Perceptual holistic color combination analysis of Papilionidae butterflies as aesthetic objects.

In this study, we clarified the holistic color combination rules of human-preferred Papilionidae butterflies by examining the hue, lightness, and chroma. A set of 118 Papilionidae butterfly images used in our previous study was analyzed. These images were classified via hierarchical density-based spatial clustering based on perceptual similarities of colors that were obtained from a subjective image classification experiment.

The need of mycophenolic acid monitoring in long-term renal transplants.

Background: There is little information regarding the 12-h mycophenolic acid (MPA) pharmacokinetics (PK), a way to monitor the drug and the need of frequent monitoring, in stable patients.

Methods: A cohort of 35 adults, under long-term mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) therapy plus cyclosporin A (n = 12), TACimus (n = 12) or MMF only (n = 11); all with prednisone had a 12-h MPA-PK performed to ascertain the percentage of them within a defined therapeutic window. In 13 other patients, two PK studies undergone 1 wk apart were performed to evaluate the need for frequent measurements.

Bioequivalence of a new cyclosporine a formulation to Neoral.

New cyclosporine A (CsA) formulations must prove their bioequivalence to Neoral, the reference CsA formulation, to allow free prescription for the patients. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) of a new CsA formulation (Zinograf-ME), produced by Strides-Arcolab, to Neoral and to demonstrate their interchangeability in stable renal transplant recipients. Twelve-hour PK studies were obtained from 18 (13 M/5 F) adult patients (mean age 44.

Mycophenolic acid pharmacokinetics in stable pediatric renal transplantation.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is given to children in fixed doses based either on body weight or body surface area. There are data indicating mycophenolic acid (MPA) blood levels should be monitored in the early period of transplantation. However, there is little information regarding MPA pharmacokinetics (PK) in stable pediatric recipients.

Reciprocal influences between ambulatorial peritoneal dialysis and pulmonary function.

The aim of this study was to verify if dialysis solution volumes used in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) interfere with pulmonary function and if the pulmonary volumes interfere with the lymphatic absorption of the peritoneal cavity. We submitted 10 CAPD patients with a mean age of 48 +/- 18 years and on CAPD for 35 +/- 27 months to the following evaluations: first, measurement of the lymphatic absorption from the peritoneal cavity; second, measurement of the hydrostatic intraperitoneal pressure; and third, expirometry with the peritoneal cavity full of dialysis solution and empty. There were no differences between the expirometry results obtained with the peritoneal cavity full and empty of dialysis solution, and the results were in accordance with the prediction for this population.

Intraperitoneal pressure and hernias in children on peritoneal dialysis.

Abdominal wall hernias have been increasingly recognized in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). They are also more frequent in children than in adults. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) on the development of hernias in children on CAPD, and if there was a difference between IPP in children and adults.

Potassium is not a good solute to estimate residual volume in CAPD.

Residual volume is defined as the volume of dialysate remaining in the peritoneal cavity after complete drainage of fluid. In this study the residual volume was estimated in 9 patients, age 42 +/- 9 years, on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for 14 +/- 12 months, using two different solutes: dextran 70 and potassium. The residual volume was calculated from the change induced in drain dialysate solute concentration by the known volume and solute concentration of the newly infused dialysis solution.

Influence of spontaneous contractions of the lymphatic vessels on the lymphatic absorption rate of the peritoneal cavity in CAPD.

The lymphatic vessels have sympathetic innervation. Noradrenaline increases the number of spontaneous contractions of the lymphatic vessels, whereas isoprenaline slows these contractions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of the blockade of spontaneous contractions of the lymphatic vessels on the lymphatic absorption rate (LAR) in 6 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) by using 0.

Influence of the hydrostatic intraperitoneal pressure and the cardiac function on the lymphatic absorption rate of the peritoneal cavity in CAPD.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of hydrostatic intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) and cardiac function (CF) on the lymphatic absorption rate (LAR) in 9 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The LAR was measured by estimation of the intraperitoneal disappearance of dextran 70 added to 2 L of 2.5% dextrose dialysis solution.

Use of dextran 70 to estimate peritoneal lymphatic absorption rate in CAPD.

Peritoneal lymphatic absorption rate (LAR) in 15 patients on a CAPD program was measured by estimation of the disappearance of dextran 70 from the peritoneal cavity. The LAR was 1.03 +/- 0.