Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in pediatric kidney transplantation: 30 years' experience.

Unlabelled: From 1982 to 2011, 53 kidney transplantations (KT) for pediatric focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) were recorded in the National Israeli Kidney Transplant Registry (NIKTR): 22-primary (1◦) FSGS, 25-proved/suspected genetic-secondary (2◦) FSGS, six lost/incomplete files/other. Half (56%) of 23 patients with 2◦ FSGS were Israeli-Arabs vs 29% of 1◦ FSGS KT recipients. 1◦ FSGS recurrence occurred in 64% (14/22) of 22 KT in 17 patients aged (median) 14 years vs 1/25 of 2◦ FSGS (P<.

Radiotherapy and Sorafenib in the Management of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Have Led to Improved Survival: A Single Center Experience.

Background & Aims: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy and the third most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. We aimed to assess the effect of novel treatment options on the survival of HCC patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included all HCC patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2013 referred to the Davidoff center and treated by a multidisciplinary team.

Cardiovascular risk factors in children after kidney transplantation--from short-term to long-term follow-up.

Cardiovascular-related mortality is 100-fold higher in pediatric renal transplant recipients than in the age-matched general population. Seventy-seven post-renal transplant children's charts were reviewed for cardiovascular risk factors at two and six months after transplantation (short term) and at two yr after transplantation and the last follow-up visit (mean 7.14 ± 3.

The immune-modulator AS101 reduces anti-HLA antibodies in sera of sensitized patients: a structural approach.

Background: Significant efforts are dedicated to identification of agents that eliminate anti-HLA antibodies (Ab) from sera of transplant candidates. Antibody titer following in vitro incubation of sera with desensitizing agents has shown to reflect the probability that a patient would benefit from clinical de-sensitization protocols. AS101 is a non-toxic, synthetic, organic tellurium compound.

Intravenous iron supplementation after kidney transplantation.

Background: We sought to evaluate the effect of intravenous (IV) iron supplementation on hemoglobin (Hb) levels and detect predictors for response.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 81 patients who were treated with IV iron post-transplant. We evaluated predictors of response to treatment defined as an increase in Hb value of more than 1 g/dL by linear regression analysis.

Antibody response to influenza vaccine in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

Background: Data on the immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine in children after liver transplantation are sparse. Our study aims to evaluate the response of such patients to the trivalent influenza vaccine, administered by different protocols in 2 influenza seasons.

Methods: Children attending the Liver Transplantation Unit of a tertiary care medical center were prospectively recruited and immunized with the inactivated subvirion influenza vaccine during the influenza seasons of 2004/2005 (1 dose, n = 18) and 2005/2006 (2 doses 4-6 weeks apart, n = 32).

Postshunt hepatic encephalopathy in liver transplant recipients.

Background: Preexisting spontaneous portosystemic shunts increase the risk of posttransplantation portal vein thrombosis. Portosystemic shunts may also be placed surgically to manage posttransplant portal vein stenosis/thrombosis. Both types may be complicated by hepatic encephalopathy.

Endovascular diagnosis and intervention in patients with isolated hyperammonemia, with or without ascites, after liver transplantation.

Hyperammonemia with or without ascites with normal synthetic liver functions after liver transplantation might indicate the presence of anastomotic stenosis of the portal or hepatic vein or the existence of a patent portosystemic shunt. The authors describe six patients, three children after split-liver transplantation and three adults after cadaver liver transplantation, who presented with hyperammonemia. Three patients had ascites.

ImmuKnow: a new parameter in immune monitoring of pediatric liver transplantation recipients.

Lifelong immunosuppression is mandatory for optimal graft and patient survival following liver transplantation. Nevertheless, graft rejection or numerous adverse events associated with overimmunosuppression or underimmunosuppression cannot be completely avoided. The ImmuKnow assay measures cell-mediated immunity and is able to discern between conditions of overimmunosuppression and underimmunosuppression.

Preceeding the rejection: in search for a comprehensive post-transplant immune monitoring platform.

The survival of a transplanted organ is dependent on maintenance of continuous immunosuppression. However, even the strictest adherence to the recommended drug levels does not prevent the occurrence of numerous complications associated with immunosuppression. The efficacy of immunosuppression therapy protocols would be enhanced greatly by the availability of biotechnologies capable of identifying and predicting immunological events prior to the manifestation of clinical parameters indicating graft failure.

Peripheral cutting balloon in the management of resistant benign ureteral and biliary strictures: long-term results.

Purpose: To report the long-term follow-up results of peripheral cutting balloon incision and dilatation (PCBID) after failed high-pressure balloon dilatation in patients with benign ureteral and biliary strictures.

Materials And Methods: The study included 9 patients (5 males and 4 females) who underwent successful PCBID procedures. Of these, 4 patients had biliary strictures; 2 of them had choledocho-choledochal anastomosis after liver transplantation, one at the choledocho-jejunal anastomosis, and the other at the papilla of Vater after failed endoscopic papillotomy.

Recurrent hepatitis C virus disease after liver transplantation and concurrent biliary tract complications: poor outcome.

Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is particularly aggressive in the post-liver transplantation setting, with rapid progression of liver fibrosis. Biliary complications remain a significant cause of morbidity following liver transplantation. Post-cholecystectomy biliary strictures are associated with advanced hepatic fibrosis.

Graft survival and its determinants: a 3 year national experience with liver transplantation in Israel.

Background: There is a dearth of organs for liver transplantation in Israel. Enhancing our understanding of factors affecting graft survival in this country could help optimize the results of the transplant operation.

Objectives: To report 3 years national experience with orthotopic liver transplantation, and to evaluate patient and perioperative risk factors that could affect 1 year graft survival.

Use of peripheral cutting balloon in the management of resistant benign ureteral and biliary strictures.

Purpose: To report the initial and midterm results of percutaneous cutting balloon incision and dilation (PCBID) for the treatment of benign ureteral and biliary strictures in patients after failed high-pressure balloon dilation.

Materials And Methods: The study sample consisted of 11 patients: three with ureteric strictures after renal transplantation, three with biliary anastomotic strictures after liver transplantation, three with pelvic metastatic disease compressing the ureter, one after a failed endoscopic papilla of Vater sphincterotomy, and one with tight stenosis at the choledochojejunal anastomosis. All strictures were resistant to high-pressure balloon dilation.