Two-Step Surface Modification of Chemically Resistant Polymers: Blend Formation and Subsequent Chemistry1.

Supercritical fluid (SCF) carbon dioxide processing has been studied as a new route to polymer surface modification. Three fluoropolymer substrates were studied: poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PCTFE) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) (FEP) using a two-step modification procedure. In the first step, blends or semiinterpenetrating networks were prepared by carrying out a free radical polymerization of styrene (or styrene with divinylbenzene or triallyl cyanurate) within the SCF-swollen polymer substrate.

Assessment of function and survival as measures of renal graft outcome following kidney and kidney-pancreas transplantation in type I diabetics.

Reports on renal graft outcome after kidney-alone (KA) and simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplants have focused on graft survival instead of function. The aim of this study is to compare renal graft outcome after KA and SPK using graft function and survival as the measures of outcome. The records of 102 transplants performed in type I diabetics from 10/90 to 9/96 were reviewed (SPK 42, KA 60).

Age and sex effects on brain morphology.

1. Brain morphology can be assessed readily in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 2.

Purification, characterization, and inhibition of peptide deformylase from Escherichia coli.

Peptide deformylase (EC 3.5.1.

Crystal structure of the Escherichia coli peptide deformylase.

Protein synthesis in bacteria involves the formylation and deformylation of the N-terminal methionine. As eukaryotic organisms differ in their protein biosynthetic mechanisms, peptide deformylase, the bacterial enzyme responsible for deformylation, represents a potential target for antibiotic studies. Here we report the crystallization and 2.

Primary enteric drainage of the pancreas allograft revisited.

Background: Historically, primary enteric drainage (ED) of exocrine secretions in pancreas allografts was associated with a poor outcome, mostly as a result of infectious complications. On the other hand, bladder drainage (BD), which is presently used in the majority of institutions, is associated with substantial urologic morbidity. The aim of this study is to reassess the role of primary ED by reviewing our experience with ED versus BD in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantations.

Graft outcome in cadaver renal transplants treated with full-dose cyclosporine induction without antibody, irrespective of graft function.

Cyclosporine (CSA) induction has been shown to prolong delayed graft function which in turn may compromise graft outcome. In this study we report our experience with full-dose CSA induction without antibody treatment irrespective of graft function and stress the importance of achieving therapeutic CSA levels in the early post-transplant period. The records of 293 first cadaver renal transplant recipients who were transplanted between January 1992 and December 1995 were reviewed.

Effect of race on outcome after kidney and kidney-pancreas transplantation in type 1 diabetic patients.

Objective: The racial impact on graft outcome is not well defined in diabetic recipients. The purpose of this study is to analyze our experience with kidney-alone (A) and kidney-pancreas (KP) transplantation in type 1 diabetic recipients and evaluate the impact of racial disparity on outcome.

Research Design And Methods: The records of 217 kidney transplants (118 KA, 99 KP) performed on type 1 diabetic patients between 1985 and 1995 at the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of Texas Medical Branch were reviewed.

Accuracy and reproducibility of brain and tissue volumes using a magnetic resonance segmentation method.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging now allows the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the human brain in vivo. As MR imaging resolution has improved, precise measurement of small brain structures has become possible. Methods of measuring brain regions from MR images include both manual and semiautomated methods.

Pharmacokinetics of a water-soluble fullerene in rats.

Fullerenes are the recently discovered third allotropic form of carbon. The biological activities of these compounds are being studied for various purposes. The bis(monosuccinimide) derivative of p p'-bis(2-amino-ethyl)-diphenyl-C60 (MSAD-C60) is a water-soluble fullerene derivative.

Treatment of thrombosed dialysis access grafts: randomized trial of surgical thrombectomy versus mechanical thrombectomy with the Amplatz device.

Purpose: To report the preliminary results in a trial comparing the Amplatz mechanical thrombectomy (MT) device with surgical thrombectomy (ST) to declot occluded dialysis access grafts.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-seven patients were randomly assigned by computer to either ST (n = 18) or MT (n = 19). Diagnostic fistulograms were obtained at the end of the procedure, and Doppler ultrasound was performed at 1-month follow-up.

Pharmacokinetics of (-)-2'-3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine in woodchucks.

The woodchuck (Marmota monax) has proven to be a suitable animal model for studying hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection owing to similarities in the course of infection between woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) in woodchucks and HBV in humans. (-)-beta-L-2',3'-Dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine (3TC; lamivudine) is a nucleoside analog which has demonstrated antiviral activity against HBV as well as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The purpose of the present investigation was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of 3TC following intravenous and oral administration of 20 mg of 3TC per kg of body weight to woodchucks.

The effects of prostaglandin E1 on hepatic allograft vascular inflow: a prospective randomized double-blind study.

Improved hepatic microcirculation is one of the postulated mechanisms by which prostaglandin E1 (PGE(1)) could improve liver function in the setting of fulminant hepatic failure or poor allograft function immediately post-transplant. The purpose of this study was to determine whether PGE(1) improves hepatic allograft arterial and portal vein inflow. Fifty patients receiving a primary liver transplant were entered into a prospective randomized double-blind study.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of (-)-beta-D-2,6-diaminopurine dioxolane and its metabolite, dioxolane guanosine, using ultraviolet and on-line radiochemical detection.

(-)-beta-D-2,6-Diaminopurine dioxolane (DAPD) and its metabolite dioxolane guanosine (DXG) have potent activity against hepatitis B virus and HIV, in vitro. A reversed-phase HPLC analytical method using UV and on-line radiochemical detection for the determination of DAPD and DXG in monkey serum and urine is described in this report. Retention times for DXG, DAPD and internal standard (2',3'-didehydro-2'deoxythymidine, D4T) were 5.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: a review of neuropsychiatric applications.

1. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a powerful new neuropsychiatric research tool which allows for the noninvasive investigation of in vivo biochemistry. This review focuses on the recent applications of MRS to in vivo neuropsychiatric research.

Stress steroids are not required for patients receiving a renal allograft and undergoing operation.

Background: It is commonly believed that patients receiving exogenous glucocorticoids have hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression and require exogenous, supplemental, high-dose stress glucocorticoids to meet the demands of operative or other stress. Several recent reports suggest both that clinically important HPA axis suppression is extremely uncommon and that the levels of glucocorticoids required for stress are much lower than previously believed. In addition, the high doses of steroids currently used for stress prophylaxis may actually increase morbidity and mortality.

Magnetic resonance imaging using deoxyhemoglobin contrast versus positron emission tomography in the assessment of brain function.

1. Function of the brain can be assessed through radiologic imaging to determine physiology of underlying tissue. 2.

Stratification of mortality risk for renal artery surgery.

Seventy consecutive operations involving the renal arteries were reviewed to identify factors linked to perioperative mortality. Aortorenal bypass (n = 29), endarterectomy (n = 12), extraanatomic bypass (n = 12), thrombectomy (n = 4), and reimplantation (n = 13) were associated with a 16% perioperative mortality that was often secondary to multisystem organ failure. Patients who died exhibited a higher serum creatinine (3.