Linear regression models and k-means clustering for statistical analysis of fNIRS data.

We propose a new algorithm, based on a linear regression model, to statistically estimate the hemodynamic activations in fNIRS data sets. The main concern guiding the algorithm development was the minimization of assumptions and approximations made on the data set for the application of statistical tests. Further, we propose a K-means method to cluster fNIRS data (i.

[Interview with Vittorio Bonomini (1928-2008) one of the charter members of Italian nephrology, by A. Losito].

The author reports his interview with Vittorio Bonomini recorded the 5th of February 2005 on the occasion of the 50 th anniversary of the Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN). The interview gathers first-hand information about people and facts related to the early days of Italian nephrology. Bonomini also expresses his views on the future of our medical specialty.

Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus compared with ciclosporin A in renal transplantation: three-year observational results.

Background: The European tacrolimus versus ciclosporin A microemulsion (CsA-ME) renal transplantation study showed that tacrolimus was significantly more effective in preventing acute rejection and had a superior cardiovascular risk profile at 6 months.

Methods: The endpoints of this investigator-initiated, observational, 36-month follow-up were acute rejection incidence rates, rates of patient and graft survival and renal function. An additional analysis was performed using the combined endpoints BPAR, graft loss and patient death.

Bionic kidney.

Bionic Kidney is a project still in progress which aims at replacing all renal functions, which has been carried out in an ideal attempt to improve the overall results of Renal Replacement Therapy. It contains all the requisites for a complete rehabilitation from Uremia. As a futuristic mini-device implanted in the body, it should be a reliable support to Transplantation performance, considering the scarcity of kidney donors.

Priorities in renal replacement programs.

The various alternative programs in renal replacement therapy have precise meritocratic ranking which unfortunately is still largely ideal today. New directions and scientific plans (bioartificial kidney, new immunomodulators, gene therapy) have to be followed to make today's ideal ranking become reality.

Tacrolimus is highly effective in both dual and triple therapy regimens following renal transplantation. Spanish and Italian Tacrolimus Study Group.

This open, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus-based dual and triple therapy regimens. For this 3-month study (with 12-month follow up), 491 adult renal transplant patients were randomized and received either dual therapy (tacrolimus/corticosteroids; 246 patients) or triple therapy (tacrolimus/corticosteroids/azathioprine; 245 patients). Patient survival rates at months 3 and 12 were 99.

Kidney, patient and new millennium nephrology.

The way nephrology develops in the new millennium is bound to be affected by changes in the nephrologist's clinical environment, as well as by the progress made in basic research which will need to find a clinical application. The nephrologist can expect to be more and more involved in renal substitution therapy, not just providing the treatment, but also managing the cost of the service. In the field of nephropathology, the highest expectations surround molecular biology and its application to both acquired and hereditary renal disease; the goal is to find an outlet for gene therapy in clinical practice.

Immune response following fresh arterial homograft replacement for aortoiliac graft infection.

Introduction: this prospective study defines the immune response to fresh arterial homograft replacement for graft infection.

Materials And Methods: ten patients who underwent ABO-compatible homograft transplantation were studied for anti-HLA antibody production, and CD3-CD4-CD8-positive lymphocytes subset. Immunological studies were performed preoperatively, and at early (1, 3, 7 days) and late (1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months) follow-up.

The Academy of Science of Bologna and the kidney.

The Academy of Science of Bologna, founded in 1711, played an important role in the development of medicine. Receiving the heritage of Malpighi's and Morgagni's researches, the academy encouraged nephrological studies, which produced articles published in its journal, the Commentarii. Since the Commentarii were widely distributed all over Europe, the nephrological research practiced in Bologna reached all the main academies of science, in a fruitful circulation of knowledge.

Aorta transplantation in man: clinical and immunological studies.

Aortic transplantation has progressively gained interest over the last few years and it is becoming a first choice indication in the substitution of infected prostheses. The most frequent complication in long-term vascular outcome (wall thickening, aneurysmatic dilation, stenosis), may occur through an immunological mechanism. In this study we investigated nine recipients, aged 48 to 65 years, of aorta segment replacement for anti-HLA antibody production (specificity and Ig class), CD3-CD4-CD8 T cell subpopulation dynamics and aorta wall thickness.

Clinical use of profiled hemodialysis.

The new population on dialysis today consists mainly of high risk patients (the elderly, diabetics, etc.) with high cardiovascular scores, and such vascular pathology is the most important predisposing factor for the occurrence of a frequent intradialytic clinical complication, vascular instability syndrome, which covers a range of clinical problems. Recently a new dialysis technique, profiled hemodialysis (PHD), has been set up and proposed for routine use.

Mismatch-specific anti-HLA antibody production following aorta transplants.

In this study, we have investigated the nature and magnitude of the immunological response after implantation of human aortic segments. Five recipients of aortic segment replacement were studied for anti-HLA antibody production (specificity and Ig class), CD3, CD4, and CD8 T cell subpopulation dynamics, and aortic wall thickness. Mismatch-specific IgG antibodies to HLA class I and HLA class II antigens were first detected 1-3 months after implantation and persisted in high concentrations for at least 1 year.

Mechanical effects of heart pulse propagation on a vessel-graft suture line stress.

The effects of vessel joint where the both sides have different wall properties on the heart pulse propagation are investigated. Such a local disturbance can influence post-transplantation pathology and evolution of the organ inconsistency. Using a mathematical model, developed in a previous article, we perform analytical analysis and present some qualitative and quantitative estimations.

A simple mathematical model applied to selection of the sodium profile during profiled haemodialysis.

Background: Among dialysis patients in the last 10 years the incidence of intradialytic dysequilibrium syndrome and symptomatic hypotension has increased significantly. Profiled haemodialysis (PHD), a new dialysis technique based on intradialytic modulation of the dialysate sodium concentration according to pre-elaborated individual profiles, has been set up to reduce intradialytic imbalances and the incidence of dysequilibrium syndrome and symptomatic hypotension. The present paper illustrates a new mathematical model for solute kinetics, single-compartment for sodium and two-compartment for urea, aimed at improving the use of PHD.

An algorithm for the rational choice of sodium profile during hemodialysis.

The incidence of intradialytic disequilibrium syndrome and symptomatic hypotension has increased significantly among dialysis patients over the last ten years. Profiled hemodialysis (PHD) is a new technique, based on the intradialytic modulation of dialysate sodium concentration, which aspires to reduce to previous imbalances. This paper presents a new algorithm for the determination of a rational dialysate sodium profile during PHD.

Early, Frequent, and Efficient Hemodialysis: A New Trend or Déjà Vu From the 1970s?

After more than a quarter century of dialysis, two factors are still present in dialysis treatment of chronic renal failure patients: inadequacy of technology (the artificial kidney acts as an artificial glomerulus) and inadequate use of technology in terms of dialysis initiation and frequency. This paper presents the results of two less unphysiological dialysis programs, introduced in Bologna at the beginning of the 1960s, which proved their clinical value and are now becoming trendy, at the end of this century. Features of these programs are twofold: (1) daily dialysis, which aims at making treatment more biologically suited to the patient; its validity relies on lower intra- and interdialytic osmotic fluctuations; (2) early dialysis, which aims at making the patient more biologically suited to the treatment.

The presence of posttransplant HLA-specific IgG antibodies detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay correlates with specific rejection pathologies.

Posttransplant monitoring of anti-HLA antibodies with routine techniques gives unsatisfactory results due to a variety of technical limitations. We investigated how a new alternative technique correlates with posttransplant clinical events. A total of 313 nonselected serum samples from 136 patients were screened by an ELISA utilizing captured soluble HLA class I antigens.