, we surveyed 102 participants with self‐reported African ancestry and positive family history of kidney disease, recruited from our nephrology waiting room. We assessed views on APOL1 testing before and after presentation of a set of potential benefits and drawbacks of testing and quantified the self‐reported level of influence individual benefits and drawbacks had on participants' desire for testing in the proposed context of living donation. The majority of participants (92%) were aware of organ donation and more than half (56%) had considered living donation. And though we found no significant change in response following presentation of the potential benefits and the drawbacks of APOL1 testing by study end significance, across all participants, "becoming aware of the potential risk of kidney disease among your immediate family" was the benefit with the highest mean influence (3.3±1.4), while the drawback with the highest mean influence (2.9±1.5) was "some transplant centers may not allow you to donate to a loved one". This study provides insights into the priorities of prospective living donors and suggests concern for how the information affects family members may strongly influence desires for testing. It also highlights the need for greater community engagement to gain a deeper understanding of the priorities that influence decision making on APOL1 testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Procurement biopsies have become a common practice in the evaluation and allocation of deceased donor kidneys in the United States despite questions about their value and reproducibility. We sought to determine the extent of OPO‐level differences in criteria used to decide which deceased donor kidneys undergo a procurement biopsy and to assess the degree of variability in procurement biopsy technique and interpretation across OPOs. Methods: Each of the country's 58 OPOs were invited to participate in the survey. OPOs were divided into two groups based on organ availability ratio and deceased donor kidney discard rate. Results and Conclusions: Fifty‐out‐of‐fifty‐eight invited OPOs (86% response rate) responded to the survey between November 2020 and December 2020. Thirty (60%) OPOs reported that they have formal criteria for performing kidney procurement biopsy, but for 29 of these OPOs, transplant centers can request biopsy on kidneys that do not meet criteria. OPOs used a total of seven different variables and 12 different numerical thresholds to define impaired kidney function that would prompt a procurement biopsy. Additionally, wide variability was seen in biopsy technique and procedures for biopsy interpretation and reporting of findings to transplant programs. These findings identify a clear opportunity for standardization of procurement biopsies to best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive biases shown to impact medical decision‐making include left‐digit bias, the tendency to focus on a continuous variable's leftmost digit. We hypothesized that left‐digit bias impacts deceased donor kidney utilization through heuristic processing of donor age and creatinine. We used US registry data to identify 87 019 kidneys recovered (2015–2019) and compared the proportion around thresholds for donor age (69 vs. 70 years) and creatinine (1.9 vs. 2.0 mg/dl), then compared the risk of kidney discard. Kidneys from donors aged 70 vs. 69 years were more frequently discarded (77% vs. 65%, p <.001), with higher risk of discard even after adjusting for KDRI (adjusted RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.21, p =.018). Similarly, kidneys from donors with final creatinine 2.0 vs. 1.9 mg/dl were more frequently discarded (37% vs. 29%, p <.001), with higher risk of discard after adjusting for KDRI (adjusted RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07–1.33, p =.001). However, no significant left‐digit effect was found when examining other donor age (39/40, 49/50, 59/60 years) or creatinine (0.9/1.0, 2.9/3.0 mg/dl) thresholds. The findings suggest a possible left‐digit effect affecting kidney utilization at specific thresholds. Additional investigations of the impact of this and other heuristics on organ utilization are needed to identify potential areas for decision‐making interventions aimed at reducing kidney discard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has become a pandemic since first being described in January 2020. Clinical manifestations in non‐transplant patients range from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiorgan system failure, and death. Limited reports in kidney transplant recipients suggest similar characteristics in that population. We report here the first case series of COVID‐19 infection occurring in pancreas transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased utilization of suboptimal organs in response to organ shortage has resulted in increased incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) after transplantation. Although presumed increased costs associated with DGF are a deterrent to the utilization of these organs, the financial burden of DGF has not been established. We used the Premier Healthcare Database to conduct a retrospective analysis of healthcare resource utilization and costs in kidney transplant patients (n = 12 097) between 1/1/2014 and 12/31/2018. We compared cost and hospital resource utilization for transplants in high‐volume (n = 8715) vs low‐volume hospitals (n = 3382), DGF (n = 3087) vs non‐DGF (n = 9010), and recipients receiving 1 dialysis (n = 1485) vs multiple dialysis (n = 1602). High‐volume hospitals costs were lower than low‐volume hospitals ($103 946 vs $123 571, P <.0001). DGF was associated with approximately $18 000 (10%) increase in mean costs ($130 492 vs $112 598, P <.0001), 6 additional days of hospitalization (14.7 vs 8.7, P <.0001), and 2 additional ICU days (4.3 vs 2.1, P <.0001). Multiple dialysis sessions were associated with an additional $10 000 compared to those with only 1. In conclusion, DGF is associated with increased costs and length of stay for index kidney transplant hospitalizations and payment schemes taking this into account may reduce clinicians' reluctance to utilize less‐than‐ideal kidneys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effects on the vaginal microbiota of an oral probiotic preparation administered from early pregnancy. Design: Randomised, double blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Setting: Four maternity units in the UK. Population: Women aged 16 years or older recruited at 9–14 weeks' gestation. Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to receive oral capsules of probiotic containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR‐1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC‐14 each at 2.5 × 109 colony‐forming units (CFUs) or placebo once daily from recruitment until the end of pregnancy. Main outcome measure: Rates of bacterial vaginosis (BV, defined as Nugent score ≥7) at 18–20 weeks' gestation compared by logistic regression adjusted for possible confounders. Results: The primary analysis included 78% (238/304) of participants who initially consented (probiotic group 123, placebo group 115). Of these participants, 95% (227/238) reported an intake of 93% or more of the required number of capsules. The rates of BV did not differ between groups at 18–20 weeks' gestation (15% (19/123) in the probiotic group vs. 9% (10/115) in the placebo group, adjusted odds ratio 1.82, 95% confidence interval 0.64–5.19). There were also no differences between the groups in the proportion of women colonised with the probiotic strains, Escherichia coli, group B streptococci or other vaginal microbiota. There were no differences in the alpha diversity or composition of the bacterial communities between or within the probiotic and placebo groups at 9–14 and 18–20 weeks' gestation. Conclusions: Oral probiotics taken from early pregnancy did not modify the vaginal microbiota. The oral probiotic preparation used in this study does not prevent BV in pregnant women. The oral probiotic preparation used in this study does not prevent BV in pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mechanisms underlying sex-based differences in pain and analgesia are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated gene expression changes in trigeminal ganglia (TG) of male and female rats exposed to infraorbital nerve chronic constriction injury (IoN-CCI).Methods: Somatosensory assessments were performed prior to IoN-CCI and at selected time points postsurgery. Selected gene expression changes were examined with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in ipsilateral TG at 21 days postsurgery.Results: Rats exposed to IoN-CCI developed significant mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia on days 19 and 21 postsurgery. During this period, females developed significantly more allodynia but not hyperalgesia compared to males. At 21 days postsurgery, expression levels of 44 of the 84 investigated pain-related genes in ipsilateral TG were significantly regulated relative to naïve rats in either sex. Csf1 and Cx3cr1 were up-regulated in both sexes, but the magnitude of regulation was significantly higher in females (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001, respectively). Htr1a and Scn9a were down-regulated in both sexes, but the down-regulation was significantly more pronounced in males (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). Additionally, Cck, Il1a, Pla2g1b and Tnf genes were significantly regulated in females but not in males, and Chrna4 gene was significantly down-regulated in males but not in females.Conclusions: Our findings suggest sex-dependent gene regulation in response to nerve injury, which may contribute to sex dimorphism of trigeminal neuropathic pain. Further studies are needed to establish gene expression changes over time and correlate these with hormonal and other physiological parameters in male and female.Significance: We present novel sex-specific transcriptional regulation in trigeminal ganglia that may contribute to male-/female-based differences in trigeminal neuropathic pain. These findings are expected to open new research horizons, particularly in male versus female targeted therapeutic regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis E virus ( HEV) infection can be vertically transmitted, but the factors that transmit the disease to foetuses are still unclear. We studied a total of 144 pregnant women with HEV infection. Cord blood and newborn samples were taken for analysis. Nutritional factors were evaluated on the basis of anthropometric parameters and biochemical factors, and HEV viral load was quantified by real-time PCR. Sequencing of HEV-positive samples was performed. Approximately 14.63% (6/41) of pregnant patients with acute liver failure ( ALF) died before delivery. Vertical transmission was observed in 46.09% (59/128) of HEV-IgM-positive mothers. Approximately 23.80% (10/42) of newborns in the acute viral hepatitis group and 29.41% (5/17) in the ALF group were positive for HEV- RNA. No significant difference was observed in the occurrence of vertical transmission in HEV groups. Viral load was found to be a significant predictor for vertical transmission of HEV infection adjusted with haemoglobin and folate in derivation cohort group. Incorporating these variables, a new score predicting vertical transmission of HEV was derived. Using these significant predictors, the probability for vertical transmission of HEV was well stratified in the validation group ( P>.05). In conclusion, viral load was associated with vertical transmission of HEV infection. A valid prediction score model was generated that was verified in a validation cohort group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbon-based electrode using multiwall carbon nanotube as a modifier and room temperature ionic liquid as a binder has been applied for the determination of diazepam (DZP) and oxazepam (OZP) in real samples including serum, urine and tablets. Square wave voltammetry as an appropriate electrochemical technique was applied to achieve improved limits of detection and higher sensitivities. The electrochemical studies were investigated under various experimental conditions such as pH, buffer concentration, ionic strength, deposition potential, deposition time and scan rate to achieve higher sensitivities. Linear concentration ranges for DZP and OZP were 0.02-0.76 mg L−1 and 0.05-1.90 mg L−1 with the detection limits of 4.1 µg L−1 and 5.8 µg L−1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for the analysis of commercially available tablets as well as serum and urine samples and satisfactory results were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Bacterial infections are major causes of early morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. Selective digestive decontamination ( SDD) can be used pre-operatively for living-donor liver transplant ( LD- LT), but its role in this setting remains controversial. Methods To evaluate this strategy, we retrospectively analyzed a cohort of consecutive LD- LTs performed in our center from March 2007 to February 2011 and compared the incidence and nature of early infectious complications, length of intensive care unit stay and hospitalization, antibiotic use, and emergence of resistant bacteria in patients with or without SDD prophylaxis. Results Of 148 LD- LTs in the study period, 111 received SDD prophylaxis while 37 did not. In a multivariate model, the independent factors associated with an increased risk of early post-transplant infections were length of postoperative mechanical ventilation (for every additional day odds ratio [ OR] = 2.37, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.4-4.0; P = 0.002), and choledochojejunostomy ( OR = 4.5, 95% CI 1.95-10.5; P < 0.001). Use of SDD did not affect the rate or distribution of infectious complications, duration of hospitalization, antibiotic use, or acquisition of resistant bacteria ( OR = 3.52, 95% CI 0.43-15.17; P = 0.376). Conclusion In conclusion, the use of SDD prophylaxis in LD- LT was not beneficial and should be avoided, as it offers no advantage and could potentiate the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical behavior of oxadiargyl at a graphene-paste electrode modified with an azo dye, 2-(4-((4-acetylphenyl)diazenyl)phenylamino)ethanol (ADPE), ADPE/MGRPE was investigated. The modified electrode showed high electrocatalytic activity toward oxadiargyl. The apparent electron transfer rate constant ( ks) and charge transfer coefficient ( α) between electrode and ADPE were 1.16 s−1 and 0.41, respectively. The differential pulse voltammetry response of the modified graphene-paste electrode was linear against the concentration of oxadiargyl in the range from 0.03 to 1.4 mg L−1. The limit of detection was found to be 1.3 µg L−1 ( S/ N=3). The practical analytical utility of this electrode was demonstrated by measurement of oxadiargyl in river water, soil and rice samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Kaposi's sarcoma ( KS) is a vascular malignancy primarily involving the skin. This neoplasm occurs commonly in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( AIDS) and post solid organ transplantation. Human herpesvirus type 8 ( HHV-8) has been shown to play a causative role in AIDS-associated KS and in post renal transplantation KS. Methods Based on a MEDLINE search, we present a review of the current information on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of post-transplantation KS ( PT- KS) with an emphasis on renal transplantation. Result The different frequencies of PT- KS in different parts of the world seem to be related to seroprevalence of HHV-8 infection. Following renal transplantation and the administration of immunosuppressive therapy, HHV-8 may reactivate. The renal tubular epithelium is a site for HHV-8 latency. Rates of PT-KS in seropositive recipients and anti- HHV-8 mismatched recipients (donor+/recipient−) are approximately 13% and 4.6%, respectively. Additional risk factors for the development of PT- KS include skin color, country of birth, age at the time of transplantation, and different induction regimens including anti-thymocyte globulin, steroid, or anti-interleukin 2-receptor antagonists. Skin is the major site of involvement. Surprisingly, involvement of the transplanted organ has been reported to be extremely rare. Reduction in immunosuppressive therapy and switching to mammalian targets of rapamycin inhibitors, such as sirolimus, are effective treatments for PT-KS. In patients with no response to reduction in immunosuppressive therapy, systemic chemotherapy with different regimens has been reported to be successful. Conclusion PT- KS in renal transplant patients is an important problem specifically in southern Europe and the Middle East. In the majority of patients, the diagnosis based on clinical suspicion is always essential. Clinicians should bear in mind that PT- KS may threaten graft function and hence result in rejection complications. Appropriate management increases patient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection which is often a silent disease has resulted in a global epidemic. The diagnosis of hepatitis C virus often requires confirmation with molecular techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction for detection of HCV RNA. Following laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis, molecular techniques are routinely used to monitor HCV RNA levels, particularly in those undergoing treatment. Unfortunately, molecular tests are relatively expensive and their cost may be prohibitive in the developing world. Several studies have investigated the applicability of the hepatitis C core Ag (HCVcAg), as a substitute for measuring HCV RNA levels. In this review, we provide an overview of the major findings of these studies focused on the utility of measuring HCVcAg antigen levels in the clinical setting. Overall, measuring HCVcAg levels is associated with several advantages and disadvantages. It may be useful in different clinical settings for monitoring HCV patients after obtaining an initial baseline HCV RNA result. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J.A. Weiser, B.E. Scully, W.A. Bulman, S. Husain, M.E. Grossman. Periumbilical parasitic thumbprint purpura: Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome acquired from a cadaveric renal transplant. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 58-62. All rights reserved Periumbilical parasitic thumbprint purpura may be a presenting sign of hyperinfection strongyloidiasis in the immunocompromised host. We report a case of fatal hyperinfection strongyloidiasis acquired from a cadaveric renal allograft, diagnosed by the pathognomonic periumbilical thumbprint purpuric eruption, confirmed by skin biopsy and laboratory testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A.L. Young, N.R. LeBoeuf, S.J. Tsiouris, S. Husain, M.E. Grossman. Fatal disseminated acanthamoeba infection in a liver transplant recipient immunocompromised by combination therapies for graft-versus-host disease Transpl Infect Dis 2010: 529-537. All rights reserved Immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for acquisition of opportunistic pathogens, with potentially fatal consequences. With the introduction of novel immunosuppressive agents used to prevent organ rejection and to treat the sequelae of transplantation, severity and rates of infection with unusual opportunistic pathogens may increase. Various monoclonal antibodies are now being used in the treatment of severe, acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), including rituximab, daclizumab, and alemtuzumab. These therapies, particularly when used in combination and with other traditional forms of immunosuppression, may have profound effects on the immune system. Acanthamoeba species are ubiquitous, free-living protozoa that rarely cause disseminated disease in the immunocompromised host. We report a fatal case of disseminated Acanthamoeba infection with a dramatic cutaneous presentation in a liver transplant recipient severely immunocompromised by sequential standard and novel therapies used to successfully treat life-threatening acute GVHD. This case illustrates the current major limitation of these therapies, discusses the cutaneous findings in disseminated acanthamoebiasis, and highlights the need to maintain vigilance for the presence of unusual infection in patients receiving similar therapeutic regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R. Avery, H. Clauss, L. Danziger-Isakov, J. Davis, K. Doucette, D. van Duin, J. Fishman, F. Gunseren, A. Humar, S. Husain, C. Isada, K. Julian, D. Kaul, D. Kumar, S. Martin, M. Michaels, M. Morris, F. Silveira, A. Subramanian. Recommended curriculum for subspecialty training in transplant infectious disease on behalf of the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice Educational Initiatives Working Group. Transpl Infect Dis 2010: 12: 190–194. All rights reserved The American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases (ID) Community of Practice has established an education workgroup to identify core components of a curriculum for training specialists in transplant ID. Clinical, laboratory, and research training form the triad of components on which an additional year of ID training, dedicated to the care of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, should be based. The recommended training environment would have access to adequate numbers of transplant patients, along with qualified faculty committed to teaching specialized fellows in this area. The learning objectives for both inpatient and outpatient clinical training are presented. The laboratory component requires trainees to attain expertize in utilizing and interpreting cutting-edge diagnostics used in transplant medicine. The research component may involve basic science, and translational or clinical research individualized to the trainee. Finally, suggestions for evaluation of both the fellows and the training program are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in fetal calcium homeostasis and placental calcium transport was examined in mice homozygous for the deletion of the PTHrP gene ( PTHrP−/− null; NL) compared to PTHrP+/+ (wild-type; WT) and PTHrP+/− (heterozygous; HZ) littermates. Fetal blood ionized calcium was significantly reduced in NL fetuses compared to WT and HZ groups at 18 days of pregnancy (dp) with abolition of the fetomaternal calcium gradient. In situ placental perfusion of the umbilical circulation at 18 dp was used to measure unidirectional clearance of 45Ca across the placenta in maternofetal (CaKmf) and fetoplacental (CaKfp) directions; CaKfp was < 5% of CaKmf for all genotypes. At 18 dp, CaKmf across perfused placenta and intact placenta (CaKmf(intact)) were similar and concordant with net calcium accretion rates in vivo. CaKmf was significantly raised in NL fetuses compared to WT and HZ littermates. Calcium accretion was significantly elevated in NL fetuses by 19 dp. Placental calbindin-D9K expression in NL fetuses was marginally enhanced ( P < 0.07) but expression of TRPV6/ECaC2 and plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) isoforms 1 and 4 were unaltered. We conclude that PTHrP is an important regulator of fetal calcium homeostasis with its predominant effect being on unidirectional maternofetal transfer, probably mediated by modifying placental calbindin-D9K expression. In situ perfusion of mouse placenta is a robust methodology for allowing detailed dissection of placental transfer mechanisms in genetically modified mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the solid-phase extraction (SPE) and spectrophotometric determination of inorganic mercury with 6-mercaptopurine in environmental samples. The 6-mercaptopurine reacts with mercury (Hg) (II) to from a complex that was preconcentrated by solid phase extraction with the C18 membrane disks has achieved an enrichment factor of 100. Moreover, the determination of Hg (II) concentration in water samples were accomplished by using the cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) and the SPE method.

Rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and alemtuzumab have been used for induction or preconditioning and for the treatment of acute rejection in organ transplant recipients in many centers. Such regimens may lead to a substantial decline in the CD4 lymphocyte count to levels seen in other population groups at high risk of cryptococcosis. In view of this, we examined the impact of such therapy on the cumulative incidence of cryptococcosis among liver and kidney recipients. A total of 834 liver and 727 kidney transplants were performed during the study period. Seven hundred and eighty-one patients did not receive ATG or alemtuzumab; 646 received 1 dose of either drug, and 134 patients received 2 doses of either drug. The cumulative incidence of cryptococcosis was 0.26% (2/781) among those who did not receive ATG or alemtuzumab; 0.3% (2/646) among those who received only 1 dose, and 2.24% (3/134) among those who received 2 doses ( P=0.03). There were 5 cases of cryptococcosis in liver recipients and 2 in kidney recipients. There were 3 cases of cryptococcal meningitis, 3 of pneumonia, and 1 of disseminated disease. The 2 kidney recipients had meningitis. Diagnosis occurred at a median of 255 days (range 7–517) after transplantation. The mortality rate was 14.2%. We conclude that the use of 1 dose of ATG or alemtuzumab is not associated with an increased cumulative incidence of cryptococcosis, but that those patients receiving 2 doses are at increased risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a survey of 50 lung transplant centers across the world to evaluate the variation in antifungal prophylaxis practices. These 50 centers performed 63% of the world's lung transplants reported in 2001. Eighty-six percent (43/50) of the centers responded to the survey. Sixty-nine percent (30/43) of centers used universal antifungal prophylaxis. Aerosolized amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBd) alone or in combination with itraconazole was used at 56% (24/43) of centers. The median duration of prophylaxis with aerosolized AmBd and itraconazole was 30 and 90 days, respectively. Seventy-four percent of the centers surveyed agreed to participate in future research prophylaxis protocols, which they felt should include both diagnostic and therapeutic arms. Our survey is the first documentation of the international variation in antifungal prophylactic strategies in lung transplant recipients, and underscores the need for multicenter, randomized trials of antifungal prophylaxis in lung transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human prominin-1 (CD133 or AC133) is an important cell surface marker used to isolate primitive hematopoietic stem cells. The commercially available antibody to human prominin-1 does not recognize rhesus prominin-1. Therefore, we isolated, cloned and characterized the complementary DNA (cDNA) of rhesus prominin-1 gene and determined its coding potential. Following the nomenclature of prominin family of genes, we named this cDNA as rhesus prominin-1.s1. The amino acid sequence data of the putative rhesus prominin-1.s1 could be used in designing antigenic peptides to raise antibodies for use in isolation of pure populations of rhesus prominin-1+ hematopoietic cells. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no previously published report about the isolation of a prominin-1 cDNA from rhesus monkey ( Macaca mulatta). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent genomic-based studies have identified 13 two-component signal transduction systems (TCS) in Streptococcus pneumoniae. Bacterial TCSs are important for regulating expression of bacterial genes, including those which are important to the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. We have used virulence assays together with microarray analysis to investigate the importance of pneumococcal TCS04 in the virulence and gene regulation of this pathogen. Deletion mutants of the response regulator of TCS04, rr04, were examined in three independent pneumococcal strains representing three different pneumococcal serotypes. Analysis of the virulence of the three strains enabled us to identify a serotype-specific attenuation of virulence due to deletion of rr04. Microarray comparison of the transcriptional profiles of the wild-type strains with the rr04 mutants allowed us to determine which transcriptional changes were occurring in the rr04 mutants. Virulence-associated changes were demonstrated in the attenuated strain with significant downregulation of a previously determined virulence locus, psaB, psaC and psaA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary • The effects are shown here of genetic manipulation of invertase on fruit sugar metabolism in tomato. • Introgression of the acid invertase gene on chromosome 3 from Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium (an accession containing high invertase activity) into Lycopersicon esculentum (with relatively low activity) was used to study effects on fruit development and both sugar composition and content. • The L. pimpinellifolium parent fruit had higher fruit invertase activities, greater hexose contents and lower sucrose accumulation that the L. esculentum parent. A strong correlation between fruit invertase activity and soluble sugar content was observed only in the L. pimpinellifolium parent and not in the homozygous fruit from either cross. In all cases high soluble acid invertase activities prevented sucrose accumulation and led to the build-up of hexoses. • The introgression of the invertase locus from L. pimpinellifolium into L. esculentum did not result in higher soluble solids in the progeny than in the L. esculentum parent, but it did modify their relative composition. Changes in the invertase gene composition alone are not sufficient to increase fruit soluble solids in tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central nervous system (CNS) infections, accounting for 4–29% of CNS lesions in transplant recipients, are a significant post-transplant complication. Focal CNS infectious lesions or brain abscesses have been documented in 0.36–1% of the transplant recipients. Mycelial fungi, particularly Aspergillus, are by far the most frequent etiologies of post-transplant brain abscesses. Bacteria, with the exception of Nocardia, are rarely associated with brain abscesses in transplant recipients. Time of onset and concurrent extraneural lesions have implications relevant towards invasive diagnostic procedures in transplant recipients with brain abscesses. Meningoencephalitis in transplant recipients is predominantly due to viruses, e.g., herpesviruses, and less frequently due to Listeria monocytogenes, Toxoplasma gondii, and Cryptococcus. Despite a wide, and at times perplexing array of opportunistic pathogens that can cause CNS infections, the temporal association of the infection with the time elapsed since transplantation, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and neuroimaging characteristics of the lesion can allow a reasoned and rational approach towards the recognition, diagnosis, and appropriate management of CNS infections in transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamins of the B group and vitamin C were applied to purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) tubers to study their effect on the sprouting rate, initiation and establishment of sprouts, growth of plantlets and development of orthotropic rhizomes in comparison with the corresponding effects of kinetin. Ascorbic acid up to 100 mg l-1 hastened sprouting, whereas vitamins of the B group and kinetin retarded sprouting: 100% tubers sprouted in all treatments within 10 days. Unlike kinetin, none of the vitamins resulted in the establishment of more than one sprout per tuber. Riboflavin and pyridoxine promoted root and shoot growth of the plantlets, whereas kinetin produced short, thick shoots and inhibited root growth, with increasing concentration. Ascorbic acid was only second to kinetin in the induction of orthotropic rhizomes, but the former resulted in an increase in rhizome length.

Since 1970, more than 4,500 patients have been patch tested at the Contact Dermatitis Investigation Unit in Glasgow. The results of 1,312 patients patch tested to the 20 test substances as described by the ICDRG (Fregert et al. 1969) are presented. The data on frequency of the most common allergens observed are presented. The most common allergens observed are nickel, chromium, cobalt, neomycin, colophony, wool alcohols, balsam of Peru and rubber. The less common allergens are benzocaine, parabens, formaldehyde and turpentine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical technique is presented to determine the unknown parameters in a given relationship using the experimental data. In this technique we formulate the required number of independent relationships by integration applied to various parts of data along with the criterion of the least-square error with respect to one parameter. The results for two sample systems, one with two parameters and the other with three parameters, are presented. Comparison with the published work shows that the proposed method is less sensitive to the inaccuracies in the experimental data and generates a better fit than the existing methods such as the ordinary least-squares technique. The method can easily be extended to systems with any number of parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of alkyl chain-substituted thiazanones from oxo fatty esters and a long chain aldehyde is reported. Four oxo compounds-methyl 10-oxoundecanoate, methyl 9-oxooctadecanoate, methyl 9,10-dioxooctadecanoate and octadecanal-were allowed to react with β-mercaptopropionic acid in the presence of ammonium carbonate in benzene to give the corresponding 4- m-thiazanones in high yields. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by combustion and spectral data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of 3-mercaptopropan-1, 2-diol with methyl ricinoleate (I) and methyl isoricinoleate (II) afforded their respective thioethers. The structure of the products was characterized by combustion and spectral (IR, NMR and MS) data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl linoleate was allowed to autoxidize in bulk phase at 50 C in the presence of either synthetic phospholipids consisting of saturated fatty acids or egg yolk phospholipids to estimate the effect of base group and fatty acid moiety of phospholipids on oil autoxidation. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE) exhibited poor antioxidant activity at 50 C and showed no synergistic effect with α-tocopherol. The addition of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) of egg yolk accelerated the oxidation of methyl linoleate. However, egg yolk PC and PE collected at various stages of heating at 180 C inhibited hydroperoxide formation at the initial stage of oxidation. This effect could be attributed to the browning products formed during heating reaction. Thus, browning color products formed from unsaturated phospholipids at high temperatures may influence oil stability, although the base group of phospholipids did not exert any significant effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of alkyl chain substituted thiazole and oxazole derivatives is described. The reaction of 11-bromo-10-oxoundecanoic acid with thiourea and acetamide yielded terminally located thiazole and oxazole derivatives, respectively. A similar treatment with urea produced the unexpected urea-substituted product, together with an unidentified product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of 3-mercaptopropan-l,2-diol with methyl 10-undecenoate (Ib) yielded three products, methyl 11-(3′-mercaptopropan-l′,2′-diacetoxy) undecanoate (II, 48.9%), methyl 11-(1-oxapropan-2′-acetoxy-3′-mercaptoacetyl) undecanoate ( III, 27.4%) and methyl 10-(3′-mercaptopropan-1′-acetoxy-2′-ol) undecanoate (IV, 23.0%) along with hydrolyzed starting material (Ia, 5.4%). The same reaction with methyl 9-octadecenoate (Vb) gave an isomeric product, 9(10)-(3′-mercaptopropan-l′-acetoxy-2′-ol) octadecanoic acid (VI, 78.5%) and oleic acid (Va, 21.4%). Reaction with trans-2-octadecenoic acid (VII) afforded 2(3)-(3′-mercaptopropan-l′-acetoxy-2′-ol) octadecanoic acid ( VIII, 85.7%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]