Breast Edema after Conservative Surgery for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Single-Center Assessment of Risk Factors.

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is the standard of care for early-stage breast cancer. We retrospectively enrolled 530 patients (mean age: 62.96 ± 12.69 years) undergoing BCS between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all patients with at least 1 year of follow-up were telephonically asked after surgery to provide clinical signs and symptoms attributable to postoperative breast cancer-related lymphedema of the breast (BCRL-B). Thirty-one (5.8%) patients reported breast edema and were visited to measure the tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and to assess the induration of the skin. There was a difference seen in treatment with lumpectomy + ALND performed more frequently in patients with (29%) than without (12%) BCRL-B. In the subgroup of patients with BCRL-B (n=31), significantly higher values of local total water were calculated in the nine patients who underwent Lump + ALND procedure (1.86 ± 0.48 vs. 1.48 ± 0.38; p = 0.046). Among patients with BCRL-B (n=31), in eight patients (25.8%) tissue induration measured with SkinFibroMeter was >0.100 N, thus suggesting tissue fibrosis. Cumulative survival probability at 1-year after surgery was 0.992. No statistical differences in 1-year survival after surgery were found for type of surgery (p = 0.890) or absence/presence of BCRL-B (p = 0.480). In univariate logistic regression, only lumpectomy + ALND surgery (p = 0.009) and any subsequent axillary lymph node removal surgery (p = 0.003) were associated with BCRL-B. Both of these variables were also found to be statistically significant in the multivariate regression model. Further prospective research is warranted to analyze potentential predictors of BCRL-B and to reduce/ prevent this complication.

Comparison of diuretic strategies in diuretic-resistant acute heart failure: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Up to 50% of patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF) show resistance to diuretics. This condition contributes to a prolonged hospital length of stay and a higher risk of death. This review aimed to investigate whether a diuretic therapeutic approach more effective than furosemide alone exists for patients with diuretic-resistant AHF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating diuretic therapy in patients with diuretic-resistant AHF. We searched Pubmed, BioMed Central, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases. RESULTS: Six RCTs were identified, involving a total of 845 patients. The P-score ranges from 0.6663 for furosemide to 0.2294 for the tolvaptan-furosemide. We found no significant differences in efficacy for any drug comparison. CONCLUSIONS: None of the diuretics considered in RCTs performed to date (tolvaptan, metolazone, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide) appear to be more effective than furosemide therapy alone for the treatment of patients with diuretic-resistant AHF.

A new semiresorbable mesh for primary inguinal repair: a preliminary observational study on quality of life and safety.

BACKGROUND: A currently unsolved problem of open inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP), which affects 10-12% of patients after IHR. In the present paper, we explored the results of a newly designed partially absorbable mesh made of polypropylene and polylactic acid (HybridMesh®) for open hernia repair and its impact on postoperative safety, efficacy, comfort and pain. METHODS: A prospective multicentric pilot trial was conducted in third-referral centers across Italy (n = 5). Inclusion criteria were unilateral primary inguinal hernia in patients of both genders and BMI < 30 kg/m2. All patients were submitted to elective Lichtenstein mesh hernia repair under local anesthesia with HybridMesh. Primary outcome measure was the evaluation of Carolina Comfort Scale and modifications at 2 years after surgery and its correlation with surgical variables; secondary outcomes were postoperative early and late morbidity, recurrence and postoperative early quality of life. RESULTS: Between 2015 and 2016, 125 (5 female) patients were operated, 2-year follow-up rate was 100%. The surgical site occurrence rate was 28% without the need of procedural interventions. Twenty-four months after surgery, no case of severe CPIP was recorded and altered global CCS score was present in 16 patients (13.0%). At univariate analysis, CCS score was negatively affected by fixation with sutures (OR 3.949; 95% CI 1.334-13.300), with no effect shown on multivariate analysis. Alterations in pain and movement limitations domains of CCS were observed in 9.7% of patients, at univariate analysis; they occurred more frequently when the mesh was sutured (OR 4.437; 95% CI 1.387-17.025) and in patients suffering from SSO (ecchymosis: OR 3.269; 95% CI 1.032-10.405); however, no effect was shown on multivariate analysis. Two recurrences (1.6%) were identified within the first postoperative year. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the safety, efficacy and good tolerability of HybridMesh as a device to treat primary unilateral inguinal hernia during open anterior approach. Further studies are needed to clarify its role in comparison to currently available devices at longer follow-ups.

Abdominal compartment syndrome: an underrated complication in pediatric kidney transplantation.

The transplantation of a large kidney in small children can lead to many complications, including an underrated complication known as abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), which is defined as intra-abdominal pressure (IAP)≥20 mm Hg with dysfunction of at least one thoracoabdominal organ. Presenting signs of ACS include firm tense abdomen, increased peak inspiratory pressures, oliguria, and hypotension. Between June 1, 1985, and September 30, 2013, our center performed 420 kidney transplants (deceased/living related donors: 381/39) in 314 pediatric recipients (female/male: 147/167). ACS occurred in 9 pediatric patients (weight<15 kg) who received a large kidney from adult donors. In 1 case, the patient underwent abdominal decompression with re-exploration and closure with mesh in the immediate postoperative period. In a second case, the patient developed a significant respiratory compromise with hemodynamic instability necessitating catecholamines, sedation, and assisted ventilation. For small children transplanted with a large kidney, an early diagnosis of ACS represents a critical step. From 2005 we have measured IAP during transplantation via urinary bladder pressure, and immediately after wound closure we use intraoperative and postoperative duplex sonography to value flow dynamics changes. We recommend that bladder pressure should be routinely checked in small pediatric kidney recipients who are transplanted with a large graft.

Application of interactive motion charts for displaying liver transplantation data in public websites.

In the past several years a vast amount of digital information has become available in every field of science, and ideas to apply improved strategies for obtaining a more in-depth knowledge of the data are considered in many areas. Although several American and European organizations show regularly in their public websites the aggregated results of organ donation and transplantation, no tools are provided to engage with the final users and to enable them to handle these data. In this study, a new model of Web-based interactive motion charts was applied to aggregated liver transplantation data obtained from a consecutive 28-year series of liver transplantation performed in a single Italian center. The interactive charts were obtained by combining the Google visualization application programming interface and the googleVis package within the open source statistical environment R. The interactive charts may be embedded into online/offline Web pages and rendered in each common browser. The users may interact with the charts by selecting chart type (bubble, bar, or line chart), x- and y-axis scales (linear or logarithmic), variables, bubble size, color, and even changing opacity of unselected items. Moreover, the charts may dynamically display the trend over time of each continuous/categoric variable, allowing users both to trace how the lines changes over time and to control the animation speed. The interactive motion charts should be used in the public websites that manage aggregated data concerning organ donation and transplantation.

Laparoscopic approach for down-staging in hepatocellular carcinoma patients who are candidates for liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of laparoscopic thermoablation (LTA) and laparoscopic resection (LR) as neoadjuvant therapy before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: From June 2005 to November 2010, 50 consecutive patients affected by HCC with liver cirrhosis were treated with LTA under ultrasound guidance or LR. Of them, 10 patients (mean age, 58.3 ± 5.59 years; male:female, 8:2) underwent OLT. They were mostly Child-Pugh class A (80%). RESULTS: A LTA of 12 nodules was achieved in 7 patients and an LR of 3 HCC nodules in the other 3 subjects. The mean length of surgery was 163 minutes (range; 60-370). The mean hospital stay was 6.1 days. Transient mild postoperative liver failure was reported in 1 case. Complete tumor necrosis was observed in 10 thermoablated nodules (83.3%) via spiral computerized tomographic scan at 1 month after treatment; the resected patients showed absence of recurrence. All patients underwent OLT after a mean interval of 7 months. The histology of the native liver showed complete necrosis in 9/12 thermoablated nodules (75%); a recurrence at surgical site occurred in 1 patient in the resection group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic ultrasound can be used in potential OLTs candidates to accurately stage HCC in advanced cirrhosis with minimal morbidity. LTA and LR proved to be safe and effective techniques for HCC patients, representing a valid "bridge" to OLT.

Impact of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score on transfusion rates in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (OLT) can entail a high risk of blood loss requiring transfusions, which increase morbidity and mortality. In recent years many efforts have been spent to improve the surgical and anesthetic management to decrease transfusion rates during OLT. Preoperative predictors for transfusion in OLT, remain uncertain. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the 219 OLT performed from 2005 to 2011 focusing on blood product (BP) transfusions. Statistical analysis sought the impact of transfusions on OLT outcomes to identify possible independent predictors of higher BP requirements. RESULTS: The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 86.6% and 76.45% for patients and 81.0% and 71.8% for grafts respectively. The mean intra- and perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rates were 12.3 ± 11.7 U and 15.5 ± 13.0 U respectively. A statistical analysis demonstrated a significant influence of BP transfusion on post-OLT complications and survivals. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score to be the only independent predictor of perioperative RBC transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the link between intra- and perioperative transfusions and outcome of OLT patients. MELD score resulted the only independent variable associated with increased perioperative RBC transfusions.

Kidney transplantation from living donors genetically related or unrelated to the recipients: a single-center analysis.

Living-donor programs have gradually become an attractive strategy to expand the donor pool for kidney transplantation (KT). Grafts from living-related donors (LRD) display superior function and longer survival than those obtained from cadaveric sources. Recent reports have shown that outcomes from living-unrelated donors (LUD) are not worse than those from LRD. In this study, we evaluated 135 procedures using living donors performed in our center between 1987 and 2010 (LRD: n = 111; LUD: n = 24). Among the LRD, most donors were mothers (n = 61; 54.95%), fathers (n = 25; 22.52%), and sisters (n = 16; 14.41%). The LUD included wives (n = 17; 70.83%) and husbands (n = 7; 29.17%). The mean recipient ages for LRD versus LUD were 26.94 ± 13.51 and 50.04 ± 8.86 years, respectively (P < .0001). The recipient female/male distribution was 33/78 (29.73%/70.27%) for the LRD versus 6/18 (25%/75%) for the LUD group (P = .643). The donor age was 48.79 ± 9 years in LRD and 49.25 ± 8.44 years in LUD (P = .696). The donor female/male distribution was 72/39 (64.86%/35.16%) in LRD and 17/7 (70.83%/29.17%) in LUD (P = .576). The follow up was 123.79 ± 87.87 months (range, 0.91-279.93). Overall patient and graft survivals were 94.1% and 67.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference in patient survival after stratifying for donor type (LRD: 93.9%; LUD: 95.8%; P = .961) or in graft survival after stratifying for donor type (LRD: 63.8%; LUD: 87.8%; P = .124). Entering donor type as an independent variable in a univariate Cox regression, we observed no significance for either recipient (P = .961) or graft survival (P = .142). The results of this study suggest that LUD utilization should be encouraged in KT programs.

The pregnancy rate and live birth rate after kidney transplantation: a single-center experience.

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidney transplantation recipients live longer and have better quality of life than patients on dialysis. Hypothalamic gonadal dysfunction in females who have ESRD may be reversed within the first few months after kidney transplantation, such as the ability to have children. Despite thousands of successful pregnancies in transplantation recipients, there is limited information about it. In this study, we evaluated the pregnancy rates and live birth rates in women (n = 133) who underwent kidney transplantation in our center from 1983 to 2010. Recipients of a second kidney transplantation and recipients of multiorgan transplantations were excluded. We observed 33 pregnancies with 11 live births (33.3%), 12 spontaneous abortions (36.36%), and 10 therapeutic abortions (30.3%). The pregnancy rate was 18%. The live birth rate was 33.3%. Therapeutic abortions were 36.3%, and the pregnancies resulting in fetal loss were 30.3%. The pregnancies were identified in 32 women. The majority of women (n = 32; 96.9%) had a single pregnancy, whereas 1 woman (3.1%) had two pregnancies. In our series, the pregnancy rates for kidney transplantation recipients were markedly lower and decreased more rapidly than those reported in the general population.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis after kidney transplantation: a single-center experience from 1982 to 2010.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), a severe complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD), produces a 50% mortality rate. EPS is characterized by progressive and excessive fibrotic thickening of the peritoneum, leading to encapsulation of the bowel and intestinal obstruction which may present after kidney transplantation (KT), a condition known as posttransplantation EPS. In this study we reviewed 1,500 KT performed in our center from 1982 to 2010, seeking to evaluate the influence of EPS incidence on kidney recipient and graft survival. We detected severe posttransplantation EPS among 16 adult single-kidney cadaveric-donor recipients. The EPS patients (age, 46.68 ± 10.62 years; female/male 5/11) were initially compared with a strictly selected group (n = 48) of non-EPS patients (age, 46.35 ± 10.26 years; female/male, 18/30). Peritoneal dialysis (PD) duration was significantly higher in the EPS group (47.75 ± 9.77 vs. 25.87 ± 10.43 months; P < .0001). This relationship was not only evident on univariate analysis, but also in a multivariate logistic regression model that entered previously selected variables: age (P = .518), sex (P = .796), serum creatinine (P = .441), estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = .566), and diagnostic category (P = .804). Diagnostic plots confirmed the reliability of the logistic regression models. In conclusion, EPS which negatively influences the outcome and quality of life of kidney recipients, was related to PD duration before to KT.

A single-center analysis to evaluate kidney function parameters after liver transplantation in adult patients.

Severe renal dysfunction may occur after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In this study, we retrospectively analyzed a single-center series of adult liver recipients (n = 62) seeking to identify patients prone to develop renal dysfunction during follow-up. Liver recipients (age range, 53.54 ± 8.19 years; female/male: 21/41) who underwent a first OLT from a brain dead donor were enrolled according to strict criteria. We enrolled only liver recipients with 5 serum creatinine (SCr) measurements after hospital discharge and at least 1 measurement/year with a follow-up period of not less than 2 years. We estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the formula developed by the Mayo Clinic. The average rate of SCr change after OLT was 0.0065 ± 0.013 mg/dL/mo. By calculating the per-patient slope, the average rate of SCr change was 0.000165 ± 0.000383 mg/dL (0.000007 ± 0.000017 mg/dL/mo). In regression models evaluated with SCr as the dependent variable versus post-OLT time, no significance was observed (P = .130). The average rate of eGFR change after OLT was -0.462 ± 0.883 mL/min/mo. By calculating the per-patient slope, the average rate of eGFR change was -0.009 ± 0.0026 mL/min (-0.0004 ± 0.0012 mL/min/mo). In the regression models evaluated with eGFR as dependent variable versus post-OLT time, no significance occurred (P = .168). By applying the regression prediction to SCr at 3 to 5 versus the 1 to 2 post-OLT measurements, we noted 3 male liver recipients (MLR) whose SCr values were significantly higher than the predicted values: MLR1: P = .048 at measurement 4; MLR2: P = .019 at measurement 4; and MLR3: P = .017 at measurement 5. Conversely, we did not observed a significant difference between observed versus predicted eGFR values. Clinical decisions on immunosuppressive treatments for liver recipients should be determined also on the basis of the series of post-OLT kidney function, which should be studied with rigorous evaluation of fitted regression models.

A study of HLA class I and class II 4-digit allele level in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are represented by rare but life-threatening cutaneous adverse reactions to different drugs. Previous studies have found that in a Han Chinese population from Taiwan and other Asian Countries, a strong genetic association between HLA-class I alleles (B*15:02, B*58:01) and SJS and TEN was induced by carbamazepine and allopurinol, respectively. To identify genetic markers that covered the MHC region, we carried out a case-control association enrolling 20 Caucasian patients with SJS/TEN. Our patient series included 10 cases related to paracetamol, 7 to allopurinol and 3 to different drugs (plaquenil, itraconazol, nabumetone). Healthy controls were represented by 115 Caucasian bone marrow or stem cell donors. The HLA-A*, B*, C*, DRB1*, DQB1*, DQA1* and DPB1* genotyping were determined. The frequencies of HLA-A*33:03 as well as C*03:02 and C*08:01 were significantly higher in SJS/TEN patient subgroup showing allopurinol drug-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) as compared to controls (28.6% vs 0%, P=0.00002, Pc=0.0011; 28.6% vs 0%, P=0.00002, Pc=0.001; 28.6% vs 0%, P=0.00002, Pc=0.001, respectively). In the same subgroup the frequencies of B*58:01, DRB1*15:02 and DRB1*13:02 alleles, although considerably higher than in control group (42.8% vs 5.2%, P=0.003; 28.6% vs 1.7%, P=0.005; 28.6% vs 3.5%, P=0.037, respectively), appeared no more statistically different after P correction (Pc=0.248; Pc=0.29; Pc=1.00, respectively). In addition, in 10 of the 20 SJS/TEN patient subgroup with paracetamol-induced SCAR no statistically significant association with HLA alleles could be found. However, in the same SJS/TEN patient subgroup showing allopurinol drug-induced SCAR, haplotype analysis indicated that B*58:01, DRB1*13:02 and DRB1*15:02 alleles, that in a single allele analysis lost statistical significance after P correction, may still confer susceptibility, because the B*58:01-DRB1*13:02 and DRB1*15:02-DQB1*05:02 are positively associated with the disease (14.2% vs 0.43%, P= 0.00001, Pc=0.00028; 14.2% vs 0.43%, P=0.00001, Pc=0.00028, respectively). Our results show that in contrast to SCAR-related to paracetamol, where HLA alleles do not appear to be involved, HLA molecules behave as a strong risk factor for SCAR-related to allopurinol even when a limited number of patients are considered.

Italian continuing medical education program: an evidence-based course for surgeons and health personnel of a regional transplantation center.

In the organ transplantation area the application of the evidence-based medicine (EBM) methods may be limited by several, heterogeneous conditions, eg, mandatory laws and protocols, logistic concerns, as well as donor/recipient matching. In this report we have described the results of a first EBM-oriented course for surgeons and health personnel in a regional transplantation center under the Italian Continuing Medical Education (CME) program. The course was formally approved for 25 credits. It included a maximum of 70 medical and nursing staff registrants; 50 of the spots were reserved for our transplantation center. The course was scheduled in 10 sessions from June to November 2010. Each session was composed of 2 phases: (1) first, computer-assisted education including slide presentations (2 hours); and (2) subsequent discussion led by experts (1.5 hours). The registered participants were expected to be able to correctly answer a multiple-choice, 10-question questionnaire at the end of each session. The majority of the participants considered the course relevant to their need to be updated and effective to improve their clinical skills. The requirements to obtain credits by the Italian CME program for live events were overall presence ≥80% and correct responses in the postsession questionnaires ≥70%. However, among the initially registered participants 31.5% failed at least one of these requirements. The main reason for failure was exceeding the maximum number of absences. Paradoxically, the absences were largely caused by the simultaneous execution of surgical/medical transplantation procedures. For professional figures engaged in complex medical activities, the Italian CME program should consider different threshold limits for the maximum number of absences allowed at live events.

Percutaneous embolization of periduodenal varix due to portal hypertension in a patient with kidney-pancreas transplantation: a case report.

Kidney-pancreas transplantation is a valid therapeutic option for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. However, vascular complications associated with pancreas transplantation are not uncommon. Herein we have reported a 32-year-old woman with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and celiac disease. She underwent liver transplantation for acute hepatitis. After 7 years, the patient developed end-stage kidney disease beginning hemodialysis and being listed for a kidney-pancreas transplantation, which was successfully performed when she was 29 years old with enteric diversion (Roux intestinal loop reconstruction). Five years after kidney-pancreas transplantation, she was admitted to our hospital with serious intestinal bleeding and poor liver function. The ultrasound showed a pattern like a arteriovenous fistula near the head of the pancreas. Computed Tomography was not diagnostic; an arteriogram showed the presence of a mesenteric varix and a mesenteric-caval shunt through the duodenum of the pancreatic graft. The liver biopsy and portal pressure gradient showed portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. To obtain time a waiting a new liver, the patient underwent percutaneous embolization of the mesenteric varix through jugular access. The procedure was uneventful. The patient was successfully transplanted 2 months later. Pancreas function was always satisfactory.

Corynebacterium urealyticum infection in a pediatric kidney transplant recipient: case report.

The incidence of Corynebacterium urealyticum infection in kidney recipients is low. Its common clinical manifestation is encrusted cystitis or encrusted pyelitis. Herein, we report an unusual case of a 19-year-old kidney recipient with necrotizing pyelitis due to C urealyticum in the absence of mucosal encrustation or calculi. The patient was readmitted 30 days posttransplantation to remove a stent. Cystoscopy demonstrated a normal vesical wall without encrustation. The stent was removed without problems. Culture yielded negative findings. That night, the patient had fever and hematuria. Therapy included forced diuresis with high fluid intake, and diuretic and antibiotic administration. The patient was then discharged. However, 15 days later he was readmitted because of hematuria with a significant decrease in hemoglobin concentration. Echography demonstrated the presence of hyperechogenic material in the pelvis and ureter. Pyelography demonstrated the presence of numerous coagula obstructing the urinary tract. In addition, severe hematuria required transplant nephrectomy.

Impact of the Italian continuing medical education program on the research production of a transplantation center: a preliminary analysis.

In Italy, a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program that engages about one million health professionals involved with different roles in National Health Service (physicians, nurses, biologists, pharmacologists, psychologists, veterinarians, technicians, etc) became officially mandatory on January 1, 2008. In Italy, the traditional form of acquiring CME credits is to attend lectures and conferences, while the main structured online service was dismissed in November 2008. The Italian Ministry of Health required health professionals to obtain 50 credits/y, with no obligation toward scientific production. In this study, we have preliminarily evaluated the potential impact of a compulsory CME program on the research production of our transplantation center. We selected the research products published by surgeons (n = 10) and university researchers (n = 2) who were on duty in our center from 1995 to 2007. For this period, PubMed returned 89 research products with at least one surgeon/researcher of our center as author/coauthor. The mean number of published research products/y was 6.84 +/- 4.5. The number of expected research products for 2008 and 2009 on the basis of a time series analysis applied to the period 1995 to 2007 was 12.35 and 12.91, respectively. A search in PubMed restricted to 2008 and 2009 (from January 1 to November 23) returned in both years eight research products. Considering that in our center there was no increase in volume activities or changes in whole working processes, it seems reasonable to assume that the new compulsory, time-consuming Italian CME program may have played a role in the decline of scientific production. A systematic monitoring should be started with the aim to investigate the potential impact of the Italian CME program on biomedical research output, especially for centers and disciplinary areas mainly involved in clinical research.

Biochemical and morphologic effects after extended liver resection in rats: preliminary results.

After hepatic resection and transplantation with a partial graft, death and regeneration of the hepatocytes coexist in the liver. However, when the functional liver mass is inadequate to ensure a proper balance between regeneration vs functional and metabolic demands, small-for-size syndrome develops. We assessed the early effects of extended hepatic resection on liver function in a rat model. Six male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 80% resection of the liver, and 6 rats served as a control group. At 6 hours after resection, blood samples were obtained from the hepatic vein for measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and hepatic venous oxygen saturation (Shvo(2)), and for standard liver function tests including determination of concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and total bilirubin. The remnant lobe was removed for GSH assay and histopathologic analysis. In the resection group, values were significantly higher for ALT (P = .002), AST (P = .002), and Shvo(2) (P = .01), whereas a significant decrease was observed for blood GSH (P = .009) but not liver GSH. Also in the resection group, we observed characteristic hepatocyte vacuolization with a gradient from periportal acinar zone 1 to the centrolobular area, the presence of hemorrhagic necrosis, and several leukocyte adhesions. The Shvo(2) and GSH data suggest early alteration of oxygen metabolism, as demonstrated by the reduction in oxygen uptake and decreased liver GSH secretion, with preservation of hepatic GSH. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative injury seem to have a crucial role in early onset of liver damage.

A time series analysis performed on a 25-year period of kidney transplantation activity in a single center.

Following the example of many Western countries, where a "minimum volume rule" policy has been adopted as a quality parameter for complex surgical procedures, the Italian National Transplant Centre set the minimum number of kidney transplantation procedures/y at 30/center. The number of procedures performed in a single center over a large period may be treated as a time series to evaluate trends, seasonal cycles, and nonsystematic fluctuations. Between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 2007, we performed 1376 procedures in adult or pediatric recipients from living or cadaveric donors. The greatest numbers of cases/y were performed in 1998 (n = 86) followed by 2004 (n = 82), 1996 (n = 75), and 2003 (n = 73). A time series analysis performed using R Statistical Software (Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria), a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics, showed a whole incremental trend after exponential smoothing as well as after seasonal decomposition. However, starting from 2005, we observed a decreased trend in the series. The number of kidney transplants expected to be performed for 2008 by using the Holt-Winters exponential smoothing applied to the period 1983 to 2007 suggested 58 procedures, while in that year there were 52. The time series approach may be helpful to establish a minimum volume/y at a single-center level.

Application and validation of Cox regression models in a single-center series of double kidney transplantation.

A useful approach to reduce the number of discarded marginal kidneys and to increase the nephron mass is double kidney transplantation (DKT). In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the potential predictors for patient and graft survival in a single-center series of 59 DKT procedures performed between April 21, 1999, and September 21, 2008. The kidney recipients of mean age 63.27 +/- 5.17 years included 16 women (27%) and 43 men (73%). The donors of mean age 69.54 +/- 7.48 years included 32 women (54%) and 27 men (46%). The mean posttransplant dialysis time was 2.37 +/- 3.61 days. The mean hospitalization was 20.12 +/- 13.65 days. Average serum creatinine (SCr) at discharge was 1.5 +/- 0.59 mg/dL. In view of the limited numbers of recipient deaths (n = 4) and graft losses (n = 8) that occurred in our series, the proportional hazards assumption for each Cox regression model with P < .05 was tested by using correlation coefficients between transformed survival times and scaled Schoenfeld residuals, and checked with smoothed plots of Schoenfeld residuals. For patient survival, the variables that reached statistical significance were donor SCr (P = .007), donor creatinine cleararance (P = .023), and recipient age (P = .047). Each significant model passed the Schoenfeld test. By entering these variables into a multivariate Cox model for patient survival, no further significance was observed. In the univariate Cox models performed for graft survival, statistical significance was noted for donor SCr (P = .027), SCr 3 months post-DKT (P = .043), and SCr 6 months post-DKT (P = .017). All significant univariate models for graft survival passed the Schoenfeld test. A final multivariate model retained SCr at 6 months (beta = 1.746, P = .042) and donor SCr (beta = .767, P = .090). In our analysis, SCr at 6 months seemed to emerge from both univariate and multivariate Cox models as a potential predictor of graft survival among DKT. Multicenter studies with larger recipient populations and more graft losses should be performed to confirm our findings.