Management of donor-specific antibodies in lung transplantation

The formation of antibodies against donor human leukocyte antigens poses a challenging problem both for donor selection as well as postoperative graft function in lung transplantation. These donor-specific antibodies limit the pool of potential donor organs and are associated with episodes of antibody-mediated rejection, chronic lung allograft dysfunction, and increased mortality. Optimal management strategies for clearance of DSAs are poorly defined and vary greatly by institution; most of the data supporting any particular strategy is limited to small-scale retrospective cohort studies. A typical approach to antibody depletion may involve the use of high-dose steroids, plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin, and possibly other immunomodulators or small-molecule therapies. This review seeks to define the current understanding of the significance of DSAs in lung transplantation and outline the literature supporting strategies for their management

Situating India in the global reproductive industry

In this chapter, I trace the development of the reproductive services industry in India and situate it in the context of the global reproductive industry. All nation-states manage their populations in various ways, either through pronatalist policies which encourage reproduction, policies on population limitation, or policies which encourage or discourage reproduction in particular groups. Foucault\u27s concepts of biopolitics and biopower have been employed by several scholars to analyze governments\u27 control over populations through various mechanisms (Foucault 1978; Nadimpally, Marwah, and Shenoi 2011; Mackie 2014a). The concept of repronationalism, whereby countries use reproductive policies to shape and express national identity, is also relevant (Franklin 2016; Franklin in this volume). Analytical concepts such as repronational histories and repronational choreographies are useful to understand patterns of specific national events in the context of assisted reproduction (Franklin and Inhorn 2016). Such concepts can be applied to the nature of state interventions in India, the regulation of reproductive services, and more recent attempts to shape national identity through the creation of a particular type of heteronormative family using reproductive technologies like IVF and, in some circumstances, surrogacy arrangements. Reproduction now takes place in a global frame, with intending parents crossing national borders to access gametes and reproductive services. This means that biopolitical interventions by particular governments also have repercussions across national borders, as we shall see below

Third party logistics providers : current trends in acquiring information systems capabilities

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1999.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-90).by Rachna Mohanka.M.Eng

Laparoscopic resection of liver tumors

Laparoscopic liver resection is technically challenging compared to open liver surgery and has a steep learning curve. Tumors located in the posterior sector, centrally, in proximity of major vascular pedicles or in a background of liver cirrhosis are surgically more complex with a higher risk of blood loss. There is emerging consensus about indications for laparoscopic liver resection. While laparoscopic approach is considered standard for left lateral sectionectomy and minor laparoscopic liver resections in antero-lateral segments, with increasing experience, major resections, parenchyma sparing resections and even donor hepatectomies are being performed laparoscopically with good outcomes. Laparoscopic liver surgery is feasible and safe for well selected patients by well-trained surgeons with short-term advantages and non-inferior long-term oncologic outcomes