Influence of HLA disparity, immunosuppressive regimen used, and type of kidney allograft on production of anti-HLA class-I antibodies after transplant and occurrence of rejection.

We studied the effects of HLA disparity, immunosuppressive regimen used, and the type of kidney allograft on production of anti-HLA antibodies after transplant and the occurrence of rejection episodes. Five living-unrelated donors and 4 living-related donors kidney recipients received quadruple therapy (including sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil). Fifteen living-unrelated donors and 19 living-related donors received triple therapy (excluding sirolimus).

Up-regulation of nerve growth factor and interleukin-10 in inflamed and non-inflamed intestinal segments in rats with experimental colitis.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by dysregulated immune response to the normal microflora and structural and functional changes of the enteric nervous system which occur in inflamed as well as non-inflamed areas of the bowel. This study describes the changes in the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the colon and in various segments of the small intestine in two rat models of experimental colitis induced by iodoacetamide or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Levels of NGF and IL-10 were measured by ELISA in tissue homogenate sampled from duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon at different time intervals.

Localized colonic inflammation increases cytokine levels in distant small intestinal segments in the rat.

Local inflammation in the colon has been associated with nutrient malabsorption and altered motility in the small bowel. These remote effects suggest the release of mediators which can act (or alter) the function of intestinal segments located far from the primary area of inflammation. This study describes the changes in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the colon and in various segments of the small intestine in two rat models of experimental colitis.

Novel concepts in the treatment of localized renal cell carcinoma.

The understanding of renal cell carcinoma has undergone significant advances in the past several years. These have included advances in imaging procedures and surgical approaches, allowing for more precise staging, and individualized approaches to therapy. Furthermore, there has been an increase in the diagnosis of incidental tumors and currently the majority of RCCs are incidentally diagnosed on routing imaging procedures.