Transcription factor IRF4 determines germinal center formation through follicular T-helper cell differentiation.

Follicular T-helper (T(FH)) cells cooperate with GL7(+)CD95(+) germinal center (GC) B cells to induce antibody maturation. Herein, we identify the transcription factor IRF4 as a T-cell intrinsic precondition for T(FH) cell differentiation and GC formation. After immunization with protein or infection with the protozoon Leishmania major, draining lymph nodes (LNs) of IFN-regulatory factor-4 (Irf4(-/-)) mice lacked GCs and GC B cells despite developing normal initial hyperplasia.

Changes in the expression and subcellular distribution of galectin-3 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a solid growing tumor, is the most common tumor in human kidney. Evaluating the usefulness of β-galactoside binding galectin-3 as a diagnostic marker for this type of cancer could open avenues for preventive and therapeutic strategies by employing specific inhibitors of the lectin. To study a putative correlation between the extent of galectin-3 and the development of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, we monitored the quantity and distribution of this lectin in tissue samples from 39 patients.

Trafficking of galectin-3 through endosomal organelles of polarized and non-polarized cells.

In epithelial cells, the β-galactoside-binding lectin galectin-3 mediates the non-raft-dependent glycoprotein targeting to the apical membrane domain. In this study, we aimed to identify intracellular compartments involved in the trafficking of galectin-3. By studying fluorescent fusion proteins in living cells, we could show that galectin-3 accumulates intracellularly in acidified endosomes.

Pilot study to assess increased dialysis efficiency in patients with limited blood flow rates due to vascular access problems.

In the last few years, the number of hemodialysis patients with inadequate blood flow (Qb) rates has increased due to vascular access problems. To avoid a clinical status of underdialysis, these patients need long-lasting dialysis sessions. However, other factors aimed to optimize the dialysis dose have to be considered.

Hepatitis C virus infection and rituximab therapy after renal transplantation.

Background: Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody, has been successfully given in various diseases including HCV-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia. However, only preliminary data exists on its efficacy and safety after renal transplantation.

Methods: We report on a renal transplant recipient with chronic hepatitis C who received rituximab therapy for gastric cancer.

Assignment of red antenna states in photosystem I from Thermosynechococcus elongatus by single-molecule spectroscopy.

Single-molecule spectroscopy at cryogenic temperatures was used to elucidate spectral properties, heterogeneities, and dynamics of the chlorophyll a (Chla) molecules responsible for the fluorescence in photosystem I (PSI) from the cyanobacteria Thermosynechococcus elongatus. Absorption and hole burning data suggest the presence of three pools absorbing at wavelengths greater than 700 nm with their absorption maxima at 708, 715, and 719 nm. The responsible Chla molecules are termed C708, C715, and C719.

Large-scale mapping of mutations affecting zebrafish development.

Background: Large-scale mutagenesis screens in the zebrafish employing the mutagen ENU have isolated several hundred mutant loci that represent putative developmental control genes. In order to realize the potential of such screens, systematic genetic mapping of the mutations is necessary. Here we report on a large-scale effort to map the mutations generated in mutagenesis screening at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology by genome scanning with microsatellite markers.

Meta-analysis: intradermal vs. intramuscular vaccination against hepatitis B virus in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Dialysis patients have suboptimal response towards hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine and intradermal hepatitis B virus vaccination has been used to improve the response rate; however, its efficacy remains unclear.

Design: Meta-analysis of controlled trials comparing intradermal vs. intramuscular vaccine against HBV among chronic kidney disease patients.

Red pool chlorophylls of photosystem I of the cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus: a single-molecule study.

Photosystem I reaction centers of the cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus have been investigated using single-molecule spectroscopy. Single-molecule fluorescence emission spectra reveal a new fluorescence band located at 745 nm. Fluorescence polarization spectroscopy and fluorescence autocorrelation analysis show that only a few chlorophylls are responsible for the photoemission from the Photosystem I trimer at low temperature.

Review article: hepatitis C virus and calcineurin inhibition after renal transplantation.

The impact of hepatitis C virus on patient and graft survival after renal transplantation remains controversial. However, recent studies have given emphasis on the detrimental role of hepatitis C on long-term patient and graft survival after renal transplantation. Various mechanisms can promote the lower survival in hepatitis C virus-positive recipients, i.

Metabolic effects of a corticosteroid-free immunosuppressive regimen in recipients of pancreatic transplant.

Background: A corticosteroid (CS)-free immunosuppressive regimen may be considered less diabetogenic than treatments including CSs principally after pancreas transplantation.

Methods: To test whether a CS-free immunosuppressive treatment is metabolically superior to a regimen including CSs, we prospectively studied 19 CS-free simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant recipients (body mass index=22+/-1 kg/m2; cyclosporine dose=400+/-19 mg/kg/day; azathioprine dose=77+/-8 mg/day; basal plasma C-peptide=1.3+/-0.

BK polyomavirus interstitial nephritis in a renal transplant patient with no previous acute rejection episodes.

A renal transplant patient treated with tacrolimus and mycophenolate-mofetil (MMF) developed progressive graft function deterioration 10 months after transplantation. Biopsy of the graft showed severe, focally accentuated interstitial inflammation with focal tubulitis and tubular necrosis, and medium-severe interstitial fibrosis with focal tubular atrophy. Glomerular and vascular structures were preserved.

Effect of increased arterial resistance index on long-term outcome of well-functioning kidney grafts.

An abnormal vascular status is present in the transplanted kidney. To define whether vascular factors might influence kidney function of the graft, the renal volume, blood flow and vascular resistance of a group of healthy subjects were compared with those of a group of well functioning renal transplants by color Doppler ultrasonography. Sixty healthy subjects and 75 well functioning cadaver renal transplant recipients were compared by color Doppler ultrasonography.

Long-term results with cyclosporine monotherapy in renal transplant patients: a multivariate analysis of risk factors.

There is little information on the long-term outcome of patients initially assigned to cyclosporine (CsA) monotherapy and requiring the addition of steroid therapy during follow-up. The aim of this report is to describe our experience with 143 first renal transplant recipients (120 cadaver transplants, 23 living donor transplants) randomized to receive CsA monotherapy as a treatment arm of three consecutive controlled clinical trials. Median follow-up was 86 months.

The clinical status of cadaveric renal transplant patients treated for 10 year with cyclosporine therapy.

In this paper we assessed the clinical status of 150 cadaveric renal transplant patients who received cyclosporine without interruption for 10 yr. The mean creatinine clearance was 59.2 +/- 15.

Uracil/tegafur plus oral calcium folinate in advanced breast cancer.

Uracil and tegafur (in a molar ratio of 4:1 [UFT]) has proven activity against breast cancer and is delivered in an easy-to-administer oral formulation. Orzel, which combines UFT with the oral biomodulator, calcium folinate, may provide even greater antitumor efficacy against breast cancer. Here, we describe the preliminary results of this phase II trial investigating the feasibility of 250 mg/m2/day of UFT plus 45 mg/day of oral calcium folinate administered to highly pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer.

Dimensional and hemodynamic differences between native and transplanted kidneys, evaluated by color Doppler ultrasonography.

Aim of the study was to asses the differences in size and hemodynamics in the normal kidney and well-functioning renal graft by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU). Sixty healthy subjects, 75 well-functioning cadaver renal transplant recipients, 15 couples of living donors and related graft recipients were compared by CDU. Renal diameters, volume, renal blood flow (RBF) and renal resistance index (RI) were the variables studied.

Spontaneous hypoglycaemia after pancreas transplantation in Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Hypoglycaemia is an important complication of insulin treatment in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Pancreas transplantation couples glucose sensing and insulin secretion, attaining a distinctive advantage over insulin treatment. We tested whether successful transplantation can avoid hypoglycaemia in Type 1 DM.

Fibrillary glomerulonephritis in Castleman's disease.

Castleman's disease is an uncommon lymph node disorder which can be associated with renal disease. In this report we describe a patient with fever, weight loss, anorexia, increase in inflammatory proteins, anemia and nephrotic syndrome. Castleman's disease, plasma cell type, was diagnosed by histologic analysis after surgical excision of a pelvic lymph node.

Prognostic factors of long-term allograft survival in 632 CyA-treated recipients of a primary renal transplant.

A total of 632 cyclosporin (CyA)-treated primary renal allograft recipients with a functioning graft at 6 months were retrospectively evaluated for risk factors correlated with long-term allograft function. Mean follow-up after the 6th month was 68.4 +/- 40.