Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis of stent-graft for aortic endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR): Material and structural considerations.

The effect of hemodynamic load on various stent-graft designs used for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in cardiovascular treatments is studied using a numerical fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis that couples computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA). Radial displacements, mechanical stresses, wall shear stress and wall compliance quantities are evaluated for four stent materials and one graft material. The strut thickness is varied from 0.

Portal, superior mesenteric and splenic vein thrombosis secondary to hyperhomocysteinemia with pernicious anemia: a case report.

Introduction: Acute portomesenteric vein thrombosis is an uncommon but serious condition with potential sequelae, such as small-bowel gangrene and end-stage hepatic failure. It is known to be caused by various pro-thrombotic states, including hyperhomocysteinemia. We describe what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case of concomitant thrombosis of portal, superior mesenteric and splenic veins due to hyperhomocysteinemia secondary to pernicious anemia and no other risk factors.

Urinary cell mRNA profiles and differential diagnosis of acute kidney graft dysfunction.

Noninvasive tests to differentiate the basis for acute dysfunction of the kidney allograft are preferable to invasive allograft biopsies. We measured absolute levels of 26 prespecified mRNAs in urine samples collected from kidney graft recipients at the time of for-cause biopsy for acute allograft dysfunction and investigated whether differential diagnosis of acute graft dysfunction is feasible using urinary cell mRNA profiles. We profiled 52 urine samples from 52 patients with biopsy specimens indicating acute rejection (26 acute T cell-mediated rejection and 26 acute antibody-mediated rejection) and 32 urine samples from 32 patients with acute tubular injury without acute rejection.

Segment 4 architecture and proposed parenchyma-wise technique for Ex vivo graft procurement and implantation.

A parenchyma-wise technique for the ex vivo procurement of segment 4 (S4) grafts, based on the detailed architecture of the segment, is proposed. Eighteen normal, fresh livers from adult cadavers were injected differentially with colored latex; dissection casts were prepared; and the intricate architecture of S4 was studied. The portal vein elements of the sheath forming most of the inferior part of S4 (S4b) and the superficial major fraction of its superior part (S4a) arose constantly from the medial aspect of the umbilical part of the left portal vein branch.

Knowledge and attitudes of health care professionals toward organ donation and transplantation.

To identify and assess the level of knowledge and attitudes of health care professionals (HCP) in Qatar toward organ donation and transplantation, this cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2007 to February 2008 in the Accident and Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units of the hospitals of the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). A representative sample of 585 HCP working in the hospitals of the HMC was approached and 418 staff gave consent to participate in the study (71.5%).

Organ transplantation in Egypt.

Concern has increasingly been expressed about the growing number of reports of medical personnel participating in the transplantation of human organs or tissues taken from the bodies of executed prisoners, handicapped patients, or poor persons who have agreed to part with their organs for commercial purposes. Such behavior has been universally considered as ethically and morally reprehensible, yet in some parts of the world the practice continues to flourish. The concept of justice demands that every person have an equal right to life, and to protect this right, society has an obligation to ensure that every person has equal access to medical care.

Compatible ABO mismatch and liver transplantation: a single center's experience.

Objectives: The current shortage of suitable donor organs and clinical urgency can lead to implanting grafts from ABO-mismatched donors. One-year graft survival rates for patients in this scenario have been reported as ranging between 25% and 75% less than those for ABO-identical or ABOcompatible grafts. We review and compare our experiences with transplanting ABO-identical and ABO-compatible mismatched livers.

Pedophiles and stalkers as transplant candidates: one program's experience.

Transplant assessment of pedophiles and stalkers presents a challenge for clinicians and requires the ability to separate the science from the hysteria. Although rarely seen in organ transplant clinics, the presence of psychosexual disorders can result in both criminal charges and harsh societal reactions. Clinicians must be able to assess and make informed recommendations about the suitability of the candidate and any potential risks for staff, other patients, and society at large.

Unusual presentation of hepatic vascular tumors as fulminant hepatic failure.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma and angiosarcoma of the liver are rare neoplasms of vascular origin. They can present with nonspecific symptoms such as malaise and weight loss, as well as with liver-related symptoms such as abdominal pain, tender hepatomegaly and jaundice. Portal hypertension and rarely liver failure can occur.

Peri and postoperative pulmonary complications among cirrhotic individuals.

Surgical intervention among cirrhotic individuals carries a high risk for peri-and postoperative complications. We review the literature regarding the frequency and consequences of pulmonary complications in cases of cirrhosis. The experience with hepato-pulmonary syndrome and porto-pulmonary hypertension in liver transplant recipients is also presented.

Multiplex cytokine profiling of initial therapeutic response in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Currently available prognostic tools are inadequate to discern the molecular basis of the heterogenic response in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients treated with the current standard of therapy. The expression and biological function of immune mediators have been shown to be critical in all phases of the immune response to HCV infection and likely therefore influence host response. Herein, a biometric multiplex serum cytokine assay was utilized to characterize the immunomodulatory effects of host response in 10 HCV patients.

Experience with liver dialysis in acetaminophen induced fulminant hepatic failure: a preliminary report.

Background/aims: Our aim was to assess the efficacy of the liver dialysis unit (LDU) in the treatment of patients with acetaminophen-induced fulminant hepatic failure.

Methods: Seventeen patients with acetaminophen-induced fulminant hepatic failure between January 1996 and December 2001 were retrospectively studied. A liver dialysis unit became available in our Unit in July 2000, and as of December 2001, four of these 17 patients had undergone treatment with liver dialysis.