Pregnancy outcomes for simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney transplant recipients versus kidney transplant recipients.

Data about pregnancy outcomes for simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients (SPKR) are limited. We compared pregnancy outcomes in SPKR to Kidney Transplant Recipients (KTR) from 2001-17 using the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry and the Australian and New Zealand Pancreas Islet Transplant Registry (ANZPITR). A total of 19 pregnancies to 15 SPKR mothers, and 348 pregnancies to 235 KTR mothers were reported.

Dynamic relationship between noseleaf and pinnae in echolocating hipposiderid bats.

Old World leaf-nosed bats (family Hipposideridae) can deform the shapes of their 'noseleaves' (i.e. ultrasonic emission baffles) and outer ears during echolocation behaviors.

Gut yeasts do not improve desiccation survival in Drosophila melanogaster.

A healthy gut microbiota generally improves the performance of its insect host. Although the effects can be specific to the species composition of the microbial community, the role of gut microbiota in determining water balance has not been well explored. We used axenic and gnotobiotic (reared with a known microbiota) Drosophila melanogaster to test three hypotheses about the effects of gut yeasts on the water balance of adult flies: 1) that gut yeasts would improve desiccation survival in adult flies; 2) that larval yeasts would improve adult desiccation survival; 3) that the effects would be species-specific, such that yeasts closely associated with D.

Utility of Routine Intraoperative Ureteral Frozen Section Analysis at Radical Cystectomy: Outcomes from a Regional Australian Center.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to look at the usefulness and cost effectiveness of intraoperative frozen section analysis (FSA) of the ureters at the time of radical cystectomy.

Methods: Pathology notes of patients undergoing radical cystectomy for primary bladder cancer between the years 2000-2015 at our institution were reviewed.

Results: A total of 196 ureteric specimens from 98 patients were reviewed.

Improving engraftment of hepatocyte transplantation using alpha-1 antitrypsin as an immune modulator.

For patients with non-cirrhotic liver-based metabolic disorders, hepatocyte transplantation can be an effective treatment. However, long-term function of transplanted hepatocytes following infusion has not been achieved due to insufficient numbers of hepatocytes reaching the liver cell plates caused by activation of the instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR). Our aim was to determine if the natural immune modulator, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), could improve engraftment of transplanted hepatocytes and investigate its mechanism of action.

Pneumococcal vaccines for preventing pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease, especially pneumonia, as well as acute exacerbations with associated morbidity and healthcare costs.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of injectable pneumococcal vaccination for preventing pneumonia in persons with COPD.

Search Methods: We searched the Cochrane Airways COPD Trials Register and the databases CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Embase, using prespecified terms.

Functional characterisation of human synaptic genes expressed in the Drosophila brain.

Drosophila melanogaster is an established and versatile model organism. Here we describe and make available a collection of transgenic Drosophila strains expressing human synaptic genes. The collection can be used to study and characterise human synaptic genes and their interactions and as controls for mutant studies.