Interstellar dust. Evidence for interstellar origin of seven dust particles collected by the Stardust spacecraft.

Seven particles captured by the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector and returned to Earth for laboratory analysis have features consistent with an origin in the contemporary interstellar dust stream. More than 50 spacecraft debris particles were also identified. The interstellar dust candidates are readily distinguished from debris impacts on the basis of elemental composition and/or impact trajectory.

The use of intradialytic parenteral nutrition in acutely ill haemodialysed patients.

Background: Protein/caloric malnutrition is a problem in chronically haemodialysed patients, and is an independent risk factor for increased mortality in these patients.

Objectives: To assess the safety and efficiency of intradialytic parenteral nutritional (IDPN) as nutritional support in acutely ill haemodialysis patients.

Methods: Twenty-two haemodialysis patients received IDPN after either major surgical or medical illnesses.

Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase levels in a renal transplant patient precede colitis.

An asymptomatic, but highly significant, rise in serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels developed in a renal transplant recipient. Investigations ruled out bony or hepatobiliary disease. Subsequent diarrhea and weight loss led to a diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis, which was confirmed with a positive CMV pp65 antigenemia test and an endoscopic finding of multiple colonic erosions.

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia in chronically dialyzed patients: a disease with multiple risk factors.

Background: Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) can be a fatal complication in dialysis patients. Intradialytic hypotension is usually the precipitating factor. The occurrence of 16 cases in 5 years (1998-2002), compared with only 4 in previous years, led us to investigate other risk factors contributing to NOMI.