Search

An oil model system was used to analyze the antioxidant activity of Chilean fruit extracts and to determine their odor sensory effect. Hydroalcoholic extracts from wild and 14-4 genotype murtilla (Ugni molinae Turcz.) fruit were assessed by the Response Surface Methodology. The optimal conditions for producing high total phenolic-content extracts were 49.5% (v/v) ethanol at 30 °C, which yielded 18.39 and 26.14 mg GAE·g-1 dry matter, respectively. The optimized extracts were added to a lipid model system and evaluated via the Schaal Oven Test. After 96 hours, 150 and 200 mg·kg-1 oil of the wild and 14-4 genotype extracts, respectively, showed an antioxidant capacity similar to TBHQ (200 mg·kg-1 oil) in terms of peroxide values and odor. Thus, murtilla fruit extracts are a natural source of antioxidants for protecting lipidic foods, such as soybean oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents Although hormonal changes during different phases of the oestrous cycle of bitches are well-described, knowledge about the luteal phase and anoestrus is incomplete. Furthermore, which paracrine and autocrine critical factors that differentiate between follicles destined for atresia and those that continue to develop are unknown. In this study, ovarian tissue was collected from 39 healthy bitches that were subject to ovariectomy or ovariohysterectomy for surgical neutering or medical purposes such as unwanted pregnancy. Bitches were allocated to different groups depending on the stage of the oestrous cycle. Serum progesterone, LH, FSH and 17β-estradiol (E2) -levels were determined and immunhistochemistry was performed for a variety of receptor antigens; Ki-67, vimentin, pan cytokeratin antibody, p53 and oestrogen receptor (ER) α antigens. Marked differences were found in progesterone concentration between pregnant and non-pregnant animals. Oestrogen concentration was significantly lower in pro-oestrus and ovulation than during the luteal phase. Although progesterone could be detected in cytoplasm of ovarian cells at each stage, its presence was restricted to follicular cells during anoestrus. A strong presence of AE1/AE3, vimentin and p53 was found in each oestrous stage, in contrast with Ki67. The localization of ERα appeared to vary during the oestrous cycle, a phenomenon that suggests a switch between target cells of oestrogen; while as a proliferation marker, the mild reaction of p53 during parturition suggests an apoptotic process at this stage of the cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represent possible complications of medical immunosuppression. Between 2005 and 2010, non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) PCP patients admitted to a nephrology unit were analyzed for outcome, CMV comorbidity, and patient-to-patient contacts prior to PCP. In contrast to 2002-2004 (no cases) and 2008-2010 (10 cases), a PCP outbreak of 29 kidney-transplant recipients and one patient with anti-glomerular basement membrane disease occurred between 2005 and 2007. None of the patients were on PCP chemoprophylaxis. In four PCP patients, the genotyping data of bronchoalveolar lavage specimen showed an identical Pneumocystis strain. PCP cases had a higher incidence of CMV infection (12 of 30 PCP patients) and CMV disease (four patients) when compared to matched PCP-free controls ( p < 0.05). Cotrimoxazole and, if applicable, ganciclovir were started 2.0 ± 4.0 days following admission, and immunosuppressive medication was reduced. In-hospital mortality was 10% and the three-year mortality was 20%. CMV co-infection did not affect mortality. CMV co-infection more frequently occurred during a cluster outbreak of non-HIV PCP in comparison to PCP-free controls. Here, CMV awareness and specific therapy of both CMV infection and PCP led to a comparatively favorable patient outcome. The role of patient isolation should be further investigated in incident non-HIV PCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different operating conditions for drying halves of 'Murtilla', a native Chilean berry food species, were studied in atmospheric freeze drying, using dry air through a pulsed fluidized bed, and vacuum freeze drying. Applying a 23 experimental design, the effect of the freezing rate, the air temperature, and the application of infrared radiation was studied on the moisture content and the drying time. Fast freezing with infrared (IR) and air at 15°C for the second drying stage allowed achieving final moisture contents similar to vacuum freeze drying in equivalent total drying periods. Drying at the same conditions except with air at 5°C resulted in a larger preservation of antioxidant capacity of the fresh fruit. Also, the texture was adequate for a dry fruit, with a pleasant flavor for direct consumption or mixed with yogurt. The drying kinetics of the first drying stage was modeled by an equation based on the uniformly retreating ice front model, which gave a reasonable description of the trend for this stage, although it does not include the application of IR radiations or the rate of freezing. The Page equation was an adequate tool to represent the second drying stage (which started after 7 h) for each experimental run, by using specific parameters (n and k) obtained by fitting the experimental data. The parameters exhibited similar values to those cited in the literature for foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is common after pancreas transplantation, leading to pancreatitis or thrombosis with the need for relaparotomy or even graft loss. Optimal donor selection may reduce the postoperative morbidity of IRI. The Eurotransplant preprocurement pancreas suitability score (P-PASS) seeks to identify ideal donors with a value <17. Owing to the organ shortage the waiting time for pancreas transplantation is increasing, a problem that may be addressed with the use of extended-criteria donors. We analyzed our pancreas transplantations regarding postoperative complications according to the P-PASS. To reflect IRI we used the peak C-reactive protein (CRP) levels during the first 3 postoperative days. Methods: From January 2009 to July 2010, we transplanted 52 pancreas grafts, including, 50 simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantations (SPK), 1 after a kidney graft, and 1 alone. For 3 SPK donors the P-PASS was not available. All transplantations were performed using systemic venous and enteric drainage. The immunosuppression protocol included antibody induction with antithymocyte globulin and maintenance therapy with steroids, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. The peak CRP in the first 3 postoperative days was used as a marker for IRI. Results: The mean P-PASS of our donors was 16.4 ± 2.6 (range, 12–22). We compared 24 patients receiving organs from “ideal” donors (P-PASS <17; ID) with 25 receiving grafts from extended-criteria donors (P-PASS ≥17; ED). There was no significant difference in the incidence of graft loss among ID versus ED grafts (20.8% vs 20.0%; P = 1.0). Comparing the rates of postoperative complications of patients, we did not observe a significant difference in graft thrombosis (4.2% vs 16.0%; P = .349), relaparotomy (29.2% vs 40.0%; P = .551), a pancreatic fistula (37.5% vs 28.0%; P = .543), or the length of hospital stay (36.5 ± 19.2 vs 37.4 ± 20.8 days; P = .875), respectively. Regarding IRI, there was no significant difference in peak CRP values (14.1 ± 5.5 vs 16.2 ± 6.0 mg/dL; P = .211). Conclusion: This single center analysis failed to show that P-PASS significantly predicted pancreas graft survival, postoperative morbidity, or IRI severity. These findings suggested a chance to increase the donor pool using extended-criteria donors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This ongoing multicenter prospective observational study was undertaken in de novo renal allograft recipients managed with cyclosporine (CsA) trough (C0) and 2-hour postdose (C2) level monitoring at defined times so as to assess the risk for an acute rejection episode or allograft dysfunction. The renal transplant recipients (n = 159) were enrolled at 11 German centers. The 6-month posttransplant data from 138 patients were evaluable for this interim analysis. Mean C2 levels (ng/mL), which were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry at a central laboratory, were: days 3 to 5: 873.1 ± 391.9; days 7 to 10: 939.1 ± 422.8; days 14 to 28: 1116.3 ± 497.6; 3 months: 905.0 ± 316.8; and after 6 months: 787.0 ± 276.5. To identify patients at higher risk for acute rejection or allograft dysfunction, we calculated the relative CsA absorption capacity (C2 [ng/mL]/morning dose [mg/kg]; CsA-Abs), yielding mean values on days 3 to 5: 284.4 ± 115.1; days 7 to 10: 306.7 ± 134.8; days 14 to 28: 382.5 ± 164.7; month 3: 501.5 ± 168.8; month 6: 512.7 ± 176.5. Three groups were distinguished by CsA-Abs at days 7 to 10: low absorbers (CsA-Abs < 200), normal absorbers (CsA-Abs 200 to 350), and high absorbers (CsA-Abs > 350). A between-group comparison of absorption level at 6 months posttransplant revealed the incidences of biopsy-proven acute rejection and Cockcroft-Gault formula-based mean glomerular filtration rates of 23.8% and 54.7 ± 19.0 mL/min, 22.6% and 59.5 ± 20.7 mL/min, and 17.6% and 67.7 ± 23.5, respectively. In conclusion, mean C2 levels >1000 ng/mL are attained within 2 to 4 weeks, with CsA-Abs increasing continuously over the first 6 posttransplant months. High CsA absorbers show a propensity toward good allograft function and lower acute rejection rates at 6 months after renal transplantation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) is associated with increased risk of graft failure and death in renal transplant recipients. Some clinical studies have indicated that NODM risk is higher with tacrolimus than cyclosporine, but no comparative trial has used American Diabetic Association (ADA)/World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The Diabetes Incidence After Renal Transplantation, Neoral C2 Monitoring Versus Tacrolimus (DIRECT) study is a 6-month open-label, multicenter trial comparing the impact of tacrolimus and Neoral (cyclosporine microemulsion) on glucose metabolism in 700 de novo kidney transplant recipients, based on ADA/WHO criteria. Patients are randomized to tacrolimus (C0 monitoring) or Neoral (C2 monitoring), stratified by baseline diabetic status and ethnicity. All patients receive basiliximab, corticosteroids, and mycophenolate mofetil or enteric-coated mycophenolate acid (myfortic). Pooled interim 3-month results from a subset of 115 patients receiving either tacrolimus or Neoral showed that the primary efficacy end-point (biopsy-proven acute rejection [BPAR], graft loss or death) occurred in 11 patients (10%). There were four graft losses and only one death, which occurred after graft loss. Eight patients experienced BPAR (7.3%). Among 99 patients who were nondiabetic at baseline, 14 developed NODM by month 3, 17 developed impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance, and another 5 patients received hypoglycemic treatment for at least 14 consecutive days or at the month 3 visit, resulting in a 36% incidence of impaired glucose metabolism. At 3 months, median GFR (Nankivell) was 63.7 mL/min; median serum creatinine was 137 µmol/L. Full complete results are expected in December 2005. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) is associated with great postoperative morbidity, including the need for relaparotomy in up to 40% of cases. Because the pancreatic graft is known to be the major cause of the high morbidity, we examined the incidence and treatment of pancreatic fistula (PF) in this retrospective analysis. Methods: From January 2004 to July 2010, we transplanted 52 pancreas grafts, including 50 SPK, 1 pancreas after kidney, and 1 pancreas transplantation alone. There were 22 female and 30 male patients with an overall mean age of 42.4 ± 7.4 years. The mean duration of diabetes was 27.3 + 8.1 years, mean duration of dialysis was 24.2 ± 28.6 months, and 14 cases were pre-emptive transplantations. All procedures were performed using systemic venous and enteric drainage. Results: The incidence of clinically relevant PF was 16/52 (30.8%), including 11 (68.8%) that were treated conservatively with a drain. Five patients (31.2%) needed relaparotomy: 2 due to enteric leakage, 2 due to acute abdominal pain with graft pancreatitis observed at laparotomy, and 1 due to acute hemorrhage. In 3 cases, graft pancreatectomy was necessary. Comparing the patients with (PF+) versus without (PF−) fistulas, there was no significant difference in cold ischemia time (10.9 ± 2.6 hours vs 10.4 ± 4.4 hours; P = .633), donor age. We found a significantly higher peak C-reactive protein (CRP) level in the patients with pancreatic fistula (3661.4 ± 3474.8 U/L vs 821.8 ± 1293.7 U/L, P = .022). The lipase concentration measured in the drainage fluid postoperatively showed a significant difference between the 2 groups (3661.4 ± 3474.8 U/L vs 821.8 ± 1293.7 U/L; P = 0.006). Also, the amylase concentration was higher in the PF+ group (1747.3 ± 3346.7 U/L vs 265.3 ± 254.9 U/L; P = .097). Graft loss occurred in 4/16 cases (25.0%) of PF+ and 7/36 (19.4%) of PF− (P = .719). Conclusion: The incidence of PF after pancreas transplantation is high and seems to be associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury reflected by peak-CRP. In most cases a conservative treatment is successful. The occurrence of a PF does not significantly impair graft survival. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: IL18 is a proinflammatory cytokine, that plays a major role in the regulation of T helper type 1 (Th1) response. Recently IL18 has been implicated in acute tubular necrosis (ATN) after renal transplantation. Moreover, in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematodes IL18 was associated with severity of renal disease. Methods: To identify the role of IL18 in human renal allografts during rejection we performed a immunohistochemical study on IL18 expression in renal allograft biopsies and normal control renal tissue (unaffected part of kidneys with renal tumors). Moreover urine samples of these patients were tested for IL18 by ELISA. Results: IL18 was detectable in infiltrating leukocytes in all biopsies with the diagnosis of acute rejection, weakly in one allograft with ATN and absent in the interstitial space of normal renal tissue. In contrast IL 18 was constitutively expressed in renal parenchymal cells, corresponding to collecting duct cells in normal kidneys as well as in renal allografts. Urinary IL18 was detectable in only a subset of patients with acute rejection and in one patient with ATN. Conclusions: Here we demonstrate for the first time immunohistochemical detection of IL18 in human kidney specimen. IL18 is constitutively expressed in renal collecting duct cells and additionally in infiltrating leukocytes during allograft rejection. These data justify further investigation on the role of IL18 in the human kidney during inflammation and especially allograft rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite major improvements in patient and allograft survival after renal transplantation, acute allograft rejection episodes (AR) are still frequent and decisive for the long-term graft survival. Renal biopsy is still the gold standard for the diagnosis of AR. As recent investigations showed a prominent role of interferon-gamma dependent chemokines in animal models of allograft rejection, the aim of our study was to identify the role of CXCR3 and its ligands MIG/CXCL9 and IP-10/CXCL10 as markers for AR in human renal transplantation. Methods: A total of >1,500 urine samples of 69 patients with de novo renal transplantation in Frankfurt from 2001 through 2003 have been collected in an open-label prospective study on a daily basis for a median time of 29 days following renal transplantation. In pH adjusted fresh morning urine chemokines MIG and IP-10 were determined by modified ELISAs. Additional clinical and laboratory parameters were monitored for the whole study period. AR was confirmed by biopsy and evaluated according to the BANFF classification. In addition biopsies were stained for CXCR3 expression by immunohistochemistry. Results: Biopsy-proven AR occurred in 15/69 recipients. Corresponding to an infiltration of CXCR3-positive cells into the graft urinary MIG elevation was detected in 14/15 AR patients with levels of 6803 ± 2095 pg/ml (mean ± SEM, n = 15) being significantly (P < 0.0001) different from both non-rejecting patients (NR) and healthy controls (135 ± 29, n = 54, and 131 ± 25 pg/ml, n = 13, respectively). Urinary MIG predicted AR with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 89%. In both groups, AR and NR, MIG values were correlated well to IP-10 and CRP (P < 0.001), but not to serum creatinine. MIG values indicated both imminent rejection and response to successful antirejection therapy, while they were not related to delayed graft function or intercurrent bacterial infections. Conclusions: This study identifies urinary MIG/CXCL9 as a very sensitive and specific marker for acute renal allograft rejection. Urinary MIG allows differentiation of AR from other causes of impaired renal function after transplantation and may facilitate clinical decisions for biopsy as well as guide immunosuppressive therapy. Monitoring of urinary MIG will contribute to improve renal long-term allograft survival in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]