Renal transplantation for type II diabetic patients compared with type I diabetic patients and patients over 50 years old: a single-center experience.

Introduction: Transplantation of renal allografts for Type II diabetic patients has become increasingly common. Like Type I diabetics and patients over age 50, Type II diabetics are in a high-risk category for renal transplantation. Some investigators argue that the scarce resources of the valuable donor pool should not be allocated to these high-risk, older individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who often have significant comorbidity.

The effect of hypercholesterolemia on the rabbit transarterial wall oxygen gradient.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of hypercholesterolemia on the transarterial wall oxygen gradient. Female New Zealand white rabbits (3-4 kg) were fed a 0.5% cholesterol supplemented diet or a 0.

Posttransplant nonfunction of canine islets in PVG rats deficient in complement component C6.

Background: Discordant islet xenografts are immediately nonfunctional in nonimmunosuppressed recipients other than the mouse, a process called primary nonfunction. Although at present it is unknown whether complement is involved, complement might participate in the induction of primary nonfunction through a number of mechanisms. We investigated the potential role of the membrane attack complex of complement in primary nonfunction of transplanted xenoislets.

Cigarette smoking alters the rabbit transarterial wall oxygen gradient.

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of short-term (3 weeks) and long-term (10 weeks) cigarette smoking on the transarterial wall oxygen gradient. Female New Zealand White Rabbits (3-4 kg) were exposed to the smoke of seven nonfiltered cigarettes daily and their transarterial wall oxygen gradients measured at 3 weeks or 10 weeks before and during cigarette smoke exposure. Arterial blood oxygen content, percent of carboxyhemoglobin, and arterial blood pressure were recorded during the experiments.

Effect of pancreatic warm ischemia on islet yield and viability in dogs.

Background: Defining tolerable warm ischemia (WI) is mandatory before nonheartbeating cadavers can be used to enlarge the donor pool. No studies to date have precisely evaluated the effect of pancreatic WI on islet yield and viability in a large animal model.

Methods: We used mongrel dogs in our study at the University of Minnesota.

Excellence of the two-layer method (University of Wisconsin solution/perfluorochemical) in pancreas preservation before islet isolation.

Background: In islet transplantation pancreatic preservation before islet isolation is an obstacle compromising islet yield and viability. We tested the feasibility of a two-layer method (University of Wisconsin solution [UW]/perfluorochemical) for pancreatic preservation before islet isolation.

Methods: Dog pancreases were processed into pure islets by the method of Ricordi preceded by five different preservations (groups 1-a and 1-b, the two-layer method for 3 and 24 hours; groups 2-a and 2-b, simple cold storage in UW for 3 and 24 hours; group 3, without preservation).

Arterial anatomic considerations in colon interposition for esophageal replacement.

Background: Little has been written regarding the arterial anatomy predictive of success following esophagectomy and colon interposition.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: University teaching hospital.