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Selected AbstractsStratigraphy of upper Viséan carbonate platform rocks in the Carlow area, southeast IrelandGEOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005P. Cózar Abstract The stratigraphy of the upper Viséan (Asbian to Brigantian) carbonate succession in southeast Ireland is revised on the basis of seven quarry and two borehole sections. Six lithological units have been distinguished, two units (units 1 and 2) in the upper Asbian Ballyadams Formation, and four units (units 4 to 6) in the Brigantian Clogrenan Formation (both formations are dated precisely using foraminiferans, calcareous algae and rugose corals). The boundary between the Ballyadams and Clogrenan formations is redefined 19,m below the horizon proposed by the Geological Survey of Ireland, and thus, lithological characteristics of both formations are redescribed. The upper part of the Ballyadams Formation is characterized by well-developed large-scale cyclicity, with common subaerial exposure surfaces. Fine- to medium-grained thin-bedded limestones with thin shales occur in the lower part of cycles, passing up into medium-grained pale grey massive limestones in the upper part. The Clogrenan Formation is composed mainly of medium- to coarse-grained thick limestone beds with variable presence of shales; but no large-scale cyclicity. There is a decrease in the number of subaerial exposure surfaces towards the top of the formation and common chert nodules; macrofauna occurs mostly concentrated in bands. The six units recognized in the Carlow area are comparable with other units described for the same time interval (Asbian,Brigantian) from south and southwest Ireland, demonstrating the existence of a stable platform for most parts of southern Ireland, controlled principally by glacioeustatics. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Localization of substance P-induced upregulated interleukin-8 expression in human dental pulp explantsINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 2 2008G. T.-J. Abstract Aim, To localize ex vivo expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) induced by substance P (SP) in human dental pulps. Methodology, Intact caries-free, freshly extracted third molars (n = 20) were collected from patients (15,25 years old). The teeth were split and pulpal tissue was obtained and stored in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium. Human dental pulp tissue explants were stimulated with SP. Expression of IL-8 in pulp explants was detected and localized by immunohistochemistry. Results, Moderated IL-8 immunoreactivities were detected mainly in the cell-rich zone in pulp tissues 12 h after tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-,) stimulation (positive controls), whereas only weak IL-8 expression was observed in tissues stimulated with SP at the same time interval. These data did not differ from those in negative controls. Increased IL-8 expression in pulp explants after 24 h of SP stimulation was noted compared with negative controls and located in fibroblast-like cells, blood vessel-associated cells and extracellular matrix in the central zone and cell-rich zone of pulp explants. Tissues stimulated with TNF-, for 24 h (positive controls) revealed weak IL-8 immunoreactivities with altered cell morphology. Conclusions, Substance P induces IL-8 expression and was located in fibroblast-like pulp cells, blood vessel-associated cells and extracellular matrix of human dental explants. These data support the hypothesis that neuropeptide (SP) coordinates the modulation of pulpal inflammation via up-regulating chemokine IL-8. [source] Less systemic cytokine response in patients following microendoscopic versus open lumbar discectomyJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005Tsung-Jen Huang Abstract The magnitude of the tissue damage from surgery impacts the trauma response. This response is proportional to the severity of surgical stress. Systemic cytokines are recognized as markers of postoperative tissue trauma. Microendoscopic discectomy (MED) recently has become popular for treating lumbar disc herniations, and is associated with favorable clinical outcomes compared with open discectomy (OD). This study postulates that MED is a less traumatic procedure, and therefore has a lower surgical stress response compared to OD. In this study, a quantitative comparison of the overall effects of surgical trauma resulting from MED and OD was performed through analyzing patient systemic cytokines response. From April, 2002 to June, 2003, 22 consecutive patients who had symptomatic lumbar disc herniations were prospectively randomized to undergo either intracanalicular MED (N = 10) or OD (N = 12). In this study, the Vertebroscope System (Zeppelin, Pullach, Germany) was used to perform the endoscopic discectomy procedure in all MED patients. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-, (TNF-,), Interleukin-1, (IL-1,), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured before surgery and at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24h after surgery using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured at the same time interval. The results showed the MED patients had shorter postoperative hospital stay (mean, 3.57 ± 0.98 vs. 5.92 ± 2.39 days, p = 0.025) and less intraoperative blood loss (mean. 87.5 ± 69.4 vs. 190 ± 115 ml, p = 0.042). The operating length, including the set-up time, was longer in the MED group (mean, 109 ± 35.9 vs. 72.1 ± 17.8 min, p = 0.01). The mean size of skin incision made for the MED patients was 1.86 ± 0.13cm (range 1.7,2.0cm); and 6.3 ± 0.98 cm for the OD patients (range 5.5,8cm), p = 0.001. The patients' pain severity of the involved limbs on 10-point Visual Analog Scale before operation in MED group was 7.5 ± 0.3 (range 6,9) and 8 ± 0.2 (range 7,9) in OD group, p = 0.17; and after surgery, 1.5 ± 0.2 (range 1,2) in MED group and 1.4 ± 0.1 (range 1,3) in OD group, p = 0.91. CRP levels peaked at 24h in both groups, and OD patients displayed a significantly greater postoperative rise in serum CRP (mean, 27.78 ± 15.02 vs. 13.84 ± 6.25mg/l, p = 0.026). Concentrations of TNF-,, IL-1,, and IL-8 were detected only sporadically. Serum IL-6 increased less significantly following MED than after OD. In the MED group, IL-6 level peaked 8 h after surgery, with the response statistically less than in the open group (mean, 6.27 ± 5.96 vs. 17.18 ± 11.60pg/ml, p = 0.025). A statistically significant correlation was identified between IL-6 and CRP values (r = 0.79). Using the modified MacNab criteria, the clinical outcomes were 90% satisfactory (9/10) in MED patients and 91.6% satisfactory (11/12) in OD patients at a mean 18.9 months (range 10,25) follow-up. Based on the current data, surgical trauma, as reflected by systemic IL-6 and CRP response, was significantly less following MED than following OD. The difference in the systemic cytokine response may support that the MED procedure is less traumatic. Moreover, our MED patients had achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes as the OD patients at a mean 18.9 months follow-up after surgery. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Local recurrence rate of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in primary high-grade sarcomasJOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 7 2010Benjamin H. Kaffenberger BS Abstract Background Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is an emerging technique for diagnosis of bone and soft tissue lesions. While multiple studies have demonstrated efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and convenience, none have attempted to determine if the modality leads to an increased rate of local recurrence. Our objective was to determine whether FNAB could be linked to an increased rate of local recurrence. Methods We reviewed a database containing records of 388 patients who underwent FNAB without surgical biopsy tract excision between September 2002 and December 2006 in the orthopedics department at our institution. After application of rigid criteria to minimize confounding variables, 20 patients were retrospectively examined for local recurrence and distant metastasis. Results In this cohort, no local recurrences were seen over a mean follow-up of 45 months. Fifteen percent of our patients developed one or more distant metastases over the same time interval. Our experience offers preliminary evidence for the safety of this method. Conclusions While further studies are needed, our data combined with already reported studies on efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and convenience are encouraging for expanding the use of FNAB in the diagnosis of bone and soft tissue tumors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010; 101:618,621. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Serum IgG Concentrations after Intravenous Serum Transfusion in a Randomized Clinical Trial in Dairy Calves with Inadequate Transfer of Colostral ImmunoglobulinsJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010M. Chigerwe Background: Plasma transfusions have been used clinically in the management of neonates with failure of passive transfer. No studies have evaluated the effect of IV serum transfusions on serum IgG concentrations in dairy calves with inadequate transfer of passive immunity. Hypothesis: A commercially available serum product will increase serum immunoglobulin concentration in calves with inadequate transfer of colostral immunoglobulins. Animals: Thirty-two Jersey and Jersey-Holstein cross calves with inadequate colostral transfer of immunoglobulins (serum total protein <5.0 g/L). Methods: Thirty-two calves were randomly assigned to either control (n = 15) or treated (n = 17) groups. Treated calves received 0.5 L of a pooled serum product IV. Serum IgG concentrations before and after serum transfusion were determined by radial immunodiffusion. Results: Serum protein concentrations increased from time 0 to 72 hours in both control and transfused calves and the difference was significant between the control and treatment groups (P < .001). Mean pre- and posttreatment serum IgG concentrations in control and transfused calves did not differ significantly. Median serum IgG concentrations decreased from 0 to 72 hours by 70 mg/dL in control calves and increased over the same time interval in transfused calves by 210 mg/dL. The difference was significant between groups (P < .001). The percentage of calves that had failure of immunoglobulin transfer 72 hours after serum transfusion was 82.4%. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Serum administration at the dosage reported did not provide adequate serum IgG concentrations in neonatal calves with inadequate transfer of colostral immunoglobulins. [source] Changes in children's peer interactions following a natural disaster: How predisaster bullying and victimization rates changed following Hurricane KatrinaPSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 4 2009Andrew M. Terranova Youth exposed to disasters experience stress and adjustment difficulties, which likely influence their interactions with peers. In this study, we examined changes in bullying and peer victimization in two cohorts of children. Youth from an area affected by Hurricane Katrina were assessed pre- and postdisaster (n = 96, mean [M] = 10.9 years old, 53% female), and a comparison group from a nearby area was assessed over the same time interval 1 year prior (n = 120, M = 10.2 years old, 52% female). Within the hurricane group, relations between symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with bullying and victimization also were examined. Following the hurricane, the hurricane group reported increased relational and overt bullying relative to the nonhurricane group, and PTSD symptoms predicted increased victimization. Thus, school personnel should be vigilant and prepared to respond to increased bullying following disasters and for increased victimization in youth experiencing PTSD symptoms. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Leaching characteristics of heavy metals in fly ash from a Chinese coal-fired power plantASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2010Xun Gong Abstract China is the largest coal ash producer in the world. Hydraulic ash transport systems are used in most coal-fired power plants, which lead to serious water pollution due to leaching of trace elements. The investigation on the leaching behavior of trace contaminants from coal ash is critical to environmental risk assessments. Batch leaching tests have been performed on the fly ash collected from each field of the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) of a coal-fired power plant to study the leaching characteristics of Cd, Cr, Pb and V. Leaching solutions included HCl solution of initial pH = 4 and NaOH solution of pH = 10. The liquid/solid (L/S) ratio was about 4:1 in all leaching tests. Fourteen leaching time intervals were selected, ranging from 15 min to 7 days. The results show that under studied experimental conditions, Cr has a relatively higher leachability in the acid-leaching solution, while Pb has a higher leachability in the alkaline solution. With the increase of leaching time, the leachability of Cr in each ash sample increases obviously. Within the same time interval, Cr in the ash sample from the last field of ESP has the highest leachability. The concentration of Cd in FA3 is the highest, but the leachability of Cd for FA3 is not the highest among the three ash samples. The concentration of V in FA1 is the highest; no increased trend with leaching time has been found in the experiment. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Trends in mortality and hospital admission rates for abdominal aortic aneurysm in England and Wales, 1979,1999BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 8 2005M. Filipovic Background: The aim of this study was to investigate trends in population-based mortality, hospital admission and case fatality rates for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) from 1979 to 1999. Methods: This was an analysis of routine statistics from 79 495 death certificates in England and Wales and 3217 hospital inpatient admissions in the Oxford Region. Results: Mortality rates for all AAAs increased between 1979 and 1999 from 13 to 25 per million in women and from 80 to 115 per million in men. Admission rates increased in the same time interval from three to 22 admissions per million per year in women, and from 52 to 149 per million per year in men. Case fatality rates for all non-ruptured AAAs that were operated on decreased from 25·8 to 9·0 per cent and for all ruptured AAAs from 69·9 to 54·4 per cent. Conclusion: Mortality rates and hospital admission rates for AAA rose in men and even more so in women between 1979 and 1999. Perioperative mortality for ruptured AAA declined a little during the study but nonetheless was still very high at the end. This reinforces the importance of detecting and treating AAA before rupture occurs. Copyright © 2005 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Percutaneous radiofrequency thermoablation as an alternative to surgery for treatment of liver tumour recurrence after hepatectomyBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 6 2002Dr D. Elias Background: Radiofrequency (RF) current, converted into heat through ion agitation and friction, can destroy liver tumours by means of coagulation necrosis. This study assessed whether percutaneous RF ablation is a useful and safe technique for the treatment of liver tumour recurrence after hepatectomy. Methods: Forty-seven patients presenting with local recurrence after hepatectomy for malignant tumours (29 with colorectal secondaries) were treated with percutaneous RF ablation instead of repeat hepatectomy. RF thermal ablation was performed under image guidance for 12,15 min. This group represented 63 per cent of 75 patients treated with curative intent for liver recurrence in the same time interval. The other 28 patients underwent repeat hepatectomy. Results: The mean(s.d.) number of liver metastases destroyed was 1·4(0·7) (range 1,3) and their diameter was 21(8) (range 9,35) mm. Twenty-six patients presented with liver recurrence at least once but up to three times after the initial RF application. Incomplete local RF treatment was observed in six of 47 patients. Fifteen patients developed extrahepatic recurrence. The mean(s.d.) interval between RF ablation and the last follow-up visit was 14·4(10·1) (range 5·5,40) months. One death and three major complications occurred. Survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 88 and 55 per cent respectively. A retrospective study of the authors' database over two similar consecutive periods showed that RF ablation increased the percentage of curative local treatments for liver recurrence after hepatectomy from 17 to 26 per cent and decreased the proportion of repeat hepatectomies from 100 to to 39 per cent. Conclusion: Percutaneous RF treatment increases the number of patients eligible for curative treatment. It should be preferred to repeat hepatectomy when feasible and safe because it is less invasive. Repeat hepatectomy is indicated only when percutaneous RF ablation is contraindicated or fails. © 2002 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source] Morphometric evaluation of the repair of critical-size defects using demineralized bovine bone and autogenous bone grafts in rat calvariaCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 8 2008Rodrigo Cardoso de Oliveira Abstract Objective: To evaluate the repair of critical-size bone defects in rats treated with demineralized bovine bone (DBB) compared with autogenous bone (AB). Material and method: A bone defect of 8 mm in diameter was created in the calvaria of 50 Rattus norvegicus, treated either with DBB or AB. Sub-groups of five rats of each group were killed at 7, 14, 21, 30 and 90 days post-operatively, and the skulls were removed and processed histologically. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Result: Histological analysis showed complete closure of the defects with new bone at 90 days in group AB, and substitution of the biomaterial by fibrotic connective tissue in the DBB group at 21 days. Morphometric analysis showed that DBB was rapidly absorbed at 14 days, with its volume density decreasing from 47%±0.8% at 7 days to 1.2%±0.41% at 14 days. Subsequently, volume densities of the connective tissue and neoformed bone increased from 51.1%±11.17% to 86.8%±7.92% and from 1.9%±1.13% to 12%±8.02%, respectively, for the same time interval. The volume density of AB particles did not change throughout the experimental periods, but the amount of new bone increased markedly between 7 and 90 days, from 4.5%±1.57% to 53.5%±6.42% (P<0.05). Conclusion: DBB did not provide complete repair of the defects, with significantly less new bone formation than in the AB group. [source] Effect of naringin on bone cellsJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 11 2006R.W.K. Wong Abstract Statin, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, was shown to increase BMP-2 gene expression for bone formation, by blocking the mevalonate pathway in cholesterol production. We investigated the effect of naringin, a flavonoid available commonly in citrus fruits, which was also a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in UMR 106 osteoblastic cell line in vitro. The control group consisted of cells cultured without any intervention for different time intervals (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h), whereas the experimental (naringin) group consisted of cells cultured with naringin of different concentrations (0.001 µmol/L, 0.01 µmol/L, and 0.1 µmol/L) for the same time intervals of the control. Colorimetric Tetrazolium (MTT) assay, total protein content assay, and alkaline phosphatase activity were used to measure the cellular activities. Results for the naringin group showed an increase in MTT assay compared with the control and the effect was dose dependent. At high concentration (0.1 µmol), the increases ranged from 60% to 80%. In the total protein content assay, naringin also showed an increase compared with control and the effect was also dose dependent. At high concentration (0.1 µmol), the increases ranged from 9% to 20%. In the alkaline phosphatase activity assay, naringin at high concentration (0.1 µmol) significantly increased the activity up to 20%. In conclusion, naringin significantly increased bone cell activities in vitro. This is the first study specifically attempted to investigate the effect of naringin on bone cell activities. Besides statin, this provided another example of mevalonate pathway blockage in the cholesterol production pathway by HMG-CoA reductase inhibition will increase the bone cell activities. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:2045,2050, 2006 [source] Sirolimus-based immunosuppression following liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinomaLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2008Michael A. Zimmerman Experience with sirolimus (SRL)-based immunosuppression following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is rapidly accumulating. In combination with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs), SRL may reduce the incidence of acute rejection and lower overall required drug levels. This study sought to quantify long-term outcome following OLT in patients with cirrhosis and concomitant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who were treated with an SRL-based regimen as a primary therapy. From January 2000 to June 2007, 97 patients underwent OLT for end-stage liver disease and HCC at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Of those, 45 patients received SRL, in addition to CNIs, as a component of their primary immunosuppression regimen post-OLT. Conversely, 52 patients received the standard immunosuppression regimen including CNIs, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids. The 2 treatment groups were compared with respect to the following variables: age, gender, tumor stage by explant, grade, size, presence of vascular invasion, focality, Child's class, baseline creatinine, and warm and cold ischemic times. The 2 groups were comparable by all factors save for cold ischemic time, which was significantly longer in the CNI-treated group. Overall survival at 1 and 5 years post-OLT for patients treated with SRL was 95.5% and 78.8%, respectively. Conversely, survival in patients treated with CNIs exclusively at the same time intervals was 83% and 62%. Although there was no difference in the incidence of major complications, the SRL group experienced a modest improvement in renal function. Cumulatively, these data suggest a potential survival benefit with SRL-based therapy in patients undergoing OLT for end-stage liver disease and concomitant malignancy. Liver Transpl 2008. © 2008 AASLD. [source] Training the trainers: do teaching courses develop teaching skills?MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 8 2004Joyce Godfrey Objective, This paper reports on consultants' self-assessed changes in their teaching and training practices over an 8,10-month period. It compares the changes between a group undergoing a 3-day teaching course (participants) and a sample group taken from the course waiting list (controls). Method, A questionnaire listing 18 teaching skills was given to the participants immediately prior to the course and 8,10 months later, and to the controls at the same time intervals. Respondents were asked to rate their ability, frequency of use of each skill, as well as their teaching confidence and effectiveness. Additionally, the second questionnaire asked respondents to identify changes they had made to their teaching. A total of 63% (54) of participants and 51% (23) of controls completed both questionnaires. Changes of 2 + on the rating scales were seen as genuine. The number of such changes was calculated for each individual and on each skill for the 2 groups. Data were analysed using a Mann,Whitney U -test. Results, The majority of course participants reported positive changes in teaching ability on a significantly greater number of skills than did the control group. As a group, changes in ability in 16 of the teaching skills were significantly greater for the participants than for the controls. Increased ability resulted in participants' increased frequency of use of only 4 of the teaching skills. The majority in the participant group reported changes to their teaching. Only a minority in the control group reported such changes. These changes were consistent with course topics and the teaching skills needed to meet General Medical Council recommendations for the education of new doctors. Conclusions, The teaching course is an effective vehicle for increasing consultants' teaching skills. [source] Cognitive and mood changes in men undergoing intermittent combined androgen blockade for non-metastatic prostate cancerPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2009M.M. Cherrier Abstract Purpose: Men with prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-only relapse of prostate cancer after primary therapy are generally fully functional and asymptomatic with a life expectancy of up to 10 or more years. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment option. This study examined mood and cognitive changes in otherwise healthy men with prostate cancer prior to, during and after ADT. Experimental design: Twenty hormone naďve, eugonadal prostate cancer patients without evidence of metastases and with a rising PSA were treated with intermittent ADT consisting of 9 months of complete androgen blockade (CAB) achieved with combined leuprolide and flutamide followed by an ,off treatment' period. Cognitive function tests and mood measures were administered at baseline, after 3 and 9 months of ADT and after 3 months of no treatment. Twenty healthy control patients without prostate cancer range matched for age and education were tested at the same time intervals. Results: ADT patients evidenced a significant decline in spatial reasoning, spatial abilities and working memory during treatment compared with baseline. No changes were noted for measures of verbal or spatial memory, selective attention or language. Significant changes in self-rated mood such as increased depression, tension, anxiety, fatigue and irritability were evident during treatment compared with baseline for ADT patients. No significant changes in either cognitive tests or mood measures were noted for the healthy control group. Conclusions: These findings, suggest that 9 months of combined androgen blockade may result in some adverse changes in cognition and mood. However, many but not all of these changes can return to baseline after cessation of ADT. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Electrosurgery after Cochlear Implantation: Eighth Nerve Electrophysiology,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 12 2004David M. Poetker MD Abstract Hypothesis: Monopolar electrosurgery below the neck in cochlear implant recipients can be performed without damage to the internal cochlear stimulator, electrode array, and the cochlear nerve. Study Design: Prospective pre- and postintervention electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) study of cochlear nerve function and behavioral sound perception assessment. Methods: Neural response telemetry (NRT) was used to measure ECAPs before and after the use of monopolar electrosurgery during coronary artery bypass surgery to assess prosthetic device function and electrophysiologic function of the cochlear nerve. In addition, electrode voltage impedances and behavioral sound perception was measured at the same time intervals. Results: ECAPs, behavioral sound perception, and electrode voltage impedances were within the normal range, within compliance, and similar preoperatively and on postoperative day 6. Conclusion: The studies reported herein were a series of measurements designed to test neural integrity and prosthetic device function before and after the use of monopolar electrosurgery. With appropriate precautions, use of monopolar electrosurgery below the neck in cochlear implant recipients can be performed safely. [source] Improving Outcomes of Liver Retransplantation: An Analysis of Trends and the Impact of Hepatitis C InfectionAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2008M. Ghabril Retransplantation (RT) in Hepatitis C (HCV) patients remains controversial. Aims: To study trends in RT and evaluate the impact of HCV status in the context of a comprehensive recipient and donor risk assessment. The UNOS database between 1994 and October 2005 was utilized to analyze 46 982 LT and RT. Graft and patient survival along with patient and donor characteristics were compared for 2283 RT performed in HCV and non-HCV patients during 1994,1997, 1998,2001 and 2002,October 2005. Overall HCV prevalence at RT increased from 36% in the initial period to 40.6% after 2002. In our study group, 1-year patient and graft survival post-RT improved over the same time intervals from 65.0% to 70.7% and 54.87% to 65.8%, respectively. HCV was only associated with decreased patient and graft survival with a retransplant (LT-RT) interval (RI) >90 days. Independent predictors of mortality for RT with RI >90 days were patient age, MELD score >25, RI <1 year, warm ischemia time ,75 min and donor age ,60 (significant for HCV patients only). Outcomes of RT are improving, but can be optimized by weighing recipient factors, anticipation of operative factors and donor selection. [source] Acute effects of the sigma-2 receptor agonist siramesine on lens epithelial cellsACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2007JO KARLSSON Purpose: Experiments were carried out to study the effects of siramesine on markers for apoptosis, oxidative damage and mitochondrial function in primary cultures of human lens epithelial cells (HLEC). Methods: HLEC were incubated with 25 ,M siramesine for 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 hours. Caspase-3 was assayed in cell extracts with DEVD-AMC. Mitochondrial depolarization was assayed with JC-1. Peroxide production was studied with DCF-DA and superoxide levels with hydroethidium. Glutathione levels were assayed with monochlorobimane. Results: Siramesine induced a significant increase of caspase-3 activity after 6h exposure to 25 ,M siramesine. Nuclear morphology examined with Hoechst 33342 showed signs of apoptosis after the same time intervals. A significant increase in the production of peroxide and superoxide were found up to 4 -8 hours after administration of siramesine. Conclusions: Siramesine, a piperidine analogue, was developed for the treatment of psychiatric disorders and is considered to be relatively nontoxic. This study, and others, indicate effects on cell growth, apoptosis and production of ROS. The sigma-2 receptor may be a regulator of HLEC growth and apoptosis. 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