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Biomedical subjects

M Moritz

Publications and source records attributed to M Moritz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A comparison of the effects of cyclosporine versus antilymphocyte globulin on delayed graft function in cadaver renal transplant recipients.

There has been concern that cyclosporine's nephrotoxicity increases the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF), prolongs periods of oliguria, and reduces graft survival. In order to further study whether CsA should be used in DGF, we conducted a randomized prospective trial of the effect of CsA versus antilymphocyte globulin on the effects of DGF. Between 12/22/85 and 3/11/88, all patients with DGF after an initial 12-24 hr of CsA were randomized to either daily Minnesota ALG and prednisone or lower-dose CsA (10 mg/kg/day) and prednisone. Resolution of DGF was defined as a lack of dialysis dependency and a 25% fall in the serum creatinine (CR). If DGF was not resolved by 2 weeks, transplant renal biopsies were performed to assess the presence of occult rejection. CsA (10 mg/kg/day) was initiated in the ALG group only after resolution of the DGF. Of the 45 patients who recovered graft function, 19 received ALG and 26 received CsA. CsA significantly prolonged the duration of DGF (ALG 9.74 days, CsA 13.69 days, P = 0.035) but did not result in a prolongation of hospitalization. No difference in CR was found between the two groups at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. Mean CR at 12 months was 1.98 mg/dl for ALG versus 1.96 mg/dl for CsA. Overall graft survival did not differ in the CsA and ALG groups (P = 0.33). CsA does slightly increase the duration of DGF as compared with ALG but has no effect on one-year serum CR or one-year graft survival. Since there appeared to be no harmful long-term effects of the slight lengthening of DGF, a lower-dose of CsA protocol with biopsy surveillance for occult rejection can be used in patients with DGF.

Antilymphocyte Serum↗

Depletion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomal protein L16 causes a decrease in 60S ribosomal subunits and formation of half-mer polyribosomes.

We constructed yeast strains containing deletion-insertion null alleles of the RPL16A or RPL16B genes encoding the 60S ribosomal subunit protein L16 to determine the role of L16 in the synthesis and function of ribosomes. Strains lacking a functional RPL16A gene grow as rapidly as wild type, whereas those containing a null allele of RPL16B grow more slowly than wild type. RNA analysis using RPL16 probes revealed that both RPL16 genes are transcribed and that RPL16B transcripts accumulate to twice the level of RPL16A transcripts. No evidence was obtained for the occurrence of dosage compensation at the level of RPL16 mRNA accumulation in either mutant. Strains lacking both RPL16 genes are apparently inviable, demonstrating that L16 is an essential yeast ribosomal protein. Introduction of an extra copy of either RPL16 gene into rpl16b mutants restored wild-type growth rates, indicating that the two forms of the L16 protein are interchangeable. rpl16 mutants are deficient in 60S ribosomal subunits relative to 40S subunits. 43S preinitiation complexes accumulate in half-mer polyribosomes in the absence of sufficient 60S subunits. We postulate that the slow-growth phenotype of rpl16 mutants results from the perturbation of initiation of protein synthesis.

Fungal Proteins↗

Magnetic resonance of the disk of the temporomandibular joint. MR imaging protocol.

Disk displacement can be well detected using proton density-weighted and T2*-weighted two-dimensional gradient-echo sequences. In uncertain cases, especially if the bilaminar zone is not sufficiently represented, a contrast-enhanced T1-weighted spin-echo sequence should also be performed. Also in patients with disk degeneration and osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint, proton density-weighted and T2*-weighted two-dimensional gradient-echo sequences are of great diagnostic value. In this collective, however, T1-weighted contrast-enhanced spin-echo sequences should be generally performed, to demonstrate inflammatory reaction of the synovia.

Adolescent↗

Safety and efficacy of living donor liver preservation with HTK solution.

BACKGROUND: In living donor liver transplantation (LDLTx) organ procurement is usually well controlled, and allows to assess liver preservation and graft function under standardized conditions. Because publications on histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution are limited, we prospectively studied its safety and efficacy in a consecutive series of LDLTx. METHODS: Twenty-four patients received 22 right, 1 left, and 1 left lateral lobe graft. Liver preservation was done by gravity perfusion with HTK through portal vein, and hepatic artery, and flushing of bile ducts. Total ischemia time was 191 +/- 68 minutes. RESULTS: There was no primary nonfunction, and all partial liver grafts showed good recovery: peak aspartate aminotransferase 577 U/L, total bilirubin 15.15 mg/dL, and partial thromboplastin time 49.37 seconds. One graft was lost from parenchymal fracture secondary to portal hyperperfusion after 6 days, and the patient was salvaged with retransplantation. Thirty-day mortality, including sudden cardiac death, pancreatitis, and hepatic artery rupture, was not related to graft dysfunction. Eight of 24 recipients developed early biliary leakage. There was no late ischemic type biliary lesion. CONCLUSION: These results confirm that HTK solution is safe and effective when used in LDLTx. Potential advantages of HTK in comparison to other preservation solutions are low potassium concentration, low viscosity, no particles, in situ perfusion, no need to flush before reperfusion, improved biliary protection, better recovery of microcirculatory changes, ready to use, and lower costs. Because the risk-benefit ratio is of particular importance in LDLTx the use of HTK solution should be encouraged.

Adolescent↗