Renal association clinical practice guideline in post-operative care in the kidney transplant recipient

These guidelines cover the care of patients from the period following kidney transplantation until the transplant is no longer working or the patient dies. During the early phase prevention of acute rejection and infection are the priority. After around 3-6 months, the priorities change to preservation of transplant function and avoiding the long-term complications of immunosuppressive medication (the medication used to suppress the immune system to prevent rejection). The topics discussed include organization of outpatient follow up, immunosuppressive medication, treatment of acute and chronic rejection, and prevention of complications. The potential complications discussed include heart disease, infection, cancer, bone disease and blood disorders. There is also a section on contraception and reproductive issues.Immediately after the introduction there is a statement of all the recommendations. These recommendations are written in a language that we think should be understandable by many patients, relatives, carers and other interested people. Consequently we have not reworded or restated them in this lay summary. They are graded 1 or 2 depending on the strength of the recommendation by the authors, and AD depending on the quality of the evidence that the recommendation is based on

Large-Scale PV Integration Study

This research effort evaluates the impact of large-scale photovoltaic (PV) and distributed generation (DG) output on NV Energy’s electric grid system in southern Nevada. It analyzes the ability of NV Energy’s generation to accommodate increasing amounts of utility-scale PV and DG, and the resulting cost of integrating variable renewable resources. The study was jointly funded by the United States Department of Energy and NV Energy, and conducted by a project team comprised of industry experts and research scientists from Navigant Consulting Inc., Sandia National Laboratories, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and NV Energy

Large-Scale PV Integration Study

This research effort evaluates the impact of large-scale photovoltaic (PV) and distributed generation (DG) output on NV Energy’s electric grid system in southern Nevada. It analyzes the ability of NV Energy’s generation to accommodate increasing amounts of utility-scale PV and DG, and the resulting cost of integrating variable renewable resources. The study was jointly funded by the United States Department of Energy and NV Energy, and conducted by a project team comprised of industry experts and research scientists from Navigant Consulting Inc., Sandia National Laboratories, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and NV Energy

Psoriasis: New insight about pathogenesis, role of barrier organ integrity, NLR/CATERPILLER family genes and microbial flora

Psoriasis is a common, inflammatory, chronic, relapsing skin disease. New insight about the etiology of this disease shows the important role played by the epidermal barrier function, its integrity and pathogen responses in combination with microbial environmental factors. A pivotal role in the management of this balance is played by NLR genes, also known as NBD-LRR or CATERPILLER, that encode important mediators of innate immunity and provide the first line of defense against pathogens. The polymorphism of these genes is implicated in the pathogenesis of several immunological diseases and might be of importance in the pathogenesis of barrier organ disorders. Crohn's disease is considered archetypal of these kinds of disorders; similarities between Crohn's disease and psoriasis and their similar pathogenetic mechanisms may support the concept of psoriasis as a barrier organ disorder and common genetic ground lying behind these illnesses. Considering psoriasis as a "barrier organ disease" is not only a mere mental exercise; this consideration may, in fact, open new prospects in the treatment of these disorders just by preventing alterations of microbial flora or regulating the response of the host to infective diseases. © 2012 Japanese Dermatological Association