Outcome of expanded criteria donor kidneys that were transplanted at other Eurotransplant centers after being rejected by our institution.

PURPOSE: There is a growing discrepancy between the demand for renal transplants and the number of transplants conducted. For the many patients on the renal transplant waiting list, this means increased dialysis-associated morbidity, mortality and a reduced quality of life. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether it is justifiable for transplant centers to reject cadaveric donor organs on hand of marginal organ quality. METHODS: We identified 110 kidneys that were primarily rejected for transplantation at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, and later transplanted at another center within the Eurotransplant zone. Using data from the Collaborative Transplant Study, we analyzed various demographic donor data including cold ischemia times, as well as graft and recipient outcomes. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 54 months. The cold ischemia time averaged 16 h. The organs that were primarily rejected by our center and then transplanted at other Eurotransplant centers showed 31 % of recipients had creatinine levels under 1.47 mg/dl and 94 % had levels under 2.97 mg/dl at 3-year follow-up. The mean death-censored graft survival was 71.4 months. The mean renal transplant recipient survival was 87.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, we propose that acceptance criteria for marginal donor kidneys need to be widened.

Variable practice with lenses improves visuo-motor plasticity.

Novel sensorimotor situations present a unique challenge to an individual's adaptive ability. Using the simple and easily measured paradigm of visual-motor rearrangement created by the use of visual displacement lenses, we sought to determine whether an individual's ability to adapt to visuo-motor discordance could be improved through training. Subjects threw small balls at a stationary target during a 3-week practice regimen involving repeated exposure to one set of lenses in block practice (x 2.0 magnifying lenses), multiple sets of lenses in variable practice (x 2.0 magnifying, x 0.5 minifying and up-down reversing lenses) or sham lenses. At the end of training, adaptation to a novel visuo-motor situation (20-degree right shift lenses) was tested. We found that (1) training with variable practice can increase adaptability to a novel visuo-motor situation, (2) increased adaptability is retained for at least 1 month and is transferable to further novel visuo-motor permutations and (3) variable practice improves performance of a simple motor task even in the undisturbed state. These results have implications for the design of clinical rehabilitation programs and countermeasures to enhance astronaut adaptability, facilitating adaptive transitions between gravitational environments.

Birth kangaroo (skin-to-skin) care and breastfeeding. An eclamptic woman's story.

Kangaroo care (KC), also known as skin-to-skin care, has been described often in the nursing literature for its benefits for both preterm and fullterm infants. In this case study KC was used for a mother in a high-risk situation: eclampsia. This mother gave birth to a 34-week preterm infant, and desired breastfeeding. KC was initiated, and due to the high risk for subsequent seizures, included close observation by these nurses. The mother successfully breastfed, and continued the KC at home.

Kangaroo skin-to-skin care for premature twins and their adolescent parents.

Risk factors associated with prematurity and adolescent parenting greatly increase when combined with multiple birth. Kangaroo care (KC) for preterm infants is well documented, although KC with twins or with adolescent parents is mentioned only briefly. In this case study, adolescent parents experience KC with their 32-week twin sons beginning 19 hours postbirth. These young parents interacted with, responded to, and took responsibility for their newborn sons, behaviors that are sometimes difficult for adolescent parents. Thus, KC appeared to be an effective intervention for these adolescent parents. Additionally, three kinds of KC with twins were identified: separate, sequential, and shared.

Readability levels of patient education material on the World Wide Web.

BACKGROUND: Patient education is an important component of family practice. Pamphlets, verbal instructions, and physicians' self-created materials have been the most common resources for patient education. Today, however, the popularity of the World Wide Web (Web) as a ready source of educational materials is increasing. The reading skills required by a patient to understand that information has not been determined. The objective of our study was to assess the readability of medical information on the Web that is specifically intended for patients. METHODS: An investigator downloaded 50 sequential samples of patient education material from the Web. This information was then evaluated for readability using the Flesch reading score and Flesch-Kinkaid reading level. RESULTS: On average, the patient information from the Web in our sample is written at a 10th grade, 2nd month reading level. Previous studies have shown that this readability level is not comprehensible to the majority of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Much of the medical information targeted for the general public on the Web is written at a reading level higher than is easily understood by much of the patient population.

De novo Renal Transplantation after Kaposi Sarcoma: Favorable Outcome in a Patient Receiving Sirolimus and Mycophenolate-Based Immunosuppression.

Immunosuppressive treatment increases the risk of infection and malignancy in organ transplant recipients. We report on a 42-year-old male renal transplant recipient who lost his first graft after reduction of immunosuppressive treatment due to Kaposi sarcoma and who successfully underwent a second renal transplant 10 years later. The patient's current treatment consists of low-dose prednisone, and the two antiproliferative immunosuppressants mycophenolate mofetil and rapamycin. 4.5 years after his second transplant, the serum creatinine is 1 mg/dl and the patient has no signs of recurrent disease.

[Incarcerated hernia after laparoscopic drainage of a lymphocele]. / Inkarzerierte Hernie nach laparoskopischer Lymphozelenfensterung.

Laparoscopic lymphocele drainage is considered the gold standard for the treatment of lymphoceles after kidney transplantation. We report on a female patient who developed a symptomatic posttransplant lymphocele. After laparoscopic lymphocele drainage the patient presented with acute pain in the left lower abdomen. A CT scan showed a hernia into the peritoneal window. This is a rare but potentially severe complication after intraperitoneal lymphocele drainage. CT imaging and swift reoperation with enlargement of the peritoneal window are critical to avoid serious complications. To avoid bowel incarceration, the peritoneal window should be as large as possible.

Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide in beef cattle using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy.

Measurement of nitric oxide (NO) in the expired breath of crossbred calves received at a research facility was performed using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. Exhaled NO (eNO) concentrations were measured using NO absorption lines at 1912.07 cm(-1) and employing background subtraction. The lower detection limit and measurement precision were determined to be approximately 330 parts in 10(12) per unit volume. A custom breath collection system was designed to collect lower airway breath of spontaneously breathing calves while in a restraint chute. Breath was collected and analyzed from calves upon arrival and periodically during a 42 day receiving period. There was a statistically significant relationship between eNO, severity of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in terms of number of times treated, and average daily weight gain over the first 15 days postarrival. In addition, breathing patterns and exhaled CO2 showed a statistically significant relationship with BRD morbidity.

Spacer inhalation technique and deposition of extrafine aerosol in asthmatic children.

The aim of the present study was to measure airway, oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal deposition of (99m)Tc-labelled hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone dipropionate after inhalation via a pressurised metered-dose inhaler and spacer (Aerochamber Plus) in asthmatic children. A group of 24 children (aged 5-17 yrs) with mild asthma inhaled the labelled drug. A total of 12 children took five tidal breaths after each actuation (tidal group). The other 12 children used a slow maximal inhalation followed by a 5 - 10-s breath-hold (breath-hold group). Simultaneous anterior and posterior planar gamma-scintigraphic scans (120-s acquisition) were recorded. For the tidal group, mean+/-sd lung deposition (% ex-actuator, attenuation corrected) was 35.4+/-18.3, 47.5+/-13.0 and 54.9+/-11.2 in patients aged 5-7 (n = 4), 8-10 (n = 4) and 11-17 yrs (n = 4), respectively. Oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal deposition was 24.0+/-10.5, 10.3+/-4.4 and 10.1+/-6.2. With the breath-hold technique, lung deposition was 58.1+/-6.7, 56.6+/-5.2 and 58.4+/-9.2. Oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal deposition was 12.9+/-3.2, 20.1+/-9.5 and 20.8+/-8.8. Inhalation of the extrafine formulation with the breath-hold technique showed significantly improved lung deposition compared with tidal breathing across all ages. Oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal deposition was markedly decreased, regardless of which inhalation technique was applied, compared with a previous paediatric study using the same formulation delivered via a breath-actuated metered-dose inhaler.

Gram-positive bacteria with a high DNA G+C content are characterized by a common insertion within their 23S rRNA genes.

An insertion of about 100 bases within the central part of the 23S rRNA genes was found to be a phylogenetic marker for the bacterial line of descent of Gram-positive bacteria with a high DNA G + C content. The insertion was present in 23S rRNA genes of 64 strains representing the major phylogenetic groups of Gram-positive bacteria with a high DNA G+C content, whereas it was not found in 23S rRNA genes of 55 (eu)bacteria representing Gram-positive bacteria with a low DNA G + C content and all other known (eu)bacterial phyla. The presence of the insertion could be easily demonstrated by comparative gel electrophoretic analysis of in vitro-amplified 23S rDNA fragments, which contained the insertion. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified fragments were determined and sequence similarities of at least 44% were found. The overall similarity values are lower than those of 16S and 23S rRNA sequences of the particular organism. Northern hybridization experiments indicated the presence of the insertion within the mature 23S rRNA of Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Discrimination of Burkholderia gladioli from other Burkholderia species detectable in cystic fibrosis patients by PCR.

A procedure for molecular identification of Burkholderia gladioli is described. Specific 16S and 23S rRNA gene signature sequences were defined as primers for PCR. The method allows rapid and specific discrimination of B. gladioli from related species (B. cepacia, B. multivorans, B. vietnamiensis, B. mallei, B. pseudomallei, Ralstonia pickettii, and R. eutropha) and should contribute to the clarification of its role as a human pathogen, e.g., in cystic fibrosis.

Discrimination of Burkholderia multivorans and Burkholderia vietnamiensis from Burkholderia cepacia genomovars I, III, and IV by PCR.

We present a PCR procedure for identification of Burkholderia cepacia, Burkholderia multivorans, and Burkholderia vietnamiensis. 16S and 23S ribosomal DNAs (rDNAs) of B. multivorans and B. vietnamiensis were sequenced and aligned with published sequences for definition of species-specific 18-mer oligonucleotide primers. Specific antisense 16S rDNA primers (for B. cepacia, 5'-AGC ACT CCC RCC TCT CAG-3'; for B. multivorans, 5'-AGC ACT CCC GAA TCT CTT-3') and 23S rDNA primers (for B. vietnamiensis, 5'-TCC TAC CAT GCG TGC AA-3') were paired with a general sense primer of 16S rDNAs (5'-AGR GTT YGA TYM TGG CTC AG-3') or with a sense primer of 23S rDNA (5'-CCT TTG GGT CAT CCT GGA-3'). PCR with these primers under optimized conditions is appropriate to specifically and rapidly identify B. multivorans, B. vietnamiensis, and B. cepacia (genomovars I, III, and IV are not discriminated). In comparison with the polyphasic taxonomic analyses presently necessary for species and genomovar identification within the B. cepacia complex, our procedure is more rapid and easier to perform and may contribute to clarifying the clinical significance of individual members of the complex in cystic fibrosis.

In situ probing of gram-positive bacteria with high DNA G + C content using 23S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotides.

23S-rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes were designed for the phylogenetic group 'Gram-positive bacteria with high G + C content of DNA' (GPBHGC). A sequence idiosyncrasy in two adjacent base pairs in the stem of helix 69 in domain IV of the 23S rRNA is present in all hitherto analysed strains of GPBHGC. An oligonucleotide probe targeted to this region hybridized only with strains of GPBHGC and was successfully used for in situ monitoring of these cells in activated sludge. Another unique feature of the 23S rRNA molecules of GPBHGC is a large insertion in domain III. Fluorescent oligonucleotides targeted to the highly variable regions of the rRNA within the insertions of Corynebacterium glutamicum DSM 20300, Aureobacterium testaceum DSM 20166 and Brevibacterium sp. DSM 20165 hybridized specifically to their target strains, whereas probing with oligonucleotides complementary to the rRNA-coding strand of the 23S rDNA and to the spacer between 16S and 23S rRNA of C. glutamicum did not result in detectable fluorescence. This confirmed that the large 23S insertions are indeed present in 23S rRNAs of GPBHGC and provide potential target sites for highly specific nucleic acid probes.

Molecular procedure for rapid detection of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei.

A PCR procedure for the discrimination of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei was developed. It is based on the nucleotide difference T 2143 C (T versus C at position 2143) between B. mallei and B. pseudomallei detected in the 23S rDNA sequences. In comparison with conventional methods the procedure allows more rapid identification at reduced risk for infection of laboratory personnel.

Simultaneous NO and CO(2) measurement in human breath with a single IV-VI mid-infrared laser.

A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) system equipped with a IV-VI mid-IR laser operating near 5.2>mu;m was used to measure exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) simultaneously in human breath over a single exhalation. Breath was sampled in real time, and eNO levels were measured from seven volunteers, two steroid-naive asthmatics and five nonasthmatics. Measured CO(2) levels were used as an internal standard to verify correct breath collection and calculate eNO values. Calculated eNO concentrations agreed well with reported values for asthmatic and nonasthmatic individuals.

Real-time diode laser measurements of vapor-phase benzene.

An absorption spectrometer equipped with a IV-VI semiconductor tunable mid-IR diode laser was used to make sensitive measurements of benzene (C(6)H(6)) gas in the 5.1-microm spectral range. Wavelength modulation coupled with second-harmonic detection achieved accurate real-time quantification of benzene concentrations down to a minimum detection limit of 1 ppmv with an integration time of 4 s. A variety of calibrated benzene-sensing measurements were made, including the determination of the benzene concentrations in vehicle exhaust and headspace vapors from unleaded gasoline and other liquids. Kinetic phenomena, including the monitoring of benzene evaporation and absorption/desorption by granulated activated carbon were observed with the instrument. Measurements were performed that allowed experimental determination of the activation energy for desorption of benzene from activated carbon, which was found to be 198 meV/molecule (19.0 kJ/mol).

Lung deposition of budesonide from turbuhaler in asthmatic children.

UNLABELLED: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of age on lung deposition of radiolabelled budesonide, delivered as a dry powder via Turbuhaler to asthmatic children. A group of 23 asthmatic children, aged 6 to 16 years, with relatively stable asthma inhaled 99mTc-labelled budesonide from a dry powder inhaler (Turbuhaler). Body and lung deposition was assessed using a gamma camera. The mean (range) median peak inspiratory flow during inhalation was 65 1 x min(-1) (45 to 76 1 x min(-1)). Mean (range) total lung deposition of 99mTc-labelled budesonide, expressed as a percentage of the metered dose, was 29.1% (15.6-47.2%) and was positively and significantly correlated with age, height and peak inspiratory flow. CONCLUSION: Total lung deposition of radiolabelled budesonide from a dry powder inhaler (Turbuhaler), is age dependent in children with moderate asthma. However, lung deposition is still satisfactory, even in younger children with lower peak inspiratory flows.