4 research outputs found
Paired and altruistic kidney donation in the UK: algorithms and experimentation
We study the computational problem of identifying optimal
sets of kidney exchanges in the UK. We show how to expand an integer
programming-based formulation [1, 19] in order to model the criteria that
constitute the UK definition of optimality. The software arising from this
work has been used by the National Health Service Blood and Transplant
to find optimal sets of kidney exchanges for their National Living Donor
Kidney Sharing Schemes since July 2008.We report on the characteristics
of the solutions that have been obtained in matching runs of the scheme
since this time. We then present empirical results arising from the real
datasets that stem from these matching runs, with the aim of establishing
the extent to which the particular optimality criteria that are present
in the UK influence the structure of the solutions that are ultimately
computed. A key observation is that allowing 4-way exchanges would be
likely to lead to a significant number of additional transplants
Isozyme and RAPD studies in Prosopis glandulosa and P. Velutina (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae)
Analysis of the cardiovascular risk profile in stable kidney transplant recipients after 50% cyclosporine reduction.
BACKGROUND: Long-term use of cyclosporine (CsA) contributes to post-transplant cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hence, a reduction in CsA dosage in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) may improve long-term outcomes. We analyzed the effects of 50% CsA dose reduction on the CVD risk profile in stable KTR. METHOD: Thirty-one KTR on a regimen of CsA, prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were studied. Patients were randomized to either a) continue their previously determined CsA dose (control group, n = 15) or b) lower their CsA dose by 50% (CsA reduction group, n = 16). Renal function, blood pressure, lipid profile, plasma homocysteine (HCY), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and uric acid were compared at baseline and at 6 months. RESULTS: At 6 months, there was a significant improvement in allograft function, systolic blood pressure, number of anti-hypertensive medications and serum uric acid levels in the CsA reduction group. No significant decrease in plasma HCY, CRP, fibrinogen or improvement in lipid profile was found. In contrast, in the Control group, there was a significant increase in HCY, uric acid, and triglycerides. No acute rejection occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS: A greater reduction in CsA dose could further improve CVD risk profiles, although this may increase the risk of acute or subclinical rejection