Post-transplant soluble CD30 levels are associated with early subclinical rejection in kidney transplantation.

Several studies have shown association of high pre- or post-transplant levels of soluble CD30 (sCD30) with acute rejection and poor late kidney transplant outcome. Our goal was to investigate whether sCD30 levels at month-3 post-transplant are associated with subclinical rejection, presence of CD30(+) cells within the graft, and expression of immune response genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The study comprised 118 adult first kidney graft recipients, transplanted at a single center, receiving tacrolimus in low concentration.

Expanding the use of expanded criteria donors in kidney transplantation.

Purpose: Although the use of kidney allografts from expanded criteria donors (ECD) has increased in recent years, the reported discard rates are also growing. The influence of ECD characteristics on transplant outcomes is still underevaluated.

Methods: This retrospective study investigated the influence of preimplantation biopsy findings and delayed graft function (DGF) on patient and graft survivals and renal function at 36 months in a cohort of 372 ECD kidney transplant recipients.

Severity of the cardiac impairment determines whether digitalis prolongs or reduces survival of rats with heart failure due to myocardial infarction.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the influence of digitalis on survival depends on the severity of cardiac dysfunction in heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: Doppler echocardiogram (DE) parameters were analyzed in 84 Wistar control (C) and 80 Wistar rats treated with 0.1mg/100g/day of digitoxin (D) five days after coronary occlusion.

Influence of calcium hydroxide addition to AH Plus sealer on its biocompatibility.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of 5% calcium hydroxide to AH Plus sealer improves its biocompatibility in subcutaneous connective tissue of rats.

Study Design: Thirty female rats distributed into 3 groups of 10 animals each received subcutaneous dorsal implants of silicone tubes filled with AH Plus (Group 1), AH Plus containing 5% (wt/wt) calcium hydroxide (Group 2), or no material (Group 3: control). The animals were killed after 14 days and the subcutaneous tissue containing the tubes was removed and processed for histological analysis.

Left ventricle radio-frequency ablation in the rat: a new model of heart failure due to myocardial infarction homogeneous in size and low in mortality.

Background: The purpose of the current study was to create a model of myocardial infarction (MI) that is homogeneous in size with a low immediate (24 hours) mortality.

Methods And Results: Male and female rats (n = 256) underwent left ventricle (LV) ablation (Ab) by a radiofrequency current (1000 kHz; 12 watts for 12 seconds) to promote a MI. A transmural MI occurred in all rats.