Immunosenescence and immune response in organ transplantation.

The immune system undergoes a complex and continuous remodeling with aging. Immunosenescence results into both quantitative and qualitative changes of specific cellular subpopulations that have major impact on allorecognition and alloresponse, and consequently on graft rejection and tolerance. Here, we are going to review the immunological changes associated with the aging process relevant for transplantation.

Assessment of graft function in rodent models of heart transplantation.

Heterotopic heart transplantation in rats and mice is the most commonly used model to study allograft immune response and to test immunosuppressive drugs and tolerance induction protocols. Standardization of both the surgical procedure and the evaluation of graft function is essential for data interpretation. The most popular way to monitor graft function has been the palpation method.

Hepatic lobectomy and segmentectomy models using microsurgical techniques.

The mouse and rat models are the most commonly utilized experimental models of partial liver resection. Microscope-assisted partial hepatectomy is associated with better outcomes by reducing the risk of vena cava stenosis after ligature and injury to other liver pedicles. In addition, microsurgery allows lobectomies and segmentectomies after individual ligation of intrahepatic vascular branches, including the left and right segments of the median lobe, which has not been reported before.

Intraduodenal diverticulum associated with a double common bile duct causing recurrent pancreatitis and cholangitis: report of a case.

Intraduodenal diverticulum (IDD) is a rare congenital anomaly, arising at or near the papilla of Vater. Double common bile duct (DCBD) is another rare congenital anomaly of the biliary system. Recognition of these abnormalities is essential to prevent the development of lesions in the biliary system, as well as to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.

Surgical anatomy of the liver, hepatic vasculature and bile ducts in the rat.

Background: The rat is the most used experimental model in surgical research. Virtually all procedures in clinical liver surgery can be performed in the rat. However, the use of the rat model in liver surgery is limited by its small size and limited knowledge of the liver anatomy.

Basic microsurgery training: comments and proposal.

Microsurgical techniques have been applied in many surgical specialties and have also a broad application in surgical research. It demands high technical skills and continued training. The microsurgical training is lengthy, very expensive and demands high commitment.

Induction of carbon monoxide in donor animals prior to organ procurement reduces graft immunogenicity and inhibits chronic allograft dysfunction.

Background: Nonspecific inflammatory damages occurring prior to organ transplantation reduce long-term graft survival. Here, we tested the beneficial effects of carbon monoxide (CO) induction by methylene chloride (MC).

Methods: Fischer-344 (F-344 Rat) or Dark Agouti (DA Rat) donor animals were either treated with MC four hours prior to organ removal or remained untreated.

Kidney transplantation in the rat: a modified technique using hydrodissection.

Here, hydrodissection was compared with the conventional blunt instrumental dissection approach in a rat model of orthotopic kidney transplantation. Forty male Fisher and Lewis rats were used as kidney donors and recipients, respectively. After recipient nephrectomy, left kidney grafts were implanted orthotopically using standard microsurgical techniques.

Organization of a microsurgery laboratory.

Microsurgical techniques have been used in many surgical specialties as well as a broad application in surgical research.. It demands high technical skills and continued training.