Static Characterization of the Driving, Normal and Stall Forces of a Double-Sided Moving-Permanent Magnet-Type Planar Actuator Based on Orthogonal Planar Windings.

This work presents a study of the traction, normal and stall forces in a two-sided planar actuator with orthogonal planar windings and a mover that comprises two cars magnetically coupled to each other through two pairs of permanent magnets (PMs). There is no ferromagnetic armature core because of the permanent magnets array in the mover and orthogonal traction forces can be generated in order to move both cars jointly in any direction on a plane. The stall force is the minimal force necessary to break up the magnetic coupling between the two cars.

Anti-HLA Donor-Specific IgG Subclasses and C1q-binding Evolution in Posttransplant Monitoring.

Background: The identification of low-level antibodies by single-antigen bead methodology has brought advancements to risk evaluation of kidney transplant recipients. However, the use of mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) to quantify antibodies and to guide therapy is not enough. Notably, immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass switching is hypothesized to follow a programmed sequence after an emergency signal from the germinal center.

Complement-fixing donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies and kidney allograft failure.

Detection of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) has improved the risk classification and post-transplant evaluation of kidney recipients. Moreover, assessment of DSA C1q-binding ability has been shown to improve the individual risk classification of transplant patients for allograft loss, especially when detected after transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional clinical impact of C1q-binding DSA detection in a population that was extensively monitored for DSA and MFI alterations.

Assessment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in cardiac transplantation: experience of a Brazilian center.

Background: Cardiac transplantation continues to be the treatment of choice for heart failure refractory to optimized treatment. Two methods have high sensitivity for diagnosing allograft rejection episodes and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), important causes of mortality after transplantation.

Objective: To assess the relationship between intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) results and endomyocardial biopsy (BX) reports in the follow-up of patients undergoing cardiac transplantation in a Brazilian reference service.

Evaluation of humoral immune response to donor HLA after implantation of cellularized versus decellularized human heart valve allografts.

We have evaluated the development of antibodies in response to donor allograft valve implant in patients who received cellularized and decellularized allografts and determined possible immunogenic epitopes considered responsible for antibodies reactivity. Serum samples from all recipients who received cellularized allografts or decellularized allografts were collected before valve replacement and at 5, 10, 30 and 90 days post-operatively and frozen until required. Tests were performed using the Luminex-based single human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, -B, -C and HLA-DR, -DQ antigen microsphere assay.