Impact of OKT3 therapy on cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus infections after liver transplantation

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of OKT3 on the frequency and severity of CMV and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in adult liver transplant recipients. OKT3 treatment is associated with a higher risk of disseminated CMV infection, particularly in patients with primary CMV infection. It also increased the frequency of symptomatic HSV infection in HSV-seropositive liver transplant recipients

Fungal infections after liver transplantation

The risk factors for development of invasive fungal infections after liver transplantation were (1) longer duration of treatment with nonprophylactic IV antibiotics, (2) longer cumulative surgical time and a higher number of laparotomies, (3) an increased number of units of RBCs and fresh-frozen plasma, and (4) a series of pretransplant laboratory findings: thrombocytopenia, low T lymphocyte levels, low CD4 helper cell and lower helper/suppressor cell ratios and IgA serum levels. The significance of some of these findings is still unclear. Attention to the risk factors outlined earlier may aid both in preventing and in the early detection of invasive fungal infections after liver transplantation

Visibility in space - Target description subroutine

Computer subroutine for use in calculating visibility of Lunar Excursion Module /LEM/ ASCENT stage during moon orbit rendezvous with Command Service Module /CSM

Fungal infections in liver transplant recipients

Sixty-two adults who underwent orthotopic liver transplantations between February 1981 and June 1983 were followed for a mean of 170 days after the operation. Twenty-six patients developed 30 episodes of significant fungal infection. Candida species and Torulopsis glabrata were responsible for 22 episodes and Aspergillus species for 6. Most fungal infections occurred in the first month after transplantation. In the first 8 weeks after transplantation, death occurred in 69% (18/26) of patients with fungal infection but in only 8% (3/36) of patients without fungal infection (P<0.0005). The cause of death, however, was usually multifactorial, and not solely due to the fungal infection. Fungal infections were associated with the following clinical factors: administration of preoperative steroids (P<0.05) and antibiotics (P<0.05), longer transplant operative time (P<0.02), longer posttransplant operative time (P<0.01), duration of antibiotic use after transplant surgery (P<0.001), and the number of steroid boluses administered to control rejection in the first 2 posttransplant months (P<0.01). Patients with primary biliary cirrhosis had fewer fungal infections than patients with other underlying liver diseases (P<0.05). A total of 41% (9/22) of Candida infections resolved, but all Aspergillus infections ended in death. © 1985 by The Williams & Wilkins Co

Infections with cytomegalovirus and other herpesviruses in 121 liver transplant recipients: Transmission by donated organ and the effect of OKT3 antibodies

One hundred twenty-one adult liver transplant recipients were studied for the incidence, risk factors, and morbidity associated with herpesviruses infections after transplantation. The overall incidence of infection was 59% for cytomegalovirus (CMV), 35% for herpes simplex virus (HSV), 25% for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and 7% for varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Primary CMV infection occurred in 46% and reactivation CMV infection in 67% of the susceptible recipients. Symptomatic and disseminated CMV diseases were more common when patients developed primary infection (P .10). Although most HSV infections were oral or genital reactivations, three cases of HSV hepatitis occurred - one was primary infection. Symptomatic reactivations of HSV were observed in 53% of HSV-seropositive recipients who received OKT3, versus 31% of seropositive recipients who did not receive OKT3 (P = .05)

OGO-6 gas-surface energy transfer experiment

The kinetic energy flux of the upper atmosphere was analyzed using OGO-6 data. Energy transfer between 10 microwatts/sq cm and 0.1 W/sq cm was measured by short-term frequency changes of temperature-sensitive quartz crystals used in the energy transfer probe. The condition of the surfaces was continuously monitored by a quartz crystal microbalance to determine the effect surface contamination had on energy accommodation. Results are given on the computer analysis and laboratory tests performed to optimize the operation of the energy transfer probe. Data are also given on the bombardment of OGO-6 surfaces by high energy particles. The thermoelectrically-cooled quartz crystal microbalance is described in terms of its development and applications

From chemotherapy to targeted treatment

Today, melanoma is considered as a spectrum of melanocytic malignancies that can be characterized by clinical and molecular features, including targetable mutations in several kinases. The successful development of therapies, targeting mutated BRaF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1) or c-KIT (v-kit Hardy-Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog), has resulted in new treatment options including vemurafenib, imatinib and mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors. These molecules are selected if the respective mutation is present. after this first progress in the treatment of advanced melanoma, there is expectation that combinations of kinase inhibitor will additionally improve the overall survival rates and progression-free survival in advanced melanom

Death in 12–24-Year-Old Youth in Nova Scotia: High Risk of Preventable Deaths for Males, Socially Deprived and Rural Populations—A Report from the NSYOUTHS Program

Deaths from avoidable causes represent the largest component of deaths in young people in Canada and have a considerable social cost in relation to years of potential life lost. We evaluated social and demographic determinants of deaths in youth aged 12–24 years in Nova Scotia for the period 1995–2004. Youth most at risk of death were males, the more socially deprived, and those living in rural areas. There was a five-fold increase in suicides and a three-fold increase in injury deaths in males compared to females and a substantial component of these deaths were amongst males living in rural areas. Initiatives and prevention policies should be targeted towards specific at-risk groups, particularly males living in rural areas. Published vital statistics hide these important trends and thus provide only limited evidence with which to base-prevention initiatives